National Concealed Carry

There has been buzz about the possibility of President Trump initiating legislation or an executive order to mandate a national concealed carry permit or reciprocity. I have mixed feelings on this subject as I know many others do as well.

Let me begin by saying that I know a perfect libertarian society requires personal responsibility, the kind that has pretty much gone by the wayside. It is often said that common sense is so rare these days that it should be considered a super power. I dream of a world where everyone takes responsibility for their own actions and combines that responsibility with common sense, but it is highly unlikely that our society will change anytime soon.

So here is my dilemma. As a second amendment advocate, I believe that anyone should be able to own any firearm or other weapon that they choose for self defense. The government should have no say as to what an individual can or cannot own. Likewise, the government should have no say as to how you carry your firearm, concealed or otherwise. Obviously, organizations such as the NRA are great advocates for education and proper handling of firearms. Organizations such as the NRA are a wealth of knowledge for safety and advocacy. Here lies the rub.

Some states have a concealed carry law requiring a class of some sort and an application for a permit. Other states don't allow concealed carry, and some have no laws at all restricting concealed carry. Hooray for states rights, but there is confusion. As an NRA pistol instructor, I am qualified to teach concealed carry classes for the state of Ohio. Ohio in turn has reciprocity with many states, meaning that the Ohio permit is accepted in most other states. Likewise, the states with reciprocity means that Ohio law enforcement will accept those permit holders as well.

My concern is two fold. As I mentioned in my post, Annie Get Your Gun, I believe that if you can afford it, you can own it. As a libertarian, I also believe that it is none of the government's business as to how you carry your gun, either concealed or open. It is the responsibility of the individual to implement best practices with proper care and handling. Obviously we know that not all gun owners utilize best practices. This is why we hear of children gaining access to guns and shooting them, sometimes causing significant harm or even death. Tragic and unnecessary. These cases give politicians the fodder they are looking for to control guns in the name of safety.

The problem is not the gun, it is the owner. Guns are simply a machine just as a car or a see-saw. These machines do nothing without a person to operate them. This is why the Social Security Administration was slated to get involved with gun ownership under the Obama administration. They wanted to remove the rights of gun ownership from anyone receiving Social Security income for a "mental health" reason. Even the Obama administration knows that it is the person, not the gun which is the concern. However under Obama, the SSA could revoke payments or confiscate guns without due process and other unconstitutional violations. Anyway, back to my point.

One of the good things that concealed carry laws have is the ability to verify at least some basic level of knowledge and training for the individual to be permitted to carry concealed in a public area. While I am fully against this regulation. In a world with very little responsibility and common sense, it is somewhat comforting to know at a permit holder should know what they are doing when it come to proper care, retention and use.

The big issue is that we have to determine if the individual states have authority or if the second amendment supersedes the states rights. If the second amendment is the final say, then the concealed carry option for the states is mute. If the states have the rights, then it should require an act of congress to mandate a national concealed carry standard. As a responsible gun owner, I believe that I have the right to carry anyway I want, anywhere I want for the purpose of security and protection of self and family. I don't believe that I need a permit because of the second amendment. However, I have genuine concern about other people who have the same right, but don't use any common sense to properly store, maintain, or handle their own firearms.

I want nothing more than to have every American own and carry a gun, but without education and training, it can be dangerous. We wouldn't allow a person to drive a car without education and training first, we don't even let electricians install lights without some level of education and training. How can we possibly allow people to own and carry a deadly weapon without it? The answer is because of the second amendment. It doesn't stipulate any training requirements. It assumes that the individual is competent and capable of making sound decisions. Even the anti-gun crowd knows that there are idiots out there. The honest anti-gun lobby realizes it is a public safety issue and not a gun issue.

