Home » Blogs » Trump Department of Defense Nominee Dean Winslow to Senate: “It’s Insane that Americans Can Buy An AR-15”

Trump Department of Defense Nominee Dean Winslow to Senate: “It’s Insane that Americans Can Buy An AR-15”

Robert Farago - comments No comments

Dean Winslow (above) is (was?) the Trump administration’s nominee for the post of Assistant Secretary Of Defense For Health Affairs. Testifying before the Senate’s Armed Services committee, the retired Air Force colonel felt compelled — compelled I tell you! — to address Americans’ ability to exercise their natural, civil and Constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms by keeping and bearing an AR-15-style rifle . . .

I’d also like to, and I may get in trouble with other members of the committee, just say how insane it is that in the United States of America a civilian can go out and buy a fully auto, or a semi-automatic assault rifle like an AR-15, which apparently was the weapon that was used [in the Texas attack].

As you know, Americans can’t just “go out and buy” a fully automatic rifle (more’s the pity). Which a rifle would have to be if it was, indeed, an “assault rifle.”

Anyway, facts aside, wrong answer. As the AR-15-equipped gentleman who shot the Sutherland Springs spree killer would tell you. But not the civilian disarmament industrial complex, who’ve seized on Mr. Winslow’s comments with all the glee the bloody shirt wavers can manage. Which is a lot.

In fact, for giving aid and comfort to the enemies of the United State Constitution’s Second Amendment, we award Mr. Winslow our Gun Zero of the Day award, hoping he’s properly upbraided and sent back into obscurity, without a government position of any kind.

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Robert Farago

Robert Farago is the former publisher of The Truth About Guns (TTAG). He started the site to explore the ethics, morality, business, politics, culture, technology, practice, strategy, dangers and fun of guns.

0 thoughts on “Trump Department of Defense Nominee Dean Winslow to Senate: “It’s Insane that Americans Can Buy An AR-15””

  1. Add a boolean column to the NICS database for “Prohibited Person” so that true/false can be searched rapidly. Create a simple web page that is accessible by anybody. The page would have two text fields and a send button. The person running the check keys in the person being checked’s name and scrolls WAY down so the field is no longer visible. The person being checked keys in their SS# and scrolls way down so the field is no longer visible to find the SEND button. The key here is that the name and SS# values on never saved on the device, only on screen in the text fields.

    Clicking send starts a search of the NICS returning name, SS# and the prohibited person value. Each returned value compares to the name to the value in the name field and the SS# to the value in that field. If the values match and the prohibited value is false the graphics card turns the entire screen green. If they don’t match or the value is true, the entire screen is turned red. Interacting with the screen refreshes it. In this way only the graphics card of the device is reacting to the returned value. No record of the transaction is recorded on the device, nor is it returned to the NICS ensuring anonymity.

    Takes seconds, no record of the search or it’s results, no record of what the search was for, and can be used for guns, screening potential renters, research the guy your daughter just drove away with, etc. I know that I (and I’m sure most POTG) would love a way to ensure we are selling to approved people without the cost and expense of taking them to our LGS.

    Otherwise, if they are not going to fix the system the already have in place, I see no reason to trust them with any new method.

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    • Driver’s license. I could use anybody’s SS#. Valid and current driver’s license, with up to date address from state of residence. Or state ID, same thing.

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  2. “…just say how insane it is that in the United States of America a civilian can go out and buy a ______”

    Darn that pesky freedom!

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  3. Love how this whole “draining the swamp” thing is working out…

    No change for America until we realize that no political figure, whether they have an “R” or a “D” in front of their name is going to come in a be a white knight and save the country…

    Time to either peacefully divorce or just let the thing die of natural causes, which is the more likely outcome at this point. Economics are a b word…

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    • We also have a problem trusting the military and police not to be anti-freedom when giving them political appointments and putting them on a pedestal. The farther you get up in the brass during the Obama and Clinton admins and in city and Blue State police departments, the more fascistic they tend to be. There are also a lot of Democrat zealots in the Air Force and the Intelligence Community. You can’t trust the likes of Petraeus, McChrystal, or even Mattis to not want to take our rights away.

