Oh, I'm sorry. That title should read "Reasonable Gun Laws As Seen By Gun Control Advocates". Laws that would make "reasonable" restrictions on guns the "reasonable" population of the U.S. would "naturally" want. Laws against . . .

Black rifles - You know the ones I'm talking about. Those rifles (and some shotguns . . . and some handguns) known in their confused world as "Assault Weapons". Guns that operate in semi-auto mode only, just as do many of the beautiful guns with high end finishes on walnut stocks with hunting scenes carved into the wood and etched into the metal. Guns that have detachable magazines that hold (XX) number of rounds. Guns that have rails to add any number of attachments. Those "scary" guns.

Machine guns - Ah yes, the misaligned tag given to black rifles. Machine guns are classified as weapons that fire projectiles continuously with one pull of the trigger, until empty or pressure on the trigger is released. Machine guns are already heavily regulated and other than for military and law enforcement go mostly to well heeled collectors. Most machine guns sell for tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars and are stored in safes when not being used in highly restricted events. Any illegal machine guns in the U.S. will bring heavy fines and prison time, so "reasonable" restrictions are already in place.

Cop - - Killer - - Bullets - Okay, Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) are as human as you and I. In my estimation that makes any bullet a cop killer, and ultimately banning all bullets is the goal. For now though let's assume any bullet that will penetrate police body armor (bullet proof vests) are the rounds spoken of. Ballistic vests come in at least six levels of protection, I, IIA, II, IIIA, III and IV.

Type I protects from .22 long rifle up to .380acp. Type I typically is minimal coverage so a bullet in the side or underarm can easily defeat it. Each type provides increasing levels of protection up to Type IV, which is capable of stopping one 30-06 armor piercing round and several lesser rounds. Many common Big game rounds exceed the power of the 30-06, again, rounds for guns criminals would not be carrying while committing crimes. Cop Killer Bullets? Yeah, they mean all bullets.

Excessive ammunition stockpiles - Gun control advocates see no reason for anyone to have in their possession more than 200 TOTAL rounds of ammo stocked for their gun hobby. Some "weapon enthusiasts" have dozens to hundreds of guns, locked in safes where they can be sure they will be there when the owner wants to hunt, target shoot or do whatever lawful activity he or she chooses. Imagine the collector with forty guns, including handguns, rifles, shotguns and maybe that WWII .30 caliber Browning machine gun he paid $95,000 for. Even if he limited 39 of those guns to 2 rounds each, the remaing 122 rounds would give him all of 8 seconds of shooting enjoyment from the old Browning.

Sniper rifles - A sniper rifle, up until recent years, consisted of nearly "off the shelf" bolt action, centerfire, scoped rifles made by Remington, Winchester and a few lesser known but equally accurate brands. Nearly every medium game to big game hunter has one or more rifles that fit that description in his collection in callibers ranging from .17 Remington to .458 Winchester. In the capable hands of an experienced hunter these firearms can be fired precisely at ranges of 200yds out to 1200yds depending on what the specific caliber can do.

GUN SHOWS - The evil Gun Show. Where gun dealers, individuals, drug dealers, terrorists and blind grandmas go to buy, sell and trade, unrestricted by State, Federal or local laws. . . . NO! . . . Gun dealers must conduct business the same as in their place of business. Detailed records of every transaction must be kept, identification must be shown and just like his business he is subject to BATF inspection at any time, no call necessary. With so many new faces looking at his inventory he dare not risk the one in front of him being an agent. Civilians are not subject to the same restrictions, but if they sell a gun traceable to them they better ask for ID to determine the buyer is from the same state as he or it can come back to haunt him. Anything else falls under "innocent until proven guilty", as it is NOT American citizens responsibility to prove the buyer's history or intent is less than stellar. If the sale seems shady it probably is. Might be a good time to call off the sale or pay a fee to run the transaction through a dealer.

I have touched on just a few of the "targets" of gun control advocates. Others such as serial numbered bullets, "loopholes" and high capacity magazines are still the tip of the iceberg of all the varying ways they chip away at the second of the Bill of Rights. With a lot of hard work it will always remain in the Constitution so their right to attack it is protected too.

by RoeDapple

(No, that's not my collection. Sure would look good in Mamma's basement though!)

"Hoplophobia, n. Irrational, morbid fear of guns (c. 1966, coined by Col. Jeff Cooper, from the Greek hoplites, weapon; see his book Principles of Personal Defense). May cause sweating, faintness, discomfort, rapid pulse, nausea, sleeplessness, nondescript fears, more, at mere thought of guns. Presence of working firearms may cause panic attack. Hoplophobe, hoplophobic.

Hoplophobes are common and should never be involved in setting gun policies. Point out hoplophobic behavior when noticed, it is dangerous, sufferers deserve pity, and should seek treatment. When confronted about their condition, hoplophobes typically go into denial, a common characteristic of the affliction. Sometimes helped by training, or by coaching at a range, a process known to psychiatry as "desensitization," a useful methodology in treating many phobias.

Hoplophobic behavior is often obvious from self-evident irrational responses to real-life situations, and is frequently seen in the news media and public debate. When a criminal commits a crime using a gun, hoplophobes often seek to disarm, or make lists of, innocent people who didn't do anything, a common, classic and irrational response.

