Reader Jake F. writes:
Today I received a phone call from Gifford’s new campaign “Americans for Responsible Solutions”, who were trying to squeeze $100 dollars out of me. What follows is an approximation of my phone call, which took place about five minutes previous to my writing this up. Not every word is perfect, but it’s about as close as I can recall it . . .
Caller: Are you familiar with Gabby Giffords’ and Mark Kelly’s new organization “American’s for Responsible Solutions”?
Me: Oh, yes. Very much.
Caller: Oh, that’s great. What we’re trying to do is get support for the new federal bill that’s trying to make its way into congress, the new background check law, in order to help us get some law and order into this country. We’re trying to prevent tragedies like what happened in Newtown, and the movie theaters where two men came in and shot people and what happened to Ms. Giffords, who was shot in the head, and stop people from buying all these guns without a background check and get more mental health checks so we can prevent people from going in and havng all these shootings and bombs and…and…
Me: Wait, what do bombs have to do with background checks for guns?
Caller: Well, these checks would help us prevent people from getting these heavy munitions that they can use to blow people up!
Me: The Tsarnaevs went to a fireworks store and used completely legal fireworks to create their bomb.
Caller: Well, you know, you know, the-uh, do you know about what are called these “high-level magazines”?
Me: Uh, I think-
Caller: The ones that can shoot more than 10 or 15 rounds and are used in “heavy ordnance” rifles? The AR-15 and the AK-47 and such?
Me: I know what they are, but I’m pretty sure that’s not what heavy ordnance is, and everyone involved in all those events you mentioned, Aurora, Tucson, had successfully passed a background check.
Caller: We’re talking about mental health checks here, mental health checks. We’re trying to get some responsibility into the system, because nobody is taking responsibility for their actions here.
Me: Wait, so murderers aren’t being held responsible for their actions?
Caller: What’s that?
Me: Did none of those people who committed murder get arrested and go to jail?
Caller: Criminals, sir, they buy the guns over the counter, with no background check and no paperwork, and they slip through the system because they don’t have a mental health check.
Me: A “mental health check”? What is a mental health check?
Caller: Well, we’d have your medical records on file so we can see if you have been reported as being mentally ill.
Me: YOU want my mental health records, or the government?
Caller: The government would have them, so we could check when you buy a gun if you have a history of mental illness.
Me: What would be disqualifying mental health criteria for buying a gun? I mean, it’s already illegal to buy it if I’ve been declared incompetent or-
Caller: Right now we have people, I know some people personally who are buying guns, North Carolina we have this, where people are buying guns over the counter without a check, and they have a criminal record.
Me: Wait, so these people are buying guns illegally, and you know about it? Have you called the police?
Caller: I mean, I’m not doing it personally-
Me: No, I understand YOU aren’t buying the guns, but I mean are you telling-
Caller: They’re just buying guns over the counter with no paperwork and no background check, because the laws aren’t being enforced!
Me: And you know these people personally?
Caller: Sir, it’s happening all over the country. People aren’t enforcing the laws and these criminals just go and buy guns.
Me: So you know of people who are breaking federal law and buying guns in gun stores without a background check?
Caller: We don’t have mental health check laws right now, which is what we’re trying to do, so we’re hoping that if you would give us a donation of $100 dollars in order to meet our quota-
Me: No, I’m sorry. I’m fundamentally opposed to your organization’s principles.
Caller: I see, well thank you for your time.
Me: Can I ask you something, though?
Caller: What’s that?
Me: Do you support police officers having these magazines that can hold 30 bullets and carry AR-15s?
Caller: *brief pause* Well, police officers aren’t what we would call civilians, and they-
Me: Police officers are most definitely civilians.
Caller: No-
Me: If they aren’t military they’re civilians.
Caller: Well, I do think police should have them because they’re very well trained.
Me: I can be just as well trained as any police officer, why shouldn’t I be able to keep a rifle?
Caller: *annoyed* Sir, we are trying to make sure that these weapons don’t fall into the wrong hands, these people, crazy people, get guns and they shoot up the theater and they shoot up Gabby Giffords, who was shot in the head, and they don’t stop them, and then they shoot little children in schools! None of these people had a background check, and they’re all crazy!
Me: ALL of those people passed a background check to buy their weapons, except for Adam Lanza, because his mother owned the guns, and SHE passed a background check and then was killed by him. Those laws wouldn’t have stopped Newtown from happening.
Caller: Newtown is just a single example, and you can’t judge-
Me: You’re the one who brought it up! All those other people passed a background check! If I can pass all those checks, why can’t I have a rifle?
