Single Issue Votes

 On a gun forum which I sue frequently, the news that the NRA has endorsed a sole democrat politician for this years elections has drawn the ire of many forum members. The thing is that the forum members who oppose the NRA having done so probably are, in my estimation, using the same basic method of how they have gone about deciding to oppose the NRA on this issue; that method was, by my guess, to base their decision on a single issue. In this case that would be that the forum users disagree with the NRA based solely on the fact that the politician is a democrat and thus must be opposed. Of course, I think the NRA's single issue used to by them to decide to endorse her was something different, her support of the right to keep and bear arms, but the method of using only a single issue to make their decision is the same.

The thing is, it is not a single issue situation, one has to consider all of the other issues which she supported and voted for in addition to those she openly opposed and voted against in order to make a wise decision as to whether to support or oppose the NRA's endorsement of her. I am pretty certain though, the NRA bases the political endorsements they give to politicians on only one issue, the RKBA or at least in the great part upon that lone issue. In that regard, many in the gun forum's thread discussing this seem to be of the same ilk, as is the mindset of other conservative who oppose the NRA's endorsement of her, as far as how they are going about judging the NRA. By that I mean they evidently are basing their dislike of the NRA's endorsement of congresswoman Mary Peltola, D–Alaska (more at the source) on a single issue when there is no doubt one issue does not make up the platforms of most politicians nor the ideals of most voters.At least I think not of logical voters in most elections. If this lady is consistently one who votes more conservatively or at least logically and is not woke nor a DEI selection by voters, then maybe she deserves not only an A+ from the NRA but the support of those in the Rebooblican Party who currently oppose her, having received the nod from the NRA, just because she is a registered Demonkrat. 

I had been thinking, just in the last couple of weeks of registering as a Demonkrat; that just so I could vote in the Demonkrat primaries - the ones that should have been held with little delay after the likes of Schumer, Pelosi, Harris and others seemingly conspired to boot out Biden. Let's face it, my (any any other voters) due process as a voter may have been violated by them not allowing voters the opportunity to vote for their candidate of choice to replace Biden on the ticket. I would have voted for almost anyone other than Harris; my vote probably would have come to be a write in vote or Biden (it would be great if dems did that en masse, voted for Biden in the new primary (that should have been held) and then Biden would have wound up with more votes than Harris. You may think it great that she was appointed by the Dems and is running against Trump but I think a leftist of lesser degree would be easier for Trump to defeat; and the easiest would have been Biden - easily accomplished, as I said, by way of write in votes for Biden. 

Now, I am not very religious; although, sometimes I wonder if I am more religious than I think and at other times ponder whether or not I am religious at all. Yet, I do embrace several, or I suppose it is actually many, Christian morals, philosophies, ideals and etiquette and live most of my life with them as guidelines along with some of the same from a few other religions and or lay philosophies of some who are agnostic or not religious at all. In general, I think I live my life by trying to do the right things much more frequently than not. Despite that, I have as of late found myself sort of praying to God (if there is one), or the Gods if more than one (the early Christians number one way into the hearts of those of other faiths to win them over, I think, was mainly the fact that despite claiming there was only one God, they kind of sort of almost practiced a religion that was polytheism in a way never seen before because their one God was also three Gods all miraculously being one and the same), Nature, the Force or whatever powers that may be that Harris does not defeat The Donald and then wind up destroying outr great nation and I base my prayers on several issues. In the case of the upcoming election while the one issue of the RKBA is extremely important to me, I still believe candidates need be judged on several issues and have their voting records and their overall politics scrutinized by a multitude of examiners, the voters, just to assure their platform and possibly prior behavior agree with those types of essentially Judaeo-Christian and other religion's ideals before anyone decides to give them a shining endorsement or their vote. 

It is much the same when deciding whom not to support and voting against someone, for instance Harris. There are many points I can think of why one should not vote for Harris. Those being the disaster of the essentially open border, her abject disrespect for the law when it came to what I think was post G. Floyd terrorism practiced by BLM and ANTIFA among others, her extreme disrespect for law enforcers as I see it based upon her thinking defunding the police was a good idea and I believe she probably still thinks it, her seeming belief that riots involving those groups were peaceful protests, an alleged large number of race based convictions of black men for minor marijuana infractions when she was a prosecutor, my belief she is a racist, her playing all sides against the middle by claiming at different times to be of different races, her failure as Border Czar, the failing economy, her anti-RKBA stance, her poor judgement as in her selection of her running mate- even many dems agree on that, her all too often senseless babble that she repeatedly regurgitates, her inability to get her point across to make anyone understand what she actually means when speaking about the issues (this has been a long time ploy of leftists leaving it to their followers to decide the meaning of her babble for themselves thus getting self satisfaction even if their interpretations are very different than one anothers in the dem party - keeps everyone happy when they all can make believe they got it right), her seeming frequent inability to finish making a point about something serious without breaking out into a wild cackle, her very apparent lack of knowledge on subjects about which she is interviewed or about which she is making a statement, her evident lies about the competency of Joe Biden.

