When I spoke at the Regulatory Fairness Forum, the National Ombudsman Nicholas Owens warned those Government Agencies that were there that his office strongly looks down on Government Agencies that retaliate against individuals or businesses. In fact they are working with Federal Agencies to establish a policy prohibiting retaliatory actions. That is great…BUT I think that Mr. Owens has not dealt with ATF Acting Director Michael J. Sullivan and The Gang. I have received countless calls from other dealers (some large retailers as well), Distributors and Manufacturers who tell us that they are behind us 100%…BUT they do not want to speak out or the ATF will set there sights on them as well. I completely understand why would you want to get in the cross hairs of a government agency that is bent on retaliation. Their employees don't know any different, if you can not shut a dealer down then try and bankrupt them. If that doesn't work then set up straw purchase stings, which will result in the owner and employees being arrested. You have to look no further than our case where they have cost us a considerable amount of money, attempted to smear our name and reputation, blatantly harassed customers who have legally purchased firearms, violated our First Amendment, denied us a fair appeal process, lied and left out critical information. So Mr. Owens, I appreciate you seeking a High Level review of the BATFE but as far as retaliation…you don't know The Gang.
Anti-Gun Senators praise ATF Director at Confirmation Hearings
The Senate Judiciary committee today Praised ATF Acting Director Michael J. Sullivan at Sullivan's confirmation hearing. Sullivan then promised to release more trace data. The ATF has been on an agenda to shut down firearms dealers and manufacturers. Sullivan has continued to carry out this Back Door attack on our Second Amendment. As Gun Owners we should be deeply concerned when the ATF Director is being praised by John Kerry and Ted Kennedy, the bows to release more information to Chuck Schumer.
Yet Another Blog
I have another blog on this site, but I dropped a post here to demonstrate what you can do. Consider your blog your own. All we ask is that you abide by the rules and keep your content generally relevant to the purpose of the site. You can choose whether each entry in your blog is visible to the whole world, only to registered users, or only visible to you.
How To Use This Site: Your Profile
I’ve been busy over the past few days installing several new interactive tools and features into the site. The immediate response resembles a junior high school dance – lots of people standing around, but not too many have ventured out on the floor. I'm not worried. This is something that will develop in due time.
This is the first in a series of "How To" blogs that I'll post over the next few days in hopes of getting folks started. If you don’t understand something I've written here, or if you catch a mistake in my write-up, or if something doesn’t work as expected, you can drop a line in the comments section below this window, or send me a note.
Great Expectations
The Knox Report
From the Firearms Coalition
Expected Actions & Amazing Revelations
By Jeff Knox
DC files petition for Supreme Court review of Parker/Heller.
(Manassas, VA, August 5, 2007) The District of Columbia released its long awaited petition asking the Supreme Court to review the Parker/Heller case. Mayor Adrian Fenty held a Tuesday morning press conference which was anticipated by 3 articles and a guest editorial in the Washington Post. All of the stories in the Post echoed the City’s contention that the Court of Appeals made a radical decision when they interpreted the part of the Second Amendment which says, “the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”, as meaning that the People’s right to keep and bear arms should not be infringed.
New Toys On The Site
Over the weekend I added a variety of tools and new features to the site. The theme behind virtually all of the new stuff is interactive. In order to live up to its name, the members of The Firearms Coalition need to be able to communicate with one another. The vision is a free and open communications medium that allows members to communicate openly, but to take a discussion private as they need to. So far, some 24 hours after getting the last of the tools installed and more or less configured, the atmosphere is akin to a junior high school dance. Everybody's waiting for someone else to make the first move. That's okay. I expect things to pick up. I'll be blogging here over the next few days about the tools and what they are and how to use them.
Site News
We've installed several new components on the site. Most are only visible if you are registered and logged in. Some of the components we've added:
- Community Builder
This is a combinatin user management and user communication tool. You can build a profile for other site members to see. We're asking everyone to at least include a zip code. That way we can send targeted updates about things that are happening in your neighborhood. - Private Message Manager
Send other site members private message. It never goes outside the site. - Comment system
Registered members can comment directly on articles blog entries. - Member Blogs
A simple blog tool to allow members to create a blog. - Forum
A place for online conversation, debate, and general communications. Specific sub-topics for states, counties, and cities.
