Colonel Dan, SASS #24025

How many times have we heard that the anti-gun and anti-constitutional element just don't get it? I’ve always wondered what it is those making such a statement think the anti-gun crowd just doesn’t get. Is it they don’t get the fact that guns are just an inanimate tool and it’s the human trigger puller that’s really responsible? Is it the logic of our pro gun side that says when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns and that thugs zero in on gun free zones? Is it the truth about how many lives are saved each year using guns for self-defense? Is it that the areas with the most gun friendly laws are the ones with the least gun crime while those with draconian laws top the charts where gun crime is concerned e.g. Chicago and Washington DC? Or is it they just don’t get or understand the true meaning of the Second Amendment and what our Founding Fathers meant by it? Do they not understand how very seriously the Founders felt about the importance of a free society remaining an armed society if it is in fact to remain free? As I view the battlefield, I don’t think it’s any of the above. In fact, the evidence I’ve seen has decidedly convinced me that they do “get it” at least those schemers who can infringe on our right to keep and bear arms get it…i.e. Congress, state and local government. Shocked that I’m convinced they do get it? Well, hear me out. We know the facts, the logic, the truth and the meaning of the Second Amendment as well as the intent of our Founders. Generally speaking, we’re no more insightful than anyone else in this country so they know it too…they just ignore it—in fact; ignoring it is a fundamental requirement for them. Why? They have an entirely separate agenda that’s not founded on fact, logic, truth or the Constitution. Were they to acknowledge truth, they couldn’t push an agenda which runs totally counter to the truth. Their agenda is necessarily based on deceit, driven by the insatiable desire to control and rule over “We the People.” If “We the People”, keep and bear arms, their objective of uncontested control is much more difficult to achieve. History has shown that the only way to rule with virtual impunity is to first disarm the people. We know it and so do they. As we’ve seen over many decades, the anti-constitution crowd always exploits evil, accidents or random but repeatable acts of violence in order to further their ultimate goal of ultimate control—a goal they can’t truthfully reveal else their foundation of lies would quickly crumble. In my view, what they really don’t get is the eventual and inevitable outcome of an insatiable desire to rule over the citizenry and the historically documented results of draconian measures taken by past tyrants to achieve their goal. While they know enough history to realize an unarmed society is required for totalitarianism, what they repeatedly refuse to accept is that all such rulers inevitably go too far and the people eventually take corrective measures into their own hands. Jefferson and Franklin justified such corrective measures as, “Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God." The eventual rebellion against unjust authority has been a repeatable historical event since Adam was governor of Eden. I feel the more appropriate statement might be, “We just don’t get it” “we” being many, not all, but many on the pro-gun; pro-constitution side. If “our side” continues to delude ourselves by thinking the other side just doesn’t understand our founding principles, we’ll lose this struggle going away. Why? We’re focused on the wrong target! While we keep complaining that they just don’t get it, they keep advancing! When I hear Limbaugh, Hannity, Levin and other conservative pundits, including many of the establishment GOP leaders complain about the unconstitutional, unjust, unfair, unfounded, un-American left I say to myself, “Yes, a thousand times YES and we all know that description to be true…as does the left. So when are we going to stop this unproductive complaining about the entirely obvious, which the left completely ignores, and actually take effective action to STOP them?” We on the pro-constitution side are already fully aware that what the left has done over the years and continues doing is everything we know it to be but they keep making progress in “fundamentally transforming” America. What’s that tell me? Where the establishment GOP leadership is concerned, it tells me only one of two possible explanations rings steel. First, they’re totally inept and stopping the left is far beyond them or second, they actually want the same powerful, centralized government as the left but just don’t have the guts to openly admit it. Whichever explanation it is, and I believe it to be the latter, they don’t deserve their elected positions nor our trust, support and confidence. OK Colonel, what’s the answer? Action! We must send true constitutional conservatives to office that resolutely, emphatically and consistently take a unified stand in saying NO. History is very clear. The advance of tyranny will never stop until it is vigorously stopped by “We the People.” As was Jefferson’s position, laws that are not in accord with the Constitution are null and void. We should use that same approach at the state level and nullify these infringements we know to be destructive and outside constitutional bounds. That means we educate ourselves on Article 1 Section 8, (the enumeration clause) so we understand exactly what the proper role of the federal government is and should be. We must also develop the fortitude and demonstrate the necessary resolve in pressuring our respective states to legislatively nullify these transformative dictates. We know well where their path leads and if we’re so sheepish as to follow, then we deserve to be led into their hell hole. Such a stand requires resolve, dedication and courage but it can’t be accomplished solely on the individual level. An individual standing in the road yelling NO will only end up as road kill and accomplish nothing. We cannot continue to send these “phony conservatives” to congress, term after term and expect different results. The good thing is we don’t have to go it alone. There are many pro-constitution organizations that can provide the leadership we need to make that happen—we’ve seen it demonstrated in these past few elections by the Tea Party movement but we need much more. A tsunami of constitutional fever must spread throughout the country applying patriotic heat at every level of government. How? The left themselves will ultimately help bring it about by over-reaching thus pushing constitutionalists by the tens of millions far enough that we will refuse to submit to the “professional ruling class.” In summary, if there’s anything the left doesn’t get it’s this inescapable inevitable fact of history—tyrants can rule only as long as the people allow.

