Weekly Post – Page 30

Firearm Owners’ Resolutions for 2017

The New Year is finally offering firearm owners hope for the survival of the Second Amendment. With an incoming administration and Congress who are NOT actively looking at repealing, restricting or otherwise minimizing the Bill of Rights, firearm owners are taking a deep sigh of relief. This is good. A lot of people worked very hard to make this happen. But the celebration and rest time is over and it’s time to get back to work.

Whereas we may be feeling more secure at the national level and with the prospect of a Constitutional jurist being seated on the United States Supreme Court, the gun-grabbing elitists are now shifting their fight to a different battleground. They are now working on local and state infringements by spreading their misinformation campaigns in the traditionally liberal population centers.

As the usual rhetoric continues and we are labeled as domestic terrorists and haters by those who destroy private property and attack our law enforcement officers in the name of peace, tolerance and inclusiveness, we need to rise above. We must be better than the prejudiced stereotype they manufactured for us and show the nation what we stand for.

Here are some New Year’s resolutions:

The Four Rules

Live by the four basic firearms safety rules like your life and everyone else’s depends on it. Live them everywhere, everyday in every situation.

Treat all firearms as if they were loaded.
Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
Never place your finger on the trigger until your sights are on target and you have made the decision to fire.
Know your target, what is in front of it and what is beyond it.

Take the High Road

Be polite, respectful and non-emotional whenever you discuss firearms and the Second Amendment. It is an emotional topic for many but a screaming, name calling match never accomplishes anything. Remember, only the part with a Second Amendment supporter losing control will be seen in the evitable viral video.

Join

If you haven’t joined one of the state or national organizations fighting for your Second Amendment rights, do it now. These organizations are critical to protecting and furthering our rights and there are many battles to be fought this year.
2. Donate

For each firearm you purchase during the year, donate to one of these state or national Second Amendment groups. Pick a percentage that works for you or simply donate the value of a box of high quality ammo for the firearm you purchased. If everyone gives a little, we can make a huge difference.

Training

Take a firearms class. It doesn’t matter how high speed-low drag you are; firearms skills are perishable. If you haven’t done actual training with a qualified instructor for a while, it’s time to get back on the firing line. Anyone can pick up a firearm and pull the trigger. We must clearly demonstrate we are the ones who take our right to bear arms seriously and responsibly.

Take a medical aid class. Likewise, if you haven’t taken first aid, CPR or trauma care since you were in the Scouts, it’s time for a refresher. Times have changed and your life or the life of someone you care about could very well count on you knowing what to do in an emergency.

Take a friend to the range.

We all have friends that shoot and friends that don’t shoot. The shooters will always go, so ask one of your non-shooting friends if they’d like to come with you. Instruct them on safety and the mechanics of shooting and help them with their first shots. You’ll help to break down some barriers to understanding and you might just get someone else hooked on the shooting sports.

Volunteer

Get out in your community and lend a hand. There are opportunities all around us for needs large and small. It doesn’t have to relate to firearms. In fact doing something other than firearms is actually a positive thing. When the community wants to know what kind of people we are, it shouldn’t always be about firearms. We are all well rounded, complete people interested in travel, food, art, the environment and international politics (etc. etc. etc.) as well as being gun nuts. The more everyone sees us as a part of the everyday community, the better off we all are.

The fight for our rights will be shifting closer to our homes and will involve our family, friends and neighbors like never before. More than anything else in the coming year, we need to be the best example of what a law-abiding, safety conscious, firearm owning, Second Amendment supporter really is.

Let’s make 2017 a year where we lead by example.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #constitution, #billofrights, #secondamendment, #2A, #FirearmOwnersResolutionsfor2017, #2017, #leadbyexample, #mewe, #oddstuffing.com

They DO Want To Take Your Guns!

The gun grabbing elitists’ favorite saying is always “Nobody wants to take your guns”. These are the same folks who also say, “I support the Second Amendment”. The problem is, it’s just not true.

Before we dive into the latest set of lies and infringements on our rights, let’s take a look at what they want to take away… all firearms they do not personally control. In other words, any that are not owned by the government or their personal protection details. They simply do not believe the civilian population should own firearms.

A little preface about firearms. They are not consumable products. They are finely crafted, complex and durable machines. They are designed to reliably and accurately propel a projectile towards its target. The target is solely based on the intent of the person using it. A firearm has no will of its own. It can be used for hunting, sport, recreation, self-defense and enforcing the law – as well as for evil.

