Anyone who’s come through an airport in the last decade is familiar with the sight of a bored looking TSA officer standing (well, let’s be honest, usually sitting on a stool) at the opening where the secure terminal area dumps out into the unsecure area for arriving flights. It’s the furthest into the airport you can go when you’re waiting for a friend or a loved one to arrive. That TSA officer’s sole job is to tell ignorant people who try to go the wrong way that they can’t do that. Apparently that isn’t secure enough for Syracuse Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, NY, as . . .
they’ve become the first airport in the country to install new automated exit portals as part of a $60 million dollar renovation. The justification for installing the pods is that they replace police or security guards who would normally stand at the exit, therefore saving money. “We need to be vigilant and maintain high security protocol at all times. These portals were designed and approved by TSA which is important,” said Syracuse Airport Commissioner Christina Callahan.
In advance of the thousands of tourists that are expected to flock to the former battlefields of Europe next year in commemoration of the outbreak of World War I, the Belgian DOVO army squad is working at a furious pace to recover as much unexploded ordnance from the area around Ypres as possible. Of the approximately one billion projectiles hurled into the battle by the English and Germans in the area of the salient, an estimated 300 million were duds, and the vast majority of them have not been recovered. Many are explosive, and a some still contain active chemical agents such as mustard and phosgene gas. (The Second Battle of Ypres was the first widespread use of poison gas in Europe.) Last year nearly 160 tons of ordnance — everything from bullets to grenades to 15 inch artillery shells — was unearthed and recovered from the area around Ypres, and more is still found every day, often by farmers who till them up in their fields. The Daily Mail article has many more photos and details.
Army Master Sgt. C.J. Grisham, whose first trial back in October ended in a hung jury and a mistrial, was found guilty today of interference with the duties of an officer, a Class-B misdemeanor. The penalty phase of the trial, which could bring fines of up to $2000 and jail time of not more than 180 days, begins at 9 a.m. tomorrow. [h/t: PhoenixNFA]
A celebrity firearm maker (who knew?) has set up shop in Texas, citing the state’s pro-2nd Amendment values. Jesse James, maker of high-end motorcycles under the West Coast Choppers moniker, is apparently also in the gun business, and held a launch party Saturday night in Austin for the eponymous Jesse James Firearms Unlimited (the website is definitely a WIP). Guns.com apparently got the invite that was meant for TTAG, and has a first-look rundown on the product line. At least in the near term the guns won’t be made in-house, but will be rebranded items at a significant markup. The 1911 is an STI product, and for double-stack/polymer fans there’s a tatted-up FNX .45. The MSR may be an in-house make (the handguard definitely is), but the parts are from Geissele, Magpul, Bravo Company and Wilson Combat. The suppressor is definitely unique to JJFU, with a clamshell design and a semi-gloss powder coated finish. Naturally there are lots of “lifestyle items” (tshirts, fleeces, gloves, hats, beanies) with the JJFU logo prominently displayed. Anybody got some deep pockets?
Obamacare may be hated by most everyone reading this, and is undeniably a colossal Charlie-Foxtrot, but you can thank the debacle, at least in part, for the defeat of some anti-gun bills. It seems that in addition to insurers seeking to avoid claims tied to policyholders’ crimes, the failure of several mandated firearms liability insurance bills to pass has been blamed partially on Obamacare, both the quagmire that the website has been as well as the skittishness of legislators to impose yet another “required” cost on consumers. Alan Gottlieb said, “I don’t think legislators want to get near any kind of mandatory insurance.” So there’s that.
I have the MKIIIS in 9mm;the Capitan,a limited run that looks like an original but is cast steel MKIII in 9mm;and a 30 Luger version-try finding one of those around.The 30 Luger isn’t practical for SD but is fun on the range-I carry the MKIIIS now and have so for many years-never jammed once-easy to disassemble and reassemble and it’s amazing that a 14 round capacity can be so comfortable for small/medium hands.it’s a natural pointer also.
DFW has something similar to those exit pods. They have a security guard there who has to reset them every few minutes.
So if you try to go backwards through the doors they give your shoes a flat like the guy behind you in 4th grade?
Haha, outstanding.
Wow…I had no idea that mall had a gun ban. I was open carrying there literally one hour ago in the food court, a security guard walked right by me, no comment. I don’t suppose they enforce it very well…
uh, ever been to Chik-fil-a on a tuesday night? clowns handing out ballons and free ice cream. Fast food places *are* the places children frequent. Not because its convenient to get to, its not.
Speaking of clowns, city council members should be personally liable for lawsuits. What, you think the industry won’t file?
Sadly though, people will probably vote to reelect aforementioned clowns, voting is held at the school, and then going for a bite after, because the line was too long and its too late to cook. hey Tuesdays are free ice cream night at Chik-fil-a, and they have balloons.
Designed and approved by TSA! Well its certain they weren’t designed and approved by a fire marshall – they have created a death trap.
They probably release when the fire alarm is activated….but don’t tell the terrorists.
