Biden’s appointments
One commentator asks why President Biden has gone longer in the White House without taking questions from the press than any Chief Executive in recent memory. Maybe because he doesn’t have any answers?
Joe Biden: not the smartest rock in the box.
This is a real video with real quotes. #prayforAmerica pic.twitter.com/0XvX6rn09l
— Scott Fishman (@ScottFishman) February 19, 2021
Litigation
The Second Amendment Foundation, joined by the Illinois State Rifle Association and four private citizens, has filed a federal lawsuit against Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly and Firearms Services Bureau Chief Jarod Ingebrigtsen in their official capacities, alleging they have allowed the agency to indefinitely deny state residents their right to carry by failing to process Concealed Carry Licenses in violation of state law. The case, Luce v. Kelly, was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.
The Aposhian v. Barr bump stock ban challenge case is very likely to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court next year.
A New Jersey man has been arrested for illegal possession of guns in his home, though apparently he broke no such laws.
Legislation
Do 84% of Americans think a person should go to federal prison if they transfer a firearm to a trusted friend, neighbor, or relative?
- A Simple Question For Democrats About Universal Background Checks
- House passes bill to expand background checks for gun sales
- House Dems dare Republicans to ‘stand in the way’ after passing sweeping gun control bills
“H.R.8, the gun background check bill is long overdue…” – @BennieGThompson
Thank or “spank” rogue federal legislators here. Editable. You may need to click through the “spank” letter to get to the “thank” letter.
In the 1968 case Haynes v. U.S., 390 US 85, Miles Edward Haynes, a convicted felon, was convicted of unlawful possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun. He argued that for a convicted felon to register a gun was effectively an announcement to the government that he was breaking the law and that registration violated his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination. The U.S. Supreme Court, by an 8-1 majority, agreed, concluding that a convicted felon is exempt from obeying gun registration laws, saying “We hold that a proper claim of the constitutional privilege against self-incrimination provides a full defense to prosecutions either for failure to register a firearm….or for possession of an unregistered firearm.”
Let me repeat that: “A CONVICTED FELON IS EXEMPT FROM OBEYING GUN REGISTRATION LAWS.”
Which leaves the question: Who is left to be required to register their guns, and why?
Gun rights vs. minor, non-violent crimes
Silly crimes
The BATFE and the United States Postal Inspection Service have arrested a Florida man and seized his websites for selling a flat piece of metal with a drawing of a full-auto part for an AR-15 on it, claiming he was selling machine gun parts. ATF says that buyers of that part should contact their local ATF office to be arrested.
Similarly, ATF has seized the inventory and then subsequently the website of Diversified Machine, a suppressor company. No reason has been disclosed. Just a wild guess – an administrative problem with serializing, record keeping, taxes, etc. If you happen to be in possession of a suppressor or silencer that was sold by a Diversified Machine, ATF apparently considers it a violation of federal law even if properly registered. If this is the case, the ATF is requesting that you contact your nearest ATF office. Gee, I wonder why?
NRA updates
Enemies
Gannett. But you knew that.
Teaching kids about guns
The Only Ones
Michigan State Police Trooper Parker Surbrook was arrested and charged with felonious assault last week after his arrest of a driver in November, during which he allegedly allowed a K-9 to attack the driver for four minutes as the man begged for help.
Five Oklahoma City police officers were charged Wednesday with first-degree manslaughter in last November’s fatal shooting of a 15-year-old male armed robbery suspect. The accused officers are Bethany Sears, Jared Barton, Corey Adams, John Skuta and Brad Pemberton.
Austin, Texas police Officer Christopher Taylor has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting last April of an unarmed Austin man. Taylor is accused of fatally shooting the man with a rifle as he drove away after another officer shot him with a beanbag gun. The man reportedly never did threaten the officers or anyone else leading up to or during the incident.
An unidentified London (England) Metropolitan police officer with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command has been arrested on a suspicion of murder charge.
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Good Brownells
Last week we reported an offensive, vulgar email from Brownells. This week we learned from an industry source that the person responsible for it has been dismissed and that Brownells does not tolerate such nonsense. Thanks, Brownells.
CDC
Have you seen the Centers for Disease Control’s Zombie page?
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Army gun
Northrop Grumman will build a prototype of its 20mm chain gun, dubbed Sky Viper, for the Army.
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I just figured out that I can sell a couple of cases of ammo and fund my retirement.
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Products
Classic Pay Direct offers firearms manufacturers, retailers, and consumers, a safe, reliable option for processing transactions in the firearms and outdoor space, which some of the current payment processing companies refuse to do.
Always wanted a .45 Luger? Here ya go.
Have you seen CRKT’s knives with Veff™ Serrations (more here)? These are angled teeth that are claimed to feed material into the cut as you pull, especially useful for fibrous materials.
Quotes
“That black rifle represented the fruits of an entire year’s toil replete with copious heat, sweat and filth. In retrospect, I think it was a steal.” – Dr. Will Dabbs
“They don’t hate guns; they hate you.” – Tom Gresham
Mississippi Gun Bills
Summary of gun related bills still alive this legislative session. NOT guaranteed complete.
Next deadline: Mar. 25, to concur or not concur in amendments from other house.
http://www.legislature.ms.gov/legislation/
03/12/2021
HB 634
By: Reps. Barnett, Wallace, Smith, Calvert, Williamson, Arnold, Carpenter, Roberson, Bain, Massengill, Steverson
Ref: Jud B
PASSED HOUSE; AMENDED VERSION PASSED SENATE: GOES BACK TO HOUSE.
Enhances Mississippi’s preemption laws by adding state agencies to the list of entities that are prohibited from restricting the Second Amendment rights of Mississippi citizens. Criminal corruption charges provision for involved officials was removed by the Senate. Also prohibits government participation in gun buy-ups. Similar to SB 2107.
HB 886
By: Reps. Owen, Anderson (122nd), Felsher, Ford (73rd), McCarty, Newman,
Wright, Williamson, Brown (20th), Haney, Crawford
Ref: Ways & Means
PASSED HOUSE: PASSED SENATE; goes to governor.
Exempts law enforcement officers currently employed with a law enforcement agency of a municipality, county or state from CCW license application or renewal fees. While the CCW license statute specifically exempts LEOs from the requirements of that law, this bill goes on to authorize a “special” LEO CCW license, which specifically allows cops to carry in places that regular folks can’t. Which they can already do anyway without the CCW license. Go figure.
SB 2035
By: Sen. Blackwell
Ref: Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks
Amended bill PASSED SENATE; Amended version PASSED HOUSE; going to conference.
Makes air guns and air bows generally legal for hunting. Funny, I thought they already were.
SB 2107
By: Sens. DeBar, Moran, Chism, Blackwell, Branning, Carter, Caughman, Chassaniol, Fillingane, Harkins, Hill, McCaughn, McMahan, Michel, Parks, Seymour, Sparks, Suber, Tate, Whaley, Williams, Younger, McLendon
Ref: Jud B
Amended version PASSED SENATE; Amended version PASSED HOUSE; returned to Senate for concurrence.
Enhances Mississippi’s preemption laws by adding state agencies to the list of entities that are prohibited from restricting the Second Amendment rights of Mississippians. Prohibits localities from restricting the possession, transfer, sale, transportation, storage, display, carry, or use of firearms during declared civil emergencies. Similar to HB 634.
SB 2253
By: Sen. Fillingane
Ref: Jud A
PASSED SENATE; PASSED HOUSE; goes to governor.
Provides the option of combining your Mississippi CCW license with your Mississippi driver’s license, instead of having two cards and licenses.