Colorado School Shooting – fast response saves lives.

Just a few miles from Columbine, a school shooting took place.  But I think we’re finally learning a little.
“The first sheriff’s deputies and police officers arrived at Arapahoe and entered almost immediately after the shooting was reported, Robinson said.”

I believe responders are realizing that they need to just enter, and confront the perpetrator as quickly as possible. As this is commonly the result…
“the suspect has been found inside the school and he has deceased as a result of what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound,”

In cases of these shooters, the goal should be to GET IN AND CONFRONT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.  This is one of the first of this type of shooting in which this response has been enacted.  And I think it is interesting that it played out much differntly. Report so far that only two were injured. One in serious condition. Let pray for his well being.

33 Minutes

The amount of time the TSA agent was left to bleed out before emergency medical help arrived – waiting for the all clear.

There was time in America’s history where the first responders would rush in, regardless of danger.  And while the risks were higher, it was beautifully noble.  I fear 9-11 changed us….and in a bad way.

http://news.yahoo.com/tsa-officer-bled-33-minutes-lax-shooting-082237704.html

This is a good reason why every gun owner should know first aid and how to treat a gunshot wound.  Knowing so might save your life or that of another person.

Despite headlines we’re safer than ever….

But what do the experts cite as the reason?

“shifts in the crack cocaine market, which drove many 1990s-era murders; an increase in the number of offenders behind bars; the country’s aging population; and more sophisticated policing for the declines”

Pretty much the kitchen sink and everything but the increase in firearm ownership and carry permits. Just saying…

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/23/justice/random-killings/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

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PAGunBlog.com also mentioned that the CDC’s report on guns for President Obama is done. Don’t expect the President to mention it much though. The result basically is that there was a ration of of 1:1.6+ ration of gun crimes vs guns used in self-defense.

I am pretty sure to quote ol’ Ben Kenobi “These are not the statistics the President was looking for.”

http://www.pagunblog.com/2013/08/22/the-science-is-in/

Daily Deal: Shooting Star Targets AND related safety.

$39 on woot.com
http://sport.woot.com/offers/do-all-outdoors-gmso2-shooting-star-pro-pack-1

VS

$99 at Gander Mountain
http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=703407

This is the third time I’ve seen Woot have these targets. They also have air rifles, tactical flashlights and accessories periodically. So they’re one of those rarities that isn’t raving anti-gun.
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For shooters inexperienced with such targets. Please be mindful of where you are using, and proper backdrops.

These targets lie on the ground. Many shooters fail to realize that their misses can richochet off the ground and go skyward, even potentially hopping a protective berm.

In recent testing of steel targets, a similar affect was noticed if the target was too far in front of the berm. So please be mindful, as shooters we are to be aware of our target and what lies behind them. Remember to consider all angles at play. Targets of this nature need to be used in a proper environment.

See poorly sketched diagram

Always vet your trainers…

CNN has an article on a man accidentally shot by his shooting instructor during a safety class.

THERE IS NO REASON OR EXCUSE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN EVER!!!!!

Please ensure that the instructors you are learning from are of a high caliber. Professional. Safe. 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/13/us/gun-safety-class-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1

If your instructor:

• Doesn’t show you a firearm is cleared
• Sweeps you with the muzzle
• Does anything you feel is unsafe

Then consider leaving the class immediately, seek a refund and a new instructor.

Canines: Licenses to Kill ???

Reason has an article on the growing trend of police brutality against dogs.  The growing number of cases in which officers casually, shoot a dog.  The explanation, it’s “policy”, and points to it as part of the problem.

Many of these cases, the officer is never in danger. These are [mostly] not cases of dogs attacking. Many times its nothing more than a dog approaching, or in one case, the owner had already locked her lapdog in the bathroom. 

http://reason.com/archives/2013/07/08/its-time-to-train-officers-not-to-kill-d

This is a warning sign of a growing police state. We should be afraid when our police are so callous as to make killing a family’s pet “policy”, rather than prudence only when in actual danger. And if they can preventatively kill our pets. Does anyone really think it’s that far beyond, that the same callous behavior, will be applied to us and our children?  [FACT REMINDER: Ruby Ridge was a mostly avoidable tragedy, that became a massacre when an officer chose to shoot a child’s dog in that child’s presence. One has to remember, that to a young child, that dog IS family. And in the case of Ruby Ridge, the child retaliated with lethal force against an officer, who had just killed his buddy.]