An honest solution to this problem with gun ownership and concealed carry is education. I would propose that the NRA teach a course that is required by all public schools (another institution I think should be eliminated, but that is for another day). In order to graduate, there should be required learning and successful completion for public school students to fully understand the constitution and its application today. For the section on the second amendment, the NRA would teach a semester long class that involves proper storage, maintenance, and use of the three most common firearms, hand guns, rifles, and shotguns. This class would be required for graduation, but not to own a gun, because gun ownership is protected under the constitution, whereas graduation is not. Upon graduation, individuals can choose whether or not they want to own a gun. At least this way we can rest assured that any student graduating from public school has an understanding of the constitution and proper care and use of firearms. Its not perfect, but it is a start.

Just as we cannot legislate morality, we cannot legislate intelligence or common sense, but we can make sure that our tax dollars are being spent on real education. Who knows, maybe some of our more disinterested students might even want to go to school and graduate. What a crazy idea.

Peace and Freedom,

Geoff

What's the Point?

Can anyone tell me the last time a government agency accomplished its named purpose and then disbanded? There are so many unnecessary agencies that no one really knows what the mission and purpose is of most of them. The worst part is that many of these agencies have the ability to create new, debilitating regulations without any input from our representatives and senators.

Unlike new laws, regulations are typically mandatory and can be instituted pretty much at will. Where I am going with this is that regulations are frequently added at alarming rates, especially in the last several years. We need to get away from regulations and if new regulations are required, two things need to happen.

First, it needs to be presented from the respective agency to congress for their full deliberation and consideration. Only if congress supports the regulation should it become law, and in effect, be added as a formal regulation. Second, in all situations, just as Jefferson sought, the laws should favor the individual, over the government. We need to take a posture of being skeptical of the government and more trusting of the individual. It is far better for the government to be wronged than a private citizen.

Much like our laws are set up to say that all people are innocent until proven guilty, we need to assume that all people are in compliance until such time that the government can prove otherwise. Even in situations where the government can prove that a violation has happened, it is better to favor freedom of the individual over the authority of the government.

Having said all that, there are so many agencies that don't have a real purpose or need any more that it is time to revert to only those areas where the constitution explicitly states the role of the federal government and eliminate all agencies (including ones that are nice) that don't clearly have purpose under the constitution. Let the states and the free markets figure it out. People will be just fine without being told how to educate our children.

Get Our Land Back

I recently ranted about how it is impossible to actually own property in the USA due to the taxes. In the news this week we learned that BLM thinks that the federal government owns private property along the Red River between Oklahoma and Texas. Here we see literally hundreds of thousands of acres of private property which has been taxed again and again (see my rant on this outdated tax approach here), being taken from private owners without any regard for illegal search and seizure.

People's homes are being taken away from them after decades of ownership and taxation with BLM ignoring the landowners fourth amendment rights. There are talks of letting the landowners buy back their land. Really, buy it back? It does not belong to the feds. How can they even think about selling something they don't own?

Here is where this is going for me, is to the ownership of property by the federal government. Where are the national parks located? Denali, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Everglades, Haleakala, etc. They are all located in..... States. Why does this matter? Because the states should have sovereignty. If a state wants to maintain the parks, then the ownership, the revenue and the method for maintaining the park should reside in the power of the states.

I love the parks and I visit often. But the economic impact that they can produce should go to the respective states, not the federal government. When considering natural resources, permits should not be issued or denied by the federal government, but the states. More power should reside in the states and less with the feds. Honestly, there is no need for the federal government to own any property beyond what is necessary for the administrative buildings.

I have no problem with the feds owning the Capitol. I have no problem with the White House or the Pentagon being federal property. We clearly need federal land for military, but beyond the administrative and security needs, there is no reason for the federal government to own property. Dept of the Interior, just as most other agencies, has far overstepped its bounds. It is time to leave property to the people. If any state government wants to maintain parks, they are free to do so. Arizona should be free to benefit from the Grand Canyon. No more feds.

God Bless,

Geoff

Media Malpractice

Who is up for some fake news? Who gets to determine "fake" news? What makes news fake? As an avid consumer of politics, I hear half truths, falsities, lies and other questionable statements presented as unbiased fact on a daily basis. What I do know is that regardless of the source, journalism is pretty much dead. There is almost no objective reporting anymore. In fact, I cannot tell you where I can even find objective reporting. Every reporter has some agenda or talking points they want to emphasize. Some are more overt than others, but they all have it.

