Saturday Politics Thread: Gun Rights [Y-not]

Last weekend Niedermeyer's Dead Horse posted the results of the Horde's top four issues, ones about which they would never be willing to compromise (aka our collective Hills To Die On:

Conservative Issues/Positions:

1. Second Amendment - Pro Gun Rights: 1,249 votes
2. Size of Federal Government - For Shedding or Shrinking Departments: 1,238 votes
3. Immigration - Against Shortcut to Citizenship: 1,184 votes
4. Affordable Care Act - Pro Repeal/Replace: 1,142 votes

After these, the number of votes per issue dropped precipitously with fifth place, 'States Rights - Moving Decision-Making Back to the States', garnering only 706 votes.

She also polled the Horde on which issues they would be willing to compromise. There was lively debate about the entire premise, with many expressing exasperation and anger over conservatives always being asked to surrender their principled stands (when seemingly liberals and moderates are never asked to do the same). Fewer morons voted in this poll, but here are the top four vote-getters as of Monday morning, March 16th:

Foreign Policy - Financial Assistance to Foreign Nations 14.43% (644 votes)
Gay Rights - Against Gay Marriage 12.48% (557 votes)
Social Security Reform - Pro Reform 7.41% (331 votes)
Abortion - Pro-Life Stance 7.39% (330 votes)

I thought this week we could address our seven prospective GOP candidates' positions on the issue of most importance to the horde: gun rights. I'm assuming there won't be any big surprises in what we find, but you never know.

It might also be helpful for us to discuss what compromise looks like when it comes to important issues like this one. Does "compromise" consist of being asked to support a candidate who holds the wrong (opposite from desired) position or does it also include supporting someone who punts on an issue altogether? If gun rights represents a No Compromise issue for you, does that mean that you expect your nominee to not just voice support for it, but to actually propose advancing that agenda when he is sitting in the White House? If the candidate you support has not pushed to have Open Carry at the state offices where he is governor, does that mean he's a RINO on the 2nd amendment? Do you expect him to own (and use) firearms? I'm genuinely curious to hear what expectations you have.

Before looking at the candidates, here's an excerpt from the 2012 Republican Platform:

The Second Amendment: Our Right to Keep and Bear Arms

We uphold the right of individuals to keep and bear arms, a right which antedated the Constitution and was solemnly confirmed by the Second Amendment. We acknowledge, support, and defend the law-abiding citizen's God-given right of self-defense. We call for the protection of such fundamental individual rights recognized in the Supreme Court's decisions in District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago affirming that right, and we recognize the individual responsibility to safely use and store firearms. This also includes the right to obtain and store ammunition without registration. We support the fundamental right to self-defense wherever a law-abiding citizen has a legal right to be, and we support federal legislation that would expand the exercise of that right by allowing those with state-issued carry permits to carry firearms in any state that issues such permits to its own residents. Gun ownership is responsible citizenship, enabling Americans to defend their homes and communities. We condemn frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers and oppose federal licensing or registration of law-abiding gun owners. We oppose legislation that is intended to restrict our Second Amendment rights by limiting the capacity of clips or magazines or otherwise restoring the ill-considered Clinton gun ban. We condemn the reckless actions associated with the operation known as "Fast and Furious," conducted by the Department of Justice, which resulted in the murder of a U.S. Border Patrol Agent and others on both sides of the border. We applaud the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in holding the current Administration's Attorney General in contempt of Congress for his refusal to cooperate with their investigation into that debacle. We oppose the improper collection of firearms sales information in the four southern border states, which was imposed without congressional authority.

With that in mind, here's what I learned researching the candidates this week:

Sen. Ted Cruz

Cruz has an unblemished record on gun rights, including arguing in favor of them before the Supreme Court. From Wiki:

In the landmark case of District of Columbia v. Heller, Cruz drafted the amicus brief signed by attorneys general of 31 states, which said that the D.C. handgun ban should be struck down as infringing upon the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Cruz also presented oral argument for the amici states in the companion case to Heller before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

In 2013, the odious Judy Woodruff tried to use bodies of children to shame Cruz into backing off on his support for the 2nd Amendment. Here's an excerpt from that exchange:

JUDY WOODRUFF: You're a longtime proponent of gun rights. But you're also the father of two young girls ages 4 and 2. And after those terrible shootings at that elementary school in Connecticut, have you changed your views at all on how available guns should be, especially the high-capacity weapons?

TED CRUZ: Well, I think every parent was horrified at what happened in Newtown, Conn.

To see 20 young children and six adults senselessly murdered in an elementary school, it's just shocking beyond words. But I think it was also sad that, within almost minutes of that tragedy, politicians began exploiting that horrible crime to push their gun control agenda.

I do not support that agenda. In fact, I intend to help lead the fight to stop Sen. Dianne Feinstein's bill to pass aggressive gun control, and in particular to pass a national firearms registry. I don't think the federal government has any business keeping a list of law-abiding Americans who exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

JUDY WOODRUFF: So, you think that assault weapons, high-capacity guns should continue to be easily available?

TED CRUZ: What I think is two things, number one, that restricting the right to keep and bear arms is unconstitutional.

The Second Amendment is an integral part of the Bill of Rights. And what it means is, politicians cannot come and strip the guns from law-abiding Americans. But, number two, it's misguided policy. If you look at the jurisdictions with the strictest gun control laws, almost without exception, they have the highest crime rates and the highest murder rates.

Recently, Cruz joined the majority of Senators and Representatives in objecting to "the Obama administration's move to ban a popular type of ammo used in the top-selling AR-15 rifle and pistol because it pierces police body armor."

Incidentally, yesterday we learned that the ATF director is resigning. I'm sure that's just a coincidence.

Gov. Nikki Haley

Nikki Haley appears to be very strong on 2nd amendment issues. She received an A+ rating from the NRA:

"Governor Haley is a strong Second Amendment leader for South Carolina," said Chris W. Cox, chairman of the NRA-PVF. "She signed into law a comprehensive pro-gun reform bill that made numerous improvements to South Carolina's Right-to-Carry law, including allowing people with carry permits to more fully exercise their right to self-defense. Governor Haley also signed legislation repealing anti-gun policies that had been on the books since the 1970s."

While serving in the state legislature, Haley voted for Castle Doctrine legislation giving law-abiding citizens greater rights to self-protection if a criminal breaks into their home. She has also long supported hunting as a valuable tool for wildlife management and conservation. Haley rejects expanded licensing and registration schemes and so-called "universal" background checks, which require federal government approval for transferring firearms between life-long friends and family members.

As far as I can tell, South Carolina is still not an open carry state, the measure having stalled in the legislature twice in recent years.

Gov. Bobby Jindal

Governor Jindal also seems to have an excellent record on gun rights. The NRA gave Jindal an A+ when he ran for governor in 2007 and endorsed him for re-election in 2011. Here's a quote from last year:

Jindal charged that Vice President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, both possible Democratic presidential candidates, think the Second Amendment is little more than "a phrase from a speech writer."

"If they had their way they'd simply cut and paste the Constitution and just get rid of the Second Amendment entirely," said Jindal, who approved several gun rights bills last year, including one that creates stiff penalties for those who knowingly publish the names of gun permit holders.

Louisiana appears to be an open carry state.

Gov. Susana Martinez

As you saw in that video, Governor Martinez knows her way around firearms. (By the way, did you know that her husband had a career in law enforcement?)

Overall, New Mexico's gun laws look "good" (from a 2nd amendment perspective), but there clearly are NM legislators who push gun control each year, so that's the backdrop in which Martinez is operating.

Although she earned an "A" rating from the NRA, in 2013 Martinez came out in support of a proposed measure to impose background checks for purchasing firearms at gun shows:

The bill, sponsored by a Democrat, also would pave the way for state records on mental health patients and convicted criminals to be brought into the federal instant background check system, according to a report on Newsmax.

"We want to make sure that guns aren't sold to a felon or someone who's mentally ill at a gun show," the governor said in a Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper report.

To be honest, although I found articles saying that this bill passed the House in 2013, I could not confirm that it passed the Senate.

Gov. Mike Pence

**UPDATE: Emile Antoon Khadaji provided this picture from Facebook. Thanks for finding that! I figured I must've been missing some pictures.**

Governor Pence seems to be good on 2nd amendment rights. He was endorsed by NRA, who indicated that he would have gotten a A under their rating system.

Here's an excerpt from an interview with Mike Wallace last year:

WALLACE: You spoke at the NRA's annual leadership conference, forum which is being held in Indianapolis this weekend. You also recently signed a law that would allow guns in locked vehicles in school parking lots. The Indianapolis school superintendent had this to say about that law, "Young people, schools, guns, and all of that is a mix for something inappropriate." Question, governor, do we really need guns closer to schools?

PENCE: Well, let me say, Chris, I have strongly supported the right to keep and bear arms. I truly believe that firearms in the hands of law abiding citizen's makes our families and our communities more safe, not less safe. And the bill that we just signed here in Indiana really was a common sense reform. We actually have parents that had a permit to conceal and carry a weapon that we're finding themselves guilty of a felony just by dropping their kids off to school. So we just -- we made a modest change, a common sense change in Indiana law. And I strongly supported it.

A constitutional carry bill appears to have stalled in the Indiana legislature this year.

fmr. Gov. Rick Perry

Here's a video from 2013:

Rick Perry received an A+ NRA rating in 2010 and overall his record appears very good.

The state of Texas is about to pass open carry and campus carry, both bills will be signed by Governor Abbott. Earlier this year when Perry was asked by the Texas Tribune about the upcoming legislation (and gun rights more generally) he answered in a way that drew from criticism:

He also commented on the other controversy consuming debate in Austin: the open carrying of handguns.

Perry said he was "not necessarily all that fond of this open carry concept," adding that those who carry guns ought to be "appropriately backgrounded, appropriately vetted, appropriately trained."

