Red Flag Law - How well does it work?

If you live in Florida, not very well at all. The statistics on the first year of effect are in and it looks like they have about a 3.5% increase in homicides, gun deaths, and suicides in spite of some 1300 people having been disarmed.

Like nearly all gun laws, the target is not the criminal or the mentally unbalanced, it's the otherwise normal gun owner. New York, I believe, wants to include using "hate speech" as an excuse to disarm its citizens. I suppose putting a Trump sign in your yard for the election will get you listed.

(Not) Arguing With Anti-Gunners

A friend referred me to this article from Armed and Dangerous on the topic of persuading the anti-gunners. Money quotes:

The need, here, was to undermine that substructure. And I saw the way to do it. This is what I said:
“You speak, but I hear only the bleating of a sheep. Your fear gives power to your enemies.”
Ignoramus typed another sentence of historical ignorance. My reply was “Baa! Baa! Baaaaa!”
And another. My reply was more sheep noises, more deliberate mockery. And you know what? A few rounds of this actually worked. Ignoramus protested that he wasn’t a sheep. At which point I asked him “Then why are you disarmed?”
*CRACK*

Never argue facts and figures with a lefty This is a defensive tactic. They have their own facts and they are not negotiable. They will change their minds only when they decide to and the quickest way to get them to do that is to ask questions, which puts you on the offensive. Mockery also works well which may explain why so many of them seem to have no sense of humor.

Little Red Motorbike

Thought I had this sorted out, but no. Took it out to a dinner last night and it decided to not start for the return trip. The battery that came with the bike was obviously far undersized and barely able to start the thing anyway so a new battery today.

Normally this is an easy job, but no. Previous owner had replaced the fuel pump with a non-stock unit that was placed in some of the volume required for a stock battery, so relocate the fuel pump, re-arrange the fuel lines, discover a broken wire (probably the reason it didn't want to start or charge the battery), and wonder how the wires were originally routed with no spare space. Took all day, but it starts and runs well now.

Earlier I cut 2-1/2 inches off a pair of kids bike handlebars and used that as a mold to make a couple of lead slugs. Turned them down a tad to make them a light press fit into the Yamaha bars, and thus did away with most of the handlebar vibration. They weigh .45 lb/each if anyone cares.

Treating Women Like Guns

Someone found a picture of a young lady expressing some anti-gun sentiments. They added some commentary:

Let me try my view:

1. You need to pass a background check and wait 3 days before you can take her out on a date. NOTE: Whether or not she want's to go with you does not enter into the discussion.

2. She can't enter K-12 schools but she can visit state college campuses if accompanied by a licensed escort.

3. She cannot enter a polling place on election day regardless.

4. With the right permit, you can date women without getting a background check every time.

5. OK let's face it, some women are scary enough to be outright banned.

6. She is not permitted in the airport unless completely disguised, say in a burqua, and accompanied by a holder of the right kind of permit, and even then only in the non-secure areas.

7. She wants all women to be locked up when not in use. Locking them up when in use is optional I suppose.

8. In this state "large capacity magazines" are forbidden, so breast sizes larger than "A" are illegal unless acquired/developed prior to 2013. This story will become more and more common as time goes on if progressively less believable.

An  18-year-old, obviously an early bloomer.

Automotive Entertainment

Lake County PD busted a fellow for driving like an idiot:

When the trooper was finally able to make him come to a stop, he learned that Gagliano was worried about his license and stated that because state police cruisers had V6 engines, he was surprised the trooper was able to catch up to him.
However, before he arrested Gagliano, the trooper informed him that his police vehicle had a V8 Hemi, not a V6.

File under "The (not) Fast (Enough) and the Incredulous. Local police frequently use the more economical vehicles but state troopers usually get the real interceptors. Also Mr Gagliano will likely not have to worry about a drivers license for the foreseeable future.

In Memorium

Last night my friend and companion of the last 14 years was diagnosed with cancer which had advanced to massive internal bleeding.

Friday she could barely make it around my block. Saturday she did about a mile and seemed to be improving, Sunday she collapsed and couldn't get up. The vet said she likely would not make it through today so last night we had her put down. She was everybodys friend and will be greatly missed.

Now I have to walk myself those 600-800 miles/year and completely wash my own dishes.

Little Red Motorbike

Mounted a set of leather bags. Nice bags. You'd think this would be an easy job. You'd be wrong. Turned into a 15 step process involving relocating the turn signals and fabricating some support structures. Came out nice though:

One other thing I've found is that carburetor cholesterol* can be treated with judicious application of Mineral spirits at a rate of about 80:1 in the gasoline. A 35mm film can of the stuff in 2.3 gallons of gas seems to work a treat.  Slowly but surely, the bike is running better and better with the last tank of gas getting me just over 50 mpg.

Next up will be dealing with handlebar vibration.

*Buildup of glop in the carb as old gas evaporates. The issue here is quite like the same problem in people with treating cholesterol with a drug to dissolve it and getting chunks of now free-floating stuff causing clots which then cause strokes. In the bike this freed up some amber-colored sludge in the aft carb which got under the float needle and caused uncontrolled peeing of gasoline down over a hot engine.

QOTD - Gun Bans

Sen John Kennedy (R-LA) (not those Kennedys) responding to a letter signed by numerous CEOs anxious not to see calls for boycotts of their goods by the noisy left:

"And about that poll, first, I have got to see the poll that say what folks say they say. I know how to write a poll question. I can make a poll walk, talk, and whistle the Battle Hymn of the Republic."