If you know that officers are coming, be prudent and secure your canine friend. And realize even that may not be enough to prevent our uniformed finest from having a little live action target shoot.

72 year old defends her home & her husband

Jan Cooper (72) defended her home & her husband (85) from a burglar who should NEVER have been allowed to pose a threat. Thankfully, Mrs. Cooper has a .357 Magnum revolver. Sadly, Alexander Perez, survived. Mr. Perez is a typical lot, a rap sheet that included burglarly, narcotics charges, and likely more and was currently out on parole. I am of the firm opinion that if you want to reduce crime, eliminate parole.
http://news.yahoo.com/grandma-72-shoots-intruder-misses-calif-015042784.html

 

This part was cute…

Cooper said she is amazed by the anger in her voice — and the curse word she let fly — after she fired the shot.

“I am a Christian woman and I’m very proud of it and I don’t curse, but after I shot, rage took hold and I just blasted away,” she said. “And, in fact, afterwards my husband said, ‘I’ve never heard you talk like that!'”

 

Big Changes at CNN.com

First off, today I noticed CNN.com implemented some newfangled commenting system. I really dislike the layout.

But then I stumble across a mostly pro-gun article on raising children in the home with guns. I am shocked, instead of finding one mediocre quasi-pro-gun statement followed by an entire article lambasting gun owners as crazy.  I found a surprisingly delightful article featuring testimonials and insights from parents with small children.

WoW
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/20/living/guns-children-home/index.html?hpt=hp_bn11

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Apparently, some love for the NRA Annual Meeting over at Yahoo too.

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/kids-and-guns-at-the-nra-slideshow/

Must be “Revenge of the Sixth” day (you know, follows May the Fourth be with you, and Cinco de May).

5 month old seized by gestapo child protective services…

I first came across this incident a few days ago. And yes, my blood boiled.  The situation is as follows:

Parents basically take child into hospital. Some questionable care proceeds to happen, followed by the hospital wanting to conduct immediate emergency surgery.  Statements do not jibe with prior doctor’s diagnosis and instructions. They decided to pursue a second opinion. Depart to another hospital and receive care and are discharged. 

First hospital informs Californian Child Protective Services (CPS). Police are sent out.  Parents show and affirm that child did receive care and proper discharge from second hospital. Police politely thank them for their time and depart.

Following day police arrive at their house and kidnap their child. Parents still do not have custody.  There was no immiment threat. The parents showed proof of secondary care and follow-up.  This was out and out GESTAPO….

And to me is a thin red line….

http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/nikolayev-family-reunited-baby-sammy-calls-change-160500121.html (article)

http://news.yahoo.com/video/baby-taken-parents-seeking-second-121338494.html (video)

The fact that the judge who heard the case is still mandating CPS visits and dictating they can never remove the child from medical care again is disgusting. This family did nothing wrong. CPS should have heads rolling, but CPS services have a blanket protection… “if it saves just one child”.  Even with proof they did not endanger the child, the mother was only being granted a single hour a day to visit her 5 month old (nursing age) child.

Folks, this event more than any other in recent days is proof to me that we must never ever allow the government to ban ARs. This is a thin red line, one I pray to God I never ever have to face.

THIS IS NOT MY FUCKING AMERICA…and I am sorry to use profanity on my blog. But this case is far beyond acceptable. My America doesn’t shamelessly go around kidnapping nursing babies from their mothers without any real cause. Just because they have the power to do so. (Or sadly, I guess my America DOES do that.) 

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Dear law enforcement, if you are ever brought out on a case like this. Where the so called claimed “danger to a child”,  and it is apparent that no such threat exists.  Please, use common sense. Look at the CPS agent, and refuse to follow their dictates.

Please….

 

PS – Reading the comments on Yahoo is quite interesting. There was an entire thread of comments lambasting the quality of care of Sutter Memorial hospital. Just to provide further insight into the parent’s case.

I’d rather have a Ruger Alaskan…but

Man and family are attacked by bear. Man vs Bear, Daddy vs Bear…armed with nothing but a scope and a tripod (which the bear made quick work out of)

Dad stands victorious…

Yes, being a dad of small children. I can already envision this man’s children praising their daddy and telling all the other kids in school how their daddy wrestled with a wild bear…and you know what. DARN RIGHT THEY SHOULD BE PROUD OF THEIR DADDY

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/alaska-man-fights-off-bear-walks-away-minor-100049041.html