Iowan's comments on the McDonald ruling

Legislators, lobbyists and a quote from Aaron Dorr all weigh in on the McDonald v Chicago ruling from Monday:

Monday's U.S. Supreme Court decision casting doubt on Chicago's ban on handguns will provide momentum to efforts in Iowa to repeal requirements for obtaining annual pistol and revolver permits, gun advocates and some supporters in the Legislature said.

Permit proponents, including the president of the Iowa Police Chiefs Association, say a repeal would jeopardize public safety.

Advocates of abolishing gun permit requirements insist that doing so would more closely follow the intent of the U.S. Constitution.

"That's where we want to get to — where you can exercise your constitutional rights to keep and bear arms without having to go through a check and balance of your local authorities," said Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, whose family owns a gun shop. "The Constitution doesn't dictate you have to do that. That's someone else's interpretation, and I think it's an unjust interpretation."

And it looks like we are headed in that direction. A few changes that are likely to happen in November will get us closer, but I'm betting the occupant of Terrace Hill will mean more to us.

Iowa lawmakers this year passed a law that requires sheriffs in all counties to follow the same rules for issuing permits to carry a gun. That law, which takes effect Jan. 1, most likely will allow Iowa to sidestep a constitutional challenge, said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines.

So they now look at the law as a means to prevent a lawsuit?

Michael Lashbrook, president of the Iowa Police Chiefs Association, expressed concern about the effort to abolish permits. While his group has not taken an official stand on the issue, he believes other members would most likely share some of his concerns.

"I think we still need to have some sort of screening process," Lashbrook said. "And from what I know of the application for those types of permits, I don't see where they're all that invasive."

We are all a bunch of unreliable, Darwin Award wannabes, ready to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting innocent. At least we can be in check so long as the local sheriff keeps an eye on us. Thanks.

Some gun rights supporters say the permit process isn't a deterrent to crime because the process does little to prohibit convicts from obtaining guns.

"If a person wants a firearm of any type to do some bad things, they're going to get it," said Rep. Clel Baudler, R-Greenfield.

Regarding the ruling:

"It will assist us in passing good pro-gun bills here in Iowa," said Aaron Dorr

Mislabeling Aaron as a lobbyist and not as the executive director of Iowa Gun Owners.

And I have to ask, where is a quote from Iowa Carry? I suppose the writer only had room for one advocacy group and not both? Lazy reporting, I say.

The rest is at Iowa's handgun permit opponents applaud Supreme Court ruling along with the typical comments and attacks from the gun ban crowd.

Grassley grills Kagan on guns

In the political ballet playing out in Washington, DC with the Elena Kagan confirmation hearings our good senator does his best to pin her down on her lack of support for a private citizen keeping and bearing arms.

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley Tuesday questioned U.S. Supreme Court justice nominee Elena Kagan’s commitment to the constitutional right to bear arms, an issue he rephrased multiple times in attempts to get her personal take on the issue.

“You don’t want to tell us what your own personal belief is? That’s kind of what I’m asking,” Grassley said at one point.

Grassley was specifically inquiring about previous cases when the Supreme Court has ruled that the Second Amendment secures an individual’s right to own a firearm.

Kagan redirected answers multiple times to repeat what previous court decisions have found. She stated that a citizen’s right to own guns is “settled law.”

Avoidance is practiced by both Kagan and the NRA (see David Codrea's article: Is NRA squelching dissent on Kagan?

Back to the Register article:

Kagan, as a U.S. Supreme Court law clerk in 1987, said she was “not sympathetic” toward a man who said that his constitutional rights had been violated when he was convicted of carrying an unlicensed pistol. At that time, no lower court precedent had been established, she said Tuesday.

That reveals what she thinks.

Grassley questions Kagan’s personal commitment to gun rights

Also, Grassley struggles to get the words right, but tries to get Kagan to go on record regarding whether the right to arms preexisted the Constitution.



Clip found at Grassley Asks Kagan: Didn't God Give Us The Right To Bear Arms? (yeah it's a lefty-rag blog and he didn't specifically ask if rights came from God, but it clearly shows why we need term limits and shows Kagan with a deer in headlights look)

Illinois gun control expectations

With the Supreme court ruling there are a few sad pandas in Illinois. Like:

Gun control advocate Thomas Mannard, executive director of the Illinois Council on Handgun Violence, said he won’t be surprised if the decision is used to rally support for a concealed carry law.

“You kind of grasp at anything you can to try and get some momentum,” Mannard said. “But it’s a little bit of a stretch.”

An alternative view on the passage of a concealed carry bill in Illinois:

State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, said the high court decision could alter the number of votes needed in the House and Senate to approve a concealed carry proposal.

Currently, parliamentary rules mean a concealed carry proposal needs 71 votes to be sent to the governor. Mitchell said the ruling could result in a simple majority of lawmakers — 60 in the House — being needed for passage.

“I think that’s achievable,” said Mitchell, who is sponsoring a concealed weapons measure in the House.

The current governor wanted to poor water on that idea:

Gov. Pat Quinn expressed doubt Monday that concealed carry will move forward in the General Assembly anytime soon.

“I don’t think so. I don’t think that’s embedded in the constitutional right,” Quinn told reporters in Springfield.

Quinn neglected to read the bearing part of the the 2nd Amendment, apparently.

And the supreme dictator of Chicago, Richard (I've got my armed detail) Daley was also sad:


Sad that the Supreme Court recognized citizens' rights:

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley speaks during a news conference, Monday, June 28, 2010, in Chicago. Daley said he's disappointed by Monday's widely expected Supreme Court decision that Americans have a right to own a gun for self-defense anywhere but promised to soon push for a new ordinance regulating handguns in the city. He stressed that while the city's 28-year-old ban remains in place until a federal appeals court reconsiders its ruling, it's clear it will be overturned. (AP Photo)

I'm disappointed that Chicago can't boot his sorry ass out on the street. But that's Chicago.

Gun ruling could trigger changes in Illinois Get it? "Trigger". Aren't journalists clever?

Iowa Republican recap

Steve over at Iowa Freedom Report offers up a detailed report of the happenings at the Republican convention in Des Moines.

