Is the Bunny Man Back?

WJZ Baltimore reports a man attacked a roadside speed camera vehicle with a hammer on the BW parkway yesterday. SWAT was called, they closed the highway and used helicopters, but could not catch the suspect. He vanished into the woods next to the highway after apparently brandishing a shotgun then beating the vehicle with a hammer while the speed trap camera operator was inside. There were no injuries and the police have no motive.

I would hazard a guess at the motive, the individual doesn't like speed traps. In any event this type of story causes me to raise an eyebrow due to my knowledge of local legend. You see the Baltimore/Washington area has an urban legend called The Bunny Man! This attack fits the story except for a missing bunny suit and an axe instead of a hammer. OK, OK I'm reaching a little, but perhaps the contractor in the vehicle was too ashamed or frightened to admit he saw a 6ft dude in a bunny suit. Maybe he mistook a hatchet for a hammer. A random vandalism attack and the suspect disappears? Poof! Who would believe him? Maybe he doesn't know about the legend? Maybe they're not releasing all the details so they don't start a panic. I can't believe all that police power and tax dollars were used to no avail in order catch any regular criminal, or that any regular criminal could evade such a manhunt so easily. It's just a bit strange.

It is nice; however to see real research into an Urban Legend and as the legend is more prevalent near Fairfax, VA a local librarian and archivist there named
Brian A. Conley, of the Fairfax County Public Library did some pretty in depth research to get to the bottom of the story. The Bunny Man Unmasked.

So you can accept Brian's in-depth investigation and conclusion or you can wonder if The Bunny Man is STILL AT LARGE!

Things on my brain.

Part Two of the weekend happened today - we went to the new local range with our guests.  We were there about an hour, killed some zombie (targets), and had an excellent time.  Well...excellent, aside from Chris's AR15's feed problems and a couple of feed issues with my (admittedly dirty) Rock Island.  UMC bulk pack .45 is some dirty stuff, since that's all I've shot through it for the past 100 rds.



I was going to be more chatty about the 4th, but Newbius covered it for me.  Go, read the whole thing.

I'm just in too good a mood for this trash.

I was going to write a lengthy response to this, but decided against it.  Presented without further comment.

Hoping you're celebrating our nation's independance appropriately...

Chris and I opted to take two out-of-town friends to Ft. McHenry, down in the city.  They had a small munitions demonstration (translation: THINGS THAT GO BOOM), and the weather was nice enough we opted to wander the grounds for a couple of hours, soaking in the history.

We were going to go to Antietam, but figured our friends would appreciate seeing Baltimore Harbor from the ramparts of McHenry.  It really is a nice view.

Because this is fitting for both this post and the holiday, have one of the better renditions of the Star Spangled Banner (thanks, Borepatch).

Hoping everyone else out there is having a lovely weekend!

Did I shake something loose?

Apparently I did over at MArooned Jay was able to post on ideas he's had for some time; that gun grabbers know their position is futile, their facts incorrect, and nothing is solved by their position, yet they do it anyway. Why? I can give you two quotes from Albert Einstein.

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

and

"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts."

Without putting on my tin foil wizard hat this time and going into theories of power, and historical essays about why the Second Amendment was included in our Constitution or showing data that cities with the strictest gun laws have majority, minority populations I can give you a simple answer and 2 things to do.

Guns are scary. Forget for a minute that you're familiar with guns and think about all the people out there that aren't anti-gun, but not pro-gun and familiar with them either. Many of these people show an irrational fear of guns, just like people show an irrational fear of snakes and spiders. It's one thing they encounter in their lives that can end a human life in an instant, yet they also don't seem necessary, like the other things in their lives that can, such as cars, and the food they eat. Remember this is an irrational fear of the gun itself. As if one sitting on a table would suddenly jump up under it's own power and kill you. Just like people think snakes bite you all of a sudden for no reason. Then these people are introduced to others that show them statistics, and agree with them that guns are bad and play to their fear. Everyone wants to be liked right? Everyone wants to be part of the crowd, to be agreed with, right? So why not throw in with these like minded people. Then the anti-gun campaign gains members and momentum and becomes a large group. Humans in groups with shared beliefs and goals will do some weird, crazy and interesting things. Then the cycle perpetuates itself.