I make the special note that firearms are not consumable goods as many of us have firearms that have been passed down from father to son or daughter for generations. It’s not at all uncommon to have firearms well over a hundred years old that are still operational and as mechanically sound as they were on the day they were created. Firearms destined for the next generations can be individual specimens or part of considerable collections. It is very common for an owner to expect to pass on his or her firearms to their children when the time is right.

Let’s also take a look at the trend in firearm ownership. The most conservative estimates say there are roughly 350 million personally owned firearms in this country. For the past 19 months, inquiries to the NICS background check system have set new records. While not an actual count of the number of firearms sold, it is the best indicator of consumer demand for firearms. While some of this may rightfully be attributed to fears about the 2016 Presidential election, the Black Friday background checks – AFTER the elections – also set a new record. Americans are not rejecting personal firearm ownership; they are choosing to buy more.

Now let’s look at the newly enacted laws in California. Previously safe and legal firearms are no longer safe or legal to own – unless you pay a fee and register them as a so-called ‘assault weapon’. Among the list of draconian regulations your new ‘assault weapon’ must comply with, you will no longer be able to sell, transfer or pass it down to your descendants. Of course, you can alter it to remove the cosmetic features that make it too deadly to own and de-register it, making it transferable – at least for now.

Since the rules for ‘assault weapons’ have changed numerous times already, there’s nothing to guarantee your featureless rifle won’t be considered a nontransferable ‘assault weapon’ next year. Oh, and that firearm you built yourself and dutifully placed a new state issued serial number on? You can’t sell, transfer or pass that one down to your descendants either. There’s no deregister path there. It’s just plain nontransferable.

What are your options for your non-transferable firearms? Sell them to someone out of state OR take them to your local police department and turn them in for destruction. And no, they won’t pay you for them. Simple right?

So how is this not taking my guns away? Until the State of California changes it’s mind and says I can no longer posses my so-called ‘assault weapon’ or self-built firearm, I can keep them myself. But I can’t sell them, I can’t transfer them and I can’t pass them down to my children. These are not pieces of property that are used up and discarded; they are pieces of our American heritage and family heirlooms no different than grandfather’s pocket watch or grandmother’s thimble collection. Why does the State of California have the right to determine what is passed on to the next generation and what is not?

The gun-banning elitists are continuing their long con game on the American firearm owner. But continuing to impose incremental ‘common sense gun safety’ laws that do nothing to improve safety and only take rights away from the law-abiding, they are working to eliminate firearm ownership within a single generation.

As optimistic as we are, California may be a lost cause. So many rights have been taken away for so long that it will be very difficult, if not impossible to get them back. The only hope rests with the next Supreme Court striking down some of these constitutional infringements.

Of course, appeals are the hard way. We need to stop these laws from being passed in the first place. Every elected seat at every level counts, now more than ever because they really do want to take your guns.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #2A, #SecondAmendment, #Constitution, #BillOfRights, #nobodywantstotakeyourguns, #theyreallydowanttotakeyourguns, #mewe, #oddstuffing

A New Hope

At the risk of serious reprisal from the Empire (Disney) as the new Star Wars movie is about to be released, today I present – A New Hope.

Firearm owners around the country have been living in dark times. Self-proclaimed ‘gun safety’ elitists have been attacking the very foundations of our freedom, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They have been slowly but surely whittling away our Second Amendment rights in the name of “common sense gun safety measures”.

Nowhere has this been more evident than here in California. Every year, new draconian legislation is pushed out upon the citizenry with the promise to make them safer. Every year the rights of law-abiding firearms owners are restricted a little bit more. Every year Second Amendment rights are eroded a little further. Yet every year the rights of criminals are expanded, more criminals are released early from prison, crime gets worse and we are less safe in our homes and communities.

But now there is a new hope. While the 2016 general elections were a mixed bag of results for many, firearm owners are feeling a little safer knowing an outright repeal of the Second Amendment, or having it effectively gutted by executive order, legislative action or judicial activism is NOT the priority of the incoming administration.

One of the most critical elements of hope will be the appointment of a new Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, replacing Justice Antonin Scalia. Justice Scalia, who advocated originalism in constitutional interpretation, wrote the majority opinion in District of Columbia v. Heller. This ruling found an individual right to own a firearm under the Second Amendment. This ruling, which simply confirmed the right Americans have understood and exercised since the founding of our country, is based on the original meaning of the words at the time the Bill of Rights was written. As such, Justice Scalia’s replacement with a strong supporter of the Bill of Rights is a critical appointment in the struggle to retain our rights.