A resolution among the state plank (which is usually ignored):

An addition to a gun rights plank adding the Kent Sorenson/Iowa Gun Owners/Campaign for Liberty “Vermont Carry” resolution sailed through with people falling over themselves rushing the mic to speak in favor of it.

This seems funny since several Republicans in the statehouse were avoiding this bill in favor of the IowaCarry bill which goes into effect January 2011. A change of heart, or finger in the wind? Who knows?

Also, regarding people Steve calls "freedom candidates":

The most notable of our freedom candidates were in attendance. Kent Sorenson was literally everywhere, as someone had printed out his endorsement of Kim Reynolds for Lieutenant Governor and taped it to the back of every chair. Glenn Massie attended both the Friday fundraiser and today’s convention while James Mills headed back to catch a parade. Iowa Freedom Report is about principles and not just beating one team or the other, so we didn’t have a great winning streak with our primary endorsements but we did get to catch up with our lone win, recommended candidate Tom Shaw in HD-8 (he’s a fan of Iowa Freedom Report too). We’ll do our best to let the movement know more about him ahead of his general election where he’ll have a fighting chance to take over a seat from a retiring Democrat.

I met Tom Shaw at the Iowa Gun Owners' Rally last week where he was handing out copies of the Constitution. We had a very good conversation about his campaign.

Read all of Steve's report at State Republican Convention Re-cap

EMILY's List endorses Roxanne

One of the nation's largest PACs is endorsing Democrat Roxanne Conlin for the senate while complaining that the Republican incumbent Grassley takes PAC money.

Irony? There's more:

EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest financial resource for pro-choice Democratic women candidates, has endorsed the U.S. Senate campaign of Roxanne Conlin, “a lifelong champion for women’s rights.”

“Roxanne has proven time and again that she is a strong and determined advocate for the people of Iowa,” said Stephanie Schriock, EMILY’s List president.

EMILY’s List endorses Conlin

You mean like advocating that rapists need to be back on the street. Roxanne helped Pierre Pierce where she was part of a group of lawyers who negotiated a plea agreement so he could be re-instated with the University of Iowa basketball team.

By pleading guilty, Pierce avoided trial on a Class C felony charge of third-degree sexual assault and possible placement on the state's sexual-offender list. In addition, he was allowed to remain on campus, and he could play basketball next season.

The deal was struck by Pierce's lawyers, Alfredo Parrish and Maggi Moss the victim's lawyer, Jerry Crawford and Roxanne Barton Conlin, a former U.S. attorney who served as mediator. The agreement was reached within a month of Pierce's arrest

Tom Witosky, Des Moines Register, November 11, 2002

Roxanne was also part of the dream team that sued Microsoft that lead to an outstanding consumer rebate of $5 while her law firm received millions. (Typical lawyer schlock, I know)

EMILY's president went on to say: “This year, more than ever, is it crucial that we elect smart, effective and capable leaders to take on powerful special interests..."

You mean like standing up to Planned Parenthood, Sarah Brady, George Soros.... EMILY's List?

But, but, these are the good special interest groups. Not the evil ones.

If Roxanne could just quit smiling that Nancy Pelosi smile:


Although there was a time when she wasn't smiling:

(Drunk driving arrest from the mid-90's)

BTW - not a fan of Grassley either.

Sunday not so Funnies 6/27/10

Ames Tribune, Carmen Cerra's cartoon: June 25, 2010

The result of infighting

It was pointed out to me that Sean McClanahan, the new Des Moines Gun Rights Examiner is president of Iowa Carry. Did I know this? Yep. I believe Sean has left a comment or two here.

The questioner is wondering why I, an active member of Iowa Gun Owners, would post a link to someone that is not part of my particular organization, especially with some of the animosity between our two groups.

Let me explain:

Looking back in history, a tiny country of Judea had a burning desire to be free of the shackles of Roman rule. But they had one problem: two competing groups wanted to be in charge. The Zealots under Eleazar Ben Simon and the Sicarii under Simon Bar Giora.

They went so far as to attack each other during the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The end result of the infighting led to one group burning the food stores of the other. First Jewish–Roman War.

This led to a weakened defense (probably in vain, anyway) and the fall of Jerusalem and the Diaspora. One event that struck me was the Romans lit the road from Jerusalem to the coast with the lighted heads of their Jewish victims.

I write this only to make a point that we gun owners in Iowa (whether a member of either group or a member of none) are one group fighting for the ultimate goal of freedom for our God-given right to keep and bear arms.

Our divisions only cause weakness that can be exploited by politicians of either stripe or by national organizations that smell blood in the water. NRA and GOA both got into the mix here and this isn't their fight. It is ours.

Only residents of Iowa have experienced the humiliating rejection of their permit application by a self-serving and prejudiced sheriff in more than one of Iowa's 99 counties. Literally a neighbor on one side of the road could get a permit from their gun-friendly sheriff, while the other, living only a few hundred yards away, cannot.

The new permit process still has some issues to overcome and the department of public safety does not seem prepared for what's coming. My predictions will be kept to myself because those just tend to piss people off. What with my pessimistic nature and all.

But this is Iowa's fight and we gun owners have been working for a lot of years and will continue to work to improve our laws (hopefully eliminating a few along the way). Anybody that comes in from the outside, we appreciate the help, but this is ours to win.

We gun owners in Iowa can fight together, or we can suffer the same fate as those Jewish souls 1900+ years ago.

And now, for something completely different (sort of):

Iowa gun show for July 2010

July 9-11 Waverly, Fairgrounds, Marv Krauss 563-608-4401

*** I get this list from the link below and other searches and I can't guarantee the accuracy of the list. If anyone notices a show that needs to be corrected, please let me know in the comments.

For more details go to Iowa Gun Shows

Des Moines Gun Rights Examiner

We now have Examiner columnist in Des Moines that will be keeping an eye on the state. Sean McClanahan is our Des Moines Gun Rights Examiner. Leading the Examiners is David Codrea- National Gun Rights Examiner

Sean McClanahan is the host of Firearms Weekly on the World Wide Amplified Internet radio network, and is the President of The Iowa Firearms Coalition. Sean has owned firearms for 25 years, and is a firm believer that the Second Amendment protects the First. You can reach Sean at sean@firearmsweekly.com

His second article is of attorney general candidate Brenna Findley, which gives us a glimpse of our current attorney general Tom Miller.

