Repost: Something Must Be Done

I wrote this post several years ago after the Sandy Hook School killings. It resurfaced in my logs after showing up in somebody's search results recently and getting a bunch of fresh hits. The specific incidents have have changed. The anger I feel towards those who insist on creating defenseless victims remains. It's sad that we've learned so little since.

Reposted from December 15, 2012.

Again, the face of evil has again reared its ugly head. Just days after a tragic mall shooting that left three dead, a deranged gunman has left a trail of 27 bodies in Newtown, Connecticut. And once again, we are reminded how helpless we have allowed ourselves to become against such evil. Even before the bodies were removed from the elementary school, the blood dancers were demanding further restrictions on our natural rights to protect ourselves and our loved ones. The president put on his thespian costume to go on TV to shed crocodile tears over the dead children. (All the while cheerfully planning for continued tax money for Planned Parenthood, who killed around 900 children that same day.) The protesters lined the street in front of the White House, NOT to mourn the dead but to demand further restrictions be imposed on innocent citizens.

The president called for "meaningful action" to prevent these tragedies from occurring. Yet, he and others like him bear responsibility for setting so many innocents up for slaughter. They created the "gun free zones" that attracted the deranged individuals. Mass shootings at shopping malls, movie theaters, churches, and schools all have one thing in common. Law-abiding citizens are denied the ability to defend themselves. Dim-witted lawmakers and dependent voters made sure the criminals had free reign for their heinous deeds. A few years ago after a man killed two police officers, VA Senator Saslaw introduced a bill to prevent citizens from taking guns into police stations. The gunman had no issue with current laws against murdering police officers, so just how much of an idiot do you have to be to think he'll be bothered by a "no guns allowed" sign on the door.

Yet, that is just the sort of brain-dead thought that passes for logic among the "gun control" crowd. They want special restrictions on weapons they have superficially labeled "assault weapons." Their designation is based merely on what the inanimate object looks like. The appearance of the weapon has nothing to do with the destruction for which an evil person might use it. The 9/11 bombers carried nothing more than box cutters to carry out their murderous deeds. MinYingjun used a knife to injure 23 school children in China. The common factor among these deeds is not the weapon used. In Connecticut, Oregon, Aurora, Columbine, Virginia Tech, and other places, the commonality is the presence of people intent on doing evil and a defenseless victim pool.

So yes, I agree with the president, we need "meaningful action." In fact, I demand meaningful action. It is time for the American public to stand up and demand that our defensive rights not be limited. The lawmakers and the people who support them are complicit in the deaths of these innocent children. It is they who insist that the innocent be left unprotected and vulnerable. In the words of Stewart Rhodes, Founder of Oath Keepers,

This shooting is yet another tragic example of the failed, grotesque insistence on helpless victim zones where any crazed gunman can be assured of a large number of disarmed, undefended, helpless victims, all crammed into one place, where he can kill many children before an armed defender arrives from elsewhere.  It is disturbing and sick that the federal government so hates the right of the American people to bear arms, and so hates their natural right to self defense, that the government insists on making them helpless, disarmed victims for anyone who cares to kill them.   And in this case, all of the teachers and staff were willfully disarmed by the Federal Government, by force of law and threat of prison, to ensure that they would be disarmed and incapable of saving the lives of the children entrusted to their care.

How many more people must die before the American people stand up and demand an end to victim disarmament zones? Like sheep being led to slaughter, we stand idly by, letting dishonest and hypocritical politicians get away with providing support to killers. These same politicians demand armed protection for themselves and their families. The Brady group, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, The Mayors Against Illegal Guns, and others of their ilk scream out for more "gun control." They focus on an object, and play on the irrational fears of others to create more innocent victims. It's time to face the obvious. It is not the weapon that is the issue. We cannot deny that evil exists. What we can do is stop cooperating with evil by keeping people defenseless.

It's is indeed time for meaningful action. It is time to allow people to be armed and cease creating feel-good "sensitive areas" where you and your children are sitting ducks. No one knows if an armed citizen in any of the recent tragedies could have stopped the killers. What is obvious is that NO ONE was even allowed the option. It's also obvious that the killing locations were chosen because of the concentration of defenseless victims. These killers are cowards. Like all criminals, they choose their victims because they can't or won't fight back. Responsible citizens need to stop merely trying to save the gun-related rights we still have. The time is now be on the offensive, and demand an end to restrictions of our God-given rights. Responsible citizens must be allowed the right to defend themselves EVERYWHERE and ANYWHERE, without restriction. Government and law enforcement cannot and will not protect us.

