Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Nickels Gun Ban Hearing Report

The hearing Monday night went about as well as it could have, all things
considered. About 200 (my est., hard numbers not avail yet) showed at a
ratio of 80/20 (again, an approximation) in favor of the Pro2A. It is
presently anticipated that Nickels, charming soul that he is, will
continue down his course of Chicago-esque rule by Mayoral fiat, however
it appears that the press picked up on the theme and the lopsided
numbers in the testimony. I am guessing somewhere between two and five
lawsuits will be filed within a week of formal enactment of the Nickels Ban.

I suspect weather (we're not USED to cold/snow/ice here) deterred many
as temps were below freezing, and many folks in steeper neighborhoods
faced sheets of ice claiming to be roads between their homes/businesses
and main thoroughfares.

We had a fair number of good speakers on the 2A side, with only a few
wince-inducing moments. The opposition, predictably, focused more on
"disarming y'all makes me FEEEEEL safer, never mind logic/numbers" while
our side was more "facts'n'logic" based.

Present were members of the JPFO, leadership of the Second Amendment
Foundation (including Alan Gottleib), recognized NW firearms luminary
Joe Waldron (of SAF), a fair number of folks from the new Citizens for
the 2nd Amendment group, and many MANY others. Probably one of the high
points of the evening was one gentleman from the C2A group that
presented a comparison graphic of the number of shall-issue states in
1986 vs 2006 - good strong visual there.

My testimony may be found at nwfreethinker.blogspot.com .... and in a
couple of days the entire hearing will be available for your viewing
pleasure at www.seattle.gov ...

Regarding the suggestion elsewhere I move to Wyoming/Idaho/Montana - I have
practical reasons and familial obligations leading me to remain in
Seattle despite any other considerations. Additionally, I just escaped
back from California a couple of years ago where the taxes, gun laws,
and regulation generally are all much more oppressive than things in
Washington.

Barring things falling further apart up here, in WA we really have a
pretty good deal when it comes to gun issues, and the Eastern half of
the state (and the Western, outside of urbania) is fairly pro-gun and
tends to serve as a drag on anti-gun measures, and liberal notions
generally (which is not *always* a good thing, but in general a net
benefit - balance is good). And when it comes down to it, I *like*
Seattle....it's the elected ninnyhammers that annoy me.

This bit with Nickels and his ban is a sufficiently substantial
annoyance to drag me kicking and screaming back into activism at a level
beyond my preferred letter-writing and the occasional bit of mentoring.
In any instance...not a bad evenings work...

Here's the link. I've yet to find a way to copy or embed it, but will keep trying...this is to the entire hearing...

http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=5010890



Monday, December 15, 2008

My Testimony @ the Nickels Gun Ban Hearing

Nickels Gun Ban

I am GC. I live in West Seattle. I am a gay man, suffer medical limitations, and am the proud uncle of two charming nieces. I speak against this rule.

Nature stole my ability to use my preferred safety strategy “Run away! Run away!” and as a gay man I am member of a community various bigots love to physically attack - thus I’m blessed with a sort of double whammy of vulnerability. I find it hard to imagine visiting City facilities, parks, and events under the proposed rule – particularly as darkness approaches and anti-social activity increases – while unable to EITHER defend myself or scamper off in the face of assault or worse.

We live in a democracy, not merely nationally, but even in the City of Seattle – wherein we are bound by the rule of law and the legislative process – not mayoral fiat. What a County or City is barred from doing by legislative act, it is equally forbidden to do by executive decree. This proposed rule is clearly in violation of Title 9.41 of the Revised Code of Washington.

Mayor Nickels himself acknowledged the cities absolute lack of authority regarding firearms a letter to Washington State Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, dated May 4, 2006 stating: “State law preempts any and all local regulations related to firearms. Our hands are tied at the local level and we are unable to adopt any local laws to protect our residents from gun crime.”

By his own admission, this rule is unlawful – leaving us to suppose it is merely political grand-standing as the Mayor dances in blood in a desperate effort to appear relevant in a City largely hostile to his administration as he seeks re-election.

If passed and enforced this rule increases, as Chief Kerlikowske can testify, the risk of lawfully owned firearms being stolen from vehicles as law-abiding CPL holders store them in their personal vehicles before entering city property. Not unlike Chief Kerlikowske’s experience.

The rule bars law-abiding Concealed Pistol Licensees from exercising the very action they are licensed for in all city facilities, community centers, parks, and events.

This rule *INCREASES* victim vulnerability – placing members of the LGBT community, other minorities, and stalkers victims at higher risk in the name of political grand-standing.

This rule would create vast civil liability for the City when we can least afford it – abort this ill-thought out exercise in bloody shirt-waving for political gain before it leads to both injury for citizens and expense for the city.

