Yesterday, I shared a message Portland Mayor Sam Adams sent me, where he "encouraged" me "to denounce the Oregon Firearms Federation statement" responding to his plan for imposing more "gun control" edicts in the city.
Let's take a closer look at his message and respond to the points he raises:
"David, please actually read the website; the quote, '...no-compromise gun lobby,' is right on the front page."
I have, Mr. Mayor. I linked to it last Friday at the end of my column.
I'm wondering what's wrong with refusing to compromise our rights with those who would infringe on them. I'm also wondering what specifically they have said that is untrue. I mean, even The Huffington Post shows you to be a liar who exploited a "mentor" relationship with a teenager for personal sexual gratification. And that you asked the boy to lie about it for you. I should believe anything you say now...why, exactly?
If anything, OFF has compromised by being too kind. If I wrote what I really thought of you for this, Examiner would take down my post.
"Bullying with the use of personal attacks by local gun-use advocates is commonplace here in Oregon. Others who have attempted to change gun laws, like Oregon State Sen. Ginny Burdick, have been unfairly personally pilloried by local gun-use lobbyists."
Right. Poor innocent victim Ginny just sitting there minding her own business telling the media those who disagree with her about predator empowerment zones are "gun rights extremists," and the mean old gun bullies just personally pillory her for no reason.
How unfair to get personal back with an ideological bigot who then tries to bend those she would control to her will by force of state arms. And we're the bullies.
"As a leader in the national gun use coalition, even though we might disagree on this issue, I encourage you to denounce the Oregon Firearms Federation statement. I will encourage my supporters to stuck to the facts, as well."
You give me too much credit, Mr. Mayor. I claim no followers. I'm merely someone who refuses to relinquish my unalienable rights to those who have no claim on them. I do this for me. If it resonates with others, that's a happy collateral effect.
But you want me to "denounce" OFF? They're not the ones trying to use police powers to abridge my rights--you are.
As for "stuck[ing] to the facts," if people did, I just don't see how they could be your supporters. But don't rein them in on my account. Let us see their full and unchecked venom. Maybe in their indignation they'll even call me a "teabagger," which would be kind of...ironic, don't you think?
"The gun safety reforms I have proposed pose no threat to law abiding gun owners. They should have been approved by the Oregon State Legislature years ago. And, you should support them. Sam"
Just because you characterize them as "gun safety reforms" doesn't mean they are, Mr. Mayor, and so-called "law abiding gun owners" are precisely the only ones who will be affected by them. Let's look at your five-point plan:
1. Special Curfew: Known predatory threats who disregard all laws and conventions of moral conduct roam among us and you expect us to believe telling them to confine themselves between set hours is going to be a solution. We know from experience the political interests of the disarmament lobby are served by padding "child gun death" statistics, but you might want to think about how classifying someone under 21 a "child" might not work in your personal interests....
2. Limit Access: The "out" you give the "law-abiding" from being prosecuted is if they lock up their safety and give a head start advantage to home invaders?
3. Theft Reporting: You do realize that segment of the populace causing the predatory violence problems are for the most part "prohibited persons," and that requiring them to report the theft of an item they may not legally possess in the first place would violate their right against self-incrimination? So the only ones this would endanger are (surprise!) the "law-abiding"?
4. Increase penalties for carrying loaded gun in public: What part of "shall not be infringed" don't you understand, Mr. Mayor? Oh, that's right, all of it.
Will you guarantee the safety of those "law-abiding" gun owners who obey? Will you assign a special relationship between the City of Portland and all those who enter such zones unarmed, to include a legal duty to protect them, with attendant liability should you fail?
You won't? Hmmm...tried by 12 vs. carried by six. Tough choice.
You'll excuse those of us who consider laws repugnant to the Constitution void? Oh, you won't do that either? You'll instead sic your armed "Only Ones" enforcers on us to kill us if we don't instantly comply with their demands that we disarm? And we're the "bullies"?
5. Banishment Zones: If we survive the encounter in Proposal Four, I guess this one restricts where in the city we're allowed to go? And this is supposed to do...what, exactly, with the dangerous sociopaths who abide by no rules save their own predatory desires?
Forgive me, Mr. Mayor, if I don't think my going about in public with a gun poses as much of a threat as you going about with a car. With your fly undone. And, inexplicably (except you do control the police), with no test for alcohol, despite statements indicating this was a concern based on two independent witness observations.
Good grief, you're quite the control freak, aren't you? What is it, a projection thing, where those who can't--or won't control themselves assume the rest of us must possess the same defects in character and self-control?
Sorry, Mr. Mayor. I will not denounce Oregon Firearms Federation. I applaud them.
You, on the other hand...well, I think another who bore the name you now dishonor said it best, if not for you then at least for your deluded followers:
"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude than the animating contest of freedom—go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!"
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Shipley sentenced
I've been following this story for some time. From KVIA.com:
"[F]ormer Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent John Shipley was sentenced to two years in federal prison for violating federal firearms laws.
