“Given the connection between firearms ownership and individual freedom, I hereby declare Connecticut a slave state,” I wrote in Connecticut Passes Gun Ban Bill. (And not for the first time, for me or CT.) TTAG reader Jesse objected. “From one white person to another, that’s a little hyperbolic and even offensive. I personally am not offended, but it’s rhetoric like that that gives gun guys a bad name and makes us easy targets, no pun intended.” As the son of a slave, I disagree. Given that the enemies of freedom dance in the blood of the victims of their own statist agenda and call gun rights advocates “bitter clingers,” gun rights advocates need to use the language with equal restraint (or lack thereof). Am I wrong?
The description applies to what the grabbers’ purpose is in disarming a population…leaving them at the mercy of forces outside their control. I see no problem with calling them what they are. Besides, it’s your blog, people aren’t forced to read it.
I do not get too worked about about any phrase used on this blog, and I agree that no one is forced to read the blog, but it still is a pretty silly term to use. It is also offensive to some for reasons which have nothing to do with the matter at hand, guns and unreasonable gun control measures. As for those who equate slavery as it was practiced here in these “free” United States with Greece and Rome, etc., perhaps they should get a bit of a history lesson about the difference.
In any event, as a resident of our (un)Constitution State I do not feel like a slave, just pissed off at the stupidity and futility of some of the legislation
No, only because every person in one of these states is free to go as they please. Granted some may not have the means to get up and leave but these states don’t own you, you ultimately are choosing to live under their oppression.
Not sure what other term you want to use but slave state isn’t at all accurate.
Well, the initial gun control laws in the US were directed at slaves. Then after the civil war, gun control laws were passed in the southern states prohibiting the newly freed slaves from owning firearms. Note, these newly freed slaves were also the targets of laws prohbiting their moving freely. So the combination of gun control, and control of their travel were directed at maintaining their slave status by actual condition, if not by title.
I like constitution free zone.
I’ve had my Ruger KLCR .357mag for over a year now. It is my EDC almost entirely-I also have a Kahr CM9 which I carry at times. I will issue one caution regarding ammo used, especially the .357mag. After buying (buy small amt. first-20rd. Box of SD carry), do the “shoot 3-4, check the 4-5th” drill. BTW, it is mentioned in the Instruction Manual of thr Ruger KLCR. I found out the hard way, when the CorBon DPX .357mag 125gr. I thought was the “Holy Grail” of ammo. locked up my Ruger. The 4th and 5th cartridges, due to the short barrel and pressure, had “backed out” enough to lock the cylinder. When I notified CorBon of this, CorBon said this is common in .357mag snubbies, and would notify production to increase the pressure on the crimping to nullify the occurrence. I now carry Hornady Critical Defence .357mag 115gr. without a problem (so far). Anyway, just a thought for all that carry this wonderful handgun to be safe, ready, and reliable when or if needed.
With CO and now CT behind the lines it is time for those people to really arm up before the laws go into effect. Sadly, I just checked four large online dealers that I have used in the past and they are out of everything, including lever action rifles and revolvers. What the hell is going on in this country????
Prelude to civil war. Or have you not been paying attention?
Hell YES !!!!!
Offending those states is a good thing.
Obama is not pulling any punches. He is going around the country using every dirty trick to get Senators to sign onto his agenda.
We can’t be pulling any punches either.
Slave states they are as any previously free man who lives there is a slave. It’s ironic how the Constitution state passed one of the most racist and tyrannical bills in recent memory. I say call them what they are while we are still at the speak softly stage. I fear that we will need to ram the “big stick” into their skulls before long.
I have no issue with the term “Slave State” Robert, however I do question these words-“As the son of a slave, I disagree.” Please explain the ‘son of a slave’ portion.
Use the term.
It applies.
No. I agree with what Jesse said.
I live in NY and I’m cool with the term slave state. It’s the perfect juxtaposition to free state. If you’re not a free man, you’re a slave. Do you need to ask the lord of the manor for permission to exercise your rights ? If so, you’re in a slave state.
A slave is prohibited from owning arms because they are not seen as worthy of self determination, and armed slave might decide one day that they no longer wish to be a slave and take the rulers to task.
