By William La Jeunesse - 2/25/2013
In radio and billboard ads across the country, the federal government is telling potential gun buyers "don't lie for the other guy." The campaign message is intended to stop those with clean criminal records from buying firearms for felons who legally can't buy guns on their own.
The message underscores the full-court press in Washington to adopt sweeping new gun control laws, from universal background checks to a ban on military-style rifles and large ammunition magazines.
However, recent studies show the Obama administration has not enforced many gun laws already on books -- with gun crime prosecutions hitting a decade low in 2011, down 40 percent from their peak under President George W. Bush in 2004, according to federal data crunched by Syracuse University. The SU study prompted 23 House Republicans on Friday to call on President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to prosecute more people for gun-related crimes.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Missing the Mark on ‘Gun Control’
By Jake Berube - 2/25/2013
In recent months the debate over gun control has taken center stage. It is an emotionally charged issue, to be sure. After a series of high profile shootings, including those in Aurora, Colo., and Newton, Conn., it is obvious that people are anxious to find a solution to these heartbreaking occurrences, but there is serious disagreement on how this goal should be pursued.
I am sympathetic to the arguments for gun control on an emotional level. It seems to reason that if the government restricts access to guns in any way, there would be fewer guns, and, in turn, less violence. This argument, however, is a logical trap because it assumes several premises that upon closer examination are proven false.
In recent months the debate over gun control has taken center stage. It is an emotionally charged issue, to be sure. After a series of high profile shootings, including those in Aurora, Colo., and Newton, Conn., it is obvious that people are anxious to find a solution to these heartbreaking occurrences, but there is serious disagreement on how this goal should be pursued.
I am sympathetic to the arguments for gun control on an emotional level. It seems to reason that if the government restricts access to guns in any way, there would be fewer guns, and, in turn, less violence. This argument, however, is a logical trap because it assumes several premises that upon closer examination are proven false.
Black Leaders Speak out for Gun Rights
By: Neil W. McCabe - 2/22/2013
Led by conservative activist Star Parker, the founder and president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, more than a dozen black leaders spoke out in favor of gun rights at a press conference at Washington’s National Press Club.
“The call for universal background checks as qualifiers for constitutional rights invokes painful memories of Jim Crow laws and Black Codes,” said Parker, who was an unsuccessful California GOP congressional candidate in 2010.
Parker said the press conference was called during Black History Month because the lessons learned by the black experience in America teach that all Americans should be able to exercise their gun rights.
The press conference was dedicated to the tradition of abolitionist and civil rights leader Frederick Douglass, she said. “Douglass reminded us: ‘A man’s rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box and the cartridge box.’”
Led by conservative activist Star Parker, the founder and president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, more than a dozen black leaders spoke out in favor of gun rights at a press conference at Washington’s National Press Club.
“The call for universal background checks as qualifiers for constitutional rights invokes painful memories of Jim Crow laws and Black Codes,” said Parker, who was an unsuccessful California GOP congressional candidate in 2010.
Parker said the press conference was called during Black History Month because the lessons learned by the black experience in America teach that all Americans should be able to exercise their gun rights.
The press conference was dedicated to the tradition of abolitionist and civil rights leader Frederick Douglass, she said. “Douglass reminded us: ‘A man’s rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box and the cartridge box.’”
Monday, February 25, 2013
Concealed-carry Law Signed in Arkansas -Today!
By United Press International - 2/25/2013
Arkansas Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, describing himself as an enthusiastic backer of gun rights, has signed a concealed-carry law.
Darr, a Republican, was standing in as acting governor Friday for the state's Democratic governor, Mike Beebe, who had said he would let the bill become law without signing it, KHOZ-AM, Harrison, reported.
Arkansas Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, describing himself as an enthusiastic backer of gun rights, has signed a concealed-carry law.
Darr, a Republican, was standing in as acting governor Friday for the state's Democratic governor, Mike Beebe, who had said he would let the bill become law without signing it, KHOZ-AM, Harrison, reported.
Are gun owners the new smokers? . . .Agenda 2013
By The Oregonian - 2/25/2013
Oregon gun owners cheered by the demise of Sen. Ginny Burdick's proposals to ban large magazines and scary-looking semiautomatic weapons should leave the champagne in the fridge for the time being. The Legislature's gun-control advocates are still hard at work, and the direction in which they're heading would create problems for law-abiding citizens over the long term and, perhaps, do nothing to enhance public safety.