For those of you reading this, you know my biases as well, but at least I acknowledge them and mention when I am trying to be objective. I don't pretend to be a journalist and then spin the information to meet my narrative. The media is so intellectually dishonest these days that I don't think there is such a thing as honest reporting anymore.

Regardless of where you get your news, I don't think there is a single source you can find adequate reporting of simple facts. I used to believe that Fox News was "Fair and Balanced," but now I see that it is neither. I come to this conclusion from two lenses. First, There is always an odd number of panelists. From an equal share perspective, there is never equal time allotted for opposite opinions. Additionally, the amount of time that liberals have on Fox is seldom as long as that of the more conservative commentators. On the "Five" which is one of my favorite shows, Juan is always outnumbered and they are always cutting him off. In many cases he is completely off base, but he should be able to speak his mind as well and be given the time to express his point to the fullest.

All I am getting at is that it is no wonder that Trump uses tweets to get his message out. While a healthy dose of skepticism is good for the media, their clear agenda and attempt to politicize every action has all but verified that they cannot produce honest news. I'm sure the Trump propaganda machine is alive and well, but so is the media, so turnabout is fair play as far as I am concerned. It just means that the average American won't have any idea what is really going on for the foreseeable future.

Thanks and God Bless,

Geoff

Where did freedom go?

Did you ever notice that individual freedom is dead? Honestly, you cannot own property. It may seem like it, but if you don't pay taxes, your property can be taken away. At what point do you actually own the property? I bought my boat, paid tax, and now it is mine. I don't have to keep paying for it. I bought my car, paid tax and now it is mine. If I want to keep my car on my land (or what should be my land), I never have to pay for insurance, taxes, registration, etc.

The problem is that I will never actually own my land. If I can produce enough energy to run my equipment, grow enough food to eat, and survive off my own land, I will still have to pay taxes every year and could have my property taken away from me simply because I didn't give more money to the government. Just like being penalized for the Obamacare mandate, I am forced to pay. I don't get a choice.

We have no freedom to simply exist as we see fit without the government demanding something from us. Real freedom means simply that. I have no problem with sales taxes. In fact, I personally believe that all tax should be sales tax. It would incentivize savings and wealth creation while simultaneously removing the burden of tax season. Everyone who purchases any products would participate in the taxation and once a property is purchased, there would be no further taxation. People would keep the full value of their labors and only pay tax when choosing to make a purchase. The government would be forced to live on what they receive and it would incentivize the government keep a healthy economic environment.

All I am saying is that it is about time that we are able to own property, and there are several ways that this can be accomplished. I would love for my kids to be able to actually own property of their own as well. some day.

Peace and Freedom,

Geoff

Enough Already

Some love Trump, others well, not so much. I must admit that I am not a Trump fan, and here is why. I am tired of the unconstitutional wielding of executive orders. I know that every President does it, but that doesn't make it alright. It is time to stop the executive orders. If it is a policy worth adopting, use the legislature and let the process work. Republicans have the both houses and the executive branch. Lets go back to separation of powers and real leadership.

Can we really make meaningful change if with a simple signature from the next president, all good things must come to an end? I get it. With Obama, many bad things have come to an end under Trump's mighty pen, but neither Trump nor Obama should have that much power. Legislatures create the laws, Presidents must enforce the laws. Of course it is more complicated that a couple sentences in a blog. The reality is that the great American Experiment is still going on and as long as we maintain the Jeffersonian approach to freedom, giving the people the benefit of the doubt over the government, there is a chance this republic can sustain and persevere.

The standard method of operation should benefit the citizen over the government, the business over the regulator, the truly free enterprise over favoritism. Incentivize companies to do business in the USA by eliminating the corporate tax. Encourage real wealth and growth of all classes by eliminating income taxes. Switch to sales taxes and grow the economy through ingenuity, a level playing field and let the markets make the decision.