All that said, I cannot understand why anyone who is acting rationally would vote for her. Instead I see a multitude of mindless adherents who will vote for her because they believe she would be the first woman president and sex is their one issue, she would be the first black woman president and race and sex are what does it for them or simply race alone is enough, she would be the first person of Asian descent and her ancestry, race and ethnicity does it for other voters. I prefer to base my distaste for her on multiple issues: first of all that she is the selection of the deep state within the Demonkrat party and thus her candidacy was not put to a vote and deprived other candidates of a fair chance and also deprived the voters of the opportunity to make the selection, that she goes along with how she was selected as the candidate, she seems to support late term abortion, she is anti-RKBA, she did nothing to get the economy out of the mess it is in but supported Bidenomics that caused the economy to falter, that she evidently  lied about Bidens mental acuity, that she apparently lied about her support of Biden as the dem candidate, that she speaks in senseless riddles or babble,  that she seems very uninformed and unknowledgeable about major issues, opposes Donald Trump and has seemingly expressed the same hatred for him as other mindless Demonkrats by which they hate him so much they'd do anything to prevent him from being elected again - even supporting his assassination, that she plays both sides against the middle in the Israel versus Hamas war... The list goes on and on but those multiple issues I just presented are more than enough reason for me never to vote for Harris and probably for me to never vote for a Demonkrat ever again because it seems the great majority of the party's members are actually functioning irrationally when it comes to politics. 

While I tend to doubt it, maybe the NRA decided to endorse congresswoman Mary Peltola, D–Alaska based upon multiple issues, after their scrutiny of her overall politics, as opposed to doing so based upon a single issue. I certainly would hope voters do so, that is to consider many issues if not all of them even if the NRA maybe did not. I definitely wish they'd do so when it comes to whom they decide to cast their vote for president - Harris or Trump. If they do that, I think there is no way Trump can lose unless the election is rigged.

All the best,

Glenn B

Let's Hope It's Not His Last Hurrah

An 80 year old liquor store owner, in Norco, CA, defended himself with a shotgun against an alleged rifle wielding assailant who allegedly was attempting to rob the store according to reports. The rifle wielding suspect was heard to shout out "Aaaahhhh, he shot my arm off, he shot my arm off..."! The guy and two alleged accomplices sped off in an allegedly stolen vehicle and all were later arrested at the hospital where he sought treatment for a gunshot wound. Sadly the store owner had a heart attack shortly afterward and has been hospitalized. More at this source and this source. There is video, of the armed encounter, in the video below as well as in each of the source articles.

 

 

I wish I had an address to which to send the store owner a get well card that also would express - 'job well done'. Hopefully this will not have been his last hurrah and he will make a speedy and full recovery. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers folks. Once he is well again, I think he should be awarded something nice for his meritorious service to the community as far as vermin control goes and for possibly helping to keep the future crime and/or recidivism rates down. My guess is that at least the guy he shot will not be stupid enough to rob anyone in the future.

 

Way to shoot, pops!

All the best,

Glenn B

So Biden Has Told Us Which Guns He Owns...

I still cannot believe this was the best the dems thought they had to offer America! He is absolutely nothing more than a pure POS leftist anti-American scumbag.

 ...while at the same time wanting to ban the rest of us from owning guns in 9mm and AR-15s (and probably lots of other semi-autos). More at the source. While he says he has two shotguns, the thing he neglected to tell us is what weapons his security details in the Secret Service and the military carry. 

FUCK YOU JOE BIDEN YOU COMMUNIST PIECE OF SHIT!

All the best,

Glenn B

 

PS: Well, that wish of all the best goes out to most folks excepting anti-gun & anti-American commies like Biden.

244 Years Later - Is It Time To Take Another Shot?

 


Today is the 244th anniversary of The Shot Heard Round The World (the commencement of the American Revolution at Lexington Green). Sometimes, I think it is high time for a second shot heard over the same expanse because of all of this socialistic, communistic, tyrannical oppression heaped upon our shoulders by the governors of many, but thankfully not all, our states and oft times by federal politicians. If that is not enough to trigger another such shot then I imagine we are doomed to wear the yoke of those who fawn for rule by tyrants and are enslaved by the false security they offer at the expense of our liberty. Liberty to exercise our right to overthrow tyrants, supported by our right to keep and bear arms, is the only thing that keeps us truly secure but we must exercise that liberty from time to time!