While much of the attention in Iowa politics is on the Branstad vs. Culver race for Governor, there is another race that is even more important to those who own firearms in the Hawkeye State. The position of Attorney General has been held by Tom Miller since 1978. Mr. Miller has proven himself to be no friend of the Second Amendment. In recent years, he has refused to sign on with 23 other state Attorneys General telling USAG Eric Holder that they are opposed to the renewal of the Clinton-era Assault Weapon Ban. He also refused to sign on with 31 AGs who filed an amicus brief in support of Heller, and with 38 other AGs who filed an amicus brief in the McDonald vs. Chicago case. In Iowa, Mr. Miller issued an opinion regarding local pre-emption that flies totally in the face of what is already enumerated in Iowa law, section 724.28.

Brenna Findley is the logical choice for Iowa firearms owners

Sean provides plenty of links so we can follow his sources. Please head over there.

We can't have too many voices.

A voice in the dark

A volunteer lends her voice to record her narration of books for those in need.

Sue Ketelsen spends hours reading aloud to herself in a quiet corner of her basement - sometimes until her voice gets hoarse.

Sitting behind a microphone, the 60-year-old Davenport woman clicks on a blue table lamp, turns on a digital recording system and picks up the latest book on her reading list: "Beekeeping for Dummies."

But she's not a beekeeper. She doesn't aspire to become one, either.

Instead, Ketelsen is recording herself reading the book, from cover to cover, for someone she doesn't know: A blind person who requested it through the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Des Moines.

[Beth] Hirst, with the Library for the Blind, said patrons sometimes request Ketelsen as their narrator because of her "nice, pleasant, fluent voice," she said.

"She's also very good at interpreting what she's reading," Hirst added. "It just draws you into the story."

A voice in the dark

Thank you Sue.

Jeffrey McAdam's shooter pleads not guilty

Alleged shooter.

The Nebraska man charged in the shooting death of a maintenance worker at the Interstate 80 rest stop near Victor last month has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the case.

Peter Riggs, 32, of Columbus, Neb., entered his written plea Monday in the May 29 death of Jeffrey McAdam, 46, of Victor.

Nebraska Man Says He's Not Guilty In Victor Rest Stop Shooting

Earlier reports last week had him pleading guilty.

Riggs admitted to the shooting to a Johnson county deputy the night of the shooting. Now, he's pleading not guilty.

I'm not looking forward to the upcoming trial.

Miss Mitchell's emergency landing

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — A restored World War II-era B-25 bomber aircraft that was flying to Minnesota was forced to make a stop at Iowa’s Muscatine Municipal Airport because of a mechanical problem.

Pilot Alan Miller said Monday that he had to stop Sunday evening to shut down one of the aircraft’s two engines. The silver aircraft is named “Miss Mitchell” and it flew more than 135 missions over North Africa and Italy during the war. It took 12 years to restore and returned to the air in 1992.

World War II bomber makes unplanned stop at Muscatine airport

You can arrange a ride on "Miss Mitchell" at Miss Mitchell History Rides

Free Giveaway – 1,000 Rounds of 9mm

Okay, okay, I'm joining the crowd.

M.D. Creekmore at The Survivalist Blog – a survival blog dedicated to helping others prepare for and survive disaster – with articles on bug out bag contents, survival knife choices and a wealth of other survival information is giving away a 1,000 round case of 9mm – 124 Grain FMJ (a $200 value – donated by LuckyGunner)! To enter, you just have to post about it on your blog. This is my entry. Visit The Survivalist Blog for the details.

Why did I join the crowd? For a chance to win free stuff.

Bring back the helmet law

So says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Iowa, Illinois and New Hampshire are the only states without helmet laws, even to protect their youngest residents. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, at least one child under 14 and another 17 under the age of 24 have died in motorcycle crashes in the state since 2007.

And some legislators are getting wiggy about it because there was a "...recent spate of motorcycle accidents..."

Insurance group renews call for Iowa helmet law

Kagan emails: Amend RICO laws to apply to gun laws

Supreme Court nominee Kagan shows a little leg to catch Iowa Senator Grassley's eye(photo- AP/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Newly released e-mails from the Clinton Library paint Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan as a brash and often creative political operative. As a lawyer and political adviser in the Clinton White House, Kagan often opined on touchy topics, including guns, race and Hillary Clinton’s official policy role as first lady.

In a 1996 e-mail to fellow adviser Dennis Burke, now a U.S. Attorney in Arizona, Kagan suggested ways to amend RICO laws to apply to so-called gun offenses.

“[I] don’t know if amending [RICO] to include gun offenses would be smart or stupid as a matter of politics — or as a matter of policy — but it definitely is an option,” Kagan wrote. Short for Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, RICO was originally enacted in the 1970s to combat organized crime.

Obama Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan attacked guns, Hillary Clinton according to newly released e-mails

More and more of this partisan nominee is revealed each day.

With Grassley's smile, I'm beginning to wonder if he would vote against her.

Ben Cashner to join Iowa Freedom Report

I discovered the Libertarian leaning Iowa Freedom Report that has a tag line of "Iowa's New Homepage for Limited Government and Alternative Politics". I found on a post from June 11th:

We will also welcome a new contributing writer very soon. Ben Cashner already writes one of the best libertarian blogs in the state at Cold Hard Cashner and has now agreed to join the staff of Iowa Freedom Report. As an editor, I thought the site needed a little diversity, so instead of just seeing reporting from the perspective of a 1-133rd Infantry vet who is a conservative-leaning libertarian from the 1st District, you’ll know get to see reporting from a 1-133rd Infantry vet who is a libertarian from the 1st District.

While I don't agree with all of what I've read so far and I think some of the editor's criticism of Steve Deace is off, (I think Deace can be annoying as well, btw), I think this could be a valid source of information that one can't get elsewhere.

Good luck to Ben on his new writing outlet.

Iowa Gun Owners Freedom Rally

About 150 people gathered near Steamboat Rock, Iowa On Saturday, June 19th, at a picnic sponsored by Iowa Gun Owners. A broad representation from across the state were in attendance and participated at the handgun and rifle range followed by a traditional cookout of burgers and hotdogs. Capping off the day was a short speech by Thomas Moore, representative for firearms maker Fabrique Nationale Herstal.