"We license people to drive on our highways," he said. "We give them that privilege. The same is true with our concealed handguns."

But also, he said he prefers concealed handguns for "a more practical reason."

"I don't want the bad guys to know if I'm carrying," he said. "I don't want to be the first person shot if something's going down."

I saw a lot of hay being made in the progressive media, as well as in less mainstream "gun rights" blogs, about these comments. Although I think I understand the objections to them, when I look at how Perry governed in Texas for 14 years, I can't honestly say I think he would be a gun-grabber if he were elected POTUS.

Gov. Scott Walker

Wisconsin is an open carry state, but it does impose waiting times on handgun purchases. The NRA gave Walker its highest rating (A+) in 2014. Nevertheless, like Perry, Walker has received some criticism:

Gov. Scott Walker's administration is barring openly carrying guns into state buildings, even for people with valid concealed carry permits.

The Republican governor's administration is also declining to say how many state employees have told their bosses that they'll be bringing concealed guns to work after the administration decided last month to allow that for valid permit holders.

The new policies all came in response to the state's new concealed carry law, which on Nov. 1 made Wisconsin the 49th state in the nation to let citizens carry hidden weapons.

I'm not sure if Walker's position received any blowback from 2nd amendment advocates.

**UPDATE: Here's a better picture of Walker**

That concludes a brief roundup of our seven 2016 hopefuls on gun rights. Did you find any who you felt were disqualified based on this issue?

Finally, in the interest of perspective, here is the Democrats' position on guns:

Firearms. We recognize that the individual right to bear arms is an important part of the American tradition, and we will preserve Americans' Second Amendment right to own and use firearms. We believe that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation. We understand the terrible consequences of gun violence; it serves as a reminder that life is fragile, and our time here is limited and precious. We believe in an honest, open national conversation about firearms. We can focus on effective enforcement of existing laws, especially strengthening our background check system, and we can work together to enact commonsense improvements -- like reinstating the assault weapons ban and closing the gun show loophole -- so that guns do not fall into the hands of those irresponsible, law-breaking few.

So that's it, boys and girls. That's where the Democrats stand on gun control, as evidenced by their platform. (I encourage you to follow the link to their platform, which is littered with all sorts of other nonsense.)

Individual Democrats might be deemed acceptable by the NRA. Would that be enough for you to support one of them?

To close things up, this song seems appropriate:

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Wisconsin is an open carry state, but it does impose waiting times on handgun purchases.

The Legislature is working on ending those waiting times.

Posted by: steveegg at March 21, 2015 08:02 AM (cL79m)

2 I'm a well-known East Coast RINO, so I thought all of these candidates were acceptable on gun rights.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:06 AM (9BRsg)

3 Great post, Y.


Walker looks the douchiest of the bunch.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 21, 2015 08:07 AM (Perx6)

4 Despite my RINO-y inclination, that video of Susana Martinez gave me a lady boner.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:09 AM (9BRsg)

5 Good Lord, guns and elbows! And is that a SCAR? My, my.

Posted by: Fritz at March 21, 2015 08:10 AM (UzPAd)

6 The Dino was a nice touch.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 21, 2015 08:10 AM (Perx6)

7 How about the coyote vote?

Posted by: Jean at March 21, 2015 08:10 AM (49jne)

8 gun rights and control are issues, like abortion and now Israel, that politicians bring up and argue about because the money trees shake most vigorously when they do - and nothing is expected from that cheap grace in result.

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 08:12 AM (Cq0oW)

9 Updated with a better picture of Walker. I was rushing when I found the other one.

Feel free to correct my research, btw. It was surprisingly difficult to do this b/c the NRA's pages are craptastic (especially if you aren't a member; there seems to be a login) and there are so many gun control groups pushing out info.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:14 AM (9BRsg)

10 "Individual Democrats might be deemed acceptable by the NRA. Would that be enough for you to support one of them"

Jon Tester (D MT) case in point. Pro gun, but votes as he is told so he can get FEDbux for MT. So, example where stance on 2A is not barometric.

Posted by: Jimmy don\'t play that at March 21, 2015 08:15 AM (F5OyJ)

11 That concludes a brief roundup of our seven 2016 hopefuls on gun rights.
Did you find any who you felt were disqualified based on this issue?


I haven't done a lot of new research but in the past I found that the Fat Man who ate NJ is a gun grabber.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 21, 2015 08:15 AM (wlDny)

12 Any of them would be fine, especially compared to the rest of the lot. I wish Halley were given more serious consideration, but she's probably being lined up for the VP spot.

Posted by: Mr. Natural at March 21, 2015 08:15 AM (/pOl7)

13 Oh, and BTW I loved that picture of Jindal and hos boys. And I'll put in a plug for my Gov too, Haley.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 21, 2015 08:16 AM (wlDny)

14 One thing you don't have to worry about with Rick in 2A.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 21, 2015 08:17 AM (Perx6)

15 The pic of Jindal with his boys is to die for. Note one is holding a mallard.



The pic of Nikki hides her massive tits, boo. SC has several gun factories.



Cruz on a kick and shoot, meh.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 21, 2015 08:19 AM (0FSuD)

16 12
Any of them would be fine, especially compared to the rest of the lot. I
wish Halley were given more serious consideration, but she's probably
being lined up for the VP spot.

Posted by: Mr. Natural at March 21, 2015 08:15 AM (/pOl7)

I would be totally opposed to wasting her in that warm spit.

And how about them elbows.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 21, 2015 08:19 AM (wlDny)

17 >>> I wish Halley were given more serious consideration, but she's probably being lined up for the VP spot.

The Lizzy Warren jokes write themselves.

Posted by: fluffy at March 21, 2015 08:19 AM (Ua6T/)

18 That pic of Haley with the SCAR is fap worthy.

brb

Posted by: EC at March 21, 2015 08:19 AM (doBIb)

19 "is"


Damn

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 21, 2015 08:19 AM (Perx6)

20 Ok, back.

Posted by: EC at March 21, 2015 08:20 AM (doBIb)

21 >>Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 08:12 AM

I agree.

I'm really sick of being pandered/lied to on abortion, especially.

This week in the comments iirc (and maybe on Twitter) we were talking about the GOP platform and heard from the usual libertarian folks about how it should eliminate any talk wrt to things like abortion and SSM. The argument was that "social issues" should be left out.

Without talking about the merits of that position, I thought I'd mention that the Dem platform is loaded with "social issues." It also has a big section about "urban issues" and all sorts of other things that should be a turn off. And yet I feel like when libertarians vote in national elections, they drift towards the Democrats. (I wonder if there's any data on that.)

To me chasing after libertarian votes by dropping core issues of importance to long-time GOP voters is a waste of time.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:21 AM (9BRsg)

22 Gun Rights have pretty much been the only rights we've actually see expand.

If the Heller case had reached SCOTUS between the Great Depression and the end of the century, I doubt that they would have ruled it was an individual right... heck, they would have done the opposite.

For those who think that there is no difference between a Dem and GOP President, just imagine where we would be if Heller were heard by nine Dem appointees.

Conservatives would do well to study how this happened.

Posted by: The Political Hat at March 21, 2015 08:21 AM (0Ew3K)

23 Make sure to turn the sound up when you watch Susana Martinez's video.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:22 AM (9BRsg)

24 For those who think that there is no difference between a Dem and GOP President, just imagine where we would be if Heller were heard by nine Dem appointees.
---

You're welcome.

Posted by: Ted Cruz at March 21, 2015 08:23 AM (9BRsg)

25 A couple more items on Wisconsin's gun laws:

- Concealed-carry is allowed in state-owned buildings. Local governments, on the other hand, can ban carrying, but they have to post that they're gun-free easy pickings zones.

- The district attorneys are leading the charge to keep school parking lots gun-free easy pickings zones, even though under the concealed-carry law, no other entity that declares itself as such can keep patrons from having their guns in their cars in the parking lot, and there is not a plain-language exemption for school parking lots. I'd expect the state Supreme Court to eventually rule on that.

Posted by: steveegg at March 21, 2015 08:23 AM (cL79m)

26 I will fully support the first candidate who fully supports, and suggests funding for the "Affordable Firearms Act", which I have often spoken of here.

Ensuring that single mothers, often minorities, some of whom are in a same sex marriage, who are forced by Obama's failed economic plans to live in high crime areas, and are legally qualified to own firearms have access to
Affordable firearms
Affordable Firearms ownership training
Safe firearms storage in their home
Affordable ammunition
Access to live fire facilities to retain proficiency

Government subsidies and partnership with the NRA if necessary.



First one who puts that forth gets my undivided attention about how the rest of their platform shapes up.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 08:23 AM (PJOJz)

27 We're getting ready to do "Open Carry" here. I, personally, don't like it but it's fixin' to happen.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 21, 2015 08:24 AM (Perx6)

28 Are you in Texas, Ricardo?

It looks like even the campus carry law is going to pass.

Posted by: Ted Cruz at March 21, 2015 08:25 AM (9BRsg)

29 This week in the comments iirc (and maybe on Twitter) we were talking about the GOP platform and heard from the usual libertarian folks about how it should eliminate any talk wrt to things like abortion and SSM. The argument was that "social issues" should be left out.

Without talking about the merits of that position, I thought I'd mention that the Dem platform is loaded with "social issues." It also has a big section about "urban issues" and all sorts of other things that should be a turn off. And yet I feel like when libertarians vote in national elections, they drift towards the Democrats. (I wonder if there's any data on that.)

To me chasing after libertarian votes by dropping core issues of importance to long-time GOP voters is a waste of time.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:21 AM (9BRsg)

Easy solution.

Adopt the Sharon Statement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Statement

In this time of moral and political crises, it is the responsibility of the youth of America to affirm certain eternal truths.

