Internet Gun Sales can make you PARANOID!

I sold a gun on the Internet.  It wasn't a Big Mistake, but in case you didn't know ... those second thoughts can drive you crazy.

A couple of years ago I decided that my Ruger Convertible Six was subject to rust in my gun safe.  I hadn't shot it in years; I just kept it around because it was such a sweet revolver.  But I had no use for it.

So on one of my blog posts I mentioned that I would let it go to a good home, and for a decent price.   I don't remember exactly what the asking price, but I think it was around $85.

Months later I got an email from a guy in Florida who was interested.  That's about as far away from Oregon as you can get, and still be within the contiguous United States.

As I recall, the buyer was in what is now called "Miami-Dade" County.  We exchanged a few emails, and I learned that he was a deputy sheriff.

So he sent me his check, and the address of the gun shop which would receive the pistol.  I checked it out; it was a legitimate gun shop in the area.  I emailed the shop, and they said they had already been notified by the purchaser to provide the necessary transfer process .. including the NICS check.

I cashed the check, boxed up the revolver, and sent it to the gun shop.

Then I got nervous.   Because of exactly the question asked here:

Sniff, Sniff. What is that smell? Is that .... COFFEE?

Britain raises terror threat level to 'severe' - Washington Times:

(August 29, 2014)
Britain’s move means the nation’s terror threat now stands at its second-highest level, at which the government considers an attack “highly likely,” Business Insider reported.
 Home Secretary Theresa May said Friday that the threat level was raised because of the escalating violence in Iraq from the Islamic State, and because of any specific threat that Britain’s received.

“The increase in the threat level is related to developments in Syria and Iraq where terrorist groups are planning attacks against the West,” she said, Business Insider reported. “Some of these plots are likely to involve foreign fighters who have traveled there from the UK and Europe to take part in those conflicts.”
 ---
 “The first and most important duty of government is the protection of the British people,” Miss May said, Business Insider reported. “We have already taken steps to amend our powers and increase our capabilities for dealing with the developing terrorist threats we face. That process will continue and the British public should be in no doubt that we will take the strongest possible action to protect our national security.”

This is a reaction which should be noted by the American people, especially given that terrorists are also gathering along our southern border (where else?)   * where they are

" ... planning to attack the United States with car bombs or other vehicle born improvised explosive devices (VBIED). High-level federal law enforcement, intelligence and other sources have confirmed to Judicial Watch that a warning bulletin for an imminent terrorist attack on the border has been issued.  Agents across a number of Homeland Security, Justice and Defense agencies have all been placed on alert and instructed to aggressively work all possible leads and sources concerning this imminent terrorist threat."

* (H/T: David Codrea)

Meanwhile, in other news:    The Emperor Isn't Wearing Any Clothes.