by Adam on January 1, 2012
Some people already know this, to one degree or another. Others either do not know or have ignored the writing on the wall.
I am an Atheist.
I feel that there is insufficient empirical data to support the existence of god(s). Therefore, I do not live my life assuming any do.
In order to maintain the status quo – people of faith are allowed to discuss, shove in your face, and be loud about their faith while anyone who does not subscribe is expected to keep their mouth shut, lest they offend – I have, for the most part, kept quiet about my beliefs, or lack thereof.
The status quo is shit.
It’s a new year and it’s time for a change. I will no longer participate in maintaining the status quo. I will no longer hide ashamed because I don’t believe.
The upshot is that if you read this blog, follow me on social media sites, or engage me in discussions on religion, expect to see/hear things from me that you may find “offensive.” If this is likely to cause you to be bothered beyond what you think that you can handle then feel free to unflow, defriend or otherwise ignore me.
Happy New Year
by Adam on December 10, 2011
In my post “On Licensing and Training [guns]” I looked at data from the CDC to see if there really was an epidemic of accidental gun deaths that justified mandated government firearms training. In the post I said that I narrowed my focus to unintentional gun deaths because: “death is the most serious, and least ambiguous type of injury.”
While that’s still true, in the spirit of completeness, and to perhaps further illustrate my point, I decided to look at the unintentional nonfatal gun injury data.
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by Adam on November 16, 2011
Contact your representative and demand that they oppose the Internet Blacklist Bills (PROTECT IP Act in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act in the House).
by Adam on November 14, 2011
![On Licensing and Training [guns]](http://c2397322.r22.cf0.rackcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/on-training.jpg "On Licensing and Training [guns]")
It’s only been a week since Wisconsin passed their concealed carry law and they’ve already made a major change. There is no longer a mandated four-hour training requirement to be issued a concealed carry license. You still have to provide proof that you’ve received training but there is no longer a mandated training length.
From doj.state.wi.us:
On 11/7/11, The Joint Committee For The Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) suspended portions of the emergency rules affecting the training requirements for concealed carry licenses. Proof of training is still required to apply for a license. The changes include:
- Elimination of any time requirement for the firearms safety and training course
- Elimination of the word test from the definition of firearms safety and training course
- Elimination of any time requirement for firearms instructor training
- Elimination of the instructor’s signature from the certificate affirming they taught the course to the student
- Elimination of any instructor contact information on the certificate
- Elimination of the location where the training was provided from the certificate
Any application submitted prior to these changes will be processed in accordance with these revisions. If your application has been returned as a result of any of the above training issues, or because you did not have an out-of-state affirmation form; please resubmit the application with all necessary forms and the fee to the CIB Firearms Unit, PO Box 2718, Madison, WI 53701-2718, for reprocessing.
While not perfect, this is another step in the right direction for Wisconsin.
Training is important. Very. Important. Owning, much more carrying a gun is a huge responsibility that should be taken very seriously. If you own a gun you should know how to use it, you should know and exercise firearms safety. That said, it’s not the place of the government to mandate training, much less to require a license to exercise an intrinsic right.
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