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Protect your privacy from event data recorders

August 28, 2013, 9:11 am
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Take ActionProtect your privacy from event data recorders 
Urge your representative to support federal legislation!
On June 18, U.S. Reps. Mike Capuano (D-Mass.) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) introduced H.R. 2414, the Black Box Privacy Protection Act.
The bill will protect motorcyclists’ rights by requiring manufacturers to prominently disclose to consumers if an event data recorder (commonly known as a black box) is installed on their motorcycle, the data collection capabilities of such a device, and how such data may be used. The bill clarifies that the owner of the motorcycle owns the data and it may not be accessed without the permission of the owner. Furthermore, this bill requires that manufacturers provide consumers with the option of controlling the recording function in automobiles or motorcycles manufactured in the future that are equipped with black boxes.
In other words, consumers would have the ability to turn the black box on or off.
Currently, no federal law exists that clarifies the rights of vehicle owners to ownership of the recorded data.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking requiring black boxes in all cars manufactured after Sept. 1, 2014. The NHTSA already has disclosure requirements, but the Black Box Privacy Protection Act would make the disclosure more prominent and give consumers even greater choice and privacy protections.
The American Motorcyclist Association protects motorcyclists’ freedom to ride and we support this bipartisan bill. If you are concerned that your insurer will selectively use data from a black box recorder to increase your rates, or that recorded data may be used to target you in a civil or criminal proceeding, then you—the motorcyclist—should urge your representative to support the Black Box Privacy Protection Act.
Be sure to follow the "Take Action" option to send a pre-written email directly to your representative.
You can make a donation today using our secure online feature. Every donation, no matter the amount, is appreciated. Contributions are not-tax deductible.
Make a donation today!
Now more than ever, it is crucial that you become a member of the AMA to help us protect your freedom to ride. More members means more clout against the opponents of motorcycling, and your support will help the AMA fight for your rights – on the road, trail, racetrack, and in the halls of government. To join, go toAmericanMotorcyclist.com/membership/join.
Permalink: http://www.capwiz.com/amacycle/issues/alert/?alertid=6274...
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Is the IRS Fishing for Lists of Veterans?

August 28, 2013, 9:41 am
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This is disturbing.
If the president wants to get angry about something, how about getting mad about the IRS leaping on the American Legion, requiring individual Legion posts to provide proof of their members’ eligibility, virtually accusing the veterans organization of being a cover for and sanctioning tax fraud?
As the Daily Caller has learned, this targeting of the American Legion is happening under a 13-part section of Part 4, Chapter 76 of the Internal Revenue Manual pertaining to “veterans’ organizations.” The section falls under “Exempt Organizations Examination Guidelines,” which was the jurisdiction of Exempt Organizations head Lerner.
“The American Legion has recently learned of the so-called IRS ‘audit manual’ and is concerned that portions of it attempt to amend statutes passed by Congress and approved by the president,” American Legion legal counsel Philip Onderdonk Jr. told The Daily Caller.
“The IRS now requires American Legion posts to maintain dates of service and character of service records for all members. …The penalty for not having the required proof of eligibility is, apparently, $1,000 per day,” the American Legion stated.
The American Legion, of which I’ve been a member on and off since leaving the Air Force, is a non-partisan organization chartered by Congress in 1919 that provides benefits and discounts to veterans while representing us as a group on veterans issues. It has existed for nearly a century, has never been partisan, and has never been required to furnish the information that the Obama administration is now demanding. The Obama IRS is treating this organization of veterans as if it has engaged in some wrongdoing, when it has not.
In isolation this might not be so profoundly unsettling, but it’s not happening in isolation. The Obama administration in 2009 identified veterans as potential terrorist threats in a Homeland Security report. This year, a Pentagon training guide identifies the American Founding Fathers and conservatives as “extremists.” The IRS has become a weapon against the president’s opponents, as the agency itself admitted, on May 10. Additionally, the Obama government has developed a consistent pattern of tilting toward those it perceives as its friends, while punishing those it perceives as its enemies. It could be using the Internal Revenue Service to obtain comprehensive lists of veterans around the country. If that’s the case, then a question must follow: For what purpose?
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NEW YORK - Appeals Court: Asking For Lawyer Doesn’t Imply Guilt

August 29, 2013, 12:59 am
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August 27, 2013 by UPI - United Press International, Inc. 

NEW YORK, (UPI) – Prosecutors may not use a suspect’s request for a lawyer during police questioning as evidence of guilt, a U.S. appeals court in New York ruled.

A suspect’s silence alone in police interrogations isn’t enough to trigger Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, citing a June U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

But requesting an attorney during a police interrogation before arrest automatically triggers such protections and the government was wrong when it used a suspect’s sudden silence during the interrogation in making a case for his guilt, the appeals court said.

“A request for a lawyer in response to law enforcement questioning suffices to put an officer on notice that the individual means to invoke the privilege,” the court said in a case involving a man convicted of trying to sneak a foreign national into the United States.

The appeals ordered a new trial for Tayfun Okatan, convicted by a jury in 2011 of three charges of trying to bring German citizen Munir Uysal illegally into the United States.

Okatan did not bring Uysal into the United States, and the evidence of his guilt “was purely circumstantial and far from overwhelming,” the court said in recounting the lower court proceedings in Albany, N.Y.

Yet, a federal prosecutor told the Albany jury the defendant’s sudden silence after asking for a lawyer revealed the “kind of conduct that someone who’s been caught engaged in,” the appeals court said.

That is unconstitutional, the court ruled.

“The Fifth Amendment guaranteed Okatan a right to react to the question without incriminating himself, and he successfully invoked that right,” said the court, whose ruling can be found at tinyurl.com/UPI-Appeals-Court-Ruling.

The prosecutor’s comment to the jury about the defendant’s failure to testify was, in effect, a penalty “for exercising a constitutional privilege,” the court said, quoting the Supreme Court.

“In order for the privilege to be given full effect, individuals must not be forced to choose between making potentially incriminating statements and being penalized for refusing to make them,” the appeals court said.

“Accordingly, we conclude that where, as here, an individual is interrogated by an officer, even prior to arrest, his invocation of the privilege against self-incrimination and his subsequent silence cannot be used by the government in its case in chief as substantive evidence of guilt,” the court ruled.

The Justice Department had no immediate comment on the ruling.

Filed Under: Breaking Now, From The Wire, Liberty News
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U.S. Dominates Volume Of Government Requests For Facebook User Info Worldwide

August 29, 2013, 12:59 am
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August 27, 2013 by Ben Bullard 

Facebook has released a tally sheet enumerating how many times governments have requested information on individual users over the first six months of 2013. In all, there have been more than 25,000 requests from national governments worldwide – and, as you might have guessed, the U.S. is at the front of the pack.

The release, dubbed the “Global Government Requests Report,” not only shows the frequency with which Facebook is approached by governments requesting information, but the number of times Facebook has complied.

Facebook honored 79 percent of the estimated 12,000 U.S. government requests it received in an effort to gain information on an estimated 20,000 individual users.

As Adi Robertson of tech website The Verge explains, the nature of the requests range from trifling to significant.


The table lists anything made by any government branch, from standard law enforcement to more covert activities, and it includes requests for all kinds of information. That means we’re looking at everything from a police subpoena asking for a burglar’s account email address to a secret court order for the IP address of a protestor.

… These numbers appear to have risen slightly from Facebook’s estimates in 2012. Unlike all other country data, the US numbers can’t even be reported exactly. The gag orders associated with FBI national security letters and FISA court requests make it difficult to talk about many orders at all, and Facebook was only allowed to start mentioning them in ranges in June.

As you’ll see on the Facebook press release page, the U.S. is indeed the only country whose numbers are mere estimates; all others are presented with single-digit precision.