I'll say it right now and clearly. If you are the type of person who utters calls for "gun control" you are complicit in making these tragedies possible. If you want "reasonable restrictions" on the types of weapons I can own, you are complicit in assuring the criminals have an advantage. If you continue to support "gun free" zones, you are showing you don't care if me or my family are defenseless against perpetrators of evil. I consider those who try to restrict my right to self-defense, in any manner, just as much of a danger to my safety and the lives of my loved ones as the psycho who would attack them.

Yes, I am angry. I am angry that these innocents have lost their lives. I am angry that families are mourning. And I am angry that our government demanded that they be left open for slaughter. If someone wants to go about life with no more than a "hope" that violence never finds them, that is their choice. I pray every morning that I will not need to defend my life that day, and I pray every night in thanks that I did not. But I will not leave my loved ones at risk to assuage the weaknesses and phobias of others. The right to self defense and the right to defend our children from harm is God-given and cannot be taken away or limited by any man or government.

Seven Years Ban Free

On January 18, 2011, I was notified by Facebook that these Musings had been flagged as containing "content that is abusive or spammy" content. As such the posts are unable to be shared on Facebook. Our Facebook "jail time" lasted a little over 24 hours before the restriction was lifted without explanation.

As Seen on January 18, 2011

I have no reason to believe that Facebook is any more accepting of non-leftist views than they were seven years ago. I am surprised to have escaped further bans, at least so far.

Challenge accepted. 

Birds of a Feather

White supremacists, KKK, Nazis, Communists, Socialists, BLM, CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood, Antifa...

Un-American terrorists, the whole lot. They should all be treated as domestic enemies, without quarter or question.

If you wrap yourself in a flag other than this one, you lose the honor of being referred to as an American.

Forgotten Respect For Our Flag

I came across this display the other day. It made me sad.

Given that president Obama's greatest legacy may be that flags are perpetually at half-staff, we'll probably see even more of this. Knowledge of how to properly display our nation's flags seems to be a lost art.

Yes, I did contact a representative of the sponsoring organization and await a reply.

4 U.S. Code § 7 - "No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America."

Setting Records

Rain records that is.

I've been driving around with targets and other range gear in my car for a week, hoping for a break. We saw some sun briefly on Saturday, and just my luck, the ranges were closed for a maintenance day. So I used the only sun in weeks, to mow the grass that desperately needed mowing.

Those Who Fail to Learn From History

... are condemned to repeat it.

The idea behind "gun control" is not to get rid of guns. The goal behind "gun control" is that only the state will have guns. We know how well that has worked out in the past. Disarming a population is the first step in oppressing it.

Image H/T to Jew With Gun.

Has VCDL Gone PC?

A recent email from the Virginia Citizens Defense League contained an essay entitled "Firearm vs weapon, CHP vs CCW - words mean things." Within that post, VCDL President Philip Van Cleave made this comment,

HANDGUN, FIREARM, SIDEARM, GLOCK VS WEAPON 

Avoid the use of the word “weapon” when referring to your firearm.  Weapon has a negative connotation, referring more to something used in an aggressive or offensive manner.  The military carries weapons.  You and I carry for defensive reasons only.  Instead use the words firearm, sidearm, handgun, or the firearm type, such as Glock, Sig, etc.

I was taken aback. What is this PC nonsense? Van Cleave claims that "weapon" has a negative connotation. He posits it is because the military carries "weapons." Does that mean the military has a negative connotation, or is deployed only for offensive purposes? A weapon can certainly be used defensively, as one was just this week in Canada, and also 100's of times each year, by civilians in the United States. I carry a defensive weapon. In fact, I carry a dangerous defensive weapon. If it wasn't so, I wouldn't stake my life on it.

I agree with the VCDL in that "words mean things." That is why we should not cede the language to the hoplophobes. The enemies of freedom have already usurped words like "tolerance" and "liberal." We see it everyday in the news when mass killers are described as "shooters" or "assault weapon" is used to refer to just about any semi-automatic gun that's black.

Do I say "weapon" every time I refer to my gun? Of course not. Will I avoid the use of the term for political correctness? Certainly not.

On the other hand, maybe VCDL is on to something.

 I suppose my "pistol" would be allowed wherever this is posted.