But with hope comes caution. The Heller decision was only 5-4 in favor and still left many questions unanswered. The Supreme Court has also been reluctant to take on new Second Amendment cases since District of Columbia v. Heller and the related McDonald v. City of Chicago. Even with the strongest case there is no guarantee the Court will either accept it or rule in a way firearm rights advocates hope for. Each case is heard and decided on its own merit and could pass or fail at any time regardless of the makeup of the Supreme Court.

We must also realize the United States Supreme Court is the final stop, the last court of appeal. Appeals here mean cases have already been through all other courts and this is the absolute last chance for them to be overturned. What we should be doing is stopping the laws before they are implemented in the first place. Repealing a law, ordinance or regulation is ALWAYS going to be more difficult, more costly, more time consuming and more risky than stopping it in the first place. Once our rights have been stripped away, it is much harder to get them back.

During this last election, a group of elitists took advantage of a contentious national election to put their money into vulnerable states where they could spend millions creating a false narrative to further their agenda. With this they gained important ground to base their next level of infringements upon. Each gain they make costs law-abiding citizens their rights.

So while we have hope with the incoming national administration, legislative branches and with the highest court, our rights in some state and localities are being systematically eroded. Each one of these infringements need to be fought, and fought vigorously. At the same time we need to stop the flood of new and diabolical ways that are being devised to strip away rights and make us all more unsafe.

Every elected seat, at every level, in every jurisdiction counts. Every race is local and every vote counts. If you don’t think the people who have been taking away your rights aren’t already working on the next elections, you are wrong. They most certainly are and we should be too.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #anewhope, #constitution, #billofrights, #secondamendment, #2a, #pleasedontdeathstarmyhousedisney, #mewe, #oddstuffing.com

Odd Stuffing Star Wars Parody

California’s New Assault Weapons

With the stroke of a pen, California’s Governor turned all bullet button firearms in the state into so-called “assault weapons”. I say so-called since the “assault weapon” definition was manufactured by the gun grabbing elite and it is subject to change based only on the whim of whatever administration owns it. What was just a normal rifle is now too dangerous and deadly to own – at least not without an additional license and registration fee paid to the State.

For those of us in California, we know an “assault weapon” is just a semi-automatic, centerfire rifle with a detachable magazine and one or more “evil features” like a pistol grip or adjustable stock. Of course, the exact definition changes depending on your geography. In the now defunct federal “assault weapons” ban, you needed two or more evil features, and bayonet lugs were considered evil as well. (I’m guessing the media just never reported on the ravages of gang drive-by bayonetting.) New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts all have their own versions; with Massachusetts recently updating their definition to include firearms with parts that are interchangeable with previously defined “assault weapons”.

California firearm owners now face a dilemma for 2017. Register their bullet button firearms as California “assault weapons” or go featureless. Some are eager to register with the understanding this will allow them to finally remove the bullet button and run their firearm like it was intended. The problem is, that may not be the case. Nothing from the State so far has positively confirmed what will be permissible or even which of the newly invented add-ons will be allowed. What we do know for sure is registration comes with far more draconian restrictions on storage, transportation, use and the inability to sell or hand your firearm down to a descendant. As of now, there is a path to de-register it, make it featureless and as such, transferable – but we’ll come back to that later.

Going featureless means swapping out those dreaded “evil features” and making your modern sporting rifle look a little less scary and more like any other rifle. After all, its just cosmetics and does nothing to impact the actual operation of the firearm. While this avoids the dreaded “assault weapon” registration, it gets really expensive, really quick. Featureless parts or modifications can easily add $100 to $500, or more to each firearm you own. But then, you will be able to take off that foolish bullet button.

Assembly Bill 1663

One of the bills that didn’t make it into law in 2016 was AB1663. This bill removed the “evil features” criteria for centerfire, detachable magazine fed firearms. This would have redefined rifles such as the vintage M1 carbine and Mini-14 Ranch Rifle as “assault weapons”. Good news for now, but you can be absolutely certain this will be back in 2017 or 2018 or 2019 or until it is passed. Note: These firearms are already defined as “assault weapons” in some other states.