Filed Under: Liberty News, Staff Reports
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USA - With cameras watching, your car isn't your castle

August 29, 2013, 12:59 am
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By ANNE FLAHERTY and CALVIN WOODWARD
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — You can drive, but you can’t hide.
A rapidly growing network of police cameras is capturing, storing and sharing data on license plates, making it possible to stitch together people’s movements whether they are stuck in a commute, making tracks to the beach or up to no good.
For the first time, the number of license tag captures has reached the millions, according to a study published Wednesday by the American Civil Liberties Union based on information from hundreds of law enforcement agencies. Departments keep the records for weeks or years, sometimes indefinitely, saying they can be crucial in tracking suspicious cars, aiding drug busts, finding abducted children and more.
Attached to police cars, bridges or buildings — and sometimes merely as an app on a police officer’s smartphone — scanners capture images of passing or parked vehicles and pinpoint their locations, uploading that information into police databases..
Over time, it’s unlikely many vehicles in a covered area escape notice. And with some of the information going into regional databases encompassing multiple jurisdictions, it’s becoming easier to build a record of where someone has been and when, over a large area.
While the Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that a judge’s approval is needed to use GPS to track a car, networks of plate scanners allow police effectively to track a driver’s location, sometimes several times every day, with few legal restrictions. The ACLU says the scanners are assembling a “single, high-resolution image of our lives.”
“There’s just a fundamental question of whether we’re going to live in a society where these dragnet surveillance systems become routine,” said Catherine Crump, a staff attorney with the organization. The group is proposing that police departments immediately delete any records of cars not linked to any crime.
Although less thorough than GPS tracking, plate readers can produce some of the same information, the group says, revealing whether someone is frequenting a bar, joining a protest, getting medical or mental help, being unfaithful to a spouse and much more.
In Minneapolis, for example, eight mobile and two fixed cameras captured data on 4.9 million license plates from January to August 2012, the Star Tribune reported. Among those whose movements were recorded: Mayor R.T. Rybak, whose city-owned cars were tracked at 41 locations in a year.
A Star Tribune reporter’s vehicle was tracked seven times in a year, placing him at a friend’s house three times late at night, other times going to and from work — forming a picture of the dates, times and coordinates of his daily routine. Until the city temporarily classified such data late last year, anyone could ask police for a list of when and where a car had been spotted.
As the technology becomes cheaper and more widespread, even small police agencies are able to deploy more sophisticated surveillance systems. The federal government has been a willing partner, offering grants to help equip departments, in part as a tool against terrorism.
Law enforcement officials say the scanners are strikingly efficient. The state of Maryland told the ACLU that troopers could “maintain a normal patrol stance” while capturing up to 7,000 license plate images in a single eight-hour shift.
“At a time of fiscal and budget constraints, we need better assistance for law enforcement,” said Harvey Eisenberg, assistant U.S. attorney in Maryland.
Law enforcement officials say the technology automates a practice that’s been around for years. The ACLU found that only five states have laws governing license plate readers. New Hampshire, for example, bans the technology except in narrow circumstances, while Maine and Arkansas limit how long plate information can be stored.
“There’s no expectation of privacy” for a vehicle driving on a public road or parked in a public place, said Lt. Bill Hedgpeth, a spokesman for the Mesquite Police Department in Texas. The department has records stretching back to 2008, although the city plans next month to begin deleting files older than two years.
In Yonkers, N.Y., just north of New York City’s Bronx, police said retaining the information indefinitely helps detectives solve future crimes. In a statement, the department said it uses license plate readers as a “reactive investigative tool” that is only accessed if detectives are looking for a particular vehicle in connection with a crime.
“These plate readers are not intended nor used to follow the movements of members of the public,” the department said.
Even so, the records add up quickly. In Jersey City, N.J., for example, the population is 250,000, but the city collected more than 2 million plate images in a year. Because the city keeps records for five years, the ACLU estimates that it has some 10 million on file, making it possible for police to plot the movements of most residents, depending upon the number and location of the scanners.
The ACLU study, based on 26,000 pages of responses from 293 police departments and state agencies across the country, found that license plate scanners produced a small fraction of “hits,” or alerts to police that a suspicious vehicle had been found.
In Maryland, for example, the state reported reading about 29 million plates between January and May of last year. Of that number, about 60,000 — or roughly 1 in every 500 license plates — were suspicious. The main offenses: a suspended or revoked registration, or a violation of the state’s emissions inspection program, altogether accounting for 97 percent of alerts.
Even so, Eisenberg, the assistant U.S. attorney, said the program has helped authorities track 132 wanted suspects and can make a critical difference in keeping an area safe.
Also, he said, Maryland has rules in place restricting access. Most records are retained for one year, and the state’s privacy policies are reviewed by an independent board, Eisenberg noted.
At least in Maryland, “there are checks, and there are balances,” he said.
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New Research Supports the Notion That There’s No Such Thing as a “Consensual” Police Encounter

August 30, 2013, 12:59 am
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he U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that police officers can briefly detain and search a person if they have a reasonable, articulable suspicion that he or she is committing, has committed, or is about to commit a crime. But cops need no such reasonable, articulable suspicions to engage people in consensual encounters: interactions that a reasonable person would feel free to decline or terminate at any time. Ordinary people are free to stop and talk to strangers, the thinking goes. Why should police officers be denied the same privilege?
And yet, as I’ve writtenbefore, a consensual police encounter is often anything but. Cops have guns, and handcuffs, and the power to arrest you or make your life difficult if you are rude or uncooperative. If a cop asks for a moment of our time, most of us will automatically give it, even if we know that we technically have the right to refuse.
This seems obvious, if you think about it. But there hasn’t been much research done to substantiate the theory. A new article in the Florida Coastal Law Reviewattempts to fill that gap. The article, titled “Testing Judicial Assumptions of the ‘Consensual’ Encounter: An Experimental Study” (it’s not yet online), provides some evidence supporting the contention that consensual police encounters are often less consensual than they seem.

Authors Alisa L. Smith, Erik Dolgoff, and Dana Stewart Speer engineered unexpected encounters between 83 undergraduate students at a “medium-sized, southern private university” and various campus security officers, who were instructed to approach the students and request a conversation in which they would ask for the students’ names, identification, and reasons for being on campus. The security officers did not openly state that the conversation was voluntary. But Smith and her co-authors note that if “at any point during the encounter a participant ignored, walked away from, or raised questions about the encounter, security was instructed to do nothing or advise the passersby that they were under no obligation to comply.”
Security never got the chance. Every single student in the study complied with the officers and answered all their questions. None of them offered any resistance. Why were the students so docile? Out of respect for authority, primarily:
• “I did not [walk away or ignore him] because he’s my authoritative figure and I was always taught to listen to authority.” (Respondent 8)
• “Out of respect I guess.” (Respondent 11)
• “He’s security. He has authority.” (Respondent 27)
• “It’s security. You do what they say.” (Respondent 28)
• “It’s a hierarchy. They are in charge.” (Respondent 29)
• “He has authority over me.” (Respondent 31)
Now, “respect for authority” wasn’t the only reason why the students decided to talk to the security officers. (Some students said they just wanted to avoid conflict; some said they had no reason not to talk to the officers, because they were doing nothing wrong.) And there are limits to what can be extrapolated from this study. The subjects were all between 18 and 21 years old, which likely skewed the results; a wider range of ages may well have led to a wider range of reactions. Also, it’s possible that the subjects might have reacted differently, or out of different motivations, if they had been approached by, well, real cops rather than campus security officers. More research is clearly warranted.
But as Smith and her co-authors note, the results of the study still “show that judicial assumptions are flawed about the reactions of reasonable, innocent people during ‘consensual’ encounters with police.” This paper suggests, at least preliminarily, that the “consensual” police encounter is a fiction. And with more empirical research like this, maybe the courts will start rethinking consensual encounters, too.

Crime is Slate’s crime blog. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @slatecrime.
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UTAH - Law enforcement preps for Labor Day

August 30, 2013, 12:59 am
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CEDAR CITY — The upcoming Labor Day weekend will see an increased presence of law enforcement not only to deal with the normal increase of vehicles, but also with the Bandidos Motorcycle Club rally taking place near Todd’s Junction on state Route 14.