Infantilism Has Replaced Liberalism

The trouble with the left.

Buffalo burgers, "damned delicious as well."  Heh.

Prayers For Our Nation

Today is a fitting day to reflect on the precipice at which we find ourselves. More so than in all of the last 13 years, our Nation sits vulnerable, with a failed leader and a citizenry afraid to confront the evil in front of us. Our enemy's tactic of crying "islamophobia" scares the meek into accepting and excusing barbarism. Too many Americans, even fellow Christians, are willing to coexist with evil. We see the result of a cooperation with evil in the genocide of Christians taking place in Iraq and throughout the Middle East. Yet, the ignorant continue to make excuses and look for good where there can be none. We have seen "lone wolf" jihad in our own country for decades, without alarm. How many warnings will be ignored, how much more sway will evil be given, before there is no escape?

On this somber anniversary of Satan's attack on our country, let us pray that this encroaching evil is vanquished from our land, and that we may someday live in safety and peace.

St. Michael the Archangel,

defend us in battle.

Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,

and do thou,

O Prince of the heavenly hosts,

by the power of God,

cast into hell Satan,

and all the evil spirits,

who prowl about the world

seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

If we shall not live in peace, I pray we don't die "cowering in place". I make a plea to all my fellow Christians, and to my fellow Catholics in particular. Do not become complacent. "Turning the other cheek" does not mean acquiescence, it does not mean surrender. We must stand up to the silent surrender in the courts, and by those in political office. Political correctness is weakness, and weakness loses to oppression every time. The enemy is here, hiding in plain site. Innocent people are being martyred by muslims in America today. The coming battle will be both spiritual and corporal. Heed the words of Theodore Roosevelt who noted at the turn of the 20th century, "Christianity was saved in Europe solely because the peoples of Europe fought." Sadly, it may now be too late for a Christian Europe. If we too fail to stand strong now, in the words of Archbishop Amel Nona, we in the West "will become the victims of the enemy [we] have welcomed."

[Portions of this rant were originally published on Gabriel Possenti Shooters.]

What Country Did I Wake Up In?

I've been displaying the American flag, along with the Pledge of Allegiance on this blog, since at least July 2012. I do so proudly, and have no intent on ceasing. Imagine my surprise when the left in this country this week deemed the display of the flag to be a racist act. (Actually, I am not surprised at all.)

The left in California are spurred on by a 9th Circuit court ruling that the American flag is a "symbol of racial animus." I wondered if they still have it displayed in the courtrooms there. It seems the leftists are upset that patriotic Americans would protest the Court's declaration. The flag-haters choose to ignore the fact that the activist court's proclamation was based on a fear of violence by foreign students at the school, not the American citizens displaying the flag. Yet it was the rights of Americans the court decided to restrict.

Twitchy has preserved the liberal sputtering here. I'd advise your blood pressure medicine before clicking that link.

Not Racist. Marine Barracks, Washington, DC

Don't Drink From Cans

Heavy Seas is one of my favorite craft breweries. Loose Cannon IPA was one of the first IPAs I drank, and I still enjoy it frequently. However, when I saw the latest Pyrate's Log newsletter from the brewery, I couldn't help but exclaim, "No! Don't do that!"

I was surprised to see the brewery advocating drinking the beer from the can and missing out on the full aroma, the full flavor and even the attractive appearance of the beer. The brewery's own description reads "The carefully cultivated interplay of Simcoe, Palisade, and Centennial creates a most fragrant IPA—its nose bursts with notes of grapefruit, herbs, and pine." You won't get that drinking from the can (or a bottle.)

Given the advances in canning technology, I'm fine with putting craft beer in cans. In fact, I'm starting to prefer it — cans keep the beer fresh longer, there's no chance of light damage, and the package is lighter and more compact than bottles.

But pour the beer into a glass. Please.

The Beer Menu Matters Too

I was looking forward to hitting my favorite brewpub last Friday evening. Apparently, so was the rest of the town. When we pulled up, cars were backed up onto the street just trying to get into the parking lot. Apparently the "Mardi Gras" menu was a hit. Good for the pub, bad for us. We turned around to look for another dinner spot. We stopped by another local pub that we hit on occasion, which can usually be counted on to have a decent craft beer selection.