We, as young conservatives, believe:

That foremost among the transcendent values is the individual’s use of his God-given free will, whence derives his right to be free from the restrictions of arbitrary force;

That liberty is indivisible, and that political freedom cannot long exist without economic freedom;

That the purpose of government is to protect those freedoms through the preservation of internal order, the provision of national defense, and the administration of justice;

That when government ventures beyond these rightful functions, it accumulates power, which tends to diminish order and liberty;

That the Constitution of the United States is the best arrangement yet devised for empowering government to fulfill its proper role, while restraining it from the concentration and abuse of power;

That the genius of the Constitution—the division of powers—is summed up in the clause that reserves primacy to the several states, or to the people, in those spheres not specifically delegated to the Federal government;

That the market economy, allocating resources by the free play of supply and demand, is the single economic system compatible with the requirements of personal freedom and constitutional government, and that it is at the same time the most productive supplier of human needs;

That when government interferes with the work of the market economy, it tends to reduce the moral and physical strength of the nation; that when it takes from one man to bestow on another, it diminishes the incentive of the first, the integrity of the second, and the moral autonomy of both;

That we will be free only so long as the national sovereignty of the United States is secure; that history shows periods of freedom are rare, and can exist only when free citizens concertedly defend their rights against all enemies;

That the forces of international Communism are, at present, the greatest single threat to these liberties;

That the United States should stress victory over, rather than coexistence with, this menace; and

That American foreign policy must be judged by this criterion: does it serve the just interests of the United States?

Posted by: The YAF Hat at March 21, 2015 08:25 AM (0Ew3K)

30 Gun Rights have pretty much been the only rights we've actually see expand.

If the Heller case had reached SCOTUS between the Great Depression and the end of the century, I doubt that they would have ruled it was an individual right... heck, they would have done the opposite.

For those who think that there is no difference between a Dem and GOP President, just imagine where we would be if Heller were heard by nine Dem appointees.

Conservatives would do well to study how this happened.

Posted by: The Political Hat at March 21, 2015 08:21 AM (0Ew3K)

Heller would have gone differently had Harriet "Poison Mushroom" Miers made it to SCOTUS. Republican Presidents bat, at best, .500 when it comes to judicial nominees.

Posted by: steveegg at March 21, 2015 08:25 AM (cL79m)

31 /smarty pants conservative sock off

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:26 AM (9BRsg)

32 "Are you in Texas, Ricardo?



It looks like even the campus carry law is going to pass."




Oh, yeah. That too is going through. Abbott will sign it.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 21, 2015 08:28 AM (Perx6)

33 The Rat Pack would be banned today. Think of Dean Martin, smoking AND drinking on TV.



I don't think anyone on the old Jack Parr, Tonight shows were sober. They were done live at 11:30PM Eastern.



Amazing good stuff

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 21, 2015 08:28 AM (0FSuD)

34 The official pants of AOSHQ?

http://tinyurl.com/kde24cl

Posted by: steevy at March 21, 2015 08:28 AM (KETbL)

35 Sorryabout the OT.

Posted by: steevy at March 21, 2015 08:29 AM (KETbL)

36 I loved Dean Martin show when I was a kid, it was on Thursdays at 10 pm.

Posted by: Carol at March 21, 2015 08:29 AM (sj3Ax)

37 Don't sweat it, steevy.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:30 AM (9BRsg)

38 33
The Rat Pack would be banned today. Think of Dean Martin, smoking AND drinking on TV.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 21, 2015 08:28 AM (0FSuD)



IIRC that was just a "reputation enhancement". He wasn't actualy drinking (because that was illegal then). He was drinking water with food coloring.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 21, 2015 08:30 AM (wlDny)

39 Heller would have gone differently had Harriet "Poison Mushroom" Miers made it to SCOTUS. Republican Presidents bat, at best, .500 when it comes to judicial nominees.

Posted by: steveegg at March 21, 2015 08:25 AM (cL79m)

Silly me. No difference what so ever. The Dems would have never declared that the 2nd Amendment isn't an individual right because there is no difference between them and the Republicans!

Posted by: The Realistic Hat at March 21, 2015 08:31 AM (0Ew3K)

40 Oh my. That picture of Nikki Haley borders on pr0n.

Posted by: rickl at March 21, 2015 08:32 AM (sdi6R)

41 TX another country, like SC. So I am down is SW TX quail hunting with a bank president, yes we did fly down in his jet, we're going to a shop to get us some custom boots. He's driving. We stop and return to ranch.



He gets a 357 SW Trooper to put in truck. The quote. "Never drive in Texas without a gun. Never"



Good advice.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 21, 2015 08:34 AM (0FSuD)

42 "He wasn't actualy drinking (because that was illegal then). He was drinking water with food coloring."



Heh. I remember hearing that Dino wasn't anywhere near the drinker or smoker that he appeared to be. Just imaging.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 21, 2015 08:34 AM (Perx6)

43 Y-not, Thanks so much for all your hard work on these posts. They are very helpful. There was a topic that came up yesterday that I would like you to look at. Do you have an email for these kinds of requests?

Posted by: Ben Had at March 21, 2015 08:34 AM (fk6MT)

44 38
IIRC that was just a "reputation enhancement". He wasn't actualy drinking (because that was illegal then). He was drinking water with food coloring.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 21, 2015 08:30 AM (wlDny)


I read that the "whiskey" he was drinking was really apple juice.

Posted by: rickl at March 21, 2015 08:35 AM (sdi6R)

45 Wonder how long its gonna take for the progs to get around to banning pictures of guns.

Posted by: torabora at March 21, 2015 08:35 AM (yC7Yt)

46 My new Taurus Millenium G2 is the damnedest $200 gun I've ever seen. I hope gun manufacturers will continue working on lower-cost products. The 2nd Amendment won't mean much if only wealthy people can buy guns.

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at March 21, 2015 08:36 AM (lG2E3)

47 VIA

I have advocated including a shotgun with every city home purchase and have gotten enthusiastic nods all around

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 08:37 AM (Cq0oW)

48 Posted by: Ben Had at March 21, 2015 08:34 AM

bailesworth at g m a i l

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:38 AM (9BRsg)

49 IIRC that was just a "reputation enhancement". He
wasn't actualy drinking (because that was illegal then). He was drinking
water with food coloring.


Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 21, 2015 08:30 AM (wlDny)

Yeah, good point, and no one on Saturday Night Live did any coke, cause it was illegal.

ha ha. Jack Parr actually called out drunk guests. Everyone laughed.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 21, 2015 08:38 AM (0FSuD)

50 26 I will fully support the first candidate who fully supports, and suggests funding for the "Affordable Firearms Act", which I have often spoken of here.

A chicken in every pot, and a Mossberg 590 in every safe.

Posted by: EC at March 21, 2015 08:39 AM (doBIb)

51 There would be a lot less guns around if pictures of them were banned.

Posted by: Progressive at March 21, 2015 08:39 AM (yC7Yt)

52 ""Never drive in Texas without a gun. Never"



The .38 is always there. Not hate, just saying. Everybody is nice to everyone else.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 21, 2015 08:39 AM (Perx6)

53
Yeah, good point, and no one on Saturday Night Live did any coke, cause it was illegal.

ha ha. Jack Parr actually called out drunk guests. Everyone laughed.


Posted by: Nip Sip at March 21, 2015 08:38 AM (0FSuD)

I would bet that they didn't do real coke live on screen. And yes, I have seen drunk guests. But not real drinking on stage.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 21, 2015 08:40 AM (wlDny)

54 No one did lines on TV. The budget for blow in the 70/80 was amazing.



I have stories.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 21, 2015 08:42 AM (0FSuD)

55 "A chicken in every pot, and a Mossberg 590 in every safe."

With the GOP's most recent capitulation to Marxism, I've been taking a hard look at my guns and how to improve on their capabilities. My old Mossberg 500 Security Combo is hard to beat for a low-cost, reliable, and extremely versatile firearm.

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at March 21, 2015 08:43 AM (lG2E3)

56 when your truck breaks down in Texas the only humane thing to do is put it out of its misery

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 08:44 AM (Cq0oW)

57 I think I'll move back to the rocking chair now. Can't type anymore and maybe I'll see some more goldfinches even if I had to take down my feeder because of the cowbirds and grackles (eg FSA of the bird kingdom) who swarmed the feeder by the hundreds.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 21, 2015 08:44 AM (wlDny)

58 "I have advocated including a shotgun with every city home purchase and have gotten enthusiastic nods all around"

I can get behind that here in Baltimore, with no problem.

The relationship between black safety and the gun in well documented.
Not hard sell to get people to understand that many of the original firearms laws were designed to disarm law abiding blacks.
The problem we have is that the argument gets shaped into what it isn't, and we are always being asked to defend why white people should have vaults full of fully automatic anti-tank weapons with a thingy that goes up.

The argument should be why do liberals want to deprive law abiding blacks, many of them female from their Constitutionally protected right to protect themselves.
If liberals want to build the meme that the Police are predominantly white, minority hating animals who get together on Saturday nights to drink beer and stalk black people, put the power to protect themselves back in the hands of black women.


It's for the children.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 08:45 AM (PJOJz)

59 "Gosh, when I see a politician in a photo dressed like a hunter in spotless orange, I'm really tempted to believe every word they say about the Second Amendment."

-- shit you don't hear conservatives say

Posted by: K-Bob at March 21, 2015 08:45 AM (5jHNy)

60 40 Oh my. That picture of Nikki Haley borders on pr0n.
Posted by: rickl at March 21, 2015 08:32 AM (sdi6R)


I forgot to mention that I actually do appreciate a pair of soft, shapely upper arms on a woman. That's just something I notice for some reason.