Caller: You keep changing the criteria! You keep changing the criteria and we’re talking about things you obviously don’t get, so I hope you have a good-*CLICK*
She hung up before she could finish her own sentence. I had wanted to explain to her that the people she had brought up were reported as dangerous by their mental health physicians but the police didn’t do anything about it, but the conversation got away from me. It wasn’t my intent to piss her off as much as I did, only to make her question what she thought, which probably didn’t happen, and to take up enough time from her that maybe she’ll lie to one or two less people for money. I was having quite a bit of fun, myself. What an easy debate partner.
Why replace the building? that wont solve anything, the memories will still exist. That’s like losing a finger to a door and replacing the door so you forget you lost your finger, no…no… your finger is still gone, you just have a new door.
People don’t like the truth.
What makes them so blind? Arming the teachers is successful in Israel, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Utah, etc. Giving a teacher a $400 Glock is a lot better then paying a few million for a school.
I like how the caller just kept going down the list of “evil things” hoping to hit a chord with the author. Must have had a nicely bulleted sheet in front of her. I wonder if their callers will tally up which bullet point resonated with what type of target and call it a “national poll.”
Both cops and crims lose tactical surprise. The cops prove that all plans immediately fall apart as they focus on the front door and discover it doesn’t contain the threat. And is there a guy guarding the backdoor? Why not knock the door in plainclothes and try to sell them a magazine before rushing the place? Or act like a crim and follow them home and catch him unlocking his door, keys in hand and very vulnerable? Alternately, the crim should have exited passenger side and used the engine block as cover. Instead he tries to control the situation by holding three cops at gunpoint, as if the cops will politely back down. To “win” the fight, he should have exploited his surprise. Obviously the crim had never shot an El Presidente, especially not one with an added designated hostage target. This video is evidence that the kind of guys that kick doors for the cops are possibly not very careful or thoughtful, and that the crims don’t practice shooting. My two cents: Gunfight for what? Not alot of gunfights over whiskey anymore, hint, hint…
Ever try to copy a dollar bill with a fairly new printer? They will probably put the same control on 3d printers to prevent them from printing guns or gun parts or knives or knive parts or swords or anything fun.
Telephone – $20. Phone bill – $50. Having an anti-2A group supported by an anti-Constitutional administration countered by the lies of their own agenda when they call for a $100 donation – Priceless.
Hah, that women’s gonna go home and drink now because of you. I applaud you sir, nice job, one more ignorant Liberal with a ruined day. At least now she knows not everybody is a drone.
I haven’t gotten that call yet. Maybe they know better than to call me…
That was a death wish if I’ve ever seen one. Either that or just plain, unadulterated stupidity.
Give her a break! She’s just working at a call center trying to make a buck.
You got her off her talking points. That’s not fair!
What do you expect? Data-driven public policy?
It’s easy to second guess what the good guys did. They got the job done albeit the wounded officer. The incident can serve as an example of what to do/not to do in the future.
I just hope that the POS lying in his blood and brains was thinking if it was all worth it.
The Officers completely missed the bad guy getting in his car.
The 2nd bad guy created a distraction and got everyone’s attention
First bad guy ambushed the Officers.
Whole episode was a matter of 12 seconds.
wonder why LEOs dont care for tinted windows?
Was the caller “Rachel from cardholder services”?
And when the control of the bits and parts fails, for whatever reason, they’ll turn to the real thing: controlling you, my “medicalizing” your gun ownership:
http://guardamerican.com/index.php/blog/38-protect/679-gun-grabbers-mental-illness-the-sickness-from-which-you-never-recover
Shoot turd, rince, repeat.
Yeah joe, 90 percent of the people inline to buy an AR support gun confiscation, this plays well with the “defend yourself with a scissors” crowd. Way to go double barrel, keep up the good work, Randy
Brazen, willful ignorance… We all know that’s all this fool is good for… What’s surprising is that so called journalist don’t call him out because they’ve sold us out… That’s the education I’m getting these day’s… I say FOAD Rolling Stone… you’ve outlived your usefulness… Should have stuck to MUSIC!!!
Unless they stop the next mass shooter with Rock n Roll music, their tactical advice is every bit as good as that from Double Barrel: worthless.
You can’t get 90% of the American people to agree that the world is round. You can’t get 90% of the American people to agree that dinosaurs once walked the Earth. You can’t get 90% of the American people to agree on almost anything, but Crazy Joe claims that 90% of the American people want his loopy law to go through?
Hey, Joe, I’ll bet that 90% of the American people think that you’re never, ever going to be President.