Kerlikowske Lost Gun Story

Nickel’s Follies

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Nickels Gun Ban Hearing

When fighting for civil rights, as in many other things, there are the "big battles" and the "small ones", and given finite resources - we are forced to focus on the big ones, lest we be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of wrongs in need of righting, and become completely ineffective in righting any of them because we are spread so thin.

The gun ban proposed by Seattle Mayor Nickels is one of those "big battles", and for more than one reason. Nickels proposes not only a gun ban (tanking the state pre-emption statute, RCW 9.41.290), he proposes that State Pre-emption is irrelevant to his efforts - since he's simply (according to him) creating an adminstrative rule, not law, and Pre-Emption only applies to laws.

On observing history, we can reasonably assume that should Nickels triumph in his speciousness, other cities will follow - and we will be returned to the patch work of confusing laws that change every few hundred feet or so that we enjoyed before the Legislature pre-empted the field of firearms law in the State of Washington all those years ago.

This is a big one. You need, if at all possible, to be at the hearing on December 15 hearing on this proposed regulation. You need to bring every friend you can. Tell them to play nice, and play nice yourself, but bring them. If you cannot make it - write (best address I've found: PO Box 94726 Seattle, WA 98124-4726), fax (206-684-5529), call ( 206-684-CITY (2489)), or use the e-comment forum. Best of all, do all of the above and ATTEND.

Still, we have yet to describe the enormity of Nickels ban if enacted. At a minimum, until overturned by the courts....

You will be unable to lawfully visit a city park (even the parking lot) while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between the city park and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.

You will be unable to lawfully visit City Hall (even the lobby) while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between City Hall and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.

You will be unable to be lawfully present on *any* City property while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between the city property and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.

You will be unable to lawfully visit any branch of the Seattle Public Library while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between the city library and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.

You will be unable to lawfully attend any event at the Seattle Center while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between the city library and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.

This, however, just the Warm-Up Round.


It gets worse. If passed, we can look forward to jurisdictions around the state spontaneously discovering that "pre-emption doesn't apply to adminstrative rules" and all the expensive and time-consuming jurisdiction by jurisdiction political house-fighting that such adventures entail.

Attend this meeting, submit comments, and if you attend, bring expanded written copy of your comments for submission.

Gun Ban Meeting
December 15, 2008
Bertha Knight Landes room
Seattle City Hall
600 Fourth Avenue
Sign-in begins at 5:30 p.m.

Aaaargh.

Colds suck. 'Nuff said?

Monday, December 8, 2008

On Testimony

In a few short days, I and many others will be testifying against Seattle Mayor Nickels unlawful (according to the State Attorney General) gun ban. This post is at most peripheral in regards to the content of that testimony. This post addresses tactics and technique for what I've observed thus far as effective in such situations.

Primus - as a community, those of us who take an individual rights view of the Second Amendment, support individual firearms rights, and might be considered a bit..."pro-gun" to use a phrase popular among our opponents have been vilified as a group for decades in much of our nation. We have been characterized as racist, knuckle-dragging, homophobic, mouth-breathing primitives with paranoid tendencies and phallic (or pseodo-phallic in the case of the women in our community) issues by our opponents.

Somehow, that we are more law-abiding than average and more peacable than most...seems to escape the caricature.

Our President-Elect described us as a folk when he said "they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

Right or wrong, when testifying (particularly in a largely liberal city) we face those prejudices when we walk into the chambers of a city or county council, or a legislative hearing, far to frequently in the United States.

Secundus, it does not serve us well to play into the stereotypes perpetrate those who oppose us, our rights, and our interests. In fact, consciously undermining those hostile stereotypes and demolishing them as ridiculous and hate-filled parodies serves us best.

Tertius, with the above firmly in mind, to quote the ever-pithy Ru Paul "We’re all born naked, and the rest is drag." The question then becomes what form of drag (or costumery, if you prefer) serves us best - be it clothing or verbiage.

When testifying, our chance of impacting a given body is enhanced when we ask our selves what attire fits the notion of "people they really respect and listen to" of the audience we seek to influence - be it a city council, a county hearing officer, a congressional hearing, or a courtroom adventure. If the group you testify to visually cues on you as "respectable", your chances of being heard (or having influence) are dramatically enhanced.

Showing up to a jousting tournament dressed as a ballerina garners neither respect nor victory, after all.

