Friday, April 30, 2010

Ballastic comparisions is Science without facts = witchcraft. BPB

Forwarded by:

John E. Darney
jdarney@hvc.rr.com
845-361-3779
Webmaster / Legislative Reporter
Wallkill Rod and Gun Club
http://www.wallkillrodandgun.com


The full article is available at:

FBI Comparative-Bullet-Lead-Analysis


Keep in mind that the National Research Council has issued (2008) a finding that questions the validity of ballistic comparison evidence in general citing several deficiencies that effectively render such evidence to be unreliable. Please see the footnote below. Also notice how well the deficiencies described in Comparative Bullet Lead Analysis crop up in condemnations of the other database efforts that have been proposed and de-bunked. What I take away from this fact is the certainty that any such effort on such a huge scale is unmanageable, unreliable and can not furnish facts that are probative. Then there is the issue of just plain old junk science!
Here's the gist of it:

DENVER --

Three people convicted of murder have been released from prison because their cases were tainted by a now discredited theory that bullets found at a crime scene could be linked to bullets found in possession of suspects.

Nearly five years after the FBI abandoned its so-called comparative bullet lead analysis, the FBI has yet to complete its review of nearly 2,500 cases where law enforcement used such evidence to investigate a case.

So far, the agency has found 187 cases where so-called comparative bullet lead analysis evidence was not only used in the investigation, but came into play at trial where FBI experts provided testimony. It has notified prosecutors in those cases where testimony from its experts "exceeds the limits of the science and cannot be supported by the FBI," one agency letter says.

At least three convictions - that of a Colorado man who served 12 years in prison for a double slaying, a Florida man who served 10 years after being convicted of killing his wife, and an Oregon man convicted of a triple slaying - have recently been overturned.

All three men are now free.

Comparative bullet lead analysis was based on the theory that lead bullets pick up trace elements such as copper, antimony, arsenic, bismuth and silver during manufacturing. When the soft metal is shaped into bullets and packaged, bullets in the same box would contain similar amounts of the trace elements, the theory went.

FBI lab technicians compared bullet fragments from a crime scene with bullets possessed by suspects. If the trace elements closely matched, prosecutors - backed by FBI testimony - would argue the suspects' guilt.

Defense attorneys say the analysis appeared to be a miracle of science: It required a small nuclear reactor, once housed at an FBI lab at the Hoover Building in Washington, D.C., and relied on the expertise of only a handful of qualified FBI agents.

FBI experts wowed jurors by explaining how gamma rays, energy released from bombarding a bullet with neutrons, could be measured to make a match.

"Sure, you have this whiz-bang, whipper-dipper machine that looks at all the elements of the universe, but it doesn't mean anything," said attorney Dave Wymore, a former director of the Colorado public defenders office who fought successfully to exclude such evidence in a triple-murder case and won an acquittal in 1999.

The FBI began the tests in the mid-1960s. It quit in 2005, after the National Research Council of the National Academy of Science concluded that while its methods of measuring trace elements were sound, its conclusions were flawed. Millions of other bullets could contain trace elements in identical quantities, the council said. That rendered the FBI's box-by-box conclusions meaningless.

FBI lab spokeswoman Ann Todd said the agency has reviewed about 2,000 cases and is waiting on information from prosecutors who may have used the bullet evidence at trial in the remaining 500 cases. In cases where an FBI expert testified, the agency is reviewing trial transcripts.

Cases where a defendant pleaded guilty aren't being reviewed.

Footnote:

The study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice. The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council make up the National Academies. They are private, nonprofit institutions that provide science, technology, and health policy advice under a congressional charter. The Research Council is the principal operating agency of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. A committee roster follows.



Copies of Ballistic Imaging are available from the National Academies Press; tel. 202-334-3313 or 1-800-624-6242 or on the Internet at http://www.nap.edu. Interested parties may obtain a copy from the Office of News and Public Information (contacts listed above).