All the best,
Glenn B

I Can Understand Walmart Not Wanting Open Carry But Not The Rest Of It

I recently wrote to Walmart to protest that they have cut back on ammunition sales by eliminating calibers such 223 / 5.56 NATO and 7.62x39mm. That is a knee jerk reaction to the problem of mass shootings. In fact, it is no solution to the problem as those bullets do not fire themselves and others can easily be used in their place to kill. I can understand them not wanting people to open carry in their stores and agree with the reasons they do not want such to take place. More on their reasoning, which I find mostly to be much the same as the balderdash that is spewed by leftist anti-gunners can be seen in the text of an email they sent to me. That email was in reply to my email of protest to them about ceasing sales of certain ammunition (and I am sure they sent the same email to tens of thousands of gun owners who also complained, if not more): 

"Question Reference # 190905-046243
Subject
Company Feedback and Questions
Response By Email (09/06/2019 02:54 PM) Hello Glenn, We have reviewed your email and want you to know that we have shared it with the appropriate team. We know these decisions will inconvenience some of our customers, and we hope they will understand. As a company, we experienced two horrific events in one week, and we will never be the same. Our remaining assortment will be even more focused on the needs of hunting and sport shooting enthusiasts. It will include long barrel deer rifles and shotguns, much of the ammunition they require, as well as hunting and sporting accessories and apparel. We believe these actions will reduce our market share of ammunition from around 20% to a range of approximately 6 to 9%. We believe it will likely drift toward the lower end of that range, over time, given the combination of these changes. As it relates to safety in our stores, there have been multiple incidents since El Paso where individuals attempting to make a statement and test our response have entered our stores carrying weapons in a way that frightened or concerned our associates and customers. We have also had well-intentioned customers acting lawfully that have inadvertently caused a store to be evacuated and local law enforcement to be called to respond. These incidents are concerning and we would like to avoid them, so we are respectfully requesting that customers no longer openly carry firearms into our stores or Sam’s Clubs in states where “open carry” is permitted – unless they are authorized law enforcement officers. We believe the opportunity for someone to misinterpret a situation, even in open carry states, could lead to tragic results. We hope that everyone will understand the circumstances that led to this new policy and will respect the concerns of their fellow shoppers and our associates. As it relates to concealed carry by customers with permits, there is no change to our policy or approach. This morning, we briefed your leadership team on how to communicate this change in policy to customers when needed, and they will be sharing that with you very soon. We will treat law-abiding customers with respect, and we will have a very non-confrontational approach. Our priority is your safety. We will be providing new signage to help communicate this policy in the coming weeks. As an additional step, we commit we will work alongside other retailers to make the overall industry safer, including sharing our best practices. For example, we are exploring ways to share the technical specifications and compliance controls for our proprietary firearms sales technology platform. This system navigates the tens of millions of possible combinations of federal, state and local laws, regulations and licensing requirements that come into effect based on where the firearm is being sold and who is purchasing it. We hope that providing this information, free of charge, will help more retailers sell firearms in a responsible, compliant manner. Finally, we encourage our nation’s leaders to move forward and strengthen background checks and to remove weapons from those who have been determined to pose an imminent danger. We do not sell military-style rifles, and we believe the reauthorization of the Assault Weapons ban should be debated to determine its effectiveness. We must also do more, as a country, to understand the root causes that lead to this type of violent behavior. Today, I’m sending letters to the White House and the Congressional leadership that call for action on these common sense measures. As we’ve seen before, these horrific events occur and then the spotlight fades. We should not allow that to happen. Congress and the administration should act. Given our decades of experience selling firearms, we are also offering to serve as a resource in the national debate on responsible gun sales. We have a long heritage as a company of serving responsible hunters and sportsmen and women, and we’re going to continue doing so. Our founder, Sam Walton, was an avid outdoorsman who had a passion for quail hunting, and we’re headquartered in a state known for its duck hunting and deer hunting. My family raised bird dogs when I was growing up in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and I’m a gun owner myself. We understand that heritage, our deeply rooted place in America and our influence as the world’s largest retailer. And we understand the responsibility that comes with it. We want what’s best for our customers, our associates and our communities. In a complex situation lacking a simple solution, we are trying to take constructive steps to reduce the risk that events like these will happen again. The status quo is unacceptable. Thank you for contacting walmart where we are always happy to help!"

There you have it, plain as day under a cloudless sky, Walmart (or walmart as they wrote it in the last line) is marching with the libturds on this one with a barely veiled outright call for an assault weapons ban. Not one mention of doing anything that would really help solve the problem but instead hopping on the band wagon with the left by eliminating open carry and certain ammo sales. Yes, they said that the root causes of these tragedies should be examined but that will never happen in today's political climate and meanwhile what are they doing but what the left wants them to do. Essentially they gave not a word to mention legislated mental health care improvements (we already know must of these killers are out of their minds), no mention of ceasing use of medications that cause urges to kill (we already know many of the killers had mental issues and were taking anti-depression and other drugs that often cause mood swings to violence, not any mention of institutionalizing the crazies who are running rampant and free in our society, zero to say about mandatory harsher jail terms or executions for those who kill - nope just blame it on the guns & the ammo as usual. While I can understand them not wanting people to open carry in their stores, the rest of it is the same old leftist anti-gun twaddle. It is pitiful.