Almost without fail, in any restaurant, my first question concerns the accuracy of the posted menu. In this case I was particularly interested in knowing if there were any beers not listed, so I asked "Is this list complete?" and received a reply in the affirmative. Colleen asked for the "Devil's Backbone" Kilt Flasher but was informed that selection was not available. (The brewery's name is actually Devils Backbone, with no apostrophe.) I had also intended to get the Scotch Ale so I opted for the Port City Porter while Colleen perused the menu further. She settled on the Avery White Rascal.

A few minutes later, the waitress returned to apologize that the White Rascal was also no longer available. We laughed (really, we did) and Colleen selected the Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald "Stout." Edmund Fitzgerald is actually a Porter, not a Stout, though that point was moot, since it too was out. Growing frustrated, we asked what they actually had. At that, the waitress informed us they just added a beer that wasn't listed, Devils Backbone Dark Abby. (I thought we settled the question of completeness previously?) "It's a Stout," she said. I knew better, and quickly told Colleen that she'd like that one, so it was ordered. Dark Abby is a Dubbel, not a Stout. A short while later, the waitress returned with our two beers, and the cider selected by our dining companion.

I relate this tale, not to disparage the establishment, which was one of the first local pubs to actually serve craft beer. The beers we got, though our second and fourth choices, were enjoyable, and the food was tasty. My purpose is to lament the casual attention to detail that beer menus often get, even at places that make a point to "do" craft beer. It's doubtful that a restaurant would put a food menu in front of a customer and not mention the selections that were unavailable. And of course, the entrées would be labeled correctly. They wouldn't label chicken as pork, even if they are both "white meat."

Beer runs out, and selections change, and I accept that. Heck, I pretty much expect it. It's why I start my selection process by inquiring about the menu accuracy. Unfortunately, in this instance it didn't make the process any easier. We still had a fun evening. We had a some extra laughs over the menu and the ordering difficulties, and there was fodder for Musings. And there's always next time.

Update: I noticed on the pub's Facebook page that two days before our visit they announced they had also tapped Old Speckled Hen, Sweetwater 420 Extra Pale Ale, and Great Lakes Conway's Irish Ale. I think I would have enjoyed those. Note to self: Check a pub's FB page before venturing out.

The Starbucks Kerfuffle

There's been a lot of chatter in the past week on the recent Starbucks statement on guns in their stores. I've read much discussion, from both the anti-freedom forces as well as the differences of opinion from gun rights advocates. I delayed posting to give the matter serious thought. Now, after absorbing it all, I find my initial reaction is unchanged.

Asbestos suit at the ready

I think Starbucks statement is offensive, undoubtedly pushed by an attorney, and sadly an attempt to be "politically correct." Those who know me, know my opinion on PC. I firmly believe we have a right to carry where, and how, we wish, and we should not be questioned while doing so. That said, I strongly feel that the "demonstrations" at Starbucks were ill-advised and did more to harm the cause than to help. Good tactics can win a battle, bad tactics can lose the war.

Showing up en masse, carrying rifles and shotguns, is really not a way to win hearts. "Because I can" might be true, but it's an excuse, not a reason. I hear comments about "normalizing" the sight of a gun in public. But face it, we had a known libtard company, and even though they really don't agree with the 2nd Amendment, they publicly stated that they would follow the law of the land with regard to guns. That's pretty much normalized right there. As thanks, a group of "activists" went out of their way to make other customers of the company feel uncomfortable. As irrational as the hoplophobe's fears are, their money spends at Starbuck's too. Frankly, I wouldn't feel comfortable walking into that "pro-gun" crowd myself, for the same reason I generally avoid gun shows.

I have no objection to "open carry," I do object to "carry for protest." I choose to carry a gun for my personal and my family's defense, and for no other reason. It's not a show. Despite the claims of "I prefer open carry as a tactic," it's obvious the "appreciation" groups showing up at Starbucks with rifles slung over their shoulders were not doing so for any self-defense needs. Heck, if someone told me they need to be in a group, armed with rifles and shotguns to buy coffee, my response would be they should find a safer place to buy coffee.

For all intents and purposes nothing has changed, other than a pointless statement, and a lot of bad publicity for gun owners. Of course this move by Starbucks will only embolden our foes. Starbucks has never specifically allowed or disallowed guns in their stores. They have said all along this not their battle, they take no sides and made following local law their policy. Some gun owners weren't happy with being allowed to carry like they always could, so they decided to make Starbucks their pawn. As expected, and as they warned, Starbucks got fed up and issued an admittedly weak and PC message. The company has not banned guns, they essentially said, again, please, leave us out of it. They have asked gun owners to refrain from opening carrying, but did not forbid it on their stores. They specifically say in their employee direction accompanying the statement that employees are NOT to ask any one to leave for carrying.

