Lurking Rhythmically

Monday, April 14, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 340: Is the 2A Glass Half Empty, or Half Full?

In This Episode

Erin and Weer’d discuss:
- the DOJ reversing the ATF's zero tolerance policy towards revoking FFLs;
- Oliver North's lawsuit against the NRA for malicious prosecution;
- the coalition of State Attorneys General urging SCOTUS to grant cert for the case against Washington, DC's assault weapons ban;
- an Illinois judge's ruling that Smith & Wesson can be sued for manufacturing the rifle used by a mass shooter;
Lara Smith of the Liberal Gun Club talks about a trend in the 2A community to block out left-of-center gun owners;
and David talks about how to keep your body clean and healthy after a trip to the shooting range.

Did you know that we have a Patreon? Join now for the low, low cost of $4/month (that’s $1/podcast) and you’ll get to listen to our podcast on Friday instead of Mondays, as well as patron-only content like mag dump episodes and our hilarious blooper reels and film tracks.

Show Notes

Main Topic

Lara Smith

Gun Lovers and Other Strangers

Monday, April 7, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 339: The “So Much News That We Needed Reinforcements” Round Table

A round table usually only happens when we don't have enough segments for the weekly show, but that's not the case for this episode. Too much has happened over the past week, and so Erin and Weer'd are joined by David and Oddball to discuss it all.

Show Notes

Monday, March 31, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 338: The 9th Circuit Giveth, and the 9th Circuit Taketh Away

In This Episode

Erin and Weer’d discuss:
- Henry Repeating Arms joining the many gun companies who have fled anti-gun states;
- the 9th Circuit's ruling that Hawaii's handgun purchase permit and police inspection is unconstitutional;
- the 9th Circuit's ruling that California's magazine ban is constitutional, and one pro-gun judge's amazing dissent;
- the DOJ moving to make it easier for some people to restore their firearms rights.
Lara Smith of the Liberal Gun Club talks about how a Senator in Minnesota is trying to weaponize the mental health system;
and Myles talks about grail guns.

Show Notes

Main Topic

Lara Smith

Southpaw Corner

Monday, March 24, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 337: Florida is the Australia of America

In This Episode

Erin and Weer’d discuss:
- Florida's governor calling for the repeal of post-Parkland gun laws...
- ...but the Florida Supreme Court has upheld those laws' ban on adults under 21 from buying firearms.
- and Australia, unhappy with the results of their gun bans, is now seeking to ban machetes.
David tells us the best way to police your brass;
Myles continues the review of his Henry Lever Action Supreme Rifle.

Show Notes

Main Topic

Gun Lovers and Other Strangers

Southpaw Corner

Henry Lever Action Supreme

Monday, March 17, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 336: New Mexico, Old Mexico, Same Shenanigans

In This Episode

Erin and Weer’d discuss:
- Massachusetts taking its sweet time in renewing Weer'ds gun permit renewed, and it's well over the promised 60 days;
- The best new gun publication in 2025 is … The New York Times?
- SCOTUS hearing petitions regarding (the nation of) Mexico's lawsuit against Smith & Wesson;
- and (the US state) New Mexico's Supreme Court decision about the governor's carry ban.
John Richardson returns to talk about permitless carry returning to North Carolina;
David explains the difference between Snap Caps and dummy rounds.

Show Notes

Main Topic

John Richardson

Gun Lovers and Other Strangers

Monday, March 10, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 335: More 2A, Any Way We Can

In This Episode

Erin and Weer’d discuss:
- an attempted mass stabbing in Boston;
- transgender people embracing the Second Amendment;
- KE Arms winning their lawsuit against GWACS.
Xander gives us his thoughts on red flag laws;
and Myles tells us how spent the weekend training new shooters.

Show Notes

Main Topic

Monday, March 3, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 334: Beatings Will Continue Until the Second Amendment is Observed

In This Episode

Erin and Weer’d discuss:
- Operation Blazing Sword has joined with other 2A orgs to file a Petition for Certiorari in Antonyuk v. James;
- Democrats expressing regret for electing David Hogg toe the DNC;
- Kash Patel has been sworn in as FBI Director... and is also ATF Acting Director?
- Maine's new firearm waiting period law being blocked by a Federal judge.
Xander talks about how many guns you should have to support the Second Amendment;
and David explains "rim jam" and how to avoid it.