All the best,
Glenn B

I Am Going To Be Buying More Hornady Ammo...

...and it's not because I have a particular affinity for it like thinking it is better than other ammo (although I must say their 35 Remington is balls-on accurate) or that I think their quality control is better than that of other companies (but have to say it always goes bang) or anything like that at all. It's because Hornady just had one of the best responses to liberal leftist looney anti-gun government, specifically to the pissant tyrant governor of NY who recently requested that NY banks discontinue doing business with any among the firearms and ammunition industries. What was Hornady's  response, read it yourself:
 
"April 23, 2018

Hornady stands up to State of New York

Today, the State of New York did one of the most despicable acts ever perpetrated by any state by asking New York banks, financial institutions and insurance companies to stop doing business with the gun and ammo industry. 
While it may not make a difference to New York, Hornady will not knowingly allow our ammunition to be sold to the State of NY or any NY agencies. Their actions are a blatant and disgusting abuse of office and we won’t be associated with a government that acts like that. They should be ashamed.
-Steve Hornady, president of Hornady Manufacturing Company" (source).
 
Now if only the rest of the firearms and ammunition industries would do likewise and stop selling their products to anti-gun governments - and stop selling to any wholesaler or retailer who sells to those governments - you would see the anti-gun left change their tune rapidly. 
 
It is too bad that not all manufacturers will join in with Hornady but maybe some will follow their lead. So, I am hopeful that Hornady would stop selling to retailers or wholesalers who sell Hornady products to anti gun governments and am hopeful that Hornady will request that other ammunition and firearms manufacturers will follow suit. I just contacted Hornady media relations to request that they do just that. 

All the best,
Glenn B

 

My New Guns Over The Last Year And A Half

I was working on my firearms inventory this evening, not on paper yet but just getting all of my ducks rifles lined up in a row. As I was doing so, it dawned on me that I have picked up quite a few new guns in the course of the last year and a half, so I decided to see exactly how many that had been accumulated from January 2016 though June 2017. I was a bit surprised at how many I had added to my armory inventory. When you buy one or two one month, then another one a month or two later and keep going like that, they tend to add up. Luckily for me I had to miss the last Hessney Rod & Gun auction up in Geneva, NY because I am almost literally broke. After my next pension check and once all my bills are paid, I will have about $65.00 cash to last the month. That sucks but it is keeping me from buying any other guns right now and that just by itself is okay by me. I need to sell one or three to get to the point where I can afford to go to another auction and fortunately for me, the next one up in Geneva is not until September.

Anyway, I digress so let me get back to the guns I bought over the course of the last 18 months. Here is the list:

New Long Guns (new as in to me - some are new others used) 

Mossberg Model 44 US(a), January 2016, Hessney Auction (subsequently sold)

 

Mossberg Model 835 UltiMag, 12 gauge, April 2016, Hessney Auction (subsequently sold)

 

Remington Model 870 Express Magnum 12 Ga. 3", June 2016, Hessney Auction

 

Ruger 10/22 Reaper Camo 22LR, June 2016, Hessney Auction

Savage Model 93 22WMR, August 2016, Hessney Auction

CVA Hawken Percussion, 50 caliber, December 2016, Hessney Auction

Marlin 1936 (aka: Model 36) in 30-30 Win, February 2017, Hessney Auction

Springfield 944 Shotgun 12 gauge, February 2017, Hessney Auction

 

Ruger Mini 14 Ranch Rifle 5.56x45mm, March 2017, Hessney Auction

 

CZ Model 527 Varmint Thumbhole 223 Rem, April 2017, Hessney Auction

Remington Model 141, 35 Rem, April 2017, Hessney Auction

New Handguns (both actually bought brand new) 

Ruger Redhawk 44 Rem Mag, May 2016, Hunters Essentials (LGS)

Rock Island Armory 1911-A1 Full-Size, 45 Auto, October 2016, RKGuns (online)

I used to by pistols a bit more often. That was when I could get them at the Hessney Auction without it being a pain in my arse. That was once upon a time when my county PD would issue a purchase document prior to a sale (fill in after the sale and return to them). They stopped doing that so now it would necessitate another trip to Geneva after an auction. I would have to bring the receipt for the gun to my county PD, they would give me a purchase document, and I would have to bring that back to the auction company to pick up the gun NY sucks). So no I have to just about always buy locally or online unless I get a really excellent deal somewhere.

