MarkTaff.com

More than 121 people signed in as "opposed" to Nickel's illegal ban on legal concealed pistols, while only about 17 signed in as "in favor" of the illegal ban.  At least three of those in favor were employees or boardmembers for Washington Ceasefire, and one was a city staff-member flaunting rules prohibiting staff from testifying at a public hearing.  As a former councilmember, that really irritates me: public hearings are for the general public to testify, not for the city staff who promulgate the rules to testify.  City staff has more than enough power as it is.

Notably absent was Mayor Nickels and Seattle Police Chief Kerlikowski Chief-Loses-Gun.  While many who attended expressed their surprise that Nickels was a no-show, I knew there was no way the mayor was willing to actually listen to the public in good faith.  To do so would have required honor, something I submit Hizzoner lacks.

Most people respect the law.  Some of us even swore an oath to defend and obey them, whether in military, or in public office, or even both, as in my case.  Presumably, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels took the same oath to defend the Washington State Constitution and to uphold state law as I did when I was elected to the Colville City Council.

Yet he and his out-of-touch totalitarian troupe seem intent on violating state law by banning law-abiding citizens, who possess valid concealed pistol licenses issued by the State of Washington, from carrying their lawfully carried firearms on public property in Seattle.

If any reasonable person had any doubt about state law on this issue, that doubt was laid to rest by the Attorney General.

By Mark A. Taff

Unsuccessful in its continued effort to permanently strip as many American citizens as possible of their constitutionally-protected firearms rights, the gun control lobby has now launched a vicious tirade against our military veterans; men and women who have given their hearts, souls and often much more so that these extremists can sleep safe and secure at night in a free society.

As a Gulf War veteran, I am insulted by a recent rant from Josh Sugarmann, executive director of the Violence Policy Center, that leaves readers with the impression that military veterans are essentially ticking time bombs. Millions of American men and women have served courageously under fire only to come home and find hysterics like Sugarmann ready to strip them of rights.

Re: “Gun death rates should embarrass U.S.” (December 5, 2007)

By Mark A. Taff

Writer Karin Morris responded to a recent article by Alan Gottlieb and Dave Workman with all the logic and reason one expects from someone woefully uninformed.  Morris plays fast and loose with facts, to try and persuade unknowing readers.

Morris recounts a story where her son was a victim of an armed robber in Washington DC.  I wonder if Morris knows that Washington DC, with its practically complete ban on functioning guns, both in public and in the home, guaranteed to the violent thugs that her son would be defenseless.  People like Morris, who support those laws, must take their share of the responsibility for the violence visited upon her son.  I can only imagine her grief if the thugs had killed him, knowing that she supported laws that made sure he was helpless.