Fencing In Federal Jurisdiction

Back in 2018, during the comment period for the ATF’s “redefinition” (criminalization) of previously “ATF-approved” bump stocks, I wrote an article that was titled: The First Question is Always Jurisdiction. In the years since then, I’ve come to realize just how crucial it is to understand federal jurisdiction and to be ready to challenge it whenever the government strays outside of its constitutional fences.

It Started 90 Years Ago

Federal jurisdiction became grossly over-applied in the early 1930s, as the Prohibition Era was nearing its end. With the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934 (enforced by the Treasury Department), Federal policing increased.  As the Great Depression deepened, a huge list of “Alphabet Soup” agencies was launched by Congress. Many of these three-letter agencies brought with them new Federal policing powers. Consequently, this broadened both the power and frequency of use of federal courts.  More courts and more convictions of course meant building and staffing more federal prisons.

With the end of Prohibition in 1933, new perceived threats were created: marijuana and narcotics. Decades later, the DEA was established. Meanwhile, the FBI grew in power. The IRS developed a burgeoning enforcement arm. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) began referring more cases for prosecution. Eventually, the National Park Services, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and even the EPA got into the act.  More and more federal agents began carrying badges and pistols.

Today, there are no less than 51 federal law enforcement agencies, and at least 200 more federal agencies that have more limited law enforcement authority. There are more than 3,000 codified federal crimes, with more added every year. Presently, there are 142,441 federal inmates in Bureau of Prisons (BOP) custody. The conviction rate for Federal criminal courts is astoundingly high. Only about 2% of federal criminal defendants go to trial — 97%  accept plea bargain convictions. The Pew Research Center tabulated that of the 79,704 defendants who were under federal charges in 2018, only 320 received acquittals in trials. There were convictions in 99.96% of all other cases referred by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Of the acquittals, judges acquitted 38% of the defendants in the cases that they decided. But juries only handed down acquittals in 14% of their trials.Continue reading“Fencing In Federal Jurisdiction”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at food and fuel price inflation. (See the Inflation/Deflation Watch section.)

Precious Metals:

The gold-to-platinum ratio is now seriously off-kilter.  Now is a good time to ratio trade out of gold and into platinum, for at least a small part of your holdings.

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Over at Gold-Eagle.com: Gold to Break $2100 This Spring.

Economy & Finance:

From Newsmax: $1T in Credit Card Debt Puts Renters, Poor at Risk.

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The Chinese stock market is continuing to tumble. (Beware of contagion.)

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H.L. suggested this at the Mises Institute site: Are Bankruptcies of Some US States in the Future?

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NYC to offer migrants $53 million in pre-paid credit cards, report says. JWR’s Comment:  If New York City wants to discourage the arrival of more illegals there, then perhaps handing out free money is not a good idea…

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The US has a $6 trillion problem over the next twelve months.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“But as the plan of the convention aims only at a partial union or consolidation, the State governments would clearly retain all the rights of sovereignty which they before had, and which were not, by that act, exclusively  delegated to the United States.” – Alexander Hamilton

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — February 8, 2024

February 8th, 1950, the Stasi, East Germany’s notorious secret police, was established. The Staatssicherheit, (“Stasi” for short) was considered one of the most repressive intelligence agencies in the world. It was not fully dissolved until 1990. In the investigations that followed the ministry’s dissolution, the German public learned that a huge number of East Germans willingly cooperated with the Stasi and other agencies, informing on their neighbors.

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February 8th, 1828 was the birthday of Jules Verne, the French writer who authored “From the Earth to the Moon“. He is considered the father of science fiction.

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On February 8th, 1963 the Kennedy administration issued an order prohibiting travel to Cuba and banned financial transactions and commerce with Cuba, by U.S. citizens.

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My son Jonathan Rawles of SurvivalRealty.com has just announced a February Book Bundle Giveaway.  By signing up to receive his weekly e-newsletter, you’ll be entered to win this drawing for four great books. This special promotion ends on February 19, 2024.

And speaking of SurvivalRealty.com, there is a new listing that caught my eye. Consider it your own Private Idaho — in Tennessee!  This very private 19-acre wooded property with two houses and a shop near the town of Franklin is shaped a lot like the boundaries of Idaho.

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Today we present a review that was written by Pat Cascio, our Field Gear Editor Emeritus. Pat has been in poor health in recent months and I’m sure that he would appreciate your prayers.

