#DumpStarWars Distracts from ‘Rogue One’ Citizen Militia Theme – “’I haven’t yet seen ‘Rogue One,’ but we all know the basics of the story: A band of rebels fighting for freedom against a militaristic, tyrannical empire,’ U.S. News Managing Editor Robert Schlesinger asserts. ‘You know what? The idea that freedom is better than tyranny is profoundly political. If you doubt it, I’d be happy to direct you to a few places on this planet where you can learn the lesson the unpleasant way.’ Only a smug know-it-all who has not even seen what he’s writing about would presume to correct the CEO of Disney, the company that made the film.” And Schlesinger is more than up to the task.
Exonerated Man Sues New Jersey After 3 Years in Prison for BB Gun – “A New Jersey man cleared of a conviction that landed him in prison for three years over a BB gun is suing the state for damages, which could pay out upwards of $150,000. The wrongful conviction lawsuit was filed on Dec. 14 in Middlesex County Superior Court after the state appellate court ruled the case against 30-year-old hinged on warrantless search.” Wonder if he has a GoFundMe page.
Stores in these parts sure seemed busy. Still are, in fact.
Social Security Administration Publishes Final Rule Relating to NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 – “A number of individuals commented that ‘these rules would violate the affected individuals’ rights under the Second Amendment to the Constitution, and would also violate their equal protection rights under the Constitution. Most of these comments were provided in largely identical letters, and they asserted that our rules would take firearms away from elderly recipients of Social Security retirement benefits.'”
NPR analysis . . . In 2016, Violence Pervaded Policing On Both Ends Of The Gun – “Deadly encounters between police and civilians often made 2016 a year full of palpable tension. Across the country, demonstrators took to the streets to protest police shootings, while at the same time officers in a number of states were targeted and killed by gunmen. Both situations have prompted law enforcement to examine use-of-force policies.”
And… More African Americans Look To Purchase Guns – “Paul Oliver, the owner of Oliver Arms in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is having a very good year. Business is up and customers are happy. ‘We prefer it to be more of a normal steady pattern of sales and that’s what we’ve experienced before and after the election,’ Oliver said. Oliver saw a slight bounce in sales after the November election. He also saw his minority clientele increase as several of those customers signed up for his concealed weapons permit classes.” Come on in…plenty of room for everyone.
Police: Gun store owner shoots, kills armed robber – “A gun store owner shot and killed a man attempting to rob his store Monday morning, according to police. The owner of Dixie Gun and Pawn on Veterans Memorial Parkway in Cobb County, along with one other worker, had just opened the store when two men with ski masks and guns came in, according to investigators. Police say the owner pulled out his gun and fired, hitting one of the gunmen.” Pro tip: don’t rob a gun store when the owner is present.