"Senior United States District Judge David Briones also ordered that Shipley be placed under supervised release for a period of three years and complete 250 hours of community service after completing his prison term."
I hope you active collectors take note of this and take what precautions you can.
Also see:
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Jury finds FBI's Shipley guilty on gun charges
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Is FBI agent Mexican 'crime gun' source?
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Is FBI agent in Mexican gun case being persecuted?
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Is FBI agent charged with illegal gun dealing just a collector?
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Trigger Sports Recorded!
Yesterday on Trigger Sports Live!, Host James B. Towle and I discussed anti-gun celebrities who somehow don't hold fast to principles when there's something in it for them.
If you missed yesterday's program, you can still watch it for another week by clicking here. After that, it will go to American Trigger Sports Network archives, where you can always watch old shows.
You'll also get a chance to preview some action that will be included on the DVD of the 2010 IPSC Pan American Shotgun Championship that I had the privilege to help cover.
The show summary from James:
"The ATF Modernization Act... will it affect you? Rachel Parsons - NRA-ILA reports. David Codrea, the "Gun Bling" in Hollywood; how deep is the cut? Plus, don't miss watching: The Western 3-Gun from the Deadwood Boys/Hole in the Wall at Wes Thompson Rifle Range in Piru, The New Mexico Ruger Rimfire SW Central trailer...congratulations to Derek Zavada and the Pan American Shotgun Championship trailer...congratulations to Michael Voight! All available on DVD...order today at the ATSN.tv store.
"Watch all this and more at www.atsn.tv ...On your computer, 24/7, when YOU want to see it! ATSN.tv...the number one network for Trigger Sports!"
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California dreamin'
More like a nightmare. I'll be discussing the proposed long gun registry and open carry ban from 3:00 to 3:30 pm PST (adjust for your time zone accordingly), when I'll once again be a guest on The Andy Caldwell Show. If you live in the California central coast area, you can listen on AM 1440. If you don't, click here to listen via live stream.
Join us?
Comments
I'll go further than denouncing the jerk. He should be prosecuted for deprivation of rights under color of law, and conspiracy to deprive rights under color of law. Guess what, not-so-honorable Mayor? Both of those are federal crimes, have been for over a hundred years.
But WAIT, there's MORE! There are parallel CIVIL statutes. We don't even need a prosecutor to go after this particular ham sandwich. I keep wondering how long it is going to take someone to finally launch THAT particular suit. If indeed it isn't already in progress somewhere and we've just not heard about it.
Have a nice day, Mayor. See ya in court.
What is it with towns named Portland? Is Portland, OR too close to the People's Republik of Kalifornia? There are three blotches on the map of the US which seem to be infested with power-hungry bureaucrats. The blotch on the far west seems to be oozing north. Re-elect no one.
I live in the Socialist Republik of Kaliforinia, why we are blessed with so many Autisic rights depriving nitwits, I just don't know. I don't know why vermin spread, but they do. Kalifornia's vermin always think they're right on most issues, but most of the time they are, ONLY IN THEIR OWN MINDS AND THINKING. Most of Kalifornia's politicians are so in love with their own self importance, they'd they pimp their Mother's, wives, sons and daughter's to get a vote. The worst part is the politicians are proud of their efforts. The politicians strut with pride because of accomplishments and self importance. As the oldtime actor William Bendix would say "Throw the bums out". On Election Day "Throw the bums out".
Sounds like a California refugee has been found up there playing mayor? Tag him as a registered sex offender, put a monitor on him, and deny him the right to bear arms and he should be happy. He'll get all the fame and glory he so deserves. he should be bounced out of office on a recall and anyone who supports his crazy ideas should go with him. Do not copy california and it's hairbrained ideas. One of the bad notes on teh Shipley case from what little I have read is that corrupt witnesses presented by the feds at trial can sink anyone if the judge allows for their testimony and it is not backed up by recordings or facts independent of the witness. Sounds like this agent may have been a victim of perjury.
David, you have nothing to gain by trying to have a serious debate with a chickenhawk. you can only add to his near zero credibilty. Walk away from it.
Holy crap! Nice work on giving him at least a little piece of your mind, and backing it up with related articles and evidence. I love it! :-)
Nice, David. There is little reason to pull punches, and you have not. I suspect the Mayor isn't used to such direct communication. And the Sam Adams quote at the end? A perfect concluding thought.
Naw, da Mayor just expects you to act like that teenager, and swallow whatever he feed's you without even a courtesy reach around as if we would all take it in through the out door like he does from Mayor Blooming Idiot whom he idolizes.
Great article David. It shows once again, how often, those who are most virulent in opposition to our 2A rights, wind up having done crimes themselves:
Ted Kennedy, Mario Biaggi, Dan Rostenkowski, William Jefferson tp name a few.
What scares me most about California is the fact that the state is a bellweather or harbinger for the rest of the country, simply because it's the most populous.
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