With that in mind, business semi-formal (a business suit, with a tie for men) or business casual (slacks and a good collared shirt, perhaps with a sportcoat or sweater) become a good choice both at this Seattle hearing, and most other such events in Washington - other locales may be more or less formal, but EACH will have the local "respectable critter" drag attire. Camo and denim are great for a lot of situations; not for this. And for those mired in the Disco era...give up the polyester; if you are "fashion challenged" and know it (any suit more than 5-10 years old is probably fashion-challenged), grab a buddy who knows about such things (finance allowing) and go forth and visit Men's Wearhouse for a reasonably inexpensive set of business attire (my sources for good women's attire...are limited. Macy's? )

Similarly, if you volunteer or are chosen to speak...know your time limit, and frontload your points...get the main points (the hard-hitting stuff) up front, edit down your comments to fit the local time limit (getting cut off doesn't enhance your impact), use bullet pointed 3x5 cards if you need them (most of us do), and maintain your dignity. Your effectiveness rests in your appearing more competent and knowledgeable than not just the average bear, but than your opponent - and as mentioned in the first point, the cards are stacked against us. We MUST appear calm/cool/collected regardless of what abuse our opponents throw upon us - because we start from a place of being painted in a negative light.

There are exceptions to the above, but a government hearing is rarely one of them.

Finally, or Quartius, know your facts and your playing field. Stay on topic. And don't be afraid to consult the recognized leaders in the field before you testify or plan your testimony. In Washington, and on Washington Firearms-related Law, I would suggest the Second Amendment Foundation and the inestimable Dave Workman and Joe Waldron are the acknowledged subject matter experts.

Monday, December 1, 2008

A worthy Bleg

I rarely re-post, and pass this along only due to its' relevancy to core Pink Pistols interests. For those not familiar, FAS is Firearms Academy of Seattle ( http://www.firearmsacademy.com/ ), owned and operated by Marty and Gila Hayes (in passing, I am informed that Massad Ayoob teaches there from time to time).

As an organization, I've heard nothing but good things of them, and am more than prepared to take them at their word. I am not aware of any formal FAS-PinkPistols interactions, but I am aware that FAS runs a very successful womens program of the sort that if I were able to move my eighty year old mother past her hoplophobia, I'd be sending her to class with Gila & Marty.

_____________________________________________________________


Dear FAS students, friends and staff.

Imagine being jumped by three individuals, knocked to the ground and being stomped on, with your only recourse being to draw your gun and shoot. Seems reasonable, right? Well, a firearms trainer from Arizona is sitting in jail right now for doing this exact thing, and he needs some help.

First off, he is affiliated with the school Tactical Response, a school run by a trainer named James Yeager. I know James personally, and think he is a pretty good guy, and is teaching good material to good folks. It is one of his adjunct staff guys who was in this situation last week, and he is now being held on $100,000 bond, and is being forced to use a public defender until he can raise money for a real lawyer. Tactical Response is coordinating a fundraiser, and FAS has donated $1000 in classes towards this fund raiser, and I wanted to ask everyone reading this, to consider participating in this fund raiser, even if it is just a $20 bill.

If Tactical Response is anything like FAS, Mr. HIckey likely donates his time to help teach people how to save themselves from criminal attack. We are blessed here at FAS with many like minded staff, and I would like to think that if one of them were in this trouble, we would be doing the same thing for him or her.

They are holding a raffle Dec. 12 for some really cool gun stuff, (including a couple of guns). The list and how to get involved is pasted below. Please, as a favor to one of our own, send this guy a few bucks so he can get good counsel and get the heck out of jail so he can get back to work and support his family. Thank-you for caring.

Marty

P.S. Can someone forward this to the Insights list? This is a cause the whole industry, and all of us gun carrying good guys need to be helping out with. See below for the raffle details and how to buy chances.

----------------------------------------------------------

You may purchase your raffle chances at the following PayPal address.

40usit.net>tracyah@usit.net

or,

You may send payments to the following address.

Larry Hickey Defense Fund
1061 Asbury Rd.
Camden TN 38320

Make funds payable to: Tracy Hightower.

Funds must be received before Friday December 12th as the drawings will be held Friday December 12th at 11:00am

Raffle chances are $5.00 each. If you wish to purchase more than one chance then send more money. Example: If you wish to purchase 10 chances then send $50.00 and your name will be entered 10 times in each drawing.

Each item will be drawn for separately and your name will be in each drawing. If you buy one chance, your name will be entered one time for each drawing. If you buy 10 chances your name will be entered 10 times for each drawing.

When we begin to draw for items we will post what item we are drawing for and we will draw a name and post the winner. No tickets or numbers will be sent out as there is not time for this. We are all men and women of honor doing this for an honorable cause. Everyone will have an equal chance at winning.

If you donate an item, you may also participate in the drawings. It is not fair to exclude those who have donated items from a chance to win. It will just suck if you win your own item.

VERY IMPORTANT:

When you send your PayPal Payment in the subject line put the words "Larry Hickey Fundraiser". Nothing else!

In the message box, put your name and phone number. Nothing else!