My wife and I enjoyed meeting other IGO members from across the state, some of whom we had more in common than just guns. (Knitting for example - my wife, not I). A few candidates for state offices worked the crowd and were acknowledged by Aaron Dorr, Executive Director of Iowa Gun Owners. While this might have been a day for politics, none were given a chance at the microphone.

At the firing line:



Experienced and new shooters were given a chance at both handguns and rifles. Some of us brought our own weapons of choice and I got a chance to show my CZ pistol, while examining a couple of handguns that other members brought. On the handgun line, there was a choice of mostly Glocks and a couple of Ruger pistols for those who did not bring their own. I had the opportunity to shoot a Glock 23 for the first time and shot low.

Aaron Dorr (with sunglasses) at the handgun table:



Waiting for the food, State Senate candidate, Kent Sorenson (with sunglasses on his head), speaks to voters from his district:



I didn't get Mr. Moore's picture, because I was trying to pay attention to his words. He presented his views of gun right struggle from a national and international perspective. One thought is that the liberal left, both nationally and abroad, do not understand the proper perspective of the 2nd Amendment. It's that they have such a different world view that they cannot see it from our side.

He cautioned us not to spread rumors as this harms the message that we are trying to get out. One such rumor is in regards to international arms treaties and jumping to conclusions of its power at the UN. It's not say that a treaty is not in the works as he told us to be vigilant.

Mr. Moore also encouraged the crowd by stating that the gun right struggle in Iowa was headed in the right direction and he didn't see that we were wrong in our approach. A word of advice was to use the left's tactics against them and to study Marx's dialectic and the writings of Saul Alinksy. A "know your enemy" approach to politics.

There are some expectations for the upcoming election and it looks like IGO is becoming a force within Iowa politics. This did not come from Aaron, but from my conversations with some of the candidates for office. There hadn't been much forward movement for gun rights in the state until that last couple of years and they attributed it to IGO.

My wife and I got to meet several people for the first time and we got a chance to fire weapons we had never held before. Guns, Politics and the potato salad was pretty good, too. Not a bad way to spend a day. (My apologies for the poor quality of pictures)

Permit denial decision (updated)

SIOUX CITY -- After less than a full day of testimony in U.S. District Court, Presiding Judge Mark W. Bennett issued a ruling from the bench this week that found Osceola County Sheriff Douglas Weber's denial of an Ocheyedan, Iowa, man's application for a gun permit constituted First Amendment retaliation, according to court documents.

Bennett's written order in the civil action is to follow.

Paul Dorr and his son Alexander, then 18, filed suit in 2008 after Weber turned down their concealed-weapon permit applications.

Paul Dorr said Friday he believed Weber denied his application because he was working as a paid consultant with the Osceola County Taxpayers Association, which was fighting public safety budgets, including those of the sheriff's and county attorney's offices.

Weber could not reached for comment Friday. His Sioux City attorney, Douglas Phillips, said he would not comment until he had seen the judge's order.

In his 2008 response to the lawsuit, Weber wrote that he was using his discretion as sheriff to determine whether or not the men should get gun permits. Osceola County residents' fear of bullying, harassment and intimidation by Paul Dorr was a legitimate basis for the denial, he wrote.

Judge: Sheriff violated man's 1st Amendment rights in denying gun permit

"Bullying, harassment and intimidation..." - interesting.

This case is a perfect example of the flaws we have in Iowa and the whole asking permission philosophy regarding permits to carry. A sheriff can deny if they think you can't be responsible or if they "foresee" a crime in the future.

The new permit process that will start January 2011 will not change the fact that sheriffs still have some discretion when a permit comes in. There is an appeal process that may not take three years to wade through, but discretion was not removed from the law.

(Updated) Paul Dorr is the father of Aaron Dorr, Executive Director of Iowa Gun Owners. I spoke with Aaron on June 19th at the Iowa Gun Owners Freedom Rally and he gave a few more details about the case. This was the first time Judge Bennett ever ruled from the bench. In the judge's remarks, it was such a clear-cut case of a violation of Mr. Dorr's rights, that he didn't bother going to chambers.

From Aaron and his brother's comments, it's not clear the sheriff understands what he did wrong. The judge is ordering the sheriff to attend instruction on First Amendment rights. Punitive damages could be awarded, but is not being sought.

It would seem that Mr. Dorr's lawsuit was about the principle, and not money.

Waterloo liquor store shooting

As a followup to Waterloo clerk defends self the Waterloo Courier article refers to national statistics covering late-night convenience store shootings across the country and locally.

In 2007, 167 people were killed working retail, according to a study by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Of those, 39 of the slayings were at convenience stores, 32 were at gas stations and seven were at liquor stores.

Police said a Waterloo clerk may have avoided adding to those statistics Wednesday morning when he opened fire, killing two would-be robbers who were carrying guns. Officers said the employee, who worked at East Fourth Street Liquor, appears to be justified. The investigation continues.

Working late-night retail dangerous job

In the middle of the article we find this nugget:

According to 2008 statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, homicide was the leading cause of death for retail sales workers who died on the job, accounting for 58 percent of the deaths.

In comparison, homicide was responsible for 33 percent of on-the-job fatalities for law enforcement workers that same year. Traffic-related deaths accounted for 38 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers.

According to a government study, can we take from it that a night-time clerk's job is more dangerous than a law enforcement officer? Hardly. But it is worth looking at the numbers more closely.

As we see from this week, being armed provides clerks a better chance for survival and at least one clerk at a liquor could be glad not to be a statistic.

No guns in the court house

The Hancock County Board of Supervisors approved the first reading of an ordinance Monday making it illegal to bring dangerous weapons into the courthouse, annex, secondary roads, courthouse parking lot or county public health facilities.

The ordinance must be passed three times by the Board of Supervisors before becoming law.

Supervisor Jerry Tlach said the board felt it was time to put a ban in effect for the courthouse.

“You could have come into the courtroom with a gun if you had a permit,” Tlach said.

Law enforcement personnel would be exempt from the new ordinance.

The ordinance would apply even if you had a valid permit to carry the weapon.

“We thought we needed to do something about that,” Tlach said.

County may change open burning, weapons policies

Because we all know that criminals go through the permit process in order to carry a weapon.