Posted by: rickl at March 21, 2015 08:45 AM (sdi6R)

61 OT: Where ISIS supporters Tweeting from?

http://bit.ly/1FQBneO

Posted by: The Political Hat (@ThePoliticalHat) at March 21, 2015 08:45 AM (0Ew3K)

62 Being a little tipsy was Dean Martin's schtick.He wasn't really drinking at all.He's really an underrated actor.

Posted by: steevy at March 21, 2015 08:46 AM (KETbL)

63
For those who think that there is no difference between a Dem and GOP President, just imagine where we would be if Heller were heard by nine Dem appointees.
Posted by: The Political Hat



When Republicans no longer rubber stamp Democratic Supreme Court picks, you might have a case.

Until then, Democratic nominations are Republican nominations.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 21, 2015 08:47 AM (kdS6q)

64 I found that the Fat Man who ate NJ is a gun grabber.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 21, 2015 08:15 AM (wlDny)

Nope.

He has no interest in expanding gun rights in NJ, but announced very publicly that he would not sign any of the hysterical anti-gun measures being thrown around after the Newtown murders.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 21, 2015 08:48 AM (Zu3d9)

65 How important is it the rest of y'all that a candidate actually likes guns and maybe hunting? Do you think you'd feel weird about a candidate who spoke and voted in favor of 2A rights, but had little to no interest in owning a gun and was never photographed holding one or wearing hunting gear?

Obviously, I don't think anyone is saying "I'm sitting this one out because the Republican candidate doesn't own a gun, even though he/she supports my right to do so", but is there like a weird vibe you guys get from people who are vocally not into guns themselves?

Posted by: Jenny Hates Her Phone at March 21, 2015 08:48 AM (1xjiY)

66 Vic,
Have a nice day. I know Hill Country is beautiful
Thank you!

Posted by: Carol at March 21, 2015 08:49 AM (sj3Ax)

67 "Do you think you'd feel weird about a candidate who spoke and voted in favor of 2A rights, but had little to no interest in owning a gun and was never photographed holding one or wearing hunting gear?"

The only thing that matters to me is the person's record on gun rights.

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at March 21, 2015 08:50 AM (lG2E3)

68 Until then, Democratic nominations are Republican nominations.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 21, 2015 08:47 AM (kdS6q)

Would you have preferred that Kerry had appointed two hardcore Dems right before Heller was heard?

Do difference.

It could be far, far worse, and I ain't exactly gonna shrug and say "what's the difference"?

We are past the point where if it came down to "us vs. them" that the LIVs would choose them.

We have to fight back tooth and nail. Heck, just slowing them down is a necessary start.

Posted by: The Political Hat at March 21, 2015 08:50 AM (0Ew3K)

69 >>Posted by: Jenny Hates Her Phone at March 21, 2015 08:48 AM

Well, a lot of it's a cultural thing. Some states have more of a hunting and gun culture than others.

I grew up in a conservative home raised by conservative parents in Maryland, but they did not own a gun, nor was my Dad a hunter. (And he had two daughters.)

Everyone around here (Utah) has a firearm, but I don't consider them to be better conservatives than I am.

My personal exposure to guns was via a friend when I lived in Texas -- he took husband and self shooting. (I was pretty decent at skeet.)

I don't expect my politicians to own a firearm or be a hunter or to advocate for open carry.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:53 AM (9BRsg)

70 Haley is hot.
Jindal's kids are so cute.
Walker reminds me of President Bill Pullman - wasn't there a time when Pullman kept being cast as President? Same kind of boyish wholesomeness.
Ted Cruz is still my favorite. He's so mean to lefties.

Posted by: @votermom at March 21, 2015 08:53 AM (cbfNE)

71 As long as folks are sufficiently afraid of Democrats the GOP can keep successfully serving us shit sandwich candidates.

The Supreme Court cannot take away our 2nd Amendment rights. All it can do is give us a command. What happens next is up to us.

This is why the argument the Democrats will pack the Court and take away our rights is a bad one.

The Democrats don't take our rights; we surrender them.

Stop voting for RINOs because you are afraid of Democrats.

Stop being afraid,

Posted by: eman at March 21, 2015 08:55 AM (MQEz6)

72 Jenny

i think politicians can support 2A issues in an intellectual sense and gun ownership means little since a ton of gun grabber Dems own them. Cruz is decent because he's actually done something besides grandstand over it yet i don't see him as any kind of great outdoorsman. most of the rest would probably nip a little here and there but keep the issue for further fundraising and lobbyist cash

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 08:55 AM (Cq0oW)

73 "I don't expect my politicians to own a firearm or be a hunter or to advocate for open carry."


You love Barack Obama, don't you.....

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 21, 2015 08:56 AM (Perx6)

74 As long as folks are sufficiently afraid of Democrats the GOP can keep successfully serving us shit sandwich candidates.

The Supreme Court cannot take away our 2nd Amendment rights. All it can do is give us a command. What happens next is up to us.

This is why the argument the Democrats will pack the Court and take away our rights is a bad one.

The Democrats don't take our rights; we surrender them.

Stop voting for RINOs because you are afraid of Democrats.

Stop being afraid,

Posted by: eman at March 21, 2015 08:55 AM (MQEz6)

Not everyone has those Pollyanna revolution fantasies.

I'd prefer you not get me killed or thrown in a gulag.

Posted by: The Political Hat at March 21, 2015 08:56 AM (0Ew3K)

75 He has no interest in expanding gun rights in NJ, but announced very publicly that he would not sign any of the hysterical anti-gun measures being thrown around after the Newtown murders.
--

That was my recollection as well.

Back when I still had interest in Christie (several years ago) I did some digging into his record and found that it was not as bad as some claimed.

He's a former AG. I think they tend to trend towards some measure of "gun control." Doesn't mean they're gun grabbers.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:56 AM (9BRsg)

76 You love Barack Obama, don't you.....
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 21, 2015 08:56 AM (Perx6)

FLAME WAR!!!!

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at March 21, 2015 08:57 AM (lG2E3)

77 *Excuse me: US attorney

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:57 AM (9BRsg)

78 "I'd prefer you not get me killed or thrown in a gulag."

Dude.

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at March 21, 2015 08:58 AM (lG2E3)

79 Christie would expect to be thanked for not making things worse. no thank you

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 08:59 AM (Cq0oW)

80 Yes, I DO love Barack Obama! ;-)

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:59 AM (9BRsg)

81 Posted by: The Political Hat at March 21, 2015 08:56 AM (0Ew3K)

*sigh*

I am not urging revolution.

I am trying to get folks to stop being afraid of rejecting a bad choice because of fear.

I am trying to get people to vote for the person they want not the person they fear the least.

Posted by: eman at March 21, 2015 09:00 AM (MQEz6)

82 I think next President should be one who served in Military. More discipline & understanding of how it works, unlike zero.

Posted by: Carol at March 21, 2015 09:00 AM (sj3Ax)

83 I am trying to get people to vote for the person they want not the person they fear the least.

----

Um. How are those not the same person?

Posted by: Jenny Hates Her Phone at March 21, 2015 09:01 AM (1xjiY)

84 I am trying to get folks to stop being afraid of rejecting a bad choice because of fear.

I am trying to get people to vote for the person they want not the person they fear the least.

Posted by: eman at March 21, 2015 09:00 AM (MQEz6)

When it's a choice between not as bad who can win and great that will loose so spectacularly that it'll make FDR look like a piker.

Go for the best strategic option.

Posted by: The Political Hat at March 21, 2015 09:02 AM (0Ew3K)

85 revolution won't happen anyway

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 09:02 AM (Cq0oW)

86 Feel free to go O/T, btw. I woke up soooper early. I gotta go get some coffee before I faint.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 09:02 AM (9BRsg)

87 "Yes, I DO love Barack Obama! ;-)"


Hehehehe.......

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 21, 2015 09:02 AM (Perx6)

88 He's a former AG. I think they tend to trend towards some measure of "gun control." Doesn't mean they're gun grabbers.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 08:56 AM (9BRsg)

Good point.

NJ is a "May Issue" state, with unbelievable requirements for carry permits. The most recent test case was the owner of an ATM company who wanted a carry permit for use during work.

He lost.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 21, 2015 09:02 AM (Zu3d9)

89 The folks listed above seem to be pretty evenly for the 2ndA.

Posted by: eman at March 21, 2015 09:02 AM (MQEz6)

90
Would you have preferred that Kerry had appointed two hardcore Dems right before Heller was heard?
Posted by: The Political Hat



Given the party control of the Senate from 2005 thru 2008, the only way Kerry's appointments would get to hear that case would be if they had been confirmed with a substantial number of Republican votes to get them past a potential filibuster.

Hence, the underlying problem of the GOP hand waving folks into the Champagne Room.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 21, 2015 09:03 AM (kdS6q)

91 65 How important is it the rest of y'all that a candidate actually likes guns and maybe hunting? Do you think you'd feel weird about a candidate who spoke and voted in favor of 2A rights, but had little to no interest in owning a gun and was never photographed holding one or wearing hunting gear?

Posted by: Jenny Hates Her Phone at March 21, 2015 08:48 AM (1xjiY)


That's an excellent question.

I have never hunted in my life, and I was not exposed much to guns growing up. I'm not really part of America's "gun culture".

Yet I do understand that the Second Amendment has nothing to do with hunting or crime prevention. Its purpose is to recognize that an armed citizenry is the last ditch defense against government tyranny.

There are many examples of politicians ostentatiously posing with guns to appeal for votes. I remember Mitch "The Turtle" McConnell brandishing a rifle at CPAC a couple years ago. And who can forget John Kerry "Can I get me a huntin' license here?"

Zombie has said that he/she/it is afraid of guns and doesn't want them in his/her/its home.

So yes, I would support a politician who personally doesn't like guns but understands the true purpose of the Second Amendment.

Posted by: rickl at March 21, 2015 09:03 AM (sdi6R)

92
84 I am trying to get folks to stop being afraid of rejecting a bad choice because of fear.

