Do gun bans work?

Here is a link to a discussion on wethearmed.com A few nights ago twelve people were shot in one night in Chicago, no one was killed. The police do not know who did the shootings. Illinois does not issue concealed carry permits, and Chicago does not allow handguns inside the city. The U.S. Supreme Court said in its Heller decision, that the Constitution of the United States of America recognizes an individual's right to keep and bear arms. After that decision, the NRA filed a lawsuit against Chicago, claiming that Chicago's ban on all handguns is unconstitutional, using the Heller decision as precedent. The appellate court upheld the lower courts decision that the Heller decision by the Highest Court in the Country DOES NOT APPLY to States and Municipalities. So they are saying that the rights guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the Supreme Law of the Land DO NOT APPLY TO STATES AND MUNICIPALITIES. If the second amendment doesn't apply then maybe the first doesn't apply either. What about the third, maybe this means that Chicago can quarter soldiers in private homes in peace time, or conduct searches in private homes without warrants, or hold secret trials against people without telling them what they are accused of or even who is accusing them.
Those are all guaranteed in the Bill of Rights to every American citizen, but any city can disregard them because this court says they can.
The article also goes through the story of every single victim, one by one. I think this must have been a major story, because the people reporting this are Television reporters, and their time is limited and valuable. I wonder why the decision was made to devote so much (and therefore money) to this one story? Is it because the media is liberal? Possibly, but I think it may be more likely that they are playing to their audience, trying to capture the attention of the public, hit them where it counts, draw their minds to the safety of their children. The tv station doesn't care if they are just fueling mass hysteria, or pushing people to give up their own rights to the government in exchange for a promise of a safer society for all. The politicians who also believe that Government Know Best then get elected, and because they are The Government, have no problem taking rights away from people. Hence the Chicago gun ban. The only problem is that, in this case, the politicians are wrong. A gun ban, by itself, will not stop gun violence. It just assures that people who are willing to obey the law will not have a gun. Just like the guy who was carjacked by 5 (5!) people. A gun may not give you a significant advantage against a single car jacker, but it would help level the playing field against five assailants. Certainly a gun with an evil "high-capacity magazine" is a better weapon against 5 people than a baton, a tazer, pepper spray, feet and fists, or a personal alarm/whistle. Police used to say that you should just cooperate with the bad guy and give him what he wants so he won't hurt you. What if they want more than your car? It doesn't seem smart to put yourself at the mercy of someone will commit a felony to get what they want.

It's in stores now!

Go buy yourself a copy of this book. It's summer release date is perfect because its like a summer blockbuster, however it makes more sense than say, Transformers 2, Revenge of Michael Bay. Its written by a guy who loves firearms and Monster movies. The good guys are good, the bad guys are bad, and ultimately good wins over evil. Plus in the first chapter, our hero shoves his boss out of his office window onto the sidewalk. Who hasn't thought about that a time or two in their life?

It has good details like speed loading a shotgun, and vivid descriptions of the southern United States, and is a very entertaining read.
Check out a sample chapter at

http://larrycorreia.wordpress.com/

and go buy it at Barnes and Noble.

Police Impostor?

This first photo was taken on my parent's street. It's the area on the Wasatch Front just north of Little Cottonwood Canyon. I liked it because it's so green, and the clouds were making such cool shadows on the mountain side. It reminded me that I want to live somewhere close to nature.




These photos were of something that I thought looked suspicious. First of all, it's an old Impala, the kind that police agencies are trading in for this year's model. The light bar on top looks old and beat up, like it's really dusty, and the plexiglass looks faded and scratched. If it was part of a real police force, they would keep it clean and professional looking. The thing that really makes me suspicious is the un-named aspect of this car. The shield on the door has a weird color to it, like its cheap and has been in the sun too long, plus its a STICKER! Or a magnet. But its just stuck onto the car! The one on the back is really obvious, and all they say is POLICE. Not Salt Lake, not West Valley. Plus its got a U.S. Government License. Local police have state plates with an EX on them, and the FBI or DHS wouldn't drive a surplus patrol car with the words POLICE stickered onto the side. If this Guy tries to pull you over, I would call the real cops, and don't cooperate with the impersonator.



Here is exclusive Blue Devils video that they are trying to keep away from prying eyes. Its an exercise so revolutionary that if anyone else tried it, they would win every time they competed.

And finally, to give the public what it wants, a video of KC and grandma.






---Update--- A police guy said that it is a real police car. There is a statewide police training seminar and that car was probably from a smaller department that doesn't have a budget to buy the newest cars. The police guy said if you aren't sure if the policeman is the real deal, you can ask to see identification, and there is a number you can call if you want verify the authenticity of a highway patrol car that's pulled you over.

A bee just hit me in the chest, was stuck to my shirt, them flew off. I hate bees

I didn't get the job.

A day in the life of a well-dressed, beautiful woman

First she had a visit from her dad.

Next she watched the baby climb up a slide.

Finally she went to the Store of Dreams For the Future (Home Depot) to figure out how our new apartment will be decorated.

Peaceful Holiday in Moroni

The wide open space of Moroni was very soothing to us when we went down for Independence Day. Those houses are the ideal size that we would like to own eventually. I liked the great big wide space and the sense of freedom. And then we saw a combination sunset and moon rising. It was a nice weekend.

Monster Hunter Ships in 20 days

Just want to remind everyone to go buy a copy of this book in 20 days, so that Baen will publish the sequel!!!

Please go buy one, you can even pre order one on amazon.

Its a fun fantasy book, written by someone who knows a LOT about shooting and weapons.

check it out.

http://larrycorreia.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/twenty-days-until-monster-hunter-international/

Made in China

We saw this set of pom poms at the grocery store, for a $buck.29

I have a job interview tomorrow! Woot!