Firearms @ MindSay

Now that the Supreme Court has finally gotten off its butt and given the people of the District of Columbia their constitutional right to own firearms in their homes without fear of arrest perhaps crime and murders might come down now. For over 30 some years District residents weren't allowed to own a handgun or shotgun legally for that matter, any type of firearm. Those who did had to have it unloaded and locked and kept in a safe place. My question has always been, what happens when the burgular or robbers attempts to breakin ? Do you tell him to wait while you fine the ammo to load it or let me find the key to unlock it ? Only Law enforcement officers are allowed to carry weapons in the District, not only that, there are many SPO's Special Police Officers in the District working on Government jobs that have arrest powers but no weapons and those who do are only allowed to carry 38 cal. revolvers. Whats my point here ? 

1. The police don't protect you and your family from harm  you do. They can only respond after the fact. Until something happens they'er hepless in helping you/us. Mayor Fenty tried tirelessly to get this case through the Court, he wants all guns out of the District. He feels there's no need, and yet DC is like a war zone. Anytime you have 8 people killed in a nine hours, you have a crime ridden city. This was just one weekend.

2. Restricting  your ownership of your choice of weapons is another means of control. Meaning you don't get to own a semi automatic weapon.

3. The old law as far as having weapons in your home will be illegal for 21 days until the Metro PD has come up with the propper registration forms and fees.

4. There will be no carry permits issued to private citizens, you can only own a firearm for the home not carry, citizens may feel just a little safer now. In the State of Va, people a have right  to carry  permits, and crime is down.

5. We as citizens need to look at our constitutional rights under the second ammendment and paay close attention. We barely won this on in the highest court in the land. 5 to 4, it seems we have 4 justices who wish to rewrite the constitution their way. If we aren't careful all gun owners will have their weapons taken away just like they have in England, and look at that country plum wild and off the hook with crime.

6. Criminals have better weapons then the police beleive it or not.

This is an intensive Driving Course designed for police diplomatic protection specialists, and private security professionals.  Exercises will be performed with multiple vehicles working in as a team in evasive situations as well as in a motorcade environment.  This is a well-developed course for those who are serious operators. We will cover “J” Turns, Forward 180’s, “Y” Turns, numerous evasive drills and lead/follow exercises. This class will also touch on vehicle dynamics helping you to understand what a vehicle can and cannot do. We will also have a block of firearms training. We will cover shooting from a vehicle as well as using a vehicle as cover. It is recommended that you rent a full size sedan or an SUV for the course (this is typically what you would be driving while on a detail).  The course tuition is $475.00 and is instructed by Professional Driver Randy Robinson.  Randy is known within the law enforcement community for his ability to teach a student the necessary skills to a professional standard in a relatively short period of time and is also an award winning instructor.  This experience will help keep you and your client safe, when it matters the most.  This class is instructed in the North Texas area.

This class is limited in size so make your reservation early.  Contact HD Boar at

469- 222-8740 or register online at www.hdboar.com

Students will need to bring pistol, 150-200 rounds of ammunition, and body armor.

Course Dates: June 21st- 22nd

Class times are 8am-6pm

Police-Writers.com is a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books.  The website also separately lists international as well as domestic federal law enforcement officials who have written books.  Today, the list added Michael J. Waldren, an expert on the use of firearms by the police in the United Kingdom.

In 1967, after attending college, Michael J. Waldren joined the Metropolitan Police Service in London.  During College, Michael Waldren developed a keen interest firearms and shooting.  Following his interest, in 1977, Michael, then a sergeant, joined the Firearms Unit of the London Metropolitan Police as an instructor.  At the same time, he was also a member of the Operational Firearms Team.