I am trying to get people to vote for the person they want not the person they fear the least.

Posted by: eman at March 21, 2015 09:00 AM (MQEz6)

When it's a choice between not as bad who can win and great that will loose so spectacularly that it'll make FDR look like a piker.

Go for the best strategic option.
Posted by: The Political Hat at March 21, 2015 09:02 AM (0Ew3K)

That sort of thinking is how we got to where we are today.

Posted by: eman at March 21, 2015 09:04 AM (MQEz6)

93 "revolution won't happen anyway"

Bankruptcy usually has effects difficult to distinguish from those of outright revolution.

Posted by: torquewrench at March 21, 2015 09:04 AM (noWW6)

94 >>>> I think next President should be one who served in Military

hey didja know Kerry served in VN?

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 09:05 AM (Cq0oW)

95 "Go for the best strategic option."

One strategic option I've decided on is to disobey any future unjust laws concerning firearms. I'm not trying to convince anyone else to do that, but I've decided I'm going to do that.

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at March 21, 2015 09:05 AM (lG2E3)

96 I have used guns and have owned one, but no longer do, not for decades now.

I just don't like them.

Nevertheless, I am as about as pro 2nd as a man get.

Posted by: eman at March 21, 2015 09:07 AM (MQEz6)

97 Hence, the underlying problem of the GOP hand waving folks into the Champagne Room.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 21, 2015 09:03 AM (kdS6q)

Oh, I have plenty of complaints about the GOP, especially in Nevada.

Hell, of the ten partisan offices I voted on last year I voted for multiple 3rd party candidates, and only (mostly) regretted voting for one GOPer

Posted by: The Political Hat at March 21, 2015 09:07 AM (0Ew3K)

98 Would like candidates thoughts on reciprocity for CC permits : If you have a permit in your home state , like your drivers license , you carry in any 49 others . Never much of a fan of federal law superseding state law , but there are always exceptions .And it would tie the libs in knots arguing against it . BTW now that I drive in Al , i am a much more polite driver than in NJ : why might that be .

Posted by: jaytrain at March 21, 2015 09:07 AM (uvj0z)

99 That sort of thinking is how we got to where we are today.

Posted by: eman at March 21, 2015 09:04 AM (MQEz6)

I watch the Dems constantly out-think the Republican party....getting much of what they want in spite of being the minority in both houses.

Is it possible that we simply don't have the strategy to succeed because those who conceive of and implement the strategy are a bunch of (insert Boston accent) fcuking retahds?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 21, 2015 09:08 AM (Zu3d9)

100 "Is it possible that we simply don't have the strategy to succeed because those who conceive of and implement the strategy are a bunch of (insert Boston accent) fcuking retahds?"

I resemble that remark!

Posted by: John Boner in Assless Chaps at March 21, 2015 09:09 AM (lG2E3)

101 "I'd prefer you not get me killed or thrown in a gulag."

Gulags are *so* stodgy and out of fashion.

By the way, the mandatory re-education lecture begins at 0400 hours, and it's going to be a hoot! You will just love the skits our "guests" put on!

Posted by: Happy Fun Camp Activities Director at March 21, 2015 09:10 AM (noWW6)

102 the "gun culture" bit is a bit of a myth i think.

it exists, sure, only thing is its not a guarantee the individual means what you do.

i know plenty that think the 2A is about hunting only, or that black people aren't responsible enough to have guns or, if they're cops at the shooting range, will opine that all guns ought to be taken from civilians

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 09:10 AM (Cq0oW)

103 Sometimes I have a hard time putting deeper thoughts and ideas into the written word.
So let me throw this one out there, and see if any Morons see value in the basics of the argument.
And feel free to say 'Shut up VIA, you're an idiot"

We often say that the difference between a liberal and a conservative is that if a liberal doesn't personally want to possess something, the liberal wants to pass a law making possession of it illegal.
The conservative says, if you don't want one, don't buy one, but don't prevent others from buying it.

Same with 2A in my opinion.
If a Lawmaker actively pushed for supporting and strengthening the ability for citizens to own guns, I don't really care if the lawmaker owns one him/herself.


In a liberal world turned upside down, because gun ownership as recognized by the Constitution as a right, just like the 'Bamafone program, financially underprivileged people would receive Bamaguns with up to 240 free minutes rounds per month.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 09:12 AM (PJOJz)

104 Zombie has said that he/she/it is afraid of guns and doesn't want them in his/her/its home.

----

Yeah, I was actually thinking of that thread when I asked.

I appreciate the answers (please keep 'em coming!) but I really wonder how it would be if there were a candidate up there who simply did not have a pic with a gun or hunting gear anywhere on the internetz, and so was just pictured without.

I was also thinking of Christie, to be honest. I had vague memories of bickering over whether he was a gun grabber, and a (really quick) image search of Chris Christie With Gun turned up only pics of him without a gun, a pic of a NJ boy whose family was investigated by DCF over a Facebook photo of him with a gun, and weirdly a pic of Mitch McConnell very awkwardly brandishing a gun.

I kind of think it matters more than most of us will admit, like most cultural issues. I think a candidate who didn't at least humor us with some "see, I'm like you" pics probably wouldn't go far.

Posted by: Jenny Hates Her Phone at March 21, 2015 09:12 AM (1xjiY)

105 No video of Nikki on full auto?
I denounce myself.

Posted by: NYC Parent at March 21, 2015 09:14 AM (xkhWm)

106 I think it helps to see the candidate owns & uses guns.

Posted by: @votermom at March 21, 2015 09:14 AM (cbfNE)

107 I appreciate the answers (please keep 'em coming!) but I really wonder how it would be if there were a candidate up there who simply did not have a pic with a gun or hunting gear anywhere on the internetz, and so was just pictured without.
--

I looked and could not find a picture of Mike Pence with a gun. Now, maybe it's that my google-foo failed, but I didn't find articles about him hunting or anything. Perhaps if I dug further back when he was in Congress I'd find some.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 09:14 AM (9BRsg)

108 I looked and could not find a picture of Mike Pence with a gun. Now, maybe it's that my google-foo failed, but I didn't find articles about him hunting or anything. Perhaps if I dug further back when he was in Congress I'd find some.

----

Oops! I counted the NRA logo as a gun, I guess!

Posted by: Jenny Skims The Content at March 21, 2015 09:17 AM (1xjiY)

109 If you posted this on Facebook you'd get banned for teh Hate Speech.

Posted by: NYC Parent at March 21, 2015 09:17 AM (xkhWm)

110 http://is.gd/DSWPQn

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 09:19 AM (Cq0oW)

111 i mean, that shows him with a gun. that means he supports the 2A right?

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 09:20 AM (Cq0oW)

112 But really, that's part of my point. I don't think Mike Pence will go far.

(Now the universe will align just to prove me wrong. I better get used to saying President Pence)

Posted by: Jenny Skims The Content at March 21, 2015 09:21 AM (1xjiY)

113 110 http://is.gd/DSWPQn
Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 09:19 AM (Cq0oW)

That shotgun looks kinda small.

Posted by: Joe Biden at March 21, 2015 09:21 AM (lG2E3)

114 It seems to me that it takes time to be good with a firearm and to maintain it and use it properly. It's sort of like golf. So a lot of these politicians who've been pursuing legal careers and whathaveyou as young adults may simply not have had the opportunity to pursue it.

IOW unless someone was raised in a home where firearms were a part of daily life, it doesn't surprise me if they don't own a gun as an adult.

That's the "gun culture" I'm referring to.

I could go buy a gun today. (Utah baby!) But I know nothing of how to safely handle or maintain it. It would be a big investment in time and money to get up to speed.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 09:22 AM (9BRsg)

115 One thing it would be nice to hear more of from candidates would be to explicitly ask them what changes they would recommend be made to the Constitution, were a Constitutional Convention to be held. Responses to this could be quite illuminating. Sometimes, if ill thought through, damaging.

Obama said the other day that he'd like to make voting mandatory. Then had to hastily walk it back.

On my personal list of modest revisions to the Constitution would be:

Removing the ridiculous justificatory preface to the 2A, getting rid of the "well-exercised militia" language, and simplifying the statement of principle to read simply, "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

We don't have a clause of justification preceding the 1A declaration of the right to free speech. It is considered _bonum in se_, not requiring rhetorical flourishes to make the medicine go down. The 2A should be stated in comparably clear and simple language.

Posted by: torquewrench at March 21, 2015 09:22 AM (noWW6)

116 I like Perry but he is dead wrong.

Drivers licenses are a privilege, firearm carry is a right enshrined in the Constitution.

Posted by: gdonovan at March 21, 2015 09:23 AM (Ipxoj)

117 "...I thought this week we could address..."
"...It might also be helpful for us to discuss..."

Now, see, that's where my AADD kicks in and I start to think, this post may have too much in it. Then I scrolled down to see just how much it did have in it!

Not tl;dr. Just... wow, I'm-a-gonna have to take my time to digest it. Being a slow-witted flyover country illiterate and all.

Y'couldn't've just summarized up top, like, column one is a list of second-Amendment friendly candidates, column two being others who don't comprehend these words in this order: "shall not be infringed"?

Posted by: mindful webworker - what, me politic? at March 21, 2015 09:24 AM (chFFu)

118 I know that actual gun-grabbing politicians routinely make an effort to be seen holding guns even if they don't actually like them (or if they do like them but don't want you to have them). I think they wouldn't do that, or eat those stupid corn dogs, if they didn't see a huge benefit from it.

Posted by: Jenny Skims The Content at March 21, 2015 09:24 AM (1xjiY)

119 "I like Perry but he is dead wrong.
Drivers licenses are a privilege, firearm carry is a right enshrined in the Constitution."

Yeah, he needs to rethink that one.