The idea of creating an enormously expensive government-run 90-million-name database of legitimate gun owners -- which by definition would not include armed criminals -- is a prime example of an irrational hoplophobic response to the issue of crime. How writing your name in such a list would help stop crime is never even addressed. (See, "The Only Question About Gun Registration")

An effort is underway nationally to have hoplophobia recognized in the DSM, the official directory of mental ailments. Resistance from elements in the medical profession suggest this may be quite difficult, but that does not reduce the importance of recognizing a widespread, virulent, detrimental mental condition commonly found in the populace. The actual number of undiagnosed hoplophobes is unknown, but believed to be in the tens of millions."

( From Alan Korwin's Bloomfield Press at GunLaws.com )

http://www.gunlaws.com/GunPhobia.htm

by RoeDapple

My first reaction to this picture is to determine the make and model plus the caliber it shoots. What is your first reaction?

(image from web source)

by RoeDapple

Another Song Blog so soon? Well you might say I was inspired again, this time by Ronda's blog on the horse racing. What I know about horses and horse racing could drop through the eye of a needle and not get close to the steel, so, in true RoeDapple style, I put my foot in my mouth. Sorry Ronda.

To make amends I will dedicate this blog to the fiery redhead in hopes she won't punch my lights out next time we meet.

Post the title and artist of songs that have animal or animals in the title, lyrics or artist's name. Include a link if possible, or the lyrics that mention the animal. One song per post, and have fun with it!

by RoeDapple

(images from web source)

by RoeDapple

Okay, it's been a while since a music blog was posted, but this morning a post by prospector gave me an idea for a new one!

Today's Music Blog will concern parts. . . Body parts. Post a song that mention a part or parts of the human body in the title, the lyrics or the band's name. There are hundreds if not thousands of them out there, so keep in mind this is a family news source. Please, one song per post, and include a title, the artist and a link or the lyrics that include the subject matter. Have fun with it!

by RoeDapple

(images from web source)

The Federal Government, in its infinite wisdom, has determined an automobile must have a minimum of seventy-five percent American made parts (which include Canadian but no mention of Mexican) to qualify as a "domestic" vehicle. With this information in hand I proceeded to determine a proper replacement for each of my three current modes of transport.

My F-250 (assembled in KC) came in at a comfortable 90% made in USA. Next up, the Explorer rated 85%, still not so bad. Would you believe the Taurus (Assembled in Chicago) is only 70% American made? Not even a domestic automobile by US government standards. Hmmm . . . so, what do I buy for the spouse when trade-in time rolls around?

Well, the Toyota Corolla and Avalon, and the Honda Ridgeline and Pilot all come in at 75%. The Toyota Camry hits 80%, and the Toyota Seinna goes 85%. The Mazda Tribute is tempting with an 90% number but I think I have the answer, and can still stay with my favorite brand. Ford Econoline vans come in at a whopping 95% American Made! She may not like being mistaken for the plumber though . . .

by RoeDapple

by RoeDapple

I once heard a friend say he doesn't care what beer tastes like, that's not why he drinks it. Although there was a time in my youth I might have subscribed to that mindset, recent years have seen my consumption of the fruit of the grain reduced to the point of wanting to enjoy the occasional canned, bottled or on tap beverage. Here's the kicker. Most beers I have any experience with have been delivered in semi-trucks with the brand name emblazoned across the trailer in bold blue and white lettering and are "light" of nature. No dark beers for me, I've never developed a taste for them. Most micro-breweries make a lighter wheat beer I enjoy but the darker beers tend to taste bitter, thick or both. Just not my cup of tea, so to speak.

With at least half a dozen popular micro-breweries in the Lawrence/Topeka/Kansas City area I'm sure there is no shortage of beer connoisseurs quite willing to voice their opinions. So what will it be for you? A lighter beer, or a darker ale? Care to add your reasons why?

(image from web source)

by RoeDapple

Today's song blog is for those who have left us. Not necessarily 'passed on', but left us in the sense of no longer being here on the online presence of the Lawrence Journal World. Some have just moved on, some disapearededed, and some might surprise you when they go.

I would like to do something a little different this time. Let's post a song with a link or lyrics that has a "Goodbye" theme to it, then dedicate it to someone who has been a poster or otherwise connected to LJWorld online. If you would rather post a song that reminds you of that person that would be okay too, as long as the Terms of Service are not violated.

by RoeDapple

(images from web sources)

by RoeDapple

So I'm asking myself, What subject for the next song blog? What would the other posters respond to? Is there a subject we haven't blogged on yet? Of course there is . . . right?

Questions, questions, . . . questions?

THAT'S IT !! Name a song, song lyrics or artist that ask that burning question, ANY question! Please limit your posts to one song. Include the title and artist, and a link or lyrics if possible. Post as many as you can think of or find then listen and enjoy

(image and video from web sources)

by RoeDapple

There, I said it. Those six little words that everyone rolls their eyes to this time of year. I for one enjoy the hot weather, at least in short bursts. I've always thought it is easier to cool down from being too warm than warm up from getting too cold. But that's just me, so yeah. It is hot enough for me.

Today's song blog will therefore be about the heat! Any song that has lyrics, title or performer name that refers to "hot, heat or high temperature" will do! Please limit your posts to one song each and include the title, artist and link or lyrics.

Plenty of them out there so have fun with it!!

by RoeDapple

(images from web sources)