I have a suggestion for their speaker's list: Len Savage.

2015 Firearms Industry Compliance Conference Issues Call for Speakers.

We can also arrange for Ramsey Bear to attend, although he is rather shy about public speaking.

David Codrea on my decision.

This is the new paradigm all of us, but especially the "gun groups," need to get used to, because it effectively nullifies any "compromises" some may be inclined to agree to. Ultimately, people are going to choose to obey or disobey. Ultimately, people are going to choose if they wish to confront. Once the decision is made, our approval and agreement don't matter. Nothing we say or do is going to stop it. Once the decision is made, we can condemn them as extremists who make us all look bad, or we can remind any so inclined that the real extremists are those who would deny rights and force their will on others.

"NRA beating this particular drum in this particular way is particularly galling."

Wayne the Baptist, wandering in the Fast and Furious wilderness.

Yeah. There is nothing that the NRA WON'T claim credit for -- AFTER THE FACT.

Gun Owners Prepare for Arrest at WA State Capitol

Liberty activists and gun owners organized by Liberty for All and The Patriots Stand are converging at the WA State Capitol in Olympia on Saturday at a rally meant to protest and violate new rules imposed by the legislature banning open carry in public viewing galleries.

The common folk strike back. Gun bills return to the Colorado Capitol, but this time from the GOP

Sen. Chris Holbert, R-Parker, believes he can buck conventional wisdom with his bill to repeal the 15-round magazine limit. Unlike the House magazine bill, Holbert has lined up Democratic sponsors for his measure, which has yet to be introduced. The question is whether it will be sent to a House committee with a Democratic supporter so it can be sent to the entire chamber, where Democrats have only a three-seat majority.

And in Texas: Gun debate turns wild in first 2 weeks of Texas Legislature

Outrage Erupts over ‘This Land is Your Land’ Jeep Super Bowl Ad

“What kind of globalist bullshit is this?”

I will have more later.

I promise.

“Green Decoys” Lure Sportsmen Into Deceptive Trap

Employing a “divide and conquer” strategy against gun owners, often pitting sport shooters against those who own firearms for the primary purposes of protection and freedom, is hardly new. It’s been tried before with other well-funded shill groups established by those who can’t push citizen disarmament edicts through if they’re up front about their intentions, so they instead package them in a way to induce well-meaning but poorly informed gun owners to take the bait.

School FOIA response points to law violation by anti-gun filmmaker

The producer of an anti-gun “public service announcement” video appears to have violated California law regarding either real or imitation firearms on school premises, a Freedom of Information Act response by the North Oakland Community Charter School implies by default. Documents provided to Gun Rights Examiner in response to a Public Records Act request partially corroborate the school executive director’s earlier claim that “NOCCS does not allow, condone, or support bringing weapons of any kind (real or replicas) to school.”

My apologies for being absent and Herschel Smith's advice.

It's been a rough couple of days, and busy as well, so I was unable to get back here and do the posting I wanted to do. My apologies. That said, in the interim I have received, by every means that one can receive communications these days, a lot of advice on the WA trip. Most of it was offered in sincere concern, almost all thoughtfully, some prayerfully, and a tiny minority of it obscene, malign and, of course, anonymous.

One good thing that came of this process (and I would be lying if I said that this wasn't part of my intent from the beginning) was to encourage people to think seriously about what armed civil disobedience means in the present context. Not just for me, but for them, for us all. Your arguments have not fallen on deaf ears -- mine or others. Many of them against going are extremely persuasive. But I did not ask for your opinion just to have an excuse not to go. This isn't about "face-saving," either way. Leaders lead. And strangely enough, to my mind, a lot of folks consider me a leader. Now, leaders are also required to use good judgment in picking battles. But leaders are further tasked with coming to the support of the guys on the line who are in the middle of a fight. If I go, it is because I think that this particular fight -- and these particular people -- deserve my support, need my help and that I have a reasonable chance of accomplishing that AND at the same time, advancing the overall cause of liberty. If I am mistaken, if we fail miserably through own own inattention or stupidity or enemy action or even blind chance, our cause will be set back and I will look like history's dumbest goat. If we succeed in forcing the issue farther down the battlefield, some will call us geniuses. We -- that is, me and the folks in WA state who chose not to back down in the face of this latest infringement -- will be neither, of course. We will just be folks who saw a need, took a calculated risk and won. Or lost. Sometimes (most often if you are smart) you get to choose your battles. Sometimes the battle chooses you. Herschel Smith discusses some of this and has the following advice for me:

That’s what I recommend for Mike. Amusement is appropriate in some circumstances. But if you want to go to WA, do it. If you don’t, then don’t. Here is how you tell folks your decision. You simply tell them. That’s the end of it.