Blagojevich tapes online

The former governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is on trial for his corruption foibles. If you wish to follow the trial go to US v Blagojevich. There you can get the transcripts to the recordings of his alleged bribery scheme to sell the Senate seat once held by Obama.

Waterloo clerk defends self

A Waterloo liquor store clerk defended himself early Wednesday morning by shooting two armed robbers. Unfortunately for the crooks, the clerk was determined to use force and they passed away from their injuries.

WATERLOO - The owner of a Waterloo convenience store where two robbers were killed Wednesday morning said the suspects were frequent customers.

Store clerk Johnny Sanders, 65, shot Robert Maurice Bolden and Antonio McNeal Sproles, both 21, when the two walked into East Fourth Street Liquor brandishing a rifle and a handgun at about 2 a.m. closing time.

Waterloo store clerk kills 2 armed robbers

For those who think that cooperating with crooks during an armed encounter will win goodwill from the bad guys, the owner's cousin was wounded during a robbery in December 2009. Something that was probably considered by the store clerk.

No charges are expected to be filed against the clerk.

Red Scare in Iowa

In a bit of nostalgia, reader ranamacar sent me a short article from the Des Moines Register, June 11, 1950: "'Communist' Flags to Fly Over Hartley". The email contained the scanned article and these comments

Mom found this clipping from 60 years ago- seems the "Red Scare" even found its way to Iowa. Wonder if we could get away with something like this in today's PC world.

I wonder as well.

Hartley was apparently going to be taken over in a mock commie takeover will town officials being locked up (I like that idea) along with local citizens. In the end, all is good as the town celebrated Flag Day. That's right, the town celebrated one of the lesser holidays. Ending the day with burning of the communist flags by the local Scouts.

Ranamacar is right to question whether we would be charged with hate speech for burning a commie flag in today's society. The US flag is okay to burn, but look out if you burn one with a hammer and sickle in the corner (especially in Iowa City).

I like the fact that the town had a dance at the end of the day. This was in the 50's by the way.

Chet vs. Terry: Clash of the Pussies

The Iowa primary elections are finally over. Now that the major-party candidates have been selected, the Iowa governor’s race looks to be a battle royal between two moderates which may heat up all the way to tepid. Current Iowa Governor Terry Culver (D) is being challenged by former Iowa Governor Chet Branstad (R), leaving Iowa voters with a stark choice between a career politician with a moustache or a career politician without one.

Chet vs. Terry: Clash of the Pussies

Ben summarizes the upcoming election for Iowa governor.

Rock Island's crime fighting "arsenal"

I guess it doesn't include having a true arsenal. I mean in the home, not the Rock Island Arsenal.

Rock Island will be a safer place to live if its children learn to be better citizens, its neighborhoods are cleaned up thanks to stiffer rules for “slum” property owners, and its police department adds more cameras and other technology to its crime-fighting arsenal.

Those fixes were voted among the most pressing among a host of recommendations delivered in a report to Rock Island aldermen by the 20-member Safer Community Task Force. The task force was created in October 2009 with a goal of reducing crime and negating the perception that Rock Island is a dangerous place.

Task force looks at steps to make Rock Island safer

It doesn't look like any suggestions such as eliminating some of the onerous gun laws in Illinois. How about getting rid of the FOID or allowing citizens to carry a means of self defense?

How many cameras does it take to stop a criminal in the act of committing a crime?

No nuke weapons allowed in Iowa City

In one of the best examples of irrelevant, do-nothing action, years ago signs went up around Iowa City declaring it a "Nuclear Weapon Free Zone".

A city ordinance, which Gazette archives say was approved in 1985, establishes “the city as a nuclear weapons free zone in which work on nuclear weapons is prohibited. The people of the city find that the presence of nuclear weapons facilities within the city is in direct conflict with the maintenance of the community’s public health, safety, morals, economic well being and general welfare.” Interim City Manager Dale Helling, in a memo to the City Council Monday, said most of the street signs have disappeared or been subject to vandalism over time.

Duh. Because those signs are a joke to anyone who notices them. And what government agency has any authority regarding morals? And face it, Iowa City and "morals"? That's a joke right there. (I better not judge, lest I be judged, right?) Will a sign prevent anyone from hauling a nuke (if he had one) or a dirty bomb and lighting one off outside of Kinnick Stadium? I doubt it. Read more at Iowa City just says no to nuclear weapons

The choice of guns and butter

I remember the exercises in high school economics class of the macro-economic question of guns vs. butter.

Bawb expands this discussion with his own version of this theme: Mexican gun runners or holsteins, except in our present quasi-reality of Washington, DC, the idea of keeping guns from entering the US illegally isn't as important as pushing dairy farmers around or wasting money on an under-used border station in Vermont.

Because we all know that more illegals enter the country from Canada than from Mexico. That's got to be true because of all the English as Second Language students speaking French as their primary language.

Got back bacon, eh?

When liberal ideas hit Iowa

We have this:

While scripture talks of beating swords into plowshares, a community in southwest Iowa is putting that statement into a modern context. The Shenandoah Police Department is hosting its first-ever gun amnesty days next month.

Shenandoah to hold gun amnesty days

Scripture also talks about selling a cloak and buying a sword (Luke 22:36).

In honor of the Shenandoah police department trying to act like Omaha, I'm going to act out Luke 22:35 with a modern twist by selling something of value and purchasing a firearm. (Most of my coats aren't of value)

Speaking of "research"

David Codrea asks why "researchers" are citing a quote by degenerate has-been rocker, Ozzy Osborne in an effort to promote their gun control agenda.

Anti-gun researchers (and frequent Joyce Foundation beneficiaries) Philip J. Cook and Jens Ludwig presume to challenge everything we think we know in their WaPo hit piece, "Five myths about gun control."

Shall we examine the very first contention they would have us accept as a non-mythical and reality-based view?

Guns don't kill people, people kill people.

We're apparently supposed to reject this. Their persuasive argument?

As Ozzy Osbourne once said in an interview with the New York Times: "I keep hearing this [expletive] thing that guns don't kill people, but people kill people. If that's the case, why do we give people guns when they go to war? Why not just send the people?"

Why are 'researchers' using Ozzy Osbourne's ramblings to push for more 'gun control'?

I'll use a quote here: "Good grief" - Charlie Brown.

