The Wandering Minstrel

If you’re on I-405 in the northbound lanes, you can see this on the right hand side of the interstate just as you approach Main Street. The Better Half and I were on our way home from the Gun Show when she snapped this picture.

I’ve piloted or flown in most heavier-than-air types of flying machines, but never an airship. Someday, I’ll figure a way to get a ride on one.

The Spirit of America was christened September 5, 2002 during a ceremony in Akron, Ohio. The name of the ship was chosen as a tribute to the patriotic spirit of the United States. Performing the christening was Mrs. Letitia Driscoll, mother of NYPD Officer Stephen Driscoll, who was killed in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept.11, 2001.

Read more about Spirit of America.

We spotted this custom ‘56 Chevy Bel-Air after the trip to the range. It was very nice and shiny. Subtle flames with a blue to purple gradient, good-looking rims and tires and black fuzzy dice on the mirror post. Just beautiful - someone put a bunch of love and devotion (and $$) into this nice ride.

Clickable image.

It’s the first weekend of Spring, so I went out to the BBQ and fired it up. Last week, we bought a giant porterhouse steak that we saw at the butcher shop in anticipation of putting it on the grill this weekend.

Oh yeah, this was good. We had it with zucchini and mac and cheese side dishes. Oh yeah - and a Samuel Adams beer.

I feel sorry for the vegan crowd. And teetotalers.

I have been following the issue of right-to-carry in National Parks and was pleased with the outcome prior to yet another activist, Clinton-appointed, liberty sabotaging judge, taking another swipe at the second amendment.

Here are some of the posts that chronicle the NPS issue thus far:

• Defending Your Camp in National Parks
• NPS Right-To-Carry Update
• Dicks - “Screw Gun Owners”
• NRA Executive LaPierre on NPS Right-to-Carry
• Right To Carry In National Parks One Step Closer
• Right To Carry in NPS Ruling Expected This Month
• CCW to be Allowed in National Parks and Refuges

I did not comment when the antis managed to get an injunction out of a hand-picked activist judge to halt the right-to-carry based on ethereal ‘environmental’ concerns, but I will now:

What a crock of shit!

Of course, the NRA lawyers set an appeal in motion to get the injunction thrown out, as it should be:

NRA Files Notice of Appeal in Federal District Court to Protect Right to Carry in National Parks

Friday, March 20, 2009

Fairfax, Va. – Today, the National Rifle Association filed a notice of appeal in Federal District Court to oppose a preliminary injunction preventing law-abiding citizens from defending themselves in national parks and wildlife refuges.

Chris W. Cox, NRA chief lobbyist, said, “NRA is moving aggressively to protect this common sense rule and that’s why we filed this notice of appeal today. Just as we did not give up the fight to change the old, outdated rule, we will not give up our fight in the courts to defend the rule change. We will pursue every legal avenue to defend the American people’s right of self-defense.”

On Thursday, March 19, Federal District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued a preliminary injunction against the Department of Interior rule that took effect on January 9, 2009. The revised rule allowed individuals to carry concealed firearms for self-defense in national parks and national wildlife refuges located in states which allow the carrying of concealed firearms. It also maintained uniformity within each state, making it easier for law-abiding permit holders to follow the laws.

The Brady Campaign and the National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA) filed suit against the Interior Department rule. Judge Kollar-Kotelly granted NRA “Intervenor” status, allowing participation in the case independently from the Department of Interior.

Since Glenn Beck moved to Fox News, he has virtually skyrocketed into one of the most watched news analysis programs on TV. Beck, who is a strong supporter of second amendment rights, and an NRA life member, invited NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre to be on the show the other day:

 
I have gained a lot of respect for Mr. Beck since his debut on Fox. He has the uncanny ability to apply zany antics and passionate enthusiasm to his views on matters political and make them entertaining at the same time.

For more Beck, go to the Second Amendment Blog Bash website, where they offer a number of highlight clips from Beck’s speech from the Celebration of American Values Banquet at the NRA convention in Louisville last year.

There are a couple of new right-to-carry bills before the California Legislature this session. One of the bills, AB357, would remove discretionary language and make the issuance of a CCW license imperative, rather than at the whim of an activist sheriff like Sheriff Sandra Hutchens or an activist police chief like former Torrance Police Chief Don Nash. These ‘only ones’ as David Codrea calls them, would be obliged to issue CCW permits without regard to their personal judgment.

AB357 would amend Section 12050 of the Penal Code:

SECTION 1. Section 12050 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
12050. (a) (1) (A) The sheriff of a county, upon proof that the person applying is of good moral character, that good cause exists for the issuance, and that the person applying satisfies any one of the conditions specified in subparagraph (D) and has completed a course of training as described in subparagraph (E), may shall issue to that person a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person . . .

