Second Amendment Stuff

Gingrich hits Obama as anti-gun at NRA meeting

2011-05-01T07:55:00-04:00

Sadly, I'm not at this year's NRA Annual Meeting as I have been many times before. I would have enjoyed this speech.

While I know that there are those who really dislike Newt Gingrich, I am most definitely not one of them. Newt is a brilliant man who has a complete grasp of the Conservative philosophy.

During a speech on Friday at the NRA's Annual Meeting, Newt unloaded on Obama ...

“In every possible way, the Obama administration is the most consistently anti-gun administration and anti-Second Amendment administration that we have ever seen,” the former House Speaker said with characteristic bombast."

Check out this piece at Politico for more.

Evidence mounts ...

2011-04-30T20:08:13-04:00

Yesterday, I wrote about a piece titled "GUNRUNNER: The ‘blame Bush’ option is out" by Dave Workman outlining the case against the U.S. Government and the BATFE in regards to Project Gunrunner.

Today, Dave has a follow-up which notes that the evidence countinues to pile up:

"... there is mounting evidence that this country’s government, not its gun shops or gun shows, is largely responsible for arming Mexican drug cartels.

That revelation, plus the fact that Capitol Hill sources told this column on background that Congressional investigators remain in Arizona, interviewing various people in connection with the Project Gunrunner/Operation Fast and Furious controversy, will boost the NRA’s contention that American gun rights are not responsible for Mexico’s criminal wrongs."

Read "Evidence mounts that government, not gun shops, arming Mexican cartels" here ... read it now ... and be outraged!

NRA: The steel behind American freedom

2011-04-29T12:00:00-04:00

Awesome piece over at the Washington Times that discusses the history of the National Rifle Association.

"What few realize is that until gun ownership became a partisan and ideological issue in the 1960s, the NRA hadn’t spent a dime on politics, didn’t have even one registered lobbyist and avoided political involvement whenever possible. Indeed, after President Johnson signed the landmark Gun Control Act of 1968, one major Senate sponsor of the bill described the NRA as a “paper tiger.”

What he and his colleagues didn’t realize at the time was that the NRA was really a sleeping giant. Its members had never lobbied or been involved in politics because, until the world changed in the’60s, they had never had to."

As an annual member of the NRA since I was in my late teens, and an NRA Life Member today, I've always been annoyed at the "gun lobby" label. Clearly, the NRA lobbies ... but the anti-gunners try to paint the NRA as a nameless, faceless behemoth who's meddling in government business. Make no mistake, the four million members of the NRA, including yours truly, are Americans who are actively engaged in the democratic process. There's no meddling ... only citizens who wish to protect their rights!

Check out the entire piece here.

GUNRUNNER: The ‘blame Bush’ option is out

2011-04-29T08:00:00-04:00

Dave Workman has an on-target piece at examiner.com where he discusses the likely abuses by ATF under “Project Gunrunner” and “Operation Fast and Furious”.

"There is a growing suspicion within the firearms community that ATF higher-ups wanted to flood Mexico with guns, just to boost their statistics on recovered guns, and thus justify demands for renewal and expansion of the ban on so-called “assault weapons.” Such a ban would also be permanent."

Be sure to read it all here.

Success in the Sunshine State

2011-04-28T20:10:55-04:00

As a former Florida resident, I keep a close eye on what's happening in the Sunshine state.

Several pieces of pro-gun legislation have been working their way through the Florida state legislature in recent weeks. Two are now on their way to Governor Rick Scott for his signature. The other still needs to pass the house but that's expected to occur shortly.

On their way now for the Governor's signature:

Provides that the ability to question patients about firearms is only allowed if the medical care practitioner, Emergency Medical Technician or paramedic believes in good faith that the information is necessary to the patient’s medical care or safety or the safety of others.

Provides penalties for government officials, local governments and agencies that willfully and knowingly violate the state firearms preemption law. State law prohibits local governments and government agencies from adopting any gun control ordinance or regulations.