As for long guns, when I looked over what I had bought and the order in which I had bought them, I realized I kind of stuck to a promise I had made myself. The promise was that I would start bidding seriously on some more higher end items than I had been doing before. Thus, at the past three auctions I attended between February 2017 and April 2017, I wound up picking up four nicer rifles and only one sort of a knock around clunker of a truck gun. Now granted, condition is everything and I have to say that three of the four nicer guns are in great condition. The CZ Model 527 Varmint Thumbhole was unfired in the box and the Ruger Ranch Rifle was auctioned 'as new' but it sure looked to me to be unfired and was also in the box with all accessories and papers. The Marlin 36 is in very good to excellent shape and probably has 85 to 90% of its case color remaining on the receiver and lever. The Remington 141 is not in as great shape but it still is in very good condition. It has what appears to be a factory repair to the butt stock (a piece of wood removed and replaced with another piece maybe 1" square or so and it is fit so well that I missed it when I first looked the gun over); still though a very nice piece.

The truck gun is the Springfield 944 Shotgun. It has a fair amount of painted on finish missing on the receiver and has a hairline crack in the fore stock (I missed that out of sheer neglect, never looked it over that well since I was only going to bid a small amount on it and anyway I doubt it detracts much from the value). Anyway, I got that for just what I said, a sort of knock around clunker gun.  Even getting the Springfield was part of my prior made plans - not to merely get some higher end guns but to also bid on some of the lower end guns at the end of the auction that I could probably get for a song - then have fun with at the range and then sell sooner or later, without any seller's remorse, after tiring of them.

I keep looking the list over and I have realized I am pretty much a gun buying junkie. With that in mind, I have a few of my guns up for sale right now. Just sold my Steven's Model 66B about a week or so ago. Did not get much for it, probably right around what I paid for it but I had some funs with it in the years I had it. I need room for my new ones and cash to fill that empty spot in my pocket that was created mostly since February through April when I bought those 5 guns I just mentioned. Once I get some more cash, I can buy some more guns. Gotta love a free market and the RKBA and having the cash to enjoy them.

All the best,
Glenn B

Happy Brithday To You...

...happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear NRA, happy birthday to you!

Today, the NRA is 145 years old strong! See more about the NRA here.

All the best,
Glenn B

 

Did You Make A Firearms Purchase On BAG Day?

Yesterday, was tax day, for all of us here in the USA who are required to pay personal income taxes, or for at least those of us who follow the law. It was also BAG day; otherwise known as Buy A Gun day. I have not seen anything on it as of late but I figured why let what should become a good, all American, tradition fall by the wayside.

While I did not buy a gun, and that only because I had difficulty with the website from which I was trying to order a revolver, I did order some ammunition. Yeah, I know, it's not the same as getting a gun but I hope to complete the gun order today; I did not want to let the actual day of BAG Day go by without at least celebrating it in spirit by ordering something at least related to guns thus an ammo order.

After ordering that ammo, a case (200 rounds) of Remington's 35 Remington, 200 grain, Core-Lokt soft points, there is little if anything left with which to buy a gun in my checking account. In fact, there is zilch that I can put toward a gun. The solution to that is to buy it with my American Distress Express card and then take the money out of my suPer sekRit saving account meant for our upcoming Alaska trip. I had thought that the 35 REM ammo would be the last I was going to buy online (or anywhere for that matter) but if I buy a revolver today, I am going to need to buy ammo for it. Had I been thinking, I would have ordered ammo for the revolver but something told me to wait until I actually have it in hand before buying ammo for it. 

I'm certain though, it will be the last batch of 35REM ammo I buy in a long, long, long, long time. That is not only because I probably will have enough to last me about 5 or maybe even 10 years but because it is so darned expensive. Right now, the elusive 200 grain Remington Core-Lokt is going for $1.50 per round and that was the best price I could find because it comes with free shipping. Free shipping or not, just thinking I paid that much for it makes my wallet say ouch. I had not seen that particular ammo for sale, from a dealer that would ship it to NY, for over 6 months - maybe closer to a year.

So there it is - my BAG day purchase and as I said, before this day is over I hope to purchase a revolver too. I had been thinking of getting a Ruger Redhawk stainless steel revolver, with either 4.2" or 5.5" barrel, in 44 magnum; however, I am on the fence and leaning over toward buying a stainless steel Ruger GP100, with a 4.2" or 6" barrel, in .357 Magnum. Decisions, decisions...

