Vedder Holsters Daily Digest: Fostering Intimidation in Michigan, an Oversight in Tokyo and Celebrating in LaLa Land

It’s a shame Mr. Johnson can’t sue these officious bastards individually, too . . . Lawsuit Alleges Michigan Agency Told Grandfather He’d Have to Give Up Gun Rights to Foster His Grandson

Caseworkers from MDHHS and a county judge told William Johnson of Ontonagon, Mich., that he had to choose between his Second Amendment rights and fostering his grandson, according to a complaint filed with the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

The 54-year-old Johnson is a retired, disabled Marine with a Michigan Concealed Pistol License. He and his wife were asked by the state of Michigan to foster their grandson. According to Johnson’s suit, however, the issues began as soon as he arrived at MDHHS to pick up the child.

Johnson said he was searched for a firearm and, although he was not carrying a gun, officials demanded to see his concealed carry license. He was then told he would need to give MDHHS the serial numbers of all of his firearms, including rifles and shotguns, and register them with the agency.

After questioning why he would have to register his firearms in order to foster his grandson, Johnson said he was told by one caseworker, “if you want to care for your grandson you will have to give up some of your constitutional rights.”

When he objected, he was told there would not be a “power struggle” and MDHHS “would just take his grandson and place him in a foster home” if he didn’t comply with their requests.

When the facts and logic aren’t on your side, play the race card . . . NRA’s cowardly fights for the white to bear arms

All this sound and fury is telling, coming as it does on the heels of the NRA’s utter silence on a matter that you’d think would be a lot more pressing for a group calling itself “America’s foremost defender” of the right to bear arms.

After all, it’s been two years, and the family of Philando Castile is still waiting for the NRA to speak up for this man who was killed by a panicky cop while legally exercising his right to bear arms.

For that matter, the families of Tamir Rice and John Crawford III, both killed while holding toy guns, are also waiting. But all three were black, so the wait will likely be long. Apparently, the NRA doesn’t actually defend the right to bear arms — just the white to bear arms.

Cabot Shooter Takes Gold at NRA National Pistol Championship

PITTSBURGH – July 19, 2017 – Jonathan Shue of Cabot Guns, a top manufacturer of American-made precision firearms, stunned military shooters at this year’s NRA National Pistol Championship by taking first place and winning the Gold at the NRA National Matches.

Shue, a former Marine now competing as a civilian for Team Cabot Guns, emerged on top in matches that involved 468 competitors from around the world in the three-day tournament at historic Camp Perry in Port Clinton Ohio.

“We are all super excited about Jon’s incredible performance,” said Rob Bianchin, Founder and CEO of Cabot Guns. “That said, I’m not surprised. Most folks have heard about Cabot Guns as the manufacturer of pistols made from meteorite but first and foremost we have proven time and again that we make the most accurate 1911’s on the planet.

“A Cabot Gun is the hands of a disciplined athlete like Jon is certainly a Championship combination”

Oopsie . . . Fight attendant busted with bullets in his carry-on

An American Airlines flight attendant landed in hot water in Japan after 30 bullets were found in his carry-on bag, officials said.

The unnamed crew member told cops at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport that he forgot about the ammo before going through security in the US, police official Masatoshi Ito said.

Authorities found the bullets loaded in two magazines Saturday during a security check before the employee boarded his on-duty flight back to the US.

Go Further and Hunt Longer with Tenzing’s New TZ UC17 Upland Chaps

Plano, IL (July 19, 2017) – The pursuit of upland birds, bunnies or boars requires bush whacking through thick cover, where thorns, brush and briars can shred the pants off any unprepared or ill-equipped hunter. The game can leave the skin on their legs looking like a bloody game of connect the dots. It’s a mistake that’s only made once.

Specialized upland pants or chaps are a must for any hunter whose avocation involves busting brush or thundering through thickets. Hands down, chaps are the preferred option.

These versatile over-garments can be worn on top of any pants and afford maximum protection against the brush, thorns, cactus needles, dew and other perils conspiring to send hunters back to the truck early.

First world problems . . . Fake guns, real problems at Comic-Con

Due to concerns about the growing number of shootings and other violent incidents at US public gatherings, comic conventions around the country are tightening their cosplay regulations. Some are even banning realistic-looking and potentially dangerous prop weapons altogether.

And not all cosplayers are happy about it.  . . .

The rules underscore the tension between authenticity and safety, which became a serious issue following the May arrest of a man who gained access to Phoenix Comicon armed with loaded handguns, a shotgun, knife, pepper spray and throwing stars.

For the rest of the convention, organizers banned all weapon props, including those made from foam and cardboard. The man, who was wearing body armor, said he wanted to kill “bad police” at the event.

Do they close the schools for this holiday in Los Angeles? . . . Nearly 5K Firearms To Be Destroyed In Annual Gun Melt

Nearly 5,000 guns collected by Los Angeles law enforcement agencies will be destroyed Wednesday morning in the 24th annual Gun Destruction event. …

In the 24 years since the event began, 164,900 weapons have been melted down. They include handguns, rifles and automatic weapons that have been both seized during criminal investigations and voluntarily turned in by citizens.

Oh CehNehDeh! . . . Warning for Americans visiting Canada: Leave your guns at home

The (Canada Border Services Agency) is encouraging Americans to leave their weapons at home or, failing that, to declare them at the border and make proper arrangements for them while visiting Canada.

“Just for a vacation, firearms are not allowed,” Veronica Horne, CBSA chief of operations, told CTV Atlantic on Tuesday. She says the best policy for visitors is to be honest, as getting caught with a concealed weapon at the border will only mean harsher penalties.

“We do have some options that the traveller can look at, as opposed to not declaring and then they lose their firearm through seizure,” she said.