Marshall proposes bill requiring Virginia teachers to be armed

MoonHowler

armed teachers

Washingtonpost.com:

Del. Robert G. Marshall is proposing a bill that would require some teachers or other school staff to carry concealed weapons in schools.

Marshall (R-Prince William) requested that the bill be drafted in response to the mass shooting last week at a Connecticut elementary school.

Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) said this week that there should be a discussion about whether school staff should be allowed to carry concealed weapons to protect children against intruders.

Marshall’s proposal goes beyond the governor’s comments, which were made in the course of a radio interview Tuesday. Marshall would not only allow staff with concealed handgun permits to carry them in schools, but require school districts to designate some staff members to do so. Those employees would have to be certified in gun safety and competence, Marshall said.

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Violence: Peeling back the layers– Video games, music, and movies

MoonHowler

venn1

Most of us aren’t ready to stop talking about the mass murders of Newtown, Connecticut.  I have tried to stop and I can’t.  I keep thinking guns and mental illness and their life-threatening intersection.  Guns and mental illness become the common denominator for all of our mass murders.    However, there is a sub layer to all this violence that we also need to talk about.

Video games, movies and music are also a vital part society that is feeding the violence.   God only knows what kind of violence is on video games. I won’t look.  I pop bubbles and have frogs spit balls in my video games.  No one over the age of three likes my games.  However, I know they are out there.  Video games are very life-like.  The people look pretty much like people.  How many video kills do we have to do before we are just desensitized and indifferent?  At what point can we not come out of our game mode?  Where do we draw the line?

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WaPo: 12 facts about guns and mass shootings

MoonHowler

From the Washington Post.  The information was collected after the Aurora, CO massacre.

1. Shooting sprees are not rare in the United States.

2. 15 of the 25 worst mass shootings in the last 50 years took place in
the United States.

3. Lots of guns don’t necessarily mean lots of shootings, as you can see
in Israel and Switzerland.*

4. Of the 11 deadliest shootings in the US, five have happened
from 2007 onward.

5. America is an unusually violent country. But we’re not as violent as
we used to be.

6. The South is the most violent region in the United States.

7. Gun ownership in the United States is declining overall.

8. More guns tend to mean more homicide.

9. States with stricter gun control laws have fewer deaths from
gun-related violence.

10. Gun control, in general, has not been politically popular.

11. But particular policies to control guns often are.

12. Shootings don’t tend to substantially affect views on gun
control.

 

Bob Costas: The Giant Uproar

MoonHowler

Huffingtonpost.com:

ARLINGTON, Texas — NBC broadcaster Bob Costas used his halftime segment on “Sunday Night Football” to advocate for gun control following this weekend’s murder-suicide involving Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, causing an immediate debate on social media.

In a segment about 90 seconds long, Costas paraphrased and quoted extensively from a piece by Fox Sports columnist Jason Whitlock.

After praising the column, Costas said: “In the coming days, Jovan Belcher’s actions and their possible connection to football will be analyzed. Who knows? But here, wrote Jason Whitlock, is what I believe. If Jovan Belcher didn’t possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.”

Belcher shot and killed Perkins, the mother of his 3-month-old daughter, on Saturday morning, then drove to Arrowhead Stadium and committed suicide in the parking lot of the team’s practice facility.

It seems that far too many people are now calling for Costas’ ouster.  Apparently some feel that that their 2nd amendment rights are more important than Bob Costas’ 1st amendment rights.   Predictably, Fox News was alive with the glimmer of hope that Costas would be fired as they baited their viewers to react.  Host after host examined and discussed Costa and Jason Whitlock, who was heavily quoted by Costas, from every angle.

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Prince William County: The new wild west

MoonHowler

 

Is gun safety an oxymoron?  For years we have been hearing that guns don’t kill people, people kill people.  Trying telling that to the 4 year old boy who shot himself in the head over in Dale City.  The gun he used was work related.  The gun owner was a security guard and he/she made every attempt to lock the vehicle.   The child apparently crawled in the back of a pick up rear window.

Reading on, I see that a man was shot in the head at Dennys and drove himself to the hospital.  Still another person, a woman, was shot at Hooters.  The shooter  was charged with discharging a firearm.

Why on earth are all these people packing heat to go to local restaurants?  Yes, I have a problem with guns in restaurants.

Yet another woman over off the Prince William Parkway was awakened in the middle of the night by a large BANG.  She called police who found a bullet lodged in her kitchen cabinet.  I guess that was her wake up call.

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Rep. Louie Gohmert blames movie theater carnage on attacks on Judeo Christian beliefs

MoonHowler

Huffington Post:

WASHINGTON — Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) said Friday that the shootings that took place in an Aurora, Colo. movie theater hours earlier were a result of “ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs” and questioned why nobody else in the theater had a gun to take down the shooter.