Removal of the ‘that good cause exists for the issuance’ language and changing ‘will’ to ’shall,’ enables permits to be issued providing the applicant is compliant with the character and training requirements of the code.

The second bill, AB1167, would establish reciprocity with other states’ concealed carry licenses or permits. This bill would deem persons who have a valid permit or license to carry a concealed handgun issued by another state or a political subdivision of another state to be authorized to carry a concealed handgun pursuant to provisions of California law, as specified. This provision would direct the California Department of Justice to enter into agreements with other states and to regularly publish a list of states with whom an agreement has been made.

AB1167 would add Section 12058 to the Penal Code:

SECTION 1. Section 12058 is added to the Penal Code, to read:
12058. (a) Persons holding a valid permit or license to carry a concealed handgun from any state or a political subdivision of a state shall be deemed a licensee under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 12050. (b) The Department of Justice shall enter into reciprocity agreements with all other states that have the legal authority to enter into those agreements so that licensees under Section 12050 may carry firearms in those states pursuant to the conditions imposed by Section 12050. The department shall each month maintain and publish a list of those states with which this state has established reciprocity.

Both of these bills need support from Californians. Ride Fast and Shoot Straight published contact information for the Legislature and also a list of gun control bills before the California Assembly.

Visit Gun Owners of California for more California resources.

Californians interested in personal protection - do the right thing and contact your legislators.

Click the following links to view AB357 (PDF) and AB1167 (PDF) in their entirety.

UPDATE: Thanks to Liberty Sphere for the mention in the Second Amendment Roundup.

The better half took this photo of a nice 1966 Ford Mustang Cobra. It was in front of the sporting goods store where we just bought some 9mm ammo and shotgun shells.

Clickable image.

Welcome 2A Roundup readers . . .

I found The Unofficial Glock User’s Manual on line last year. Even though my version is over ten years old, the safety features are described as they exist today. The following text has been modified from the original and embellished with pictures from ‘Fat Man’ - my Glock 30:

Safety Features of the Glock

The Glock pistol has no conventional, externally-located safety lever. Therefore, make sure that the trigger is touched only when you intend to fire or when verified empty, in order to perform maintenance. Having said this, there seems to be a common misconception that the Glock has no safety. This is wrong; it actually has three:

1. Trigger Safety

The trigger safety is incorporated into the trigger (sandwiched in the center of the trigger) in the form of a lever, and in the untouched state blocks the trigger from being moved backwards. To fire the pistol, both the trigger safety and the trigger must be depressed at the same time.

If the trigger safety is not depressed, then the trigger will not move to the rear and the pistol will not fire. This is designed to prevent the trigger from going to the rear when the pistol is dropped.

2. Firing Pin Safety

A spring-loaded pin (the round elevated pin in the slide assembly) projects into the firing pin cutout, and blocks it. This safety is only released when the trigger is pulled and the lever (right) on the trigger bar moves back to depress the pin.

3. Safety Function of the Trigger Mechanism Housing (Drop Safety)

The trigger bar is pushed onto the safety ramp by the firing pin. The safety devices 1, 2, and 3 above are designed to prevent the weapon from unintentional discharge, if dropped from up to 6.5 ft., exceeding NATO standards.

Special Warning: In case the trigger safety proves to be ineffective for any reason, Danger of an unintentional discharge exists. The weapon is to be immediately unloaded and restricted from further use. Make sure that your weapon is properly repaired and checked by Glock or a Certified Glock Armorer before using it again!

The beauty of these three Glock safeties is that once you start to squeeze the trigger, they disengage (numbers 2 & 3 progressively) until before the moment of firing, they disengage. Upon releasing the trigger (whether the trigger was actually pulled back far enough to fire) all three are automatically reapplied! Simple, yet pretty revolutionary.

I’ve also heard it mentioned that some believe the Glock is ’inherently unsafe’ due to it’s trigger design (they cited the trigger safety projection as ’not being heavy enough’). This isn’t the purpose of the trigger safety! It is to help prevent Unintentional Discharge when the trigger edge is ’snagged’ by something from the side. I haven’t found Glocks to have any higher rate of unintentional discharge than Berettas, etc. Basically it boils down to this very simple premise (which I was taught, and which I teach): keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you intend to fire! No slightly heavier trigger will replace proper training, and if you feel the stock five pound trigger is still too light, I (or any Glock Factory Certified Armorer) can swap that out for under a buck (at cost; assuming no labor charge) in under a minute for a New York or New York Plus trigger spring (which are approximately eight and twelve pounds, respectively; the latter heavier than some other Double Action semi-auto pistols).

Thanks and credit to John Leveron for creation of the UGUM.