He reportedly attempted to a cache of firearms that included “three M-16 rifles, one shotgun, 16 handguns,” as well as slot machines and “thousands of cartons of cigarettes, along with counterfeit merchandise.” But even worse, is the fact that Masso was “recruiting other law enforcement officers to join the scheme.”

This makes us wonder if Mayors Against Illegal Guns shouldn’t look closer to home instead of targeting distant gun shows?

“Federal laws say you can’t get a gun if you have a drug problem, psychiatric problem, criminal record or [are a\] minor, and yet Congress doesn’t give monies to make sure that we can have a background check,” Bloomberg said on “Meet the Press.”

Criminals seeking guns can take advantage of “too many loopholes,” the mayor said.

“The background database isn’t up to date, private sector sales of guns is something like 40%, and they don’t do background checks,” he said.

The problem with this argument is that it basically blames the loopholes and not the criminals. It also tries to suggest that those 40 percent are 100 percent of the illegal gun problem, and there is no evidence this is the case. Once again it seems clear that Bloomberg isn’t just part of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, he’s a mayor against all guns.

The ongoing firearms investigation is one of 11 internal investigations involving 15 sheriff’s office employees conducted over the past year. The investigations included complaints of domestic violence, sexual harassment, excessive force, abuse of authority, failure to follow policies and order, and failure to perform assigned duties. The investigations produced disciplinary actions ranging from oral reprimands to termination.

All of this is very upsetting, but the issue of the guns is the one we find very disturbing as it sort of takes aim at the argument that only police should have guns. In this case at least a dozen or so guns would now be in the hands of the bad guys near Duluth if “only the police” had guns.

Personal bias is something journalists are trained avoid [sic] when they cover the news.

When I started working on a story about the controversial issue of concealed carry of weapons in Illinois, I was forced to face my own bias. I have never lived in a home with guns and considered myself the quintessential anti-gun nut.

First, we congratulate Brady-Lunny, not for the article that follows – where she describes her experience at the gun range – but rather that she admits she has her own bias. Too many journalists, for reasons that we don’t truly understand, have a natural bias against guns. At least Brady-Lunny admitted of such.

But let’s look at one other statement she makes:

My aversion to guns and my long-held belief that less is better when it comes to firearms in the hands of anyone other than peace officers or soldiers is rooted in my experience as a journalist. I have witnessed firsthand the harm and carnage that comes from people wielding guns. The images of a heart or a head riddled with bullets and stories of the aftermath of gun violence have always stayed with me.

And here is the root of the bias, which we don’t understand. Brady-Lunny is clearly an idealist, someone who believes cops are always the good guys, soldiers only protect the innocent and only bad people would want a gun otherwise. Clearly this journalist hasn’t watched the world news – where it took guns from Libyan rebels (and help from NATO in the way of air support) to take down a dictator, or where the military in Syria retains control despite attempts to start a revolution. Clearly this journalist doesn’t follow the news that SWAT team guns were stolen in Los Angeles, or read that a police chief in New Mexico helped arm criminals. And there was the soldier smuggling guns into the U.K.

Clearly those examples that we show that this idealistic view can be far from ideal in the real, cold, hard world. But she also notes the “images of a heart or a head riddled with bullets,” and yet does she not think of the 18-year old mother who defended her home and infant son on New Year’s Eve? Just something to think about.

But again, at least this journalist admitted to her bias. And as with addiction, the first step is admitting there is a problem.

Efforts to Control Firearms Aim to Help Overall Safety

This headline makes it sound like “gun control is working.” But this story in Patch.com offers this dek (that’s what editors call the secondary headline) noting that this issue is really “illegal firearms” so where does the “gun control” part come in?

According to the LA County Sheriff’s Department, the Century Station’s efforts to stop illegal firearm possession are helping to reduce overall violent crimes in the area.

The story itself is far from being about guns, but rather crime. However, here is yet another example of a media story that blames crime on guns.

Website Gothamist for example noted:

Who believes that carrying a firearm into iconic, highly secured New York landmarks is a good idea? Metal detectors are designed to expose weapons, not belt buckles, yet clueless tourists keep getting hauled into court for packing heat at the Empire State Building. Now some Marines are claiming that Indiana native Ryan Jerome, himself a Marine who was arrested for trying to check his .45 Ruger with authorities in September, is more equal than others who have made the same mistake.

Is it necessary o describe these people as “clueless tourists,” especially in the case of Ryan Jerome, who was actually in New York City on business. But of course this is par for the course from the New Yorkers.

Imagine how this story might have played out if Willden didn’t have gun? We don’t hear any comments from anti-gun types on this story now do we?

Clearly, the criminal element in Washington is well armed. The city’s strict gun laws don’t seem to have even slowed violent thugs down.

Meanwhile, law-abiding citizens who want to protect themselves, their families and their homes are told they can own guns only under very narrow restrictions.

It is nice to see some in the media actually noting this point. Guns are not the problem, it is criminals. And no amount of gun bans or legislation is going to stop the criminals from getting guns. D.C. should be a proving ground for that fact!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReUOz4f0ljI

Cam Edwards talks to Frank Borelli from Officer.com

NJ2AS was only days away from filing a lawsuit challenging the additional form when Drew Parker, who serves on the Egg Harbor Township Zoning Board and is a member of NJ2AS, brought the issue to the attention of the Township Committee.  The Committee immediately conducted a thorough investigation, led by Joe Cafero, ultimately concluding that the form was in use, and was, in fact, an illegal additional requirement.  The Committee then acted quickly to stop the use of the form.

“The NJ2AS Board of Directors, Staff and all of our members applaud the actions of the Egg Harbor Township’s Township Committee and the cooperation of their Chief of Police.”, said Frank Fiamingo, President and co-founder of NJ2AS. “We are grateful that they did the right thing, and in doing so, have avoided a costly lawsuit for both parties.  It is encouraging to see such effective and responsible leadership at the local level. That’s the whole point of having a Second Amendment Society.  So we can work together to resolve problems.”

NJ2AS has now shifted focus to another town with similar requirements. “Our current, ongoing lawsuit, NJ2AS v. NJSP, seeking access to the New Jersey State Police Firearms Applicant Investigation Guide, has shown that we are willing to go to the mat.”, Frank Fiamingo went on to say. “We will do whatever it takes to eliminate these illegal practices.  As usual, we will provide updates to our efforts in Operation Establish Compliance as soon as they become available.  Anyone can sign up for our free email alert system at NJ2AS.com.”

The New Jersey Second Amendment Society (http://www.NJ2AS.com) is the most relevant pro-gun-owner organization in New Jersey with thousands of members and supporters throughout the State, emphasizing education of the community and legislature, safety and skills training and properly distinguishing between criminals and the law-abiding in legislation and administrative practices.