Why Wasn’t Sheriff Called Redneck Too?
“A gun-loving sheriff in South Carolina is under fire for urging women to pack heat,” is how The New York Daily News reported at that Spartanburg Sheriff Chuck Wright offered the suggestion that women should arm themselves. This story about Wright’s comments have circulated around the media, and will likely see lots of responses.
We’re sure this will likely be picked up by late night talk show hosts and other comics. But it is really not laughing matter. Why is it that when this is suggested the police officer in question has to be pained as “gun-loving,” was it because the media really wanted to call him a redneck and suggest he is a caricature of other southern law men? That certainly seems to be how the media is depicting him in a more subtle way at least.
Along with the guns, bulletproof vests, uniforms and jackets were stolen.
The Independent Mail of Anderson, South Carolina is reporting that four Anderson County Sheriff’s Office cars had been broken into, and items stolen included guns. All the cars were reportedly at the homes of deputies when the break ins occurred.
The paper notes:
“Along with the guns, bulletproof vests, uniforms and jackets were stolen.”
Clearly with four official cars being broken into, along with a fifth private car, this was a targeted event, which occurred between Tuesday and Thursday of last week. So the question is why did the officers continue to park cars at their homes (in the same neighborhood) for multiple nights? And why were guns left in the cars in the first place?
Miami Herald: Bill Would “Loosen” Gun Laws
In a piece for The Miami Herald, one which is essentially a condensed version of a longer story from The State, the editors make a bold statement, “S.C. bill would further loosen gun laws.” First, we find it a little curious that a Florida paper would note a law to a state several hundred miles to the north.
And while the story is condensed and thus only offers a few facts, we still think the biased headline shows the true intentions. The original headline from The State read “S.C. bill would loosen gun rules even more,” and has a more pro-gun stance. In other words, a cut here, a cut there and it takes Gina Smith’s slightly pro-gun story and seems to be more anti-gun in The Herald. The pen is mightier than the sword, while editing is even mightier it seems.
Who Guards the Guards: SC Corrections Officer Found With Stolen Guns
WLTX in Columbia, South Carolina is reporting that a state corrections officer has been charged in possession of stolen property over $10,000. The news station notes:
“Deputies say last Friday, they served a warrant at (Robert George) Miller’s home. Investigators say they found a stash of stolen property, including a 4-wheeler, two welders, a generator, a riding lawn mower, and 34 guns, 5 of which officers say were stolen.”
Well, numerous outlets are noting that he had 34 guns, but this story noted that five were stolen. This is upsetting on two levels.
Why does it matter if he had 34 guns if 29 were not stolen? We have to assume he had them legally. But this is another example of the media skewing information and making something appear different than it is actually is – and various other postings online fail to note that only “five” of the guns were reported stolen. A better way to report this would have been something along the lines of “and a cache of guns, five of which officers way were stolen.” The vague number would be fine in our opinion.
But 34 sounds like such a large number, one that can only imply this man is a terrorists, criminal or illicit arms dealer.
However, on the other point, we’re curious how Miller is free on bond? And should more of the guns turn out to be stolen, we have to again point out how law enforcement can all too often be the source of illegal firearms.
South Carolina “Second Amendment” Sales Tax Holiday is Nov. 28 – 29
South Carolina will waive the state’s sales and use tax on purchases of handguns, rifles and shotguns during the first annual Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Nov. 28 – 29.
The 48-hour tax break on firearm purchases begins at 12:01 a.m. Nov. 28 and continues through midnight Nov. 29.
The tax exemption also applies to any local sales and use tax.
Who Guards the Guards: School Resource Officer Loses Gun
What is worse, losing a gun or not being sure where you may have lost it? In fairness if Officer Allen Elvis knew where he lost his gun, it wouldn’t be lost. The school resource officer at Marion High School in South Carolina may have lost his gun while “changing clothes at the school for his football duties,” reports CarolinaLive.com.
Elvis has been an officer with the Marion Police for more than three years. Let’s hope that while Elvis has left the building, his gun has not.
Huff and Puff Gives Platform for L.A. Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles took to the Huffington Post to rant and rave, and promote the group’s anti-gun report that notes that “Crime Guns Crossing Borders and Taking Lives.”
Of course Villaraigosa is quick to note:
“The report analyzed crime gun trace data from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and paints a portrait of states around the country that are the top sources of guns recovered in crimes. In 2009, the ten states that supplied the highest rate of crime guns were Mississippi, West Virginia, Kentucky, Alaska, Alabama, South Carolina, Virginia, Indiana, Nevada, and Georgia.”
What you don’t hear from the mayor is that, as with the situation with guns recovered in Mexico, only a percentage of firearms from crimes are ever actually traced. So this “study” is highly questionable at best.
Maybe Los Angeles would be better too, if not only guns from those states didn’t travel to the city, but if tourists from those states stopped spending their dollars on all things made in the City of Angeles. Just a thought.
Gun Owners of America Endorse Haley in South Carolina Governor’s Race
This week the grassroots Gun Owners of American endorsed State Rep. Nikki Haley as a Republican candidate for the governor’s seat in South Carolina. The group, which has more than 300,000 members, continues to support candidates in the upcoming election who are committed to protecting Second Amendment rights.
“Gun Owners of America is proud to make this endorsement,: said GOA Vice-Chairman Tim Macy. “Nikki Haley stands 100 percent behind the rights of South Carolina’s gun owners and sportsmen. In particular, Rep. Haley strongly supports concealed carry of firearms by law-abiding citizens and will work to ease unreasonable restrictions on CWP holders.”
Rep. Haley responded by thanking the group for its endorsement. “Few things are as clearly defined as the right of individual Americans to own and use firearms,” said Rep. Haley. “The right to bear arms was deemed so critical by our Founders that they spelled it out in absolute terms, and it is my belief that any governmental action that undermines that right is in turn undermining the very freedoms that built our great nation. I hold a Concealed Weapons Permit myself, and as governor, I will continue to fight against any government infringement on the 2nd Amendment.”
Rep. Nikki Haley Official Website
Trade Your Gun for Walmart Gift Card
FoxNews.com is reporting that a group of ministers in South Carolina will be offering gift cards in exchange for any gun turned in. While we hate to see these happen, there is a twist:
“Participants are asked to put the weapons in their trunks and Colleton County deputies will collect them. The officers will make sure the guns still work and determine the value of the weapon. The owner will be given a gift card in that amount.”
So the guns need to work? If the intent is to get guns off the street, we ask why needing to work is the issue? Also, we would question the issue of “value,” as in will it be fair value? But at least in these cases it is possible that those handing in their guns will get more than $25. At least we can hope.
South Carolina Offers Tax-Free Weekend for Gun Sales
Next week is Thanksgiving, and the day after is “Black Friday” the busiest shopping day of the year, and in South Carolina it might not just be shopping malls that will see an increase in customers. The state is offering shoppers a chance to buy tax-free guns. The state’s revenue department is offering a 48-hour tax break that will begin just after midnight next Friday morning.