I think the term is appropriate.
Dear sensitive folks:
Pull up your big boy pants and grow up, please. You remind me of the rabid throng of screeching housewives in Newtown who have decided they needed a cause to make up for their failings as mothers and wives.
Tedious.
Well they arent free states! I’m lucky/smart enough to live in one of the “free” parts of the country. If Cuomo/Bloomberg/Feinstein want to turn their constituents in to slaves or their districts of responsibility into concentration camps, why shouldn’t we call them out?
I think its appropriate, continue.
Use it!
It’s an accurate description and may help to wake some of the sheeple up. Oh yeah, use SHEEPLE too!
If the shoe fits, wear it!
Blame the idiots in her district that voted her in.
It is what it is. Slavery is not just a black thing, has been in existence since ancient times and in many different cultures A hallmark of slavery is lack of legal self defense. Raise a hand to the master and severe punishment will be applied. Tell me how this is different in states that do not respect 2nd amendment. The opposite of slavery is freedom. I live in a free state, folks in New York, Illinois and now Colorado do not. The right to keep and bear arms is not optional, it is a right. What else would you call those states?
“She isnt alone. I distinctly recall one of those moron round tables on MSNBC soon after Newtown where no less than two of the idiots at the table agreed that magazines were disposable single-use containers that you bought charged and tossed once empty.”
I cant help but wonder if this single misconception is what the majority of these morons are basing their voting on.
I’ve had a CM9 for about 6 months, and absolutely love it. Flawless from day one, and I didn’t even clean it first-to anxious to shoot it. Have since put over 600 rds.of various ammo through the CM9, clean it regularly, and still no problems. A lot of initial problems with all handguns is due to operator error, or not reading the Owner’s Manual thoroughly. Lastly, the “break in period”. Who in their right mind would use any handgun for EDC right out of the box, or expect it to not possibly have a production problem, without checking it out first?? For me, a caution to shoot 200 rds. first (or for breaking in) is a good reminder to anyone to become familiar with your purchase if intended for EDC/SD, and a cheap method to establish reliability.
Your EDC could save your life! Take care all, and be safe.
Hey, it’s your web site you should do exactly as you please. Speaking for myself, I like the language that RF and the other writers use. If people have problems with it they can vote with their web browsers.
No race has a copyright on the word “slave”. Use it all you want.
The connection between gun freedom and other freedoms is undeniable. Look at California, no right to arms. Is it coincidence that it’s the only state where you can’t home school your kids (the state says they own your kids)? Is it a coincidence they have no money and confiscatory taxes? It’s a slave state.
Er, Rep. DeGette? These “high capacity magazines” – are these the ones you buy at Staples or Office Depot? That you load into that box on your desk with the paper tray sticking out?
The “Canon” on the label doesn’t mean what you think it means.
Only if we are going to win the proverbial fight. Kind of like how the Union got to call the south slave states after they won the civil war. I don’t think they had the discussion with the southern states about how they felt about the name. Winners write history.
Robert, on the question of “should TTAG”:
I think TTAG should do whatever TTAG damn well pleases.
Everyone in my state that voted for this sham of a Rep, this is what you get. I don’t thank any of you for inflicting this level of stupid and crass into office.
Damn, just damn.
Situational Awareness FTW! Shit can go down anytime, anywhere, and this dude was ready. Hat’s off to him and learn from his experience.
He waited for the guy to pull first too, pretty ballsy against three dudes. Excellent restraint on his part, since he pulled second he could have just put the guy down.
He should have dropped them all. Save the taxpayer and future victims some moneys.
At the expense of his own life’s normalcy, no doubt.
According to Ayoob, DGU’s without firing occur in about 93% of DGU’s.
and are very rarely reported.
Yum!
The story of course.
Use the term. Arguments about hyperbole are invalid in light of the left’s successful use of ridiculous arguments and demonization.
So your idea is, “let’s stoop to their level of poor argument”. Yup, that’s a GREAT idea…
It is a great idea. Metaphors are a fine way to communicate with others to see things in a new way.
