That Map of Handgun-Permit Holders

Even the techie online mag cnet.com is debunking the map of pistol-permit holders published by the Journal News:

The Journal News, a local New York paper, decides to post a map of all those who own handguns in the area. Like so much that's online, it contains errors -- massive errors.

...and:

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that some of these permits dated from the 1930s.  

Link.

Gun Laws and the Fools of Chelm

Great essay in Newsweek/Beast by David Mamet:

The Left loves a phantom statistic that a firearm in the hands of a citizen is X times more likely to cause accidental damage than to be used in the prevention of crime, but what is there about criminals that ensures that their gun use is accident-free? If, indeed, a firearm were more dangerous to its possessors than to potential aggressors, would it not make sense for the government to arm all criminals, and let them accidentally shoot themselves?

The "New" South

From the Washington Post "Fact Checker" blog:

Last week we looked at a National Rifle Association ad that made misleading claims about security at Sidwell Friends School, which President Obama’s children attend. Now let’s look at a tough anti-NRA ad sponsored by the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, an umbrella organization of 48 religious and other organizations.

The target of this ad is Rep. John Barrow of Georgia — the last white Democratic member of Congress from the Deep South. The CSGV video intercuts scenes from a campaign ad that Barrow ran in 2012 with television footage of the massacre of school children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. It certainly packs an emotional punch — but is it fair and accurate?

"...the last white Democratic member of Congress from the Deep South."?

Is that really true?

WOW!

And they accuse the Republicans of being polarized!

"I know you are but what am I? I know you are but..."

The hell with it. A pox on both their houses.

Via Shall Not Be Questioned.

"Gun Show Loophole" Bill Dies In Virginia Senate

This is great news, because the only way to enforce background checks on private sales is to require universal gun registration, and we ain't goin' there!

Via VCDL bulletin.

Prepping

Getting ready for The Big Day.

Blocking off the sidewalks to pedestrian traffic.

Streets, too.

All the metal trashcans on Pennsylvania Avenue were picked up last night and replaced with these clear plastic bags.

The National Archives building gleamed in the morning sun.

A lovely old building, the Fireman's Insurance Building. Nowadays, of course, it is a Starbucks.

Huge loudspeaker arrays have been hoisted onto poles along the route. These are in front of the Newseum.

On my walk home I passed a very cool bicycle shop and saw this authentic pennyfarthing in the window. I was informed that they go for $4000 - $6000 depending on condition. (Bomb not included.)

WaPo: The NRA Is Awesome!

Boy Scout camp

Yesterday's Washington Post: 

 “What they do well is they really get people out,” said Illinois state Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D), who heads the House committee that was to consider the assault-weapons ban until gun owners, spurred by the local NRA affiliate, overwhelmed legislators with calls and e-mails. “That’s democracy. I can’t fault them for it. I have to applaud them for it.”

and:

“They can produce a small army for Election Day, and every elected official knows it,” said Rep. Mark Pocan, a newly elected Democratic congressman, who was a state legislator when the tide turned in Wisconsin.

Police seizing guns in California

Rehearsal

Air Force cadets lining Pennsylvania Avenue in the fog. From Sixth Street facing west.

That's Gonna Leave A Mark

This kid totally demolishes Piers Morgan.

So good you'll want to watch it twice.

via Sebastian.

Captured Taliban Firearms

This is a Martini-Metford cavalry carbine, with a bicycle chain as a sling.

Interesting article from the NYT.

Mayor Mike Makes A Mis-step

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has likened a teachers' union to the NRA:

Of all the polarizing things Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has said and done over the years, from banning large sugary drinks to supporting congestion pricing, few have generated the sort of viral backlash that has unexpectedly mounted after his weekly radio show on Friday.

The mayor had embarked on a lengthy stream of consciousness on the need to negotiate a new teacher evaluation plan with the United Federation of Teachers. Toward the end, Mr. Bloomberg, almost as an aside, likened the teachers’ union to groups like the National Rifle Association and others in which he said a few leaders were out of sync with large numbers of rank-and-file members. 

NYT.

This is the same union that was once headed by Albert Shanker. He attained immortality when he was the butt of a famous joke in Woody Allen's movie Sleeper. The hero is transported into a dystopian future. When he asks what happened to the world as he knew it, he is told, "Our history books tell us that the old world was destroyed when a man named Albert Shanker got hold of a nuclear warhead."

For his part, Shanker is said to have loved the joke.

Publish Or Perish

The New York Times has covered the controversy regarding the publication of the names and addresses of pistol-permit holders in Westchester and Putnam counties by the Journal News. The item in the Times generated a huge number of comments, evenly split between pro- and anti-publication.

Two of my favorites:

What has happened to the left that I used to be a proud member? This has nothing to do with protecting your children or helping public safety. This is pure revenge on a group the left despises … the NRA. The comments are beyond the pale in their stereotyping and demonizing these people. Just because someone might have a permit, doesn’t mean they have a gun or even belong to or support the NRA. Maybe the person is in law enforcement, maybe the person is an abused wife, wanting protection.

And:

We, on the left, objected loudly when the names and addresses of doctors who perform abortions were made public. Are our ethics so situational that we now embrace the tactics of our opponents? How sad for us.

New Year's Resolution

My New Year's Resolution: each time I read in the mainstream media a direct quote from a Democratic congresscritter/Senator suggesting tougher federal gun control laws, I'm going to mail a modest financial donation to the RCCC or RSCC, as appropriate. And I will include a letter explaining why I sent the donation. And I will send a letter to either the DCCC or DSCC, as appropriate, explaining that my donation to their opponents is on behalf of the Second Amendment, due to the statements of their party's officeholders.

Sen. Charles Schumer is one of the foremost proponents of tougher federal gun control, but he used to be an absolute maniac on the subject. He never missed an opportunity to step in front of the TV cameras and expound at length on the subject: "NRA, blah, blah, gun lobby, blah, blah, evil-evil-evil."

But after his stint as chair of the DSCC (2005-2009), he has calmed down quite a bit. He found out how sensitive the rest of the country (in that wild and desolate wasteland west of the Hudson) was to the subject of gun control. He found out how difficult it was to raise money for red state Democrats who were perceived as favoring new federal gun control laws. And he found out how effectively the other side could raise money on the issue. It may be a winner in MA, NY, NJ, MD, DC, CA and Chicago, but it's a loser just about everywhere else. And public opinion is moving strongly away from gun control and continues to do so in spite of the horrific murders two weeks ago.

Rahm Emmanuel is said to have experienced a similar revelation when he was head of the DCCC (2005-2007). Later, as mayor, it didn't stop him from defending Chicago's indefensible gun laws, but his stubborness cost Chicago's taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees - and that's just for the other side (our side) - who knows how many millions Chicago paid to its own legal team? Not much, I hope...it was a pretty pathetic effort.

A couple of red (or, maybe, purple) state Democratic Senators recently expressed a newfound willingness to consider renewing the failed AWB. They aren't facing re-election for another four to six years, and they think we won't remember. But a third of the Senate faces re-election every two years. So a financial contribution to the opposition's fund-raising arm sends a strong message. I can imagine the head of the DSCC phoning Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and saying, "Mark, do you know how hard you're making my job? Do you remember when you recruited me for this position? Do you remember promising me that you would do everything you could to help me? Do you remember that, Mark? Do you really? Then WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU SANDBAGGING ME AT EVERY TURN YOU SONOFABITCH!? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO SHOOT YOUR MOUTH OFF ABOUT GUN CONTROL? WILL YOU JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

One can dream, can't one?

One pundit said, "If Congress doesn't pass tough new gun control laws after this, they never will."

Make it so.