All the best,
Glenn B

My Community Service Letter To President Obama

Yes I really sent a letter to President Obama today. I sent it via an email to the White House this morning. I have to agree with him, I think volunteering for community service is a good thing. That's why I used to be a soccer coach, an assistant coach at little league, and both an assistant coach and coach for a roller hockey league for quite a few years. I have also done a few other things to help out - mostly through my local herpetological society. I have been doing community service or years now with no prompting from the president. Truth be told though, I have not done all that much of it lately and his incessant talking about it has reminded me to offer to lend a hand once again to my community. The letter I sent to the president follows:

Dear President Obama,

I am a registered Republican but I can see merit to some things across political lines. I see merit in your call for community service. Of course, I see community service as good only if voluntary. So, I plan to do my part through an educational program for the youth of my community. In that regard, I was wondering, how does a person obtain federal stimulus monetary assistance?

I would like to start a program to teach youngsters about an American tradition. This program will include teaching local youths about our Constitution and about our rights. It will be open to children from the ages of 12 up through 17 (with their parents’ permission). It will be offered at no charge to the participants. It will teach about our freedoms, rights, liberties and our responsibilities as Americans. It will include participation in a sport that is hundreds of years old and that has been enjoyed by American Citizens of both genders and by those of all racial, ethnic, religious and secular backgrounds.

The cost for this would be more than I could afford on my own. I am willing to donate several hundred dollars a year and my time toward this program but the price to use a proper facility with a classroom and practical training area will likely prove more than I could afford. There would be the costs of teaching and insurance. I imagine this could run into several thousands of dollars if I had even as few as 25 students per year.

I believe that teaching our youth the proper way to enjoy their right to keep and bear arms is an important but often forgotten national responsibility. Not only would such a program teach our youth about the RKBA, and about shooting sports, it would also prepare them in the event they are ever called upon to take up arms to defend our great nation in military or law enforcement service. I sir, with your financial help, am willing to serve my community in this manner. Are you ready to help me do so?

Best regards,
Glenn Bartley

I am quite serious about my offer. After I receive my positive reply from Washington, I plan to contact the National Rifle Association and the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association to see if they have any pointers on how to put this together. I almost cannot wait for the positive reply and all the money that the government is sure to put into this program to help the youths of my community learn about their heritage to keep and bear arms.

All the best,
Glenn B

Today In History - Africans Come To America As Indentured Servants

August 1, 1619 is often acknowledged as the 1st day that African slaves were brought into the American Colonies (what later became the state of Virginia) as Indentured Servants. Their being the first Africans in America is sometimes disputed in that it is reported a census record for Virginia showed 32 Africans some 5 months earlier. With regard to those Africans brought into Jamestown on today's date: They were purchased by Jamestown, by way of barter, from a passing Dutch ship bound from Angola to Mexico. The ship needed repairs and Jamestown needed able bodied workers. The deal was done in order to provide Jamestown with those able bodied workers after their own population had been decimated by disease and war with Native Americans.

These first Africans joined what then was probably 1/2 of the white population of America as indentured servants; those white indentured servants were mainly Irish, Scottish, English and German. Approximately 1/2 of all whites in America during the 17th and 18 centuries were indentured servants. As indentured servants, these first Africans in America had something different to which to look forward than did many who followed them; they had freedom on the horizon. As indentured servants they worked for for a set period, and then were set free and provided with land and supplies upon attaining freedom.

It was not until after the only briefly successful Bacon's Rebellion, led by Nathaniel Bacon, that the slave trade of Africans in America pretty much turned to pure slavery - whereby African slaves became slaves for life, and their progeny inherited their slave status. The rebellion while at first a success, was put down several months after it had begun. It was a rebellion made up mostly of poor landowners and indentured servants, that fought against local Indians whom they saw as a threat, and against a government that was unjust to them. The government, in the long term, failed to support the campaign against the Indians despite many colonists and indentured servants losing their lives to them. Whether or not invasion of Indian lands by Bacon was right by today's standards, the truth of that time was that the government opposed the right of people of the Virginia Colony to be able to defend themselves, and bacon supported it. In addition the government had caused fine tobacco production (the main cash crop) to drop, and then raised taxes to make up for the loss in revenues. Furthermore the governor, Sir William Berkley had granted special favors to those in his favor, and had virtually ignored the needs of those wealthy not in his favor, and also ignored those who were poor and who were indentured servants.

Had the rebellion been a success there may never have been African slavery, as opposed to indentured servitude, as we know it today. Things also may have been quite different not only for those who were brought here against their wills from Africa, but for all Americans. This is because the acknowledgement of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (as a means of self defense, and as a means to oppose tyrannical government) was born under Bacon. It was also one of the first things that was revoked once power was restored to the former ruler of Jamestown. It was not until the rebellion was squashed and the liberty to exercise that right was revoked that slavery took a different turn, albeit indirectly but no doubt in part caused as a result of the rebellion's failure. (Please note the facts about Bacon's Rebellion, and about Bacon, were pretty much undisputed until recent years with the revisionist view of all things historical. Today many ultra-liberal 'modern' historians try to make Bacon look to be little more than a greedy land baron, when in fact he was a rebel in opposition to tyranny, and he fought along with many poor landowners and indentured servants.)