So now the anti-gunners get to play it up as a win. All because a bunch of gun advocates decided to make a "statement," instead of simply carrying their guns as they always did, to which Starbucks never objected. Why would anyone go out of their way to antagonize someone who was not restricting their rights? That's not defending your rights. It's just stupid.

Now the calls for boycotting Starbucks have switched from coming from the hoplophobes to coming from the gun rights side. I've never been much on boycotts in general. I do buy Starbuck's coffee on occasion, and will probably continue to do so. It's convenient to my travels. I happen to like my coffee on the bitter end of the scale anyway. And, I will continue to exercise my rights as I see fit. My right to self defense does not come from the 2nd Amendment, nor is it mitigated by a sign.

The pro-gun crowd can rant and rave about the new Starbucks attitude, but our side owns this one. We all know the four rules of gun safety. But some have forgotten the first rule of gun ownership, don't act like a fool.

Gun Grabber Vileness II

I've said it before, that those who clamor for "gun control" are no more than accomplices for the criminal segment of the population. They press their agenda in order to create a defenseless victim pool. Just this week, the most vocal of the anti-rights groups again showed their support even the most vile of criminals. At a stop in New Hampshire, among other venues, members of New York Mayor Bloomberg's MAIG memorialized Tamerlan Tsarnaev as a victim of gun violence.

At a June 18 gun control rally in New Hampshire sponsored by New York mayor Michael Bloomberg's Mayors Against Illegal Guns group, the name of Boston bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev was read aloud as a recent victim of gun violence. 

Throughout the rally, organizers read a list of names of people who had been killed with guns since the Dec. 14 shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. 

When they read Tsarnaev's name, pro-gun supporters who were at the rally to counter Bloomberg's group began shouting, "He's a terrorist," according to a report by Tim Buckland of the New Hampshire Union-Leader.

That's right, the depravity of the hoplophobes runs so deep that even a islamic terrorist who killed and maimed dozens in an attack on innocent people, is to be mourned and remembered as a victim of gun violence after being shot and killed by law enforcement.

The gun-grabbers continue to expose themselves for what they truly represent. They care more for keeping criminals safe than they do about keeping innocent people alive. The level of depravity exhibited by such people is disgusting and deserves no place in a free and civilized society.

Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth

A group of hoplophobes, and possible neo-prohibitionists as well, this week launched a campaign designed to pressure daily deal promoter LivingSocial into ceasing deals that include firearms and alcohol. Not having any logical basis or facts on which to base their rants, these groups resort to innuendo and distortions.

The advocacy groups – including CREDO Action, The Gun Truth Project and MomsRising – say promoting deals that integrate shooting and drinking only encourages that combination at the threat to public safety. 

The groups are invoking December's shooting massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School to argue that companies like LivingSocial should refrain from endorsing deals that glorify firearms, particularly in combination with alcohol. 

"In the wake of Newtown, I'd like to know how the people who own or work for LivingSocial can justify profiting from the packaging of AK-47 shooting sprees with an evening of bourbon shots," Becky Bond, CREDO's political director, said in a statement. 

The company, she added, "is endangering the public health by suggesting pairing assault weapons with alcohol binges is just good clean fun." 

Could Ms. Bond get any more inane in her comments; "threat to public safety," "glorify firearms," "shooting sprees with an evening of bourbon shots," "alcohol binges?" Talk about projection.

Curious about the offers that are causing these hand wringers such heartburn, I searched out a past LivingSocial Adventure, and found "AK47s, Rifles and Pistols Followed By 8 Drink Tastings." The deal included "55 Shots On a Rifle, Pistol, and AK-47." That's hardly a "shooting spree." I doubt there's even a mag change involved with any of the weapons. The shooting was done at an indoor range, under the supervision of expert instructors, who provide safety instruction and equipment. After shooting, the participants will travel to another location for "eight tastings of wine, beer, or liquor." The participants even travel to and from the event in a chartered bus.

It's well-documented that the busybodies who babble on about some imaginary danger from firearms are projecting their own inadequacies on to others. They seek to force others to relinquish rights due to their own inability to make responsible decisions. This is the same mindset that gives us large soda bans and school pencil suspensions. It's the same sort of meddling that caused the yentas in Queens to call the police on a dad playing with his kids in a park.

