Open Letter: Fudds Against Freedom

Generally, I avoid columns at HuffPo, but I clicked the link before I realized where it was (I really need to watch URLs more closely). In this case, I discovered an “open letter” from associates of the Outdoors Writers Association of America, who apparently never heard of Jim Zumbo. They want gun control.

Lots of it.

As is my habit, I wrote an email to Daniel Ashe, the bylined writer of the letter, and former FWS director (an Obama appointee). I couldn’t find an email for him, so I sent it to OWAA, as all the co-signers are affiliated with that group. I waited for a response.

-crickets- Funny how that happens when I challenged victim disarmers with facts.

As is also my habit, I’m now sharing my letter with the world.

Dear Mr. Ashe (and co-signers),

RE: An Open Letter From Hunters About Gun Reform
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/opinion-ashe-guns-hunting_us_5af04b20e4b041fd2d28bd88

I’m not sure you’ve thought through your gun control proposals. Allow me to explain.

“We see the need and opportunity to frame compromise between the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms and the Fifth Amendment’s right to life and liberty.”

That would be the “nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property” part, I presume. I think you need to read the whole Fifth Amendment, rather than cherry-pick one clause:

“No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

Please note that this is a set of restriction on government, meant to protect individuals from said government. Let’s focus on that partial clause you like:

“nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;”

Shall not be deprived of property without due process. Like taking, or preventing the acquisition of firearms. That’s rather important, as I hope you’ll come to understand.

“Here’s where we would begin:

“1. An age minimum of 21 years to purchase any gun;”

Any other constitutionally guaranteed rights you want to restrict? Perhaps the First Amendment right to… write? Vote? That whole Fifth Amendment thing?

“2. Anyone on the Terrorist Screening Center’s “no-fly list” may not purchase or possess firearms;”

I’m not a fan of denial of human/civil rights without due process. I think you’re advocating an 18 U.S. Code § 241 – Conspiracy against rights violation.

The problem is that politicians discovered an investigative tool (lists of suspects — many with insufficient evidence to arrest — and possible associates to be watched) and mistook it for a list of actual known bad guys. Well… they did ID the late Senator Ted Kennedy, so some of them were bad guys. But the elderly nun? The inconvenient wife who the federal worker added to no-fly to be rid of her? And several others?

“3. Anyone on Social Security disability due to mental illness may not purchase or possess firearms;”

There’s that due process — or lack thereof — problem again. Based on experience with the Obama administration, I’m guessing that you mean you want his old no-due- process rule reinstated.

“4. Prohibit new sales of semiautomatic assault or tactical-style weapons;”

Why? You never actually explain that. I’m reasonably certain that the Second Amendment doesn’t mention hunting, while it does mention arms being necessary to security and freedom. Pesky thing, eh?

“5. Prohibit new sales of semiautomatic shotguns or rifles (except .22-caliber rim fire) that can hold more than 10 rounds;”

Ditto. Not that such a limit would have deterred some of the recent school shooters (Parkland, FL, ten-round magazines; Ocala, FL, double-barreled shotgun — whoa, a hunting weapon — Dalton, Ga, revolver)

“6. Prohibit any accessory designed or mechanical modification intended a) to increase the rate at which any firearm may be discharged; or b) to increase the magazine capacity of a semiautomatic rifle beyond 10 rounds (except .22-caliber rim fire);”

Can you give me an example of such a device? Metallic self-contained cartridges raised the rate of fire over that of non-case muzzleloaders. The Revolutionary War era Ferguson rifle also had a higher rate of fire over muzzleloaders. Double-barreled shotguns can fire faster than single-shots. Polished trigger groups can increase the rate of fire (along with replacement springs and bolt assemblies).

At a guess, I suspect you have bump-fire stocks (and possibly trigger cranks) in mind. Funny thing: neither increases the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm; that’s inherent in the physics of the firearm’s internal parts. In fact, since a bump-fire stock bleeds off recoil energy to allow the trigger to reset for the next manual operation, that can decrease the theoretical maximum rate of fire.

“7. Mandatory and universal background checks for all firearm sales;”

There’s an idea. How about starting with the 64% of murderers with prior felony convictions who use stolen firearms 88% of the time (and even more with other disqualifying conditions like mental health adjudications, misdemeanor domestic violence convictions, unlawful residency status, and the rest)? Roughly 90% of them get their firearms from friends and family who could be presumed to be aware of their prohibited person status, and from blackmarket — i.e.- already unlawful — sales.

