Morality Lost

Like most normal people in this country, I watched last week’s events in downtown Dallas unfold with horror and disgust. In total 14 were shot, 12 were police officers, five of the officers were killed.  The officers were doing nothing more than protecting a peaceful protest, a protest of the very police who were protecting them – for the actions of other police officers.  My heart is absolutely broken for these officers and their families.

I say “most normal people” here because not everyone reacted this way. A disturbingly large fringe element celebrated these cold-blooded domestic terrorist killings and vowed to kill even more officers. They claim all officers are bloodthirsty racists who deserve to die because of the actions of individual officers. What kind of a nation have we become?

More than any time in my more than half century of life I see a highly polarized “us vs. them” mentality. It doesn’t matter if it is related to race, religion, politics, profession or any of a list of preferences that make up our lives.  It’s as if the moral fabric that bound us together as a nation, as a people, has been ripped away and every conceivable faction is now violently fighting for dominance claiming they ‘matter’ more than everyone else.

Where does this come from? Sadly, I say it comes from the top. Our local, state and national leaders who refuse to hold individuals accountable for their own choices and actions and instead use the publicity of select, hand picked criminal and terrorist events to further their political agendas. They blame public intolerance and a lack of moral sophistication for the criminal actions of one. They blame entire classes of law-abiding citizen for the criminal actions of one. They blame inanimate objects for the criminal actions of one. Our President, once again mere hours after this senseless violence occurred and while victims were still bleeding and fighting for their very lives; called for more gun control.

In 2008 our nation elected our first African-American President. At the time I thought to myself – This could finally bring an end to the racial divide in our country. Instead, I’ve seen the leader of our nation stoke the fires of race and hatred even further. Instead of moving us forward to fulfill the destiny of Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech, he has pushed us back 50 years to the era that prompted King to march. One passage from King’s speech seems to have been lost by the current generation of citizens and leaders.

“But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.”

We as a nation cannot place the needs of anyone or any group above that of others. In order to be a nation of laws, a nation of morals, a nation of equals, no one must be above the law or subject to a different set of rules than others. Those individuals who break the law – and those individuals alone – must be brought to justice and suffer the consequences of their actions in order for all of us to be equal and free.

There is absolutely no justification in the world for this type of indiscriminate attack on our nation’s law enforcement officers. The vast, vast, vast majority of our officers serve with honor and distinction each and every day; in conditions and through issues most would turn their heads in disgust or flee from. Yet they continue to serve as the thin blue line that separates us from lawlessness, making themselves a target of contempt and bullets.

A quote from Dallas Police Chief David Brown in the immediate aftermath of this attack adds some well-needed perspective. “We’re not gonna let a coward who would ambush police officers change our democracy. Our City, our country, is better than that.”

To those five officers in Dallas and numerous more around the nation who have given their lives in the service and protection of others, we salute you and vow to honor your sacrifice by never succumbing to the hate, the rhetoric or the violence of others.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #dallaspd, #moralitylost

Defending Old Glory

On Independence Day, the Fourth of July, we celebrate the birth of our nation. It was on this date in 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and thirteen former British colonies became the United States of America.

The American flag, also known as The Stars and Stripes, the Star Spangled Banner and Old Glory still has 13 red and white stripes representing the original 13 colonies and stars for each of the states, beginning with 13 and now numbering 50. The first official American flag was adopted on June 14, 1777, a date now celebrated as Flag Day.

Many of us older Americans recited the Pledge of Allegiance daily in school and can still recite it flawlessly today.

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”

The American flag is more than just the most recognized symbol of the United States. It has come to represent the freedoms and values that brought this country into existence in the first place. It is proudly worn and revered by our military around the world and as a sign of patriotism for us at home.

With this history in mind, I cannot help but look in disgust when our flag is desecrated. With this year’s Presidential elections, it has become an all too common practice. Our flag is ripped, trampled, burned – and worse – by those wishing to make a political statement. The irony is of course that the symbol of the nation that allows them the right to free speech, assembly and protest is the very symbol they destroy. Unfortunately, desecrating our nation’s flag has been ruled a form of constitutionally protected free speech.

If you have read anything I have ever written you’ll know I am a very strong advocate of our Bill of Rights. I have always maintained the First Amendment is the most difficult of our rights and this is a prime example. When it comes to desecrating our nation’s flag, I respectfully disagree.

