Updated: Is Webb Hanging Staffer Out To Dry

Wow! Living in a blue state, I didn't realize the gun didn't need to be registered in Va if it's Webbs. Still, his response makes no sense, or the aide lied.

via Instapundit:

DANA MILBANK SAYS THAT JIM WEBB IS EXECUTING A CUT AND RUN -- not over Iraq, but over the fate of his aide Phillip Thompson:

That doesn't seem right. If the gun was Webb's, and it was all an accident, -- and I can't think of any other likely explanation -- why doesn't Webb make things clear? Am I missing something here?

It's an unregistered gun. The question that needs to be asked: is the gun registered anywhere, or not at all? If not at all and the aide was telling the truth, Webb would be looking at a felony. Instead, it's looking as if the perhaps not quite honorable gentleman from Virginia is prepared to let his aide take the rap.

Thompson was arrested and charged with carrying a pistol without a license and possession of an unregistered firearm and unregistered ammunition.

Comments

[Cindi]

Either way, the guy is an idiot. Not sure about security at the Capitol, but here in my county, it is quite evident you are about to be searched at the doors. There are signs up telling those with registered guns, what the must do upon entering. Hellooo.

[Darth Malice]

MSM has kept this story on the down low.

[Phoenix]

"Duck!"

The cry -- from a member of the Capitol Hill press corps -- rang out as Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) rounded a corner at high noon and strode toward reporters waiting outside the Senate chamber....”

This might be one of the best opening lines I’ve read lately. Check out the ‘high noon’ ref. :]

But this: “"Since 9/11, for people who are in government, I think in general there has been an agreement that it's more -- a more dangerous time," he said.”

Is he agreeing we live in dangerous times? My goodness....

[Phoenix]

It's pretty clear the aide is neutral in this. No fool would slide a briefcase through the machine if he knew there was a gun in it. What looks to be a problem is if the gun is not registered in DC. And DC is a gun-free zone.

Damn, Webb is one cocky creep. I think this will get blown off as a stupid mistake, but it will say a lot about Webb's character if he abandons his friend.

[greenwing]

The Senate Office Building rivals the airports with their scanning. Much more intimidating than experienced at local court houses too.

[Phoenix]

Wouldn't it be interesting to see if his 'friend' was trying to take Webb down?

[K]

I have to agree with Phoenix - the aide didn't know the gun, etc. was there.

Webb probably reasons thus: The aide is in the legal shredder anyway. Why should we both be? And until it comes to a legal proceeding I am not showing my cards.

Yes, Webb is odd. At least he isn't the typical Senator. Better rude, crude, and ballsy than hairsprayed, gutless, and corrupt.

[Buzzy]

I agree that the aide probably didn't have any idea the gun was in the bag but I would disagree that Webb isn't gutless and corrupt. Ballsy would have been taking the heat and not sinking some innocent smuck with an arrest record, gutless is exactly what he did in this.

And I would say the same about any scumbag who let his aide take the fall for his mistake, on either side of the aisle.

[K]

Buzzy: How do you know he let his aide take the heat? Isn't that the entire question?

I think Webb will wait to see what happens. No, I don't think he is a nice guy; I think him a brute but better than being 'nothing men' as most Senators seem to be.

[tally]

glad someone else find's webb strange.

[benrand]

He won't throw this guy under the bus, he caaaaaares about the little people SOOOOOO much, he has golden wings that he flies around on because he is a Democrat.

Democrat party members would never purposely fuck someone over so blatantly. Never call a young intern a "crazed stalker". Never tell a woman who was just raped by a Democrat to "put some ice on it."

It just doesn't happen.

Gods DO NOT behave that way.

[southdakotaboy]

Well we have how many more months of this crap?

[okie]

Investigation.
Is.
Over.

Bush thanked the organization for providing dinner, "and I'd like to thank Senator Webb for providing security."

[Fred Beloit]

I know someone who has two hand guns and a CCL. One is new, undoubtedly registered at purchase by the dealer. The other, manufactured in the fifties and purchased by his father from a friend, is not registered. It is not a crime in my state to own an unregistered hand gun. There may be, and probably are, millions of unregistered guns in the US. It is not a federal crime to own an unregistered hand gun. Perhaps Legalize could tell us whether a locality can have a law that is more strict (ie, all hand guns must be registered) than the federal law, considering the federal Constitution and the fact that there is a federal alcohol, tobacco, and firearms agency. I suppose a locality can in that so many do. Legal has often been most generous in pointing out legal information in the past. Of course in matters where lawyers differ (in many, many cases) Legal opts to represent the Leftist position. That's OK, a free country correct?

[dan in michigan]

I live in a blue state. The vast majority of hanguns are unregistered. Even new guns purchased at legal dealers are unregistered but can be traced.

[Legalize]

"Perhaps Legalize could tell us whether a locality can have a law that is more strict (ie, all hand guns must be registered) than the federal law, considering the federal Constitution and the fact that there is a federal alcohol, tobacco, and firearms agency. I suppose a locality can in that so many do. Legal has often been most generous in pointing out legal information in the past. Of course in matters where lawyers differ (in many, many cases) Legal opts to represent the Leftist position. That's OK, a free country correct?"

Well, that's an interesting question now; until two weeks ago, I would have told you that, yes, local governments can, in fact impose stricter gun laws than the federal government. Public safety is generally deemed a state issue. But, since the D.C. gun ban was overturned by the D.C. Circuit, I'd say that the question is far from clear. I think that this is in conflict with the Lopez case which pretty much gave the states more breathing room in terms of how they regulate such matters, but then again, an outright ban on guns is probably unconstitutional on its face because there are less restrictive means of achieving the compelling state purpose of public safety.

So, I don't know the answer now, but it is interesting that the D.C. decision conflicts with states' rights principles, and seems to be more in line with plain-vanilla individual rights cases that apply strict scrutiny, i.e. "fundamental rights" cases (which is also interesting because there is a relative dearth of 2d amendment jurisprudence).

If I were a betting man I'd wager that more local gun laws will be struck down (NYC), and the 2d Circuit will either refuse cert. or it will afirm the decision. But I think these all-out bans will be struck down pursuant to the 14th amendment rather than the 2d amendment, because of the aforementioned lack of 2d amendment law.

On the other hand, I would also bet that state and local laws that don't ban guns entirely will be given much more latitude because of the Lopez decision.

[Fred Beloit]

Thank you Legal. Instructive as always. Will be interesting to see what happens.

[Phoenix]

"Instructive as always." Indeed. And without the filth and name-calling. I wonder what has happened to Legalize?

I guess when one looks like a Cherokee hair tampon, it pays to be nice.