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We are now seeking entries for Round 111 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 111 ends on March 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Ruger SR1911 Lightweight, by Pat Cascio

Anyone who has followed my writings for any length of time will surely know that the 1911A1-pattern handgun in .45 ACP is my all-time favorite handgun. I’ve written more articles on the 1911 than any other kind of handgun. Still, it would not be my first choice for an End Of The World handgun. The main reason is that I’d prefer to have a high-capacity handgun in 9mm that holds 15 or more rounds. When the lead starts flying, you probably will wish you had more ammo in your handgun, and that leaves out a standard single-column magazine 1911 that only holds 6-to-8 rounds. But the Model 1911A1 configuration remains my favorite handgun, and I still pack one of them from time to time.

I’ve reviewed many of the Ruger M1911 variants over the years and found them to be great shooters for the money. Recently, I found another new SR1911 model that I had to have, and I picked it up in a trade. This newest model SR1911 is a lightweight Government-style model with a 5-inch barrel and slide. My last three 1911s were Government models with the full-length barrel. I have always leaned towards the shorter 4.25-inch Commander-style length, because they are easier to pack, and the lightweight versions just feels better in my hands for some reason.

In case the articles might interest you, I’ve also written reviews for SurvivalBlog about the stainless steel-frame .45 SR1911 back in 2011, the 9mm Compact SR1911 model in 2014, the 9mm full-size model in 2017, and the Officer’s Model-sized .45 SR1911 in 2020.   Continue reading“Ruger SR1911 Lightweight, by Pat Cascio”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, we look at the future of wood-burning stoves.

The War on Wood-Burning Stoves

Why The Future Of Wood Burning Stoves In Homes Is Uncertain.

Offices of Conservative Groups Torched in Suspected Arson

FoxNews reports: Offices of 3 conservative groups torched in suspected arson, spokesmen allege ‘domestic terrorism’.

Anti-Militia Bill Introduced in US Senate

Reader C.Y. sent us the link to this alarming pending legislation: S.3589 – Preventing Private Paramilitary Activity Act of 2024.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Gun control is part and parcel of the ongoing collectivist effort to eviscerate individual sovereignty and replace it with dependence upon and allegiance to the state.” – Lawrence Hunter

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — February 7, 2024

On February 7th, 1992 The Maastricht Treaty was signed by 12 countries from the European Community (EC) to create the European Union (EU).

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On February 7th, 1812, one of the largest earthquakes in U.S. history occurred along the New Madrid Fault.

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February 7th, 1867, was the birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder (died February 10, 1957). SurvivalBlog highly recommends the Laura Ingalls Wilder books as well as her biography.

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Some sad news: Country music legend Toby Keith dead at 62, after battle with cancer.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 111 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2,000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  4. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 111 ends on March 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

A Christian Prepper’s Response to Postmodernism – Part 2, by Benjamin Szumskyj

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)

Additionally, various elements of postmodernism do not fit together to form a coherent system; it seeks to exist as much as a coherent system, yet doesn’t want to exist as a coherent system. While postmodernists claim that there is an overarching coherence, this cannot be true as this is only true inasmuch as the individual believes it to be according to their view of reality and how they interpret knowledge. By its nature, it could have coherence, order, and structure and at the same time, seek to dispel these are real, possible and imagined. While postmodernism may be seen as an opportunity to question everything and provide meaningful answers, this would be seen as antithetical to the philosophy as answers are created and not found.

Finally, it is not possible to actually live out postmodernism in a morally and philosophically consistent way. The same charges they have against modernism can be said if their worldview. How can there be a multitude of moralities and philosophical positions, while at the same time contradicting one another? Countless views cannot be true at the same time. The one who upholds “survival of the fittest” cannot condemn murder and rape; they are a hypocrite. One cannot live the postmodern worldview as it is too individualistic in practice. Postmodernism cannot be moral if one postmodernist believes in morality and another postmodernist does not. A postmodernist may make a claim about reality, but may not live it out because to do so would cause that reality would create problems for the individual and society as a whole. As such, there is no existential viability.Continue reading“A Christian Prepper’s Response to Postmodernism – Part 2, by Benjamin Szumskyj”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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Controversy Unleashed: Biden Administration’s Proposed Gun Sales Background Check Sparks Constitutional Debate.  JWR’s Comments:  All Federal gun law authority is based on the Interstate Commerce clause. The ATF’s proposed rulemaking grossly expands the definition of “engaged in the business.” Given the recent Bruen Second Amendment decision and the upcoming Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo decision (that will overturn Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, and end Chevron deference), there is no way that this absurd executive branch redefinition can pass constitutional muster.  An intrastate sale of a used gun between two private parties who are residents of the same state is not interstate commerce! What is really needed is for the Supreme Court to overturn the insanely statist 1942 Wickard v. Filburn decision and reduce the scope of defined interstate commerce. They should then declare both the National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968 unconstitutional.

