ATTN: MD residents who have legally purchased HBARs and AR10s out of state.

The police may be coming for you.

I'd like to know who's making all these random decisions without notifying the public.

More info regarding Saturday's post.

Go read it here.

God, it's even worse than we thought.

From an email I recieved from Associated Gun Clubs:

Governor Compromises the Privacy of Thousands of Maryland Citizens

We have confirmed earlier reports that on orders from Governor O'Malley, the Maryland State Police are sharing the personal information on 77R firearms purchase application forms with the following non-MSP government agencies:

Department of Human Resources (DHR)
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Department of Transportation
Department of Public Safety
Correctional Services of Department of General Services

This will impact no less than the 38 thousand Maryland citizens who are currently still waiting for the MSP to "Not Disapprove" their applications to purchase a regulated firearm.

It is our information that state employees are being offered "comp time" to work this weekend doing data input. Other than a reported confidentiality agreement, there appears to be no effort to investigate the possible criminal backgrounds of these employees.

These forms contain the applicant's name, address, date and place of birth, social security number as well as information on the firearm the applicant intends to purchase. The Maryland State Police have lost control of the Licensing Division.

At this time, we will not publicly speculate on the Governor's political motivation for this action.

I have no words.

I'm ashamed of my legislators.

Maryland truly doesn't deserve to be called the "free" state anymore.

This isn't democracy.

This is pretty disgusting. No matter your thoughts on guns, this isn't how voting should happen.

This needs to stop.

I went to my first protest/rally today.

I drove down to Annapolis with a female friend in tow, and we were amazed. I'd estimate about three thousand pro-2A people showed up for the rally, and we FILLED the MD Senate building. They had to shut down the building - it was at capacity. We had folks from Maryland Shall Issue, Maryland Shooters Forum, the NRA, and I believe I spotted one of the Alans from the 2AF...that, or he has a twin running 'round Annapolis.

So, an observation: the crowd at the rally was possibly the most polite and respectful crowd I've had the pleasure to be around. I'm slightly agoraphobic in certain situations - for example, the photos of the Ravens rally yesterday made me nervous - but I only felt a slight amount of ohgodTOOMANYPEOPLE near the end, while waiting to sign the testimony book. This group of men, women, and yes, children, really helped to put a pleasant face on what many folks down in Naptown think is a big evil monster. I'm proud to be a part of it, and given the opportunity I think I'd go back down for similar reasons.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to testify. We stood in line for over 2 hours just to be told we wouldn't be allowed in. I have faith my fellow protesters said some fantastic things. I just hope we have a prayer of making a difference. I'm told Beretta has threatened to leave Maryland if SP281 gets passed, and I trust them to follow through with that threat. If anything has an impact on my state senators, that might. Maybe. I hope.

And because I remembered to take a photo, here's a crappy picture showing the amount of people who were there:

The crowd filled that ENTIRE square, plus maybe another hundred people on the steps immediately in front of me, and another 100 or so in line to get in the Senate building. SO MANY PEOPLE. More pictures and updates have been and will be posted here, here, and probably in other threads in that section of MDS. Please feel free to keep an eye on them.


Also, as we were leaving, "someone" in a police motorcade, two tour buses, and a guy with a Mini-14 hanging out the back of the last car in the motorcade caused the trolley we were in to practically beach itself on the curb. Thanks, nitwit. So glad to know you felt the need to show off your might.

This makes me sick.

Apparently, in California, defaulting on one's student loans means one's husband gets treated like a criminal.

...Wait, what?

Apparently that guy's wife defaulted on her student loans so instead of handling this like any NORMAL credit agency would - you know, with taking it to court, garnishing wages, etc. - they decided this needed a SWAT team.  AT 6 AM.  The cherry on this ridiculous sundae?  The person they were looking for WASN'T HOME AT THE TIME.  Oh, and they tossed the couple's kids in the squad car with their dad.  Because, you know, THAT won't teach them not to trust uniformed individuals ever again...

Seriously, WHAT were they thinking?

ETS: since it appears the initial link is down, go here.  Thanks to Tam for the updated link.

Self defense redux.

Back in February, I posted this.  Today, I had a situation reaffirm what I discussed in that post.

This morning was bad shortly after I woke up.  I got up late, had cat mess to clean up, was distracted, left the pepper spray and belt knife upstairs.

By the time I hit the highway, I realized I wouldn't just be late...I would be RIDICULOUSLY late.  Highway was backed up for at least a couple of miles.  Insert groan here.

By the time I neared work, I realized I'd forgotten to pack food...so I stopped at the grocery store nearest my office.  I have done this so many times before it's nearly second nature - pull in, grab food, pay, go.  It usually takes me 5 minutes, tops.

Today, however, something was definitely off.  Someone was following me around the store.  He was a white male, about 6'2" tall, maybe 200 lbs.  He apparently decided I was interesting, and decided to follow me around the store.  The guy didn't look at anything or anyone but me.  By the time I was midway through the store, I was fed up - screamed at him to get the hell away from me.  He took off running, and I completed my shopping.  Turns out, the guy was waiting for me on his scooter outside the door.  He waited until I exited the store to start his scooter.  I screamed at him again and called the police - fortunately, at that point he took off.

