Truck Control, Not Gun Control

The headlines are a lot different in Chicago.  This is why Barack Obama's remedies don't play well in Montana.  Pickup trucks are the instrument.  Jon Tester had a different idea. 

Boston Attack Re-Energizes Push for Truck Control Legislation

CNN has sourced the strategy for planting the type of deadly pressure cooker bombs detonated at the Boston Marathon finish line to the Al Qaeda Magazine Inspire.  The magazine laid out how to use the cooking device.

"The pressurized cooker should be placed in crowded areas and left to blow up. More than one of these could be planted to explode at the same time. However, keep in mind that the range of the shrapnel in this operation is short range so the pressurized cooker or pipe should be placed close to the intended targets and should not be concealed from them by barriers such as walls."

CNN also reported Inspire magazine provided tips on using a pickup truck as a weapon,

An article titled "The Ultimate Mowing Machine" calls for using a pickup truck as a "mowing machine, not to mow grass but mow down the enemies of Allah." 

The article says that such a plan could be implemented in countries where people back the "Israeli occupation of Palestine, the American invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq or countries that had a prominent role in the defamation of Muhammad."

It said a four-wheel-drive pickup truck is needed -- "the stronger the better."  "To achieve maximum carnage, you need to pick up as much speed as you can while still retaining good control of your vehicle in order to maximize your inertia and be able to strike as many people as possible in your first run," the article says.

The media's revelation of this mow-them-down advice has renewed the drumbeat for pickup truck control legislation.  Early in the 113^th Congress, Senator Jon Tester (D – Mont.) introduced truck control legislation that specifically targeted the “strong” pickup trucks preferred by Al Qaeda.  As originally drafted, Senator Tester’s legislation would have limited pickup truck ownership to a needs based ownership class and would have outlawed the use of pickup trucks by city slickers, suburban cowboys and gentlemen farmers.  The bill’s stringent ownership restrictions and resale regulations would have also prohibited pickup truck purchases by garden variety Al Qaeda terrorists. 

Pickup Pride Advocates

Though recently released studies provided empirical support for moving truck control forward, under pressure from pickup pride advocates (see picture on right) Senator Tester withdrew his proposed legislation. To justify his about face, the junior senator from Montana argued that pickup trucks were so intertwined with the pickup pride cultural core that pressing for truck control could violate the advocates’ civil rights.  Tester asked Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D – Nev.) to refrain from bringing the truck control legislation up for a floor vote.

Truck control coalition leaders, Hans Opelgänger, Director of Sustainability at BMW USA and Sven Olafscar, Managing Director of Volvo USA, hope the Boston tragedy will spur recognition of the need to regulate pickup trucks and re-energize truck control legislation.  They are asking that truck control supporters visit their website  www.wedontbuildpickuptrucks.com for information on what can be done to support the cause.     

Jon Tester Pulls Truck Control Bill

Senator Jon Tester (D - Mont.) acknowledged today that he's received significant push back from his constituents on his proposed truck control legislation.   Senator Tester says that many constituents are concerned that "any sort of a ban is the first step to a bigger ban."  The junior senator from Montana lumped pickup trucks, guns and stoves together in a far reaching interview with NBC News Special Correspondent and part year Big Timber, Montana resident Tom Brokaw.

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"I think in Montana we look at guns more as a tool, not unlike a pickup truck or a stove,” said Senator Tester. “The fact is, it's part of what we grew up with. It's part of our culture."  Notwithstanding new studies that support Tester's truck control agenda, the senator has asked Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D - Nev) to pull the truck control provisions from comprehensive safety legislation headed for the Senate floor.  While vehicle manufactures who have pushed for reasonable truck control (see www.wedontbuildpickups.com) continue to press the senator to introduce truck control amendments on the Senate floor, staff sources who do not wish to be identified because they are not authorized to speak on the matter, say Senator Tester is unlikely to do so.

New Studies Support Jon Tester’s Truck Control Agenda

A nonpartisan group supporting Senator Jon Tester’s truck control legislation unveiled a new study today.   Co-chairmen of the truck control advocacy organization, Hans Opelgänger, Director of Sustainability at BMW USA and Sven Olafscar, Managing Director of Volvo USA, said the groundbreaking study fulfills a need for data driven decision making.  “Too long, pickup truck ownership and use decisions have been undirected and emotionally charged” said Mr. Opelgänger, “We know pick-up truck use is less elsewhere, so why not build a case with data comparisons and look to other countries for a comprehensive US truck control model?”

