This will not end well

The entire reason for government is to protect the rights of the people. Portland politicians apparently think otherwise:

Portland throws out hundreds of criminal cases due to public defender shortage

A shortage of public defenders in Portland, Oregon, has led courts to dismiss hundreds of criminal cases and delayed justice for scores of other victims whose cases have languished in a backlog for months.

Between February and December of this year, Multnomah County dismissed 300 cases because no public defender was available to represent the defendants, according to the Multnomah district attorney.

In all, the district attorney’s office said, nearly 2,500 felony cases were affected this year by a lack of public defenders.

“The courts are put in the position of releasing defendants without prosecutors having so much as an opportunity to request bail or release conditions. And it’s not getting any better,” District Attorney Mike Schmidt said in a statement last month.

“This sends a message to crime victims in our community that justice is unavailable and their harm will go unaddressed,” Schmidt said. “It also sends a message to individuals who have committed a crime that there is no accountability while burning through scarce police and prosecutor resources. Every day that this crisis persists presents an urgent and continuing threat to public safety.”

Oregon, primarily due to the influence of Portland, has passed laws that would have halted all gun sales if the courts had not stopped the enforcement of those laws. There are very few hypothesis consistent with the evidence. Nearly all of them lead one to conclude politicians need to be prosecuted or removed from office via other means.

This will not end well.

Quote of the day—Gary Kleck

You can’t understand any significant aspects of the gun-control debate once you eliminate defensive gun use. It becomes inexplicable why so many Americans oppose otherwise perfectly reasonable gun-control measurements. It’s because they think it’s gonna lead to prohibition, and they won’t have a gun for self-defense.

It’s not complicated.

Gary Kleck
December 15, 2022
Emails Show CDC Removed Defensive Gun Use Stats After Gun-Control Advocates Pressured Officials in Private Meeting
[Before you get involved with a debate with someone about the CDC removing defensive gun stats from their website insist they answer a different question first. Why is the Center for Disease Control involved with private gun ownership?

Private gun ownership can be a legal issue. In this case the courts and/or the Department of Justice might have valid reason to weigh in on it.

If you want to push the envelope, gun ownership can related to criminal statistics and the FBI collects the data on that.

But the CDC? They have a long and dirty history of conspiring to deprive citizens of their specific enumerated right to keep and bear arms. They need to stay in their lane or plan on enjoying their trial.—Joe]

Quote of the day—LKB

While the wheels of justice do grind slowly, in this case I foresee them crushing the state of California’s gun control ambitions.

LKB
December 15, 2022
Judge Benitez’s Latest Order in Miller v. Bonta Sets the Stage for Taking Down California’s Assault Weapons Ban
[I expect things will be slow for months or perhaps a year or two then speed up. But the chances of gun control being crushed is quite high.

It’s the trials, and/or the threat of prosecution, which will really speed things up… if they actually start happening.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Chris Murphy

They’ve decided they’re going to essentially refuse to implement laws that are on the books. That is a growing problem in this country. And I think we’re going to have to have a conversation about that in the United States Senate. Do we want to continue to supply funding in law enforcement in counties that refuse to implement state and federal gun laws? Red flag laws are wildly popular.

Chris Murphy
U.S. Senator, D-Connecticut.
November 27, 2022
It would be good for ‘a massive cultural shift’ toward European gun control: New York Times columnist
[I have news for Senator Murphy. The courts are agreeing with the law enforcement in those counties. The laws they are refusing to enforce are being declared unconstitutional.

The conversation we need to have is, why aren’t people like Murphy being arrested and prosecuted for their repeated felonies?—Joe]

Quote of the day—Nick Wilson

At this point, we don’t know just how big of a deal Bruen is. Is it an existential threat to all our laws? … There are so many unanswered questions at this time.

Nick Wilson
Senior director for gun violence prevention at the Center for American Progress
November 27, 2022
[If he really doesn’t know “how big of a deal Bruen is” then he is in massive denial.

I have questions too, but mine are along the lines of, “When are we going to start prosecuting these criminals like Wilson?”

I have some expectations of having machine gun sporting events in our high schools in a decade or so. This will be the realization my dream as my currently youngest grandchildren enter high school.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Jason Pollock

Oregon faces a crisis in its criminal justice system because the leftists elements in Salem have refused to hold criminal[s] accountable for their behavior. Banning large capacity magazines will only turn law-abiding citizens into criminals. Assuming that restricting magazines to 10 rounds will make you safe is one of the most ignorant statements ever made.

Jason Pollock
Jefferson County Sheriff
November 15, 2022
Oregon sheriffs won’t enforce new gun law: ‘Infringes on Second Amendment’
[Politicians need to be prosecuted over this crap. They implement “catch and release” policies for criminal. They defund the police. Then they pass blatantly unconstitutional laws to make it difficult or impossible to purchase effective self-defense tools. It cannot get much clearer. These people are evil and/or insane.