Today, since the vast majority of Bobbies (London Police Officers) do not carry firearms, only certain police officers are trained and armed with firearms.  They are called Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO).  According to Metropolitan Police Service firearms policy, “the MPS provides an armed capability to assist in the combat of armed criminality within both the Metropolitan Police District and throughout the United Kingdom.  These duties will also include diplomatic protection, Royalty protection, airport security, court security, armed surveillance, armed personal protection, proactive armed operations and Central London security patrols.  The MPS will only arm officers how have undergone a specific selection and training programme and each Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO) will be equipped in accordance with their training and role.  AFOs will be required to maintain specific leaves of training and fitness in order to continue their role.”

In 1982, Michael Waldren was promoted to Inspector.  His first major command responsibility was at the Libyan Peoples Bureau in 1984. In the late 1970s he was regularly being asked by the media and television companies about the history of police use of firearms and he found that there were very few books on the subject.   His research developed into a 1986 book which he co-authored on the subject of police use of firearms in England; tracing the history back to 1829 when the Metropolitan Police Service was first formed by Sir Robert Peel.

In 1987, now a Chief Inspector, Michael Waldren he became the MPS chief firearms instructor and as a result he sat on several national committees, which ultimately formulated police firearms policy throughout the United Kingdom.  In 1992, he was promoted to Superintendent and in 1994, he was promoted to Chief Superintendent.  In 1999, Michael Waldren was awarded the Queens Police Medal for Distinguished Police Service.  He retired in 2000.

Michael Waldren authored the book Armed Police: The Police Use of Firearms Since 1945.  According to the book description, “On 7 July 2005, just before 9 am, explosive devices detonated on London Underground trains at Liverpool Street, Edgware Road and Kings Cross stations and on a double-decker bus in Tavistock Square. Fifty-six people were killed and over 700 injured. Suicide bombing had come to Britain. Two weeks later, the capital's commuters narrowly missed disaster when four more devices failed to explode. Security in London was increased to unprecedented levels as Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair said his force faced 'its largest operational challenge since the war'. Heavily armed police officers patrolling the streets became a regular feature of television news programmes, leaving an enduring impression that unarmed policing in Britain had gone forever and with it the kindly image of the archetypal British bobby. Controversy rages over the increased use of firearms because in the public mind, the hallmark of British security has always been unarmed policing. Now, for the first time, former Head of the Metropolitan Police Firearms Unit, Michael Waldren, gives his insider account of the changes in Britain's policing, spanning over half a century and including many examples of extraordinary heroism, tragedy, controversy, comedy, intrigue and occasional farce.”

According to Bryn Elliott, the editor of Police Aviation News (United Kingdom), “The arrival for review of Armed Police: The Police use of Firearms since 1945 by Michael J. Waldren was like meeting an old friend after a long time apart.  A decade ago Michael Waldren teamed up with Bob Gould to write the broadly similar ‘London’s Armed Police’ which effectively covered the history and development of arming the police in the Capital City. The title has been out of print for many years.

The new book effectively updates the same story in some detail since 1945 and although it appears to suggest a treatment in a far wider context it remains very much faithful to that original theme. There are stories from other parts of the UK but from the number omitted I would assume that the knowledge displayed of them is more autobiographical rather that based on pure research. They are very selective.

Likewise the later chapters appear to have become bogged down in reciting too much detail on the reasons the Metropolitan Police pulled their firearms operations out of their main base of Lippitts Hill for the tastes of the average reader. In the main though it is a good factual read and a worthy update on the original.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 560 police officers (representing 234 police departments) and their 1179 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.

Its been said that if the opposite of PRO is CON, then the opposite of  CONgress must be PROgress. I would identify with that idea. Luckily, we've had a little logic come out of the US Congress.

After Sen. Webb of Va's aide was caught trying to bring his bosses firearm into the Senate Office Building, much hay has been made of DCs gun ban. In my mind, this ban is Unconstitutional as the 2nd Amendment guarantees our right to bear arms, as the 1st does of free speech and press.

Now, finally, the Congress, which has the last say on DC laws, is taking postive measures to amend this. Moreover, they are using LOGICAL arguments for why.