While I could care less if someone wants to destroy their own property, the manner in which the desecration takes places is where I feel it crosses the line from protected free speech to inciting a disturbance. Protests staged to create and provoke conflicts are not free speech. Burning flags in the targeted presence of those who have fought to defend our nation, who have lost friends and family to ensure our rights, who have given parts of their own bodies and souls so that we can be a free country is not free speech.

It should be noted that flag desecration around the world is generally illegal and carries various forms of punishment from fines to prison sentences and more. But that’s not who we are as a nation.

While there will always be those who have no respect for our nation or the symbol of it, there are many who choose to defend it. These are the men and women who risk their own safety to rescue our flag. It could be a 75-year-old Vietnam War veteran or his 21-year-old granddaughter just returned from her first deployment overseas who choose to step in. It could be just another proud citizen who still believes in what our flag stands for.

To all of you patriots who stand by our nation’s flag, I salute you and thank you for defending Old Glory.

Bob

p.s. If you’ve never heard Johnny Cash’s Ragged Old Flag, I encourage you to take a listen. It’s a nice little reminder of what our flag has been through, along with the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

The video is just over three minutes long and may be found at: https://youtu.be/a6vwXbQZvJo

#oddstuffing, #1stamendment, #billofrights, #oldglory, #defendingourflag #raggedoldflag

Terror vs. No Fear

Terrorist attacks in America. In all likelihood, there will be more just as there always have been. How we respond to this is what makes the difference.

There is no one single accepted definition of terrorism, however the commonalities include the use of violence, in a surprise attack, to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature. The perpetrators count on soft targets, catching victims unaware, unprotected and unprepared. The shock, the horror, the extreme violence causes us to be in fear for our safety – the very intent of the terrorist act.

While the terrorist commits the act, the instilling of the fear in the population is the part we bring to the table ourselves. After any attack, the broadcast media follows the “if it bleeds it leads” programming plan and covers the gore from every possible angle. Social media spreads uninformed opinions around the world like wildfire. With all of this it’s very easy to be overwhelmed with the violence and be overcome with fear.

So why don’t we approach this in a different manner?

For comparison, every time there is an earthquake around the world those of us in California take it as a warning and an opportunity to better prepare. We check our bug-out bag, our bug-in supplies and our emergency plans. It’s almost second nature. An earthquake somewhere else gives us a chance to make sure we are prepared. Think of a terrorist attack no differently and use this opportunity to learn and to prepare.

Post-attack we will do what needs to be done. We will care for those who are injured. We will mourn those who did not survive. We will seek justice for those who were responsible. But we must, and I mean MUST learn and prepare. Please note the “we” I am referring to is not the government, military or law enforcement, although they too must learn as well. I’m referring to ALL of us – the people who are actually in harms way, the ones who are the targets.

What did you think about after the attacks in Orlando or San Bernardino? You probably asked yourself – what would I have done if I was in that club or office building? If you did, that’s actually a good thing. It may sound morbid to try to learn from the death of innocent people, but ignoring it isn’t going to help keep you alive. You need to be prepared. Being prepared means having the tools and knowledge on what to do.

If you’re counting on someone else to protect you while you’re out in public, you are wrong. First responders are going to get there after the worst has already occurred. If you’re at a restaurant, theater, store or just walking down the street, you need to know how to take care of yourself. How are you going to respond to an active shooter? Do you have the means to fight or escape? Do you know how to take care of yourself if you are injured?

If you haven’t had training in self-defense, now is the time. If you haven’t had training in first-aid, now is the time. If you haven’t included training in situational awareness and not becoming a victim that you can use in your every day life, now is the time.

Remember, YOU and ONLY YOU are responsible for ensuring the safety of you and your family. When something happens, YOU will be the one to take care of EVERYTHING until help arrives.

Let me add one more component to this. What if while you were getting the knowledge and tools to prevent or stop attacks and deal with the aftermath of the attacks that do occur, others were doing the same? What if you were in a restaurant, theater or store with others who were able and willing to defend themselves?

Maybe it’s time the terrorists feared us.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #2ndamendment, #training, #nofear

National Disarmament Day?

