Better Gun Law Enforcement, And Better Fact-Checking

Inspired by the recent Aurora IL shooting the NY Times takes a fair and balanced look at the recurring problem that our existing gun laws are not enforced. We learn that safety is neither safe nor cheap:

Still, only eight states have laws that provide an explicit mechanism so that people suspected of having guns in violation of those prohibitions are actually required to give them up. And some of those states merely allow — but do not require — the police to seek a court order to confiscate such guns.

That was the case in Illinois, where the authorities knew for more than four years that Gary Martin was a violent felon but apparently did nothing to ensure that he surrendered the laser-sighted Smith & Wesson handgun that he used to kill five co-workers in Aurora, Ill., on Friday.

...

Unlike Illinois, most states do not have an explicit process allowing the police a way to confiscate guns from people suspected of being prohibited owners. But even in those states that do, two factors explain why many police and sheriff’s departments use these laws so infrequently: time and danger.

“That’s a challenging situation for law enforcement to knock on a door and say, ‘Hey, we’re here to take your guns, Mr. Dangerous Criminal,’” said Adam Skaggs, chief counsel of the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which advocates tighter gun laws.

Well, yes, police work can be dangerous. Showing up after a shooting is not so threatening physically, but then again, showing up with a shooting is also dangerous - six officers were injured in the Aurora shoot-out, so danger deferred is not always danger denied.

As to budgets:

But when Illinois lawmakers sought to tighten state law so that the police would be mandated to confiscate guns owned by people barred from possessing them, or at least verify that the guns had been transferred to legal owners, concerns about manpower helped doom the proposal.

“Law enforcement didn’t object to the essence of the law,” but said they would need far more money to carry it out, said State Representative Kathleen Willis, a Democrat from suburban Chicago who is pushing to toughen the law.

Freedom isn't free and safety isn't cheap.

And, on to a fact-check. This one becomes Blue-on-Blue. The Times quotes a Brady spokesperson:

One in five gun purchases is estimated to occur with no background check, such as through sales over the internet or at gun shows, said Kris Brown, president of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. That attracts buyers who would fail a check.

“You’d have to assume that if you are a prohibited purchaser, you are aware of that loophole, and that’s how you’re going to get a gun,” Ms. Brown said.

Do note the word "purchases", which ought to be "transfers". Here is the 2017 study, but Politifact has already tackled this:

The fact checks, and experts we contacted, instead cited a study authored by researchers from Northeastern and Harvard universities that was published in January 2017. They did an online survey, in 2015, of 1,613 adult gun owners.

Among gun owners who said they obtained their most recent gun within the two previous years:

• • 22 percent overall said they obtained the guns without a background check. But that includes guns that were purchased or received in another way, such as through a gift or an inheritance.

• • 13 percent who purchased firearms -- for example, from a friend or online -- said they had done so without a background check.

The lower figure applies here, given that Bullock’s claim is about gun sales.

Blue-on-blue. And let's note that the unchecked purchases includes family, friends and acquaintances as well as gun shows and online. In fact, a quick glance at the relevant table tells me that family, friends and acquaintance transfers outnumber the online and gun show transfers. Of course, thugs and nut jobs have friends and family too.

As to the infamous gun show loophole, per this survey, 4% of transfers in the past two years were at gun shows, with no one claiming to gave avoided a background check. Not exactly the point the Brady person made.

 

Comments

[daddy]

Chump line: Those NIKE shoes were put together better than Smollett's story.

[Skoot]

I learned last week, the "Nigerian" brothers are US citizens, born and raised in Chicago. Why the media can't call them by their name seems a little racisss to me.

Imagine a small town sheriff calling suspects "the Puerto Rican brothers" or some such.

[daddy]

Howie's sidekick reads an opinion piece from The Independent:

"Liberals didn't believe Jussie Smollett because we're stupid. We believed him because of what Trump has done to America."

[Dave (in MA)]

Last night T. Carlson mentioned a book that Fauxcahontas and her papoose wrote about 15 years ago, The Two-Income Trap, that talks about how we've gone from having a stay at home parent as the norm in the not-too distant past, to a society based around both parents working.

All I know is that I'm glad I didn't get dragged into my father's office during February vacation week like all these fargin' rugrats I've been having to put up with this week. It's not fair to the kids.

[MissMarple2]

This is for all you dads out there. Video at link:

Epic Dad Reflexes. pic.twitter.com/L7HSVdq50A

— Kevin W (@kwilli1046) February 21, 2019

[D]

Skoot:
How unusual, protecting their identities.
I still say probation and 300 hours of community service.
You won’t see him st the Oscars.
If they have to put up 10 percent bond he is out 10 grand.