Remember that part about de-registering your “assault weapon” to make it featureless and transferable? Once all featureless rifles are considered “assault weapons”, there will be no more de-registering and no more transferring of featureless rifles.

Rimfire

One of the few safe havens of California firearms has always been the rimfire, the most common being the lowly little .22 LR. To date, California’s “assault weapons” laws have always specified only centerfire. Rimfire firearms have been exempt and can have all the “evil features” their older cousins cannot. The question you need to ask is how long will this be true? Consider that the word “centerfire” has already been removed from other states’ “assault weapons” descriptions. Also consider the firearm reportedly used to kill five people in the September 23, 2016 shooting at the Cascade Mall in Washington was a simple wood stock Ruger 10/22. The fact that the shooter used a 25 round magazine will be irrelevant to the gun banners here in California.

There have been calls to outlaw all registered “assault weapons” in California on more than one occasion. That call will come around again, but most likely not until every possible firearm is already included in that classification. At that point, one more signature makes them all go way and turns their previously legal owners into felons.

So where does it end? The answer is it never will. There is one and only one end goal of the gun grabbers; the elimination of private firearm ownership. The elitists in California like to believe they have the higher moral obligation to lead the nation on creating pointless laws that only restrict law-abiding citizens from owning firearms and ammunition.

Each of us must choose how we respond to the new “assault weapon” laws by registering, going featureless, taking our firearms out of the state or turning them in. None of the options are ideal and all just put off the eventual total ban that is unquestionably in our State’s future.

We can only hope that the upcoming United States Supreme Court will help strike down some of these anti law-abiding citizen laws.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #2ndAmendment, #2A, #CAAssaultWeapons, #featureless, #registration, #mewe, #oddstuffing.com

21st Century Policing – Part II

As you may recall I foolishly accepted a Facebook challenge to write an essay on what the most important part of 21^st Century Policing is and why. The prize for the two winning authors was to have lunch with Santa Cruz County Sheriff Hart. Much to my surprise, my essay was one of the two selected. It took a while to get scheduled but I finally had lunch with Sheriff Hart and Danielle, the other winner, at Café Cruz.

Before you ask, even though I am a very vocal advocate of Second Amendment rights and write about them often, there is a time and place for that conversation and this was neither. I still hope to have that conversation with the Sheriff sometime, but this wasn’t the time for it. We talked about the 21^st Century Policing program in Santa Cruz County as well as our own experiences and feelings towards law enforcement in the community. Long story short, I was encouraged by the Sheriff’s motivations, commitment to transparency and the steps he has taken to date. Of course there is still much to do.

Let me back up a little to the President’s Task Force on 21^st Century Policing. President Obama put the Task Force together in response to the protests and riots in Ferguson, Missouri following the fatal shooting of a black man by a white police officer in August 2014. No charges were brought against the officer, however the U.S. Department of Justice did find fault in the Ferguson Police Department’s policies. The Task Force’s final report came out in May 2015.

If the fact that this study was done as a consequence of Ferguson causes you some concern, you’re not alone. Political responses to violent incidents tend to be knee-jerk and one-sided, something we in California are very accustomed to. Combine this with the fact it was commissioned by an administration with less than stellar support of law enforcement in racially charged incidents and you get a little suspicious from the get-go. As such, a lot of the report’s content focuses on racial and community relations. That of course is fair. Regardless of how any racial tensions were initiated or escalated in this country or who was responsible for it, the fact that they are here means that they need to be addressed.

As I expressed in the previous article, the concept of community policing isn’t new, it’s been around for decades as a formal program and forever as a concept, with the origin dating back to the “Peelian Principles”. Developed by Sir Robert Peel in 1829 to define an ethical police force, it is commonly known as policing by consent. The key element in all of this is cooperation between the public and the police.

Fast forward to today. Public perception of law enforcement is not always positive, occasionally justified, most often times not. The evolving nature of law enforcement and the massive expansion in responsibilities and duties of officers everywhere places a huge demand on them and the system. The focus shifts away from cooperation with the community, and that relationship, the basic foundation of the function, suffers.

Of the 21^st Century Policing criticism I’ve heard is it focuses more on the touchy-feely stuff and not enough on fighting crime. I get that. Given a choice between kicking down doors and putting the habeus grabus on bad guys and spending the afternoon talking to residents and small business owners, most officers are going to take the bad guy every time. But modern, as well as traditional and historic law enforcement is much more than that. It’s the bond with the community that makes the job successful.

