Month: February 2019

Benchmade issues damage control statement. Does the company really stand for the Second Amendment?

My dad (who was a printer) had a very nifty saying “El papel aguanta lo que le pongas” (Paper holds whatever you want to put (write) on it.” which meant just because it is on paper, it ain’t necessarily the truth.

Although Benchmade did not put it in paper but pixels, the principle holds., so let’s apply another saying: The proof is in the pudding. In my other post about this boondoggle, I shared a link from OpenSecrets.com which posted political donations from Benchmade people, let’s look at them and see how much they supported candidates who respected the Second Amendment, shall we?

Donation to Martin  Heinrich (D) , junior United States Senator from New Mexico since 2013.

Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich – a hunter and former National Rifle Association member – is pushing gun control measures that would ban bump stocks and deny those on the federal no-fly list the right to buy firearms.Today, the New Mexico Democrat today teamed with Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., on a bill to prohibit the sale of bump stock devices and other mechanisms which allow semi-automatic firearms to spray bullets much like fully automatic guns.
Sen. Heinrich pursues new gun controls

Donation to Earl Blumenauer (D) U.S. Representative for Oregon’s 3rd congressional district.

Congress must pass commonsense reforms to keep our communities safe, including legislation to: close the gun sales loophole and require background checks on all sales, prohibit the sale of military-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, remove barriers to gun violence research, increase the minimum buying age to 21, ensure better enforcement of current laws and regulations, and more.
Enough is enough. We demand action.
Earl Blumenauer’s website

Darlene Hooley (D) . Former Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon who represented the state’s 5th congressional district.

Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
Prevent unauthorized firearm use with “smart gun” technology. (Aug 2000)
OnTheIssues.com – Darlene Hooley on Gun Control


Patricia Murray (D). Serving as the senior United States Senator from Washington

Voted YES on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets. (Apr 2013)
Voted NO on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains. (Apr 2009)
Voted YES on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership. (Sep 2007)
Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
Voted YES on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
Voted NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
Voted NO on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)
OnTheIssues.com – Patty Murray on Gun Control

Mark Udall (D) Served as a United States Senator from Colorado from 2009 to 2015.

Prevent criminals from buying and carrying deadly weapons. (Aug 2008)
Hunting & angling tradition generates income and jobs. (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets. (Apr 2013)
Voted YES on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains. (Apr 2009)
Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
OnThe Issues.com -Mark Udall

Rob Cornilles was a 2012 Republican candidate who sought election to the U.S. House to represent the 1st Congressional District of Oregon.

I could not find an official stance of his on Gun Control, only a post from Oregon Firearms Association:

“During the primary, Cornilles would not take a position on gun rights. Some of the other candidates, even those who opposed gun rights, went on the record. Now that the general election is looming, knowing his position on the Second Amendment is more important than ever .”

Kurt Schrader (D). U.S. Representative for Oregon’s 5th congressional district.

This one was weird. He carries a B grade from both the NRA and Brady Campaign. Only record I could find was he supported Veterans being able to registering firearms brought from abroad.

 

Ronald Wyden (D) Serving as the senior United States Senator for Oregon.

Hamilton Creek School eighth-grader Berkley Ringler asked U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden at a Saturday town hall in Albany if he planned to pass bans on bump stocks and assault rifles.
His answer was short and drew some of the loudest applause of the event:
“Yes.”
Wyden on guns: This time is going to be different

 

Jeffrey Merkley (D) Serving as the junior United States Senator from Oregon.

The third issue was whether or not to institute an “assault rifle” ban, which was similar to the one that restricted new weapon sales for 10 years, including magazines that would hold more than 10 rounds. There was an overwhelming amount of the public who raised their hands to show they would be against such legislation.
“I’m supportive of those items,” said Merkley. His team found that in every massacre where at least six people died, they were all done with an assault rifle of 50 or more rounds. Merkley disputed the point that a shooter could change out magazines quickly. He also purported that more Americans died from “bullets than they are by car accidents,” causing an uproar of disagreement and a few people leaving the room.
Gun rights take attention at Merkley town hall

Scott Bruun is a Republican politician from the US state of Oregon. He served in the Oregon House of Representatives representing District 37

I can’t find a firm position from Brunn during his tenure. heck, not even a wobbly position and only a very mild “pro-gun” article written by him after he left office.

Those are the names found on that list linked above. You come up with your own conclusions.

Done with the Jussie Smollett thing.

My prediction: He will not be serving time for the state charges. He will get a fine, maybe community service after a nice plea deal to avoid a Felony conviction. As for the Federal side of the case (The fake hate letter), I do believe there are forces behind the scene pushing so he does not even get charged. Say what you want about the Postal Service, they are not to be trifled with when it comes to crimes on their turf and if they arrest him, he will go to prison.

The face you make when you know there is no free KY in jail.

I just cannot imagine this poor excuse of human to survive a federal pen unscathed, even if placed in isolation. One of his great discovery would be how the inmates treat individuals, specially if they are known to be waving the LGBQTUGECJKKJ (etc.) flag. And him being famous? He’d be a prize among the convicts who would claim popping him as a pride badge.

“Jussie Smollett? I fucked that bitch good!”

