CoBIS FAIL

WRGB did a story last night on our press release celebrating the 10th anniversary of CoBIS.

Microstamping advances

A-1157 has advanced to 3rd Reading.  It could be voted on as soon as Monday.  The floor calendar for next week is not out yet.

Bob Castelli and Steve Katz told me they plan to speak  in opposition to it.  I don’t know if anyone else will.

3 Stars

According to the Brady Bunch, New York is ranked #4 in the county with a score of 62 out of 100, giving us a 3 star rating.  California is #1 with a score of 80 and 4 stars.  New Jersey is #2 with 75 and Massachusetts is #3 with 65, both also having 3 star ratings.

Here’s Paul Helmke explaining this.  He doesn’t seem to blink very much.

Microstamping Reported

Microstamping bill A-1157 has been Reported.  It could go to the floor for a vote by the full Assembly as early as next week.

Arming bodega owners

The Bodega Association of the United States is encouraging store owners to apply for NYC pistol licenses.  According to the Daily News:

“… Luis Ducasse, head of the Bodega Association of the United States, has been targeting cornershops and delis in crime-ridden neighborhoods, handing out gun-license applications to owners … The pistol push began after at least 12 deli owners from the Bronx and Queens told Ducasse they were victims of an armed robbery in the last few weeks, he said. At least three deli workers were killed in robberies this winter, he said …”

Disgraceful.  Where is Mayor Bloomberg on this?  Nowhere to bee seen.  As for the police:

“… The NYPD declined to comment on the recent deli robberies or Ducasse’s efforts.  But Bronx officers recently trained deli operators how to best protect themselves, including adding better security cameras, keeping small amounts of cash in registers and avoiding confrontations …”

This is nice, but considering they have no legal obligation whatsoever to protect citizens, would it not be be better for police brass to stop playing politics and simply issue pistol licenses to whomever applies for them?  There is absolutely no legal reason for them to force ordinary people to go through the abusive process they do now.  They can issue unrestricted licenses right now to Joe Citizen just like they do for the rich and politically connected.

Worth remembering

Osama Bin Laden is dead.

Took a round just above his left eye.

John Synder offers his thoughts:

” … Americans can be glad we enjoy the individual Second Amendment civil right to keep and bear arms.  We may have to rely on that right now more than ever to be able to protect life and property from those who would do us and our loved ones harm …”

Words worth remembering.

Walmart proudly supports MAIG

The PolitickerNY has updated their story on Walmart selling guns with a position statement from a Walmart spokesman:

“… Steve Restivo, the director of community affaris for the big box retailer, points out that Walmart will not sell any guns or ammunition should they open a store in the five boroughs.  “Walmart will not sell firearms in any future New York City store.  We’re proud of our participation in ‘Mayors Against Illegal Guns’ and will remain committed to the safe and responsible sale of firearms in areas of the country where they are sold.” …”

I didn’t like shopping at Walmart before and this statement is another reason to avoid the chain.

Walmart smokescreen

Some loudmouth politicians are trying to make hay out of Walmart’s decision to start selling firearms in more of its stores again.  PolitickerNY reports:

“A coalition of anti-gun advocates are calling on Mayor Bloomberg this morning to join them in rejecting Walmart’s plans to expand to New York City in light of a report that the big box retailer is trying to increase its sales of guns and ammunition as a way to boost its bottom line … “Wal-Mart has shown exactly what its promises are worth by reneging on its commitment to Mayor Bloomberg’s national gun control campaign,” said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio … “The Walmart charm offensive ends today with news that the conglomerate plans to expand considerably the sale of weapons and ammunition,” said Manhattan borough president Scott Stringer. “If the city wants to remain a leader on gun control, we need to take a hard stand against Walmart’s decision and make it clear that any corporation that looks for new markets to sell guns and fosters a culture of violence is not welcome in New York.” …”

While these guys are certainly antigun, that is not the real issue here.  Walmart has been wanting to open up stores in NYC for quite some time.  Their main obstacle has been the unions and their political puppets like de Blasio and Stringer.  Walmart is a non-union shop and local unions do not want them here:

“… “Walmart is still not welcome,” said Stuart Appelbaum, of the national Retail and Wholesale Workers union.   “They provide a model for others to follow.  Their model is a destructive force.  The jobs they create keep people in poverty.” …”

Their business model is capitalism, the antithesis of union socialism.

While Mayor Bloomberg is very antigun, he’s not anticapitalist and does not have a problem with Walmart expanding into the City.  What de Blasio and Stringer are trying to do here is get the Mayor on their side by trying to link one of his pet issues to Walmart and hopefully get him to come out in opposition to the company’s expansion plans.  Gun control is just a smokescreen for their real objectives.

Close the door

From the Washington Times, “Giuliani leaving ‘door open’ to White House run“:

“… “I’m going to go to New Hampshire to speak to a law enforcement group, so that’s really the main purpose of the speech, but I keep in contact with people in New Hampshire and try to figure out what kind of a chance I have,” Mr. Giuliani said in an interview. “At this point, I’m not actively considering it, but I have the door open.” …”

You have no chance.  Close the door.