Rural areas in Iowa have higher risk of suicide

While suicide affects all parts of the state, features unique to rural Iowa put those living there at a higher risk.

Should I be concerned?

I don't mean to minimize the seriousness and tragedy of suicide. It leaves a wake of devastation for years for loved ones they left behind. I'm looking at how number-skewing affects reporting.

The quote above comes from the article: Suicide numbers up in rural Iowa, the newspaper of the University of Iowa, The Daily Iowan, reports that suicide rates are rising in the state, especially in our less populated counties.

I posted earlier that one "study" wrote off the whole state as urban based on the idea that any county with a population over 2500 people was high: Every county in Iowa is urban, while in the Daily Iowan article, it's reported that 89 of Iowa counties are rural. Adding more to the mix, Iowa's Wiki page reports that 61% of Iowa's population is urban by citing Census Bureau figures:

Urban counties in Iowa grew 8.5% from 2000 to 2008, while rural counties declined by 4.2%

All of this is a backdrop to the reported suicide rates:

• From 2000 to 2008, 1,568 people committed suicide in rural counties of Iowa, versus 1,382 in the state’s urban parts.

• The suicide rate of from 2000 to 2008 in rural counties was 11.36 per 100,000 population; it was 10.82 in urban counties.

• In 2008 alone, the rate for rural counties was 13.55 — the highest the average in Iowa has been since 2000 — and it was 11.46 in urban counties.

The article did not cite a source, but I will use the Iowa Department of Health, Vital Statistics and the closest population numbers I found were at Iowa population by County, 2006 One problem with statistics is when you use a roaming number "N" and going county by county you will skew the "per 100,000" number and inflate it, and that's exactly what happens. With counties having small population, one death will produce a high rate.

In 2008, Monona county (pop. < 10,000) there were 4 suicides which placed it with the highest rate in the state, while Polk county (pop. 400,000+) had 70 which placed it in the middle. By using the rate of 13.55 per 100,000, in my county (Iowa, pol. 16,000+) we should have had 85 suicides in 2008. According to the state, there were three. I'm going to make a leap here and guess that they added the percentages up and divided by 89 in order to get the 13.55 rate. Without some concrete numbers, there's no way to tell.

The arbitrary lines that were drawn up in the 1840's cannot be used in statistics any more than an arbitrary definition of "urban" or "rural". Another thing to consider is that emergency response times are generally much better in cities than in the back gravel roads where it could take an ambulance 30 minutes just to get there after receiving the call. The suicide attempt/success ratio in urban vs. rural areas is not looked at.

The article also throws out this bone to the anti-gun crowd:

The problem may be compounded by the prevalence of guns in rural areas.

Of the 1,568 deaths in rural counties since 2000, 846 were by firearms. In urban areas, 580 have killed themselves with guns. In Johnson County, firearms also accounted for the largest number of suicides — 59 out of 139.

No other methods were mentioned. In the last 22 years I personally know of two men who took their lives, one by hanging and the other man used his car in his garage. (And I know anecdotes do not make good science.)

Statistics can be used to push any sort of agenda and my impression is that the author is advocating more funding for rural mental health services. Which may not be a bad thing, especially with the economic climate we face. I would like a more honest and open analysis in the urban/rural numbers that are tossed like bread crumbs to the public.

One suicide is bad enough. Ask some of us left behind.

Big Bro in Iowa City

Speaking of cameras, Iowa City want you to smile because it's for your safety.
Surveillance cameras nearly ready for downtown Iowa City

Surveillance cameras being installed by the Downtown Association may be ready to go live by July 1, according to association president Leah Cohen. In fact, a couple are in place now and have been undergoing testing, she said.

So if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about.

Ka-ching to over $1000 per day

“Either we’re going to save a lot of lives, or we’re going to make a fortune,” Police Chief Greg Graham said. “I’m hoping we’re going to save a lot of lives and people are going to slow down.”

Traffic cameras generating $1,000 for city per day

"...or we're going to make a fortune."

With the city generating over $1000 per day, that money goes to the police department operations.

And that doesn't include the money that will be rolling in from the I-380 cameras. I-380 Speed Cameras Now in Test Phase When those go online, will this be the tune we hear in Cedar Rapids?

Voters' guide to the 2010 Iowa primary

For those still undecided (or uncommitted) here in Iowa, the Des Moines Register has a convenient Compare the Candidates for the 2010 primary. Look under social issues for the candidates' views of guns. From lukewarm Branstad's "I support the 2nd Amendment" to the support by Roberts and Vander Plaats of Iowa's "shall issue" permit legislation that just passed this year.

Also received on Monday was Iowa Gun Owners' guide to various state campaigns:

Governor Branstad has not replied to our survey at all.

Rod Roberts responded to the survey with 100% pro-gun answers.

Bob Vander Plaats responded to the survey with 100% pro-gun answers.

This means that Roberts and Vander Plaats have both pledged to sign the REAL Right-to-Carry bill, if elected, when it comes to their desk.

They have also pledged to support the other bill that Iowa Gun Owners had introduced this year: a bill to repeal Iowa's permit to acquire. This is the law that makes law abiding Iowans get government permission before they can exercise their 2nd Amendment rights.

Both have also promised to support the Castle Doctrine bill, if elected, that allows you to defend yourself and your family in your home if attacked. Current law requires you to retreat if possible - from your own home.

We have heard nothing from the Branstad campaign. It is concerning when a candidate will not complete a survey. A candidate can say what they want, but without a signed survey you and I don't really know where they stand on the issues.

IGO alert - 6/7/10

One of the most important things one can do is to vote their conscience.

Speaking to my Iowa readers who are members of either the Democrat or Republican parties, get out and vote today. (I believe the Libertarians have their candidates already chosen and I don't care who the Socialist, Green or Whozits parties choose).

Iowa State high school trap meet

CEDAR FALLS - The Iowa High School State Trapshoot competition came down to a couple of young guns in a shootoff Saturday, at the Cedar Falls Gun Club.

Trapshooting: Young shooters battle at state meet

Cody Mercer of Charles City and Samuel Beaver of St. Ansgar both scored 99 out of 100 to force a shootoff. Cody edged Samuel for the championship. Also New Hampton won the shootoff against Maquoketa after tying.