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at March 21, 2015 09:26 AM (lG2E3)

120 "Removing the ridiculous justificatory preface to the 2A, getting rid of the "well-exercised militia" language, and simplifying the statement of principle to read simply, "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." "

I would go with something along the lines of:

Recognizing the right of the people to change their government if the government fails to follow the Constitution, and to change it by force if necessary, the right of the people to keep and bear arms suitable to effect that change shall not be infringed.

But that's just me.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 09:26 AM (PJOJz)

121 gonna take the kid for a walk

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 09:28 AM (Cq0oW)

122 I really did completely skim over the Mike Pence entry entirely! Even the disclaimer that Y-Not couldn't find a gun pic of him.

I guess I answered my own question. Candidates who are never photographed with a gun are literally invisible to me.

Posted by: Jenny Skims The Content at March 21, 2015 09:28 AM (1xjiY)

123 I almost forgot


Hi Bob!

*waves to NSA guy*

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 09:29 AM (PJOJz)

124 But that's just me.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 09:26 AM (PJOJz)

So hunting arms would be illegal in blue states.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 21, 2015 09:29 AM (Zu3d9)

125 "So hunting arms would be illegal in blue states."

"Recognizing the right of the people to change their government if the government fails to follow the Constitution, and to change it by force if necessary, the right of the people to keep and bear arms , including arms suitable to effect that change shall not be infringed. "

Better?

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 09:33 AM (PJOJz)

126 105 No video of Nikki on full auto?
I denounce myself.
Posted by: NYC Parent at March 21, 2015 09:14 AM (xkhWm)

OMG, those shapely upper arms would be jiggling.

BRB.

Posted by: rickl at March 21, 2015 09:34 AM (sdi6R)

127 " I'm genuinely curious to hear what expectations you have."

I expect them to say whatever their advisors tell them is the right thing to say to get elected, lying through their teeth all the way.

Politicians. Paw. I'd expect more trustworthiness from a tapeworm, which is at least an honest parasite.

It doesn't matter what they say. It matters what (little) they do.

Posted by: Joel at March 21, 2015 09:34 AM (b/Vqk)

128 Kerry's nickname here in MA is Liveshot, because he'd show up anywhere to get his pic taken!

Posted by: Carol at March 21, 2015 09:35 AM (sj3Ax)

129 I fully support the Rich Dumbass Prog Security Detail Tax.

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at March 21, 2015 09:35 AM (lG2E3)

130 Y'couldn't've just summarized up top, like, column one is a list of second-Amendment friendly candidates, column two being others who don't comprehend these words in this order: "shall not be infringed"?
--

The trouble is they ALL say that. And even the NRA ratings are not 100% reliable assessments or predictors. I'm trying to avoid inserting my own bias into these things.

I am noodling over how to do a summary table as has been requested w/o putting my own spin on it too much. Open to suggestions.


To me on this issue, Cruz is the winner. Literally. He wrote the amicus brief for Heller. He wins.

I'd say Haley looks very good, too, but SC isn't open carry yet (I think), so should that count against her? NRA loves her.

Those are the judgment calls that are tricky in developing a scoring system.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 09:36 AM (9BRsg)

131 126 105 No video of Nikki on full auto?
I denounce myself.
Posted by: NYC Parent at March 21, 2015 09:14 AM (xkhWm)

OMG, those shapely upper arms would be jiggling.

BRB.
Posted by: rickl at March 21, 2015 09:34 AM (sdi6R)


Isn't there video of Haley firing an M2 mounted on a pintle?

Posted by: EC at March 21, 2015 09:36 AM (doBIb)

132 Oh no, it was a mini gun!

Posted by: EC at March 21, 2015 09:38 AM (doBIb)

133 To me on this issue, Cruz is the winner. Literally. He wrote the amicus brief for Heller. He wins.

Yep. Hard to argue against his record.

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at March 21, 2015 09:38 AM (lG2E3)

134


Better?





Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 09:33 AM (PJOJz)
***************I don't see a need for all those words. Brevity is best IMHO.

"The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
Period.

Posted by: mightgeta'nic1day at March 21, 2015 09:38 AM (XCDz9)

135 Scratch that. It was the M249.

Posted by: EC at March 21, 2015 09:39 AM (doBIb)

136 >>> OMG, those shapely upper arms would be jiggling.

Hey Sailor!

Posted by: Rosie O'Jiggles at March 21, 2015 09:39 AM (Ua6T/)

137 Y-Not, if you were local to me I'd take you and your husband shooting.

First of all, it is fun, loads of fun
Second it is a useful skill,
And thirdly, it is like learning to use a stick-shift when you own cars with an automatic transmission. It is a useful skill to have, and you are more use to others when the skill is needed.

And really, it is a great advertisement for safe gun ownership. I'm six feet tall and I look like I once might have bench-pressed a Volkswagen. Big rough guys who own guns are kinda scary. Sweet ladies down the block who have pretty yards owning guns make it normal.

Finally, the right pistol is not too terribly hard to clean. Shucks, I know blackpowder fans who ran their cap and ball revolvers through the dishwasher.
I don't know how their wives feel about it, though.

Posted by: Kindltot at March 21, 2015 09:39 AM (t//F+)

138 And she did it in heels.

Posted by: EC at March 21, 2015 09:40 AM (doBIb)

139 Not a video, but Nikki and guns


http://www.guns.com/?p=70747

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 09:40 AM (PJOJz)

140 Not a video, but Nikki and guns


There should almost be a NSFW on that.

Posted by: EC at March 21, 2015 09:41 AM (doBIb)

141 I don't think the government should be issuing driver's licenses.

I think it is none of their damn business.

I think your insurance company should certify your status as safe driver.

Posted by: eman at March 21, 2015 09:41 AM (MQEz6)

142 Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 09:33 AM (PJOJz)

Better!

[pretty damned good actually!]

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 21, 2015 09:42 AM (Zu3d9)

143 And she did it in heels.
Posted by: EC at March 21, 2015 09:40 AM
***********

my turn

brb

Posted by: mightgeta'nic1day at March 21, 2015 09:42 AM (XCDz9)

144 Just ran across this over at the Reaganite Republican.

This illustrates the contention that, better than abandoning the Republican party, purge it.

http://bit.ly/purge-GOP

Posted by: mindful webworker - not being here now at March 21, 2015 09:42 AM (chFFu)

145 115
On my personal list of modest revisions to the Constitution would be:

Removing the ridiculous justificatory preface to the 2A, getting rid of the "well-exercised militia" language, and simplifying the statement of principle to read simply, "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

We don't have a clause of justification preceding the 1A declaration of the right to free speech. It is considered _bonum in se_, not requiring rhetorical flourishes to make the medicine go down. The 2A should be stated in comparably clear and simple language.

Posted by: torquewrench at March 21, 2015 09:22 AM (noWW6)


How about the wording of Article 1, Section 21 of the Pennsylvania Constitution:


Section 21 . Right to Bear Arms
The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.


That suggests to me that the mere mention of gun control would be unconstitutional.

Posted by: rickl at March 21, 2015 09:42 AM (sdi6R)

146 "To me on this issue, Cruz is the winner. Literally. He wrote the amicus brief for Heller. He wins."

Also, the quoted exchange with Cruz wherein Woodruff tried twice to sandbag him is just about note-perfect.

Posted by: torquewrench at March 21, 2015 09:43 AM (noWW6)

147 http://tinyurl.com/pmmqytp

Not as sext as Nikki Haley, but still moving

Posted by: fluffy at March 21, 2015 09:45 AM (Ua6T/)

148 Everyone just put their sharpies down and step away from the Constitution and nobody gets hurt.

Posted by: @votermom at March 21, 2015 09:45 AM (cbfNE)

149 Everyone just put their sharpies down and step away from the Constitution and nobody gets hurt.

Posted by: @votermom at March 21, 2015 09:45 AM (cbfNE)

*lights flamethrower*

Posted by: Barack Obama at March 21, 2015 09:46 AM (0Ew3K)

150 ""The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
Period."

I agree with what you're saying.

And in a sane world, that should be plenty.

I can see the next election slogan.

"If you like your arms, you can keep your arms"




Now if the modified Constitution comes with an addendum, maybe "The Constitution for Dummies", you could get LIVs to understand what that brief new 2A means.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 09:47 AM (PJOJz)

151 You could divide the 2nd into two parts, two amemdments.

One says the people rule and no government is safe from disposal and replacement.

The other one says the right to bear arms shall not be infringed.

Posted by: eman at March 21, 2015 09:47 AM (MQEz6)

152
I think your insurance company should certify your status as safe driver.
Posted by: eman at March 21, 2015 09:41 AM (MQEz6)

Oh, my yes. No lines at the DMV and the insurance companies would make sure you actually knew the rules, your vehicle, and had training. I also could see them making you post a bond for the deductible if you were an idiot.

Posted by: Kindltot at March 21, 2015 09:48 AM (t//F+)

153 I guess I answered my own question. Candidates who are never photographed with a gun are literally invisible to me.
--

That is soooo funny! :-)

It's a good question, Jenny.


I will dip my RINO-y toe into the water and express something that my fellow RINOs have also shared (in secret)... It is not my favorite thing to have to have an opinion - a positive opinion - about Duck Dynasty or "assault rifles" or whatever. There are times when I think I'm being expected to be someone I'm not in order to fit into the Good Conservative club.

The stuff about requiring me to own a gun that I read from time to time -- I hate that.

I think 2nd Amendment champions forget that there *is* a component of this that is cultural.

Here's an example. A year or so ago I was thinking about pursuing a hobby for husband and self in skeet shooting. I had done all sorts of research (even called a gun club), but I wanted to know how to go about the steps for purchasing and if there was licensing etc. So I asked a person I know who is REALLY INTO HUNTING. She and her husband are those folks who travel the globe bagging certain animals -- it has a name, I forget, that you get when you have them all. (We don't know each other well -- she works w/ my husband.)