Finally, Senate Bill 234, passed out of the Senate and is now heading to the House. SB 234 provides that concealed weapons license holders are not in violation of the law if and when their concealed firearm is accidentally displayed under certain circumstances. The house is expected to approve this bill shortly.

Well done!

USA Today Editorial - Gun Laws Take a Radical Turn

2011-04-26T06:00:00-04:00

Is anyone surprised that USA Today would take a stand against the rights of the individual?

In their recent editorial, they say that gun laws are taking a radical turn.

"Gun rights activists have taken their national victories not as a reason to pat themselves on the back, but as reason to push forward with an agenda that ranges from radical to idiotic."

"Just this month, North Dakota joined more than a dozen other states that have said an employer cannot ban an employee from bringing a weapon to work, so long as it is kept in the worker's vehicle."

When will they learn? Ever since the drive for 'shall issue' concealed carry laws began decades ago, the anti-gunners have insisted it will lead to shoot-outs in the street. The facts tell a very different story. For USA Today and others, those facts just aren't convenient.

After you read their point of view, be sure you check out the Opposing View, penned by Erich Pratt of Gun Owners of America.

"Several states are passing Stand Your Ground laws and loosening their concealed carry laws, making it easier for people to defend themselves … and that’s a good thing."

A good thing indeed!

What do you think?

NRA's Wayne LaPierre Discusses BATFE's Recent Abuses

2011-04-25T21:23:46-04:00

Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the National Rifle Association, was on Lou Dobb's Tonight last week to discuss the BATFE's apparent gunrunning scheme that sent guns to Mexican drug cartels.

Wishing Everyone ...

2011-04-24T06:50:23-04:00

Wishing everyone a blessed Easter.

University of Iowa Student Group Backs Carrying Guns on Campus

2011-04-23T08:00:00-04:00

Across the country, numerous states are considering legislation to allow students with Concealed Carry licenses to carry their weapons on campus.

As you might imagine, there are many exhibiting signs of Chicken Little syndrome. There are others who understand the need:

The new group, Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, is a UI chapter of a national group that has about 43,000 members. Iowa State University also has a chapter. They advocate that people who are licensed to carry firearms should be allowed the same protection on campus that they have in most other places under Iowa law, August Meyer, UI senior in psychology and a UI chapter founder, said. “A person who is licensed to carry a firearm off campus isn’t going to be any more dangerous on campus,” Meyer, 26, said. “Public safety is our No. 1 priority and concern.”

Read move at www.kcrg.com

I regularly hear the naysayers claim that the local or campus police are more than prepared to handle any situation that might come along and that students don't need to be armed. You know ... I expect the 32 people who died at Viginia Tech would take issue with that.

What do you think?

Attention Florida ... Write to your State Senators NOW to Support SB-234

2011-04-22T15:00:00-04:00

Members of the Florida Senate need to know that you want them to pass SB-234 by Sen. Greg Evers to protect your firearms rights from abusive anti-gunners.

SB-234 by Sen. Greg Evers (R) is a bill that makes two (2) much needed changes to the "Right-to-Carry" law -- also known as the Concealed Weapons Licensing law. It also makes changes to the firearms purchase law to conform to federal law.

The bill basically does three (3) following things:

Provides that concealed weapons license holders may also carry openly -- to prevent license holders from being charged with the crime of violating the "Open Carry" law because a concealed firearm accidentally or inadvertently became visible.
Provides that concealed weapons license holders may store a firearm in private vehicle anywhere the vehicle is lawfully parked except those places that are exempted under s. 790.251(7) -- the parking lot law.
Removes the obsolete firearms purchase in contiguous state law previously required by federal law for out of state purchases of long guns and replaces it with language to conform to current federal requirements that allows purchase of long guns in other states.

You must act quickly. URGENT! The FULL SENATE Must Hear From You!

PLEASE IMMEDIATELY EMAIL Members of the Senate -- They NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU NOW !!!!!!!