Let us know what you think. Assume that there will be bugs and glitches. We appreciate your patience and understanding. You can help it grow by bringing your friends.
Chris Knox
Web Site Usage Rules
Usage Rules
Use of this Web Site implies an agreement to abide by the rules of the site. These rules may be updated periodically without notice.
The purpose of The Firearms Coalition Web Site is to educate and inform members of the Site of news and issues regarding the Second Amendment Right to Keep and Bear Arms. This site includes discussions areas that allow two-way communication between and among other users of the Site. The Owners of the Site (Neal Knox Associates and Knox Communications) and its delegated Moderators will police the Site for offensive or abusive material through day-to-day moderation, but The Firearms Coalition disclaims responsibility for the actions of others including abusive or offensive material posted to the Site.
Abusive or Offensive Material and Actions
Users of the Site will refrain from posting Abusive or Offensive Material. Abusive Material includes but is not limited to any of the following:
- Spam.
“Link spam,” posts or blog entries for the specific purpose of linking to unrelated sites, using the site to publish commercial messages to other members or anyone else on the net is spamming. Spammers can expect no tolerance. Actions against spammers may include immediately terminating the offending account, reporting the incident to the offendor’s ISP, or possibly law enforcement.
- Gratuitous use of profanity.
We recognize that sometimes it just comes out, but this is a public forum and appropriate decorum should be observed.
- Sexually explicit material.
Not within the rules of decorum, not within the topic of the site, and not allowed.
- Personal attacks.
This includes individuals both in and outside of the site. Disagreement or controversy are to be expected on occasion, but rules of civil debate will be enforced.
- Intentionally provoking other participants
The term is trolling and it is rude. Feeding trolls (i.e. responding to inflammatory or offensive posts) is just as bad as the original trolling offense. Members do not need rise to the bait. Note that this site is NOT an appropriate venue for debate of “gun control.” Calling for (for example) banning, registering, or licensing of any firearm in this forum qualifies as trolling. Opponents of gun rights should free to exercise their First Amendment right to advocate restrictions on firearms in a different forum. - Posting Internet Floaters, Chain Letters, and Hoaxes
Microsoft and AOL will not pay you if you register your email. The Good Times Virus will not wreck your computer. Craig Shergold has all the postcards he needs. If you want to say a prayer for the troops, please do so, but don’t post about it here.
- Misrepresentation.
Multiple user names, “sock puppets” (a single user creating fictitious accounts in order to provoke discussion or serve as a surrogate fan club), posting under someone else’s account or claiming someone else’s identity are all sufficient grounds for account termination and banning the user, and possibly, folow-up with ISP and/or law enforcement.
- Copyright violations
Any copyright material must be used with permission. All posts or submissions remain the property of the submitter who retains full responsibility for content
Security
Every reasonable effort will be made to safeguard personal data stored on the site. Security issues should be brought to the attention of the Owners as soon as they are discovered. Security probing or “cracking” attempts by anyone not expressly contracted by Neal Knox Assoiciates, Knox Communications, or their ISP will result in termination of the account and possible follow-up with law enforcement.
Moderation
From time to time the Owners of the Site may appoint at their sole discretion and judgment Moderators to assist with enforcement of the Site Rules.
Summary
In summary, what we expect from our members is courtesy and adherence to the rules of civil discourse that are common to any public space.
DC Files Supreme Court Appeal
The District of Columbia released its long awaited petition asking the Supreme Court to review the Parker/Heller case. Mayor Adrian Fenty held a Tuesday morning press conference which was anticipated by 3 articles and a guest editorial in the Washington Post. All of the stories in the Post echoed the City’s contention that the Court of Appeals made a radical decision when they interpreted the part of the Second Amendment which says, “the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”, as meaning that the People’s right to keep and bear arms should not be infringed.
Joaquin Jackson Update
Yesterday I sent out an Alert about NRA Director Joaquin Jackson's TV interview in which he opined that "assault weapons" were alright if they only had a capacity of 5 rounds.
This story has actually been bouncing around the internet for a couple of weeks and Ranger Jackson and NRA have released a response to the concerns raised by the story.
It is very clear in the interview exactly what Jackson is saying and what he means. Along with some other comments he states;
"I think these assault weapons basically need to be in the hands of the military and they need to be in the hands of the police, but as far as assault weapons to a civilian, if you… if you… it's alright if you got that magazine capacity down to five rounds."