DO NOT put the words "raffle", "drawing" or I want 10 chances or anything that refers to a raffle. Do not make any reference to this thread or the other raffle thread. There is nothing illegal about a raffle here it just that PayPal has a problem with raffles.

THE DRAWINGS WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 12th 11:00AM

Time extended by request.

Enjoy, good luck and thank you all for your generous donations to a good cause.

1) Kimber Custom CDP II 45acp. Like New. Includes: Original case and paperwork, 2 mags, Galco Fletch Holster

2) Tactical Response Training Donation: a $1000.00 training certificate WWW.TacticleResponse.com

3) Gift certificate good for a Fighting Rifle class at the Camden location WWW.TacticleResponse.com

4) Wilson Combat Scattergun Technologies SWAT model 11-87 NFA 14" shotgun. Details can be found here www.gunbroker.com Auction # 116559560

5) AKLB AK-74 Lightning Bolt Serial #0007 http://www.coloradoshootingsports.com/6.html

6) SOE "Breacher's" vest: This is a one-of-a-kind shotgunner's vest made by John Willis

7) SOE CQB subload for rifle mags in tan. No damage. Just a little broke in. http://www.originalsoegear.com/cqbsub.html

8) S.O. Tech Go bag, black in color. New Unused

9) New SORD Australia MFF (military Free Fall) rig small chest type harness. No pouches

10) Shihan chest rig, coyote, brand new

11) MSR Blacklight "Gourmet" cookset

12) $30 Starbucks Gift Card

13) Custom Tactical Tailor patrol vest (It's a modded version of this vest in tan)

14) Custom TT fold out "IFAK" in Multicam

15) AT&T BlackJack 1 phone basically NIB with all the parts and accessories.

16) 500.00 certificate for Rifle Dynamics services of your choice. www.rifledynamics.com

17) Taurus 24/7 45 ACP OSST DESERT TAN GRIP shipped to the winners FFL

18) $75.00 Cheesecake Factory Gift Card

19) Cavalry Arms' last lower and a set of matching hand guards (red color). "If someone sends a upper (we're completely out) we can make it into a complete gun" www.cavalryarms.com

20) brand new 34"? Blackhawk CQC Pistol Belt in the carbon fiber finish http://www.blackhawk.com/product/CQC-Pistol-Belts,794,61.htm

21) (10) AK47 mags

22) 5 sets of Glock Big Dot sights. GL-001S-5

23) VCAS sling

24) CONTRACTOR RX-PRESCRIPTION PHARMACEUTICAL KIT LEVEL 1' www.gorgrp.com with full personal training, , letter of prescription, position and transit, pocket guide, etc

25) $3295.00 TRAINING CERTIFICATE towards the tuition portion of any class taught in Belize, Central America by GMRS in 2009 or 2010 www.gmrsltd.com

26) 1000 rounds .308 ammo. Factory milsurp

27) OSOE Tear OFF IFAK Black very barely used

28) Brand New CRKT M16-10KZ folder

29) Brand new Pro-Mag AR-15 Frontsight rail mount system

30) Brand New 5.11 Dress belt 1.5 inch with stiffner size Large

31) 3 hours of tattooing (about $250.00 worth). In south Denver, CO. http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/SpamOnRye/

32) Rusch ViewMax Adult laryngoscope fiber optic blade on a new ADC battery handle

33) Filipino Martial Arts training Colfax, CA

34) Snugpak Jungle Bag

35) Dogtra Remote collar and the training to go with it. If in driving distance of Long Island, NY. If not we have a video based training program. Dogtra collar model will depend on dogs needs.

36) Handmade ACU purse, the winner can choose the color of lining.

37) two slots to our upcoming two day Combatives Workshop (December 13 - 14) http://www.truthincombat.com/SSTandGS.html

38) Swarovski and Gold/Bronze iPod Classic Jewelry Case from Gilty Couture (80/120GB model)

39) 3 Talon Tactical pocket holsters your choice of J-frame or KelTec 380 from talon tactical holsters

40) Timberline Tactical LCP (LNIB)

41) Fighting Rifle DVDs http://www.tacticalresponsegear.com/catalog/product_inf...182&products_id=2799

42) HSGI Molle OD green sub panel as new. http://hsgi.us/proddetail.asp?prod=HSG-MDLP

43) Eagle subload in black holds 2 ar mags as new http://www.sealsactiongear.com/catalog/store/comersus_v...em.asp?idProduct=257

44) romy G kit Good shape dated 1986

45) 300 rounds Federal HST .40 S&W 180gr shipped

46) 5 VOK/GSW video packages. (2 VOKs& the Tactical Response Gunshot Wound Basics DVD)

47) Two $500 training certificates from The Firearms Academy of Seattle www.firearmsacademy.com

PLEASE READ MY ENTIRE POST BEFORE YOU SEND A PAYPAL.