[anonamom]

Maryrose, who knows? That had been his position, but in typical R fashion, he caved this afternoon and asked for a new election, despite him not personally doing anything wrong besides hiring the wrong operative.

We got D racists and rapists In VA that have the balls to just ride things out. But the R way is to apologize for breathing, it seems...

Had Harris not asked for the new election, it would have then been up to the Board to decide what to do. It's now a Three D/ Two R board, so I don't know if they'd have certified it or not. But hey were happy to comply with Harris' request for a new election.

[Dave (in MA)]

Carlson also had a guest a few days earlier, Wilfred Reilly, talking about his new book on "Hate crime" hoaxes, who pointed out that “the demand for bigots in America greatly exceeds the supply as of right now.”

[Dave (in MA)]

MM, most of those show kids who were only in those situations because of parental carelessness in the first place.

[Momto2]

So many funny memes showing up now:

[Momto2]

Porch - I'm sure the mom must be frantic! Praying for her safe return.

[President-Elect Jim,SunnyvaleCA]

Finally got time to listen to the Tangerine Dream recommendation.
It's better than I recalled and esp one section beginning about 18:00 or 19:00 was quite pleasant.
Still, for my plebeian ears it's a bit more towards the noise side than to the music side. Peter Bardens' "Seen One Earth" album especially the track Prelude has a somewhat similar vibe but aimed more at the masses.

[pagar]

I apparently absorbed some wrong info on the stuff I posted this morning. I am completely off this Smollett stuff and do not intend to try to understand it.

[Extraneus]

McConnell Fast-Tracks Vote On Ocasio-Cortez's "Green New Deal"

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could toss a major stinkbomb into the 2020 Democratic Primary as soon as next week.

According to the Hill, the Republican leader is planning to call a vote on the "Green New Deal" resolution championed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey.

...

But Chuck Schumer, who has refused to explicitly support the resolution, brushed aside questions about McConnell's decision and told reporters that he would welcome a vote on the resolution, saying "bring it on."

"You think it might embarrass Democrats to vote on a nonbinding resolution that some of us may support but not others?" Schumer asked. "Trust me, we’ll be fine, because the American people know that our entire party believes that climate change is happening and it’s caused by humans."

[Old Lurker]

Dave, and the reason for that since the fifties can be laid squarely on the spending levels of Fed, State & Local governments.

In current dollars, the entire Fed government spent less than $5,000 per person in the 50s; today it is almost three time that at about $15,000 per person, in current dollars. State and local government account for about half again as much, and perhaps even faster growth.

So damn right. We had to send our women into jobs so the government could take then spend her earnings.

And in so doing we destroyed families and their children, feeding the downward spiral we created.

[Old Lurker]

Dave, I was responding to: "Fauxcahontas and her papoose wrote about 15 years ago, The Two-Income Trap, that talks about how we've gone from having a stay at home parent as the norm in the not-too distant past, to a society based around both parents working."

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Dave, please note you and Michael Palin are being reported to the Ministry of Funny Walks Truth for that transphobic hate crime at 4:24.

I have to admit the girl next to Palin is a lot cuter than I remember from the original skit.

[daddy]

A Police Officer buddy is calling into Howie's Show with this exchange which, if true, is mind-boggling:

Former NYPD cop John Cardillo: ...This guy is the dumbest criminal in the History of Crime. I think he wrote the Co-conspirators a check and deducted it on his Taxes. You couldn't make this story up.

Howie: Wait, wait. He deducted it on his Taxes? No.

Former NYPD cop John Cardillo: Apparently, Howie, there's a narrative out there, and I've seen it now in several outlets, that he actually tried to deduct the $3,500 on his last filing, his quarterly filing or something like that. I mean it just gets more bizarre by the minute.

Howie: (breathes an unbelieving "Wow.)

[Dave (in MA)]

Jim,SunnyvaleCA,USA |
Wow, somebody paid attention to one of my music links. ;^)

I guess you won't be getting the giant CD/DVD Surround sound box set coming out in late Spring, then.

[Dave (in MA)]

Iggy, You might recognize her as the actress who played Polly on Fawlty Towers.

[peter]

I interpret that Police Chief's statement as laying the groundwork for Smollett's "fake but accurate" defense, expect lots of tearful testimony about how much racism there is in society and how Smollett was just trying to draw attention to a real problem. He'll beat the rap. They'll pack the jury with saps.

