RARA-AVIS: Baumes Rush?

Joe Kraus (j-kraus@nwu.edu)
Sun, 30 Nov 1997 21:58:38 -0500 Bill asks, " - - What's the "Baumes rush"? Spade mentions this when
talking to Wilmer. Is it some homosexual thing?"

I can't be sure, but I think it might be a reference to the Baumes Laws of
New York State in the late '20s making it illegal to possess much of the
heavy artillery associated with gangsters. (I think it eventually included
pistols as well.)

Whether a "Baumes Rush" meant cops planting a gun or pointing a gun at
someone, I can only guess. (I'm not there in the novel yet, but I hope to
read this one with all the rest of you.)

I'm not sure how much of "bum's rush" is available as a pun, but I imagine
that's a part of the reference as well.

--Joe Kraus
Northwestern University
Dep't of English

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