Friday, November 27, 2009

Cool letter to the Editor

I just found this on the SD Reader site. There are others but I happen to like this one the best. It saddens me to know that such things are happening in this country, especially in a (more) free state like Pennsylvania.

Land Of The Licensed

First off, let me say congratulations for an excellent article and a superb job by your reporter, Rosa Jurjevics (“They Carry Guns,” Cover Story, July 16).

I grew up in San Diego. My family left in the mid-’80s and moved to Connecticut. To this day I am still a diehard San Diego fan. (Come on, guys…we rocked it in ’98. I want a series comeback in 2012.)

Anyways, I read this article with fascinating interest. You see, I remember going to the mall in the early ’80s. My father open-carried his Ruger Security-Six on his hip. It was a little different than the experience in your article. You see, back then you could open-carry a loaded firearm. How much things have changed.

Americans are losing their rights. And most do not even realize it. It’s not just firearms. In Pennsylvania there is a law that will mandate all contractors to be licensed. Any contractor performing work without a license will result in a felony. Think about it. You just build decks in people’s backyards, and now you’re going to be a felon, potentially losing your right to vote and/or own a firearm? Everything is becoming a felony. Everything requires a license/tax. I just learned that my landlord has to pay $150 for a “renter’s license.”

What has happened to the land of the free? We’re becoming the land of the licensed, controlled, and taxed!

Reading your article brought a mix of feelings from nostalgia (thinking back to my father with his sidearm on his hip) to sadness (how much freedom San Diego has lost), to hope (there are people standing up and fighting for their rights). You might even find this recent post on my blog fascinating: http://nugun.wordpress.com/ 2009/07/25/25-yrs-ago-at-a-mcdonalds-in-san-diego/.

I just wanted to thank you for such an honest and well-reported article. You see, most of the time the media spouts off terms it knows nothing about. This is why Congresswoman McCarthy thinks a barrel shroud is something you unfold, rather than a protective safety device that covers a barrel in order to reduce the risk of being burned by a hot barrel. Only when it comes to firearms are we so led by fear that we would ban a safety device and call it a feature of an assault weapon.

It was so nice to see a media reporter actually go and find out the facts firsthand — engage gun owners, even fire some handguns and rifles, take her fingers off the keys and actually get them dirty. Your reporter showed a tremendous amount of courage. Open carry is a scary thing, even for gun advocates. Even in many places where it’s legal (i.e., Pennsylvania), it’s often understood that there is a significant risk of being harassed by someone unfamiliar with the law — even law-enforcement officers. Your reporter braved the experience, and the result was a superb firsthand article. Great job!

Jason Epperson
York, Pennsylvania

Thank you, Mr. Epperson, for your kind and informative words.

CARRY ON!

-N8

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Gun handling issues

It has come to my attention through various incidents and anonymous persons that there have been an increase of cops asking OCers to draw and handle their sidearms for the purpose of conducting a self-12031 check.

I would like to take a moment and tell those that have decided to OC in California again that UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU HANDLE YOUR FIREARM IN FRONT OF A POLICE OFFICER, ESPECIALLY FOR A 12031 CHECK! I do not care if they tell you it is "OK," "You'll be fine," or they offer you free ice cream and pony rides, DO NOT DO IT!

Handling your firearm in that manner is a grey legal area and you are under NO OBLIGATION to comply with that order. Aside from the grey legal issues, it is a perfect way for a cop to ventilate you should they think or you are a threat OR, in light of more recent events, desire to turn you into a bloody example. In addition, there is a possibility for brandishing charges. I may be cynical and sadistic but the truth of the matter is that cops are under no obligation to inform you of the law and if you trip up, you can end up on the wrong end of the stick.

What you should do...

1) DON'T SAY ANYTHING! Don't acknowledge their request or their demand. Just let them come over and do their check. It is a voluntary check on their part and a 4A violation for you so helping them out in screwing you over isn't very smart.

2) SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO OPEN YOUR MOUTH, simply say "I do not consent to warrantless searches of my person or my effects but I will not resist if you choose to do so. If you want to check my gun, you can do it yourself, I refuse to handle my weapon."

3) DO NOT LET THEM COERCE YOU INTO TOUCHING YOUR FIREARM! They cannot MAKE you touch your gun. They can beg, plead and yell at you but DO NOT TOUCH YOUR GUN! You TELL THEM to do it themselves or just be silent and they will figure it out.

Bottom line: DO NOT help cops screw you over and DO NOT give cops a chance to kill you. All the evidence in the world won't help you once you are dead and, short of massive hemorrhaging, subsequent court cases for brandishing and the like are crappy as well.

That is all that I have.

CARRY ON!

-N8

Edited on 3/26/2010 to include references to recent events, e.g. Rob Tuason's death threats.

So you can call me...

So I have been feeling a bit frisky with the new Google Voice service and I decided to add a phone number to my repertoire of contact options.

AND THE NUMBER IS.....

478-CAR-RYON! (478-227-7966)

With this number, you can leave me a voicemail or send me a text message and I can respond to either of them, time willing (the text option is MUCH faster, BTW).

Just spreading the love before I go to bed!

CARRY ON!

-N8