More information:
wiki Comparative_bullet-lead_analysis

Officer.com stories

Monday, April 26, 2010

Treaty to regulate arms trade

James Fulmer U.S. reverses stance on
treaty to regulate arms trade | Reuters

The NMLRA will be speaking once again at the United Nations June 14th- June 16th. The importing and exporting of small arms and ammunition which includes our black powder ( Swiss. Schuetzen , etc. that are imported is again under attack. If you are not a m...ember of the National Rifle Association join if you are not a member of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association JOIN. I testified before the UN several years ago it is in the UN archives got to (NMLRA James Fulmer United Nations) you will find the text and a video. Watch the news and keep current with these changing times.

Here is Jim's 2006 report to the UN:
http://www.un.org/events/smallarms2006/pdf/arms060630nmlra-eng.pdf

United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects 30 June 2006

Statement of James C. Fulmer National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association


Mr. President I am not a diplomat, in fact this is the first UN event that I have ever attended. For the record I am James C. Fulmer, Past President of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. Our organization is headquartered in Friendship, Indiana, in the United States of America.

We have over 20,000 members from all walks of life, men, women, young, and old. There also members from other countries from around the world. There are similar black powder associations like the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association in other parts of the world.

My organization did not speak at the 2001 Conference, although we were present at that event. Mr. President I have reviewed the proceeding of the 2001 Conference, including NGO statements. I have also been present here for the past few days listening and learning.

I am struck by something.

I am struck, by how little awareness there is on the part of many delegates and NGO representatives that there are such organizations as the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. In 2001 several groups such as Sporting Clays Association and the Single Action Shooting Society spoke. Groups like mine are not the large, active organization that you would usually associate with political issues. However, we do exist and we do represent people who use quote "small arms" unquote for a wonderful hobby.

Let me say that although we use muzzleloading antique or replica firearms that have long since ceased to be used in conflicts, we are not any less concerned by what you do here than our brother and sister organizations that use more modern arms. If you do something, at this Conference, that impacts even a few hunters, sport shooters or legal firearms owners, you do it to all of us.

Mr. President, I would very much endorse the idea that this Conference needs to formally acknowledge the legitimacy of hunting, sport shooting activities and legal firearms ownership. Thank you.
=====
All reports
http://www.un.org/events/smallarms2006/ngos.html

Sunday, April 25, 2010

For Sale – Complete Rendezvous Camp Setup With 2 Tents!

Dear Black Powder Bill,
I am not a member of your group but I did shoot flintlocks 20 years ago. I am selling all my rendezvous stuff and thought your group may have someone who is interested in it. I would appreciate it if you could list the items or pass on to someone you think would be interested. Thank you very much,
Brian Hall

For Sale – Complete Rendezvous Camp Setup With 2 Tents!

Main items include a wall tent with fly, dropcloth, sides for fly, poles, stakes, and rope tensioners. Small wedge tent that is perfect as a short-term tent or for storage at longer rendezvous.

Would cost over $3500 plus shipping if new, will sell for $2200 or best offer. Items in less than good condition have condition mentioned. Would prefer to sell as whole package but will sell portions if no buyer for complete setup. Located in northern Worcester County, Massachusetts. Items include:

TENTAGE
-wall tent, Tentsmiths made
-awning (AKA fly), Tentsmiths made
-awning side curtains (2)
-tent poles with rods in end, 2x2s and 2x6 mainbeams, for tent and awning
-tent stakes (3/8" square steel)
-rope tensioners
-wooden box for ropes, stakes, tensioners, also a stool
-wedge tent, great for equipment, Panther Primatives, repaired stake loops (leather), no poles (needs three), approx 6.6' x 5'

COOKING
-water cask, 10 gallon, upright with hinged lid
-(2) dutch ovens, cast iron
-fry pans, cast iron (2)
-cast iron pot (cauldron), ~1 gallon capacity, 9" tall, with lid and handle
-fire grid, handforged and fire welded, ~1'x2.5'
-fire grid, folding
-colonial toaster, flip style
-charcoal brazier
-cooking tools and hooks
-trivet, hand forged
-coffee pots (blue enamel ware) (3)
-fire tripod (small)
-fire tripod (large, 4' tall)
-cooking fork, ladel, spatula (handforged steel)