Without question, the ultimate goal of the gun control movement is complete civilian disarmament. While feigning respect for the Second Amendment, they have been working tirelessly towards their goal for years with incremental “common sense” restrictions to “keep the public safe”. Limits on the types, brands and styles of firearms you can own, how many you can purchase, where and when you can carry your firearm for protection and limits on the type and amount of ammunition you can purchase are common. Add in a host of new laws on who can be stripped of their right to own a firearm without due process of law and they are well on their way towards the presumptive Democratic nominee’s desire to abolish the Second Amendment.

So, why not give them a day to try this grandiose plan out? We’ll call it National Disarmament Day and it will be on Monday, November 7, 2016, the day before the general elections. It will be 24 hours of gun control paradise.

Since the law abiding firearm owner is the only target of all the current and proposed gun control laws, on National Disarmament Day all lawful firearm owners will leave their firearms at home. You may have and use your firearms at HOME only. Outside the home, there will be no open or concealed carry. No carrying your firearm in your vehicle or at your place of business. No armed guards and no bonded, licensed or private armed security of any kind. The only ones legally armed in public will be law enforcement.

Understandably, there are some who will not want to go along with this plan. The good news is this is several months away and you have time to put in for the time off or close your business for the day. You may want to stock up on a few essentials ahead of time.

What will November 7, 2016 look like? One of two things will happen.

The first possibility is nothing will occur. There will be no crime, no violence and zero shootings. All of the legally owned firearms normally circulating in public will be gone. It will be the most peaceful day this country has ever seen.

The second possibility will look a little like the movie The Purge. Those who have the ability to protect themselves in their own homes will do so successfully. Those who venture out will be subjected to the wrath of an unchecked criminal element that will not hesitate to victimize anyone they come across. Businesses will be unable to protect themselves and will be looted. Law enforcement will quickly be overwhelmed and the National Guard, put on standby by the Governor of each state, will be activated to restore order. The number of injured and killed will be staggering.

Ready to sign up? Just go to www ARE YOU FREAK’N NUTS!?!?!

NONE of the “common sense”, “for the children”, disarm the law abiding citizen laws will ever do anything to disarm or discourage any criminal. In fact, it only emboldens them further. We are already at the point where the criminal or thug-terrorist has no fear of the law, the police or the courts. The only element they still fear is their victim. If that potential victim can adequately defend themselves, they will move on to a softer target. There is always a softer, easier target. They will go to a place and to people who do not have the ability to defend themselves. They will go to a “gun free zone” where they can act with impunity.

If you’re asking who in their right mind would go along with something like this, just look at the laws in place and being enacted or proposed in places like California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. This is the utopian vision of the gun control. It is brought to you by a group of political and economic elite who will never have to worry about their own security or the safety of their families.

Would you send your family out in public on National Disarmament Day? If the answer is no, then don’t allow your community, your state or your nation to become National Disarmament Day EVERY day.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #2ndamendment, #righttobeararms, #nationaldisarmamentday #getoutandvote!

Who is The Armed Citizen?

I am your family, your friend, your neighbor and your store clerk. I am the person you say hello to on your morning walks. You see me in the store, the restaurant, on the street and in your neighborhood.

Depending on your political point of view, you may think it odd I own or am carrying a firearm. You probably don’t understand why. Let’s clear up a few misconceptions you have about me.

I am not a remnant of the Wild, Wild West and I don’t fancy myself a junior G-man, secret agent or super hero. I am not a conspiracy theorist and I don’t wear a tinfoil hat. I am not compensating for alarmingly small genitalia. I don’t go around trying to get into fights and I certainly don’t want to put myself or anyone else in danger.

What I have done is gone through numerous background checks, completing many Federal and state forms along the way for the legal purchase of my firearms and the ability to carry them. I have completed every required training program and have gone well above and beyond that level of education. I train and practice often and take very good care of my firearms. I keep track of the latest legal cases to make sure I do not inadvertently run afoul of the law. The absolute last thing I ever want to do is use my firearm against anyone and I will do everything I possibly can do to avoid it.

