A journalist friend referred this to me for my reaction, saying that will be the nail in the coffin for the pro-gun movement:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/us/26borders.html?emc=eta1 As always, you have my permission to FWD my reply:
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Shure enuff, that article's story do make the situation out to be Wan Beeg Suck, Senor.
It will make little difference to the public that NONE of the US guns sold are actually AK-47 fully automatic military models. Nor will comparing the numbers sold by the rogue FFL dealer Inkodosian, to the total seized make a dent in the public mindlessness. That guy is the worst sort of A-hole, and should spend the rest of his life behind bars. I AM surprized that no one turned him in, long ago. But, to the uninformed,he's prolly their image of a typical gun dealer: a sleazy cad catering to criminals.
Nor will the public note that the grenades, rocket launchers, and fully auto weapons being employed by the Mexagangs are NOT available in the US. That gear is military only, and has to come from the Mex armed forces. Or, as just as likely, further south down in ex-Sandinista country. A full auto AK-47 is available there on the thriving black market for around 50USD. It shouldn't be too difficult for a drug smuggling cartel to land all they want back home.
All that kind of info is beside the point, as is the fact that 99percent-plus of the FFL licensees are EXTREMELY careful about what and to whom they sell, including 100% standards demanded by the BATF on paperwork. Even in face to face private sale, it's SOP for MY kind of folks to ask for a Driver'sL and to kinda size up WHERE and to WHOM this 'piece' might be going. But. again, that is irrelevant to either the public or government.
I see the "Mexican" issue as a stalking horse. The government there has extremely stiff regs on guns, far stricter than the NYT apparently was informed. Private ownership is essentially for the connected, and well to do. The border area has a long tradition of flouting the central Government on this issue.
As well, there are considerable documented stories about the mishaps and prison time incurred by uninformed/unconnected US sportsman, who thinking that they were going 'down' for weekend of duck shooting, got nailed for heavy expenses [bribes], and some sleazy, scairt lockdown time. Guns troubles on the border are NOT new, but just have hit a NEW awareness with the PARA-military [and Military, in fact] drug gang actions. So, it will go as you have noted.
This is a wonderful 'wedge issue' for the Aunties. It is also, on the other side of the mirror, an excellent example of how well gun control laws don't work when the criminal element is so monied and influential. The whole world is their arms bazaar, including the supplies of their own armed force. What minor amount of armament they smuggle in from the US, is small potatoes compared to fresh cases of grenades supplied from the local commandant at the Army post.
As always, spin wins. I did notice that Pelosi has for the time being nixed the AWB bill, for whatever reasons. The Dems should be astute enough to realize that it could bog down the economic proposals currently being considered. But, have faith, the whole progression of Auntie wet-dreams will be brought out when the time is right and the populace at large is scared enuff. Another Columbine, a massacre in Mexico, some egregiously murderous act will make fine fodder. In the meantime, the hugely great population of extraordinarily law abiding gun owners will continue as they always have.
Well, this is the most I've written in some time, as I find that the effort of even thinking about this particular issue is now personally draining and counter-productive: my batteries are flat, or as one blogger put it, more or less: "I feel as tho I'm trying to plug a huge hole in the dike, with my thumb." The gun owners need a visibly united and nationwide voter uprising.
I continue to believe, that the ONE historically proven action, that can affect and forestall for a while the 'progress', is feet on the ground. Demonstrate by peacefully filling the National Mall, for a day or six. Politicians absolutely pay attention when mass numbers of their constituents are just a door knock away.
A few folks are now opening web site[s] for a 2nd Amendment march, a Million Man March, or what have you. Lots of operational issues to be figured out.
We'll see. Gun owner's at large are like herding cats: not really interested in 'group hugs' and independent more or less by nature.
Well, really gotta go now. Group hug, tho~~~!! ;~`) ;~`)
Best, John the Red