Anyway, I happened to see her at a dinner thing and asked her about what it took to purchase a shotgun. She knows I'm conservative, btw. Her reaction to me -- who is from back East -- even *asking* if there were laws to follow was awful. She really looked angry at me for asking and spouted something about the Second Amendment.

I had to apologize to her for being from a state that had gun laws.

That was not helpful.

It did NOT make it easier for me to join the Gun Culture.


I guess I'm just saying that just as some of you are annoyed to have to have the Pro Lifers be the face of the conservative movement -- or maybe "uncomfortable" is a better word -- because it's not your thing... that's how some of us RINOs feel about the gun stuff.

Just bear in mind that we are your allies, but this stuff is not necessarily natural for us. Perhaps we need educating. But we don't need to be judged for not being a gun person.

*NOT saying you folks are doing that here, but it does happen.*


I want to win this time. (I'm a pollyanna.) I want the Big Tent to work in such a way that we win. Really win and get a conservative POTUS.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 09:48 AM (9BRsg)

154 Dino would get my vote!

When Sinatra and Sammy Davis were vigorously campaigning for JFK, Dean Martin didn't take part and warned Frank and Sammy not to trust the Kennedys

Posted by: kbdabear at March 21, 2015 09:50 AM (GrXXa)

155 Can I get me a huntin' license here? I like crawling on my belly huntin' deer.

Posted by: John Kerry Fitting In at March 21, 2015 09:50 AM (gwG9s)

156 "Section 21 . Right to Bear Arms
The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned. "
Not familiar with existing PA gun laws.
But, in accordance with the PA Constitution, are legal handgun ownership laws along the line of "It's None of your damn business why I want one"?

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 09:52 AM (PJOJz)

157 Shucks, I know blackpowder fans who ran their cap and ball revolvers through the dishwasher.
I don't know how their wives feel about it, though.

I've recommended that cleaning method several times on this blog. And I figured it out all by myself. Good thing I'm single, because arguing over this kind of stuff would be a marriage breaker for me.

Posted by: Ed Anger at March 21, 2015 09:54 AM (RcpcZ)

158 If I were a candidate for public office, I would have to borrow a gun to be photographed with because of the canoe...damn tippy canoe...over deep, dark, cold water.

Damn canoe.

Morning all.

Posted by: fairweatherbill at March 21, 2015 09:55 AM (o/3Hk)

159 "Just bear in mind that we are your allies, but this stuff is not necessarily natural for us. Perhaps we need educating. But we don't need to be judged for not being a gun person. "

This is worth reading twice.
Slowly.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 09:57 AM (PJOJz)

160 Hey, the thread went gun before the first comment! Well, anyway, my .864 double-loader scope muzzle racks a .210 load over and under on the stock guard.

Posted by: Bob's House of Flannel Shirts and Wallet Chains at March 21, 2015 09:57 AM (yxw0r)

161 Y-Not, if you were local to me I'd take you and your husband shooting.
---

Thanks, kindlot!

We enjoyed it. He enjoyed the handgun target shooting and I really enjoyed skeet.

But to get to the next level of buying one, we'd really want to feel very comfortable maintaining one. I know there are classes, but there's nothing quite like having a friend show you the ropes.

It may happen someday. Gotta find the right friend.

My interest would most definitely be in skeet type shooting and possible bird hunting.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 09:58 AM (9BRsg)

162 Speaking of drinking, I just got back from New Orleans. I ordered a drink at a bar and the bartender asked me "Do you want that for here, or to go?"
I was gobsmacked.

Posted by: navybrat at March 21, 2015 09:59 AM (JgC5a)

163 Dean Martin & Clark Gable were both from the Steubenville/Cadiz, Ohio area. Steubenville was once a rowdy town. And me? Well, I'm an interesting historical figure.

Posted by: Moses Fleetwood Walker at March 21, 2015 09:59 AM (gwG9s)

164 Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 09:58 AM (9BRsg)

For skeet you really can't go wrong with an over/under. And they are easy to maintain.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 21, 2015 10:01 AM (Zu3d9)

165 I looked up some info on Gov. Martinez since I was so impressed with her shooting. She is my age and has been comfortable around firearms since HS and college. From Wiki: Martinez attended Riverside High School in El Paso where she was student body president. An honors student, she graduated in 1977. She earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Texas at El Paso. While at UTEP, she worked for her father's security guard company. Martinez patrolled a parking lot of a Catholic bingo hall and has said she carried a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum while on the job.

Impressive. I don't agree with her stance on Obamacare but on the 2nd amendment, she has my vote.

Posted by: bossy barbara at March 21, 2015 10:01 AM (vPh3W)

166 "Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 09:48 AM (9BRsg)"

Good points. When I'm asked, I go out of my way to explain to people that I absolutely support their right to NOT own guns.

When asked if I think everyone should own a gun, I say, "Of course not. You have a right to own guns. The existence of a right necessarily implies the freedom to choose not to exercise that right."

I work with anti-gun progs. On two occasions I've taken women out to shoot for the very first time. After learning the basics of gun safety and shooting a .22 rifle and pistol, they were both like, "This is kinda fun. What's the big deal?"

We gun people can be our own worst enemies sometimes.

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at March 21, 2015 10:02 AM (lG2E3)

167 For skeet you really can't go wrong with an over/under. And they are easy to maintain.
--

I understand (from VP Biden) that if I have one I can shoot through the door. Beats wetting myself if I'm attacked by a rapist.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 10:03 AM (9BRsg)

168 >>>Martinez patrolled a parking lot of a Catholic bingo hall and has said she carried a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum while on the job.


doesn't answer whether she thinks a civilian with no job requiring a gun ought to have one

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 10:04 AM (Cq0oW)

169 "I understand (from VP Biden) that if I have one I can shoot through the door."


I can see a SNL skit now.

Police No-Knock raid at wrong address collides with Joe Biden trained gun owner.

Hilarity ensues....

Not.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 10:06 AM (PJOJz)

170 I can see a SNL skit now.

Police No-Knock raid at wrong address collides with Joe Biden trained gun owner.

Hilarity ensues....

---

LAND SHARK

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 10:07 AM (9BRsg)

171 don't get me wrong, I'm sure she is fine

but ownership and carrying and even longstanding familiarity mean nothing

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 10:07 AM (Cq0oW)

172 Police No-Knock raid at wrong address collides with Joe Biden trained gun owner.


*knock knock*

"Candygram..."

Posted by: EC at March 21, 2015 10:07 AM (doBIb)

173 Heh...y-not and I are on the same wavelength.

Posted by: EC at March 21, 2015 10:08 AM (doBIb)

174 And the legendary Horde HiveMind (TM) strikes again

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 10:08 AM (PJOJz)

175 >>Heh...y-not and I are on the same wavelength.


RINO!

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 10:09 AM (9BRsg)

176 Don't judge me!!!!

Posted by: EC at March 21, 2015 10:10 AM (doBIb)

177 take the 2A with Jefferson's dictum on free speech

I may not agree with you owning that firearm but I'll defend to the death your Right to have it

eh works i guess

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 10:10 AM (Cq0oW)

178 Thanks for wading through the web to get us solid info Y-not. Your round-ups had to have taken a lot of time and effort.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at March 21, 2015 10:12 AM (GDulk)

179 Bigby

I understand what you are saying. Just because she is comfortable doesn't mean she isn't against some restrictions. I was impressed with her comfort in firearms just because of my own discomfort.

I didn't grow up with any experience with guns although my family is very conservative. We never had any firearms nor did we hunt. My hubby and I have purchased firearms and are learning to shoot and be comfortable. At my age it's taking a while.

Posted by: bossy barbara at March 21, 2015 10:12 AM (vPh3W)

180 Kbdabear,
Dean was my favorite & I didn't know he warned the others about JFK.
Thank you!

Posted by: Carol at March 21, 2015 10:13 AM (sj3Ax)

181 Nood Dave

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 10:15 AM (PJOJz)

182 I hate to see phony politician pics posing with high end shotguns, shooting imaginary clays. The gun sport that's socially acceptable in Harvard circles.

Perry's AR pic and Martinez with a handgun appeal to me more. I wouldn't base my vote on that, but I still mark it as a point against someone to pose with a fancy, 'civilized' gun.

Posted by: adolfo_velasquez at March 21, 2015 10:17 AM (VRc/p)

183 @2

Y-not, my personal opinion is that everyone without a criminal record is entitled to handguns for self-defense, and sporting rifles for fun.

That said, we on the Right make ourselves look like loons constantly tweeting pics of hot women stroking rifle barrels, and of tots playing with freaking machine guns.

I don't think there is a 2nd Amendment right to your own A-1 tank in your drive.

That said, let me comment on that photo of Nikki Haley...

I would bang that like Dick Cheney firing off his M-60 with bath salts shoved up his ass up to his uvula. Judge me if you will, but dang it all: her crotch nest of shame would look like a blown out truck tire before my ammo magazine went limp, Baby!!

Posted by: CoolCzech at March 21, 2015 10:23 AM (Dpaqu)

184 bossybarbara

I'm mostly saying the litmus of a Right is not what you reserve or prefer for yourself, nor what you're comfortable with.

Posted by: Bigby's Knuckle Sandwich at March 21, 2015 10:29 AM (Cq0oW)

185 Thanks for the convo, folks! See you next week!

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 10:31 AM (9BRsg)

186 Y-Not - pic of Mike Pence with a gun in my sig. He will post them in his Facebook feed quite often as well.

Posted by: Emile Antoon Khadaji at March 21, 2015 10:32 AM (Nj2wY)

187 My interest would most definitely be in skeet type shooting and possible bird hunting.
Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 09:58 AM (9BRsg)

Southwest is a good place to hunt birds, I have heard. Has something to do with the crickets.