LL, When you look at what's going on now in many of our large cities, we're already in a limited civil war. If Trump wins, you can bet there will be increased violence which will entail firearms. How far it escalates is anyone's guess. Like you, I don't foresee an 1860's style civil war but hot pockets of extreme armed violence is the kind of factional civil war I see on our doorstep. Again, just the view from my foxhole...

My personal belief is that we are closer to civil war today than at anytime since the 1850's and 60's. I sincerely pray that I'm wrong. I don't want to see anything in this country like what I've seen in several worn torn countries. No sane people will ever want the "hell on earth" that war brings. Just the view from my foxhole....

How many reports have we heard about killings in churches where most if not all, were or are unarmed? ANY PLACE that is declared a "Gun Free Zone" becomes a targeted and most preferred killing zone by those who are so inclined. It just makes sense. If you were planning on inflicting carnage, where would you most likely target; those areas where many are most likely armed or areas where they are unarmed? It doesn't take a high IQ to figure that out. http://www.darkcanyon.net/Common Sense Doesnt Require Statistics.htm

SASS Alias: Colonel Dan SASS# 24025 From: Central Florida Cowboy Action Shooting: 20 years

More on the good news front! Continue to soldier on my friends... CD ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Colonel Dan: I want to thank you for your activism earlier this week. After I asked you to contact your Representative in opposition to Obama's Social Security Gun Ban, the House took action this week. And the results were fantastic! I must say that having lived in the DC area for the past several decades -- and having endured Obama's oppressive regime for the last eight years -- the past month has been a breath of fresh air. Donald Trump and the Republican Congress are moving swiftly to reverse Barack Obama's vile anti-gun legacy of executive actions. Trump is apparently spreading out his executive orders over a longer period of time so that each executive order can be featured in a separate news cycle. But one thing which is already happening is Congress' effort to repeal Obama's Social Security Gun Ban. Because that action was promulgated as a formal rule, it can be most easily repealed by a congressional resolution -- passed under the Congressional Review Act. This act allows the Senate to repeal the rule by a simple majority vote, without the possibility of a filibuster. Social Security Gun Ban is Built on the Stinking Carcass of Gun Control You might remember that the Social Security Gun Ban was finalized in December. It was issued in a purported effort to implement the NICS Amendments Improvement Act of 2007 -- legislation also known as the Veterans Disarmament Act, which was vigorously opposed by Gun Owners of America. Under the Veterans Disarmament Act, over 257,000 law-abiding veterans have lost their Second Amendment rights, merely because they sought counseling from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The new Social Security Gun Ban would extend the precedent to disabled persons receiving social security benefits under Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This means, for instance, that the names of those who receive their social security checks through a guardian can now be sent to the NICS gun ban list. In some states, SWAT teams would be sent to their homes to forcibly seize the guns they have. The good news is that the House yesterday passed H.J.Res. 40, to overturn the Social Security Gun Ban. The vote in the Senate, expected next week, would send the resolution to President Trump's desk for signature. The vote in the House was 235-to-180, with only two Republicans voting anti-gun and only 6 Democrats voting pro-gun. ("Aye" was the pro-gun vote and can be viewed here.) The vote reinforces recent trends in which the Republican Party has increasingly become the "pro-gun" party in America, and the Democrats, increasingly the "anti-gun" party. We're optimistic that the Senate will approve the House-passed measure by a largely party-line vote. (S.J.Res. 14 is an identical version introduced by Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley.) Under the special Congressional Review Act procedures, this majority vote will be enough to send the measure to President Trump's desk. So please urge your Senators to vote for H.J.Res. 40/S.J.Res. 14 -- legislation to overturn the Social Security Gun Ban. Sincerely, Larry Pratt Executive Director Emeritus