I am also very well aware in the case of a self-defense incident where I have to discharge my firearm; my life will be turned upside down. Even if fully and unquestionably justified, I will very likely be handcuffed by the police, arrested and jailed until the situation is cleared up. My case may be taken by the prosecutor to a Grand Jury to determine what charges to bring. My entire life, every social media post, every letter, every comment to someone at a party will be scrutinized for possible indications of bias or callous intent. My training and my mental state will be evaluated. Some may wish to ‘make an example’ out of me, and my actions will be used to judge other armed citizens. I will incur significant legal expenses and my family will be harassed by those who feel that I was wrong to do what I did.

Why then am I an armed citizen? The answer is as simple as simple can be. Despite of the negative that may follow, I choose to live. My family chooses to live. I for one refuse to allow a criminal or thug-terrorist to decide it is my time, or my family’s time to bleed to death on a public street or in my own home.

Are there people who legally own firearms and use them irresponsibly? Of course. Just as there are people who drink too much, drive poorly, stand on the top steps of ladders and run with scissors. They are a minuscule population within the firearm community and I have as much problem with them as you do.

It is estimated that defensive uses of firearms outweigh felonious uses by 30-80 to one or between one and two million times per year in the United States. There isn’t an accurate number since this isn’t a metric collected in police reports. Nobody from the “gun control/gun safety” movement even wants to look for those numbers. They say they are statistically insignificant or simply don’t exist.

While you may not know I am a legally armed citizen, you still benefit from me being here. We are long past the days where any criminal fears the law, the police or the courts. The only thing they still have to fear is their victim. If they believe their potential victim is armed and can defend themselves, they will move on to someone who can not. They will find an easier target. (They’re criminals, not morons.) The more people like me, the more armed citizens there are, the less likely someone will be made a victim

In case you don’t remember me, let me give you my description. I am male, female or gender nonspecific. I am young, middle aged or retired. I am tall, medium height or a little short. I have a full head of brown/red/blond/black/purple/green hair or am bald. I am thin, fit & muscular or overweight. I’ll be wearing shorts & a tank top, jeans & polo shirt or a suit or long/short dress.

I am the armed citizen.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #2ndAmendment, #armedcitizen

Shame On Us

2016 will be a pivotal year for Second Amendment rights in this country. A Presidential contest between a pro & anti 2A candidate awaits us this November. The incoming President will select a successor for Associate Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and will likely place another three Supreme Court justices during his or her term in office. The balance of power in the U.S. Senate is up for grabs. At the state level, even traditionally pro-2A states are being forced to fight gun control initiatives. In my own State of California, the Assembly is rushing through an unprecedented list of anti-firearm owner laws to beat the legislative deadline. Citizens along with state and national groups have been fighting furiously against what has been termed Gunpocalypse and Gunmeggedon and are hoping for some small reprieve from the Democratic Governor when the bills reach his desk.

But with all our focus on national and state matters, we seem to have forgotten to keep track of what’s been going on in our own backyard.

Last week in my own hometown, the City Council passed a one-year extension to a so-called urgency ordinance for a moratorium on new commercial operations engaged in the sale of firearms, ammunition and / or explosive devices.

A little background: The original Urgency Ordinance was passed on September 2, 2015 establishing a temporary 45-day moratorium for new firearm business licenses. It was the result of concerned citizens discovering there were four firearms retailers in the city and a fifth was in the process of being established. An initial attempt to regulate current and future retailers with a wide-ranging licensing ordinance, which in effect zoned the entire city out of bounds, failed. A much simpler local licensing proposal was successfully implemented and the zoning requirements were pushed over to the Planning Department.

On October 14, 2015 the City Council extended the moratorium for an additional 10 months and 15 days to allow the City staff time to adequately study the appropriate land use regulations. This extended the original date to a full year. Combined with last week’s extension, the City now has a two-year temporary, urgency moratorium.

The four existing firearms retailers in the City were notified of this extension, including one, which was planning a relocation that would not be possible during the moratorium period.

Included in the justifications for this extension were the retirement of the Community Development Director in February 2016 and the retirement of the City Manager in December 2015. Also noted was the potential impact of the recent Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling regarding zoning and gun shops in Alameda County – a restriction on firearms retailers within 500 feet of a residential area.

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling is significant as it held the Second Amendment extended to the buying and selling of firearms. “The panel held that the Ordinance burdened conduct protected by the Second Amendment and that it therefore must be subjected to heightened scrutiny—something beyond mere rational basis review.”