What can you do? I'd ask you to do two things. First take a friend or family member that seems to be afraid of guns or anti-gun and ask them if they would like to go shooting. At the range, or the trap field. Teach them about safety and show them the fun and interesting things you can do with guns. As guns are scary, they are also inherently fun and exciting when handled safely and treated with respect. Tell them you're not going to talk about politics or self defense and stick to it. We're just going to go shoot some guns. I've taken a number of people to the range that were new or afraid of guns. When we're done everyone is safe and I hear; That was fun, or That was cool, Guns aren't really that scary. There you have it. You may not have converted someone to our side, but you just broke the cycle of irrational fear and most likely just ended any chance of recruitment by the other side. That person will now question the scare tactics and group think responses. You will have given them pause when they hear or read about gun issues, and that pause may be enough.

Second I would ask you to just start asking Why? Not just with gun issues, but any time someone talks about anything that may restrict or eliminate your rights and freedoms. Don't argue their issues, just ask for logical reasoning and purpose. Why do they want to do this? Can they come up with a logical answer? Does it make sense? That's it. I don't need evidence to combat supposed facts you spew at me. I just want to know why you want to do it and if it makes sense.

Ok I didn't get out my tin foil wizard hat, but I guess I did get out my soap box. I guess I'll go put that away too.

Unbelievable

So Jay over at MArooned beat me to the punch, but I have to say if this happened in any other city, like this one with high crime rates that rifle would have been long gone and not reported by a passer by to another officer to correct the situation. Here that would be just another statistic. An "assault rifle" in the hands of criminals according to anti 2A people. I understand that cops are people too and they make mistakes like everyone else, but I can't imagine a situation other than a running gunfight that would make you forget your weapon like that. Especially when you're supposed to be a trained professional. It makes you wonder what else this officer forgets to do.

First time carrying: a non-event!

Chris and I were visiting MikeW this weekend (in other words, outside of Maryland) and I carried in the purse I bought from Michael.  I passed by alcohol, children, and police officers, and nothing happened.

That is, of course, how it should be.

Gunnies never cease to amaze me.

One of the things I always wanted to do is to start doing some shooting sports, but I've never really had the time or money to get started easily. I finally got my chance. I was recently able to join a local gun club and have met some really nice people. One of these people suggested that I try and come to their weekly bulls eye competition. He said it was no pressure, inexpensive, didn't take long and I could shoot any pistol I had. He also said it would be a great way to get into some competition shooting. I told Laura about it and we decided to check out the next match.

Thursday rolled around and we headed up to the club range. No one I had previously met was there. I told the range officer we were looking for the bulls eye competition and he indicated it was right here and one round was in progress, but we could jump in on the next one. He was really nice, and helped us get registered and told us what we were going to do. After that round was over, we met some of the other shooters that were there, and they also helped us get set up and gave us the basic rundown on the matches. All of these people even though neither one of us had met any of them before, were really helpful, patient and nice. Just then 2 of the guys I had met before including the one that invited me to come showed up. As the other shooters noticed that I knew them they relaxed even more and pretty soon everyone was talking and joking like we were old friends. When the competition started they explained each stage, the scoring, and what to do, like they were actually glad to have some new people around and they all made us fell very welcome.

It was good fun, an interesting introduction to actual competition and something I want to do again. The guy that invited me said, see, if you get used to this I'll have you shooting IPSC by the end of the year. I am continuously amazed with the people involved in shooting and shooting sports. It's such a big difference from the people I deal with every day that I can't help but be. I hope as I meet more and more gunnies I continue to meet great people that are willing to share their sport.

Overheard in the living room

me: blablabla may issue blabla shall issue (my dialog is just me babbling)
Chris: you know, this whole shall/may issue thing reminds me of Blade Runner.
me: how's that?
Chris: Deckard: I was quit when I come in here, Bryant, I'm twice as quit now.

Bryant: Stop right where you are. You know the score pal. If you're not cop, you're little people.
Deckard: No choice, huh?
Bryant: No choice pal.

Just a little snippet of the things we talk about over dinner...