The second Project Gunrunner hearing was held on the 15th. It looked as if Democrats, led by Elijah Cummings (D-MD) tried to push the hearings into a debate on the need for more gun control. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) tried to blame the NRA as "obstructionist" for pointing out that the BATF has no statutory authority to require reporting of multiple long gun sales and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) called straw-purchaser laws "toothless". Fortunately, House Oversight chairman Darrell Issa cut that tactic off quickly, declaring it was outside the scope of the hearings.
The DOJ was reported to be in "panic mode" just before the hearings. This is an odd report if we believe Obama's statements that neither he nor Holder authorized the program. Indeed, if Holder was out of the loop and it was really Melson and his lackey's in ATF to blame, then a few swift replacements, a press conference announcing a new director to "restore integrity" to the ATF would be sufficient. Yet, Justice is in a panic, so what is it they are afraid will be uncovered?
The Wall Street Journal is paying attention ... almost. A Saturday article titled Head of ATF Is Likely to Go states the obvious -- that acting ATF director Melson will be "sacrificed" to protect those higher up on the food chain. Such a move might placate most of the lamestream media, however I'm hoping that Issa's Oversight Committee has a larger appetite and won't be fooled.
Flash Mobs
Back in March of this year, I reported on flash mobs as the new 21st Century Crime fad. A recent report on Fox News suggest this is getting much worse. Young people are using social media technology (Facebook, Twitter, et al) to organize "raids" against retailers. As they discover that merchants are helpless (what can one or two clerks do against a mob of 20 or more?) they are getting more brazen.
Someone is going to get seriously hurt.
So far, injuries have been limited to assaults where people are robbed for their iPhones or other devices by smaller groups in public areas. When they storm a retail store and make off with thousands of dollars of goods it will only be a matter of time before steps are taken to prevent them from fleeing -- like electrically locked doors. Then what? That mob will turn ugly and assault the store staff or break windows to get out. Police are trying to monitor social media sites to stop this trend, but that'll be like spitting against the tide.
Legal Self-Defense - Where is the line?
I see a huge problem here for licensed CCW's caught in the midst of one of these "flash mob" robberies. As noted in the Fox News article, even smaller shops, like a T-shirt shop are not immune. So what happens when you're in some small shop and 20 or so teenage thugs take it over and start looting the store? Since the group entered the store with the intent to commit a felony (grand theft) they are considered burglars not robbers who use force or the threat of force to accomplish their crime. If you rightfully attempt to stop it (or someone else does) and they are physically assaulted, does that now make it robbery?
I would love anyone who has legal credentials to give me their opinion.
To send me your comments or questions, click here.
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