Sgt. Jimmy Roden, public information officer for the Cedar City Police Department, said there will be an increased number of vehicles on the roadways and drivers are encouraged to ensure all occupants of the vehicle are wearing seatbelts. Drivers should limit distractions, should not drive while fatigued and, as always, plan to have a designated driver when alcohol is being consumed.

While the Bandidos rally will take place in Kane County, Bandidos members are expected to visit and lodge in Cedar City. Roden said more than 1,000 members of the Bandidos may visit Southern Utah over the weekend.

Roden said the Bandidos club is recognized by the FBI as an “Outlaw Motorcycle Gxxg” and individual members of the Bandido Motorcycle Club have a “history reflecting criminal conduct.”

But while criminal history may hold true for some members, Roden said it should not be a stereotype placed on all club members.

Roden added local residents who may feel intimidated by the presence of motorcycle club members should know public safety and order will be maintained and criminal conduct will not be tolerated.

“Cedar City Police Department has taken necessary steps to ensure public safety during the Labor Day weekend,” Roden said in a press release. “Our residents will see a significant increase in the number of police officers patrolling our City this Labor Day weekend, to include police officers from other jurisdictions providing us with additional manpower and resources.

Other agencies are teaming together to beef up security in preparation for the holiday weekend and biker rally.

“We’ve called in some assistance from the state troopers and surrounding law enforcement agencies,” Kane County Chief Deputy Tracy Glover told The Spectrum and Daily News earlier this month. “We’re ready for this and we will have plenty of law enforcement out.”

Washington County Sheriff Cory Pulsipher also confirmed his department will be assisting Kane County during this time.

“I’ve been putting my guys through some additional training to prepare for this event.” Pulsipher said.

Iron County Sheriff Mark Gower told The Spectrum and Daily News his office will be fully staffed over the weekend. Gower said while people should be aware of their surroundings, there is no reason to panic or to change holiday plans.

http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20130827/NEWS01/308270014/
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ARIZONA - Still no charges filed in Iron Brotherhood bar figh

August 30, 2013, 12:59 am
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Eight months after the Iron Brotherhood bar fight in Prescott, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office still has not filed charges against any members.

In the Dec. 22, 2012, incident, members of the motorcycle gang - composed of retired and current law enforcement and public safety employees - broke a man's nose following a confrontation. The fight, which was captured on a surveillance camera, took place at Moctezuma's bar, which has since changed its name to The Whiskey Row Pub.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety released a report on the incident in April, and the findings were subsequently handed to the attorney's office. Although four months have passed since then, Maricopa County Attorney's Office spokesman Jerry Cobb said the DPS report is still under review.

"At this point, there has not been a charging decision, but we're still reviewing the case. It has not been declined," Cobb said. "We're reviewing that investigation for filing formal charges. That's what we do for every case."

Cobb could not confirm when the office would complete the review.

"Every case is different. Some are charged very quickly. Some take longer and require additional investigation," he said.

The DPS report recommended that charges of felony obstruction of criminal investigations and misdemeanor charges of false reporting to law enforcement be filed against former Prescott Valley Police Chief Bill Fessler and former Partners Against Narcotics Trafficking Sgt. Bill Suttle - both members of the Iron Brotherhood. Charges of disorderly conduct were also recommended against Justin Stafford, the man whose nose was broken in the Dec. 22, 2012, altercation.

Other charges include possible misdemeanor and disorderly conduct charges against Phoenix police officer Eric Amato and Ajo Ambulance paramedic Gregory Kaufmann, also members of the motorcycle gang.

Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Deputy Mark Boan, fired last May in connection with his conduct during the DPS investigation, appealed his firing in July.

The appeal, conducted July 16, 19 and 22, ultimately upheld his termination. That appeal was heard by members of a county merit commission, said Yavapai County Assistant Human Resources Director Wendy Ross.

Others involved in the incident faced disciplinary action following internal reviews from a number of law enforcement agencies. Prescott Valley Police Department Cpl. Jason Kaufman received a week off without pay, six months of disciplinary probation and a written reprimand. Cpl. Tyran Payne's actions during the incident remain under review, said Interim Prescott Valley Police Department Police Chief James Edelstein.

"We don't know the results of the investigation yet," Edelstein said.

In July, DPS Spokesman Bart Graves said DPS Officer Bryce Bigelow faced termination for his actions during the incident.

http://dcourier.com/Main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=122580
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AUSTRALIA - Treating tattooists like criminals won't stop organised crime

August 30, 2013, 12:59 am
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he manager of a local tattoo parlour says treating tattooists like criminals won't work to crackdown on organised crime.

Under new licensing laws, NSW tattoo operators and employees can be slugged with fines of up to $11,000 a day if they are not licensed by October.

In an effort to crack down on bikie related crime the New South Wales government has introduced mandatory licensing laws for tattoo operators and employees.

Licences must be approved by the NSW Department of Fair Trading and authorised by the states' Commissioner of Police, Andrew Scipione.

Scott Raymond from Albury's Wizards of Ink Tattoo says the laws will not work and singling out the tattoo industry is not fair.

"To clean up the industry from outlawed bikie gangs and crime, god knows how a licence is going to make it any different," he said.

"The Tattooist who work here have had to have finger prints and a police check before they get issued a license to work in a tattoo shop - which is ridiculous to me."

"Because anyone who gets a tattoo is over 18 - we're not working with children."

Mr Raymond says the new laws are placing a huge burden on the industry's small businesses.

The Department of Fair Trading says licences for operators cost $2094 and individual licences cost $700.

Scott Raymond says despite putting in applications six months ago only one out of three of his staff members have had their licence approved.

He says his staff are getting anxious and he feels they have been left in the dark.

"It's been hard, even the tattooists have found it hard to get all their money together we've all struggled and managed to get our payments up there," he said.

"It's just taken so long to find out and its getting closer and closer and everyone's a little bit nervous."

"They're wondering why it's taking so long and why only one of our tattooists have got the licence so far."

"It's all just a bit nerve-wracking waiting to see whether you are going to get a licence or not."

The Albury tattooist says the regulations might help crack down on dangerous backyard trade in the industry.

Mr Raymond says his business has had to fork out over $4000 for the licences, which he hopes will help clean up the industry.

"I think it's a great thing to stop backyard tattooing and to stop people giving diseases and infections to other people," he said.

"Because you have to be tattooed in a shop that's been passed by the health department and passed by the council - you can't do it in your kitchen or your spare bedroom at home.

"But as for stopping criminal enterprises I don't think it's going to work, no."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-20/treating-tattooist-like-criminals-won27t-work-to-crackdown-gan/4898544?&section=news
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SAN DIEGO, CA - Police cracking down on motorcyclists..

August 30, 2013, 12:59 am
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SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A special Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation will be conducted by police Sunday with officers cracking down on motorcyclists found driving intoxicated, speeding or making illegal turns or other dangerous maneuvers.
On-duty and extra officers will target areas frequented by motorcyclists and those prone to motorcycle crashes.
"Motorcycle fatalities saw a phenomenal 37 percent drop from 2008 to 2010, but rose nearly 18 percent in 201l," San Diego Police officer Mark McCullough said. "Operations like this are aimed at curbing any more rises in motorcycle deaths and sending the numbers back downward."
California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle- involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs.
The San Diego Police Department is also reminding all motorists to be alert and watch out for motorcyclists, especially when turning and changing lanes.
Riders can get training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at www.CA-msporg or by calling 1-877-743-3411.
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Biker, builder, actor, ex-con

August 31, 2013, 12:59 am
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By SUSAN CARPENTER

