A few days ago, the weather forecasters said the eastern side of Connecticut was gonna get hit today by Hurricane Earl, shortly after it wiped out the Carolinas at Category Five horsepower, and mere minutes after it had devastated New York City.  The NYC papers told folks to brace themselves…storm shelters were in place for the suddenly homeless…and evacuations were put into effect in parts of the Atlantic Coast.

Well, I spent yesterday and today in the middle of Earl.  There was a sprinkle of rain yesterday. Today the sun shone from a blue sky with a few fluffy white clouds, there was a gentle breeze, and the storm had apparently turned the temperature down from Indian Summer Hell to Paradise setting. We were maybe half an hour inland from the north coast of Long Island Sound. Of the handful of hurricanes I’ve experienced, Earl was by far the most pleasant.

Yeah, you got it…it blew out to sea. I can’t even say “We dodged the bullet,” because to be semantically correct, that would mean that we had wisely seen it coming and cleverly taken evasive action. Hell, I was stupid enough to drive TO the predicted hurricane. There was work I had made a commitment to do there. Nope, no tactical cleverness involved: the damn storm simply missed us, blowing out to sea and petering out to tropical storm level at that.

A lot of folks cancelled Labor Day vacation plans, and a lot of taxpayer money was spent in emergency preparation. But was that all WASTED?  Hell, no!  It was a dry run for The System to deal with something that COULD have trashed the Eastern Seaboard population center, so it damn sure wasn’t for nothing.

It also reminded us of a few things. The Governor of North Carolina activated their proprietary and incredibly stupid law which forbids citizens with permits to carry their guns off their own property during time of declared emergencies.  In short, NC criminalized an entire class of citizens.  Including me and my companion, each carrying a gun as we passed through NC, and doing so legally as far as we knew. Of course, unless the traveler was tuned to the right radio station at the right moment, they could not have known they’d just been criminalized, as we didn’t until we’d already passed through. This does not make me warm and fuzzy.

You can read about it HERE.

North Carolina gun owners have tried to fix this idiocy, and have not yet succeeded. Let’s hope that this time there’s enough outcry that NEXT time they WILL succeed. Deny vetted, law-abiding citizens the right to protect themselves AT a time when localized society is MOST likely to break down, and police service is LEAST likely to be available to protect them?  It’s a perfect storm of madness.

What’s everyone else’s take on this?

1 COMMENT

  1. Utter lunacy in N. Carolina to disarm law-abiding citizens when societal break-down and localized anarchy are most likely. Apparently the “ruling class” in N. Carolina learned nothing from the anarchy following hurricane Katrina.

  2. All I can say as someone who went through Hurricane Andrew’s north eyewall, is that it’s not the ‘cane, it’s the aftermath. Disarming people anytime is bad. Disarming them when you have no hope of calling the cops is criminal.

  3. Mas,

    We already saw the stupidity of government with Katrina and the gun ban/confiscation they enforced during that little aqua trickle.

    What amazes me is how otherwise law abiding people are so easily criminalized, and how the majority meekly go along with it. I was astonished that no LEO’s were shot during Katrina, and not so sure that some shouldn’t have been. To think that it has happened again, banning firearms in an emergency, which is when they are needed most, has to make our founding fathers shudder in their graves.

    We didn’t become the nation we are by our fore-fathers obeying the laws, but rather by fighting against them. Now we are branded criminals at the bidding of those in power, much like 1776.

    Biker

  4. The NC law is idiotic in the extreme. As a side not, every forecast I had seen earlier in the week had the storm weakening and going out to sea. I was somewhat surprised by the hysteria the news media pumped out about it.

  5. On the one hand, yes, this is a terrible, wholly Unconstitutional law that needs to be abolished; all parties in office who promoted and ratified it should be fired and brought up on criminal charges. Government officials who (re-)propose such laws in the future should also be summarily fired.

    On the other hand, it clearly is/was ALSO an unenforceable law (demonstrated by your inadvertent breaking of it)…in whole or at least in part. I believe, as has already been implied here, that it is our right AND duty to disobey such laws and prosecute those who try to uphold them. Simply saying “this far, and no further” is not going to be enough.

  6. This “law” will almost certainly be overturned due to it’s incongruity with the Second Amendment, in light of the recent Court ruling.
    In a way, it’s a good thing this bad law is seeing the light of day before a real emergency is underway. Now it can be done away through suit or repeal.
    Another thing to consider is that this law is bad for the survival and safety of LEO’s. During the next “Katrina” there will be folks who will not peacefully surrender their arms. There were incidents during Katrina where armed citizens stood up to bullying LEO’s and refused to disarm. Next time there could be blood.

  9. Gary, There were incidents in N.O. where innocent people were killed by LEO’s and they covered it up. Google Danzinger bridge. These laws have to be defeated and repealed for the saftey of everyone involved.

  10. I concur; a storm of madness.

    Only a mad hatter could think it wise to disarm citizens during an emergency; the time that they are most vulnerable.