[daddy]

I have nothing but sympathy for Jussie Smollett. He was indeed a victim in this entire matter, so let me be the first to say that I want whoever caused those horrible bruises and cuts to Smollett's face to be prosecuted to the full extent of the Law.

[Extraneus]

I've seen it now in several outlets, that he actually tried to deduct the $3,500 on his last filing, his quarterly filing or something like that.

What quarter would that have been? 4Q18?

And what does he mean "tried"?

Lots of bad info out there.

[daddy]

I can't yet find any pictures of this IRS leaker John C Fry, but here's the traditional quick Heavy story on him: John Fry: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

After Fry downloaded the SARs, (Suspicious Activity Reports) the Treasury Department told the court, he placed two calls to a number associated with attorney Michael Avenatti.

Shortly after the calls, he logged on to the FiNCEN database to search for files related to Cohen, including his driver’s license and personal bank account numbers.

He placed another call to Avenatti before the attorney published a memo detailing the payments received by Cohen.

[Porchlight]

Peter Tork has died, aged 77.

He was my mom's classmate at Carleton College until he failed out.

My dad was not a fan. Said he was always hanging around the theater (where my dad was house manager) trying to get access to the space after hours so he could take girls there (I think this was a popular activity and my dad's keys were highly sought after). My dad told him to get lost.

When I was a student at the college years later, the little area in the student union that had a few pinball machines and video games was named in his honor.

RIP.

[sbwaters]

Ext, thanks for the needed skepticism about the "deductions".

[daddy]

Interesting how in every story I can find so far on IRS Leaker John C Fry the only pics that pop up are of Avenatti, Michael Cohen, and Rowen Farrell.

How come no pics of IRS Leaker John C Fry?

[Porchlight]

The idiot woman who climbed the Statue of Liberty to protest family separation at the border pulled the same stunt in Austin yesterday.

https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/woman-climbs-building-in-east-austin-to-protest-against-child-immigrant-detentions

[daddy]

Howie: (breathes an unbelieving "Wow.)

Hope I made it clear that Howie didn't buy it either.

[MissMarple2]

Brad Parscale
‏Verified account @parscale
1h1 hour ago

Maybe it is time for @Nike to bring factories back to the US where quality manufacturing will protect our athletes. @realDonaldTrump

[Pinandpuller]

Hmmm, start typing 'Just One Minute' in your search engine and see how fast 'Jussie Smollette' populates it.

[daddy]

This is odd. I can't post a link to the homepage of the Lawyer of IRS Leaker John C Fry, but I can post a picture of her from that homepage:

Attorney Gail R Shifman is cute, but so far has refused to comment on the woes of her client.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

That was Connie Booth?
Don't remember her looking that cute.

[Extraneus]

Hope I made it clear that Howie didn't buy it either.

Ah. (Duh.)

[Pinandpuller]

Sir or Madam Smoot

People like The Young Turks will publish a story where a POC commits a crime or an act of terror. For the sake of not giving the guy publicity they won't show his picture or say his name.

Oh, it was a Huwight Guy? All bets are off.

[Jim Eagle]

We are now on page 3 for those not counting when you have to sign back in again

What can I add to this discussion but that Chelsea won, and now their manager, Sarri's, fate will be decide in the Carabao Cup final with Manchester United, the finest cup Arab money can buy versus the finest cup Russian money can buy.

[Another Bob]

—-Seems awfully coincidental to me—-

There’s the “like” button on that MM?

[Jim Eagle]

s/b Manchester City not United...

[MissMarple2]

https://www.pscp.tv/w/1nAJEyZvQyVJL?t=41

White house Black History celebration, live. President is speaking.

[daddy]

So what do you guys think is the worst part of the Jussie Smollett Hoax?

---The horrible feelings of racism and homophobia it engendered across America?

---The way it was used as a cudgel to attempt to smear millions of decent Americans?

---The division it caused across America?

---The harm it did to efforts to try to unify us as Americans?

---The unnecessary expenditure of assets by the Chicago Police that could have been used to investigate real crime?

Here's Don Lemon of CNN's take: The Worst Part About The Smollett Hoax Will Be All The Conservative Pouncing

[Captain Hate]

This should be a picture of John Fry:

http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=379919

[Pinandpuller]

EGOTHHC

Emmy Grammy Oscar Tony Hoax Hate Crime

[MissMarple2]

daddy,

Division and the attempt at intimidation.

The whole thing stinks.

[James D.]