Show Notes

Main Topic

Gun Lovers and Other Strangers

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Petition for Certiorari Filed in Antonyuk v. James

A Case for Second Amendment Rights in Public Spaces

Operation Blazing Sword - Pink Pistols is proud to announce the filing of an Amicus Curiae brief in Antonyuk v. James, a petition for certiorari which asks the Supreme Court to examine the Second Circuit’s ruling in the case, which mostly upheld New York’s new “sensitive places” laws that ban carry in public places. We are joined in the brief by the Second Amendment Law Center, the Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association, the Hawaii Rifle Association, Gun Owners of California, the Second Amendment Defense and Education Coalition, Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois, and the California Rifle & Pistol Association.

Our AC brief recounts the massive resistance to Bruen that has arisen in a handful of anti-gun states and compares New York’s law to similar efforts in other states, including California. The brief also uses places that serve alcohol, one of the law's designated “sensitive places,” as a case study to show how the Second Circuit botched the Bruen analysis in at least four different ways. Finally, we argue that the Second Circuit’s reasoning is flawed because it ignores the reality that everyone who carries in modern-day New York is extensively vetted before getting a permit. Before 1900, open carry was generally allowed for anyone, even former criminals, and so any comparison to historical “sensitive places” laws that does not account for this difference presents a skewed analysis. Having already made those with carry permits undergo an extensive vetting process to ensure they are not dangerous, New York shouldn't claim that it needs to ban carrying in most places for safety reasons.

While this may be an uphill climb, we are hopeful that the Supreme Court will make an exception here given the Second Circuit’s repeated insistence on flouting Bruen. In addition, the Petitioners may be helped out by the circuit split that has now developed. In its ruling, the Second Circuit did at least strike down the private property default “vampire rule”, under which those carrying must have permission before entering a private business open to the public; even the Second Circuit felt that went too far! However, this was not the case for the Ninth Circuit, which upheld Hawaii’s similar law in Wolford v. Lopez. We are hopeful that the Supreme Court will grant cert to Antonyuk, Wolford, or both, and urge the Court to do so to vindicate the right to carry.

Unlike the forces of gun prohibition, Operation Blazing Sword – Pink Pistols isn't funded by a New York billionaire. Instead, we depend upon donations from people who believe in our mission to teach the gun curious how to shoot and then to tell the world that we have done so, because armed queers don't get bashed. Please visit our donation page to see how you can help. As we are a 501c3 charity, all donations given before January 1 2026 can be deducted from your 2025 tax returns.

Monday, February 17, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 333: the "2 Much 2A For 2 Hosts" Roundtable

There's so much 2A news that Erin and Weer'd can't handle it by themselves!

In This Episode

Erin, Weer'd, David, and Oddball discuss:

a mass shooting in Sweden and the calls for yet more gun control (despite Sweden's gun laws being some of the strictest in Europe);
a teenage gunman's attempt to steal a plane being thwarted by an armed pilot;
a New York Times story about YouTube influencers and changing gun culture;
the ruling by a District Court judge in Mississippi that the machine gun ban is unconstitutional post-Bruen;
an Appeals Court in Louisiana ruling that suppressors aren't "arms"... but is that good?
an Illinois judge's ruling that FOID cards are unconstitutional;
President Trump's Executive Order to "Protect the Second Amendment" and what it may mean;
Everytown admitting that gun control is an infringement;
the DOGE Audit uncovering the web of taxpayer money funding gun control, including Bloomberg, the Brady Center, Giffords, and others.

Show Notes

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Traveller Actual Play: R.A.V.E.N. ep 8, "No Time For Tolls"

In this episode:

Chrome recaps the events of the previous episode in-character, and I hope it's amusing!
I make a Fortunate Son joke that's completely appropriate, and then a horrible pun, and then a Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow reference that no one caught.🙁
and there's an air/raft chase, and rampant disrespect for toll booths, and a space battle!

This episode and the one previous are my absolute favorite. There's action, there's humor, and of course there's the usual Player Character nonsense.

Monday, February 10, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 332: Life Advice from Clint Smith and Elmer Keith

In This Episode

Erin and Weer’d discuss:
- David Hogg election as Vice Chair of the Democrat National Committee;
- Merrick Garland's gift of a Tommy Gun in Washington, DC, if that's even legal;
- the UK still experiencing knife violence and passing yet more knife laws;
- a home defense caught on camera in Michigan, and what can we learn from it;
- Tom Knighton's article on mandatory storage laws.
Weer'd unearthed a video of Dr. Arthur Kellermann talking about his favorite topic: gun control;
and David talks about cartridge pressure.