We can certainly learn from history folks, and we need to beware of those who would taint history, and they who would under that veil of lies try to strip us of our rights. Free men, and men who see others as equals, such as was Bacon, see one of our most important rights to be the Right To Keep And Bear Arms. This is so that we can defend ourselves and so that we can put down tyranny when it tries to overpower us with unjust rule. It is only the tyrants who wish to do away with that right, and it has been that way throughout history. Trust no man who says you do not have an inalienable right to keep and bear arms because in all likelihood, once you surrender those arms, it will be the same man who holds you under his well armed rule no matter what your race.

All the best,
Glenn B

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African-Americans (see the history section of this article)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_the_United_States (see the Colonial America section of this article)

http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0805681.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacon%27s_Rebellion

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part1/1p274.html

http://www.nps.gov/jame/historyculture/bacons-rebellion.htm

http://www.virginiaplaces.org/military/bacon.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indentured_servant

Can You Guess The Source Of The Below Quotation?

Read the following, and tell me source of it.

“A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms cannot be infringed.”

If you do not know the source of the above quotation, well you just might be amazed to find out that it comes from the New York Civil Rights Law, Section 4, Article 2. I wonder does it look or sound familiar to you? Yes of course it does! Here it is with a single word changed:

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Yep that is the second Amendment to the United States Constitution found in the Bill of Rights. The NY Law looks awfully similar to it, does it not? Yet New York is one of the most restrictive states in the nation when it comes to firearms possession. I can only hope the NRA will ram it up their snouts in Albany until they realize that the people have the right to keep and bear arms even here in New York.

Reference:

http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/NYSL.pdf

http://law.onecle.com/new-york/civil-rights/CVR04_4.html

All the best,
Glenn B

The Heller Decision

You already know what they are saying about it I suppose, but if not, well they are saying that an individual's right to keep and bear arms was upheld by the Supreme Court as a Constitutional right. If that is correct, that is great. Yet, I have my suspicions that the states will continue to enact and enforce restrictive anti-firearms regulations and laws as allowed or provided for by the decision and beyond - especially states like NJ, CA, NY, MA and so on. The Heller decision, of course, is a move in the right direction though, or so it would seem. When I get the chance I will read the decision, probably bedtime reading over the weekend - it is kind of long.

If you would be interested in reading the decision, as government was kind enough to supply a copy of it, go here:

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/07pdf/07-290.pdf

All the best,
Glenn B

Keeping The Right To Keep & Bear Arms...

...is something we need to work at in order to accomplish it. It isn't easy that is for sure, what with the millions of anti-gun fanatics who are out there. One way to help overcome their influence is to support groups that support the RKBA. National groups like the National Rifle Association, or the Gun Owners Foundation, state/local groups such as the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association. I try to do my part, and I support these three particular organizations. I am a life member of the NRA, an annual member of the NYSRPA, and a yearly supporter of the GOF. I recommend that if you want to keep your RKBA, you should do something similar.

By the way, every now and then, it is nice to get something more than continuous solicitations for funds (like those I receive from the NRA) or newsletters (like I get from the NYSRPA). Yes every now and then it is nice to get a letter thanking you for what you have done. In that regard I have to hand it to the GOF because an acknowledgement like the one they sent me let's a person know that not only is their donation being used to fight for our rights, it is also appreciated by those who received it. That appreciation, coupled with a job well done, goes a long way toward making sure I will donate to them again.

All the best,

Glenn B

A Look At The Candidates - On The Issues

If you want to take a look at those running for office, or should I say take a look at how they think about and vote on the actual issues, well go no further than: On The Issues

For example: I wanted tot ake a look at the candidate for whom I will most likely wind up casting my vote in the Presidential elections (yes I know the primaries are not over yet, but I am a realist), so I went to said site and took a look at what they have on John McCain.

The site is rather impressive, and I can only hope what they report is accurate. I do not like McCain on Gun Control, but what they show is far better I think than what Gun Owners of America has to say about McCain and his voting record on the RKBA issue. I see that in great part, I am in agreement with McCain on the abortion issue. I could think of a couple of other exceptions that would allow abortions, but I am pretty much with him on how he views the issue. I'll have to do some more in depth reading of how he sees the issues, and how he votes on them, and I will comment more on this as I do so.

All the best,
Glenn B

Some Other Rationale As Why We Should Be Armed, or Blogs About Gun Rights...