Okay. Good advice. So here goes: I asked for your thoughts, folks, and listened to them, mulled them over and frankly was impressed and humbled by their cogency, loyalty and depth of feeling. You came up with points that I must admit that I hadn't considered or gave too little weight to in the beginning. I asked for your thoughts, but I didn't ask for your permission. It is my call, and only I can make it. I am going, as I always knew I would have to. Through the incredibly generous support of you, my readers, I fly out to Seattle on Thursday and will fly back on Monday. I hope to meet with as many of you as I can when I am out there. Whether I am right, and exactly what happens on the ground on Saturday is subject to enemy action but it is all, and always, in God's hands. Please keep me, and the resistance fighters on the line in Washington state, in your prayers.

LATER: After I wrote this, I received this observation by email from reader James: "You only have one death. Spend it wisely." To which I replied, "I'll try to postpone that as long as possible and make it count for as much as I can. I promise you."

Rough night.

More later.

Russia selects new assault rifles

Link courtesy of Real Clear Defense: The AK-12 is a fifth generation AK-pattern rifle, featuring several ergonomic improvements, a bolt catch, accessory rails, and a telescopic buttstock. The AK-12 is also has a lower recoil impulse than the AK-74M. Design work on the AK-12 began in August 2011 with the first prototype unveiled on 24 January 2012. The rifle is fed from 30 round AK-74 box magazines, but 60 and 95 rounds magazines are also available.

David Codrea weighs in on the Washington action.

My decision to go to WA on Saturday continues to generate comments, not the least of which is from my good friend David Codrea:

From: David Codrea dcodrea@hotmail.com

To: Mike Vanderboegh georgemason1776@aol.com

Sent: Sun, Feb 1, 2015 8:23 am

Subject: Discussion of whether I should go to -- and get arrested in -- WA state.

I've stayed out of this so far, but wish you had talked with me before committing so I could at least have you listen to my concerns. I've not made a "public" statement because I've seen how insidiously demoralizing defeatist talk can be -- I equate it to a coward in the trenches wailing about how we're all gonna die, and think under desperate circumstances, the commander would be justified in taking extreme measures to stop the subversion and to make an example to the others of where it will lead.

OTOH, I see you have no shortage of outhouse lawyer comment posters telling everyone why this is needed for standing or some such bullshit, as if that's a magic key, and have to ask where they got their law degrees and where they're admitted to the bar. Oh they didn't and they haven't been? And they in fact, when it comes to planning legal strategy, don't know what they're talking about? And when you do get arrested, they won't do fuck-all to even help draw support to your side, let alone dig deep into their own pockets for bail money and legal fees? Why, I'm shocked.

But here's the crux of my concerns: An ideological leader -- that would be you -- bases his core message on four words: We will not disarm. If you let them arrest you, you will have been disarmed for all the world to see. If you don't, and plan to go out blazing, you'd best clear that with everybody in your group so they're going into this eyes wide open, that you're planning a mass suicide by cop operation.

I'm trying to see the "win" here. Maybe for the chatroom warrior selling "Complied or Died" t-shirts...

Mike, I think this entire operation is ill-conceived and will have adverse consequences that outweigh any galvanizing effect you're envisioning. I know you've thought this through as to the wider effects, the headlines, the gloating from the antis, the increased demand for pressure, the caving of the gunquislings, and the squeeze that will put on gun owners to obey or resist, but here's the one certainty I've learned in life: Stomp as we might, none of us has the ability to predict the catalyst that will start an avalanche. But we can be pretty damn sure that jumping in front of a bus will save the compromisers the trouble of throwing us under it.

Unless you do a better job of explaining why this is a necessary thing, I'm going to tell you something it is not easy, but necessary to tell a friend: I think you're wrong.

And no, I don't see a way to back out of this without losing face. That's one of the reasons I wish we'd talked before you committed. That said, I pray it's not pride that will be the downfall of not just you, but of more than we can know.

‘Vindictive prosecution’ subjects self-defense to ‘community standards'

The other point illustrated is that until he could get to his home to retrieve a firearm, the doctor and his wife were practically defenseless.