President Trump hit a home run with this nomination. It's now squarely in the hands of Mitch McConnell to do whatever it takes to get this good man confirmed--including extending the "Nuclear Option" that Harry Reid first imposed, to include Supreme Court nominees! I suggest pressuring your Senators to push McConnell in that direction. This is extremely important for all gun owners--get involved. http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/01/31/trump-scotus-nominee-2nd-amendment-protects-individual-right/

I always have one with me..especially in places I can't carry...like airplanes...no one ever challenges it anywhere I go. Where I can carry, I certainly do and look at the cane as my first line of defense. Like was mentioned above, in the proper hands a cane can be a formidable self defense weapon. I highly recommend that if your considering this route do it right and get the training on how to effectively employ it in a threatening situation. If you don't, you may find yourself on the receiving end after its been forcibly taken from you. I've had just such training. It was very enjoyable as well as very valuable. Then as with all skills, practice, practice, practice. Just the view from my foxhole. A side note: I bought a stock cane from Tractor Supply for less than $20. It's a one inch thick piece of solid oak. I cut it to fit me for length, lightly sanded it then rubbed it with Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil. Looks good and is extremely effective.

Please join me in congratulating one of our own.... Our Team SASS Deputy Director, Allegiance, aka Joe DeBargalis, has been named Deputy Executive Director of General Operations for the NRA! This a absolutely super news...a great patriot has been duly recognized. The NRA has chosen an authentic top notch winner to fill this important position I salute my friend Allegiance and wish him only the very best.

Please join me in congratulating one of our own.... Our Team SASS Deputy Director, Allegiance, aka Joe DeBargalis, has been named Deputy Executive Director of General Operations for the NRA! This a absolutely super news...a great patriot has been duly recognized. The NRA has chosen an authentic top notch winner to fill this important position I salute my friend Allegiance and wish him only the very best.

Thus far, I'm very encouraged and optimistic about our pro-gun future! CD ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In one of the first pro-gun actions of his administration, President Donald Trump is expected to shortly move to revoke Barack Obama's illegal actions to effectively outlaw gun collecting. Obama's anti-gun "executive action" was announced on January 6, 2016 -- in the wake of Obama's unsuccessful attempt to scapegoat law-abiding gun owners for the actions of a Muslim terrorist in San Bernardino. Obama's action was implemented as a "clarification" because he knew that his lawless moves could never pass muster under the rule-making procedures of the Administrative Procedures Act. Under Obama's now-moribund "clarification," a gun owner could have been imprisoned for up to five years and fined $250,000 for "only one or two [firearms] transactions," according to a White House fact sheet. Note that, under Clinton, tens of thousands of licensees lost their licenses because they didn't have "brick-or-mortar" stores. Now, in a Clinton/Obama Mutt-and-Jeff routine, Obama proposed to imprison hobbyists who didn't have licenses because the government refused to issue licenses to them. Hence, a hobbyist who bought a firearm one day and sold it the next day at a profit could go to prison for five years. Obviously, the intent was to create such a cloud of ambiguity that gun owners would refrain from constitutionally protected activity (private firearms sales), for fear that they would run afoul of Obama's amorphous rules. Tragically, in some cases, Obama's unlawful actions had exactly the intended effect. But, thanks to President Donald Trump, Obama's unlawful action will soon be repealed -- as one of the priority actions of the incoming administration. Gun Owners of America is optimistic that this is only the first in a series of Trump actions overturning illegal Obama actions. We are also asking for Trump administration action: Removing the U.S. from the Anti-Gun UN Arms Trade Treaty; Repealing bullet and gun import bans going from Obama back to George H. W. Bush's semi-auto import ban; Repealing the suspension of health privacy laws with respect to gun owners; Repealing executive actions encouraging doctors to inquire about gun ownership and to enter this information into a federal health database; Restoring gun rights for 257,000 law-abiding veterans; Repealing Obama's efforts to strip Social Security recipients of their guns, merely because a guardian processes their checks. The work of restoring the Second Amendment to its God-given status has only just begun. But the important thing is that it has begun. Sincerely, Tim Macy Chairman