Back here with my hometown City Council, there was no discussion of the progress made to date on the new zoning regulations or whether the delay was in fact reasonable. There was no commitment to any milestones or whether it would be completed by the next moratorium expiration date. There was no public comment. There was no debate. The ordinance passed unanimously.

The erosion and subsequent elimination of our Second Amendment rights come from all levels. It occurs not only in the legislative chambers in Washington D.C. and Sacramento C.A, but also in our local town halls. Each incremental intrusion on the Bill of Rights, each “common sense” regulation, each new rule, restriction, license and fee, pushes us further down the path of losing our rights all together. We all need to pay very close attention to what is going on at every level.

Shame on us. No, scratch that… shame on me.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #2ndAmendment, #moratorium, #shameonus

Memorial Day

Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 30 this year and it is a time for all of us to look back and pay tribute to the members of our armed services who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it was a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. It is generally believed the date was chosen as flowers would be in bloom all across the country.  Waterloo, New York is officially recognized as the birthplace of the ceremony on May 5, 1866; although many communities around the nation have the tradition dating back this far or further. Union and Confederate armies originally celebrated on separated days but later merged to honor all Americans who died in military service. The name Memorial Day was first used in 1882 but it was not official until 1967. In 1968 it was moved from May 30th to the last Monday in May, where it is celebrated today.

On Memorial Day, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. The half-staff position remembers those who have passed in service. At noon, their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.

The federal three-day holiday weekend sees traditional observances in large cities and small towns with parades and bands. In the current day, Memorial Day also marks the unofficial beginning of summer and has become a time for sporting events, sales, picnics and barbeques with friends and family.

You may also notice veterans and others wearing small, artificial red flowers known as the Remembrance Poppy. Beginning in 1921 to commemorate those who died in war, it is still worn by many today. It is based on the field poppy, Papaver rhoeas, and inspired by a World War 1 poem entitled “In Flanders Field”.

Growing up in a small town with parents who both served in the U.S. military, traditional observances are near and dear to my heart. Our local cemetery, like most others around the country, had small American flags planted in front of each veteran’s headstone. We were there every year to see the flags, read the names and remember.

If you have never visited any of our 134 national cemeteries or a state veteran’s cemetery, I encourage you to do so.  It is easy to not realize just how many of our men and women, our bothers and sisters, our fathers and mothers, our sons and daughters, have given their lives so we can live free. When you see the rows headstones and flags, it begins to sink in what the cost of freedom really is.

In 2000, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act. It encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.  Please consider this in your plans for the Memorial Day.

For all of us who live free for your service, we celebrate your memory, we honor your sacrifice and we shall never forget.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #memorialday

2016 – The Year of the Butthurt Party

As the lead up to the 2016 general elections continue, more candidates are dropping off as the major candidates continue. As this quadrennial spectacle draws nearer to its climax, we see the emergence of the next great political group, the Butthurt Party!

Who are the Butthurt? These are the diehard supporters of the candidates that didn’t make it this far. They have been the fiercest, most vocal followers of their chosen one – and the most critical, rabid anti-whomever their candidate was running against. Their lawn, car and clothing are covered equally with pro-my candidate logos and slogans and anti-whomever logos and slogans. It’s been a bitter fight and they have been all in from the get go. If their candidate doesn’t win, they won’t vote at all!

But there’s a problem. Their candidate wasn’t selected. What do they do now?

As all primary and caucus contests do, they pit candidates from their own party against each other; the winner will go on to the final contest against the other party’s candidate in the general election. You know, sort of like the Stanley Cup Playoffs, only with more teeth and less civility.

You’ve spent months learning all the reasons why your candidate’s opponent is completely incompetent to lead – and now you’re expected to throw your support behind them in a show of party unity? You’re supposed to ditch all of your candidate’s logos, slogans, stickers and t-shirts for your hated opponents and be happy about it? What madness is this??

Welcome to the Butthurt Party of American politics.

One of the biggest issues with the way our political process operates is during all the run-up contests; the party members have been trashing the living crap out of each other to come out on top. Now they, and all of us, are challenged with how to turn all that hate and discontent towards each other into hate and discontent towards the rival party.

We’ve already seen some of the ‘reconciliation’ process begin. Stalwarts of the party are withholding their support until they can have meetings and, well… presumably negotiations over issues and points of power that are important to them. This is supposed to bring them, and their loyalists on board and ready to go into the general elections.