The essentials of gun cleaning:

Rod, patches, Q-tips, toothbrush, Break-free, and baby-wipes.

Baby wipes are fantastic one-use swabs, and they are designed to get greasy stuff off and not be too abrasive.

I always wondered if Break-free would make pre-moistened towlettes for field use.

Posted by: Kindltot at March 21, 2015 10:34 AM (t//F+)

188 Have a good day Y-not

Thanks again for the time and effort that you put into these posts weekly.


The head Ewok should maybe consider sharing some of his millions in ill gotten lucre with the COBs

maybe a prophet (Peace be upon his hairy back) sharing program.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 10:35 AM (PJOJz)

189 186 Y-Not - pic of Mike Pence with a gun in my sig. He will post them in his Facebook feed quite often as well.
---

Thanks! I will update the post.

I figured I had to be missing pictures, but I struck out on my searches.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 10:35 AM (9BRsg)

190 Kindletot

Breakfree wipes
http://tinyurl.com/kjrp8c7

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 21, 2015 10:36 AM (PJOJz)

191 It just boggles my mind that anyone voted for anything other than States Rights.

States Rights is how you deal with abortion, and Obamacare, and Gun Rights, and every other Constitutional infringement and power expansion of the federal government.

Or you can keep trying to do it through Congress - how's that working out for you?

Posted by: Xavier at March 21, 2015 10:50 AM (azi2I)

192 154 Dino would get my vote!

When Sinatra and Sammy Davis were vigorously campaigning for JFK, Dean Martin didn't take part and warned Frank and Sammy not to trust the Kennedys

Posted by: kbdabear at March 21, 2015 09:50 AM (GrXXa)


Not to go off into the weeds here, but I can't shake the suspicion that the JFK assassination was really a Mob hit. Lord knows they had sufficient motive.

Posted by: rickl at March 21, 2015 10:51 AM (sdi6R)

193 I exercised my 2A rights this week; .223 bolt gun. It'll make a nice companion piece to the... well, you know!

The background check cleared quicker than I could put a check mark by the "No's" on the form. Hmmm.

btw, I enjoy Duck Dynasty.

Posted by: Spun and Murky at March 21, 2015 11:07 AM (4DCSq)

194 "191 It just boggles my mind that anyone voted for anything other than States Rights"

How, exactly, do you vote for States Rights?

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 11:15 AM (9BRsg)

195 @194 Now you're living dangerously, RINO!

I thought the same thing, though.

And what exactly makes state government safer than the federal one? The federal constitution protects you in states with liberal majorities.

Posted by: CoolCzech at March 21, 2015 11:19 AM (Dpaqu)

196 Heh, CC.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 11:26 AM (9BRsg)

197 Watching "Vikings" on the History Channel.

OK where did foxy, hawt Viking gals get their teeth fixed, buy their makeup, and hire expensive hairdressers?

Just saying...

Posted by: CoolCzech at March 21, 2015 11:29 AM (Dpaqu)

198

I like this pic of QE2 with a Lee-Enfield even better.

http://tinyurl.com/lv97pn

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at March 21, 2015 11:32 AM (ynQIy)

199 Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the top 4 list which started this post. Both of my girls are conservative and pro-gun. But it took a lot of work by mom and dad to over ride the indoctrination they received in school.

IMO, taking back the education of our children HAS to be the number one priority on the Rights platform. Call them what you like left/liberal/socialist/commie or just plan old dirty hippies who never grew-up, the Department of Education is turning our kids into stupid sheep. EVERY study of the current Millinials generation finds that these young people are completely unprepared for life on their own.

Back before the unfortunate beginning of the DOE, America was #1 in the education of our children. We are now somewhere near 30th. The Right HAS to take control of the education of our children, and put it back in the hands of the States/Local Gov'ts/Parents where it was in the 50s and early 60s when we were #1.

Without young people knowing their Constitutional rights, the history of our country, the truth of why we must sometimes go to War, the dangers of socialism/commies/liberalism our Country is F_CKED! If we don't stop using taxpayer $s to pay anti-American professors in our colleges we are F_CKED!

Everything else on that platform list will come about with the honest education of our children. People, take back the responsibility for the education of your children. Take it away from agenda driven Washington.

Posted by: SafetyGuy at March 21, 2015 11:34 AM (jmAJ8)

200 "http://tinyurl.com/lv97pn"


Practicing her "Mad Minute."

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 21, 2015 11:42 AM (Perx6)

201 When the democrats say "open and honest" about any policy issue, you know they are lying.

Posted by: Maximus at March 21, 2015 11:52 AM (T3hOB)

202 Greetings:

Governor Haley seems to be leaning a bit too backwards for my liking when firing a long rifle, even a semi-automatic one. A bit of upper body forward lean helps both the shooters balance and projects evil intent.

As to Governor Martinez, again, the poor lean and it looks like she has her elbows "locked". A bit of bend in the elbows is my preference to minimize some of the recoil effect. Lastly, pistols are designed to be fired with one hand so try that a bit.

Posted by: 11B40 at March 21, 2015 12:05 PM (yMbU8)

203
My interest would most definitely be in skeet type shooting and possible bird hunting.
Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 09:58 AM (9BRsg)

Fun! I'm not that good, but San Antonio is HQ to the shotgun sports, and if it weren't raining right now I'd be able to hear the shots from the nation's oldest gun club. This club has a ladies skeet league that's actually a weekly group lesson, so beginners feel totally welcome, even though advanced shooters shoot too. I did it one summer with some GFs, and it was great. Maybe you can find something like that.

Over and under shotguns are easy to clean. Semi-autos are easy but a tad more complicated, and you have to put them back together right or else you have a single-shot. Don't ask how I know that. Our family has one of each. All the more advanced ladies league shooters were using over and unders, mostly Beretta. Ideally you have a gunsmith cut the stock to fit you perfectly, but I didn't do that because I was using my son's gun. This is getting into some big bucks too.

Sorry that bitch was so mean to you. Most gun people I know are welcoming, but I guess in every group there are turds. I really used to hate girls who were into horses. So many of them were such snobs about it.

Thanks for all the work you put into this post!

Posted by: stace at March 21, 2015 12:10 PM (ImzkZ)

204 As to Governor Martinez, again, the poor lean and it looks like she has her elbows "locked".
---

I can't comment on her form, but she hit every target in what seemed like a pretty short span of time. I thought it was pretty cool.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 12:17 PM (9BRsg)

205 The Jindal kids are totes adorbs!

IMHO it's nice if the candidate is a hunter, but not necessary. There's a subset of hunters who are Fudds anyway, so I almost prefer seeing a candidate weilding a scary "assault weapon" or knocking it out with a semi-auto handgun like Martinez.

everyone knows Cruz is a city boy, but his 2A record is impeccable and that's what counts.

I'm just so excited that TX is on the verge of getting campus carry and open carry. Knock on wood.

Posted by: stace at March 21, 2015 12:19 PM (ImzkZ)

206 Thanks, stace.

She is really really conservative and from a state where everyone has firearms... so I took it more as a cultural difference than an intention to be mean. It did throw me off, though.

Posted by: Y-not at March 21, 2015 12:20 PM (9BRsg)

207 I've only taken formal handgun instruction a couple of times, but I was taught to shoot just as Martinez is shooting. Different instructors prefer different methods though.

Posted by: stace at March 21, 2015 12:22 PM (ImzkZ)

208 pistols are designed to be fired with one hand so try that a bit.
Posted by: 11B40 at March 21, 2015 12:05 PM
........................
It was clearly competition so I think it would ill-advised to do so unnecessarily.

Now Haley, oh, yeah...accuracy aside, good thing it's not a more powerful caliber (I assume it's .30 or she might be flat on her ass.

I confess that my immediate thoughts on her pic are unrelated to form, er...sort of.

Posted by: jow at March 21, 2015 12:23 PM (XCDz9)

209 "191 It just boggles my mind that anyone voted for anything other than States Rights"



How, exactly, do you vote for States Rights?

Why, in the poll Ace had a few days ago - isn't that what we're talking about?

Posted by: Xavier at March 21, 2015 12:41 PM (azi2I)

210 Each of us has the unalienable right to keep and bear arms.

We each have the PRIVILEGE to not exercise that right.

As long as the commitment to the 2nd is inviolate it does NOT matter if the right is not exercised.

Posted by: irongrampa at March 21, 2015 12:51 PM (jeCnD)

211
We believe in an honest, open national conversation about firearms.

we don't need to have a conversation about firearms,the 2nd amendment says we can have them and the right will not be infringed.end of conversation

Posted by: kj at March 21, 2015 12:54 PM (lKyWE)

212 Greetings, especially 204, 207, 208.

I admit I kind of have problem with the domination of the two-handed "combat stance" these days. One of my problems is the Hollywood influence that seems to preclude any other approach artistically and otherwise.

More important though is what I see as the difference between target shooting and gun-fighting. The combat stance requires exposing a wider target area and precludes the use of some cover and/or concealment opportunities.

Which is not to say target shooting isn't a worthy goal in itself. But practicing pistol shooting with either hand, and more with your weaker hand can provide a useful advantage in extreme situations. This seems to be largely ignored these days.

Posted by: 11B40 at March 21, 2015 12:57 PM (yMbU8)

213 Posted by: 11B40 at March 21, 2015 12:57 PM (yMbU

Oh yeah, now I see where you're coming from. I see some of the gun blogs pushing gunfighting now, and that's got to be a good thing.

Posted by: stace at March 21, 2015 04:07 PM (ImzkZ)

214 Better picture of Jindal
https://pbs.tw___.com/media/B05p6UVIIAAWAKy.jpg

Posted by: hurricane567 at March 21, 2015 11:01 PM (WvmTs)

215 DAMNIT try this instead
http://tinyurl.com/kkq2d6v

Posted by: hurricane567 at March 21, 2015 11:03 PM (WvmTs)

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