GG, Thank you for asking! I have exchanged emails with Misty and she is considering this. In the mean time, complete Chronicle editions are archived on the SASS website and you can access my articles that way. Soldier on...

Once again, I backed the wrong horse in this race. Just as I did in 1985, I was hoping for and backing the Glock but the Sig is a great pistol also. My final hope is for a .45 not the 9mm but that's just the view from my foxhole... http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/01/20/army-picks-sig-sauers-p320-handgun-to-replace-m9-service-pistol.html

Florida's first district is well represented! I sense a new awakening in America...and it begins in earnest on Friday. It will be up to us to keep this going my friends. Saddle up with Team SASS! CD ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.pnj.com/story/opinion/2017/01/17/rep-gaetz-second-amendment-negotiable/96686296/ Rep. Gaetz: Second Amendment not negotiable Congressman Matt Gaetz 3:54 p.m. CT Jan. 17, 2017 Liberal activist John Cork asks in a recent column, “Who is Matt Gaetz Protecting?” The answer: Gun owners and our Constitution. Some on the left believe the Second Amendment is negotiable, flexible – even forgettable. I don’t – and Andy Marlette’s cartoons provide the evidence. Our founders understood that America’s strength comes from empowering citizens, not government. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “Laws that forbid the carrying of arms…disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man" (quoting 18th century criminologist Cesare Beccaria). Jefferson’s words ring true today – especially given increasing violence in society. When Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Michael Bloomberg called for a repeal of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, I proudly stood up to them. We didn’t weaken Stand Your Ground, we made it even stronger to protect those under attack. As a state legislator, I championed open gun carry in Florida. Forty-Five states allow open carry in some form. States that allow open carry have 23% less violent crime, fewer murders and fewer aggravated assaults. The numbers don’t lie – which is likely why Mr. Cork didn’t cite any. Congress can do more to restore the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Today, when a Florida conceal carry permit holder travels to Alabama, Georgia or any other state, they cannot carry absent duplicative permitting. I’ve joined Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) introducing national conceal carry reciprocity legislation. In our state, conceal carry permit holders are remarkably law-abiding citizens. In fact, they are eight times less likely to commit crimes than members of law enforcement. We hope to pass this bill soon. Mr. Cork writes, “There are numerous effective strategies that reduce the odds of the mentally ill obtaining firearms. The NRA and Rep. Gaetz oppose them all.” That is a lie. And I can prove it. No person should be able to walk out of a mental institution and return to an arsenal. In 2013, I was Criminal Justice Chairman in the Florida House of Representatives. We worked with Democrats, Republicans, the NRA and others to pass HB 1355. According to nonpartisan analysis, this law prohibits the sale or delivery of firearms to someone “adjudicated mentally defective” or who has been “committed to a mental institution.” That’s just commonsense. Perhaps Mr. Cork should take better aim of the facts before publishing fake news. For eight years President Obama has blamed law-abiding gun owners for the tragic events caused by a disturbed few. In Northwest Florida, we proudly “cling to our guns and bibles.” We always will. And if anyone ever wonders who I am protecting by supporting the Second Amendment, it just may be you or your family. Because, in America, you always have the right to protect yourself. Congressman Matt Gaetz represents the First District of Florida. He serves on the Armed Services, Budget and Judiciary Committees and lives in Fort Walton Beach.

Let Freedom Ring! http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/01/15/iowa-senators-push-constitutional-amendment-blocking-gun-control/