Still nothing to contribute Aharon… oh well. I’ll wait.
Call it like you see it Robert. This whole PC walking on eggshells stuff is nonsense. Slavery is, ultimately, their endgame, though they don’t have the guts to admit it.
I say use it. I have been reading the Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. I swear we have become a nation of idiots. I look at the wisdom of our founding fathers, compared to the politicians today and truly feel the IQ of this nation is lower than it was when it was founded.
Yes! Keep using the accurate and brilliant metaphor ‘slave state’. It is now part of my lexicon of word phrases in referring to states that hate the Bill of Rights. If gun-grabbers, the politically-correct, and others are against it then too bad. Come to think of it ‘slave city’ is an good metaphor for those living in Chicago, San Francisco, and NYC.
Happened to me personally. Scumbag sized me up for a carjacking and literally halted at the sight of my weapon.
I doubt the would be offender was in the service,but he broke a right face like a champ anyways.
Use it. This is America, I have the right to offend you, you have the right to be offended. Neither of us has the right to silence the other.
In most of the states passing these laws, the governments also have the tendency to control other aspects of folks lives– what they can eat, drink, drive etc. etc. etc. They also have the tendency to argue that the earnings of individual are the government’s, not the individual’s to control. Government is justified in taking whatever portion they desire of the earnings of a segment of the population not because of the required functions of the government, but because its really not yours to use, its theirs. If the term does nothing else, it does point out that the disarming of a population is part of that slide to total slavery.
Nearly all DGUs are done with out a shot. its only the Hollywood hype that has shots fired every time a weapon clears leather.
BTW, thanks for fueling that LSM sterio type that we are all trigger happy by proclaiming that DGUs with out a shot fired are as rare as a date with Jennifer Loveless Hewitt. While I have confidence the SCOTUS will ultimately return sanity to the lawbooks, This will keep the liberals wetting themselves at the notion that we do shoot at the slightest provocation.
Read the post again. He said that MSM reports of no-shoot DGUs are rare. Not the DGUs. The reports. Which is true. The MSM likes blood. Hence the motto: if it bleeds, it leads.
As I admitted to Ralph, my bad. Text amended.
Sheeple State would be more like it..
I dunno, you can offend anyone with anything these days…it’s hard to wanna be politically correct.
Maybe use the term “occupied territory” like Nazi occupied territories during WWII? Refer to us folks in free states as citizens, and the occupied states folks as subjects?
I’ve said it time and time again.
Our views on gun control are shaped by those we associate with. Most conservatives don’t know anyone they wouldn’t trust with a gun. Whereas, Carrey can’t even be trusted with a stage prop spear. Think what damage he would do if the guns he uses on set were anything more then plastic props. No liberal in their right mind would trust HIM with a razor knife.
I know many would like to find some sinister purpose with this but, many states have similar laws. All this does is provide a legal framework for allowing Secret Service agents to work with local LE. It’s all about liability and defense attorneys using any gap in law to nullify an arrest.
If the Colorado Gov wanted to arrest Sheriffs, he would use he State Police.
Freemen are armed. Slaves are denied the weapons of a freeman. So slave state does apply for most of the Northeast and California.
Given that “gun control” sprung from Jim Crow laws to begin with, I think the term “Slave State” is very appropriate.
Gun and arms control far predate the “Jim Crow” era.
I was in out West near an Indian reservation years ago. My buddies from the area had warned me about the high crime in the area so we took turns using the restroom at the gas station leaving two guys behind to watch the trucks. I happened to be hanging out at the back to of the truck looking at our rifles for the prairie dog shooting we were going to do later that day. I happened to throw in a pistol for snakes though I didn’t have any snake shot so I had hollow points in it instead. One of my friends was sitting in the front drivers side seat with the door open. A few indians approached with one guy in the lead. He leans up against the truck hood and peers into the cab and says “this your truck?” My friend says “no, its my dad’s”. The lead guy looked off, drunk or something. He kept reaching behind the front right part of his vest with his hand while he talked to us. I got real cagey about the situation so I placed my hand on top of the case that held my pistol and unzipped it slowly. A stiff breeze came up and the lead indian’s vest fluttered revealing a hell of a big bowie knife with his hand on the handle. I thought, oh Lord, it’s getting serious. I slipped my hand over the handle and flipped the safety off on my pistol. As windy as it was outside it seemed like the loudest sound in the world to everyone standing around. It could have been the stare I was giving everyone. The hand came out of the indian’s vest and he backed away and walked off with his buds. No shots fired, but gun was clearly used to dissuade crime.