If you can get them to go through background checks, you might be on to something. I’m not sure how you’ll get around the HAYNES ruling on self-incrimination, though.

“8. Prohibit sales of firearms except through registered/licensed dealers (no direct private sales);”

You’ve already specified mandatory universal background checks (more accurately: a prior restraint on the exercise of a right through preemptive proof of innocence). Why also require owners/buyers to go through an FFL dealer unless you want a permanent 4473 and bound book record of who owns what? And you still have the prior felon issue; get them to buy through dealers. Such an insistence on a paper trail is why many gun owners fear you have backdoor registration in mind.

“9. Enact gun violence restraining order authorities allowing courts to temporarily prohibit a person from purchasing or possessing firearms when a family member, community welfare expert or law enforcement officer presents evidence of a threat; and”

You have a serious jones for violating due process, don’t you? Such restraining orders mandate violating human/civil rights with process coming only after the fact; UNDUE process. And if the person is so dangerous that his property must be taken preemptively, why wouldn’t he be arrested and and charged with a crime? Or do you mean that rights — like the First Amendment right to pen silly columns — should be violated without probable cause?

“10. Repeal the “Dickey ban” on scientific research in the area of gun violence and implement the Institute of Medicine’s 2013 gun violence research agenda.”

There is no such ban. The Dickey Amendment forbade the CDC to “advocate or promote gun control.” They could — and did — continue with research (as are other federal agencies). The amendment did take away certain research funding: the amount that the CDC diverted away from research, proving they didn’t need it for said research. And you seem to have missed recent legislation clarifying that: an explicit statement that such research is allowed.

“These suggestions are simple to implement and enforce.”

If they are so simple, then start with the unlawfully armed criminals before inflicting them on the folks who didn’t do it. You know, the…

“They do limit the rights of honest and law-abiding citizens, but they are responsible limitations that do not infringe the ability of Americans to hunt, shoot, or protect themselves and their families.”

They limit the rights of INNOCENT “honest and law-abiding citizens,” but ignore the prior felons who are the vast majority of the problem.

And if have to wait for government permission to purchase only less-effective defensive arms, then, yes; my right to protect myself has been infringed. I seem to recall a wise man speaking of a right delayed being a right denied.

Oh well; it’s not as if you have to run your open letter through a Federal Literature Licensee and undergo a prior restraint background check before exercising your right to speak up.

Carl “Bear” Bussjaeger
Writer, The Zelman Partisans
zelmanpartisans.com

About Us: Jews. Guns. No compromise. No Surrender.
A group of Jews and friends who stand uncompromisingly for the right to
keep and bear arms — and the entire Bill of Rights.


Carl is an unpaid TZP volunteer. If you found this post useful, please consider dropping something in his tip jar. He could use the money, what with truck repairs and bills.

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7 thoughts on “Open Letter: Fudds Against Freedom”

  1. It isn’t bad enough that the gun ban idiots want to shoot us, but when the people who should be on our side try to shoot us in the foot and stab us in the back at the same time, it becomes just too much. It seems like I once heard of a line that went ” If we don’t hang together, we will most assuredly hang separately.”

    I have said, that I don’t own an AR 15 or an AK 47, but that if the government starts to ban them in Michigan, or nationwide, I would rush out and buy one. I have started saving up money with the idea that I wanted to be prepared to buy one, when the time comes. Because it sure as heck looks like we are once again going to hand the leftists what they want, on a silver platter. At least the government doesn’t keep records of who owns guns. haha.

  2. ‘In fact, since a bump-fire stock bleeds off recoil energy to allow the trigger to reset for the next manual operation, that can _decrease_ the theoretical maximum rate of fire.’

    Heh.

  3. Even with all of their appeasement IMHO the Fudd’s will be in the first cattle car out.

    One could hope, but then perhaps I’m just cranky. Comes a time when you get tired of paying for the willful ignorance of others being imposed on you.

  4. Here is a list of businesses and groups that support the OWAA, taken from their website.

    Note that the NRA Whittington Center, Browning/Winchester, Sturm Ruger, Brownells, Bass Pro Shops, LLBean, etc. are on the list. Perhaps these businesses should be made aware of what the OWAA is proposing.