Yeah, guys, take it easy. I mean who HASN’T gotten drunk and exposed himself in public?
LOL.
I don’t want to get all conspiracy theorist here, but did she really say TWO people were involved in the theater shooting?
In that sentence, she mentioned Newtown and the theater, hence two people.
This is why I’m a single-issue voter. I believe you can discern everything you’d ever need to know about a person by their stance on the 2A. Like most opinions on life, one’s beliefs regarding it are far-reaching and touch on almost every part of his life. Dig enough at a gun-grabber, and you will always find a criminal, a fool, a sociopath, a fascist, a coward, or likely all of the above. Every single time, guaranteed.
I use plastic-tipped Hornady Spitzer rounds. They work. Well.
Pieces of Sh!t like this just inspire me to donate $100 more to the NRA.
Well said Silver. Well said.
Coming from living in CA, I am not the least bit surprised. Disgusted? Yes. But at our “public safety committee” hearings, we heard multiple times a committee member on open mic give out a big sigh as the pro-rights people started to talk. They don’t care about facts, these committees for public input are just a charade they put on to preserve the semblance of constitutional rule by the people, for the people.
I hope they do pass some ridiculous unconstitutional law in NJ. That way Gov. Cristie can put the last nail in the coffin of his presidential aspirations when he signs it.
With all respect. I wouldn’t take bets on it preventing Bob’s Big Boy from becoming president.
Shame on you Jake.
Engaging in a battle of wits with an unarmed person…
How will you ever sleep tonight?
Bwahahahaha
Our culture needs segregation and our own separate drinking fountains.
Equal but separate.
Violent crimes committed with guns has decreased [according to the govt.] while there has been a significant increase in the number of guns. Thank you Obama for the one thing you have done to help or economy. And while this is going on; something around 40,000 problems have been identified with gun checks but only about 40 have been followed up on [also according to the govt.]… sounds like a poor record in that regards Mr. Obama. As usual I will add in my opinion.
I am forming “Citizens Against Ass-Clowns for Mayors”.
Anyone want to join?
It’s unfortunate that the stroking and encouragement they received from the Government and the media has prevented them from any period of introspection that might lead them to an alternative view of what happened.
The Government and media encourage victimhood – even reveling in that victimhood. It is in their interest to turn us into a population of pussies and train out any warrior thoughts or actions and that is what they do.
What I find sad is how very successful they are. These Newtown folks have no idea how they are being used to train a nation.
LOL…no photos allowed on Federal property.
A Note from Thunder Ranch today to all his clients……….
Thunder Ranch
WARNING: Most of you know that Clint and I are not that WILD about appendix type holsters. IF you use one and use it correctly then thats your gig….continue to do that. Many choose to use this holster and the FACT is that when you are seated the muzzle IS pointed at YOUR privates. You MUST make sure that your finger is OFF the trigger when you get the gun out and keep it out of the trigger guard until you get the gun up into the threat area. I personally do not like them because I do not want anyone trapping my hand in that area when I go for the gun…but thats Clint and I. We mention this because one of our students who is a Doc just treated a guy this morning that shot himself by mistake in the nuts drawing from his appendix carry holster. He was lucky….he only shot his privates and not his femoral artery…so…just a helping tip for the day…do NOT shoot yourself in the crotch Heidi
Y’know, those MAIG people have reached rock bottom and started to dig.
Jay Shiliro would appear to be so low that when they bury him, they’ll have to dig upward.
They want to prevent anything and everything that “could” happen … futilely. That and it’s all about “feeling” safe.
The solution is to give people respect and compassion.
If an idiot performs a crime and goes to prison you should welcome him back into the populace upon his return after he has learned better. If you feel that he/she should not be welcomed back into the populace… then maybe he/she didn’t serve enough time. These days a criminal is sent to prison and can’t get a job after he gets out because of “criminal background checks.” Left between options of a high standard of living doing criminal activities or living in complete poverty flipping burgers which do you think they are going to pick? And… we don’t really give them an option. Ex-felons do not get decent jobs – no company is going to hire them.
You might feel… they deserve it; they brought it upon themselves. They deserve being watched and “suspected” by LEO’s and their neighbors. However, those people should also accept that they are ostracizing and separating people who have “done their time/paid their price” and should also accept the consequences of continued resentment.
I’m all for giving people 2nd chances, the 3rd chance should be very costly, with no 4th chance at all, by that point they have demonstrated that they have no redeeming social value.