It is important to note that the 21^st Century Policing pillars are not a policy manual for a law enforcement agency. They are only recommendations and they are voluntary. What works in one community may not work in the next. It does not mean codling criminals or less assertive enforcement. It does mean working with the community to tailor the mission to the needs of the community. And if you take a look at the diversity of Santa Cruz County, that’s not an easy task.

I’ll say it again; the key to effective law enforcement is the community. It always has been and always will. Effectively reaching the community is best done one-on-one, one person at a time. It doesn’t happen over night and there are times when you take one step forward and two steps back. It’s a long-term commitment, but it is the right way to do it.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department’s Final Report is online and linked below. If you live or work in Santa Cruz County, I strongly encourage you to read it for yourself. As you do, you should be questioning whether or not it makes sense to you. If you see something encouraging, acknowledge it and get involved if you can. If you see something that sounds like a load of BS, let the Sheriff know. After all, YOU are the community and the Sheriff is accountable to YOU. None of this works unless you speak up.

Finally, my thanks to the law enforcement professionals who are out there day in, day out, each and every day, working to keep us safe. Never has the job been more visible, more challenging or more dangerous. While it may not always feel like it, the community really is there behind you.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #21centurypolicing, #peelianprinciples, #scso, #santacruzcountysheriff, #bluelivesmatter, #mewe, #oddstuffing.com

Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Task Force on 21^st Century Policing

http://21stcenturypolicing.us/Portals/22/pdfs/FinalReport-21stCenturyPolicing.pdf

Gun Control Discrimination Part II – May Issue

A while back I wrote about how those who believe in Gun Control also believe in discrimination. Now I want to take that one step further and discuss an even more flagrant discriminatory practice, May Issue.

I am referring to the issuance of concealed carry permits, also known as CCW, CCL, CPL, CHL or other TLA’s. They are government permission to carry a concealed firearm in public and are issued by either a state, county or local entity. This is the opposite of Constitutional Carry, which refers to the view that the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution permits no restrictions or other regulations on gun ownership or possession. It is also referred to as permitless carry or “Vermont carry”

Having grown up and lived a considerable portion of my life in a constitutional carry state, I’ve always viewed the need to obtain a permit to carry a firearm with a certain level of disdain. The Second Amendment has always seemed pretty clear.

“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.”

However governments always have and always will insert themselves into places where they don’t exactly belong, and licensing the carrying of firearms is a good example. After all, it’s my life and my family’s life – and if you’re not going to be there to effectively protect it 24/7, why shouldn’t I be able to?

Shall Issue vs. May Issue

Shall Issue jurisdictions require a permit or license to carry, however the applicant generally only has to meet certain objective criteria, such as submitting fingerprints for a background check, to be free of disqualifying criminal or mental health issues and passing a firearms training class or qualification. Note that there are fees for all of these steps.

May Issue jurisdictions on the other hand impose additional, non-objective criteria, which include justifying the ‘need’ to carry a firearm beyond that of simple self-defense. Applicants must show this ‘good cause’ is above and beyond the level of protection currently offered by law enforcement in the area. In addition to training classes and qualifications, May Issue jurisdictions also typically impose additional psychological testing requirements. These add to the cost and time commitment required to obtain the permit and serves as yet another barrier to those who cannot afford it.

May Issue criteria tends to be more arbitrary than not. Since the determining authority has the full, ultimate and non-appealable discretion of who gets a permit and who does not, the deciding factors are purposefully nebulous. What is ruled a valid reason for one person, may not be considered for another. Many May Issue jurisdictions liberally issue to some but not to others. Even the most restrictive jurisdictions, the ones where the normal citizen is flat out told no before they even apply – or who won’t even accept an application – do in fact issue to a select few. Typical among these are the wealthy, famous and close family and friends of the issuing authority.

So what is the difference between a simple self-defense need and a ‘good cause’ self-defense need? That is usually the million-dollar question. The ONLY reason why anyone, including law enforcement and everyone other than criminals, carries a firearm is for self-defense. The average citizen can be a victim of violent crime at any time, in any place and their expected response under May Issue is to call local law enforcement that may be minutes away, at the absolute best, and only if someone else is able to call them.

Then there is the argument that having more people carrying firearms will make all citizens less safe and put law enforcement in more danger. Having been a citizen and law enforcement officer in a Constitutional Carry state I can tell you flat out that this is not true. The only impact is the criminals don’t know who is and who isn’t able to defend themselves. In other words, it’s a deterrent to crime.