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
scarpenter@ocregister.com
Rusty Coones has lived what could easily be a "Sons of Anarchy" plot line.
A tower of a man with tattooed arms jutting from his sides like turrets, Coones is a longstanding Hells Angel and bike builder who owns Illusion Motorsports in Westminster – a custom shop that specializes in burly black bikes that would be right at home on the hit FX show that re-imagines "Hamlet" with a gun-running motorcycle club doling out eye-for-an-eye justice in a small California town.
With recent appearances on "Sons of Anarchy" and bikes he's built for the show's creator, Coones blurs the line between reality and fiction. In two episodes leading up to Tuesday's grisly season finale, Coones played Quinn, president of a Sons of Anarchy Nomads charter, riding one of his own Illusion customs. Coones says he'll be back on "Sons" next season in the role that has him playing himself, essentially. In real life, he was president of the Angels' San Fernando Valley and Orange County chapters.
It's well-known that "Sons of Anarchy" creator and executive producer Kurt Sutter regularly consults with the Hells Angels to ensure the show's authenticity. Coones first met Sutter when show creator and lead actor Charlie Hunnam came to an open house at the Illusion shop in 2008, after which he was asked to build a custom bike that was featured in the DVD extras for the show's third season and later auctioned for charity.
Sutter then commissioned an Illusion bike of his own: A Hellrazor that is, like all Illusion customs, black, with chromed parts that appear to have been shot through with bullets.
Sutter's involvement with Coones didn't stop there. Sutter featured three songs from Coones' rock-metal band Attika 7 in the FX show and eventually cast the 6-foot, 5-inch bike builder to appear on screen.
Coones has been in prison twice – first for drugs and guns and later for conspiracy to distribute an illicit chemical used to make methamphetamine. A central California native, he bought Illusion Motorsports in 1999 but was arrested on a drug-conspiracy charge a few months later. While he was in federal prison, his wife Katherine ran the business "so Rusty would come home to a purpose," she said.
After almost six years of "bad food, bad company and a bad time," Coones said, he came home to the purpose of his shop, only to ride head on into the worst economy in decades.
"Right when I got back, I had all these high hopes of resurrecting Illusion. I thought we could get a dealer network going. And every step of the way we ran into problems because everything was collapsing as we were trying to come up," said Coones, who, like his bikes, is clad entirely in black.
"Sons of Anarchy," it seems, came along at just the right time.
"This whole 'Sons of Anarchy' connection is a plus for anybody," said Coones, who is working on four different bike projects, including an $80,000 Hellrazor bagger that tips the scales at 850 pounds and is distinguished by an enormous 26-inch front wheel. Coones is also in the earliest stages of developing his own reality TV program.
"Any time you're associated with a show with over 5 million viewers, it will legitimize you – even when you're somebody like me who's been in prison several times and happens to be a Hells Angel."
Contact the writer:scarpenter@ocregister.com or Twitter @OCRcarpenter
Article Tab: Rusty Coones, owner of Illusion Cycles, is shown with the 2010 Hellrazor S/T built for the Wounded Warriors Foundation by Kurt Sutter, creator of Sons of Anarchy and Illusion Cycles and FX.
Rusty Coones, owner of Illusion Cycles, is shown with the 2010 Hellrazor S/T built for the Wounded Warriors Foundation by Kurt Sutter, creator of "Sons of Anarchy" and Illusion Cycles and FX.
LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
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Ten Most Notorious Outlaw Biker Gangs

August 31, 2013, 12:58 am
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Ten Most Notorious Outlaw Biker Gangs.

BY: William J. Felchner
Source: factoidz.com
US - The outlaw biker gang can trace its origins to the period after World War II where returning veterans and other roadies began to organize themselves in clubs, pining for the freedom, action and nonconformity that the motorcycle offered. One of the seminal events in outlaw biker history was "The Hollister Riot," which took place over the July Fourth 1947 holiday weekend in Hollister, California, where some 4,000 motorcycle enthusiasts invaded the small town. The ensuing ruckus was later sensationalized in the July 21, 1947, issue of Life magazine, marking a famous milestone in biker history.
The Hollister Gypsy Tour, as the event was billed, included the Boozefighters, a South Central Los Angeles motorcycle club founded in 1946 by World War II vet William "Wino Willie" Forkner (1921-1997). Forkner reveled in his reputation as a biker hellraiser, and reportedly served as the inspiration for Lee Marvin's Chino character in Columbia Pictures' The Wild One (1953), which also starred Marlon Brando as bad boy Johnny Strabler, leader of the fictional Black Rebels.

Here are ten notorious outlaw biker gangs that rule the road in biker history. These are the so-called "1%ers," the bikers who operate out of the mainstream as compared to the other 99% of motorcyclists who abide by the law and norms of society. Kick start your engines and show your colors…

Hells Angels (1948-present)

Unarguably the best-known outlaw biker gang in history, Hells Angels owes its name to World War II and possibly the 1930 Howard Hughes movie of the same name. During Big Two, there did exist the United States Army Air Forces 303rd Heavy Bombardment Group (H) of the U.S. 8th Air Force which billed itself as Hell's Angels, flying B-17 combat missions out of Molesworth, England, from 1942-45.

Hells Angels was formed in the Fontana/San Bernardino, California, area on March 17, 1948 as an offshoot of the Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington, a California motorcycle club founded in 1945 by American veterans of the air war. Other independent chapters of Hells Angels later sprouted up in Oakland, Gardena and San Francisco.

Hells Angels eventually spread its wings, with the club now sporting charters in 29 countries, including Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Russia, Greece, Denmark, France, Turkey and the Dominican Republic.The Hells Angels insignia is the infamous "death's head," designed by Frank Sadilek, a former president of the San Francisco chapter.

Both American and Canadian law enforcement have labeled the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) a crime syndicate, asserting that its members routinely engage in drug trafficking, extortion and violence. Hells Angels garnered notoriety at the Altamont Free Concert on December 6, 1969, when they were hired by the Rolling Stones to act as stage security. Mayhem ensued at the drug/alcohol fueled event that boasted of a crowd of 300,000, with four people losing their lives.

Mongols (1969-present)

The Mongols was founded on December 5, 1969 in Montebello, California, by Hispanic veterans of the Vietnam War. Reportedly denied membership in Hells Angels because of their race, the Mongols eventually branched out, currently boasting of chapters in 14 states and four foreign countries.

Law enforcement has classified the Mongols as a criminal enterprise, engaging in loan sharking, drug trafficking, racketeering, theft and murder for hire. ATF agent William Queen, using the alias Billy St. John, successfully infiltrated the Mongols in 1998, resulting in 53 Mongol convictions.

The Mongols and their hated rivals Hells Angels engaged in an infamous brawl and gunfight at Harrah's Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, in 2002. When the smoke had cleared, one Mongol and two Hells Angels lay dead on the casino floor.

Pagans (1959-present)

Lou Dobkins, a biochemist at the National Institute of Health, founded the Pagans in Prince George's County, Maryland, in 1959. By the late 1960s, the Pagans were the dominant biker club on the East Coast, riding British Triumph motorcycles (later traded in for Harley Davidsons) and sporting their distinctive patch depicting the Norse fire god Sutr wielding a flaming sword.

The Pagans currently operate in eleven states, with Delaware County, Pennsylvania, serving as their Mother chapter. American law enforcement has classified the Pagans as a criminal enterprise, engaging in a host of illegal activities, including gun running, drug trafficking, arson, methamphetamine production and distribution, prostitution, racketeering and murder for hire.

In 2002, the Pagans and Hells Angels clashed at the Hellraiser Ball in Long Island, New York, where ten people were wounded and one Pagan was allegedly shot and killed by a Hells Angels member. Three years later, the Vice President of the Hells Angels Philadelphia chapter was killed by gunfire while driving his truck on the Schuylkill Expressway, with the Pagans allegedly carrying out the hit.

Outlaws (1935-present)

The Outlaws can trace their history back to 1935 when the McCook Outlaws Motorcycle Club was formed out of Matilda's Bar on old Route 66 in McCook, Illinois. In the ensuing years, the club morphed into the McCook Outlaws, the Chicago Outlaws and the American Outlaws Association (A.O.A.). Their first out of state chapter came in Florida in 1967. In 1977, the Canadian biker gang Satan's Choice joined the Outlaws franchise, making it the first chapter outside of the United States. Today, the Outlaws are active in some 14 states, with international chapters in the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Sweden, Thailand, Norway, Poland, the Philippines, et al.

The Outlaws sport a distinctive patch comprised of a skull and crossed pistons. Their official motto, adopted in 1969, is "God forgives, Outlaws don't."