Discussion of whether I should go to -- and get arrested in -- WA state.

Since I posted "In timor veritas" on Friday, I have been inundated with negative comments -- by email, phone and in person -- on my participation in the 7 February I Will Not Comply action at the WA state house. They cover a lot of concerns, but most are like this one:

I don't understand how you getting arrested will help anything. For better or worse, many people probably think not open carrying guns in public buildings is a "reasonable" restriction. Now if they forcibly arrest you during a rally for clearly utilizing free speech that's different, but I just am thinking this is one battle worth losing in order to succeed in the overall war. Who would take over the blog for one? I just don't think that this is a smart move at all tactically.

What about a massive open carry rally to the edge of the ok zone? I.E. right outside the capital. You could emphasize that all these guns are here and not one person has been shot and killed yet.

I don't know, I am sure you have thought this through. I guess I am just ensuring due diligence review of this strategy to get arrested which I believe has more cost than benefit.

I have thought this through, and I am submitting it to God in prayer that risking arrest is the right thing to do. Of all the criticisms -- friendly and unfriendly -- I have received, this one from Bob Wright caused me the most thought and reflection:

Mike,

While I am intrigued by the proposed armed civil disobedience in Washington state, and at least partially agree with some of the reasoning behind it I wish to share some of the concerns this proposed course of action brings to my mind and offer a few thoughts on other consequences likely to manifest themselves in the execution of this demonstration.

I agree with the concept of pushing this course to a point the media can no longer ignore the armed demonstrations that have grown over the years. I agree that this type of event could bring a spotlight on to the whole trend,( but only if properly managed.) And by managed I mean in the planning, execution and the handling of the aftermath.

Bob Wright, Palominas, AZ, 2005.

In 2005, at the onset of the Minuteman Project, 4 dedicated leaders and myself handled the physical execution of the mission. We were responsible for maintaining the operation on an operational and tactical basis. This included the assignment of personnel, setting up observation posts, gathering, collating and analysis of intelligence, housing, medical and logistics issues. In addition was the need to interface with local law enforcement and elected officials. Another essential duty was dealing with media . While we all prefer to do the physical stuff, the exciting stuff, the dangerous stuff the need for a talented person to deal with the media was essential to the success and continued survival of the Minutemen. Those who wound up filling that billet were often bitterly disappointed to be removed from other duties more exciting and satisfying.In spite of their disappointment they served in the position from which the most good for the mission! They were as essential to the success of the project as any Minuteman , Line leader of Area supervisor. In some ways more essential as the physical exertions of those Magnificent Minutemen would have been fruitless without those peoples skills that allowed what the troops were doing to be conveyed in such a manner as to explain the true nature and intent of the Project, dispel the lies and the calumny perpetrated by our foes and put the noble human face on those Patriots in the field. It was a thankless job that broke the hearts of one such person and diminished the personal satisfaction of the others. But they served the cause.They served where they could best further the cause.

Looking at the Washington operation I feel, most strongly, that your participation should be limited as far as risking arrest. I feel that you have a responsibility to the movement and the III%. As that Kerodin fool established really bad people want to piggyback on , or take over the III% movement. I believe whole-heartedly that without your clear expressions of the philosophy and direction of the Real III% we will see this movement fall into the disrepute that individual espouses. As I see it, and I think most of the III% will agree, your mission is to continue to provide that clear definition that has kept the III% on track and has built the movement to the point that it has arrived. You have hundreds who are building their own understandings and philosophies based on the history , context and insight you provide in the turmoil that is political America. You have made plain the noble origins of this movement and made clear that intent to preserve and restore the founders vision for ALL Americans. Who, would you recommend that may replace you should things go bad?

Who, could provide the narrative that would illustrate and bring to light the historic and ethical correctness of this demonstration? Who?

My friend, your job is not to go get arrested and while I know that just eats you up you are a victim of your own talent. You, as I, are condemned to serve where we may best serve the cause. As you well know that can change over time as it has for you. Some critics may charge that you “Must Lead from The Front” or you have no credibility. I would just about bet those who say that have never actually lead any one. While there is validity in the old saw “never ask a subordinate to do something you would not do yourself”, you fulfilled that requirement a decade ago my old friend. You lead from the front for more than a decade. Face to face with Fed Monsters, Nazis, Kluckers , writ writers. I know…I was with you.