    National Forest Foundation
    SCS Ltd.
    NRA Whittington Center
    Sportsmen’s Alliance
    KUIU Ultralight Hunting
    The Boat Company
    Allen Company
    Duck Camp LLC
    Camp365
    Prois Hunting Apparel for Women
    Sturm, Ruger & Company Inc.
    Tweed Media International
    Outdoor Blogger Summit
    The Beenders Walker Group
    Citizens Climate Lobby
    Visit Phoenix
    Wildlife Acoustics
    Visit Phoenix
    Farm to Feet
    OutdoorsFIRST Media
    Onos Polarized Sunglasses
    Cherokee Spur Ranch
    24 Outdoors LLC
    Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
    Branson Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
    ARGO XTV
    Signature Products Group
    Terra Nova Equipment Ltd.
    Umarex USA
    Florida Keys & Key West
    Bass Pro Shops
    Arkansas Dept. of Parks & Tourism
    Wild Sheep Foundation
    Star Brite
    Minnesota Deer Hunters Association
    Daiwa Corporation
    Marine Fish Conservation Network
    Tioga County Visitors Bureau
    B’n’M Pole Company
    Yamaha Marine
    Fishing Hot Spots Inc.
    Continuous Metal Technology Inc.
    Trees for Tomorrow
    North American Grouse Partnership
    Nestle Purina PetCare Company
    Tourism Saskatchewan
    Stormy Kromer
    Black River Tools Inc.
    Black River Tools Inc.
    Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitor Bureau
    Bullet Weights Inc.
    Buckmasters Ltd.
    Browning/Winchester Repeating Arms
    Babe Winkelman Productions Inc.
    Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
    Brite Strike Technologies Inc.
    Bowhunter
    Brite Strike Technologies Inc.
    Carl Zeiss Sports Optics
    CRKT (Columbia River Knife & Tool)
    Brownells Inc.
    Franklin County Tourist Development Council
    Flying Fisherman
    Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
    Ernst Conservation Seeds
    Fairbanks CVB
    Farcountry Press
    Fishing League Worldwide (FLW)
    Fishing Holdings LLC
    Hunt’s Photo and Video
    Eppinger Manufacturing Co.
    Ducks Unlimited Inc.
    Delta Waterfowl Foundation
    DSC
    Howard Communications Inc.
    Houma Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
    Hobie Cat Company
    Guy Harvey Outpost
    Honda Power Equipment/Honda Marine
    GRABBER Inc./HEATMAX Inc.
    Gamakatsu USA Inc.
    Gogal Publishing Company
    Grand County Colorado Tourism Board
    Maryland Office of Tourism Development
    Martin Flory Group
    LOWA Boots LLC
    Lodge Manufacturing Co.
    Maryland Office of Tourism Development
    Izaak Walton League of America
    L.L. Bean Inc.
    Lake-Link Inc.
    Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness (NMW)
    Lee County VCB
    North Dakota Game and Fish Department
    Nissan North America
    Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
    Destination Niagara USA
    Nissan North America
    North Dakota Game and Fish Department
    Mississippi Tourism
    Missouri Department of Conservation
    MyTopo, A Trimble Company
    National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative
    National Marine Manufacturing Association
    Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation
    Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
    Ruffed Grouse Society
    Porta-Bote International
    Ram Trucks
    Realtree (Jordan Outdoor Enterprises Ltd.)
    Pheasants Forever Inc. and Quail Forever
    Pheasants Forever Inc. and Quail Forever
    Pocket Hercules
    O. Mustad & Son Americas Inc.
    Ocean Conservancy
    Ohio Division of Wildlife
    Old Town Canoe and Kayaks
    Seaguar
    Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
    The Vital Ground Foundation
    The Wilderness Society
    Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
    Thomas Spinning Lures Inc.
    Springfield, Missouri Convention & Visitors Bureau
    St. Croix Rod
    The Pew Charitable Trusts
    Yakima Bait Company
    SportDOG Brand
    Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska
    Suzuki Motor Corp.-American
    Yakima Bait Company
    Yamaha Motor Corp. USA
    Visit Duluth
    Wind River Visitors Council
    Wyoming Wildlife/Wyoming Game and Fish Department
    Tourism Association of Dickinson County
    Trout Unlimited
    USDA Forest Service
    Vanishing Paradise
    Visit Central Florida
    Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.
    Yo-Zuri America Inc.
    American Sportfishing Association
    American Fly Fishing Trade Association
    Absolute Outdoor Inc.
    Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
    Augmentra Ltd. (ViewRanger)

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