  Alexander, Corker Cosponsor Bill To Lift D.C. Gun Ban
posted March 29, 2007

U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker Thursday announced that in support of Second Amendment rights, they are cosponsoring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s (R-TX) bill to repeal the ban on certain firearms in the District of Columbia.

“Gun control should not mean taking away these rights from law-abiding citizens and leaving criminals to terrorize the streets,” Sen. Alexander said. “Good citizens don’t abuse guns; criminals do.”

“I’m cosponsoring this bill because I believe the Second Amendment guarantees the right of all law-abiding citizens to bear arms,” said Sen. Corker. “I feel just as strongly that we should do all we can to help citizens feel safe and secure in their own neighborhoods, but I believe the best way to do that and to stop crime is to arrest and imprison criminals—not to impose burdens on law-abiding citizens.”

The District of Columbia Personal Protection Act, S.1001, would repeal portions of the Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975.

  Thoughts? Comments? Its like hearing me say it myself eh?

So the powers that be in this country, for the most part, have decided that keeping guns out of the hands of responsible citizens is a sure way to lower crime. Less guns (altogether) equals less crime, right? If you've ever read my blog before you'll know that I think that's a load of bull. They don't want vigilantes out there. They don't want those with conceal and carry permits to endanger themselves and others by carrying around loaded firearms. Its not like they could... I dunno... save a life, rather than ending one, right?

Heres the proof naysayers. Imagine what an informed, responsible populous- flush with possible good samaritans could do in situations like this everywhere, if they were allowed to conceal and carry their arms.

  A death averted

As customers watched in horror Sunday afternoon, a man stabbed a woman and attempted to set her on fire in the parking lot of a Jackson store, witnesses said.

The attack was stopped by a passer-by, who held the man at gunpoint until police arrived, witnesses said.

The suspect, Henry Watson, 42, was arrested and is expected to face aggravated assault charges, Jackson Police Department Cmdr. Lee Vance said. Watson's wife, Gracie Watson, 42, was transported to the University of Mississippi Medical center, where she was listed in good condition.

"It wasn't five minutes from when she had left my line when I heard a scream outside," said Theresa Stuckey, a cashier at the Family Dollar at 516 Nakoma Drive in Jackson. "I looked out, and (the attacker) was on top of her stabbing her, and stabbing her and stabbing her.

"She was screaming, 'Help, he's trying to kill me!' She was rolling on the ground, trying to get out of the way, but he kept stabbing her. He stabbed her about 20 times in the neck, back and arms."

As the attack continued, people were yelling at the man to stop and honking their horns, Stuckey said. She said she called 911.

"He was just standing over her hacking away," said Dolly Baker, who had just left the Save-A-Lot store next door when she saw the attack.

Baker said she watched the man pour gasoline on the victim then try to strike a match.

"He was literally trying to kill that lady in broad daylight," she said.

Baker said a passer-by stopped the attack.

"He told the man, 'Stop, or I'm going to shoot. And if you run, I'm going to kill you,' " Baker said.

The man held Watson at bay until police arrived at the scene.

"Right now, all we know is that (Watson) attacked his wife. For what reason, we don't know," Jackson Police Department Sgt. Eric Smith said.

Police said they are looking for the passer-by who stopped the attack and would like to talk to him but don't know who he is or where he went.

The incident occurred about 3:50 p.m.

Smith said he did not know exactly how many times Gracie Watson was stabbed but said it was more than 10 times.

 Now I'll take wagers. How much would you like to bet our good samaritan, after risking his own safety to save the life of this woman he didnt know, didn't have a conceal and carry permit and carried anyway. Or that he was carrying an unlicensed weapon. Or that he feared retribution for drawing his firearm, legal or not, in public. Although he saved her life, he fled without talking to police or giving a statement. Or maybe he didn't want to explain why? Maybe he didn't want the attention.

Well thank you either way citizen-hero. You probably won't read this but thank you. Your my hero.