It boils down to who is entitled or is privileged enough to be able to defend their lives. The wealthy, famous or connected justify it by saying they are more of a target for crime than others. While they may attract more attention to themselves, they are also in a position to have more personal protection barriers than the average citizen and are actually less of a potential target.

The most likely target of crime is always going to be the most disadvantaged in the community. Without the financial or political clout to obtain a permit, they are denied the most effective means to defend their lives and their family’s lives.

Denying that a basic right to self-defense exists in the name of ‘keeping everyone safer’ separates the haves and have-nots. You don’t have a higher level of ‘need’ simply because of who you are, what you do or whom you know. Personal safety and security is everyone’s right and May Issue is simply another discriminatory system to keep the privilege in the hands of a select few.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #self-defense, #2ndamendment, #constitution, #Vermont-carry, #discrimination, #mayissue, #mewe, #oddstuffing.com

Firearms Training – Caveat Emptor

Every so often during conversations on firearms training, there is a focus on who is qualified to teach it. Some contend the only ones who can adequately prepare you – a legally armed civilian, possibly with a concealed carry permit out in public or protecting your family in your own home – for a self-defense encounter are former Delta, SEALs or Spetsnaz operators. Really?

These true, professional operators are highly trained and experienced in unconventional military missions such as counter-terrorism and covert operations. It takes years to learn their trade and they relentlessly train to hone that skill. They are the best of the best of the best and they’ve earned it the hard way. That being said, it is highly unlikely you will learn how to effectively infiltrate, stalk and kill your enemy in an eight-hour Saturday class – nor would you really want to.

So where is this coming from? From what I can see this originates in a couple of places. One is the now all to frequent revelation of someone in the industry who hasn’t been exactly truthful about his or her background. Some exaggerate their military experience ‘just a bit’ to be more credible while others fall right into the stolen valor category. Beware the instructor who can’t publish his photo or last name because of ‘security concerns’.

The other is from so-called experts who are trying to make a name in a competitive market. By spouting off some tactical jargon, referencing unverifiable affiliations and criticizing instructors they’ve never met or training programs they’ve never been to, they hope to build a following based on their critique of others.

It’s true a lot of absolutely exceptional instructors have military or law enforcement backgrounds. But keep in mind this is merely a foundation, not the final word of being a competent instructor. Just because someone served in the armed forces doesn’t mean they are either qualified OR a good instructor for the military, LEO or civilian market. US military training is excellent for what it is intended for, military operations. But not all military tactics are suited for, or legally justified, in the civilian world. Applying them to your self-defense situation may get you convicted, sued or worse.

Here’s another secret, you don’t have to be former military to be a great firearms instructor. I’ve been to a lot of training over the years and was surprised to learn some of the top-notch trainers out there have never been in the military, yet they still teach front line military, law enforcement as well as civilians. Hard to believe? It shouldn’t be. These are individuals who have made a commitment to their profession and are always learning, training and updating themselves and their programs. They are at the forefront of the industry which is why they are sought out by the people who need these skills the most.

I’ve said this before and I’ll repeat it here. Finding a good, qualified instructor and training environment is critical. Specifically when it comes to self-defense training, you need an instructor who will provide a realistic, challenging and safe program.

Here are a few things you should look for:

• Do the instructors have applicable and current certifications?
• Do the instructors have a relevant background and experience to teach this type of training?
• Do the instructors continue to participate in student and instructor level training themselves?
• Can the instructors provide student references?
• Do the instructors carry the proper insurance?
• Are the instructors willing to discuss their background, program and your needs with you?

When it comes to self-defense firearms training, you need to look past the armchair quarterback evaluations, vague references to experience or training and unverifiable war stories. It’s not only your time and money; it could very well be your life. Caveat Emptor – Let the buyer beware.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #2ndamendment, #firearmstraining, #caveatemptor, #operator

Veterans Day 2016

I normally publish new articles on Monday, but today is Veterans Day and I felt it deserved some special attention. With the nation’s focus on the outcome of the general elections, I wanted to make sure we haven’t forgotten our veterans.

On November 11, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued a message to all Americans on the first anniversary of the armistice ending the hostilities on the Western front of World War I. He thanked the nation and those who served during the war and marked the beginning of Armistice Day. It wasn’t until 1954 that the word “Armistice” was replaced by “Veterans” so as to honor all service veterans.