    Absolute madness

  11. As an NH LEO I carrry under LEOSA (federal law) wherever I go in our nation. Had I even known about this law before going through NC, I would have ignored it. Which any clear minded citizen would do in a true emergency. But in order to avoid the unpleasentries possible by doing so, the good citizens need to hammer their reps NOW. Not tomorrow, but NOW! Also, I am an Oathkeeper, so as an LEO I would NEVER enforce or take action on that law. Nor would many, many, cops across this country…Jack

  12. Guys, you just don’t understand: politicians are, by their nature, smarter, wiser, better educated, and better informed than the rest of us.

    The American Dream is to have such people make all of our important decisions for us, for our own good. Like what kind of light bulbs we will be allowed to buy, or how much water our toilets will use. Or whether we will be allowed the means of self-defense when the police are somewhere else and the looters, rapers, and killers are knocking the door down.

    Just keep repeating: Only criminals and police should be armed during emergency. Defending ourselves is anti-social. Only experts are allowed to defend us.

    Even if they aren’t around.

    Get with the New America, guys.

  14. The Second Amendment Foundation is suing NC over its ridiculous Civil Rights violation.

    Despite what people might think from reading NRA mags, the Second Amendment Foundation has been the lead in Heller and McDonald.

    If people want to help, a donation to the Foundation at http://www.saf.org would be appreciated, I’m sure.

  15. andy says it all.

    NC people need to get off their butts and amend this law and replace any and all who passed it NOW

  16. As a N.C. resident who didn’t hear about the Governor implementing the law, I guess I would have been carrying illegally if I was at home. However, I was in South Carolina where my NC permit is reciprocal, so I was carrying legally. Something is wrong when it is legal for me to carry in another state but not my home state which issued the license. I will be active in the movement to repeal this foolish law!

  17. I don’t recall this issue being covered in my NC concealed carry class and I was probably at the range during the tail end of the declared emergency (the weather was really pretty nice). Come November, I will put our (hopefully) new man Ilario Pantano on this.

  18. I believe that even MA, gun-hating state that it is, recently passed a law that forbids LEO from confiscating firearms during a crisis.

    Now I want to check it to be sure.

    Steve

  19. This is what you get when YOU elect people like North Carolina’s current governor and her two last predecessors – the one before her now under federal investigation and almost surely headed for prison Blagojevich-style on corruption charges.

  20. It’s our own fault, folks. We, the Sheeple, have let these tyrants get away with this stuff. We have tolerated it. WE CAN, AND MUST, CHANGE IT, AND DAMNED QUICK. Unless and until we take this nation back into the hands of the citizens, our “public servants” will continue to act like royalty.

    I fought this battle with Toledo, Ohio in 2005 over concealed carry. Not trying to toot my own horn, but if more people would confront these politicians, en masse, we’d get our point across. Wade into them! Put fear of unemployment in them. Hold them accountable!Remind them that WE are the sovreign, they are the servants. We’re AMERICANS, damn it. Start acting like it!

    Bruce Beatty
    TSgt, USAF (Retired)

  21. While Britain has certainly surged ahead in the application of civilian firearms restrictions, the parallel of gun control measures on both sides of the Atlantic throughout the 20th Century suggests significant cross contamination.

    In 1972 HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary gave to Britain’s “Secretary of State” a never published (secret) McKay Report which said in part, “a reduction in the number of firearms in private hands is a desirable end in itself.” We’ve now seen how that sentiment eventually resulted in the “gold standard” of gun control, with some of the worlds most stringent gun laws and the 1997 ban on handguns in Britain.

    Beware, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Earl are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the real ‘gun control’ agenda. By having the us (government agents) v.s. them (civilian guns) attitude enshrined in law the cancer of civilian disarmament can never be effectively eradicated.

  23. i think it was just the coast not state wide. i live in the middle of the state and i didnot even hear of it. my friends on the job did not either so if they were not imformed they would not enforce. does need to be changed i think. watch your six dah

  25. Washington has a similar law granting the Governor the right to outlaw licensed concealed pistol carry during an emergency.

    (1) The governor after proclaiming a state of emergency and prior to terminating such, may, in the area described by the proclamation issue an order prohibiting:

    (e) The possession of firearms or any other deadly weapon by a person (other than a law enforcement officer) in a place other than that person’s place of residence or business;

    (f) The sale, purchase or dispensing of alcoholic beverages;

    No alcohol and no firearms? What the hell are we supposed to do for entertainment?

    Andy

  26. We are the government,we can blame the countrys current leaders,but we voted them in.Now,we need to vote them out.
    If every American votes in the next election we can change these id laws.And the idiots will be gone.

  27. “Glenbo Says:

    September 6th, 2010 at 4:32 am
    BikerRN, Katrina wasn’t just a “little aqua trickle” as you put it. Were you there?”

    Glenbo,

    Read what I said about Katrina being a little water trickle with plenty of sarcasm.