In the subject line put:

SUPPORT SB-234 -- RESTORE Rights to Firearms License Holders

(Copy and paste all email addresses into the "Send To" box. A few email providers require that you remove the commas following each email address)

alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov,
altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov,
benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov,
bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov,
bogdanoff.ellyn.web@flsenate.gov,
bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov,
dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov,
detert.nancy.web@flsenate.gov,
portilla.miguel.web@flsenate.gov,
dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov,
evers.greg.web@flsenate.gov,
fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov,
flores.anitere.web@flsenate.gov,
gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov,
garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov,
gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov,
haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov,
hays.alan.web@flsenate.gov,
hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov,
jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov,
joyner.arthenia.web@flsenate.gov,
latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov,
lynn.evelyn.web@flsenate.gov,
margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov,
montford.bill.web@flsenate.gov,
negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov,
norman.jim.web@flsenate.gov,
oelrich.steve.web@flsenate.gov,
rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov,
richter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov,
ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov,
sachs.maria.web@flsenate.gov,
simmons.david.web@flsenate.gov,
siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov,
smith.chris.web@flsenate.gov,
sobel.eleanor.web@flsenate.gov,
storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov,
thrasher.john.web@flsenate.gov,
wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

BACKGROUND

OPEN CARRY:

# 1. The open carry provision addresses the problem of accidental or unintentional exposure of a firearm being carried by license holder. As silly as it may sound, if a license holder is carrying a concealed firearm and the wind blows a jacket or shirt open exposing the firearm, the person can be charged with a crime for violating the open carry law.

Anytime a license holder accidentally or unintentionally exposes the firearm whether reaching for something on a top shelf or bending over to pick up something, he/she can be charged with a crime. If a person wants to take a coat or jacket off before getting into a car or get out of a car before putting on a jacket or coat -- and the gun is exposed -- the possibility of being charged with a crime exists. This bill fixes that problem.

The cries of anti-gunners with predictions of horrible things resulting from "Open Carry" are pure nonsense. Adding the provision of Open Carry for Concealed Weapons License holders will NOT present problems. While some gun haters may not want to remove this needless restriction, there have been no problems in other states.

According to the anti-gun Brady Campaign, -- 46 states allow Open Carry. Of those, 34 states allow open carry without a permit or license while 12 states require a permit to carry openly. (FLORIDA TODAY 1/7/2011, Change would relax handgun law)

What the spokesperson (Brian Malte, State Legislative Director) for the Brady Campaign -- the national gun control/gun ban group -- said is that open carry COULD BE TROUBLESOME. He said "Open carrying of loaded guns is problematic for public safety and for law enforcement. It is frightening to see people carrying loaded weapons in urban and suburban environments."

What the Brady Campaign fails to report is that Open Carry is not now, nor has it ever been a problem. Only 4 states, including Florida, prohibit Open Carry. It's time to remove that unnecessary government restriction on Second Amendment rights in Florida.

Adding "open carry" for CW License holders to the law to avoid the "open carry" glitch doesn't mean they will carry openly.

FIREARMS CARRY IN A VEHICLE:

#2. The bill simply says that if a person has a carry license, nothing shall prohibit the carry or storage of a firearm in a vehicle -- except the exemptions in the parking lot law.

A case last summer highlighted the need. A cemetery arbitrarily banned guns on cemetery property. A father who has a license to carry had already buried his son in that cemetery. He always carries a gun in his truck and frequently visits his son's grave. The father was presented with 3 choices. (a) Quit carrying a gun in his vehicle; (b) Risk being charged with a felony for trespass with a firearm; or (c) Move his son's body to another cemetery. I submit that those choices are outrageous. This fixes that outrageous denial of Second Amendment rights.

REPEAL OF CONTIGUOUS STATE LANGUAGE:

#3. The bill repeals s. 790.28 which is the provision that allows purchase of rifles and shotguns in contiguous states.

In 1979 s. 790.28 was passed to conform to federal law. At the time, Federal law required the contiguous state language to be passed in order for residents to be able to exercise their right to purchase long guns in adjoining states.

Federal law has now changed to allow purchase of long guns in any other state. However, in order for Florida residents to be able to exercise those rights, s. 790.28 must be repealed and new conforming language added to our statutes. This bill does that.