Our nation’s military has a long and proud history starting with the very formation of our country. For over 240 years, it has protected our shores and the rights and liberties of its citizens around the world. The men and women of our armed services answered the call of their nation and put their very lives on the line so that we could be free. It is because of them that we have the freedom, safety, security and rights we often take for granted today.

But that freedom comes at a cost. Our military has fought in places and in conditions most of us would turn our heads away from in disgust. They have fought enemies with no regard for the value of life or common human dignity. They have fought against forces whose only desire is to take our lives because of what we as a nation believe in. Our veterans have laid down their bodies and their souls for the nation, for the values we hold dear and for us. They have done all of this without question and with pride, dignity and honor.

Our very existence as a nation and our continued survival depends on their never-ending commitment to serve. Despite whatever politics and disagreements divide us internally, the men and women of our armed services have been there to protect our nation. To say we owe our lives to all those who have served doesn’t even come close to what their sacrifice has given us.

As is common in modern times, our youth and even some of the adults idolize the stars of the music and film industries as well as professional sports players. While a few are in fact good role models for our children, more are rich, entitled brats who have precious little in common with the people who are responsible for their enormous wealth and fame.

I submit to you a better option; the men and women who have made the choice to do service for their country. They do not do it for the glory, the fame and certainly not for the great economic windfall a military salary provides. From the mechanic who works on the planes to the pilot who flies them into battle. From the cook who keeps the troops fed on the line to the brilliant strategist who comes up with the plan to defeat our enemy. From the clerk who keeps the supplies coming in at the right time to the Special Forces operator who surgically strikes a terrorist stronghold and frees innocent captives. Each one of them is a hero and role model in their own right. They do these jobs not for themselves; they do it for their nation. What prouder tradition and sense of values could we ever want to instill in our families.

The veterans of our armed services are the heroes who walk among us every day. Many of our friends, neighbors and the businessmen and women in our communities have served their country with pride. We can never forget that they are the reason we are here and the reason we are free.

Both of my parents served in United States Air Force. While I did not have the honor to serve myself, the discipline and the values they instilled in me based on their service and dedication have shaped my life forever.

While we set aside this one day to honor these men and women, the privilege of knowing them and being grateful for their service goes on year round. To those of you who have answered their nation’s call to defend our country and liberty, we thank you for your service.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #veteransday, #honorourvets, #mewe, #oddstuffing.com

Vote Early, Vote Often

Ahh, the end of the election season. Never is there more information being pushed at us from all angles than by people demanding our vote. We get commercials, snail mail, email and banner ads in all our browsers and social media. We have billboards, banners and signs of all shapes and sizes along our drive home. We get knocks on our door, we get calls on our phones, we get everyone we know pushing an agenda that, if we had any ‘common sense’ at all, we would wholeheartedly agree with and vote the way they want us to. If the past two years hasn’t made you want to move to that little off-grid cabin in the woods, nothing will.

First, let’s set things straight about the news media. There is no such thing as impartiality any more. The days of being able to trust what you hear on the network news died with Uncle Walter. Everyone has an agenda or angle to push. Consider this when you see only glowing, positive stories about one side of an issue, and hateful, negative stories about the other side. Just look at the photos of candidates they publish. Supported candidates have nicely composed and dignified looking pictures. Opposition candidates look like they’re about to sacrifice a goat. That’s not journalism, that’s just supermarket tabloid trash. I’d like to think we are better than that.

Then there are the so-called ‘truth’ sites that claim to expose what’s really going on in whatever it is they oppose. More times than not, it’s an isolated fact or opinion that’s expanded upon with more and more conjecture until the end result is SPECTACULAR!! If this is true, then this must be true, which makes this true and this true and this true! I call this compounding idiocy and it seems to be the driving force behind too many stories.

Of course, there are the satire news outlets that take a snippet of real news and turn it into an entertaining parody. Taken as intended, they are pretty damn funny. Sadly, some of our elected officials and professional journalists have been duped into believing these stories are true and shared them as facts that prove their particular point of view. I suppose that in and of itself is even more amusing than the original spoof.

The good news is tomorrow is Election Day. Nationally we’ll be choosing a President and Vice President, as well as the direction of our Supreme Court for at least the next two generations. We’re choosing the majority rule of our Senate and House of Representatives. Closer to home we are deciding everything from Governors, state representatives, county and city council members, school, fire, water and everything else boards. We’ll be deciding on what we want to be taxed on, and how much and what will be legal and illegal in our states and home towns.

