The Off Topic Topic

[Josquius]

What's a foot pad?

A highwayman on foot.

[Jacob]

What's a foot pad?

Level 2 thief in D&D Basic.

[grumbler]

Cycling in 1899 was a lot more extreme!

This has to be a joke, right?  Who feels the need to carry a gun to shoot book agents?

[HVC]

True. I mean if you didn't shot the dog you could use him to keep the book peddler away.

[Josephus]

What's a foot pad?

Level 2 thief in D&D Basic.

Oh right. Haven't played that since 1985 and I was very high that decade

[Syt]

It seems bicycle guns were in demand around 1900. 

[grumbler]

Worcester Massachusetts seems to have been really into gun manufacturing.

[Syt]

https://eu.telegram.com/story/news/state/2018/03/25/gun-makers-thriving-in-massachusetts-since-american-revolution/12899420007/


From 2018:

Gun makers thrive in Mass.

Paige Smith, Boston University Statehouse Program  |  Telegram & Gazette

BOSTON – The recent mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, has shone a new spotlight on Massachusetts' thriving firearms manufacturing industry.

Some key manufacturers and distributors in Massachusetts and the surrounding region include Kahr Arms of Worcester, Savage Arms and Camfour Inc. of Westfield, Sturm, Ruger & Co. of Newport, New Hampshire, and Southport, Connecticut, and Colt Manufacturing Co. of West Hartford, Connecticut.

Rick Sullivan, president of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts, referred to weapons manufacturing as the "backbone" of the region's commerce, and an industry that is growing "across the board." Firearms manufacturers have been in the region "since the time of the American Revolution," Sullivan said in a telephone interview.

Massachusetts ranked among the top 10 states for total economic output in dollars from the arms and ammunition industries in 2016, according to a National Shooting Sports Foundation report. Northboro-based Gun Owners Action League Executive Director Jim Wallace called gun manufacturing a "tradition" in the commonwealth.

"Sadly ... I think there are many people who would love to see them leave, but I think the state as a whole needs to review their whole outlook on this issue, and actually welcome lawful people and lawful business," Mr. Wallace said.

Manufacturers are not restricted in the type of gun they make, as long as it is done in accordance with federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives standards, and even if certain types of guns are banned in their respective states. The Bay State has banned assault weapons since 1998, yet Springfield-based Smith & Wesson, now a subsidiary of American Outdoor Brands, manufactured the semi-automatic rifle used in Parkland.

Sullivan mentioned that Smith & Wesson has been present in the region for "generations."

"They are a significant employer here in the region, and have been a good community member," he said.

Smith & Wesson declined to comment.

Some elected officials – and one gubernatorial candidate – are looking for ways to coexist with the industry in spite of a fundamental disagreement over some weapons.

Emily Snyder, a spokewoman on for Attorney General Maura Healey, said that Massachusetts will continue to uphold its assault weapons ban while calling on gun manufacturers to respect those efforts.

"In Massachusetts, where we have one of the lowest rates of gun violence in the country, we know that strong gun laws save lives," Ms. Snyder said in an email statement. "We are committed to enforcing the laws on the books and are hopeful that all manufacturers and dealers will support these efforts for the safety and security of our communities."

Small arms and accessories manufacturing accounted for a monthly average employment rate of 2,116 jobs in the Springfield metro area, according to 2017 data, but Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former secretary of administration and finance, Jay Gonzalez, said that job creation can be found elsewhere.

"This is one of those things where I think we need to put our foot down and say, no manufacturer in Massachusetts should be able to manufacture and sell these weapons of mass destruction," Mr. Gonzalez said in a phone interview, a day after standing with students protesting outside of Smith & Wesson's factory.

"There are plenty of other areas where we can create a lot of jobs that aren't going to end up creating products that are killing kids."

Mr. Gonzalez did not call for an outright ban of gun manufacturing in Massachusetts, but rather a ban on creating weapons that cannot be purchased in the commonwealth.

"Even Smith & Wesson can continue to manufacture guns that cannot be sold legally here in Massachusetts," he said. "The federal government refuses to act, so we need to step up and act here."

Other elected officials disagree, including State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, who oversees the pension system and proposed legislation to divest state pension funds from gun and ammunition manufacturers. A bill co-filed by Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, and Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem, D-Newton, would make that happen.

"I'm frustrated that Congress is unable to even put forward the most basic, common sense gun legislation, so feeling a responsibility, as one of the 200 state stewards in our Legislature, of our retirement savings and pension funds, I felt it was time to make sure we're not profiting from that violence," Ms. Ehrlich said in a phone interview.

She said that the focus would be on companies that derive 15 percent or greater of their revenue from firearms, ammunition and accessories, as well as not differentiating between companies that develop more basic firearms versus assault weapons.

Mr. Wallace, however, maintains that gun manufacturers should always have a home in the commonwealth.

"This is where freedom was born, so I think it's appropriate that firearms manufacturers, who are all following the laws, should be welcomed here in Massachusetts."

The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida has fostered a new wave of interest and concern about gun-related issues across the nation. The Boston University Statehouse Program set out to learn what's been happening across the commonwealth in schools, businesses and on Beacon Hill.

In a six-story series, students explore:

Today – Massachusetts students are walking out of their classrooms and lobbying state legislators for stricter gun laws. By Amanda Kaufman

Saturday – As student activists seek policy solutions to national gun violence, mental health providers seek ways to improve solutions to school violence. By Bryce Fricklas

Sunday – What does it take to get a gun in Massachusetts? By Samantha J. Gross

Monday – The recent mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida has shone a spotlight on the state's thriving firearms manufacturing industry. By Paige Smith

Tuesday – As the national conversation surrounding gun laws shifts, the Massachusetts affiliate of the National Rifle Association remains steadfast. By Nick Neville

Wednesday – Smart gun technology has been around for decades. So, where is it? By Christine Lytwynec

[Jacob]

In pretty much every English dialect I've come across, the word "finger" is pronounced with a clearly enunciated G - "fing-GER" more or less.

Recently I've come across some instances of "finger" being pronounced to basically rhyme with "singer". Mostly it's been in youtube videos aimed at kids... I think they're from California, but I don't know. Definitely American.

Any insight on this particular phenomenon? Is it new? Is it an established facet of an existing American dialect? Does it exist elsewhere?

[DGuller]

Isn't "finger" always pronounced like "singer"? I mean singer as in someone who sings, not someone who singes.

[crazy canuck]

Cycling in 1899 was a lot more extreme!

This has to be a joke, right?  Who feels the need to carry a gun to shoot book agents?

You are old enough to remember the Encyclopedia door to door sales force.

[grumbler]

You are old enough to remember the Encyclopedia door to door sales force.

Yeah, but when I was growing up, we didn't want to shoot them.  In fact, we felt sorry for them because those stone tablets they were peddling had to be incredibly heavy.

[Josephus]

Yeah, finger always rhymes with singer

[HVC]

Ok good, I thought I was saying one or the other wrong

[crazy canuck]

You are old enough to remember the Encyclopedia door to door sales force.

Yeah, but when I was growing up, we didn't want to shoot them.  In fact, we felt sorry for them because those stone tablets they were peddling had to be incredibly heavy.