I think “slave state” might be technically and emotionally correct, and it doesn’t personally offend me. People in the 2A community are likely to draw the correct implied meaning. But we must always be cognizant of the uninformed masses who have no 2A reference, no real 2A history, and receive their news in 140 character soundbites. The Antis love to twist anything they can into something that puts us in a bad light, and the MSM is only too happy to provide them the megaphone to spread the word. From a tactics angle, I’d prefer not to give them the opportunity.
While I have no personal problem with the term, I can see how it would be beneficial to take the high road and not stoop to the level of the people who would deny us our rights.
I prefer the term Serfdom as a descriptor of those areas under gun-grabber control. Their point of view is that the people exist to benefit the State (or landowner), which is in line with feudalism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serfdom
Use it Robert.
If the elected reps are treating us like they are our masters, then indeed, it is a slave state.
Keep up the great site.
Tom in Oregon
Probably been said a dozen times (no time to read 77 comments), but if the state denies you the ability to effectively defend your life and property, the state in effect denies your very right to life and property. If you don’t own your own life, in a very real sense, you are SLAVE. Does that concept upset you? Good. It damn well should.
More computer monitor cleaner on isle 2 please!
ROTFLMAO
I admit it. I have a serious man-crush on Charles Watson. Don’t judge.
Ignorant and smug. Great combination. This is the same lady that told one of her elder constituents who asked her “what about my ability to defend myself if someone breaks into my house?” – “you’d probably be dead anyway”
The main problem with CT is that’s it’s full of ex-pat New Yorkers and refugees from Massachusetts, and all of them are Democrats.
Seems like this is going to be a good year for new jobs in pro gun states. Colt, Beretta, Magpul and many others will be moving, bringing with them jobs and tax dollars to their new pro gun homes.
I wouldn’t hold your breath on those first two.
Beretta has already said they will move. If Colt “Wont” move then I hope the NRA sticks it in their ### and calls for them to be boycotted. As long as colt is in Conn. with the current laws in place I will not be buying a colt product.
just keep calling them like you see ’em
Fred
MOLON LABE
Lets hope the courts can unravel some of this & get away from the emotion & deal with facts, Randy
COURTS? You’re a drowning man reaching for a floating door stop. Courts, that’s a good one.
Not saying it mustn’t be tried. Prepare for disappointment. Everything else is gravy.
Robert Farrago – You are completely right. Moreover, we must never allow the gungrabbers to claim that they alone can speak for civil or human rights, when their policies run against such rights.
I always felt a little creeped out in Maryland with their nanny state. I was in this place where they called unnecessary speed bumps something like “child safety bumps” and had signs for them. I’ve only been there for short periods of time.
The politicians who were voted in can be voted out, therefore I think “Slave State” is incorrect. Serf, perhaps.
She’s playing to her base…they like the fact that she’s ignorant on the subject. On a far-left discussion that just banned me (again), I posted an article about DeGette shortly before getting the axe.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022610262
Reply #21 is typical: “The argument of her not understanding guns sucks swamp water. I am, for one, am glad she does not understand”.
There are some sane voices on that board regarding firearms, but they’re (very) few and far between…just like real life Democrats.
MD resident here, slave state is accurate. I am unfortunately tied to my job for the time being. I did my best to rally coworkers but seems we had no voice. I am chomping at the bit for elections, and I hope we can get something done.
Are any Maryland subjects going to use their Second Amendment rights how they were intended against the tyrants that occupy their government? Or will they go quietly with a whimper into slavery, accept their chains, and aid in the enslavement of America through their inaction like the subjects of CO, NY, and CT have done?
I’m betting the latter.