Law enforcement has categorized the Outlaws as an organized crime syndicate, engaging in drug trafficking, murder, extortion and prostitution. The Outlaws have had their run-ins with police and other biker gangs. In 2007, Outlaws member Frank Rego Vital was shot and killed outside the Crazy Horse Saloon in Forest Park, Georgia, by two Renegades motorcycle club members who had reportedly acted in self-defense.

Bandidos (1966-present)

The Bandidos was founded by Marine Corps and Vietnam War veteran Don Chambers in San Leon, Texas, in 1966. The club's official motto is "We are the people our parents warned us about," with a big Mexican in sombrero brandishing a machete and pistol adorning the club's distinctive patch. The Bandidos currently boast of 104 chapters in the United States, along with international chapters in Germany, Australia, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Costa Rica, Belgium and the Channel Islands.

Law enforcement has classified the Bandidos as an organized crime syndicate, engaging in murder, drug trafficking, money laundering, extortion, gun running and witness tampering. From 1994 to 1997 the so-called "Great Nordic Biker War" was waged in Scandinavia pitting Bandidos versus Hells Angels in a bloody turf war that resulted in eleven murders. Vagos (1965-present)

Originally called the Psychos, Vagos was formed in Temescal Valley, California, in 1965. The club's distinctive green/red patch pictures the Norse god Loki straddling a motorcycle. Vagos currently operates mainly in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

Both the FBI and the ATF consider Vagos an outlaw biker gang, engaging in drug trafficking, gun running, auto theft, money laundering and murder. In 2002, however, Vagos members turned in the estranged wife of a Pomona, California, police detective who had attempted to hire a Vagos hit man to murder her husband.

Law enforcement has successfully conducted several undercover investigations of Vagos and their illegal activities. In 2004, authorities arrested 26 Vagos members/associates and seized $125,000 in cash, drugs and weapons.

Pennsylvania Warlocks (1967-present)/Florida Warlocks (1967-present)

The Pennsylvania Warlocks was founded in Philadelphia in February 1967. The club's distinctive patch features the Harpy, the legendary winged beast from Greek mythology. The Pennsylvania Warlocks boast of chapters in New Jersey, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, Minnesota and Massachusetts. The Pennsylvania Warlocks have been linked to organized crime and methamphetamine production and distribution.

The Florida Warlocks was founded by U.S. Navy veteran Tom "Grub" Freeland in Orlando, Florida, in 1967. The club's logo is a blazing eagle while their official motto is "To find us you must be good. To catch us…you must be fast. To beat us…you must be kidding!" The Florida Warlocks have chapters in South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, the United Kingdom and Germany. The Florida Warlocks were successfully infiltrated by the ATF in 1991 and again in 2003, with convictions for drug and weapon charges resulting from the latter.

Sons of Silence (1966-present)

The Sons of Silence was founded in Niwot, Colorado, in 1966. The club sports a distinctive patch featuring the American Eagle superimposed over a large "A"– highly reminiscent of the Anheuser-Busch logo. The gang's official motto is "Donec mors non separat"– Latin for "Until death separates us."

The Sons of Silence boast of chapters in Illinois, Wyoming, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Kentucky, North Dakota, Mississippi and Germany. The Sons of Silence have been implicated in drug trafficking and weapons violations.

Highwaymen (1954-present)

The Highwaymen was established in Detroit, Michigan, in 1954. The club's distinctive patch features a winged skeleton sporting a leather jacket, motorcycle cap and the black and silver colors. "Highwaymen forever, forever Highwaymen" serves as the gang's official motto.

The Highwaymen currently have chapters in Michigan, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Norway. The Highwaymen Motorcycle Club has been the subject of intense law enforcement scrutiny through the years. In 2007, the FBI arrested 40 Detroit Highwaymen members/associates on a variety of charges, including drug trafficking, theft, racketeering, insurance fraud, police corruption and murder for hire.

Gypsy Joker (1956-present)

The Gypsy Joker was founded in San Francisco, California, on April 1, 1956. The club's official patch features a grinning skull. Forced out of San Francisco by Hells Angels, the Gypsy Joker headed north to Oregon and Washington state in the late 1960s.

The Gypsy Joker has some 35 chapters worldwide, including active clubs in Australia, Germany, South Africa and Norway. The club is especially high profile in Australia, where in 2009 five Gypsy Jokers engaged in a drug-related shootout with a rival "bikie" gang (as they are called Down Under) in Perth.

Ten More Notorious Outlaw Biker Gangs

Here are ten more infamous biker gangs, along with where established and years active.

•Free Souls (Eugene, Oregon, 1968-present) •The Breed (Asbury Park, New Jersey, 1965-present) •Rebels (Brisbane, Australia, 1969-present) •Grim Reapers (Calgary, Canada, 1967-1997) •Iron Horsemen (Cincinnati, Ohio, mid-1960s-present) •The Finks (Adelaide, Australia, 1969-present) •Brother Speed (Boise, Idaho, 1969-present) •Devils Diciples (Fontana, California, 1967-present) •Solo Angeles (Tijuana, Mexico, 1959-present) •Diablos (San Bernardino, California, 1964-present) About William J. Felchner William J. Felchner's many feature articles have appeared in such periodicals as True West, Hot Rod, Movie Collector's World, Sports Collectors Digest, Persimmon Hill, Big Reel, Corvette Quarterly, Old West, Antiques & Auction News, Storyboard, Goldmine, Autograph Collector, Warman's Today's Collector, The Paper & Advertising Collectors'
Frontier Times, Television History, Illinois and Military Trader.
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California, Undercover Officer Provides Inside Look Into Local Gang

August 31, 2013, 12:58 am
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Source: 10news.com
SANTEE, Calif. -- Authorities say a Santee-based gang, whose members include convicted felons with long rap sheets, is recruiting kids as young as 14.
Members said the group known as the "Peckerwoods" is nothing more than a motorcycle club.
An undercover police officer, who has been tracking the Peckerwoods since 2005, told 10News the group's ideology is illustrated in its members' clothing.
Jackets taken from arrested Peckerwood members showcase Nazi symbols, including the iron cross and SS bolts.
Additionally, the name Peckerwood has a deeper meaning -- it is what America's slaves called their masters.
Police said, in Santee, members wear the name as a badge of honor.
"Sometimes their beliefs -- from what we can tell -- their symbols and colors, they teach at home," the undercover officer said.
Santee resident Lyle Snow has two African-American children and was attacked by 15-year-old Trevor Solis last year. According to court records, Solis' father, Trenton, is a known Peckerwood who served prison time for crippling an African-American Marine in 1998.
"I have had a lot of cases that have involved juveniles that have looked me straight in the face and said, 'I was born a racist; I was raised a racist and you can't change that,'" the undercover officer said. "Coming out of a 14-year-old's mouth is just real surprising."
Police said the Peckerwoods recruit new members by using things such as T-shirts that say "Support your local Peckerwoods."
In 2007, police said weapons and drugs were found in a raid at the Peckerwoods' Santee clubhouse.
"I have to say, and I'm not just saying this to cover my tail, they've treated me with respect," said Santee Mayor Randy Voepel. "They are an organization that, like anyone, has a few bad apples."
10News asked Peckerwood president Ronald Luetticke for an interview, and he said in a voice message: "My attorney advised me that I probably shouldn't do it, and the other consideration I got is I have two young kids. I got two kids; I don't want to put them in any harms way."
Luetticke works professionally as a contractor and is licensed by the state of California.
The Department of Justice won't allow police to disclose how many Peckerwood members there are in San Diego County. Police did say a large majority of the members have criminal convictions.
Peckerwood board secretary Deron Jaffe came to the 10News studios unannounced Tuesday and left the following statement:
"Peckerwood Motorcycle Club was established 23 years ago with the intent of providing a brotherhood for riders of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Our club members are not racist and we do not recruit children or anyone else to become members of our club. We cannot control people outside of our club who might be racist and call themselves "Peckerwoods." We are nothing more than a motorcycle club and are not affiliated with any other groups of individuals who refer to themselves or others as "Peckerwoods." Our members are working class people with families. We don't advocate or engage in violence towards others. The Peckerwood Motorcycle club is proud of its involvement in charitable causes such as the Amber Dubois Memorial Fund and annual toy drive to benefit the orphanage in Rosarito Beach Mexico."