So, in summation: idiot decides I'm a tasty morsel of cowflesh.  I prevent him from doing anything.  I'm safe and at work, and he's...who-knows-where.  The police never showed up (which isn't surprising, really, in this town) and no one in the store reacted.  I'm angry with myself for leaving home the two things I own for situations just like this, but I'll be more vigilant tomorrow.  At least I HAVE a tomorrow.  At least I know that if someone tries to sneak up on me, it's like sneaking up on a goose - I'll be noisy and defensive, even when I'm not quite awake.  Hooray for gut reactions actually being appropriate.

At least I'm alright.  If the guy had a gun and decided to use it, however, I wouldn't be...and because the police didn't bother to show, I lack any sort of real record of this incident.  Not that it would be enough to get me a carry permit anyway...

Airports are safe places to be, right?

I mean, that's why the TSA fondles our private bits and submits us to naked scans...right?

Zappos hates freedom. :(

I used to love Zappos.  Their overnight service?  FABULOUS.

THIS, however?  This has me thoroughly disappointed.  They've lost my business.  Hopefully, they've lost your business as well.

Lies are great, especially when liars are caught in the middle of them.

Yesterday, TBolt posted a link of a lying liarpants attempting to testify in the Maryland House Judiciary Committee.

Said liarpants claims to be from Ceasefire Maryland.  Apparently he...isn't.



At least Delegate Smigiel was able to smackify the liar before he got any further into his lies.

This video was posted by Maryland Shall Issue, one of the only groups fighting to change Maryland from a "may" issue state to a "shall" issue state.  Please consider supporting them if you have the means.

I have no words...

At least, nothing better than what Kizz has already said here.  And seriously, go read what she has to say.

That the government is even considering cutting funding to Planned Parenthood distresses me...this is the only way for some women to see a GYN.  This is one of the only organizations supporting the idea that women have the right to decide what we do with our own bodies.  How can we let them decide whether we retain this right?

I suppose it was about time for this...

Good Ol' Frosh and his supporters just put this in writing.

EDITED TO ADD: This one's a doozy, too.

Knowing how many residents of Maryland are fans of firearms, I really honestly hope they cry foul on this one.



...god I hate that guy...


h/t to Fightinbluhen

Well shit.

There goes THAT idea.


H/t to Mike

Okay, now I've seen everything.

How is this right?



Seriously, how?

ETA: I've since read this was due to a frustrated father removing the boy's shirt "because the TSA kept trying to pat the kid down, but said kid wasn't playing. It was out of rage and frustration. The TSA agent put it back on him." I'm glad for some clarification, despite guaranteeing that child will end up scarred from this. It seems we have no escape from the bullshit, save not flying.

I suppose I'm one of the lucky ones - while I flew regularly before the attacks in New York, I have only flown a handful of times since then. Of those flights, only one encounter with TSA agents left me slightly annoyed...so I was unaware just how bad some of these agents really are. Now that they're given more liberty to abuse passengers, their true natures are coming to the surface, and it's appalling. C and I have elected to avoid flying as much as possible, and instead will invest in a camper for vacations. With that, we'll avoid both the TSA AND bedbugs while spending less in gas and lodging. I call that a win.

Other recent links regarding the TSA:
Rape survivors are having mental breakdowns over the patdown procedure. Next time someone says modesty shouldn't be an issue in this country, please, smack the shit out of them for me...then make them read that.
Thanks to an agent ignoring this man, he was forced to board a plane covered in his own urine.
Apparently TSA agents resent the enhanced patdown. Aww, poor babies. Maybe if more of them stood up to those enforcing these policies, something would happen. ...Not that I'd expect any of them to actually say anything to anyone about it. It's easier to whine to a reporter than it is to protest within one's agency.
The ACA wants improved screening procedures. as Breda has said, amputees have had constant issues with the TSA since their inception.
And the very best link of the day? Bruce Schneier, the gentleman who coined the term "security theater," says TSA Scans "Won't Catch Anybody". Imagine that.
If you or someone you know feels they've been abused while going through TSA screening, the ACLU has a complaint form here.

Hopefully someone will get a clue and actually do something to avoid the hell they're putting people through.



......Now if only that weren't wishful thinking.......

Ugh, I hate Baltimore.

This hits too close to home.

Particularly when friends work in that building. Thankfully, only one person has been hurt.

Who approved this?

C and I are discussing the idea of getting a camper to tow behind the truck.  This would allow for more affordable and accessible vacations, with the bonus of avoiding flying (and the added stress and financial bullshit).  I think we'd be able to avoid flying for the most part...unless, of course, we were to go overseas.

When greeted by the prospect of that x-ray machine, which has a sole purpose of giving the agent at the screen either wank material or a case of the giggles, I know I'd opt for the pat-down.  That should be safer and less humiliating, right?

Maybe not.

 Now I'm facing a dilemma.  I know that I have at least one trip in my future that involves flying.  When dealing with the pat-down from hell, should I:

1. Act overly excited before being touched by the officer, moan and groan like I'm enjoying it too much, then ask them to continue/keep going/do it harder when they're getting close to the end?
2. Close my eyes, "lie back, and think of England?"
3. Scream (loudly) about bad touches in my no-no places, followed by hysterical crying?

I'm torn.

At least guys have a great way of making the agents uncomfortable:

(click to embiggen)