Friedrich Hayek on Conservativism

Of course, the US right loved him because he said all sorts of nasty things about collectivism, but neglected he was originally a socialist!

On the other hand, he didn't like conservatism very much either.

Imagine...

This is a real headline.

Imagine a world where no one believes they need a gun.

• They are not afraid. 
• They know they live in a world where people live by the rules or are punished by society's justice system: not by vigilantes taking the law into their own hands.
• Where people have hobbies that are not detrimental to society.
• Where this is the type of headline people see on a daily basis.

Would you like to live in a world without fear?

Or do you like displaying that you are afraid by having to carry a weapon for "protection" when there is nothing you need protecting from?

Or that your fear is so irrational that you keep an object which is more likely to cause you harm rather than really offer protection?

I like living in a world where elevators opening is the exciting news.

Try it--it's fun!

Gun Rights are not a License to Kill

This guest post is contributed by Rebecca Gray, who writes for background checks. She welcomes your comments at her email id: GrayRebecca14@gmail.com.

Gun rights issues come and go from the public spotlight, as violent episodes illuminate gun culture in America.  Unfortunately, as quickly as gun violence is recognized as a crucial social topic, concerns seem to fade into the background, during incident-free periods.  A school shooting or other gun-related atrocity starts the dialog and fervent discussions between pundits, lawmakers and police officials, only for it to slip from public focus before anything is actually done about it.

At issue is the intensely divided sphere of public influence, which decries gun crime and doggedly protects gun rights at the same time.  There is no question a problem is at hand, yet legislators and staunch gun rights advocates continue to defend the status quo.  Until we open our minds to serious reform, the proliferation of guns across U.S. society will continue to serve as a license to kill for criminals and accidental shooters defining the national gun culture.

State and Federal Influences

The proliferation of legal concealed-carry accommodations includes a vast majority of states as permit providers, with each jurisdiction maintaining its own set of laws. Depending on the requirements imposed, some states hardly restrict access to concealed carry permits, issuing most as a matter of course.  A few states do maintain stringent standards, which limits access for certain members of society, even requiring gun owners to define their need for concealed weapons.

Despite the call for federal gun control and shifts in national attitudes about gun violence, states play crucial roles in legislating and enforcing gun rights.  And while it is important to protect Constitutional freedoms, states need to fill the gap between Constitutional provisions and real-life outcomes seen on the streets.  Combined with stand your ground laws on the books in some states, reckless concealed carry practices hold the potential for escalating violence.  As a result, states that aren't active enough preventing guns from getting into the wrong hands actually contribute to the problem of gun violence more than they help solve it. 

The National Rifle Association remains firmly committed to reciprocity and universal federal gun laws regulating gun rights across state lines.  Though currently on the books in all 50 states, concealed carry laws vary according to jurisdiction, so travelers carrying firearms must do due diligence to ensure they are acting in accordance with state statutes.  NRA proposals, on the other hand, would standardize laws across states, even going as far as creating federal laws to codify the national standard.

Gun rights advocates justify the proposed change by arguing the universality of crime, which can occur at any time and place.  According to the NRA, gun owners should not be forced to sacrifice safety and security just to travel across state borders.  Unfortunately, standardizing gun laws would be a step backward for public safety, because such a proposal would naturally pander to the lowest possible standard. As a result, the federal conceal carry law would account for the lowest common denominator, compromising the strict licensure policies adopted by other states committed to curbing gun violence.

Uh Huh

Well, I don't care if you're just 13
You look too good to be true
I just know that you're probably clean...
Jailbait you look fine, fine, fine...
It's quite alright, I asked your mama
Wait a minute, officer
Don't put those handcuffs on me
Put them on her, and I'll share her with you

---NRA Board Member Ted Nugent.


Hmmm.

We all know about NRA Board Member Ted Nugent's predilection for underage girls.

It seems another NRA fave has the same problem:

"Sons of Guns" cast member Will Hayden was arrested in Louisiana on suspicion of child molestation over the weekend.
East Baton Rouge Sheriff's deputies arrested Hayden on accusations of child molestation and a "crime against nature." The gunsmith and shop owner, 44, who stars on the Discovery Channel reality series, was booked Saturday, TMZ reports. He was later released after posting $150,000 bond.

It should be noted this isn't Hayden's first brush with the laws of civilization.  He lost his his FFL for the monumental failure of being able to account for his firearm inventory. 

Well,,,alrighty, then.  Why is it many of the NRA;s most public figures--and leadership--seem to be scumbags of the highest order?

Soverign Citizen shoots first responders

In gun friendly Texas, A sovereign citizen decided to go hunting public servants:

Dallas Fire-Rescue initially responded to a dumpster fire at Frankford and North 40th Place. The man fired at the fire engine when they arrived. Firefighters sought cover, said Dallas Lt. Jose Garcia.

Dallas police were dispatched to the same location for a missing persons call.

Garcia said the officer did not hear the initial gunshots and were met with gunfire as they walked up to the location. They retreated and secured the perimeter. SWAT was called and the man surrendered.

Additionally, responding SWAT members had to clear the area of "suspect devices".

So, actual serving Oathbreakers (you are breaking your oath if you support anyone who is engaging in insurgent activity against the US per Article III, Section iii of the document you swore an oath to uphold), do you think that anyone who is so anti-government will see you as anything other than a representative of the despised government?

When you claim to uphold the oath, think of what the Constitution ACTUALLY SAYS about rebellion and that refusing to enforce the laws made in accordance with Article VI of that document, whether you agree with them or not, really turn you into.

And it is anything but a patriot.

more on this incident here.

See also:

• Sovereign citizen movement seen by US law enforcement as top terrorist threat: study
• START Understanding Law Enforcement Intelligence Processes July 2014 pdf

R.I.P. Robin Williams

I'm sorry to hear he died, but here he is on US Gun Culture.

"Suicide leaves such a bad aftertaste on the soul."

A hat tip to Lana for this idea.

Detroit Couple Gets 2 Years for Child's Death

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