An afternoon of shooting, followed by drinks with friends. Sounds like a Tuesday to me.

The Collectivist State

The latest groupthink from the left claims that responsibility for educating children belongs to "the community," not parents. In a "Lean Forward" propaganda piece, MSN resident Marxist Melissa Harris-Perry makes the claim, "We haven't had a very collective notion of these are our children, so part of it is we have to break through our private idea that kids belong to their parents." This collectivist proclamation should be a wake up call for every responsible citizen, parent or not.

The idea that we should allow the "collective" to educate our children is dehumanizing and wholly evil. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church states:

The right and duty of parents to educate their children is “essential, since it is connected with the transmission of human life; it is original and primary with regard to the educational role of others, on account of the uniqueness of the loving relationship between parents and children; and it is irreplaceable and inalienable, and therefore incapable of being entirely delegated to others or usurped by others”. Parents have the duty and right to impart a religious education and moral formation to their children, a right the State cannot annul but which it must respect and promote. This is a primary right that the family may not neglect or delegate.

After the initial outcry, some tried to make the claim that the Harris-Perry's comments were taken out of context. In fact, when the story first came out, I was almost ready to give it a pass. However, by her own admission, we learned that her statements were indeed interpreted correctly. She stood her ground recently with these remarks:

This isn’t about me wanting to take your kids, and this isn’t even about whether children are property. This is about whether we as a society, expressing our collective will through our public institutions, including our government, have a right to impinge on individual freedoms in order to advance a common good. And that is exactly the fight that we have been having for a couple hundred years.

"Collective will," as promulgated by the state schools. Sort of like this:

Robb over at Sharp asa Marble summed it up quite succinctly, "This is why I own guns."

Gun Grabber Hypocrisy

Here's more confirmation of what we already knew; the real intent of the gun control elite is not gun control. Their intention is to control you, the lowly citizen. Mark Kelly, who already got caught trying to buy a gun he wants to ban, is again exposing his true colors. Kelly testified in Colorado in support of the bill to limit magazine capacity there to 15 rounds. Yet, here he is, in Arizona, showing off his Glock handgun with a 17 round magazine.

His wife, another tool of the gun grabber crowd who also wants to take your guns, is cheering him on as he target practices.

Gun Grabber Vileness

I've long been distrustful of those who argue for "gun control" laws. It is my opinion they are complicit in the creation of defenseless victims. But with growing frequency, I am finding those who speak and act against the God-given right to self defense to be more than simply ignorant. They are increasingly being exposed as vile and dangerous people, who are often proven to be liars, criminals, violence prone, and even racists.

Watch this video of Colorado DEMOCRAT Diana DeGette dismissing a concerned constituent.

She knows that the Denver police arriving "within minutes" will do nothing to save this man in the situation he presents for discussion, and she has the unmitigated gall to laughingly dismiss the man and his concerns, telling him he'd be "probably be dead anyway." The leftist elites care nothing about the safety and well-being of us lowly citizens. They propose "gun control" laws that have absolutely nothing to do with protecting people, and everything to do with control of people. The way this despicable excuse for a human responds gives us an amazingly clear view of the fight ahead. It's us vs. them. Stand by for another war for freedom in America.

Tip to Another Gun Blog.

Shopping For Scissors

The Department of Homeland Security let us know that if we encounter an active shooter, we can protect ourselves with scissors. Since then, I've been trying to find the right tool to add to my EDC (Every Day Carry) gear.

It's confusing, there are so many styles of scissors to choose from. And then there's also the problem of how to carry this weapon. Should I use a Strong Side or Inside the Waistband holster? I think Appendix Carry is probably not a good idea. What about "BUS" (Back Up Scissors)? Is one pair enough? Plastic or metal grip? How does one balance blade length and concealability? Of course, concealment brings up the legal questions. Can scissors be carried concealed or must they must be open carried? Virginia's Concealed Weapons law doesn't specifically mention scissors so it's unclear in this regard.

And I thought firearm selection was confusing. Decisions, decisions.

Frosted Glassware Is Not Cool

I've been ranting on this for years. Now the Brewers Association has created a brief public service video we can use to help educate beer servers and bar managers.


Frosted Glassware is Not Cool from Brewers Association on Vimeo.
I think I'll bookmark this on my phone and show it the next time I get a quizzical look from my server.