The results with many very close scores:

TEAM STANDINGS - 1. New Hampton 472 (shootoff); 2. Maquoketa 472; 3. Osage 458; 4. Nashua 454; 5. Northwood-Kensett 453; 6. Mason City 449.

BOYS - 1.Cody Mercer (Charles City) 99 (shootoff); Samuel Beaver (St. Ansgar) 99; 3. Nick Arthur (Lynnville-Sully) 98; 4. Bryce Haines (Iowa City West) 98; 5. Robbi Marzolf (New Hampton) 98; 6. Jaycob Clark (Maquoketa) 98; 15. Neal deBuhr (Cedar Falls) 95.

GIRLS- 1. Calleen Anderson (Ogden) 88; 2. Kayci Klobassa (Osage) 87; 3. Jade Johnson (Mason City) 83; 4. Kelly King (Waterloo West) 83; 5. Kiela Ruth (Nashua-Plainfield) 83; 6. Megan Meissen (New Hampton) 83.

High school kids with guns (and no one got hurt).

Congratulations to the champions.

Stranded's endorsement, Iowa 3rd District

I've held off posting my views regarding the 3rd congressional district in Iowa. As I contacted candidates to give them David Codrea's Gun Rights Questionnaire, only one responded.

Dave Funk

And respond, he did. Speaking at the 2nd Amendment Rally in Des Moines, he told the crowd each question and his responses.

1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges our birthrights? Yes and yes.

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county and state? Yes, that is the primary role of government.


3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional. I am still looking, the only one that might be close would be the ban on convicted felons from possessing firearms.

4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional. Starting with the National Firearms Act of 1934, nearly all of them are.

5. Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them concealed without a permit, as in Vermont? Yes!

6. Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry weapons of military pattern, and will you use the prestige of elected office to publicly promote that right? Yes.

7. Do you support or oppose registration of weapons? Oppose. Why? First step to confiscation.

8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? I oppose licensing requirements.


Why? It's a God given inalienable right codified in our constitution, we do not need a license to exercise our rights.

9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed? I would start with the Brady Bill and work from there.


10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?

From my web site issues page:
Second Amendment

The framers of our Constitution knew that the government should never have a monopoly on force, that’s why they articulated our God given right to self defense and ensured the right to keep and bear arms was written in our Bill of Rights. Let’s not forget, George Washington didn't use his right to free speech to defeat the British, he shot them.

Further information can be found here: http://www.funkforcongress.com/category/2nd-amendment

The other candidates put me on mailing lists and spam me every day and never once replied to any of my questions. The one thing that does stick in me is to ignore me. I will not support any candidate that would shrug off a common citizen like me.

I think I can deliver a few votes for Mr Funk tomorrow - the rest of the 3rd district voters may choose as they wish.

An interview from last week:
Live From The Path - 05/31/10 from Live From The Path on Vimeo

Gun show politics

Saturday's gun show in Cedar Rapids didn't bring many surprises although I found a couple of near bargains. I wasn't there for purchasing items, but to talk to people. Vendors were still a little high on prices, but the talk was on the future. Concerns over near-term business and the next arbitrary rulings by the ATF. One vendor relayed that he had multiple answers to the same question from different ATF agents. The risks of an FFL.

Two candidates for the 2nd congressional district in Iowa were on hand. I admit that I haven't gotten involved because I live in the 3rd district, but I got a chance to talk with Rob Gettemy, a Marion businessman and entrepreneur, who posted a short video of support of the 2nd Amendment yesterday. I didn't see the video until today, so I hadn't a chance to ask him of the dichotomy regarding a permission to exercise a right and freedom.

I had more time with Christopher Reed who had favorable ratings from Gun Owners of America in 2008 in his failed campaign to unseat our Sen Harkin. We spoke about our concerns that both the 2nd and 3rd district primaries may have to go to convention where 600 people get to decide who runs. If no one get 35%+, that is where it would end up.

I remarked to Mr Reed of my misgivings of Mariannette Miller-Meeks who was at the gun show today (according to her "tweet"). She has been endorsed by the Iowa city Press Citizen as the best Republican choice to run against the Democrat incumbent Dave Loebsack. The paper will endorse Loebsack in the fall anyway.

The fourth Republican candidate in the 2nd district is Steve Rathje

The Libertarian candidate is Gary Sicard and of course, the Democrat is Dave Loebsack (whose comments on Fiscal Responsibility I find disingenuous at best).

Situation awareness

Related to yesterday's posting (Are we just sheep?) I caught up on my reading from Xavier from last week. Xavier is a nurse from New Orleans and touches on numerous subjects, among those are self-defense and threat recognition.

First, the criminal does this for a living. They are not as dumb as many think they are. If you fail to respect their level of skill, you will be unprepared to deal with them. They are not dumb. They just attended a different "school" and studied a different "curriculum". To understand and predict their behavior, you must know a bit of that curriculum as well. Understanding the behaviors and motivations of different types of criminals is the framework with which a wise person protects themselves. Know your enemy. Then practice avoidance if you can. If avoidance is impossible, try evasion. Try both of these tactics prior to defense. You do not have to "win" a dangerous encounter. Nobody wins a gunfight. They simply survive.

From the Archives ~ Standing on the X

Xavier has been in more hostile environments than I would care to be in three lifetimes. I would do well to take his advice.

This past week I was in a parking garage in Cedar Rapids and received a message on the company's Blackberry. Thinking it required my immediate attention, I was engaged in my reply while walking to my car. Stupid me. Although nothing happened, by my actions I made myself vulnerable to any predator for the 15-20 seconds that it took to reply. I might as easily wore a giant neon sign labeled "Come and get me".

Be aware of your environment, advice I did not heed. I was lucky, while the guy who was beaten in front of the police sub-station was not.

A related post from Xavier: From the Archives ~ Recognizing Threats

Are we just sheep?

Last night a man was beaten within feet of a Cedar Rapids police substation. An unmanned substation. For whatever reason, no one was there and this individuals (among others) are complaining and asking for more resources.

It’s difficult to notice the Cedar Rapids Police Department's Substation right on the corner of First Avenue and 15th street. There are no lights on at night and there are no uniformed officers sitting out front. James King says that's a problem.

"I hurt, I really do hurt."