I don’t understand. Why are you all so pissed and outraged over the infringement of your 2A rights when you don’t even use them how they were intended?
Are you a Maryland resident? Have you been closely following the fight? Are you aware of what plans and provisions are being made to fight this? If not, then please shut the hell up. Those of us on the ground here are fighting this and we don’t need “advice” or criticism from folks that aren’t here helping the fight.
Getting into some technicalities in MD, it was a bit hard to tell what was going on there, but my impression was that the version they started voting on yesterday may have had some interesting changes from the one passed by the other chamber back in February. One could buy an AW provided one initiated the transaction prior to Oct 1st. One wouldn’t have to register one’s newly banned AW. Finally, they banned a bunch of AW’s by name, including AR-15, but they stripped out many of the “military-style” features from a generic definition of an assault weapon, effectively allowing new future models. Is that’s what’s headed to the conference committee or did some of it get rolled back during this vote already?
And what about the existing bigger-than-10 magazines with the new limit of 10? Do they have to be modified or disposed of, or can they be kept?
Hi Dave,
I’d like to answer your questions since they are good ones, but the legislature is still in session and I’d rather not answer while there’s still a chance they can change things. All laws have unintended consequences, loopholes, etc. so if people are creative enough I’m sure they can find a way around things somehow.
You are correct that the law doesn’t go into effect until Oct 1st (if it gets to the Gov and he signs it), so up until then these AWs, known to Marylanders right now as “Regulated Rifles”, are perfectly legal to buy and own. There won’t be any confiscation from this bill, that would piss off too many people and would be a “taking” of private property.
If you comply, you’re a slave.
God, aren’t there any old WW2 veterans out there on their last legs who want to go out as heroes and take a few domestic Nazis with them? God knows we apparently can’t count on this generation to do what’s necessary.
Usually the only thing printed in the WaPo with which I agree is Mallard Fillmore, but that is a pretty good list.
I moved to Virginia from Maryland a few months ago. Glad I did it — the state has lost what little was left of its mind. O’Malley is trying to set himself up to run for president and the entire MD establishment is behind him; irrespective of what is good for the state as long as it helps O’Malley in the presidential primaries.
If Berretta moves out of Maryland, I will buy a Berretta.
The government labels me a minority. I am sick of these white people with a guilty conscience for what people did over a hundred years ago. Who the hell elected you to speak up for minorities in the first place? If you feel guilty that’s your business, quit trying to enforce all these retarded PC rules on everyone else.
I vote to keep using it, and if someone doesn’t like it they can go to hell.
Rubin isn’t a conservative. She is a NeoCon, big difference.
While we’re on the subject, can we start calling the leftist media administration mouthpieces “Bahgdad Betty”? Seem to fit Piers Morgan, et al.
Yeah. Let’s ban “slave state” and while we’re at it be very careful to not to identify roving gangs of black punks attacking Whites in Shitcago as “youffs” who tragically were born devoid of any normal human physical characteristics the eye can perceive….
alright pal, you started off strong but lost me when you said that you think Obama will try to retain power when his term is over. it makes you sound like a conspiracy dumbass and makes our side look bad, and distracts from the real, non-conspiratorial issues that are actually affecting us RIGHT NOW.
When I am fishing in meth country, I leave the 1911 (IWB carry) at home in favor of a Glock 17 (carried openly). Since we only have Black Bears and no Grizzlies in TN, it is for protection from two-legged animals.
“Long Gun Eligibility Certificate”
Yeah, OK.
Sheesh…
Bear spray for bears. Bullets are for people.
Old school stainless steel revolver. S&W model 66 .357
NY, MA and now CT have fallen into shadow.
MD, DE, RI and NJ are poised to join them.
It seems PA, ME, VT and NH stand alone.
The lines have been drawn.
Wear bells and carry bear spray. You also need to know if the bears in the area are black or grizzly bears. You can tell by the bear poop. Black bear poop is full of berries and stuff like squirrel fur. Grizzly bear poop is full of bells and smells like pepper.
Josh Sugarmann and the rest of the gun control elitists should be forced to venture outside their comfortable environments and experience some reality.