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  4. Just another carrier soldier who never carried a weapon. Let alone probably never even fired one in the last 30 years
    With that in mind. He should follow that other general and just fade far far away….. .

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    • He’s not even that. He’s an infectious disease researcher and med school professor at Stanford, primarily. He did serve six tours in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Delaware National Guard, serving as a doctor and earning a lot of medals.

      No doubt he saw the effects of combat daily, but I’m not seeing anything in his bio about him having been directly in combat himself. For example, his Iraq time was in the Baghdad green zone. Don’t get me wrong, it’s possible to get killed there, too, or at least on your way there or back. Still, it’s not the same thing as walking point on some craggy ledge in Tora Bora.

      He seems like just another establishment, know-it-all, elitist to me.

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  5. What strikes me as insane is that some of these people didnt burst into flames upon swearing their oath to protect the constitution

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  6. I don’t expect members of the ruling class to be comfortable with the idea that the people have the ability to effectively withdraw their consent to be governed. Indeed, I expect them to be fairly horrified by the idea. That’s precisely why we weren’t asking their opinion.

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  7. First, before I start I will state that I am a gun owner, CCW permit holder and 2nd Amendment supporter.

    However, I find you’re article on this subject extremely lacking. Was she wrong? absolutely.

    Are you helping the cause by quoting Wikipedia as your factual source? Seriously? Further, you attack her as “only” having a BS from Lehigh when you only have a BS from PSU?? Seriously? Go check the rankings…

    Responses to these incorrect media reports need to be factual and credible if you wish to convert people. If you are just trying to throw red meat on those who already support 2nd amendment rights then great go ahead and make fun of her education while quoting Wikipedia as fact.

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  8. This was and is an Air Force culture problem.
    Recently a white Air Force General berated and chastised a crowd of Airmen and Airwomen due to a racist remark written on a white board and the Black victim was traumatized by it.
    Quickly the General moved gathering his people for a group ast chewing where he extolled to virtues of diversity, the NFL and BLM and flamed white supremacy, Charlottesville and racism.

    Then, the Black victim was discovered to be the writer of the racist remark.

    Made a fool of and made himself a fool.

    This is why Devin Kelly slipped out of the BCD/Mental health area and into the ability to buy a gun and kill.
    Incompetence and Political, gender and racial attitudes of the foolish generals in charge.

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  9. He’s right. How CAN government be expected to protect itself from an onslaught of citizens wishing to enforce the 2nd Paragraph of the Declaration of Independence with their 2nd Amendment (of the U.S. Constitution) Rights?

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  10. HOW INSANE IS UN-LEASHING A BROKE (D)1CK AIR FORCE DEGENERATE ON THE REST OF US WITHOUT WARNING ? ? ?

    IS PAYING FOR A FULL-AUTO AR-15, PAYING FOR THE $200 TAX STAMP, WAITING THE UMPTEEN MILLION MONTHS TO RECEIVE APPROVAL, ALL SO SOME POS TYRANNICAL NEIGHBOR CAN PROTECT HIMSELF FROM THE CITIZENS THAT HE HATES (BUT BEGGED AND CAMPAIGNED FOR A JOB TO SERVE THEM)?

    IS IT THAT FUGGING CRAZY ? ? ? CAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO BOTHER TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS TO GET A FULL-AUTO WEAPON PROBABLY FEEL LIKE IT’S THAT FUGGING STUPID-CRAZY !

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  11. “hoping he’s properly upbraided and sent back into obscurity, without a government position of any kind.”

    He already serves as the (D)ipshitocrat’s mascot donkey.

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  12. Yeah, this clown missed his moment when Obama was Preezy. He’s way out of his wheelhouse here to begin with and offered the wrong answer to a question that wasn’t even friggin asked. Trump needs to withdraw this nomination ASAP, so maybe he can get a job as a Mom.

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  13. The GOP and the NRA will throw their support behind this in 3,2,1…

    I wish I could say I was kidding, but unfortunately this one is probably gonna pass… sorry to be the eternal pessimist, but I have no trust in people.

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  14. If just one more of these left wing bitchez disses me because of the color of my skin, I just might become cross with her and set her up on a date with Harvey Weinstein. He hates the NRA too, so they should have a lot to talk about.