But what of the hard-core, anybody-but-my-candidate’s-opponent supporters? Will they be able to make that leap of faith or will they do as they are promising now and just not vote at all?

Here’s what it boils down to. For better or worse, we have a two party political system, especially at the national level. Like many people, I too wish there were more options available. But while there are always third party candidates, the elections are going to be decided by the two major parties.

It’s time to take a look at what is really important to you and decide if you can support what the candidates have to offer. Will it ever be 100% of what YOU personally want? Hell no! (If that’s what you expect then why isn’t your name on the ballot?) While you’re at it, also take a look at what the other candidate is offering and decide if you not voting is in your, or the country’s best interest.

Californians: Monday, May 23, 2016 is the last day to register for the June 7th primary.

If you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #elections, #getoutandvote, #butthurt

*Image from the great folks at ActionFigureTherapy.com

The Thin Blue Line

The thin blue line on a field of black represents the police who separate the public from anarchy, the citizens from criminals, the good from bad. The line is thin since they are very few in numbers; always too few.

The men and women who wear the badge come from every corner of the community, all kinds of families, all faiths and all shapes and sizes. Yes, some even love donuts. The reasons they choose this life of service are as varied as they are, but the have chosen this life willingly and with full understanding of what it involves.

To serve as a law enforcement officer means putting yourself in harms way. Where others run from danger, the officers must pursue it. They will train in the law, in forensics and investigative technique. They must know how to compassionately deal with the mentally ill, the sick and injured, the disturbed and the impaired. They will see the darkest sides of the worst the world has to offer, as well as those who are viewed as doing no wrong. In the blink of an eye, they will need to make legal and ethical life or death decisions that will be scrutinized by the greatest legal minds in the world for decades to come. They must do this all with fairness and objectively.

In return, they can expect to rotate through day, evening and nightshifts for what seems like an eternity. They will work no matter the weather, even when others are told to stay home. They must battle exhaustion, insomnia, weight gain and weight loss. Stress related illnesses including PTSD are forever menacing. They can expect a higher rate of divorce and suicide than the general population, as well as the threat of death or disabling injury every day on the job and every day in their personal life because they chose to wear the badge. Yet still, they serve.

We now live in a time of 24-hour, seven-day a week news cycles fuelled by cameras in every cell phone with access to social media to spread truth, lies and judgment. It has been a doubled edged sword for law enforcement as it has shown them at their best, and at their worst. While the vast, Vast, VAST majority of officers serve with absolute distinction, a handful have disgraced the badge and what it stands for. It not only hurts them, but the entire community as well. I can tell you first hand there is nothing more disturbing, more reprehensible, more unacceptable to law enforcement than when one of their own has gone bad.

I was extremely fortunate in my time as a law enforcement officer to have served with men and women of integrity and courage. Many of these officers are still serving today. Through my later work and friendships, I am also honored to know officers in my local community and throughout the country at every level in a wide range of departments and agencies. I can say without hesitation, these too are officers of the highest caliber whom I would trust my very life with.

National Police Week 2016 is from Sunday, May 15, 2016 through Saturday, May 21, 2016. During this time the nation pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Since 1791, over 20,000 officers have made the ultimate sacrifice in this country. Their names are engraved on the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC. One of these names was a friend of mine.

If you have not, I encourage you to visit the memorial in person or online at www.nleomf.org/memorial and learn the stories of these heroes who gave everything for the communities they served.

Furthermore, I encourage you to learn what your local law enforcement officers are doing in your community and support them wherever you can; with your vote, your time, your funds, your words or your hands.

To those who have died with the badge as well as those who continue to wear it today, I thank you.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #thinblueline, #nleom, #nationalpoliceweek2016

Not So Smart Guns

Bond… James Bond. When it comes to high tech gadgets, nobody does it better than 007. Through the Bond movies we’ve seen cars that fly, swim and are invisible, jet packs, mini-rocket cigarettes, watches with lasers powerful enough to cut through inches of steel and of course, a signature gun – a gun that can only be fired by the owner.

While many of the Q inspired gadgets are pure movie fiction, some have come to exist in the real world, but with real world limitations. A couple of cars can fly, but they don’t look anything like a regular car. Some cars swim, but they are the odd ducks of the auto and boat world and they can’t go under water. And then there are signature guns, now called “smart guns” by those who believe they are the next greatest gun safety, a.k.a. gun control measure.

