Self-defense laws on the rise

[Bill Glasheen]

Van

In all honesty, don't you think "formulas" and other such hard rules are just as dangerous?

If all things fall into place, I'm likely to end up with a brand new puppy at the end of this month. The breed is a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

The most remarkable thing about that breed is that they are the only breed used to hunt lions. Understand they don't ATTACK the lions. They stalk and harass them, only bark when the master really needs to get his butt over there, and generally do what most dogs don't while living to bark about it.

A characteristic of the breed is that they are "hard headed." They tend to do what they want to do, and will train the master rather than the other way around if given the opportunity.

I got to thinking about that personality trait, and what it took to stalk a lion and live. And suddenly it all made perfect sense. "Obedient" and predictable dogs will not survive an encounter with a lion. They have all the tools they need to do what they do, and they do it using their own wits on the spot. And when it isn't time to hunt, they don't bark.


To me, this is what the perfect "street", LEO, or combat martial artist should be like.

- Bill

[Van Canna]

Great dogs with wonderful instincts.

When it is all there by instinct then instinct shall prevail.

Back to the guns...


_ People shouldn’t have a right to carry firearms because we shouldn’t have to worry about being murdered if one of our neighbors has a "bad day" _

You carry a gun and you will be banned from post offices, schools, and churches.

People only own guns for a power trip_ gun owners are uneducated "rednecks," and Handguns are designed to kill and are weapons of mass destruction

And guns have a tendency to fire even as person doesn’t pulls the trigger.

If guns did not exist, we would not have any need for self-defense.

People with guns like to show off they carry them like "I'm carrying a gun right now and you can't even tell," In some states that would be considered illegal, "threatening" behavior.

[gmattson]

did someone steal your username????

I can't believe I'm reading these posts from you....

The Van I know carries at least 2 guns, a couple of knives and I'm not sure about the brass knuckles, hmmmm

What happened to the Van we all love????

[MikeK]

Justin shrunk himself down, climbed into Van's head and is now in control of him. About right now he has Van buying a hybrid car.

[Van Canna]

Ha....just tickling your trigger fingers guys...

[Van Canna]

Funny thing, I carry no weapons at all for the most part.

I rely on my Italian accent and improvised weapons

[Van Canna]

Justin shrunk himself down, climbed into Van's head and is now in control of him. About right now he has Van buying a hybrid car.

Actually hybrids are a piece of crap and cost more money to own and operate.

[RACastanet]

I am not surprised that Rich treats today's "shocking" adolescents with respect. Rich is a class act. And I resist the temptation within to make a comment when I see a kid with his pants down to his thighs and his boxer shorts flapping in the breeze.

Thank you Bill.

Van... This is getting very interesting.

Back to the gang style of dress...

My favorite part time job is as a substitute teacher for Marine Corps JROTC. In March I had a two week assignment to cover for an ill Marine. Great fun. I get to talk about war fighting, weapons, run around the school in formation carrying M14s shouting cadence etc.

These kids are for the most part committed to the program. They stay in shape, wear their uniforms twice a week and stay well groomed. The rest of the week they are high school kids and dress accordingly. as Bill mentioned I cannot figure out how they do anything with their pants dragging.

One benefit of this sloppy dress is that when there is any kind of agressive behavior I need to attend to I do not worry much about being harmed as the kids cannot move very fast with untied shoes and pants around the knees and dragging on the floor. They trip themselves up.

The school has a code that discourages gang colors so while there is this 'look' it is rare to have a real gang at the school.

When I teach outside the JROTC program I am always pleased to see in a class the cadets I know. Even though they are in the 'hood fashion' they still show me the respect I get in the JROTC classes. In fact, if there are any trouble makers in the class these kids warn the trouble makers to behave for Mr. 'C'!

This is anecdotal but it is clear to me that the clothes are mostly a fashion statement.

One kid did show up earlier this year wearing the Marine JROTC uniform in gang fashion... trousers hanging low, shirt untucked and cover (that is Marine for hat) on askew. He was given one chance to get squared away and when he refused he was booted out of the program on the spot and hauled to the office. He is one who chose the 'gang' over his commitment to the JROTC.

So, while I do not approve of the 'look' as long as it does not interfere with the program and is not worn when not appropriate I tolerate it.

Rich

[RACastanet]

The expansion of self defense rights continues:

MINNEAPOLIS - Having secured the right of most Minnesotans to carry firearms in public, gun-rights advocates began moving Thursday to expand the legal freedom to shoot in self-defense.