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  15. I knew a prison warden whose inmates used left over soap blocks to mold a fake gun and then painted it with black shoe polish. It was realistic enough to stage an escape.

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  16. No wonder Illinois is so screwed up. In session from Jan to Nov.

    One of the best things Iowa ever did was to stop paying the varmints per diem after 100days. Tx legislature only meets on odd years for max 140 calendar days.

    No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.

    —Mark Twain

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  17. I wonder what changes might arise for gun banners if there were a few million of these bastards running around in NYC, CT/MA, Cook County, LA County, SF Bay. Makes an interesting picture.

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  18. ‘Anybody c an carry a g un now, even crazy people.’

    As opposed to the old days when ONLY crazy people (and criminals) could carry a g un…

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  19. Bill of Rights
    Amendment II
    A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

    Think about what this really means….

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  20. “I am a conservative and a defender of the 2nd Amendment right to own weapons”
    “Packing in church, however, is not one of those cases.”

    If one of the many proven places a citizen may need to defend themselves isnt your idea of a place to have a gun – you are NOT a defender of our rights… only your own. ????

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  21. And what about pistols…that kill WAY more people?
    What about harsher sentencing?
    Oh…it would mean more black and brown young men in prison…racist…right?

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  22. Accurate, reliable, low-recoil, easy to operate, limited over-penetration … seems like everything that bugs them makes these useful for self-defense. So useful, which fed agency was it? stated these were the kind of defensive arms to get.

    So, a pistol grip makes it worse for me protecting myself?

    No, it makes it better.

    Seems like you really want me to just die. What did I ever do to you?

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  23. All of this leaves me with a handgun that is easy to carry with a good trigger and a reasonably potent punch. The only thing I don’t like is the grip. It’s too damn skinny, and I have to hold on extra hard to keep it from squirming around in my hand under recoil.

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  24. When the Hysterical Mother makes vaguely word-like noises with it’s mouth, it is only natural to interpret those sounds as human speech, words with specific meanings. This is not the case. There is no intent to communicate anything, it is merely trying to get more of Sugar Daddy’s dollars.

    Reply
  25. From 2007 to 2011, democrats had the votes to bring back the ban.
    Why didn’t they do it then ?
    Dubya said “Send me the bill and I will sign it” and Obama would have signed it.

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  26. If you teach the shooter how to rapid fire a bolt action, would they then not have any problem initiating or completing the bolt opening process?

    Drive the finger/thumb web of your hand, even a 90lb 58″ tall woman’s hand, up under that bolt handle, and I assume it’ll open quickly. Rotate that hand in front of the bolt and slap it rearward, rotate the thumb up over the bolt handle and slap it closed, and she has chambered a fresh round in one second without breaking her cheek weld.

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  27. In Colorado public places are not allowed to make law. I.E. even if a business has a no guns sign on the door, you are not forced to comply. If open carrying, they can ask you to leave, but concealed carry, they don’t even know so no harm no foul. Only schools, state and federal buildings, courts and any public place with permanently installed metal detectors are a no carry under law restriction. I wish all states functioned like this.

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  28. The hotels should put a little safe in each room, so that guests could lock up items they don’t want the hooker stealing. Perhaps they could stick them out of the way in the closet.

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  29. You MUST fill out the 4473 CORRECTLY period!!! When the ATF agent checks the stores records if there are mistakes in the paperwork they can lose their license or be fined… Don’t be stupid nor expect somebody else to make excuses for YOUR inability to read and FOLLOW simple government instructions!!!!!!!!!!

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  30. So, the store denied a sale to a customer with obvious mental/self control issues?

    And a Detroit News writer has mental health problems?

    What’s new about any of that?

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  31. Should (God forbid) there be a general confiscation of privately owned firearms, I don’t believe many will fight back. Aside from recreation, the purpose for which most people own guns is self defense. Disarmed, there is a risk that you will be killed by a criminal. Getting into a gunfight with the cops guarantees it.

    What worries me more about gun confiscation is that it would embolden criminals. They wouldn’t disarm and would no longer fear effective defense by victims. I wonder how much of the opposition to private ownership of firearms is rooted in the weapons themselves and how much is opposition to the very idea of fighting back and, necessarily, doing injury to the assailant.

    Reply

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