During a radio interview on The Heritage Foundation’s “Istook Live!” show, Gohmert was asked why he believes such senseless acts of violence take place. Gohmert responded by talking about the weakening of Christian values in the country.

“You know what really gets me, as a Christian, is to see the ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs, and then some senseless crazy act of terror like this takes place,” Gohmert said.

“Some of us happen to believe that when our founders talked about guarding our virtue and freedom, that that was important,” he said. “Whether it’s John Adams saying our Constitution was made only for moral and religious people … Ben Franklin, only a virtuous people are capable of freedom, as nations become corrupt and vicious they have more need of masters … We have been at war with the very pillars, the very foundation of this country.”

Ernest Istook, the host of the show and a former Oklahoma congressman, jumped in to clarify that nobody knows the motivation of the alleged Aurora gunman. Gohmert said that may be true, but suggested the shootings were still “a terrorist act” that could have been avoided if the country placed a higher value on God.

Where is Pat Robertson when we need him?   Someone asked for the blame game to start.  Well, here it is.   I offer your Louie Gohmert.  Gohmert also wondered aloud why no one took down this gunman.  Does he really think a shoot out would have been the answer?

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A good reason to not arm teachers….

MoonHowler

Washington Post:

ABINGDON, Va. — A Washington County teacher accused of firing a blank gun in a welding class is facing criminal charges.

Police tell media outlets that 60-year-old Manuael Ernest Dillow is charged with 12 felony counts of brandishing a weapon.

Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman says the incident occurred April 4 at the William N. Neff Center in Abingdon.

Dillow is accused of lining up a dozen students near a garage door and firing the blank gun multiple times in their direction.

No students were injured. A motive hasn’t been released.

Washington County Schools Superintendent Jim Sullivan says Dillow isn’t working now but he couldn’t comment further because it’s a personnel matter.

Dillow is an amateur and obviously an amateur who doesn’t have very good judgement.  What was he thinking?    Rare you think?  Something similar happened right here in PWC about 20 years ago.  I don’t think any charges were brought against the show off that pretended to shoot people with the track starter gun.  Unfortunately, not everyone is born with good judgement.  Let’s leave the guns out of the hands of teachers.   Plus it’s obviously just too tempting for some of them.  think of the toads some deal with.

If your’re Ted Nugent, what does a big mouth get you?

MoonHowler

The correct answer is, a visit from the Secret Service. 

ABCnews.com

The U.S. Secret Service is looking into the incendiary and potentially threatening remarks made by rocker and Mitt Romney-backer Ted Nugent at the National Rifle Association convention over the weekend.

“We are aware of them and we are conducting the appropriate follow-up now,” Secret Service spokesman George Ogilvie told ABC News.

Nugent told a crowd of convention goers that “if Barack Obama becomes the president in November, I will either be dead or in jail by this time next year.”

“If you can’t go home and get everybody in your lives to clean house in this vile, evil, America-hating administration, I don’t even know what you’re made of,” he said. The comments were caught on tape and posted online by the website Right Wing Watch.

The Democratic National Committee and Obama campaign have launched a multimedia offensive against Romney over Nugent, demanding that the presumptive GOP nominee disavow the statements of his high-profile supporter.

But the White House today refused to join in the condemnation and said that it won’t be “policing the statements of supporters across the board.”

I sure am glad that the Secret Service agreed with me.   The rhetoric seemed a little extreme to me, but what do I know?  Threats against the president, both explicit and implicit are usually taken very seriously.  I don’t hold Mitt Romney responsible.  I hold the NRA responsible.  The mouth flashing happened on their watch.  Poor Mitt would probably shoot his foot off if he handled a gun. 

More to the point, the NRA is busy spreading lies and creating hysteria about Obama taking everyone’s guns.  Clearly, that has never been suggested.  Remember before President Obama was inaugurated?  Ammunition was very scarce and had gotten expensive.  Why?  The rumor that Obama was rounding up everyone’s guns.

It’s really time for the lies to stop.  Gun laws have become much less restrictive since 2008, across the nation.  It’s time for thinking people to stop falling for NRA’s tricks.  They and other 2nd amendment groups want your money and your membership.  I see the crap that they send out.  It  comes to my house.  It is alarmist and incendiary and has one purpose.

 

George Zimmerman charged with 2nd degree murder

MoonHowler

George Zimmerman, who shot and killed Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, has been arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder.  Hopefully, everyone will get their day in court.  In addition to George Zimmerman being tried, the Florida law nick-named “Stand Your Ground” will undergo scrutiny. 