Trump claims to be a great businessman and his platform is based on America first. I think this all sounds good, but populism and executive orders are not how to make long lasting change. My hope is that congress will review each of the policies set forth and consider how to make any of the executive orders into law if they warrant such movement. If they are not worthy of law, then it is time to eliminate the executive orders altogether.

The Melting Pot

Can I start by saying that I am pro-immigration? I want people to come to this country, or any country for that matter, if they are seeking a better life and are willing to assimilate. The problem comes when a few "bad apples" ruin it for everyone.

I know that is sugar coating it, but lets be honest. If there wasn't such uncertainty with people coming to this country from predominantly Muslim backgrounds, Trump wouldn't have instituted a ban on these individuals. The reality is that people aren't assimilating.

When I was in school, long ago, I learned about the immigrants seeking freedom, opportunity and a chance to be part of the American culture. Today however, we are accepting that people bring their culture here with the intent to change us. I understand that not all immigrants are looking to chance our society, but what makes America great is the uniting under the Star Spangled Banner and coming together as one people from many diverse backgrounds but one unified nation.

Unfortunately, too often we see burning of our great flag. This is completely fine as a right, but it is saddening that we have individuals willing to express their freedom of speech in this manner. I am deeply saddened that so many people refuse to become part of the American culture in favor of maintaining their own but simply reside in the USA.

Don't get me wrong, I love my heritage, I love learning of my families journey to America. All of my ancestors were immigrants as well. What I have trouble with is that while my family remembers and honors our past, we also have chosen America as our future. We didn't throw away our ancestry, we didn't betray our history, but we did choose to be part of the fabric of this country. It is our willingness to embrace the great melting pot and participate in the American experiment that adds to the flavor of this country.

Of course we will continue to participate in activities that honor our heritage. I wear a kilt to lead Kirkin. But I am first and foremost an American. I'm not a European American, I am not a Scottish American, I am an American. We need more immigrants wanting to be a part of the American society and claim that they are Americans first. I know several immigrants who have taken the painstaking process of following the legal system to gain permanent citizenship. They have embraced the American life, as have many others. But this country will gain its strength again not from new laws, not from border walls, but from the American identity.

America is probably the only country that doesn't need border walls or fences so long as the people embrace what it means to be an American. If we can adopt the American ideal and join together again, then skin color, hair style, religion, gender, age, and any other possible way to categorize a person becomes irrelevant. That is the great melting pot and the American experiment.

God Bless,

Geoff

Annie, Get Your Gun!

So I have been spending much of my time in NY recently. I can think of several things both favorable and unfavorable about my experiences just outside the big apple. I have found my favorite beer at a local establishment in Tarrytown, I have found a great cigar shop/lounge in Elmsford. I have even found a great little tactical shop in Hawthorne. However, while I can smoke and drink as I please in my free time, not only can I not rent a gun to shoot down the range, I cannot even bring my own.

Coming from a relatively free state, Ohio, I am able to purchase most firearms without much thought. Of course there is still too much regulation from the FBI and ATF and other federal agencies, but Ohio doesn't much infringe on my rights to own a firearm. It is good to know that back home, I can stop in to my local retailer and pick up my new firearm and take it home with me. But NY is much different.

Many of the good people I meet in NY cannot believe just how easy it is to get a gun in Ohio. I on the other hand, cannot believe just how restrictive the laws of NY are. My understanding of the second amendment allows any citizen of the USA (who has no other restrictions) to purchase any type, size, action, shape, etc. that they can afford. As far as I am concerned, if you can afford it, you can own it.

There are obvious exceptions to nuclear arms and other mass destruction devises. The second amendment is meant for citizens to be able to protect themselves from an oppressive government. Weapons of Mass Destruction don't meet the self protection aspect of the constitution, but certainly any gun does. Even a tank is fine for me. If you can afford an Abrams tank, more power to you. Just as law abiding citizens are not shooting up the place now, law abiding citizens won't shoot up places just because the size of the round or rate at which it can be fired increases.

Honestly, magazine restrictions don't have any impact on criminals, only the average citizen. Whether a gun has a semi automatic or automatic action doesn't matter to the average person. Laws such as these only prevent good people from having fun and choosing what is best for their own personal security.