The technology has been around for years and generally relies on a ring, watch or band that must be held in close proximity to the firearm to activate it. The theory is if the owner is not holding the firearm with the appropriate activation device, it will not fire. The only current production firearm is a .22 LR pistol made by a German company, which uses a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip and requires a five-digit pin code for an eight-hour activation period. It is not currently available in the United States. A few tech entrepreneurs have jumped on the bandwagon and are working on prototypes with remote controls, electronic ammunition and RFID chips embedded in the firearm owner’s skin. Firearms with pin codes, fingerprint readers, sensors to identify the owners grip, Bluetooth activation and Internet connected schemes are out there as well.

Despite the lack of demand from firearms community, it is being legislated as a requirement. The President’s latest set of Executive Orders included a provision for federally funded research into “smart gun” technology. A 2002 New Jersey law stipulates that three years after “smart guns” are available anywhere in the United States only smart guns can be sold in the state of New Jersey.

It’s worth noting the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) have both been very clear that they are not opposed to “smart gun” technology. What they are opposed to, and I firmly agree, is a government mandate for it. If the market decides they want it, then the products will flourish.

What could be wrong with a “smart gun”? In a word: technology. Aside from the issues of adding sensitive electronics to a machine with heavy shock and vibrations; batteries die and usually at the worst possible time. Add a little moisture, heat or cold and they’ll die quicker. Radio frequency connections are not only highly prone to interference but hacking as well. Being tethered to a device of any kind means you must always be wearing that device on the hand you will be shooting with. Take it off and you’ve got access to an ugly little brick. If you’re wearing gloves or have dirty hands with devices that check fingerprints, you’ll be out of luck.

In the research I’ve done (yes, I really do research) the inherent unreliability isn’t the worst part. The most frightening part is what is hidden inside the “smart gun” technology. Two core features are part of nearly all “smart gun” technologies; GPS and remote deactivation. GPS integration allows tracking of the firearm at all times, similar to your cell phone. Remote deactivation allows you, or someone else to remotely disable your firearm. That alone should scare the pants off you. At any time your family, employer or coworker – under California’s latest proposed enhancement to the Gun Violence Restraining Order law – could file a complaint against you and your firearms can be deactivated without your knowledge.

The real danger surfaces when those two features are combined. Similar to GPS software in newer drones, geofencing allows a virtual barrier to be placed around sensitive areas disallowing operation. The most common areas for drone operators are airports. Now move this into firearms restrictions. Government buildings, Post Offices and courts are the first to come to mind. But what about schools? Since anything within 1000 feet of a school is already a federally defined gun free zone, your firearm won’t work there. If you live within 1000 feet of a school – guess what, the Second Amendment won’t apply to you. Certainly banks will want to get in on the safety of geofencing their property. Who would need to use a firearm at an ATM?

Now consider a riot, protest or disturbance of any kind in your neighborhood. The beauty of connected systems is a geofence can be set up anywhere, anytime. The first action taken to an incident in your neighborhood can easily be a gun-free geofence set up around it to protect the first responders. It won’t matter if you are the one lawfully defending yourself at the time, all “smart guns” will be shut down.

Here’s the funny thing about so-called “smart guns”: The ONLY people who this will impact will be the law abiding citizen who wants to protect themselves or their family using their Second Amendment rights. It will have ZERO impact on criminals who will be using the plain old-fashioned pull-the-trigger-and-it-fires firearm that the rest of the world will still produce and can smuggle into the United States.

Firearms are supposed to do one thing and one thing only, reliably and accurately send projectile out the end of the barrel each and every time the trigger is pulled. Anything that has even the remotest possibility of preventing that from happening is a threat to your life. Safety, security and marksmanship are the sole responsibility of the owner, not a computer chip.

Is a “smart gun” right for you and your family? If so, that should be your choice, and your choice alone. If you prefer to have the regular, reliable kind of firearm then that should be your choice also, not the government’s.

Bob

#oddstuffing, #2ndamendment, #smartguns, #guncontrol, #gunconfiscation

Remember the updated malfunction drill: Tap, rack, check GPS, change battery, run setup, re-sync, bang.