 Most of us have figured that part out by now and see polls saying that 92% of everyone favors stricter gun control while also seeing reports that New Jerseys magazine turn in law has netted a total of zero magazines.

The disconnect here is right up there with Hillarys 95% chance of winning the presidency, and as someone else observed; Trump hasn't had unfavorable poll results this bad since election night 2016.

Scenes We'd Like To See

Shades of the old Mad magazine:

https://www.imao.us/index.php/2019/09/in-surprise-5-4-ruling-supreme-court-holds-that-second-amendment-requires-mandatory-gun-ownership/

Got to be careful what you wish for. There are people out there who shouldn't have sharpened crayons.

Warning Labels

Since they worked so well when attached to things like cigarettes, a Cali (where else) lawmaker is proposing they be stamped onto guns:

It would read: “WARNING: IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE, PLEASE CALL THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE,” said the lawmaker.

Sure, that'll help. Somewhere between 66% and 75% of gun deaths are suicides So that should reduce the total of gun deaths significantly. But why stop there? Print this warning on tape and require every hardware store to attach it as a tag to every piece of rope over 1/4" in diameter and longer than 10 feet.

Make the warning tape adhesive, and require it to be attached to every bottle of sleep aids containing more than 10 pills. Ban the sale of large capacity magazines of such medications containing more than 10 pills while we're at it. 

Respondents to the survey at the link think neglect of the mental health system is the biggest factor in the number of gun deaths, although this would primarily address only the occasional mass shooting. Those get the headlines even though they don't account for the bigger part of the deaths. More to the point would be thug control but this would affect certain privileged groups more than others so that's likely a non-starter.

Colo Dems Push Gun Control, Defend Thugs

It looks like Colorado Dems, DeGette and Neguse, are pushing a national Red Flag bill which would allow pretty much anyone to SWAT pretty much anyone they didn't like. Due Process? What's that?

(Ken) Buck introduced an amendment to the bill that would make the law apply specifically to known gang members, who he says are responsible for 80% of all gun homicides. But Democrats killed that amendment.
“We need to get guns out of the hands of violent criminals. That starts with law enforcement another tool to disarm gang members. We should target red flags against known criminals, especially gang members. This approach will have the most meaningful impact in reducing gun violence,” Buck said.

The problem here is that the thugs work and vote for Democrats, and wouldn't be able to do that if they are currently in jail, so no, the law cannot be specifically applied to thugs.

NICS Checks - Heading For A Record

Although the actual increase isn't all that large, it looks like we're heading for an all 2M+ checks year. Also remember that gun sales account for only about 70% of the totals:

Click for full size.

Gun Control "Compromise"?

An interesting proposition from Wayne Root:

But nonetheless, I’m willing to compromise. I’m willing to give Democrats a crown jewel of what they’ve crusaded for, for decades.
I want President Trump to call their bluff. Democrats want “universal background checks” on all gun sales. Let’s give it to them…
As soon as Democrats agree to Federal Government-Issued Photo and Fingerprint ID for every voter in America.

Universal background checks don't actually work unless accompanied by universal gun registration which nobody on our side likes but cheat-proof voter ID is something that can work but would likely cut in to the Donk voter base which means they won't go for it unless the ID card is not required to actually vote.

While we're at it, let's eliminate mail-in voting which is far too easy to cheat on.

Conspiracy Theory

I had always thought that this might be just a bit too much for the mainstream, but then again;

Winston Smith, Call Your Office.

The city council in San Fran has unanimously voted to declare the NRA to be a domestic terrorist organization.


If the NRA is a terrorist organization, then membership in it will reduce your social score to the point that you are not allowed to purchase a firearm. Thus the NRA becomes the most potent gun control organization in the country and membership in it will raise your social score to the point that you are permitted to buy a firearm.  If you can believe both of these propositions at the same time, you qualify for high political office.

Gun Debates

Every culture in the world has a homily in its lore about entering into debates with crazy people. Notably they all say the same thing: Don't.

Sometimes the crazies get together outside the asylums and form political parties and even though any knowledgeable person would recognize the insanity immediately, the arguments can have a superficial persuasiveness that can get them into office.

They offer "reasoned discourse". They lie, but here at Red State is a set of standards for any discourse involving guns. Again, any knowledgeable person will know in advance that they will never be met.

Executive summary:

• If you can show how any law you propose will only effect future mass shooters, we’re willing to talk.

• If you want to make it illegal for weapons to be sold privately, nice try.

• If you demand limiting the availability of a model of weapon based on extrinsic characteristics, dude, you are a clown.

• If you want the same people who get you banned on Twitter deciding if you can own a firearm, we don’t want to hear it (here | here).

• If you want gun ownership restricted so you can feel safer, buy an nightlight and comfort blankie, check under your bed for the boogie man and leave us alone.

There's more. RTWT.

Out of Town

I was out of town shooting this weekend at the Cameo Shooting and educational facility in Palisade CO. Did anything happen?
The hotel owner was one of the participants:

The Cameo range facility is the biggest and fanciest in the country. Here's part of the backstop.

As a by product of the location surrounded by rock walls like this one, every shot would echo several times off the various formations. You gotta be there to appreciate it. Definitely worth the trip.

You also get to meet the nicest people:

 Offer him a banana:

Lots of scenery

This is Glenwood Canyon

And the trees stop growing at about 11.200 ft altitude:

To put the best possible spin on it, I finished 2nd in my class Most of the points I lost were due to brain farts rather than anything related to my shooting. More pics at the Cameo facebook page. As I'm not on Facebook. I can't get there from here.