    Biker

  28. Read “Unintended Consequences”, by John Ross, if you can find it. I used to give copies to folks I felt needed to read it, but now a copy seems to run at least $100.00, if you can find it. Ripe for a reprinting.

    I’m not advocating anything other than a respect for, and adherence to the Constitution. But, those with eyes to see, and ears to hear, cannot help but recognize the path being taken by the President, Congress and some states. Either prepare, and resist as necessary, or submit meekly. The choice belongs to each individual. If you are military, law enforcement, or retired from eather than you should be a member of Oath Keepers. No, you should be an Oath Keeper. http://oathkeepers.org/oath/

  29. “Read “Unintended Consequences”, by John Ross, if you can find it. I used to give copies to folks I felt needed to read it, but now a copy seems to run at least $100.00, if you can find it.”

    It’s STILL worth buying at that price – because, out of print but still very popular and with few copies for sale “used,” you can always resell it at a profit!
    I did!

  30. “unless the traveler was tuned to the right radio station at the right moment, they could not have known they’d just been criminalized, as we didn’t until we’d already passed through.”

    Hm… I’m trying to compute exactly how likely it is that a nationally renowned “gunriter” and gun law expert could be entirely innocent of any knowledge that Alan Gura has had a federal suit filed against this precise NC law for over two months. 🙂

  31. As a LEO I think the law is stupid ans should be repealed. Also Massad your LEO how would it be illegal for you to carry even with this stupid law in place. HR218 would over ride that state statue were LEO are concerned.

  32. Unintended Consequenses might be going thru a reprint. His publisher at http://www.accuratepress.net/ lists the book, but says do not order yet. It looks like they are getting more and will have them for $30 once in. I bookmarked the site.

    @Henry Bowman – “Hm… I’m trying to compute exactly how likely it is that a nationally renowned “gunriter” and gun law expert could be entirely innocent of any knowledge that Alan Gura has had a federal suit filed against this precise NC law for over two months.”

    Umm, he never said he didn’t know the law existed, he said he didn’t know it had been activated. Unless it’s a stated emergency you are legal to carry there. It only becomes illegal when the governor declares. He was unaware of the declaration, therefore unaware the communists in power there had just made him a criminal. If that doesn’t compute, you may need more RAM.

  33. They are pushing “commonsense” gun laws. Is it commonsense to disarm people when the need their weapons most?

    Is it commonsense to disarm people and then leave them with out police protection and at the mercy of the predators that emerge during a crisis?

    Is it commonsense to make you a criminal because you got caught in a storm carrying your LICENSED firearm?

    When the law makers regain some commonsense maybe they will also regain a smidgeon of credibility.

  35. Surely the NC LAW is absurd & MUST BE VOIDED ASAP… but what is even stupider…

    the people who OBEY stupid Laws. They’re called…

    mmmm… hold on… Darn, its on the tip of my tongue…

    OH YEH! …LIB-SOCIALISTS! …oh no, thats not it. OH YEH! …MODERATES!!

    [When u compromise with something u already own, U lose!]

    ** THIINK PATRIOT! THINK GRASSROOTS!! THINK TEA PARTY!!! NOV.2 – NO MORE COMPRISES!

  36. Well, Aryan, I hate to go all semantical and official on ya, but people who obey laws they consider stupid are called “law-abiding,” and those who break them are called “law-breakers.” That’s why it works out so well when we can change stupid laws instead.

  40. Hey, I didn’t vote for “Tax ‘Em & Disarm ‘Em” Bev Perdue. Duh. Major socialist with the usual delusions. Don’t blame me! Sadly, my state (I’m Cherokee on my mother’s side) is getting bluer by the election. The problem is not those who have been elected, it’s the VOTERS – that is, us. Don’t vote for rulers, folks.

  41. Sorry John of Sparta but Gov. Perdue didn’t have any power to declare her state of emergency didn’t apply to dove hunting. She can’t pick and choose what part of the law she likes or doesn’t like.

    When she declared the State of Emergency, that was that and the gun prohibitions off premises went into effect.

    http://onlygunsandmoney.blogspot.com/2010/09/rumor-mongerer.html

    http://onlygunsandmoney.blogspot.com/2010/09/hurricane-earl-and-north-carolina-law.html

  42. I guess the politicians are afraid that people might take advantage of diminished police response after a storm and run around murdering the only people whose lives politicians value – their own.

    Just another example of the rampant sense of entitlement found among many in government. No one matters at all except them. After all, armed citizens must be crazy by definition – they foolishly consider their lives important and worth defending when any politician knows differently. Lacking in ethics, politicians cannot imagine people who have no desire to commit murder – they assume that others are like them and are constrained only by fear of police and punishment.

    From the perspective of a politician, a gun ban in an emergency makes sense because the politicians might not be able to obtain a police guard in such circumstances – no number of lives is too large to sacrifice if it prevents one politician from being harmed.