By telling them, “I hope you enjoy your trial.” I am advocating on their behalf. This is because if they aren’t prosecuted, they risk angry mobs with tar, feathers, pitchforks, and short ropes on tall trees.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Ned Lamont

I think those assault-style weapons that are grandfathered should not be grandfathered. They should not be allowed in the state of Connecticut. I think they’re killers.

Ned Lamont
Governor of Connecticut
Lamont suggests making over ‘grandfathered’ assault weapons illegal. Over 80,000 exist in CT
[From the same article:

… weapons that were legally kept in Connecticut between 1994 and 2013 — when the ban was expanded to include at least 100 additional models — and allowed owners to register those guns with the state, but not to sell or transfer them to anyone except for a licensed gun dealer or family member.

Registration is only good for one thing and that is confiscation.

I hope he enjoys his trial.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Leonard Williamson

I don’t think you’ll find any precedent in U.S. history in which a citizen has to go through so many hoops to exercise Constitutional rights. This is the first of its kind and, if it passes, it will wind up in court.

Leonard Williamson
Oregon trial attorney who specializes in firearms law
October 31, 2022
Opponents Setting Out Unintended Consequences of Oregon’s Gun Control Measure
[Via email from Rolf.

I almost welcome this sort of crap. The more outrageous the restrictions on our specific enumerated rights the easier it is to establish precedence and create a slippery slope in the correct direction.

Also, when the time comes, it will make it easier to get convictions.—Joe]

Quote of the day—J.D. Tuccille

The theft of “thousands of firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition” from the federal body tasked with enforcing firearms regulations on the private sector is just further evidence that the ATF has no good excuse for existing. Like so many other government agencies, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives should be abolished, and its employees sent into the world to seek honest jobs in the private sector, if anybody will have them.

J.D. Tuccille
October 31, 2022
ATF, Enforcer of Gun Laws, Lost ‘Thousands of Firearms, Firearm Parts’ to Thieves
[I’ve met some inspectors that seem capable of honest work and could probably find a job in the private sector. I say, give them a shot at productive work which benefits society.

Those obviously hostile to the exercise of the specific enumerated right to keep and bear arms? I hope they enjoy their trials.—Joe]

Quote of the day—John R. Lott Jr.

The Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), which I head, hired McLaughlin & Associates to survey 1,000 general election voters from July 21-24, 2022. The survey began by asking people whether they supported red flag laws. It then informed respondents that there are no hearings before an individual’s guns are taken away, and that there are no mental health care experts involved in the process.

People initially answered by a two-to-one margin that they support red flag laws (58% to 29%), with the strongest support coming from Democrats, the wealthy, blacks and Hispanics, and people aged 18-29.

However, after being told that there are no court proceedings before an individual’s guns are taken away, and that there are no mental health care experts involved in the process, support changed to opposition (29% to 47%). Strong support plummeted from 34% to 14% and strong opposition rose from 18% to 29%.

John R. Lott Jr.
October 5, 2022
Media Spin on Gun Control Doesn’t Match Voters’ Opinions
[Lies and deception are the only way they can win. And they know that. It is part of their culture. Don’t let them get away with it. Use it as evidence at their trials.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Robert Milby

There’s a very strong sentiment in this county that the governor has just thumbed her nose at the Supreme Court, in what’s being touted as an unconstitutional conniption fit, She’s absolutely overstepped.

Robert Milby
Sheriff of Wayne County New York
October 9, 2022
Another Challenge to New York’s Gun Law: Sheriffs Who Won’t Enforce It
[The courts are telling New York City politicians (I consider the governor as being in this category) the law is unconstitutional and many in law enforcement openly say they will not enforce the law. That’s really going to put the hurt on the anti-gun movement.

If they keep it up we may yet get to enjoy their trials.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Letitia James

Responsible gun control measures save lives and any attempts by the gun lobby to tear down New York’s sensible gun control laws will be met with fierce defense of the law,

Letitia James
August 31, 2022
New York to enact new gun restrictions in response to supreme court decision
[I read this and hear the echoes of politicians responding to the 1865 passage of the 13th Amendment with the Jim Crow laws.

It probably will take at least a full generation before hey will lose the power and prestige they know belongs to them and their ilk. But eventually we will laugh at them as they are marginalized, finally lose their grip on power, and are occasionally prosecuted as the lash out with violence at their frustration of losing so much.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Max Weisman

Advertisements on public transit should not subliminally advocate for the purchase of firearms.

Max Weisman
August 29, 2022
Advertising dollars are powerful—When it comes to gun violence prevention, Philadelphia’s ads can do better.
[This tyrant want-to-be openly states his intent to infringe upon the First Amendment as well as the Second Amendment.