These Star Tre-like “transporter chambers” were first used by the British to protect the entrance to key buildings like MoD from IRA bombers during the 1980s. They were installed in the Pentagon during the latest round of renovations. Whether appropriate or not these entryways are not a TSA innovation.
“Protect Children
With Assault Clips”
(“with”: Of course we hope people would assume that we are using said “clips” to protect children, not that we are protecting children in possession of the clips, as the sentence could be interpreted either way. While both are acceptable and appropriate, the latter doesn’t mean much of anything.)
trying to insure intentional acts like murder means that organized crime, already into insurance fraud, now can knock off rivals and get paid. Unlimited liability. The only lobby more powerful than the NRA is the insurance lobby. hopefully they ll wake up in 2014 and realize the dems want to kill the health insurance industry in favor of single payer. yes, first theyll mandate gun owners have insurance, then they’ll mandate the insurance companies cover it. Then theyll have to take it over.
And how do EXIT portals help airline security? Why not just try profiling? It works in other countries and with certain airlines.
It keeps people from swimming upstream through the exits without paying someone to sit there and stop them. That’s it.
As far as profiling, the GAO just released a study that said that the $100 million the TSA has spent on their profiling program over the last few years was completely wasted, as their “hit rate” for finding the bad guys did not exceed that of random chance.
I will submit to the authority of those that think they rule me. I will give up who I am and what I like at their word because they know best for me… said no (real) Albanian ever… said no (real) American ever… said no (real) freedom loving human being ever.
The ar with the silencer looks like a giant chrome dildo(ribbed for her pleasure and dirk knows who her is). That’s just more ammo for the anti gunners to say we are over compensating for mid region short comings.
Speaking of lost ordinance in Europe. On the border of Albania and Kosova there is a whole crap load of it. Very dangerous stuff. Especially right after the war, people would lose limbs by accidentally stumbling on mines.
It’s ordnance.
Ordinance is legislation.
Mines are a global problem. They’re scattered all over Africa and SE Asia.
Hey Gary I was just curious which firearm you went with? I myself bought the solo after being so excited to find out it wouldn’t cycle the rounds right before I even got to fire it. Off to New York it went! Got it back, it shoots nice & looks great but still doesn’t like to load rounds sometimes. Bottom line..I’m not keeping a ccw pistol for looks & don’t trust it enough to carry it.
These exit portals are similar to self checkouts at grocery stores. They’ll need to pay someone to watch the portals function just like someone has to watch the self checkouts. Seems like it would take a while to recoup 60 million bucks. Any bets that within a year or two the portals will be non functioning and locked open with no money for repairs?
I feel bad for Grisham. He did nothing wrong. The arresting officer had zero probable cause to disarm him. Grisham had a bad attitude – but attitudes aren’t against the law – if they were – police everywhere would be incarcerated.
My same thoughts.
Which is why I preach not to confront or get into an argument with the cop on the street. Don’t quote the constitution to him. Be polite and respectful no matter how it galls you. Arguing with the cop on the street will just add to your trouble.
Lawyers can do your arguing. That’s why we have them.
The next time you see him, shake his hand and thank him for his service for me.
Carry what you want, where you want. Better judged by twelve than carried by six.
It was 30 people and it was a cross section of employees. Manufacturing, Sales, HR, shipping, engineers etc. One engineer just relocated his entire family from Atlanta to Austin last week, only to be fired.
Jason’s brother stayed in his position.
Something funny is going on. Time will tell.
Why would this crazy libtard bitch (Mary) trust ‘Big Gov’ to such a degree? 1984 is more than just a date. If you cant trust your fellow citizens (as well as yourself), who can you trust?
I believe most of you are missing the big picture here.
Who in heck ever said we live in a democracy??
Those old white men being as smart as they were made sure this country was a REPUBLIC……..
This aint no dammed democracy here.
The powers of The Republic have been usurped by those who think this is a democracy.
http://www.albatrus.org/english/goverment/govenrment/democracy%20versus%20repubblic.htm
Protect kids, ban shitty fonts
Following the sad day of Mr. Lee’s passing, might I suggest this? Have the 1911 engraved “In memory of Gunny Lee Smith USMC”, so that it will forevermore be a tribute. You might want to save any articles, papers, pictures of badges, awards, or pictures of Gunny Lee.
Until then, best of health and wishes to Gunny, and thank you for your service.
Semper Fi
Someone is going to attack that Yale Study as racist, anti-poor, anti-immigrant, anti-children from broken up families, biased, etc for attacking or suggesting directly or indirectly certain demographic groups are gun violence prone and it is not the fault of gun prevalence itself.
Rule of thumb…..
I disagree with anything written on a Prius or Smart car.
On a related note…. I think we should be allowed to hit them with a stick no bigger than our thumb as well.
None of the malls in my area ban concealed carry (no open carry), I take my kids there sometimes to get some Annie Anne’s pretzels and to play in the play area. The mall is a two-gun-minimum place for me, if I can’t carry, I don’t go.