Think about it in these terms. if you see someone exiting a liquor store with cases of beer and multiple bottles of various liquors, you probably think there must be some great party going on somewhere nearby and don't think much of it. However, for many, if that same person was seen exiting a gun store with several guns and cases full of ammo, there is a hesitation to wonder what exactly that person is going to do with all of that weaponry.

Why have we become so concerned? The statistics say that we are far more likely to be harmed or killed by the person at the liquor store or one of their party friends than we would ever be by the guy with the guns and ammo. So why the double standard?

The reality is that we have been desensitized by politicians politicizing all shootings as the fault of the gun. If they were honest, the politicians would eliminate the "gun free" zones. Gun free zones are the most dangerous places in the country these days. It is specifically where terrorists and lone wolves look to do the most damage. This is because they know that no one will be able to defend his/herself.

The next major incident is likely to happen at a gun free zone. As someone not allowed to carry in NY, this is a significant concern to me. According to an article I read recently in a NY publication, there are only 4 officers who are able to process handgun permits in Westchester County.

For those of you who don't know, Westchester County has about 1 million residents crammed into 500 square miles. First, there shouldn't be any permit needed for ownership of any gun, but moreso, if they think they will be safer by requiring a permit before purchase of a handgun, there needs to be many more than 4 people processing the paperwork. Based on the article, most permits take approximately one year to process. One whole year to get the gun you bought today. Insane! There is absolutely no reason for this delay. No one should have to wait that long for any firearm that is in the store already.

Here is the main issue for me. If the government is trying to tell me what I can or cannot have or do, then they are overstepping their authority. It shouldn't matter if I am from Ohio. If I want to bring my gun to NY, I should be able to do so. I am all in favor of states rights, but the constitution clearly delineates that the right to keep and bear arms "shall not be infringed." There is no situation where preventing me from carrying my firearm in NY upholds the rights listed in the second amendment. It is time to put the power back in the hands of the people and stop accepting the oppression from any government or governmental agency that wants to dictate what you can own.

Peace and Freedom,

Geoff

Stay at Home

So FORMER President Barry Hussein Soetoro (Barak Obama), who would be best served playing golf, has spoken out against the current President Trump. First, why does anyone care. I respect the office of the President, but once you are out of office, you are a nobody. I think that only the media cares about what Obama has to say at this point. I know that most former Presidents eventually speak to the press or make some other formal statement, but within 10 days of leaving the White House? Really? Talk about ego.

There was documentary after documentary in the final days and weeks of the Obama Presidency touting his legacy. You know what Obama's real legacy is? The fact that Trump is President. The election of Trump is a referendum on Obama's policies. The reality is that while we cannot keep a former President from speaking his mind, I don't know a single person that is interested in what Obama's opinion on anything is at this point in time.

If a former President is going to open his mouth, shouldn't be in a manner that attempts to unite the people instead of divide them? Honestly, I don't really care that Obama has spoken up. If not for being a politics junkie, I wouldn't have even paid any attention, which is where I think the majority of people are on this issue. They just don't care. My point is simply that with a divided country, clearly more divided than it was eight years ago, we need to find excuses to unite not divide.

Imagine the influence a former President could have by simply edifying the system, the election and the new President regardless of their personal opinions on politics. In lieu of this type of support, maybe playing golf is the better option. For now, lets just plan on Obama trying to get involved in the political arena again. How this will play out, I don't know but I would be just fine if he stayed home.

Spring is coming,

Geoff

Super Bowl LI

Like most Americans that can remember back to 2001, I was ecstatic that the Patriots won the Super Bowl after the terrorist attacks on NYC to the the twin towers. And, like most Americans, I am tired of the Patriots being in the Super Bowl. I couldn't care less about the Super Bowl this year. Like any other unrelated American institution, national politics has entered the arena.

Why does anyone care what relationship may or may not exist between Tom Brady and President Trump? I am an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. I am supposed to hate Tom Brady because he has yellow streaks down his helmet. To be completely honest, I care more about college football than any NFL game, but that is just a side note. Back to Brady. I don't know his politics. I treat him like I do any famous person. I don't want to know their politics. It is only after I learn them that I stop supporting them. Read my Celebrity Cesspool blog for more on this.