No sir! Your Job is to continue to define and illustrate as only your pen can what the III% is all about. To continue to give voice to the shining nobility that all III%ers have but few can express. More and more you are being compared to Sam Adams and I for one feel it is a just comparison. Without Adams the revolution might never of been or might have been far less noble in it’s intent and result. But we must remember that Sam did NOT physically take part in the Boston Tea Party or any of a hundred other “demonstrations” he was responsible for. He like you chaffed at that limitation but knew…as you must know…had a much different way to serve the noble cause.

Bob Wright.

Wow. Where to start? First off, I AM going to WA state if I can arrange the logistics. Second, I have the utmost confidence in the common sense and competence of the leadership of the I Will Not Comply folks on the ground out there, including Anthony Bosworth and Kit Lange. I had the chance to observe them up close from the inside of the operation back in December and would trust my life with them and their supporters. No ifs, ands, or buts. I have implicit trust that they will carry this off with every bit of skill, determination and success that they exhibited last month -- including their preparations to deal with agents provocateurs. I will also stipulate that am an exceedingly poor substitute for Sam Adams and thus I am not as convinced as Bob that I am "irreplaceable."

The central question for me is how could I sit safely in Alabama and be impervious to this eloquent appeal? I could not, not and be true to everything that I believe, everything that I have sworn to uphold. So I am going. The only question is -- will I be arrested? I suppose that will be up to the "authorities" in WA state. Whatever happens, I suspect that the national press will no longer be able to ignore the NATIONAL armed civil disobedience movement afterward. And that is a result that the "authorities" who embrace citizen disarmament -- both in Washington state and nationally -- will not like, not one bit. In that -- in their fear that reveals the truth -- they cannot help themselves, for they are cowards and tyrants. And their attacks on liberty -- and, possibly, on those of us who resist that tyranny -- will make our point and sustain and further our larger cause. Thus it is worth the risk to me.

I invite your comments.

LATER: Seattle Times: Do as we say, not as we do.

Radio discussion of WA state house members on the carrying of arms in the state house galleries.

"This week, on God, Family and Country, we continue our coverage of the 2015 Legislative Session. Joining us on the show are Representative Matt Shea (4th District), Elizabeth Scott (39th District) and Graham Hunt (2nd District). Firearms, tax increases and the budget are all open for discussion with these esteemed leaders."

The militarization of police intensifies in New York City. Welcome to the "Strategic Response Group."

An NYPD Unit Armed to Face Terrorists–and Protesters.

The benefit to such a squad is its ability to respond to an attack like the ones in Mumbai or Nairobi, where heavily armed gunmen seize a building with many hostages. The cost is the danger that the militarized unit will be turned on U.S. citizens.

Alas, that worst-case scenario seems to be Bratton's plan. The unit, dubbed a Strategic Response Group, is "designed for dealing with events like our recent protests, or incidents like Mumbai or what just happened in Paris,” Bratton declared, giving no sign of recognizing that one of those things is unlike the others.

The NYPD has a history of violently suppressing protests.

See also: NYPD to launch a beefed-up counterterrorism squad

Incredible. Be sure and bring out the manicurists' finger bowls.

By the time we thought about leaving Afghanistan, we’d been tossing gear into the country for more than a decade. This is the story of how we moved out.

And in a related story: 'We can’t prevent wars or win them with an army of bureaucrats.'

Victorious Kurds Ask U.S. for Promised Guns. Starving the people you claim to support.

With the victory this week over Islamic State forces at Kobani, Syria, one might think that the U.S. and Iraqi governments would be looking to increase shipments of armaments to the Iraqi Kurdish forces fighting on the ground. But according to the Kurd overseeing much of the ground campaign in Northern Iraq, his Peshmerga units are facing a shortage of ammunition and guns just at the moment they have turned the tide against the jihadists. In an exclusive interview from a command center on the Iraq-Syria border, Masrour Barzani, the chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council, told me his forces have received only four shipments of needed munitions in recent months. “The shortage of ammunition is a big problem and this is not even close to what we were asking for,” he said.

LATER: And the one thing you can say about Kurdish commanders, at least they get close enough to the fray to risk everything. Militants Kill a Kurdish Commander Near Kirkuk

Celebrating the Sykes-Fairbairn Commando Knife.

Perhaps. But the Ka-Bar is more useful and just as deadly.