James King isn't standing as straight as he'd like. He says two young men beat him up last night as he was walking home. While what happened is bad enough, where it happened is even worse.

"Fifteen feet from the police annex building, maybe even ten feet from it,” said King.

Cedar Rapids Man Attacked Near Police Sub Station

With the typical response is that this situation is caused by money constraints. Which is probably true. But the bleating calls for more "protection" may result in unintended consequences.

We citizens have delegated our powers to local police so that they can perform duties in our names.

We should not abdicate our responsibilities for our own protection to them. Otherwise, we become sheep. And sheep are among the dumbest animals on earth.

Gun amnesty advice

If you're going to have a gun amnesty it probably isn't a good idea to tell people it's okay to transport firearms without securing them and making sure they are unloaded:

Omaha police on Tuesday announced details of a firearms "amnesty day," when people can turn in guns with no questions asked and no legal repercussions.

The event will take place Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 5318 S. 30th St.

Police said a second gun amnesty day is planned for July 10 at a north Omaha location yet to be determined.

The amnesty day is intended to replace gun buy-back events held in previous years at which the Police Department paid people for turning in firearms.

Police hope the amnesty day will encourage those looking to get rid of firearms to turn them in, allowing them to be disposed of safely.

It is not necessary that the guns be unloaded, officials said. People bringing in a gun they are unable to unload or are uncertain about are asked to tell the staff before removing the weapon from the vehicle. [emphasis mine]

No questions asked on gun amnesty day

If one is too afraid or not knowledgeable enough about firearms, why not just report the guns to the police so the could come by the house and pick them up? Why risk an accidental discharge in a public setting caused by handling a weapon they are unfamiliar with?

The Omaha police department must be out of money (as well as out of ideas) since they are too cheap to fork over at least a $20 Target gift card.

June 12th is the same day of the Iowa DNR auction in Des Moines. It's ironic that guns will be turned in to the police at the same time confiscated firearms will be auctioned off to the public.

Dennis Henigan: Supreme Court, yawn

Dennis Henigan of the Brady Center fame, tosses out his latest opinion that the Supreme Court doesn't really matter. I would be no difference in his eyes if they would affirm an individual's right to keep and bear arms, or rule in favor of Chicago and it's gang of Daley. What if Chicago Loses Its Supreme Court Gun Case?

A few paragraphs in, he tossed out this:

Although some have expressed concern that a ruling against Chicago would cripple “stop and frisk” and other law enforcement tactics against illegal carrying of guns on the street, nothing in Heller itself would jeopardize those tactics.

Does this mean he's in favor of stopping anyone on the street without probable cause and a law enforcement officer conducts searches based on what? A "feeling"?

Is a "stop and frisk" tactic, no matter how effective, what we want in our country?

"If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to hear." Tell that to those poor souls sent to the gulags.

LEOs do not have any authority except those powers delegated to them by the citizens. Keeping this concept, the right of citizens to be secured in their persons or effects and the right to not to be illegally detained, should be maintained. Why would I allow my neighbor to snoop around my house just because they were curious?

Why would anyone want to live in an environment that condones such action by LEOs?

Why would anyone promote this as a good thing for society?

An oxymoron on intelligence

Sorry, but this is an oxymoron that just teed up for us:

DES MOINES – James Saunders, assistant director of the state Division of Criminal Investigation, has been appointed to direct the Iowa Intelligence Fusion Center – an office that coordinates the sharing of intelligence among local, state and federal law enforcement officials.

Eugene Meyer, commissioner of the state Department of Public Safety, announced Wednesday that Saunders will assume the new duties on June 11. He succeeds Russ Porter, who is leaving the center’s directorship to accept an appointment with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Saunders to guide state intelligence center

State Intelligence, National Intelligence - where could they find anyone in government to fill those positions?

Jeffrey McAdam services

For those visitors who are interested, Jeff McAdam's services will be held on June 5th in Victor. Details

A memorial has been established: Jeffrey D. McAdam Memorial Fund, PO BOX 485, Victor, Iowa 52347.

Reward offered for Pete's Gun Shop theft

A reward is offered for information of the break-in of Pete's Gun Shop in Vail, IA

The burglary happened between 3 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. Monday at Pete's Gun Shop, at 204 Main Street in Vail Iowa. Someone broke into the store by entering through a vent in the back. Once inside the thief or thieves took several handguns and rifles.

Anyone with information about the crime should call ATF's toll-free, 24-hour tip line at 1-800-283-4867, the ATF Sioux City Satellite Office at 712-255-2360, or the Crawford County Sheriff's Office at 712-263-2146. Callers can remain anonymous.

ATF Announces $2,500 Reward in Firearms Burglary Investigation

Vail, Iowa is located between Denison and Carroll on US Highway 30.

Girls suing school for strip search

A story that I've been following regarding the Atlantic High School strip search of five girls that were accused of stealing $100. BTR Atlantic school search (They never found the money). Three of the girls are suing the principals involved:

The three girls were among those ordered to submit to a search in a locker room during a gym class on the third day of the school year.

Listed as defendants in the case are the school district, as well as Paul Croghan, who was the high school’s assistant principal at the time; and Heather Turpin, a school counselor.

Girls in strip search case sue school

Strips searches are illegal in Iowa schools, but apparently there are no criminal consequences if one should perpetrate an illegal strip search. No one has been charged.

Jeffrey McAdam's murder suspect possessed gun

Authorities have revealed more details regarding the capture of the man accused of murdering maintenance worker Jeffrey McAdam. Johnson county deputies found Peter Riggs with the murder weapon, according to the Iowa County sheriff.

Iowa County Sheriff Robert Rotter said a Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy arrested Riggs between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Saturday night, about three hours after the shooting.

“A hand gun was the murder weapon and the weapon was found in Riggs possession,” Rotter wrote in an e-mail to various media.

McAdam had a single gunshot wound, authorities said, but Rotter would not say Tuesday where the wound was located.

“There has been no information come to light thus far that indicates the suspect and victim ever met before the murder,” Rotter wrote.

Police Say I-80 Murder Suspect Had Handgun Used In Crime

There were several factors that assisted law enforcement officers in apprehending the suspect. One of which is that many rest stops have cameras located in the buildings and pointed to the parking area. A surveillance society is only good at catching the bastards after the crime has been committed.

Let's hope the right guy was caught.