At this point I have heard that Tom Brady is a devout Christian, philanthropist and great role model. I honestly don't know if any of this is true, but why is it even being brought up? I don't need any media or other celebrity telling me who I should or should not associate with. Why does anyone care what they think about Tom Brady? My only reason for believing that Brady is a Christian is because he is being attacked.

Just a few days ago Whoopi Goldberg was equating Trump to the Taliban. Other pundits were claiming that Brady is un-American for associating with Trump while Colin Kapernick (that guy that took a knee during the national anthem several times) is a true patriot. How dumb are we now? Does anyone really believe that dishonoring those who fought and died for our freedoms (whats left of them anyway) is more American than having an unsubstantiated relationship with the current President?

I don't offend easily, but this really ticks me off. I am so tired of the militant leftists trying to tell me how I am in violation of American values when there is nothing these liberals and statists believe that is close to moral. I am fine with these individuals exercising their right to free speech. However, it is time to stop consuming the information. I am not calling for a boycott. I think those are stupid. What I am saying is to act and live your conscious. Live your beliefs. Don't support companies and people who act contrary to your beliefs. Don't watch TV and movies that have material in them you don't support.

At the end of the day, it is time to stop giving credibility to speculation and the PC police. My ultimate judge is God alone and I seek the counsel of my closest friends from my church and my small group. Best I can tell is that if the world says I should live one way, I should probably do the opposite. I'm just sorry that the cynic in me believes that whatever the media says is the way we should live, the contrary is likely the better option.

Anyway, go Patriots......and I don't mean the NFL team.

Freedom and Peace,

Geoff

Celebrity Cesspool

So does anyone actually care what the celebrities say? I have heard several "famous" people rant and rave about the results of the election, but have never heard such overt disregard for the system that elected Donald Trump. I know that I am a bit of a loner, and usually I have better things to do than to watch TV and movies anyway, but at this point I have absolutely no interest in supporting any entertainment that I have to pay for.

The reality of this is that it won't hurt the celebrity. They don't need my $10-$20 for a movie ticket or a concert. If many are like me and just simply stop going to support the movies and TV, concerts, etc. it is the real working class people who are hurt. It is the stage hands, the grips, the unsung heroes who make the entertainment industry successful who are hurt. I am not calling for a boycott. I am calling for education and for action by people who are willing to speak. I enjoy a good movie or concert like the next person, but I can also think of plenty of ways to spend my entertainment budget on things that don't support the people who use their celebrity to insult me and my family.

Politics is an ugly game and I too have been drawn in by the mudslinging, but I have never been so disappointed in people for approving the vulgar language, the extreme insults, the vile rhetoric and the simple disrespect of common people to try to make a point. I am appalled that anyone would approve of, let alone condone the blatant rioting, looting, and vandalism that is being associated with the Trump protesters.

What I am most concerned about is the lack of condemnation from all parties on the willful destruction of the private property. I don't care whether your representative won the election or not, it is the responsibility of all elected leaders to stand up to crime and incivility. Furthermore, no self respecting citizen should be tolerant of these childish and illegal acts. There needs to be a serious crack down on these vandals and an example should be made of them all. Protesting is not only acceptable, it is a right and may be exercised at will. However, even protests require a certain level of responsibility.

Let me go one step further and be honest. I have liberal friends who are appalled by the behavior of many of these criminal protesters. I want to acknowledge that not all Clinton voters are accepting or condoning the behavior of these individuals. However, if the celebrities who think about blowing up the White House are representative of the typical liberal voter, there is a serious issue about what is acceptable. I am all for free speech, but there are consequences as well, whether that means that we stop using our hard earned money to support these celebs or that their comments are investigated just as anyone no one has ever heard of would be, it is time that equal protection and prosecution under the law become active and that the rule of law be upheld. I for one would rather go fishing anyway.

God Bless,

Geoff