Vedder Holsters Daily Digest: An ATF Makeover, Bulletproof Apparel and New Rules of Engagement

This is about 25 years past due . . . With A New Scandal Growing, It’s Time For Congress To Fix The ATF – “The New York Times—which couldn’t be bothered to look into ‘Operation Fast and Furious,’ in which the Obama-era ATF told gun store owners to let bad guys fronting for Mexican drug cartels buy all the guns they wanted—just led an investigative article this way: ‘Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives used a secret, off-the-books bank account to rent a $21,000 suite at a NASCAR race, take a trip to Las Vegas and donate money to the school of one of the agent’s children, according to records and interviews. The Justice Department’s inspector general has opened an investigation into the ATF’s use of the secret bank account. The House Oversight and Government Reform committee is also looking into the matter.”

Constitutional carry marches on . . . Alabama Senate Votes to Allow Concealed Carry Without Permit – “Alabama could join 11 other states that allow people to carry a concealed handgun in public without getting a special permit. The Alabama Senate by a 25-8 vote approved the NRA-backed legislation to do away with the requirement for a permit to carry a handgun out of sight, such as in a car or under a jacket or in a purse. The bill now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives for consideration. ‘Every citizen should have the right to bear arms without paying a fee,’ said Sen. Gerald Allen, the Tuscaloosa Republican who sponsored the bill.”

Pennsylvania teachers could carry guns under Senate bill – “Teachers, cafeteria workers and anyone else employed by a Pennsylvania school could carry firearms under a bill a Senate panel approved Wednesday. Senate Bill 383, sponsored by Sen. Don White, R-Indiana, would allow locally elected or appointed school boards to establish policies permitting staff to carry firearms under the guise of protecting students and others from harm. The bill would require staff to volunteer for the armed position, hold a concealed carry permit and go through police-related firearms training determined by the board.”

New rules of engagement . . . Revised LAPD Policy Required Officers to Attempt De-Escalation Before Using Guns – “A new policy will now require Los Angeles Police Department officers to try to defuse a tense encounter by using time, communication and distance before resorting to their guns. The revised policy was approved unanimously by Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners. ‘This will not stop every instance of officer-involved shootings, but used correctly over time, it will,’ said Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck. ‘The point of all of this is trying to create a likelihood of outcomes of success and then applying over a period of time.'”

What are the odds? . . . Gun found in Facebook killer Steve Stephens’ car will be sent to Cleveland, police say – “The gun that Cleveland Facebook killer Steve Stephens used to commit suicide after a short car chase with Pennsylvania State Police will be sent back to Cleveland so investigators here can determine if it was the same gun used to kill Robert Godwin Sr. Pennsylvania State Police spokeswoman Trooper Cindy Owens said investigators on Wednesday found a .45-caliber Glock inside Stevens’ white Ford Fusion as they combed the car for evidence.”