Just dropping in for a minute - my mother passed at 4:30 PM today. It was peaceful, and in her last moment, she looked out at the sunshine, smiled and then left this world.

Thank you all so much for your support - it means SO much to me!

[Another Bob]

Condolences James. I’m happy it was a peaceful, pain free departure.

[MissMarple2]

James R,m

I am so sorry. My prayers for you and your family.

[MissMarple2]

Let me try again.

James D.,

I am so sorry. Prayers for you and your family.

I am very glad it was peaceful.

[sbwaters]

James D., thank you for letting us know. We hope for a soft landing for those we love.

[daddy]

Capt, That's Michael Cohen, Trump's ex-Lawyer.

[Extraneus]

Condolences, James.

[daddy]

Bless you JamesD and Mom.

[Pinandpuller]

There sure have been a lot of Harrises in the noose this month.

[lurkersusie]

My thoughts and prayers are with, James.

[Narciso79]

So sorry to hear that James d.

[Skoot]

My sincere condolences, James D.

[Extraneus]

Cook County D.A.: Jussie Smollett Led Police to Believe Attackers Were White

The 36-year-old also showed the brothers the exact area where he wanted the “attack” to take place, and showed them a surveillance camera in the area, which did not end up capturing the attack because it was turned the other way. He later pointed this camera out to police when they arrived after his “attack.”

[MissMarple2]

https://www.vulture.com/2019/02/jussie-smollett-empire-salary.html

Jussie Smollett’s motivation for allegedly paying two brothers to stage a racist, homophobic attack on him was displeasure over his Empire salary, Chicago police said Thursday. That might prove to be the case, but if so, Smollett and his reps hadn’t made his displeasure known to his employers at 20th Century Fox TV.

=================================

So, looks like Sheriff Clarke was right.

[Extraneus]

Drudge is posting that he's back on the set.

(Click to open.)

[Extraneus]

That's the Drudge page pic right now, btw.

[MissMarple2]

The Hill
‏Verified account @thehill
27m27 minutes ago

Pentagon asks Homeland Security to justify using military funds for Trump's border wall http://hill.cm/y6uZG0M

[Jim Eagle]

JamesD,

She passed in your sunshine. How better than that?

Time for a few Haily Mary's from me.

[hoyden]

James D., condolences for your loss and Godspeed for your Mom.

[Narciso79]

Yes that excuse doesn't make sense, hes not Howard or Henson hes a second rate player at best.

[henry]

Sorry to read that James.

[Marlene]

Peace be with you,James.

[Jim Eagle]

Geebuz, even his cabinet is align against him. WTF. Shanahan asking DHS for approval?

I am shocked that he hasn't been put in a strait jacket yet. He has no one to trust. Maybe Pompeo, and Jared, but not many others. We are so screwed.

[Narciso79]

Lockheed must have some death ray, they dont want touched,

[Captain Hate]

Condolences, James.

Regarding Peter Tork, one of the documentaries of The Wrecking Crew, the one by Tommy Tedesco's son, pointed out that the studio group did all the instrumentals to the songs by The Monkees and taught them to be proficient enough subsequently on their instruments to tour. Mickey Dolenz was interviewed and he made it clear that he regarded himself as an actor playing a musician and nothing more; and that Mike Nesmith was the only one of the four with enough musical talent for a subsequent career. Tork was the only one who was upset that he wouldn't get to play on the first album other than vocals, back when studio time was very expensive and it was imperative to get in and out of a session quickly.

[MissMarple2]

Jack,

Here are the people I think he can trust:

Pompeo
Mulvaney
Carson
Grenell
Jared and Ivanka
Bolton (possibly)

I think that the rest of the government is corrupt in one way or another.

The man is a hero, as far as I am concerned.

[anonamom]

I'm so happy your mother had the sun, and it was peaceful.
Thank you for letting us know.

And now she is in perfection, truly home, with so many people she loved, forever in God's peace. You will be with her again.

[Captain Hate]

Fuck the Pentagon; it's long past time to bust some of those pricks down to size.

[peter]

Sincerest condolences, James D.

[anonamom]

MM, you forgot Sarah. She's never let him down. Not so sure about KellyAnne. Hard to completely trust her in light of the looney husband

[clarice]

Sincerest condolences, JamesD.