Arguments about the Electoral College aside; our vote is the single most important part of our representative democracy. This is how we hold our government responsible for what they do. If we don’t make an informed decision about what we are voting for, or worse – don’t even participate; we are giving up our say in our country and our lives. Every vote in every election really does count.

In the final 24 hours before voting begins, you can expect a litany of sensational stories and last minute pleas to sway your vote. A lot of it will be crap meant to inflame our emotions and distract us from what is really important. If you look close enough, and generally in the opposite direction, you’ll find what you really need to pay attention to.

For those of you who have already voted by absentee or mail in ballot, I thank you. I may not agree with what you voted for, but I respect you for actively participating. For those of you who will be headed to the polls tomorrow, know that stepping into that voting booth and making your selections is the cornerstone of the American democratic system. It is a privilege envied by many around the world who do not have this right.

Lastly, even though the Cubs have just won the World Series, this isn’t Chicago in early 1900’s. Vote early, but please vote only once.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #2016elections, #gunvote, #voteearlyvoteoften, #ivoted, #mewe, #oddstuffing.com

Gun Control Equals Discrimination

Here is my bold statement of the week. If you believe in gun control, you believe in discrimination.

The whole concept of gun control is to keep guns out of the hands of someone else. In order to do this, you have to have people WITH guns in the first place. These chosen people will be the only ones allowed to have guns. You, as someone who won’t have guns, will be safer because only THEY will have guns. At least that’s what you’re told.

So what’s wrong with this progressive utopian dream? Well, to start off with gun control only takes firearms from the lawful citizens. It never has and never will take firearms away from criminals. Remember, the definition of criminal is someone who doesn’t obey the law. Why in the world would you believe adding more laws about not owning firearms would take firearms away from people who don’t obey the law in the first place? Guns are their tools of the trade and, with lawful citizens not being able to own firearms, it makes their job all the easier.

If you think new gun control laws are going to make it harder for criminals to get them, think again. Smugglers move tons upon tons of drugs and goods into and out of this and every other country every day of the week. Firearms of every description are already part of program. Don’t believe it? Take a look at how many firearms the London UK police or law enforcement in Australia seize every day. These aren’t World War II relics someone dug out of grandpa’s old Army footlocker. These are state of the art, modern semi and full automatic firearms being brought in to feed the criminal demand. How is making this a little bit more illegal than it already is going to change this?

And let’s take a look at who is promoting this gun control agenda, a close-knit group of politicians and ultra-wealthy elitists. The political gun control extremists have police and federal agents to protect them 24/7. At home, traveling or making appearances in public, law enforcement officers we pay for guard them. The economic elite employ private security companies drawn from the ranks of the best police, federal agencies and the military. They are well trained and well armed to keep the elite safe. These are the people telling you you will be safer unarmed.

Who isn’t safer with more gun control? You and everyone else that can’t afford the privilege of having armed security protect them. Your publicly sponsored protection is the law enforcement agency of wherever-you-are-at-the-time. They will respond to your call for help after something bad has happened to you as quickly as possible, anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more.

The more economically disadvantaged you are, the less likely you’ll be able to defend yourself and the more likely you are to be victimized. Firearms, or any force multiplier for that matter, are costly. Add in ammunition and training and you’ve got a very expensive entry point into self-defense. Now add in the additional government imposed transfer, license and permit fees, special “gun violence prevention” fees and “anti-gun violence” taxes on ammunition and you’ve essentially priced the right to effective self-defense out of the hands of people who need it the most.

Politicians often say they ‘stand with the people’ when in reality they stand with them just long enough to ask for their money and votes – and only at arms length with their armed security in between. Once the election is over the closest the ‘people’ get to them is seeing their motorcade speed by on the way to meet with the other elites.

You are responsible for your own safety at home, at work, traveling, shopping or out for a walk with your family. Allowing a group of political and economic elite to take away your right to self-defense, a privilege they enjoy and will never give up, is wrong. Being wealthy or politically connected shouldn’t be the deciding factor in whether or not you can defend yourself.

Your safety, your life, your family’s life may mean nothing to them but it means everything to you. If you aren’t fighting to defend your rights today, you may not be able to defend your life tomorrow.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #guncontrolequalsdiscrimination, #gunvote, #2ndamendment #mewe, #oddstuffing.com