I could see a better case being made that firearms related advertisements are public service announcements and should receive discounts.

At least it is nice to have his crimes documented. I hope he enjoys his trial.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Jonathan Lowy

The Supreme Court has given an invitation for the gun lobby to file lawsuits against virtually every gun law in America.

Jonathan Lowy
Chief counsel and vice president at Brady
August 4, 2022
After Supreme Court Ruling, It’s Open Season on US Gun Laws
[He says that as if it were a bad thing.

What does he think “shall not be infringed” is supposed to mean?

I hope he enjoys his trial.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Leonard Williamson

In order to obtain the permit, an applicant would have to show up with a firearm to demonstrate the ability to load, fire, unload, and store the firearm. But you can’t get a firearm without the permit. And under Oregon’s highly restrictive gun storage laws, no one can legally loan a firearm to another. That creates an impassable barrier.

Leonard Williamson
July 31, 2022
Oregonians to Vote on Gun Control Measure Opponent Calls ‘Strictest’ in the Nation
[You might be inclined to believe it was slopping drafting of the ballot measure. Others might be inclined to believe they really are just that stupid.

Many of them are suffering from Peterson Syndrome and cannot understand logical thoughts, so that may have contributed. But, overall, I’m inclined to believe they are so blinded by hate and prejudice they view obstacles such as this as features and not bugs.

I hope they enjoy their trials.—Joe]

Quote of the day—David Cicilline

Spare me the BS about constitutional rights.

David Cicilline
U.S. Representative (D-RI)
Democrats Don’t Care Whether Banning ‘Assault Weapons’ Is Constitutional
[The last 30 years of firearm legislation by the Democrats (and some Republicans) made it impossible to envision a mindset any different from this. But us knowing it to be true and one of them openly, unambiguously, saying it in public is something new.

I applaud Rep Cicilline open confession. I hope he enjoys his trial.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Sebastian

Unlike with marriage or protesting (two other contexts where licensing of a right is permitted), the ruling class are likely to remain completely hostile to the idea of the peasantry being armed. For non-discretionary licensing to work, there needs to be broad consensus that it should be non-discretionary, and you’ll never have that with guns.

Sebastian
July 21, 2022
The New Resistance to the 2A
[While I agree with the first sentence I’m not convinced the second sentence is true. It would seem to me that liberal application of 18 USC 242 with harsh sentencing (the death penalty could be justified in some situations) would get us sufficiently close.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Carli Pierson

We’re way beyond what the framers ever had in mind for gun rights already. And for a selective originalist Supreme Court conservative majority, it’s hard to justify glossing over the history behind the Second Amendment.

Much like we did away with the 18th (prohibition) when it no longer served us, it’s time to do away with the archaic constitutional amendment holding Americans hostage in their own country.

It’s time to say, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, the Second Amendment’s gotta go.”

Carli Pierson
July 11, 2022
Americans can’t handle their guns. Time to repeal the 2nd Amendment
[Perhaps lawyers have their self awareness surgically removed as part of their schooling. How else do you explain the favorable mention of the failure of prohibition of alcohol and in the next sentence demand the enablement of a different type of prohibition?

In true lawyer fashion she ignores all the mitigating evidence in support of the right to keep and bear arms and insists the murderous behavior of a few individuals are proof beyond reasonable doubt that a group composed of roughly 40% of the population should be denied their freedom.

Can we demonstrate the bad behavior of a few individual lawyers then justifiably demand all lawyers be sent to prison? While I’m certain some people would give this serious consideration they are individuals as well and must only stand trial for their individual acts.

Pierson has thoughtfully provided the documentation for some of her crimes. I hope she enjoys her trial.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Kathy Hochul

We’re not going backwards. They may think they can change our lives with the stroke of a pen, but we have pens, too.

The founding of a great country that cherished the rights of individuals, freedoms and liberty for all.

I am standing here to protect freedom and liberty here in the state of New York.

Kathy Hochul
New York State Governor
July 2, 2022
N.Y. Lawmakers Respond on Guns and Abortion After Supreme Court Rulings
[This was shortly before signing a gun owner control bill:

The state’s new gun law bars the carrying of handguns in many public settings such as subways and buses, parks, hospitals, stadiums and day cares. Guns will be off-limits on private property unless the property owner indicates that he or she expressly allows them. At the last minute, lawmakers added Times Square to the list of restricted sites.

The law also requires permit applicants to undergo 16 hours of training on the handling of guns and two hours of firing range training, as well as an in-person interview and a written exam. Applicants will also be subject to the scrutiny of local officials, who will retain some discretion in the permitting process.

As Lyle has frequently said (paraphrasing), they demand the freedom to do evil.

They won’t stop until they are prosecuted or die off.—Joe]