'Terrorist watch list' gun ban favors hysteria over rights

June 24, 9:17 AMGun Rights ExaminerDavid Codrea

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Clinton, Lautenberg, Schumer* 

"On Terrorist Watch List, but Allowed to Buy Guns," The New York Times warns us.

People on the government’s terrorist watch list tried to buy guns nearly 1,000 times in the last five years, and federal authorities cleared the purchases 9 times out of 10 because they had no legal way to stop them, according to a new government report.

In one case, a person on the list was able to buy more than 50 pounds of explosives.

What was it, powder for reloading? Something else? Who was it? What did he do?

Don't expect specifics. The calculated hysteria to prime the public to accept further gun bans is being revved up, and that relies on manipulating people into making general conclusions. Witness prominent headlines on the topic:

People on 'terror watch' list able to buy guns: US

GAO finds gun sales to terror listees

'Terror Gap' In US Law Lets Suspects Buy Guns

I addressed this yesterday, including how a proposed law resurrected by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D, Mordor) to deal with it will only affect the law-abiding by denying them their rights--without their having been convicted of anything. But you can see how the "mainstream" outlets want you to feel about it.  What can I say, besides "Authorized Journalists"...?

Still, once we get past the hand-wringing headline, The Times piece does offer those who actually read the whole thing some interesting glimpses of reality:

The government’s consolidated watch list, used to identify people suspected of links to terrorists, has grown to more than one million names since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

We have a million potential terrorists in this country? That's an occupying army. Who's responsible for letting them in? And thing is, a report last year said the number was really more like 400,000...

Say...that's a heck of a difference...

And here's something we need to emphasize:

The names of the people on the watch list are secret, and Mr. Lautenberg said he was frustrated by the F.B.I.’s refusal to disclose to investigators details and specific cases of gun purchases beyond the aggregate data.

The senator said that getting a better understanding of who is being allowed to buy guns and how people are connected to terrorism would help assess the need for legislative remedies.

Yet without this understanding and assessment of need, Lautenberg still blusters through with "legislative remedies"? Isn't that combination of incompetence and abuse of power kind of like malpractice or something?

And he'll try doing this without opening any of the following up for scrutiny. From John Snyder:

"The list itself is a big mystery. To my knowledge, there has not yet been significant information revealed about it. Who is on it? Why? Who puts one on it? How does one get his or her name placed on it? How does one get off it? Can a government official place on it the names of men and women considered unfriendly to the government official?"

Just what we need. A secret, unaccountable list maintained by secret, unaccountable people.

The American way, Comrade Frank Lautenberg-style...

Are you on it? Why? How can you get off it?

We can't tell you. It's a secret.

And here's a big confidence-booster for placing our faith in the government, supplementing the CNN report I linked to above:

A report from the US Justice Department has found the country’s 1.1 million-strong watchlist of suspected terrorists has a 35 per cent error rate and no established way to remove or update records.

Yeah, I'll be trusting my unalienable rights to these guys real soon...

For more information: I'll be discussing the Lautenberg Terror later today at 3:30 pm PST, 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.

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Bride of Brady

Oregon Firearms Federation warns:

HB 2853, the bill that will expand the failed Brady law passed out of the Ways and Means Committee tonight in a late session.

Click here for more information.

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Iran: A lesson for America

Jennifer Freeman of Liberty Belles tells us:

The situation in Iran exactly why gun rights must be protected at all costs in the United States.

Read the whole article by clicking here.

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Chicago Appleseed Project

My friends at Appleseed are holding a two-day clinic, where rifle owners living in Chicago and surrounding areas will:

* Learn the "Six steps to firing the shot."
* Learn correct firing positions and proper use of the sling.
* Hear some little-known Revolutionary War history and reaffirm your heritage.
* Become a more influential citizen and make America a better place.

Click here to learn how to attend.

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* Via Frank Lautenberg's Senate website