The first team of Zimmerman lawyers is off the case now.  They removed themselves.

Zimmerman turned himself in and is now in custody. 

I hope he can get a fair trial.

Trayvon Martin’s killer graduated from Osbourn High School

MoonHowler

This story is just tragic. An unarmed kid with a cell phone and a bag of candy shouldn’t have to die. It sure sounds like the “Stand your Ground” law is being stretched to the limit. This case is why I simply don’t think everyone has a right to have a firearm. How totally irresponsible.

How will the community react to this news?  I couldn’t believe Zimmerman was from our area.  Frankly, I would be worried too if this thug were following me, especially if I had an inkling he was armed.

Read more at INsidenova.com.

House of Delegates passes “Castle Doctrine”

MoonHowler

Richmond Times Dispatch:

Legislation that would allow homeowners to use any degree of force, even lethal, against intruders without threat of criminal or civil charges has passed the House of Delegates.

House Bill 48, sponsored by Del. Richard P. “Dickie” Bell, R-Staunton, which would codify a version of the state’s common-law “Castle Doctrine” passed the House Thursday on a 70-28 vote after a second day of debate.

Democrats argued that the measure could be used to justify homicide when the circumstances are not clear.

But Republicans won out, claiming that the bill merely allowed an individual to protect themselves and their homes against illegal intruders.

On first glance,  This bill seems fine.  Of course, there are no provisions for luring someone inside that you hate, just so you could waste them.  When I was a kid we were always told that if you killed someone breaking down your door, drag them inside. 

I have never known why bills like this one have been so controversial, so I am posting it.  I guess I will find out.  Would this law apply to the home owner or the renter?  What about spouses, kids, girl friends, etc.?   I would certainly hope that a renter would be extended the same privilege of using lethal force if threatened. 

Delegate Bell certainly is prolific.  Many of his bills are absurd.  This one is not.

 

USAAmmo: The lowest hanging fruit of all

MoonHowler

CBS Washington:

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CBS Washington) — A gun company advertisement that warns of impending gun control compares President Obama to Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin.

The USAAmmo ad shows side-by-side pictures of Obama with Hitler, Stalin and other dictators who committed atrocities across the world. The ad, which is also accompanied by a video, warns that gun control is imminent and foreshadows that the U.S. could face millions in casualties if they are not allowed to defend themselves.

USAAmmo states that “tyranny is knocking down the doors of American cities daily” and that Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder and other gun control advocates “are secretly conspiring American Citizens of the right to bear arms.”

Trace Williams, director of operations for USAAmmo, defended the ad that was emailed Monday. He told CBS Washington that “Obama and his various czars are infringing on the rights of Americans to own guns.”

As a gun (or 2) owner, I simply find this ad over the top and unacceptable.  Furthermore, it is a lie.  I don’t recall seeing, hearing or thinking that the president is going to round up everyone’s guns.

The fact that ammo and guns sales have soared since the ad went out on Monday doesn’t really flatter its customers.  the video linked in the blockquote is extreme bad taste.  Why must people push others off a cliff to get them to buy ammo.  How about competitive prices, low shipping costs and reliable fast service as the hook rather than exploiting others and using fear of genocide as an advertising tool? 

Ads like this hurt the 2nd amendment cause.  USA Ammo should try to educate folks rather than stir up hotheads.

The President of the United States should not be with posted with that rogues gallery.  It is insulting to America and sends a bad message to the rest of the world.

No Gun Rights for Medical Marijuana Users

MoonHowler

From the Miami Herald:

HELENA, Mont. — Firearms dealers in states that allow medical marijuana can’t sell guns or ammunition to registered users of the drug, a policy that marijuana and gun-rights groups say denies Second Amendment rights to individuals who are following state law.

Federal law already makes it illegal for someone to possess a gun if he or she is “an unlawful user of, or addicted to” marijuana or other controlled substances. A Sept. 21 letter from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, issued in response to numerous inquiries from gun dealers, clarifies that medical marijuana patients are included in that definition.

“There are no exceptions in federal law for marijuana purportedly used for medicinal purposes, even if such use is sanctioned by state law,” said the letter by Arthur Herbert, the ATF’s assistant director for enforcement programs and services.

Guns rights enthusiasts should be hopping mad over this ruling.  Do people who use alcohol give up their gun rights?  How about people on strong pain medication?  This seems like people using medical marijuana are going asked to give up a great deal of personal safety.  This ruling, like many, simply encourage lying and dishonesty. 

How soon before public squawking gets this ruling overturned?  I give it 2 weeks.  Arthur Herbert isn’t going to even want his job when the NRA gets through with him.