... can be found in these blogs:

http://greybeard.igogg.com/archives/365

http://michellemalkin.com/archives/007331.htm

http://penofjen.blogspot.com/2007/04/conclusions.html

http://www.theothersideofkim.com/index.php/tos/10503/

http://anarchangel.blogspot.com/2007/04/point-counterpoint.html

http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2007/04/column_by_v_tec.php

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2007/04/2nd_amenment_ri.html

http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com/2007/04/we-license-cars-yackyackyack.html

http://bloodletting.blog-city.com/22_dead_on_the_altar_of_gun_control.htm (this one written by a doctor)

One last link, but this one is not to a blog simply because there were no blogs when it was written. It is an article length letter called: Letter from An Angry Reader that was sent into Esquire magazine many years ago by a once upon a time anti-gun person. If the link does not work, go to: http://www.keepandbeararms.com/information/XcIBViewItem.asp?ID=3499, it is quite worth the read.

Some of the reads at the above links are short, some are lengthy. All are pro gun-rights, and no matter what side of the gun issue you find yourself on, I suggest you read them all. I will leave it to others to rant against the right to keep and bear arms, as for me I support that right (free speech), and the right to keep and bear arms 100 percent.

All the best,
Glenn B

Today in History - a Violent Nature Exposed

Today is the anniversary of the last day of my freedom. Yep, if you guessed that it means that tomorrow is my wedding anniversary you are correct – 21 years of marital whatever. I was thinking of writing a rant tomorrow about some of the famous and not so famous events that took place on April 19th, but being that today is that other anniversary, I figured I would do it for April 18th instead. After all, April 19th is well known because it is the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, the bloody end of the siege Waco 1993, Connecticut approved the U.S. Bill of rights in 1939 (can you imagine, those liberals), The Warsaw Ghetto uprisings commence against the Nazis in 1943, the last day the earth was free of anything to do with Adolf Hitler (he was born on the 20th in 1889), Elliot Ness was born in 1903, President Lincoln orders a blockade of Confederate ports in 1861, Tadeusz Kosciuszko forces the Russians out of Warsaw in 1794, the American Revolution began when fighting broke out in Lexington, MA.

Okay so that was the 19th, which is tomorrow, so what about today the 18th. Well let’s see, on the 18th of April the following event occurred:

A suicide bomber kills U.S. Marines, and others, at the U.S. embassy in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983

Rhodesia, later known as Zimbabwe gains independence from great Britain in 1980

Ireland removes itself from the British commonwealth in 1949

Ernie Pyle killed by machine gun fire 1945

Yamamoto shot down by American fighter planes in 1943

Doolittle bombs Tokyo in 1942

Hitler names Joachim von Ribbentrop, ambassador for disarmament in 1934

The really big San Francisco earthquake 1906

Confederate Gen Johnson surrendered to Gen Sherman in North Carolina in 1865

Colonel Robert E. Lee turns down an offer to command the Union Armies in 1861 (can you imagine)

Battle of Harper’s ferry, VA 1861

Battle of Cerro Gordo in which U.S. armed forces rout a much larger Mexican Army in 1847

End of the 1st Seminole War in 1818

Paul Revere and William Dawes ride to warn people of MA of the advance of British Troops 1775

Sudbury, MA attacked by Indians 1676

Sure there were also a lot of other things that happened on this day in history, some good and some bad. There were many things that while worthy of note will never make it into the history books. As for the things I mentioned for both days, there is a common thread, and if you look at any other day throughout recorded history, I am certain you will find this common thread on all the other days of the year, and you will find it in abundance. The commonality is that we as a species are violent – and please note that yes the connection in some of the mentioned events is indirect, but you should be able to figure it out with half a brain.

Please note, much of the info about the above events was gleaned from: http://www.brainyhistory.com/, and http://www.historynet.com/today_in_history. Go to those sites, go to the encyclopedias, go to the history books, watch the History Channel and others, check it out for yourself - we have a violent nature - there is no doubt about it.

Sometimes violence is for the good, sometimes it is for the worse; but regardless of the morality of it, we are indeed prone to violence. In that regard we should all be afforded the liberty to exercise our right to self defense, defense of family, defense of innocents, defense of our property, defense of our Constitution, our flag and the Republic for which it stands. In other words, we should all be able to freely exercise our right to keep and bear arms. This should be a universal right for all mankind. It should be evident to those in the not so free world, that had they the liberty to exercise said right, they might well have been free, and many of their slain countrymen might still be alive today. In fact, it cannot be any more evident than it should be for those living in the USA, or other countries in the free world, that such a right has kept us able to enjoy all of our other liberties and rights time and time again throughout history, including the right to life, while others around the globe who have their liberties stripped from them suffer and perish at the will of armed governments.

The right to keep and bear arms, as in the Second Amendment, to the United States Constitution, found in the Bill of Rights, is our most valuable right. It protects all of our other rights as it also protects us. Instead of helping the United Nations, and other countries in their attempts to strip us of that right as does the anti-gun lobby - we, all of us as free U.S. Citizens, should be pushing for other nations to adopt the liberty for their people to exercise that same right.

All the best,
Glenn B