Senator Tester (D-MT) welcomed the study.  “I want to thank Hans and Sven.  Their input is invaluable,” Tester said.  “Not only does their study put numbers around truck control benefits, it suggests where we might look for safe alternatives.” Tester said, “Also, I am excited domestic data that support the need for responsible truck control have come to light.” Senator Tester urged Chairman Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Roy Blunt (R-MO) to hold hearings on truck control legislation before the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security as soon as practicable.

The new study, entitled “Motor Vehicle Fatality Incidence Report” (MVFIR) found that vehicle fatality rates in the United States pickup truck rich environment are unacceptably high.  It highlights the much higher fatality rates in the United States than Western European country counterparts.

Motor Vehicle Fatality

Incidence Analysis

  

Country		Fatality Rate *
United States		12.3
Ireland		3.5
United Kingdom		3.6
France		5.5
Sweden		2.9
Norway		5.4
Germany		4.5
Spain		6.9
Portugal		7.9
Italy		8.7
Switzerland		4.7
Austria		8.2

* Road fatalities per 100,000 habitants.

United States fatality rates are 2, 3 and 4 times higher than in Western European countries.  It's a scourge upon America. 

Tight licensing requirements, strict environmental laws and comprehensive safety regulations make pickup trucks a low-preference, high-cost transportation option in Europe.   Super-safe Saabs and Volvos dominate Sweden’s light vehicle transportation market.   Urban centers in the United Kingdom extend buses to a second level rather than packing streets with dangerous extended cab pickup trucks.  Germany engineers and constructs its Autobahns to favor speed over bulk.  In Italy and Spain motor scooters are more prevalent than pickup trucks on the roadways.   The European experience vouches for a range of attractive alternative transportation modes available in low use pickup truck environments.

Pickup Truck Safety Risk Analysis

Senator Tester said he is also excited by United States research that has recently come to light.   The safety study presented to the Transportation Research Board by representatives of the University of Michigan and Lawrence Berkely National Laboratory, demonstrates pickup trucks are the most dangerous vehicles operated by non-commercial drivers on US roadways.  Specifically, researchers found (see green dots on scatter diagram to the right) that Dodge Ram, Ford F-Series, Chevy and GMC pickup trucks are the worst safety risks in their vehicle class.  Senator Tester reiterates that closing the Penny Saver pickup sales loophole, limiting non-essential pickup truck use and restricting pickup ownership to qualified buyers, will go a long ways towards reducing United States fatality rates and closing the fatality gap with Europe.  Supporters emphasize that the legislation does not apply to panel trucks or delivery vans.  

Senator Tester’s truck control legislation is explained at www.gradyent.blogspot.com/2013/01/john-tester-supports-truck-reform.html.  For more information on the truck control coalition,  and the comparative study, visit its website www.wedontbuildpickups.com.

Jon Tester Supports Truck Control

Washington DC (PC) - Noting recurrent fatal wrecks and serious injuries involving Ford F150, F250 and F350 pickup trucks on Montana roads, Senator Jon Tester (D - MT) announced today that he will introduce truck control legislation restricting ownership and operation of heavy duty personal transport vehicles.  Tester, a self-described third generation dirt farmer, says our country has seen enough needless carnage.  He was especially critical of trucks with extended cabs which are known to transport innocent children.   Tester said,

“Kids should be able to ride safely.  I know from my own experience, you don’t need a pickup truck to drive a child to school or to go out for an ice cream cone.  This is reasonable regulation.  Pickup trucks need a single seat, maybe two – no more.  I don’t aim to prohibit Ford F Series trucks altogether.  I realize farmers, ranchers and contractors have legitimate uses for these machines.   But it’s time to put an end to urban cowboys, socialite soccer moms, Republicans from Massachusetts and would be gentleman farmers recklessly endangering the public with big, powerful, multi-passenger pickup trucks.  Leave powerful pickups to us. “

Tester continued,

“General Motors and Chrysler Corporation are model corporate citizens entering their fifth year of unquestionably yielding to urgent public policy imperatives.  It’s time Allen Mullaly and his crew over at Ford Motor Corporation gets on board.  The truck control crisis creates an opportunity to infuse much needed balance into the auto industry.”                     