GENERAL CAMP
-ceramic wash basin
-two camp tables, one folds, one has removable legs
-lanterns, wooden (3), could use cleaning
-lantern, pierced tin
-lantern, pierced tin, electric for home use
-fire bellows
-sweeping broom (made by Ahearn)
-lantern hangers (shepher crooks), (4)
-wooden boxes (for cooler or storage) (2)
-tomahawks (2)
-blanket, 4 Point Witney, a couple of small holes (<1" diameter)
-blankets, wool, small/thin grey ones (2)
-misc handmade pottery, slipware bowls, saltglazed mugs, pitcher

CLOTHING
-capote, Northwest Traders, red blanket black stripe, adult size, hardly used
-La Pelletiere buckskin pants, fringe on sides, horn button fly, gussetted waist (~34-40" waist), could use cleaning


Please contact Brian for more information cell: (978) 249-6806 please leave message.


Regards
www.BlackPowderBill.blogspot.com
Ontario,NY. 14519

Why no one invades Switzerland

Ya know I'm so tired of hearing why no one invades the Land of the Swiss I decided to give an opinion.

Switzerland may have been hard to attack during WW2 but in today's real world they'd be wiped slick. It wasn't the mountains that kept invading forces away. The fact is that Switzerland has no real valued natural resources to exploit.
Their are many wars on going today across the globe and they are fought for 2 reasons. 1. Control, civil wars people still living in the 11Th century 2. Exploitation of natural resources.

Three times in 100 years Europe has tried there hand at a European union and its meet its fate every time. Does anyone actually think the middle east will form a Mid-East union?

BPB

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Animal Cruelty Law Struck Down

Black Powder Bill

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-04-20/animal-cruelty-law-struck-down-in-u-s-supreme-court-ruling.html


Didn't I hear the HSUS was also hoping this was considered unconstitional as well. Their thoughs were it would ban the videos they make as well.bpb


Animal ‘Crush Video’ Law Voided by U.S. Supreme Court (Update1) - BusinessWeek
www.businessweek.com
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal criminal law aimed at videos that show animal cruelty, saying the measure is so broad it violates constitutional speech rights.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Invisible Empire from inforwars.com

Just finished watching the video and it was well worth the time. If your into the history of how this country got so screwed up watch this video. Want to know why Lou Dobbs quit his job? Want to know why all the government perverts are being "exposed"?
Yea Ok pun intended!
Perversion is being allowed by elite leaders and rich handlers.




CLICK
HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
- CLICK
HERE TO WATCH NOW!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Nothing is really new


Nothing is really new in muzzle-loader shooting.


So I'm talking to this guy & as the topic progress he starts quoting a new twist to an old idea he read in a magazine a few week back.
I listen intently and as he finishes he says, bet ya never heard it like that.


I raise an eyebrow and smile and tell him...WELLllll actually, I read the orginal article as it was written in a magazine from 1943.
He looks at me with his eyes all wide and asks can I have that article to show my friend as he swears its the latest best thing going.


Note the bullet on the left it sure looks like a Remington Game Master don't it?
LOL
Regards, BPB

Monday, April 12, 2010

HSUS horse seisure a criminal act

If you're not pissed off at the HSUS already just read this article on how stupid local government is and how brazen the HSUS acts. WHEN,WHEN is the government going to pull the plug on Pacelle and his people? Probably after the human victums start suing local law enforcement over civil rights violations.

Cattle network They-Shoot-Horse--Owners-Don-t-They

AND, if ya think I'm incorrect in my thinking read this guys blog.
HSUS paving the way for liability lawsuits

What the HSUS does to people and their animals would be the equivalent of the NRA coming into a firearm collectors home and taking away his collection because he doesn't have a big enough safe like some other collectors do.

Regards,
BPB

Friday, April 2, 2010

NY Senate Codes

Senate Codes agenda for Wednesday April 7:

S-2721, Exempts manufacturers of firearm silencers from being charged
under certain sections of the penal law in certain situations
S-7142, Relates to the suspension and revocation of firearms licenses
upon the issuance of orders of protection

http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=s2721
http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=s7142