[MissMarple2]

Movie coming out about Elton John's life at the end of May. Trailer at the link:

The only way to tell his story is to live his fantasy. ✨ @TaronEgerton is Elton John (@EltonOfficial) in #Rocketman, in theatres May 31. Watch the new trailer now! pic.twitter.com/VUfoZ4YaA5

— Rocketman (@rocketmanmovie) February 21, 2019

[Extraneus]

KAMALA HARRIS BREAKS SILENCE ON SMOLLETT’S ARREST

“Like most of you, I’ve seen the reports about Jussie Smollett, and I’m sad, frustrated, and disappointed. When anyone makes false claims to police, it not only diverts resources away from serious investigations but it makes hit more difficult for other victims of crimes to come forward,” her statement began. “At the same time, we must speak the truth: hate crimes are on the rise in America.”

“Just last year, the FBI released statistics that revealed a 17 percent increase in the number of hate crimes in America. Part of the tragedy of this situation is that it distracts from that truth, and has been seized by some who would like to dismiss and downplay the every real problems that we must address,” she continued. “We should not allow that. I will always condemn racism and homophobia. We must always confront hate directly, and we must always seek justice. That is what I will keep fighting for.”

[MissMarple2]

anonamom,

Yes, of course Sarah. I am with you on Kellyanne.

[peter]

translation, this is a small setback for the grievance industry, which has terrific future prospects.

[Captain Hate]

Hasn't Pence been a loyal VP?

[pagar]

James D., condolences for your loss and Godspeed for your Mom. Seconded!

[MissMarple2]

https://www.lifenews.com/2019/02/21/wisconsin-governor-tony-evers-will-force-residents-to-fund-planned-parenthood-abortion-business/

henry, GUS,

This is the first time I have seen a picture of Evers (at link). Boy, he is creepy looking!

[MissMarple2]

Captain Hate,

Pence has turned out to be a good VP. However, there is a little bit of distrust I have with him because of his friends in the perfect conservative group.

[anonamom]

not sure this actually happened, but it's posted in comments section at Breitbart article on Smollett, and POTUS is hosting a Black History Month thingee, right?

The man who was one of the four black students who protested the Walgreens segregated lunch counter in 1960 ...... just stepped to the microphone, looked over at Trump and said, "You know, God told Nehemiah to build a wall".

[Extraneus]

Check out

https://drudgereport.com/

[henry]

Yes Miss M, Evers is a total Mutant

[Narciso79]

I'm guessing skrull,

[Jane]

James,

My condolences. She went to heaven knowing how much you loved her. Hang tough! You have so much love around here.

[Porchlight]

Love to you, James D. I'm so glad you were able to be with her, and that she was peaceful at the end.

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

Condolences JamesD. She truly saw the light of the world before seeing the light in the next.

[Jane]

Pagar, I think the Smollet thing is a diversion. We have to figure out what from.

[MissMarple2]

Ari Fleischer tweeted this column to his experience with McCabe, which he wrote about a year ago. It sort of shows you what McCabe is like.

https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/371902-my-call-with-andrew-mccabe-proves-he-should-have-left-the-fbi-long-ago

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

An economy that is so strong even Jussie hired two people!

[D]

JamesD:
So sorry for your loss.Grateful for a peaceful passing.
Prayers continue for you and your family.

[MissMarple2]

https://spaceweatherarchive.com/2019/02/21/cosmic-rays-increasing-for-the-4th-year-in-a-row/

Solar minimum causes more cosmic rays, which causes more cloud formation, thus cooler temps.

I recommend watching this one-hour documentary called "The Cloud Mystery" with a Danish scientist, Henryk Svensmark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANMTPF1blpQ

[Captain Hate]

It sort of shows you what McCabe is like.

The loony tunes at the top of the FBI didn't happen overnight and surely can't be blamed solely on the Bathhouse Rat. I think every post Reagan administration contributed to it and it's way past time for the Bush cheerleaders to own their share of it.

[clarice]

https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2019/02/21/jussie-smollett-insisted-brett-kavanaugh-did-not-deserve-presumption-of-innocence/

[clarice]

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mccabe-rosenstein-thought-2-cabinet-members-could-support-bid-to-oust-trump?cmpid=prn_msn

[MissMarple2]

Captain Hate,

I agree. I think Bush 43 was so overcome by 9/11 that he was willing to believe the sales job the FBI did on him, and they took that opportunity to insert themselves into a lot more of the government's policy.

Then when Obama got elected it was Katie Bar the Door!

[Narciso79]

He seems to have advance to counterterrot section in 08, then thr high value interrogation section that missed many plots and then to the head of national security section where he botched Boston and San Bernardino

[Narciso79]

He seemed to fail upwards Boston San Bernardino Orlando Columbus, by them he had made deputy.