That stuff is only in Post Offices up north, where violent people with GURNS prowl the streets looking for unarmed prey. Down here in the south, most of the prey is armed, and our post offices are pretty open and unbulletproof for the most part. Go figure…
If comparing the Liberator to Linux. I have been using Linux for at least 10 years. When I first starting using it, it was clunky but usable in many ways. Now, (and after a few distros later) it is very usable and customizable. 10 years ago, you had mostly the major distros, Red Hat, Mandrake, Suse, etc (not counting the smaller distros). Now, you have more distros and many of them have become more user friendly. 10 years ago you didn’t have a decent end user distro. Now days you still have Red Hat and Suse, but you also have many end user distros, namely Ubuntu.
Many new users to Linux are encouraged to use Ubuntu. You can also add whatever window dressing you want. Gnome, KDE, XFCE, fluxbox, and more.
If you really want down to get nuts and bolts and customize even down to the compile options, there are many distros that you can do this with. Gentoo (probably the most common at this level). Think of this being able to built every part of a firearm to your specification and have it work.
The Liberator might not work well right now, but give it time.
Lets take a quote from Ken Olsen, founder of DEC: “There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home.”
Now we have multiple computers in everyones home, cell phones are small computers now, your pad devices, watches and even Google Glass. 50 years ago, these might be unimaginable.
Keep in mind though the quote from Alan Kay:
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
That’s what happens when a joker pulls a gun on police officers. The cops had no way of knowing what danger they were confronted with. Sad but the only person at fault was the idiot who pulled a gun on the policemen.
People from the military are also civilians.
Good.
The more the mainstream media decries the Liberator as a dead-end waste of effort, the fewer grabbers will take up their pens against printers.
We hackers and shooters know better, but why wish such knowledge on the MSM? Widespread knowledge of this will help our cause neither among fence-sitters and antis among the general citizenry, nor among politicos.
Let the media bray in the dark – as usual.
Yee must be bored of trying to ban video games… so now this.
Aiyah… disgracetotherace.
Whats level headed for him is straight out of Belleview mental hospital for me, we have a failure to communicate here. More common sense from a brady type, just let the criminal kill you, everything will be alright, Randy
I agree we need gun reform.
Lets start by repealing the Hughes Amendment to the FOPA, then we can move on to National Reciprocity, after that we can let out heart take us to other gun reforms but I am thinking that perhaps completely repealing the NFA would be a good idea.
So obvious it is past time to ban KNIVES!!!!
It’s for the children!
My mother had firearms until the day she died. She was 81, crippled, widowed, and lived in a fairly remote area.
I have asked multiple gun-grabbers why they would have wanted to seize her only real means of self-defense.
I have yet to get an answer.
“Promise me you’ll never touch it.”
How about:
“Okay honey, it’s the 2nd Friday of the month – time to go shooting!”
Now the child gets to handle the gun, knows how to make it safe, knows it can kill if handled carelessly, and doesn’t feel the ‘lure’ to play with it. He already gets to.
Also, buy a damn safe.
Love it!!!
If it says ‘Call of Duty’ it will sell millions. I remember seeing the First CoD game and wanting it, now I shake my head in shame.
My personal favorites remain Fallout 3/NV, Borderlands, and Rainbow Six.
Although Skyrim and Alpha Protocol have been taking up the majority of my time~
Looks like they’re borrowing from the “global warming” play book. Let’s just change the terminology to suit the political winds. The sheeple will fall into lockstep.
If Mrs Gifford is so smart after being shot in the head, why did she not go back to her job,? Not to seem cruel but one would think she is in no position mentally to be anything but a player child for the morons!
The considered opinion of many in the profession is that the DSM V (and actually starting with the DSM III) is a politically correct mess of anecdotes. I wouldn’t know as I majored in hard science, not hearsay.
Charlie
Apparently villains from james bond movies really do exist.
Other than that. All those that think the Liberator files are good for gun rights………your arrogance has outgrown your wisdom.
I laugh at how easily people find fall before guys like Kim and fawn all over him. OH he’s the savior, NEO You’re The One.
Ever think that 1. that he is a creation of the gov;t? 2. That any heat he gets helps build his legend for another part of the gov;t that wants his site up and running?
Is it a stretch for anyone to imagine someone like Charles Schumer or Dianne Fienstien setting the training requirements so high no one can obtain a weapon? No, people should be trained on how to safely handle a gun, but I think the NRA is doing a fine job of teaching gun safety without any “help” from Washington DC.
TTAG, thank you for the positive feedback. We are currently producing rifles and have a 60 day lead time. Anyone who is interested or has any questions is welcome to contact me direct at [email protected].