Peckerwoods M.C.
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Before You Sue ...

August 31, 2013, 12:59 am
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By ROBERT KAHN

     A cursory search of the Courthouse News database turned up 53 class action complaints about computer printers.
     Many of these claim that multibillion-dollar corporations, such as Hewlett-Packard, arrange it so that their printers flash a warning light that the ink cartridge is empty before the cartridge really is empty.
     Here's a simple trick for you, class-action plaintiffs.
     When that light flashes, take out the cartridge, bang it on your hand a couple of times and shake it, then put it back.
     It'll keep printing for weeks.
     Trust me on this.
     I do it all the time.
     Do it the next time the light flashes, too.
     And the time after that.
     You'll get the last ounce of ink out of your printer, and you won't have to hire an expensive law firm to file a class-action lawsuit.
     OK? You morons?
    
     Here's another idea.
     Did you run a red light, or did someone driving your car run a red light, and did you get a traffic ticket for it because a camera took a picture of your license plate, and your car, running that red light?
     Did your city ask you to pay a fine of, say, $45, or even $145?
     Do you want to file a class action lawsuit challenging the right of your city to ticket you for the fact that your car ran a red light?
     Here's a better idea: Imagine your kid riding a bicycle through an intersection, with the light, or crossing at a crosswalk. Now imagine some jerk running a red light there. Have a nice day.
    
     As I wrote in a previous column, more than 5,000 sexual harassment lawsuits are filed in our civil courts each year, most of them by women suing bosses or co-workers.
     Here's an idea, women: Rather than letting it get to the courts, why not punch the guy in the face the first time it happens?
     I know, I know: Women are not raised or trained to do this.
     You could be sued for punching your boss, or just for decking a co-worker.
     Still, I think it's a better option than relying on the courts.
     The first time a guy grabs your butt at work, punch him in the face. Hard.
     Make a fist, with your thumb on the outside, not on the inside, and punch him as hard as you can in the nose.
     Think of it as a favor to the judicial system.
    
     Finally, to go from the vile to the ridiculous:
     Did you ever find an insect, or part of an insect, in your vegetables?
     Did seeing that bug make you feel bad?
     Did you want to sue someone?
     Think for a minute.
     Do you know where vegetables come from?
     Do you think it's reasonable to sue someone for finding an insect in your vegetables?
     Did you know that insects contain valuable protein?
    
     I have more ideas about how to save money and improve the courts. But let's try these for a while and see how they work. 
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CALIFORNIA - Patrols for motorcycle safety and DUI set for the valley

September 1, 2013, 12:59 am
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http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2013/05/16/3015958/patrols-for-motorcycle-safety.html
Patrols for motorcycle safety and DUI set for the valley

The California Highway Patrol will be conducting a Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation throughout the Central Valley today in an effort to reduce the number of deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where multiple crashes have occurred. The operation is part of Motorcycle Safety Month and is being done to try to curb the rise in the number of motorcycle deaths seen over last few years.
Chowchilla News - Statewide motorcycle fatalities were down 37 percent from 2008 to 2010 and then began to shoot back up in 2011. CHOWCHILLA NEWS Statewide motorcycle fatalities were down 37 percent from 2008 to 2010 and then began to shoot back up in 2011. The numbers in Merced County have been consistent, with an average of 71 motorcycle accidents a year and about two deaths annually. Officers will be keeping an eye out for passenger vehicles and motorcycles operated by those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, making illegal turns or committing other dangerous acts. "It's an operation that will be held throughout all 17 areas in the Central Valley," Fresno public information officer Johnny Fisher said. "We're trying to crack down on high-risk behaviors or just motorcyclists that are in over their heads. "We want the drivers to be more conscious of the other vehicles around them, and for people to look out for motorcycles. A lot of these accidents aren't the motorcyclist's fault. Passenger vehicles just don't notice they are there," Fisher said.

http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123348402
Safety saves lives for military motorcyclists

Posted 5/15/2013
by Chris Ward Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs

- EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Army & Air Force Exchange Service knows that safety is no accident; that's why the Exchange is committed to providing a wide selection of Personal Protective Equipment, which could make the difference between life and death for military motorcyclists.
According to Army and Air Force safety centers, 65 Soldiers and Airmen lost their lives in motorcycle accidents in fiscal year 2012.
"Riding with the right safety equipment is extremely important," said the Exchange's Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Tony Pearson. "That's why our motorcycle safety gear consists of sturdy helmets, gloves, vests and more, all designed to increase visibility and help protect riders."
The Exchange PPE includes high-quality motorcycle gear and an assortment of reflective products. Safety gear along with skills learned in motorcycle safety training classes combine to increase survival and prevent injuries.
Motorcycle riders can browse the Exchange's PPE selection in store or online at www.shopmyexchange.com

http://napavalleyregister.com/calistogan/news/opinion/mailbag/calistoga-should-address-motorcycle-noise/article_e8d1585a-bdb9-11e2-9ccc-0019bb2963f4.html
Calistoga should address motorcycle noise

Calistoga should address motorcycle noise
Don Scott
May 15, 2013 4:48 pm •

I have written to you several times on this subject. In my last letter, I said that I was encouraged by our meeting with Police Chief Mitch Celaya where we discussed the problem of motorcycle noise.
At the meeting, we explained to Chief Celaya that the bikes that we are hearing in town and nearby are ones that have had their exhausts modified to make excessive noise.
Motorcycles with their original or stock replacement mufflers are reasonably quiet. I have read estimates that most Harleys have had their exhausts tampered with to create more noise.
Based on what I observe of the bikes visiting Calistoga, that is certainly the case.
Now, after several weeks have passed since our meeting I would say that I am not encouraged that anything will be done to police the noise problem.
My last communication from Chief Celaya did not clarify if any bikes had been cited since he became chief, or whether there are plans to begin making an effort to quiet the town.
I was told that the police department has other priorities, and that decibel metering of the noise would need to be done, which is beyond the scope of the department. Also, I was told that since I live outside city limits, the city cannot deal with the noise outside their borders.
I do not agree with either of these statements. Very loud vehicles can be cited under CA VC 27150 based on the discretion of the officer. If decibel meters were needed to cite any loud vehicle, it would be impossible to ever write a ticket for this offense.
The loud bikes that are travelling on Highway 29 and on Silverado Trail are either going to, or coming from, Calistoga. These bikes could be cited when they are within the city limits.
I have been in contact with a retired police officer who has had a lot of experience with citing loud bikes. I asked him about the level of noise that he found from his own tests.
He told me this about bikes that he had stopped for excessive noise: “On average, the idle test revealed decibel output levels around 96 to 100. The RPM test revealed decibel levels from around 96 to 115+. These bikes were emitting at least two-to-four times the noise permitted by the EPA.”
The CA VC regulations state that the maximum noise level of bikes made from 1985 on is limited to 80 decibels. Decibel readings are a logarithmic measure, so when a bike is reading 110 dbA, it is perceived as three times as loud as one that is at 80 dbA.
The noise levels are extreme from motorcycles with tampered exhaust systems, and that is why one can hear a bike with illegal exhaust from a distance of a mile or two away.
I just was in town on both Friday and Saturday, and had a coffee on Lincoln Avenue. The motorcycle noise at times was uncomfortably loud, so much so that conversation was impossible.
Other cities, such as Novato and St. Helena, do cite loud bikes. Why can’t the City of Calistoga also address this problem?