Show Notes

Main Topic

Weer’d Audio Fisk

Gun Lovers and Other Strangers

Monday, February 3, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 331: 19th Century Firearms

In This Episode

Erin and Weer’d discuss:
- snow in Florida and earthquakes in New England;
- members of certain 2A groups are able to apply for non-resident California concealed carry permits;
- Chris Cheng of Operation Blazing Sword sits down with Washington Gun Law for an interview at SHOT Show;
- a Florida man being shot by his own gun when LEO disarms him;
- Tom Knighton's comparison between Canada's healthcare deaths and US gun deaths.
John Richardson talks about the devastation of North Carolina from Hurricane Helene;
Myles reviews the Henry Lever Action Supreme (LASR);
and David talks about semi-auto pistols vs. revolvers.

Show Notes

Main Topic

John Richardson Interview

South Paw Corner

Gun Lovers and Other Strangers

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Washington Gun Law interviews Chris Cheng

I'm a big fan of Washington Gun Law and have been watching his YouTube videos for years. I was very pleased when he posted a video talking about the amicus brief that Operation Blazing Sword filed, along with several other organizations that comprise the Historically Discriminated Coalition, in support of the plaintiff in Ocean State Tactical v. State of Rhode Island.

I was even more pleased, and quite surprised, when William Keith contacted me and asked if I would be at SHOT Show this year, because he wanted to interview me.

Unfortunately I wasn't going to be there (I really should go one day), but I knew who would be: Chris Cheng, Top Shot season 4 champion and member of the OBS board of directors. I played matchmaker and the result was a fun, comfortable interview between two pro-gun people.

If you don't subscribe to Washington Gun Law, you should. Unlike a lot of 2A YouTubers, he doesn't waste your time and gets straight to the point. Most of his videos run 12 minutes or less and he's a great speaker. I hope that in the future I can work with him to bring gun rights to Washington state.

Monday, January 27, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 330: I'm Thinking We're Back

In This Episode

Erin and Weer’d discuss:
- a Bloomberg publication clutching their pearls over SHOT Show, and what it says about who's winning the culture war over guns.
- a successful self-defense shooting with a legally-carried handgun... in New York City?
- an anti-gun lawyer who thinks that "high capacity magazines" were invented in WW2.
- reports from the January NRA Board Meeting are out, and things look promising.
Weer'd interviews John Richardson about running for NRA Board of Directors.
and David looks at the new no-lock S&W revolvers.

Show Notes

Main Topic

John Richardson Interview

Gun Lovers and Other Strangers

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Traveller Tuesday: Jumpspace is Psionic

Don't consider this a return to regular Traveller Tuesdays; they might happen, they might not. But playing in All Ones' Traveller campaign has me thinking about the system and setting again, so here's a notion which I've had for a long time and I've finally decided to write out.

My use of Traveller setting and dress falls under
fair use guidelines for both Mongoose and Far Future Enterprises.

The crux of my argument that jumpspace is psionic stems from two canonical pieces of information. I shall use links to the Traveller wiki to support my thesis.

Continuous observation of jumpspace has been known to drive intelligent beings insane, so starship viewports are shuttered during jump.

Yes, I am aware that this sounds a lot like Warhammer 40,000's Warp, but WH40K came out in 1987 and Traveller came out in 1977, and WH40K has a reputation for unabashedly stealing ideas from elsewhere for their setting.

There must be at least one living being (definitely sentient, presumably sapient) onboard a ship to successfully jump.

If this weren't the case, then player characters wouldn't get contracts to deliver mail to planets, because mail ships (such as X-boats) would be automated. Instead, the IISS has at least one human being aboard an xboat per jump.
Jump torpedoes were a thing which existed in the early days of Traveller, but they have since been de-canonized. J-torps would be perfect for delivering non-physical mail to systems.

So this tells me that there's something about jumpspace which requires a living being to perform a successful jump. To me, the easiest answer is that jumpspace is a quantum state which requires an observer in order to collapse the wave function successfully, which engages the jump.

Why? Again, the easiest answer from my perspective is that jumpspace is psionic in nature. This means that any species which is capable of manifesting psionics -- and so far as I know, that's any sapient (self-aware) species -- needs to observe the jump in some manner.

That these observers don't themselves need to be psionic means that they aren't causing the jump to happen. This means that there's something about the nature of jumpspace itself that prevents entry to ships without a sapient observer on board, resulting in a misjump.