No Political Correctness or Social Justice behind bars, that much is for sure.

OK, I am  done with this asshole.

I didn’t know Hippies bought expensive knives.

Your preferred Social Media is probably running with this already.
(Pics stolen from Zach A.)

Is Benchmade so disconnected that does not know a chuck of his buyers see this as unadulterated treason? And the sad part is that Oregon City PD posted an explanation/semi-apology in its Facebook page, Benchmade is apparently doing something more important because there has been no response at this time [12:25 am (EST) 2/21/19] in the website or any of the social media platforms.

Being the internet such a great source of information, people already pulled the related campaign contributions. The Le Asis family, owners of Benchmade do have a long record of more donations to Democrats than the Republicans by factor of 10. Remind me again what is the stance of Democrats regarding knives? I sort of remember the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr. being a bit of an asshole about knives and NYC has to be a great opportunity for sales.
Oh well, I don’t own any of their knives, nor I can afford them anyway. Let’s see where this one ends up later today.

For Ocassional-Cortex , the Marijuana Business is misogynist and racist.

“Yes! We are the champions of your tokin’ weed. WE LEGALIZED IT!”
“By the way, you need to pay super taxes and make sure you are politically correct in the way the business is distributed. You must check the appropriate boxes or we will treat you like you were Republicans.”

I think I see a pattern. First The Jews, then Gays and now Potheads. The bill for your alleged acceptance to society comes with a political indentured servitude. Plus you can be sold or sacrificed as the need arises.

The only thing I can see out of stupidity like this is an increase in the illegal distribution and sale of pot in states where it is allowed with the corresponding law-enforcement component chasing after those who refuse to toe the line. The contradiction is succulent.

Car Burglaries: I told you so, but please, keep ignoring it.

Remember my post about car burglaries? I hate to be right.

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. – People living in Cherokee County neighborhoods are worried about a rash of gun thefts.

According to deputies, suspected gang members roaming the streets have gotten into at least 70 cars and trucks and stolen more than a dozen guns in three different neighborhoods.

The thieves aren’t using any fancy tools to break into the cars. In most cases, they are flipping the door handle. If the car is unlocked, they jump in.

Thieves break into 70 cars, steal guns across three neighborhoods

And at the risk once again to piss people off, it is the fault of the dumbasses gun owners who left the guns inside an unlocked car parked at home!

Maybe we have not been clear on the concept of the car gun: It is supposed to be in the car when you are NOT home and you need a back up, preferably in the rifle/carbine-flavor. But why in the name of Cochise’s loincloth are doing leaving your primary gun in the unlocked car parked in front of your house?   Why aren’t you carrying the damned thing?

This is the kind of stupid behavior that the Opposition will use against us and legislators will love to place another set of Gun Control Laws on the menu, courtesy of Gun Owner’s careless attitude.  And we are going to have to fight them, spending limited resources because a bunch of dumbasses with guns cannot exercise a modicum of responsibility and effort to make sure the gun travels a few feet from the driveway to the inside of the home.

Hat Tip Rob R.

Must Read: How Did We Get Here? by Sebastian.

He makes several great points.

A lot of the old 2nd Amendment warriors are continuing to get old, and wearing out. There aren’t the young people to replace them. Young gun owners have no idea just how bad it can get. Most of them don’t have the experience of having lived through the 1990s and early aughts. They were kids. They came into the issue around the time we were flying high. They don’t remember the assault weapons ban. It’s a theoretical threat to a lot of the young people.

I came late to the Gun Blog game as there were already several well-known bloggers doing great work. Now stop and realize that I have been up for 11 years which is considered to be 347 in Methuselah years.  I shouldn’t be blogging at all but retired and having another blog dedicate to camelias or how to bake the perfect snickerdoodle cookie.

We have been battling against another Assault Weapons Ban since its sunset 15 years ago. Add to that the 10 years prior it was up and running which were used to change the face of Congress and the Supreme Court.  During that time, Concealed Carry was advance from a few states to all 50 and from a handful of carriers to possibly over 20 million if we include Constitutional Carry.

So you are looking at people who have been involved in Gun Rights for over twenty years, advanced the cause as nobody could have expected it and rightfully needs a break but can’t have one because we have no takers (or very few) to carry the torch.  Most people do not want to break a sweat and confuse flash with substance and only if the flash is easy.  In Florida we have well-intentioned people wasting time in Open Carry Fishing Events when we should have a bus full of people ready to go to Tallahassee and fill the subcommittees’ meetings. Tallahassee is hard, the local fishing dock is easy and you get a cool YouTube video to post.

We are coming closer to a “I don’t give a fuck anymore” level of interest by the old generation. I am willing to bet that eventually it will become about keeping our weapons rather than everybody have their strong Second Amendment Rights. Once again we will be called traitors and Fudds because we did not serve them breakfast in bed with a side of Machine Guns and Silencers. The problem will be that the OGs won’t give a fuck anymore and will let them deal with the whole “it.” And since the refused the advice of those who came before them, they will have to learn from zero,  on their own on a steep curve and sweat like assholes.

There is nobody to leave minding the store too or even the range.

PS: Yes, this blog is lucky having J. Kb. How many other Gun Blogs can say the same?