That being said, I have nothing against open carry, I won’t ever do it, but I don’t see a problem with it.
I operate under the threat your gun like your peaker policy, everyone knows you got it, but that doesn’t mean everyone wants see it outside of your pants.
No, it makes normally-law-abiding folks desperate enough to enter a very lucrative black market which was artificially created by ridiculous legislation.
I just don’t get this guy. First of all, his nonsensical legislation does nothing to prevent gun violence, but sure has a clever name. He either does not understand the issue, or thinks common folk are stupid sheep and will believe based on the name the SAFE act is a good thing. Considering the fact that something like 84% of NY Counties have passed resolutions supporting a repeal, this was a FAIL.
I also think a motive was political gain, again FAIL. Passing harsh gun laws will not bolster your presidential aspirations in a nation opposed to such measures. This is an upside as the SAFE act will hopefully be a kiss of death to his political career.
He wants to run for President in 2016. He is a democrat, in order to be elected in the primary he has to show how left he can be. He is a politician, and the life is just a show as long as it satisfies his ego.
He does not give a crap about results, its all about the emotions
This is all a game for 2016
Well this touches on a topic that I considered for a second entry in the FNS-40 contest … of which Hannibal also mentioned. When is the exercise of a right, even though the exercise does not harm anyone, “wrong”? I put the word “wrong” in double quotes because it is a loaded term in every possible sense.
Let’s look at some examples … and I will even constrain my examples to honest-to-goodness political speech. Can I stand up in a theater and begin criticizing a current government official? Can I hold up a large sign in a theater that criticizes a government official? Can I stand outside in the middle of the road and speak or hold up such a sign? I would argue that all three of those examples illustrate situations where exercise of free speech is wrong and not protected.
How about some other situations. Can I go to a street corner (on the sidewalk) to hold up a large sign with a giant photo of an explicit sex act to protest lax pornography laws? Can I set up a deafening public address system in front of City Hall and criticize the mayor? Again, I would argue that both of those examples illustrate situations where exercise of free speech is wrong and not protected. And they are wrong for two important reasons. First, those exercises seriously disrupt the fellow citizens in proximity to the exercise of speech. Second, there are alternative ways (locations, times, methods) of exercising speech that enable the concerned citizen to be highly effective without disrupting fellow citizens in proximity to the exercise of speech. For those two reasons and those two reasons alone, the examples of free speech that I listed are wrong and not protected.
And the overall point is actually quite simple. Everyone is empowered to exercise all of their rights in a way that is effective and in their own style. And we are empowered to exercise those rights in a way that respects the fundamental human dignity of our fellow citizens. We are NOT empowered to exercise our rights in a way that intentionally harms other citizens or insults their fundamental human dignity.
So how does all of this tie into firearms? A citizen who has a firearm does not intentionally harm anyone. A citizen who has a firearm does not insult the fundamental dignity of a fellow citizen. On the other side of the coin, any person or law that forbids a citizen from simply possessing a firearm insults that citizen’s fundamental human dignity. And there is no functional alternative to a firearm that enables a citizen to defend themselves so effectively from a large variety of attacks. That is why I cannot think of a single “reasonable restriction” on the Second Amendment.
Excellent post. It’d be really fun to inform someone citing the “fire” restriction that that came about from restricting someone protesting the war/draft/slavery.
I can absolutely yell, “fire” in a theater but the courts have said I can be held liable for the consequences of that speech. This is significantly different than regulating my speech by removing my vocal cords and akin to being held responsible for your actions if you should negligently discharge your firearm or injure a bystander while using your firearm.
It’s little things like that which give me hope that no state (not even NY or CA) are ever truly “lost” forever.
Will this be the beginning of purging all the anti-gunners from every level of government in New York state? Unlikely… But it’s still a good thing.
I’m always amazed at how many people think nothing of regurgitating a “talking point” that they’ve heard so many times, they assume it MUST be true. “Yelling ‘fire'” is a perfect example. People smugly “vurp” up this seemingly nicely packaged and concise argument without having ANY clue.
It’s gotten to the point of being “sport” for me to lead people into making this blunder and then firing a fact-filled “broadside” at them. They never have a follow-up except to stutter, “but… but… but…” and then nothing.
The concluding remark of the article reflects a rabid desperation in the anti-2A. mentality.
“I’d be more concerned about whether these people [navigators] have concealed-weapons permits,” he [Arthur Hayhoe] said. “They shouldn’t be hired if they do. Of course, the NRA would scream and holler if that came about.”
Right, and no non-Democrat registered voters should be allowed to hold those civil service jobs. One stupid idea deserves another.
The Marshals are kinda like federal bailiffs/sheriffs, mostly concerned with running courts and prisoner operations, with a little bit of fugitive apprehension to make it sexy. I don’t see why they’d have them at the ranges instead of the BATFARBE. Maybe just as all handguns are GLOCKS, and all rifles are AK-47’s to these people, all federal LE’s are Marshals…