Reason Writers Around the Country: Radley Balko Jaws on the Nanny State

Radley Balko | June 24, 2009

Over the weekend, I had the privilege of speaking at the Denver-based Independence Institute's annual "Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms" party. It was as fun as it sounds. The event consisted of panel discussions followed by drinks and top-notch cigars on Friday, and a trip to a local firing range on Saturday, where I discovered to my surprise that I'm a not-terrible shot.

As part of the festivities, I participated with a number of panelists—including Reason contributor David Harsanyi—in a discussion of the Nanny State on Denver's PBS television station. Video of that discussion below, broken into three parts.

Comments

Kyle Jordan|6.24.09 @ 11:56AM|#

What'd you fire Radley?

Radley Balko|6.24.09 @ 12:00PM|#

12-gauge. Beyond that, no idea.

|6.24.09 @ 12:05PM|#

All libertarians are natural shots, Radley. Our hatred of the government sharpens our concentration.

|6.24.09 @ 12:07PM|#

I am curious. Did you imagine anything or anyone in particular while killing those defenseless targets? (I know I do)

Kyle Jordan|6.24.09 @ 12:14PM|#

"12-gauge. Beyond that, no idea."

Nice. A good 12 gauge can take you very far. Next time, try a Glock 19. It's incredibly difficult to shoot badly.

JB|6.24.09 @ 12:46PM|#

"I'm a not-terrible shot"

Good thing to keep in mind when the pigs break down your door.

|6.24.09 @ 12:59PM|#

I have a serious question. If tobacco now falls under the FDA, will the ATF still be involved with it?

|6.24.09 @ 1:01PM|#

That ATF is changing the "T" from "tabacco" to "to". Now they cover everything from Alcohol to Firearms.

|6.24.09 @ 1:03PM|#

There is another agencty that will start of with "Gays", but I'm not sure where they trail off...

|6.24.09 @ 1:18PM|#

Threadjack,

Chicago cop who beat bartender gets probation.

www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-abbate-24-jun24,0,5965992.story

|6.24.09 @ 1:21PM|#

I think either from Gays to Illegal Immigrants, or from Gays to Porn (if they can wrangle a higher budget).

Brett Stevens|6.24.09 @ 1:28PM|#

The Nanny State will cut your balls off -- and it's hard to fight because they have "your best interests" in mind.

You know, defending the meek and fighting back against the rich, even though technically they're secular.

And all I wanted was a Pepsi.

JB|6.24.09 @ 1:44PM|#

H man, wow that pisses me off. Good to keep in mind for reference though if I ever beat up a cop.

hmm|6.24.09 @ 3:01PM|#

In a more perfect world Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms would be a mini-mart chain in rural America.

The FDA is going to need to get itself some tactical teams to enforce tobacco laws.

suggestions:
Tobacco Interdiction Team
Tobacco Watch And Tactical Team
Tobacco Accounting and Research Department Strike Force

hmm|6.24.09 @ 3:16PM|#

Per the shooting. I hope it was fun and glad you turned out a decent shot.

Everyone should learn to shoot. That's the nut in me talking.

I wish I knew about this, would have been worth the trip. My libertarian sibling living in Denver is going to hear about his lack of informing me of this.

Warty|6.24.09 @ 5:31PM|#

I thought you were a country boy, Radley. Never shot guns before...kids these days.

Jonas|6.25.09 @ 12:57AM|#

Interestingly, in the third video they start using the 'banning dogs' thing as a place where this sort of 'nannyism' begins... and my own father, who is a small town city commissioner, JUST pushed through some really tight dog licensing regulations in my hometown. Sadly everyone seems to agree with his point of view except for one very principled guy and a few wackos with violent pitbulls.

It's just funny to me that this anti-dog kick my dad is on is actually the libertarian stereotype of where nannyism starts to go too far...