Tester signaled the legislation will exempt landholders owning or leasing ten or more acres, farmers or ranchers who drive 100 hp or larger tractors, contractors who operate a backhoe, bulldozer or front end loader, and entities at all levels of government.  To limit impulsive purchases, there will be a two week cooling off period when pickup trucks cannot be purchased before Christmas.  Acknowledging the importance of forestry interests to the Montana state economy, Tester has asked the lumber industry for input on what legitimate interests might be served by allowing it to continue to use pickup trucks.  Some truck control activists, who refused to be identified by name because of the sensitivity of the matter, acknowledge they would be open to limiting restrictions to trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, which are known to permit poorly trained drivers to gun the engines and accelerate rapidly.

Senator Tester’s legislation closes the notorious Penny Saver loophole.  Non-dealer pickup owners would no longer be able to advertise trucks for sale in unregulated markets.  Owners may, however, turn pickup trucks in to local police departments or other designated law enforcement agencies without fear of prosecution.   The law expands the duties of and renames the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, as the Bureau of Stuff That Uppity Progressives Insist Desist (STUPID).   After opportunities for public input, STUPID will publish the rules and regulations it has already written defining what Ford F-Series pickup trucks are covered by the legislation.

A coalition of vehicle manufacturers including Subaru USA, Volkswagen USA, BMW USA, Mercedes USA and Hyundai USA, has come out in favor of the Tester bill.  To build support for the legislation, they launched the website www.wedontbuildpickuptrucks.com. 

Jon Tester is serving his second six-year term in the United States Senate.   He was returned to his senate seat with a resounding plurality when the opposition vote split last November between Republican candidate Denny Rehberg and Libertarian candidate Dan Cox.  During the campaign Senator Tester said he is no Barack Obama puppet.  He will support truck control legislation so long as President Obama opposes it.  

A Little Christmas Shopping

Everyone has to start somewhere.

Here I am, old retired guy, has all the time in the world it would seem.  But I end up today fighting the pre-Christmas weekend crowds at Gallitan Valley Mall and in the big box stores along North 19th Street.  I think it has a lot to do with having tweens whose tastes are evolving so fast that we don't dare lock in their wish list until the week prior. 

In town the roads are clear but parking lots are making like ice rinks.  When exiting the mall, a front wheel drive Chevy immediately ahead of us stopped at exactly the wrong place.  It got hung up with its rear wheels stuck behind a speed bump, front tires whirring away to no effect.  I put the Jeep in park, walked ahead to the Chevy and leaned into its rear bumper with a solid push.   Mission accomplished and off she and we went -- smiles and waves all around.  It feels good to get over the hump.

Bob Wards Gun Counter

We went to Bob Ward's to see (with limited success) if we could find some ski clothing for our 6-year old.  Seems we will be better off waiting for the after Christmas sales.  It also seemed that the crowd in the store's corner wasn't all that willing to wait for their purchases.  There was a good-sized gaggle inspecting semi-automatic weapons. 

You know, we live in a town where there's a bunch of elementary school boys who wear three types of outfits  -- white camo, brown camo and green camo.  I've heard fourth and fifth graders brag on their prowess with a shotgun.   Hunting is called harvesting, hunters are sportsmen, and a lot of hikers explore literally loaded for bear.  You can buy a gun safe at a sporting goods store, a farm supply store or the Costco.  I have a neighbor who shoots varmints on his two acre lot.   I've heard the report of a rifle on the golf course and looked over to see a maintenance worker shouldering a rifle and carrying away a dead badger on a shovel, shot because the worker didn't like where the critter was lurking.   Wasn't safe for the golfers he said.  Yet this is a very safe place to live.   The murder rate is something like one-tenth of what it is in the District of Columbia where virtually no one can legally own a gun.  

A lot of us live in rural areas where the law is far removed and there are no passers by or few potential witnesses to call attention to miscreants.    It is an environment that depends on self-defense and mutual respect for survival.  It works.  The most dangerous weapon in Montana is a Ford F150 pickup barreling too fast around a curve at midnight driven by a guy or a gal who worked too long with too little sleep or drank too hard.    Common sense vehicle control doesn't prevent it.  So pass some feel good gun legislation, if you must, but don't really expect it will accomplish anything.