Sunday, August 28, 2011

Gun Nut Roundup Aug. 2011

"Fast and Furious" Leaders Promoted

The rewards program for federal law enforcement sometimes seems confusing to those of us not involved in it.  If you're an FBI sniper who shoots an unarmed woman holding her baby, like celebrated mommy-slayer Lon Horiuchi did at Ruby Ridge, you might only receive a medal.  But if you oversee an illegal mess that gets a couple federal officers and an untold number of civilians killed, like BATFE's "Operation Fast and Furious" has, you get promoted.

The three BATFE agents in charge of "Fast and Furious" in Phoenix have now been promoted to higher positions in DC.  According to the NRA-ILA:  "William Newell is now special assistant to the assistant director of the agency's Office of Management, David Voth has been made branch chief for the BATFE's tobacco division."  Those two promotions are bad enough, but this one takes the cake:  "William G. McMahon, who had been the BATFE's deputy director of operations in the West, has been made the deputy assistant director of the Office of Professional Responsibility and Security Operations. That is the division within BATFE that investigates misconduct by agency personnel."

If a federal law enforcement officer ever personally detonates a "dirty bomb" in a major American city he'll no doubt become the next Attorney General.

FBI Targets Hungry Extremists Armed With "Night Flashlights"

The FBI has been distributing a memo to surplus store operators warning them to be on the lookout for and to report suspicious purchases, including of some gun accessories.  Specifically it asks retailers to watch for people making bulk buys of dangerous items like:

Weatherproofed ammunition or match containers
Meals Ready to Eat
Night Vision Devices; night flashlights; gas masks
High capacity magazines
Bi-pods or tri-pods for rifles

I'm not surprised about the feds getting their undies in a wad about "high capacity" magazines, they always have an unhealthy obsession about those for some reason.  But flashlights and ammo cans?  What the hell are they afraid of?  Okay, these are "night flashlights" which are obviously more dangerous than standard "middle-of-the-day" flashlights like we had when we were kids, but still.  And "Meals Ready to Eat" (more commonly called MREs)?  No doubt these will now be renamed "assault vittles" by the Obama administration and an eager media.  (That's "assault tucker" for Jim and our countless legions of fans Down Under.)

The memo asks retailers to ID new customers, keep records of who buys what, question and observe customers, and notify law enforcement.  The day I get ID'd to buy a few friggin' flashlights is the day I know I'm living in a police state.

Anti-Gun Politician's Home Defended With Gun

In mid-July the home of U.S. Representative Leonard Boswell (D-IA) was invaded.  A man in a ski mask and armed with a realistic-looking BB pistol entered Boswell's house, attacked his daughter and demanded money.  The 77-year-old Boswell bravely wrestled with the intruder, trying to help his daughter, but was no match for the younger man.

Since Boswell has been no great friend of gun owners it might be surprising how the encounter was ultimately resolved.  According to Gun Owners of America (GOA), Boswell has not cast a single pro-gun vote since 2006 and has a "D-" grade from that organization.  Boswell has also voted FOR trigger lock legislation within the last five years.

GOA points out the hypocrisy here:  "[I]t is highly doubtful that the shotgun retrieved by [Boswell's] grandson -- the shotgun found in the Congressman’s home -- had a trigger lock attached to it."  Seeing that he was suddenly outgunned, the intruder fled the home and was later arrested along with an accomplice.

Luckily for Boswell, the Second Amendment protects hypocrites too.

6 comments:

Bawb said...

I still have one of those old USGI angle-head flashlights around somewhere. I suppose that would be a military-style assault night flashlight. Now that I know how dangerous it is I'll have to find it and turn it in to the nearest authorities immediately.

As for the BATmen getting promoted for their colossal f***-up, that happens in ALL branches of the Federal government, to include the Forest Circus and Department of Aggravation.

Ben said...

I wouldn't transport that assault night flashlight TO the authorities, Bawb. Too dangerous. Leave your house and call the authorities so the bomb squad can blow it in place.

Jerry said...

WOW! I had two of them in my truck when I was out last year! They are the cheaper knockoffs, not the official military. Are they still as dangerous or are they safer?

Anonymous said...

None of my issue angle-heads ever worked worth a damn. And they always fell apart if you hit your copilot too hard. Great place to store dead batteries though. Did get to carry an kick ass, issue, pink colored switch blade knife. The spring would almost lock the blade open.

Always used to worry about the lowest bidder thing.

Jim Fryar said...

I am aware of the term MREs, I am a little concerned about owning a torch that works at night though. I will stick to Ben's advice on that one.

What is a bit of a problem is that your,"countless legions of fans Down Under," are aware that I have the rare honour of being a confidante of your site and keep harassing me to talk you guys into allowing them to friend you on Facebook and so on.

The run of the mill fan, is not a problem; its the Gillard's, Abbott's, and Bob Browns, who have regular taxpayer funded staff who can contact me 24/7 that are starting to give me the shits.

Bawb said...

Thinking upon the article, I also had the thought, "When was the last time you saw, or even heard of, a rifle with a TRIPOD?!?!