Question submitted by Eleanors38

Okay, I'll ask: Why isn't NICS open to all?

Why isn't the National Instant Background Check System (currently accessible only to Federal Firearms Licensees (FLLs) open to all who wish to voluntarily use it? Please give your reasons & arguments so we get a fix on this issue. Consider:

1. Legal/privacy issues beyond current FFL restrictions

2. Administration problems; more computers, over the phone problems, technologies, etc.

3. Cost of system expansion & upgrade

4. Political opposition

5. Any other problems.

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I envision private sellers phoning up the NICS line and entering (or buyer entering) similar data to get a NICS finding, all voluntary for both parties. Even a voluntary system would bring, I believe, millions more citizens who sell privately, but don't won't to deal with an investigation (even when the seller us not culpable) if the gun is used by a criminal. Such a system of voluntary action could be encouraged by pro-2A groups, and aid law enforcement by cutting down on unchecked sales.

Eeyore's Birthday tomorrow Saturday, in Austin!

Oldest celebration of counter-culture in America happens in Pease Park Saturday, noon to dusk. Free.

Texas-only beer, food, drinks, t-shirts sold by non-profits. Kids' section early. Wear very skimpy costumes, watch bands, play drums, smoke. Event put on by old counter culture lefty Democrats for decades. Use shuttle buses, bring no glass.

Eeyore's Birthday, Saturday tomorrow, in Austin!

America's oldest celebration of counter culture takes place tomorrow, Saturday, at Pease Park from noon till dusk. Free.

Food, drink, an ocean of Texas-only beer, and T-shirts sold. Nice kid's section early in the show.

Go in costume or wear none at all. Park at state garages north of capitol bldg, and take free shuttle buses to curb-side entrance. Small army of old counter-culture lefties have put this on for decades.

How to survive when your car stalls...

CAUTION: Be sure to read owner's manual before trying this.

When your car stalls while moving, you lose assist to both power steering & power brakes. That doesn't mean both systems have failed, only that the power loss is now a handicap not present in the days of "manual" brakes & steering.

Manual drum brakes back in the day were so sensitive, you could comfortably stop a 2+ ton Chevy without ordering the convenience of power brakes; manual steering, while taking some muscle, always readily "fed back" & remained facile to correction.

But everyone has PS and PB, and when the engine stalls, the brakes are like standing on a brick, and the steering is dead and resistant; worse, once you get the steering to turn, it won't feed back and you have to turn just as hard to correct your direction. In short, power assist DOES NOT revert back to "manual:" It's WORSE than manual.

Try this. Find an empty parking lot (no one around) and travel 10-15 mph. Turn the ignition off intentionally. Now, steer the vehicle with all you've got, one direction & the other. Stand on the brakes to stop the car. See what you are up against?

This may help you in the event of engine/power assist failure. Remember, your objective is to pull over to the right (better yet, off the ROW) and to stop the car before plowing into someone ahead.