I’d suggest some time on the streets of South LA, or a similar environment on the East Coast.
Many people cannot afford to insulate themselves like the gun control elitists and their middle and upper class followers can. Taking away an effective means of defense only exposes those who take responsibility for their security to greater prospects of violence.
Personally, I don’t care what might happen to anyone in the gun grabber crowd: ye reap what ye sow.
tmz only posted that to stir the pot he never lost 10 guns and never lost ffl thats all for the show to add drama
When has he ever told the truth?
$4555… I could buy 10 Rock Island 1911’s for that price. Hell I could buy 5 and send them to a gunsmith to get tricked out and have have money left over to buy ammo for them. I know the prices most machine shops charge for their work and I could select the most expensive one and get it for far less than that. I don’t comprehend where the hell $4555 of work comes in aside from taking all the time to engrave every single piece with their name. I wonder if they engrave their set pins too.
Why are we surprised that he lies? The guy is a pathological liar.
yes, Yes, YES.
do we automatically equate “slave” with race? we should not, but i suspect in the US that we do.
if we are not ultimately free, then we *are*- to the inverse degree – slaves, regardless of the color of our skins.
use the term, if for no other reason that it provokes THOUGHT, and provokes those who would make us less free and more slave.
And nothing will happen to this piece of scum. If a white Republican had ranted about how whites need weapons to protect themselves from blacks, he’d be forced out of office in less than a week.
I have a solution — a .50 cal. gun buyback! We could give the jihadi boyz a grocery card or something, and they could turn in their fitties and RPGs.
Don’t laugh. It works in Chicago. Right?
Come on down to Tennessee. No state income tax and we already have Barrett 🙂
🙂
🙂
Would love to see them move just up the road here to PA. We have a skilled manufacturing workforce and a lot of MD workers already live in York county to avoid the ridiculous taxes and infringements on freedom. It would be nice if our state government could do something to attract permanent manufacturing companies and not just the gas drillers who will head back to OK once the wells are in.
Just saw a buddy’s new Nano the other night. That little pistol is looking even better now.
thanks TTAG.
because this is the most horrid, repulsive, vomiting thing i have ever seen.
and now i can never un-see it.
so thanks.
Arizona was a federal territory in 1881, Earp could do whatever he wanted.
On a side note: How do you become a College professor without a college education?
And further, I find NO comfort in something called a “general right to bear arms”. Keep you amendments – striking down the 2nd Amendment would probably be one of the surest ways to start a 2nd civil war.
Here in western PA, I feel that we’re on the frontier of freedom-loving Appalachia and gun-grabbing New England. I feel relatively safe from PA state law for now, but the fight is especially important here. Items are just starting to return to the shelves, but ammo is still marked up significantly where available.
Most training requirements are stupid. In “hoplophobic” MA, I took a 4-hour class and an easy written test. No shooting was required. The class was $60 and it was less comprehensive and duplicative of the Hunter Safety Course I’d taken many years before, but MA wouldn’t recognize it.
In”gun friendly” Nevada where one may open carry without a CCW, it was an 8-hour CCW class and a not one but two shooting practicals, one with a semi-auto and one with a revolver. The class was free. But since I was already an NRA and MA State Police certified pistol (and rifle) instructor, and an NRA certified CRSO, why was I taking the class in the first place? To say it was a monumental waste of time is really being kind.
Moreover, is open carry safer than concealed? Because there’s no training requirement for open carry in Nevada. Does this make sense to you?
Let’s face it. The G can’t p1ss straight, but we have to toe the mark anyway. What a crock.
Maybe “boot heel” state would work better. The residents do have the right to leave the state at any time but while there they are under the grinding pressure of the ever increasing footprint of local(state) government.
I prefer citizen vs. subject state
No. Its insulting to people who are from states with “somewhat restrictive” or restrictive gun laws. Just because I can’t make a SBR or SBS doesn’t mean I’m an oppressed mass, or a slave. And I also think that the people who use that phrase and are from places like RI (you RF, I’m talking about you), CT, MA, CA, reflect a kind of self hate and self loathing that is unhealthy to say the least.