This must be linked to jumpspace's quality to cause insanity, which is presumably a psionic effect of some sort.

(Whether or not a long observer in cold sleep would count as an observer is an argument I'm not ready to have right now. I could see it going either way, frankly.)

So why is jumpspace like this? The easiest answer for weird, spooky stuff in Traveller is "the Ancients did it." Considering that the Ancients were a powerfully psionic species, they may have invented jumpspace in order to speed their spread across the galaxy.

Traveller GMs: yes, I am absolutely suggesting that a powerful Ancient device (maybe the undiscovered Ancient homeworld) is keeping jumpspace active. Which means that jumpspace could be controlled... or amplified... or even turned off.

Want to have an instant disaster on par with or exceeding the Long Night, but not the Empress Wave or Virus? Here's your solution.

Have fun.

Monday, January 20, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 329: Sad Developments

In This Episode

Erin and Weer’d discuss:
- the passing of Cam Edwards' wife, Elaine;
- Germany disarming political groups (again);
- a bill in Colorado that, if passed, will ban the sale of most guns;
- the ATF defying a court order by posturing about pistol braces create short-barreled rifles;
- the Firearms Policy Coalition suing Massachusetts over their Handgun Roster;
- the Second Amendment Foundation's legal victory against Pennsylvania over adults 18-20 carrying guns;
- a negligent discharge on another podcast, and what we can earn from it.
David gives his review of the Mountain Billy GOAT-15.

Show Notes

Main Topic

Gun Lovers and Other Strangers

Friday, January 17, 2025

Traveller Actual Play: R.A.V.E.N. ep 7, "Banquets and Beatdowns"

This is a very Chrome-centric episode, so of course I like it. He was funny, he was sneaky, he had a juicy role-play opportunity, and he was useful in a fight. (Next session will continue this trend, but with vehicles.)

Because All Ones didn't include the picture of what Chrome wore to the Aslan shindig, here it is in all its glory:

https://amzn.to/4h2xA3U

As you can see, there's totally room for a stunner pistol down that codpiece!

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Erin on Handgun Radio ep 437

If you listen to Handgun Radio. then you already heard this episode when it came out two weeks ago. But if you haven't, well, here's your chance!

We recorded this the Sunday before Christmas, and it looked like Weer'd Beard wasn't going to be able to make it because he was picking up in-laws at the airport with no idea when he'd get back. I wasn't doing anything that night and thought I'd fill in for Weer'd.

Go to Handgun Radio and listen to episode 437 to find out what happened next!

Monday, January 13, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 328: Anti-Gun Liars and Other Villains

In This Episode

Erin and Weer’d discuss:
- Justin Trudeau stepping down as Canadian Prime Minister;
- the hand-wringing and calls to "do something" after two New Year's attackers passed their background checks to rent trucks on Turo. Car owners won't tolerate what gun owners endure;
- the man who stabbed two people on the New York Subway, who has been arrested over 80 times;
- meanwhile, New York City is adding tolls to the streets to encourage more people to go on the dangerous subways.
Weer'd discovered an Everytown project badly in need of a fisk;
Michigan has passed a suite of new gun control laws, and Xander needs to rant about them;
and David gives us information on drop-loading guns and whether or not it will harm the extractor.

Show Notes

Main Topic

Weer’d Audio Fisk

Gun Lovers and Other Strangers

Monday, January 6, 2025

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 327: Happy New Year's Round Table

In This Episode

Due to the holidays we didn't have any segments, but David joins Erin and Weer'd for a Round Table where we discuss Second Amendment news.

Show Notes

What others are saying about me

"I should just quit blogging at this point. The internets have been won, for all time. Well played, Erin Palette. Well played." -- MSgt B

"Erin's posts may not always be work safe but if there ever was a friend I had that I would be safe with, it's Erin." -- Brigid

'Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are Anger and Courage.' Augustine forgot the third, whose name is Erin." -- dovekie

"You can be my Destroyer anytime." -- Sean Sorrentino

"Yours is a deeply and creatively disturbed mind." -- Jennifer Paradis

"I appear to have strayed into one of the scarier corners of the interwebs."-- a troll

"It's official: you're a freaking voodoo princess. I'm scared of your power." -- Squeaky Wheel

"She’s a nice enough person, but I’m crazy enough myself, without adding her nuttiness to my list of things to deal with." -- Carl "Bear" Bussjaeger

"In other words, go read Erin; she says things." -- Linoge

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The Fine Print