A bill introduced in the Legislature by Republicans and backed by the National Rifle Association would allow the use of deadly force against an attacker anywhere citizens have a legal right to be, if they reasonably believe they face imminent danger of death or substantial bodily harm.

The legislation would codify and extend court decisions that already authorize deadly force against an intruder in one's own home. It would eliminate a legal duty to retreat as a first line of self-defense and allow the use of "superior force" -- a gun against an unarmed assailant, for example -- "so long as the individual's objective is defense."

It just keeps getting better for law abiding citizens!

Rich

[RACastanet]

Unfortunately, the right to bear arms is under attack in other countries:

Kenya: Take the Guns Too, Like Everything Else

The Nation (Nairobi)

OPINION
May 3, 2006
Posted to the web May 3, 2006

Gabriel Dolan
Nairobi

The news that Internal Security minister John Michuki is launching a security operation to collect weapons in the North Rift may shock the rest of the nation, but it will hardly come as a surprise to the pastoralist communities affected.

The colonial and post-colonial governments have taken everything else from them for the past 100 years. All that remains are their weapons, purchased to defend their lives and livelihoods.

So, in desperation, community leaders may well exclaim: "Go ahead, take our guns, too, since you have grabbed everything else."

[Bill Glasheen]

Van

I never doubted you a minute. We've been around a long time. I understand and appreciate your modus operendum.

It's a very healthy thing to play devil's advocate - even with yourself. Our most cherished beliefs need to be dusted off and renewed now and then. Times change, people change, and circumstances change. A "way" (do) needs constantly to adapt to its surroundings, or it becomes anachronistic and thus irrelevant.


Plus the brain needs to be taken out for a spin around the block now and then.

- Bill

[RACastanet]

Good news from Oklahoma:

Gov. Henry Signs 'Stand Your Ground'

Legislation that gives greater legal protections to people who defend themselves when threatened or attacked was signed into law by Oklahoma Gov.

But unfortunely some not so good news from Hew Hampshire:

Gov. Lynch Vetoes Self-Defense Bill

Lynch vetoed legislation that would have protected law abiding citizens right to self-defense in any place they had a right to be if they believed someone was about to commit a crime against them.

Rich

[RACastanet]

Great news for firearm owners in Arizona:

Governor Signs Pre-Emption Bill
Governor Napolitano on Friday signed into law HB 2649, a bill to generally prohibit the state - except for the Legislature - and local governments from creating new laws or rules relating to the possession or storage of firearms.

Rich

[RACastanet]

Self defense has taken a huge hit in Scotland. Read this:

'Give up knives or pay the price'
MICHAEL HOWIE

Lord advocate unveils new crackdown on 'knife culture' in Scotland Longer sentences, swifter trials and more police powers granted Announcement made ahead of month-long UK-wide knife amnesty Key quote
"We must give our young people the incentive and the confidence to end the knife culture. We must build strong communities, free from the fear of violence." - COLIN BOYD QC

Story in full SCOTLAND'S Lord Advocate yesterday unveiled a new crackdown on knife crime which he said would result in tougher sentences for people caught carrying weapons.

Colin Boyd QC has given police and prosecutors hardline instructions for dealing with knife-related offences in a bid to tackle the country's blade-carrying culture.

Any person accused of carrying or using a knife who has a similar previous conviction will face prosecution before a judge and jury instead of a sheriff alone, meaning tougher sentences will be handed down.

Police have also been instructed to arrest anyone caught carrying a knife and police will no longer be able to grant bail to someone arrested for such an offence - instead they will be kept in custody before their first appearance in court.

For the full story:

http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=762652006

How soon before some 'nanny' state or city in the US tries to follow suit?

Rich

[Topos]

"How soon before some 'nanny' state or city in the US tries to follow suit? - Rich"

Sooner if 'Hill-the-Ripper' gets elected (cross over from the Jack the Ripper Post [grin]).

In this vein, today's paper has a paen to the 'Dynamic Duo' and how their relationship could effect her run for the Presidency since he ***** the air out of the room when they appear together and people might be concerned that there may be no silverware left after she were to leave office.

Could he have a nagging queasiness in the back of his mind that she is feeling that he is an impediment to her rightful crown? He does remember Vince, you know. Hmmmm! [GRIN+++++]

I am reminded that at the end of WW II there was a wacky senator who expressed concern that the combat veterans who were going to be discharged 'were trained killers' and 'some laws should be passed protecting the publlic'. Guess the veniality of elected officials has not changed.


Great day.