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US drops 125 bombs on 85 targets linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in devastating airstrikes on Iraq and Syria: Biden warns retaliation for drone attack that killed three soldiers will continue after long-range bombers and drones hit Middle East.

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A member of our extended family recently bought some U.S. military surplus ammo cans from Military Surplus LLC.  He said that he was quite impressed with the condition of the cans, and the company’s great customer service.  He also mentioned that the same company recently added very sturdy U.S. Navy surplus Bofors 40mm ammo cans to their inventory.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — February 6, 2024

February 6th, 1895 was the birthday of baseball player Babe Ruth. His home-run hitting helped make him one of the most-celebrated athletes in American sports.

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President Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6th, 1911.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 111 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2,000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  3. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC.
  4. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 111 ends on March 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

A Christian Prepper’s Response to Postmodernism – Part 1, by Benjamin Szumskyj

From the ancient world to the contemporary, followers of Jesus Christ have encountered philosophies that often seek to compete or undermine the Christian faith and the Scriptures they are based on. The Apostle Paul, in writing a letter to the church at Colossae, exhorted to believers that they should ensure “no one takes [them] captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary” (Colossians 2:8). One of the most prevalent philosophies of the latter and current century’s is that of postmodernism. The informed prepper knows this.

Postmodernism is the philosophy that rejects absolutes, objectivity, and truth claims. This article will show that postmodernism fails in comparison with the teachings of Christianity when evaluated by objective criteria and fails to be consistent and competently respond to the questions of existence. This contention will be achieved by giving a summary of the worldview, an evaluation of its tenets, followed by a brief evaluation and defense of Christianity.

While postmodernism may have been a consequential response to the failure of modernism, it became a philosophy of skepticism, subjectivism, and shifting morality that Christianity not only rejects at its core, but provides meaningful answers and wisdom. It is imperative that Christian preppers understand the times, but also, the origins as to why there have been ideological shifts in society that impact our lives and how we prep. Above all, as a Christian prepper, one must unashamedly acknowledge God as Lord and Savior and that He alone will preserve us in the midst of tribulation.Continue reading“A Christian Prepper’s Response to Postmodernism – Part 1, by Benjamin Szumskyj”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, we focus on the continuing disenfranchisement of eastern Oregon’s conservatives by western Oregon’s overbearing Democrat majority. (See the Central & Eastern Oregon section.)

Region-Wide

Biden administration’s deal with Six Sovereigns sparks debate over Lower Snake River Dams.

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Ballotopedia: Greater Idaho, Oregon, countywide ballot measures (2020-2024).

A key detail: The Crook County vote on the proposal will be held on May 21, 2024.

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2024 Pacific Northwest Orienteering Festival. Nine orienteering days in Montana and Eastern Washington, June 21-30, 2024.

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Some fascinating history of the Inland Northwest: The Big Burn — Full Documentary — AMERICAN EXPERIENCE — PBS.

Idaho

Two people from Nampa and one from Boise killed in building collapse.

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Some more details: 3 killed in hangar collapse on grounds of Boise airport, officials say.

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Judge in U of I murders rejects appeal to dismiss indictment, delays ruling on trial start date. JWR’s Comments:  51 terabytes!  The pre-trial maneuvering in this case underscores just how complicated the discovery process is, our modern age of Big Data.  The mountains of data created by surveillance cameras, automatic license plate readers, social media, and browsing history greatly complicate and add huge expense to pre-trial discovery.  This makes obtaining legal counsel costs prohibitive for many defendants and lengthens the delays before anyone can go to trial.  Each hour that an attorney or a paralegal spends sifting through voluminous discovery data is a billable hour. The end result:  More people now feel obliged to plea bargain, even when they are innocent, especially in Federal court cases. (I doubt that Kohlberger is innocent, but the circumstances of his trial show how the judicial process is changing in this age of Big Data.)

For further reading, there is this from Pew Research: Fewer than 1% of federal criminal defendants were acquitted in 2022.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“No position appears to me more true than this; that the General Govt. can not effectually exist without reserving to the States the possession of their local rights. They are the instruments upon which the Union must frequently depend for the support and execution of their powers, however immediately operating upon the people, and not upon the States.” – Charles Pinckney, “Plan for a Government for America,” Constitutional Convention, June 25, 1787.  In the mural detail above, from the the US Archives, Charles Pinckney is pictured at the far left.