Month: January 2011

Emotional rollercoaster

/ hsoi

With the events of the past week, it was pretty low. This past weekend I finally got to release a lot of the emotions I had to put on hold to help deal with the realities of the situation. It’s still sad, but you move on.

Then early this morning I get an email from a good friend telling me his wife went into labor. This is earlier than expected, but I just spoke with him… they’ve been at the hospital a few hours, she’s almost fully dilated, and it’s time to push. Any moment now, little one will be here. It’s their first.

From sadness from a life ending, to joy from a new life beginning.

Life’s a rollercoaster. But it’s a fun ride. 🙂

Utah fixing Utah

/ hsoi / 3 Comments

It looks like Utah is working to deal with the issues present in their concealed weapons permit process:

SB34 » Out-of-state gun owners who seek a Utah concealed-weapon permit — which is popular because it is recognized by most states — may soon first need to obtain a permit from their home state, if available.

The Senate voted 28-0 on Friday to give preliminary approval to SB34, which would make the change. A final vote is expected next week.

I think the reporter made an error. If my armchair Internet research is right, it’s actually SB36.

This is why HB 356 was introduced in this Texas legislative session. If Utah fixes their situation, I wonder if Rep. Burnam will withdraw his bill from consideration.

From Alice Tripp:

Utah state records show over 5,000 Texans are carrying with a Utah concealed handgun license.  The majority of this number don’t have dual residency, and didn’t obtain their license while visiting or living in Utah.  Most got their license right here in Texas from an instructor offering the Utah license.

Texas doesn’t allow their license to be offered outside the state.  Many feel Utah is “meddling” in other states’ business.

You might be interested in knowing that folks carrying a handgun with an out-of-state license are not allowed past the metal detectors at the Texas Capitol, only because DPS verifies every licensee.   This simply isn’t possible with an out-of-state license and includes Texans carrying with a Utah license.

We’ll see how things pan out.

Disconnect myself

/ hsoi / 5 Comments

Today, a neighbor and friend was laid to rest. And yes, I say friend because while we weren’t “BFF’s”, he was a solid man. He was so friendly, so helpful. He was always there, always willing to lend a hand, even if it was just to shoot the shit while standing in the yard. He was a good man.

I miss the sight of him mowing the lawn… in bare feet… and with those damn burrs, I don’t know how he did it. I will miss seeing him  outside, fixing a car, or building something, or throwing a ball around with his sons… radio in the garage playing classic rock or country music. He was a watchful eye in the neighborhood, always taking care of geez… everything and every one, even the neighbors that he might not known at all. And gosh.. when it was deer hunting season man…. I envied his hunting opportunities. I loved listening to his hunting stories. I love seeing all the racks he has around the perimeter of his garage interior. It won’t be the same around here without him.

We’ve been doing all we can to help the family, and it just doesn’t feel like enough. If ever there was a time I wished for a magic wand, it’s now more than ever.

K… we love you. We’re here for you and the boys. I know you have a long road ahead, but we’ll be here to support and help you. We’ve told you this many times this past week, but know it’s not just empty words or words that after a few weeks pass and we all drift back into our own lives that we forget. No. We’re with you on this ride.

I’ve got so many things going through my head… through my heart… through my soul. I firmly believe that all things happen for a good reason. I look to find the good in all things. Right now, I’m not sure what the good is in this, but I know in time it will reveal itself.

But for now… I need to just disconnect myself for a little bit. Don’t worry for me… just need a little time. Just send a little cosmic strength and support to the family, ok?

Texas homeschooling bills – updated

/ hsoi

I received word back from HSLDA about the 3 homeschool-related bills introduced in the current Texas legislative session.

Read the updates.

My take? You can debate the merit of the intentions behind the bills, but from a legal perspective they are bad bills.

Not feeling it today

/ hsoi / 2 Comments

Sorry folks.

Just not feeling it today.

Tragedy befell a family my family is friends with. We’re helping them through right now doing whatever we can. It’s just heavy, and well… I don’t feel like writing anything right now. Maybe later.

If it’s your thing, say a prayer for their family. If it’s not your thing, say a prayer anyways. Send some energy and strength through cosmic vibes or whatever. Me, I’ll be fine, but they need a lot of strength and support right now.

ATF’s Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns

/ hsoi / 2 Comments

BAFTE has released a Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns. (h/t to TXGunGeek)

TXGunGeek is right: it’s not a ruling (as was floated around last week), it’s just a study. But the study of course is going to lead to things.

Right on the first page of the PDF is this:

All interested persons may submit comments on this study.
Comments may be submitted by e-mail to shotgunstudy@atf.gov or by fax to (202)648-9601.
Faxed comments may not exceed 5 pages.
All comments must include name and mailing address.
ATF encourages submission of comments no later than May 1, 2011.

So folks, make sure you comment.

But when you comment, please please please… make it a useful comment. No harsh language. No irrationality. No propaganda nor hysterics. We need well-conceived, fact-based comments. We need to provide useful information. Keep it short, keep it sweet, but keep it useful. Whatever you submit will reflect not just on you but on gun-owners throughout the USA. Be thoughtful.

My first reaction? What’s “sporting purpose” got to do with it? In our post-Heller post-McDonald world, what does “sporting purpose” have to do with anything any more?

Infected Feral Hogs found in 2 Texas counties

/ hsoi

Researchers at Texas Tech University’s Institute of Environmental and Human Health warned area farmers, ranchers and hunters Monday to use caution when handling wild game after finding evidence of the bacteria that causes tularemia in feral hogs in Bell and Coryell Counties.

Tularemia is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis, said Steve Presley, a zoonotic disease researcher who leads the team that tested about 130 feral hogs from Bell, Coryell and Crosby Counties.

Yikes. Full story here.

The bacteria is normally present, but what’s troubling is they found an unusually high number of hogs carrying the bacteria.

Regardless of which type it turns out to be, Presley says anyone who may come into contact with wild animals—especially those that might hunt or eat wild hogs—should be cautious.

“If you are handling or cleaning or eating wild game, particularly hogs, deer or rabbits, you should be wearing rubber gloves and eye protection when you’re dressing wild game,” he said.

“The bacteria can enter any sort of small cut or hangnail. During this time of year, it might not be as big of an issue, but you should check yourself for ticks, wear tick repellent and avoid biting flies, including mosquitoes.”

Presley also recommends making sure game meats are thoroughly cooked before eating them and says homeowners and lawn care professionals should look for wild rabbit nests hidden in tall grasses prior to mowing.

So you hog hunters take care. Take precaution when handling the animal, ensure you fully cook the meat.

New APD range

/ hsoi / 1 Comment

Looks like the Austin Police Department got a new training range.

Good.

[APD Chief Art] Acevedo also wants all officers to start shooting every month instead of annually.

Right now, all peace officers must qualify with their weapons every year.

Cpl. Duane Peed. “We want to do more than just qualify. We want to decision making training, we want to practice reloading skills, malfunction clearing, shooting from behind cover, different position shooting, we’ll practice with different weapons, not only our pistols but shotguns we have in our patrol cars.”

Very good.