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USA - The Marketing Of Police Militarism

September 1, 2013, 12:59 am
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By Radley Balko  
enco, Inc., makes the Bearcat, an armored personnel carrier that's popping up in cities, towns, and counties across the country. Last year, Jim Massery, a spokesman for the company, told me they now have Bearcats in 90 of the 100 largest cities in America. They also have them in lots of smaller, even tiny towns like Keene, New Hampshire. These cities and towns are buying the vehicles with anti-terror grants from the Department of Homeland Security, at a cost of a few hundred thousand dollars each.
Critics (like me) say arming every small-town police department in the country with gear more suited for a battlefield is fostering a militarized, aggressive mindset in America's police forces. Moreover, because most small towns will never see a school shooting or terrorist attack, once the gear is in place it inevitably gets used for more mundane police tasks -- mostly drug raids. But because this stuff is "free" -- the federal government foots the bill -- there's usually no local discussion or debate about whether it's appropriate for domestic policing. (There was such a debate in Keene. Residents protested, but the town went ahead with the Bearcat, anyway.)
At the time I wrote my article on Keene, Lenco was using an interesting video to market the Bearcat. Shot from a first-person-shooter point of view, the video included images of cops dressed in camouflage, shooting high-powered weapons, eventually using a battering ram affixed to the Bearcat to punch a hole in a building, through which the vehicle then injected teargas. All of this was set to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck."

After the video received some criticism, Lenco sent a take-down notice to Google, and it was removed from YouTube. I'm republishing it here, because I think there are political and policy reasons to let the public see how these companies are marketing themselves to police agencies. They wouldn't use these images if they weren't effective at winning business. And that this sort of highly-militarized imagery is effective at attracting the interest of police agencies -- why that is, and what it means -- are issues worth discussing.
I bring this up again because Lenco recently released a new video, this time for public consumption. This time, the company is promoting its brand by appropriating images from the manhunt and crackdown in Boston after the April marathon bombing. I'll let you decide if this is creepy propaganda or merely a government contractor celebrating the heroism of police in the wake of a tragedy.
What I find most interesting here is the difference in tone and tenor between the way Lenco markets its products to police -- camouflage, guns firing, ass-kicking, Thunderstruck -- and the face it presents to the public: still images of heroic cops protecting and serving, set to classical piano. The first video is aggressive and confrontational. The second video aspires for inspiring. The contrast is telling.
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DOWN AT THE YARD..

September 1, 2013, 12:59 am
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1%er defined - One Percenters, Gangs and Outlaws.

September 2, 2013, 12:58 am
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1%er defined

NOTE: This is the defininition given in Wiki-pedia, if you belive anything to be an error, please e-mail us and we will check it out.
One Percenters, Gangs and Outlaws.

Motorcycle clubs are often perceived as criminal organizations or, at best, gangs of hoodlums or thugs by traditional society. This perception has been fueled by the movies, popular culture, and highly publicized isolated incidents, the earliest of which was a brawl in Hollister, California in 1947 between members of the Boozefighters MC (motto: a drinking club with a motorcycle problem) and the Pissed Off Bastards MC (precursor to the Hells Angels).
The press asked the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) to comment, and their response was that 99% of motorcyclists were law-abiding citizens, and the last one percent were outlaws. Thus was born the term, "one percenter".

During the 1940's and 1950's, at rallies and gatherings sponsored by the AMA, prizes were awarded for nicest club uniform, prettiest motorcycle, and so forth. Some clubs, however, rejected the clean-cut image and adopted the "one percenter" moniker, even going so far as to create a diamond (rhombus) shaped patch labeled "1%" to wear on their vests as a badge of honor.

The 1% patch is also used to instill fear and respect from the general public and other motorcyclists. Other clubs wore (and still wear) upside down AMA patches.

*Another practice was to cut their one piece club patches into three or more pieces as a form of protest, which evolved into the current form of three piece colors worn by many MCs today.
One percent clubs point out that the term simply means that they are simply committed to "biking and brotherhood", where riding isn't a weekend activity, but a way of living. These clubs assert that local and national law enforcement agencies have co-opted the term to paint them as criminals.

While it is a fact that individual members of some MCs, and even entire chapters have engaged in felonious behavior, other members and supporters of these clubs insist that these are isolated occurrences and that the clubs, as a whole, are not criminal organizations. They often compare themselves to police departments, wherein the occasional "bad cop" does not make a police department a criminal organization, either.

At least one biker website has a news section devoted to "cops gone bad" to support their point of view.
Many one percenter clubs, including the Hells Angels, sponsor charitable events throughout the year for such causes as Salvation Army shelters and Toys for Tots.

Alternatively, both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Criminal Intelligence Service Canada (CISC) have designated certain MCs as Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs), among them the Pagans, Hells Angels, Outlaws MC, and Bandidos.

Canada, especially, has experienced a significant upsurge in crime involving members and associates of these MCs, most notably in what has been dubbed the Quebec Biker war.
Some members of the Hells Angels MC have been indicted on various charges, including RICO charges, murder, robbery, extortion, trafficking in stolen and VIN-switched motorcycles, methamphetamine and cocaine distribution.

In April, 2006, eight members or associates of the Bandidos MC were found murdered in a farm field in Ontario, Canada in what police have described as an internal cleansing of the Bandidos organization. One of the men charged with the murders is, himself, a Bandidos MC full patch member.

As recently as September 29, 2006, the president and another officer of the San Francisco chapter of the Hells Angels were indicted on charges of methamphetamine and cocaine distribution.

http://www.bikerdotcom.com/
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USA - Law on Locking-Blade Pocket Knives

September 2, 2013, 12:59 am
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By Lawrence Adams, eHow Contributor
Where the law on firearm ownership across the nation and among states is often clear, the laws and regulations concerning pocket knives can be rather vague and subject to sudden change. The federal laws regulating concealed and open pocket knife carry are, in most cases, more general than state and city laws. Because many of the regulations concerning pocket knives are derived through case law, these regulations are constantly changing and difficult to find.

Federal Law

  • Federal law prohibits the carrying of all ballistic or automatic knives. These are knives with gas- or spring-powered blades that are released by a button. The mailing or transportation of switchblade knives across state lines is prohibited unless intended for military use. The concealed carry of a locking-blade pocket knife with a blade of two and a-half inches or less is allowed under federal law.

State Law

  • State laws uphold the same prohibitory stance of switchblade and ballistic knives as outlined in the federal law. Because pocket knife regulations are set up through case law, and because each state has a unique set of laws that new case law is built upon, laws regarding the concealed and open carry of pocket knives differ drastically. In most cases, it is safe to carry a locking-blade pocket knife with a blade two inches long or less.

Local Law

  • Local law varies even more widely than state law when it comes to pocket knives. In Arizona, for instance, the state law allows the carry of pocket knives with blades of four inches and less. In Flagstaff and Florence, Arizona, however, you may only carry knives with blades of three inches or less. Among local knife law it is common for larger metropolis areas to lower limits for legal blade length.

Punishment

  • Prosecutions based solely on the possession or concealed carry of a prohibited pocket knife are extremely rare. However, the violation of a knife law is considered by law enforcement professionals to be a weapons violation, which carries a long list of consequences that can affect one's ability to own any firearms, possess a valid driver's license or be employed.

Prohibited Knives

  • While federal law prohibits only switchblade and ballistic knives, many states include additional varieties of pocket knives on the list of dangerous weapons. Gravity knives, even locking-blade gravity knives, are outlawed in most states. These knives include butterfly knives and any pocket knife that opens by gravitational or centripetal force. Push daggers, which are similar to brass knuckles and often considered a type of pocket knife in legislation, are also illegal in most states.
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USA - Quick summary of knife laws

September 2, 2013, 12:59 am
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by Carl Donath
After following rec.knives for a while, it became obvious that a quick summary of knife laws would be handy. Here's what little I've been able to glean from my reading.
My goal is to find the clear portion of what is flat-out legal and easily summarized. I realize most states confuse the issue unmercifully; I'll let others figure out how to push the limits.
WARNING: This document is created from hearsay and whatever laws I could find. For legal advice, ask a lawyer. I could be lying. I only provide this to try to slightly improve the general lack of information on this subject. YOU are responsible for your own actions. If you don't know exactly what the laws are for any state or locale you are in, GO FIND OUT. (http://www.ncsl.org/public/sitesleg.htm is a good start, containing pointers to all state legislative sites.) I haven't updated this for a while, so consider it a cursory guide.

Explaination

State (hyperlink goes to detailed explaination)
  • Summary:

    • Basically, I want to answer the question "I'm flying to state X tomorrow, so which knife can I take?"
  • Max length:

    • Size limit, measured the most unpleasant way possible. Some may permit longer in certain cases, but I won't suggest anything longer if it's in a gray area.
  • Specifically illegal:

    • Specific styles which are explicitly forbidden.
    Switchblade = Push a button/lever, it does the rest.
    Gravity knives = Opened by gravity or centrifigual force. Butterfly knives (balisongs) included.
  • Relevant laws:

    • A quick pointer to roughly where the relevant laws are (ex. Penal Code 642)
  • Quirks:

    • Dark humor points (ex: a 1" lockback in a pocket is illegal, but a 15" Bowie swinging free is ok)
  • Local restrictions:

    • City/county restrictions.
BTW So many places forbid sharp things in schools that this sentence is the only place I'll mention this: assume posession of knives in schools - even colleges - is illegal.
Use this as guidance: kids have been suspended for mere posession of nail clippers.

US Knife Law Summary

  • Ballistic knives (automatic blade throwers) are prohibited.
  • Switchbladesmay not be transported/mailed across state lines unless the recipient intends to use it for military use.
  • Possessing a knife in a federal facility is prohibited unless it is a pocket knife with blade under 2.5".

State Knife Law Summaries

Arizona
  • Summary: Generally clear. Illegal to carry "deadly weapon, (except a pocket knife) concealed."
  • Max length: None apparent.
  • Relevant laws: ARS book
California
  • Summary: Anything capable of ready use as a stabbing weapon is illegal. All concealed knives are a felony (except non locking folders).
  • Max length: chaotic
  • Specifically illegal: Switchblades, gravity knives, exotic conceal methods (pen, lipstick, whatever)
  • Relevant laws: PC 653K, PC 12020(24), California Laws, Commentary (apparently removed - someone know where?)
    • Note that interpretations by cops and judges are wildly varied. Police have actually told law-abiding citizens to break the concealment laws, and a judge has deemed a blunt-point knife (Spyderco Mariner) a stabbing weapon.
  • Quirks: Pens may be illegal (potential stabbing weapon).
  • Local restrictions:
    • Los Angeles
      • Three inch limit for open carry without a good explanation.
Conneticut
  • Summary: Sounds normal.
  • Max length: Cutting edge under 4 inches
  • Switchblades: Are legal to carry with a Dangerous Weapons Permit (DWP) only. Good luck trying to find a police station that has an application.
  • Gravity knives: Same
  • Relevant laws:
  • Local restrictions: Some police chiefs don't want to give out DWP's
Florida
  • Summary: A "common pocketknife" is OK. All "concealed weapons" (knives included) require a license.
  • Max length: None apparent.
  • Relevant laws: Chapter 790
Georgia
  • Local restrictions:
    • Atlanta: A blade over 3" that LOCKS is illegal.
Indiana
  • Summary: Generally OK.
  • Max length: None apparent.
  • Specifically illegal: automatics & throwing stars.
  • Relevant laws: Statutes mentioning "knife"
Mississippi
  • Summary: OK for "normal" knives. Don't try to conceal any bowie, dirk, switchblade or butcher knife.
  • Max length: None apparent.
  • Specifically illegal: none apparent.
  • Relevant laws: 97-37-*
  • Quirks: Threatening actions with a knife in the presence of less than three people may be acceptable.
Missouri
  • Summary: any folder 4" or less is OK.
  • Max length: 4"
  • Relevant laws: State Laws (search for "knife")
Maryland
  • Summary: "Penknives" are OK. Anything else is borderline illegal and may require a concealed weapon permit.
  • Max length: None apparent.
  • Relevant laws: MD Statues Crimes and Punishments § 36, § 36A-O
  • Quirks: You may carry a "weapon as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger", but it's up to a tribunal to decide the reasonableness/appropriateness of posession.
  • Local restrictions:
    • Cecil, Anne Arundel, Talbot, Harford, Caroline, Prince George's, Montgomery, St. Mary's, Washington, Worcester, Kent, and Baltimore Counties have special prohibitions regarding children under 18 carrying knives. See § 36(a)(3).
Nebraska
  • Summary: Nothing over 3.5"
  • Max length: 3.5"
    • A longer blade may be legal, but it's subject post-fact to a judge's decision.
  • Relevant laws: Statutes mentioning "knife"
    • Statutes may refer only to concealed knives.
  • Quirks:
    • A "knife" is defined as having a blade over 3.5". A pocketknife under 3.5" is not a knife.
  • Local restrictions:
    • Linconln
      • Switchblades are illegal.
New Jersey
  • Summary: General folders OK. Single-edged fixed blades may be.
  • Max length: Under 18 may not possess knife with 5" or longer blade, or 10" or longer overall. No other apparent limitation.
  • Specifically illegal: gravity knife, switchblade knife, dagger, dirk, stiletto, or ballistic knife "without any explainable lawful purpose" (i.e. an ill-defined exemption). Manufacturers and sellers are not exempt.
  • Relevant laws: 2C:39-3.e 2C:39-9.d 2C:39-9.1 (Statutes, search for "knife" or "knives")
New York
  • Summary: If it looks like a weapon, it's illegal.
  • Max length: 6" (?)
  • Specifically illegal: Switchblades and gravity knives unless hunting or fishing with permit
  • Relevant laws: Penal law
  • Local restrictions:
    • New York City
      • Must be under 4"
Nevada
  • Summary: Generally OK.
  • Max length: None apparent.
  • Specifically illegal: switchblades, belt-buckle knives
  • Relevant laws: NRS 202
Ohio
  • Specifically illegal: switchblade, springblade knife, gravity (butterfly) knife, or similar weapon;
  • Relevant laws: Search Statutes for "knife"
Rhode Island
  • Summary: 3" or less OK. Don't posess anything "designed to cut and stab another".
  • Max length: 3" measured from where the handle ends, not where the sharpened edge begins.
  • Specifically illegal:
    • Posession of a dagger, dirk, stiletto, sword-in-cane, bowie knife, or other similar weapon designed to cut and stab another.
    • Concealed carry upon one's person of the above-mentioned instruments or weapons, or any razor, or knife of any description having a blade of more than 3".
  • Relevant laws: Title 11 Criminal Offenses § 11-47-42
  • Quirks: Children under 18 may purchase the above weapons with written parental permission.
Tennessee
  • Summary: Folders under 4" are OK.
  • Max length: 4"
  • Specifically illegal: Switchblades, gravity knives (probably)
  • Quirks: Fixed blades are probably a no-no.
Texas
  • Summary: Folders under 5.5" OK.
  • Max length: 5.5"
  • Specifically illegal: Switchblade, throwing knives, daggers (in general), bowie knives, swords and spears.
  • Relevant laws: Penal Code 46
  • Quirks: The one state people associate with Bowie knives explicitly forbids them.
Virginia
  • Summary: Don't conceal a dirk or bowie knife. Don't take a dangerous weapon (esp. bowie knife or dagger) to church.
  • Max length: None apparent.
  • Specifically illegal: Switchblades.
  • Relevant laws: 18.2-308, search statutes for knife or knives.
  • Quirks: 3.1-370: your knife must be cleaned daily.
Washington
  • Summary: Anything over 3" is in a gray area.
  • Max length: 3"
  • Specifically illegal: switchblade, springblade knife, gravity (butterfly) knife, concealed dagger/dirk
  • Relevant laws: Statutes mentioning "knife"
Wisconson
  • Relevant laws: 134.71 (1)(a)9, 134.71 (1)(g)1, 134.71 (1)(h)1  (relating to pawn brokers), 941.24 (switchblades)
Canada
  • Summary: Careful; the country is getting antsy about weapons.
  • Specifically illegal: a knife that has a blade that opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife.
  • Relevant laws: Annual Statutes Of Canada, 1995 Chapter 39 (Bill C-68)
Airlines
Summary: No knives or sharp instruments of anykind.
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