We're leery of slippery-slope arguments, but two concepts supported by Burdick and Sen. Floyd Prozanski, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, could grease the transformation of concealed-handgun policy into something resembling smoking policies around the state. Sure, it's legal to smoke, but the places in which you can do it keep disappearing. A bill considered this week would even prohibit people from smoking in vehicles in the presence of minors.
Oregon gun owners cheered by the demise of Sen. Ginny Burdick's proposals to ban large magazines and scary-looking semiautomatic weapons should leave the champagne in the fridge for the time being. The Legislature's gun-control advocates are still hard at work, and the direction in which they're heading would create problems for law-abiding citizens over the long term and, perhaps, do nothing to enhance public safety.
We're leery of slippery-slope arguments, but two concepts supported by Burdick and Sen. Floyd Prozanski, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, could grease the transformation of concealed-handgun policy into something resembling smoking policies around the state. Sure, it's legal to smoke, but the places in which you can do it keep disappearing. A bill considered this week would even prohibit people from smoking in vehicles in the presence of minors.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Shooting Victim Accuses President of Standing with Thugs and Criminals
Columbine Survivor Pens Powerful Letter to President Obama on Gun Rights
By Guy Benson - 2/22/2013
The Left routinely ascribes absolute moral authority to grieving victims in furtherance of their political agenda. Their agitprop is often manipulative and exploitive, but it works. Appeals to facts and reason aren't enough anymore; persuading the public increasingly requires emotional appeals. Even if they find it inherently unpalatable, conservatives must promote people whose personal stories offer counter-narratives to liberals' tragic parade of victimhood. Katie highlighted one such case earlier this week, and now The Blaze has another. This open letter is a must-read -- not only for the case it lays out, but because of its author's personal history (click through for the full, unedited missive):
By Guy Benson - 2/22/2013
The Left routinely ascribes absolute moral authority to grieving victims in furtherance of their political agenda. Their agitprop is often manipulative and exploitive, but it works. Appeals to facts and reason aren't enough anymore; persuading the public increasingly requires emotional appeals. Even if they find it inherently unpalatable, conservatives must promote people whose personal stories offer counter-narratives to liberals' tragic parade of victimhood. Katie highlighted one such case earlier this week, and now The Blaze has another. This open letter is a must-read -- not only for the case it lays out, but because of its author's personal history (click through for the full, unedited missive):
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Crime Control or Gun Control?
By J. Randall O'Brien - 02/20/2013
"According to the latest polls," Jay Leno cracked, "50 percent of Americans say we are a divided country; the other 50 percent say we are not." Laughter doeth good like a medicine.
If Americans are divided over gun control, we are not over crime control. In order to improve our chance of reaching consensus on one important avenue of diminishing a national problem, should we not accurately define what our problem is? And would it not be prudent to focus our national problem-solving conversation upon that which unites us, rather than that which divides us? Perhaps, then, our focus should rest upon crime control rather than gun control.
We Americans love our guns. (For full disclosure: I have owned guns since childhood, volunteered to serve in Vietnam [101st Airborne Infantry], and own guns today.) The data claim there are 300 million firearms in America (114 million handguns, 86 million shotguns, 110 million rifles). The estimated tally of assault weapons (semiautomatic rifles with military-style features, including detachable magazines holding 10-100 rounds) numbers roughly four million.
"According to the latest polls," Jay Leno cracked, "50 percent of Americans say we are a divided country; the other 50 percent say we are not." Laughter doeth good like a medicine.
If Americans are divided over gun control, we are not over crime control. In order to improve our chance of reaching consensus on one important avenue of diminishing a national problem, should we not accurately define what our problem is? And would it not be prudent to focus our national problem-solving conversation upon that which unites us, rather than that which divides us? Perhaps, then, our focus should rest upon crime control rather than gun control.
We Americans love our guns. (For full disclosure: I have owned guns since childhood, volunteered to serve in Vietnam [101st Airborne Infantry], and own guns today.) The data claim there are 300 million firearms in America (114 million handguns, 86 million shotguns, 110 million rifles). The estimated tally of assault weapons (semiautomatic rifles with military-style features, including detachable magazines holding 10-100 rounds) numbers roughly four million.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Stand Your Ground! - The Castle Doctrine of Delf-defense
By Bruce N. Eimer, Ph.D. - 5/18/2012.
The “stand your ground” law greatly benefits senior citizens, who may be physically unable to retreat.
“A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked (3) in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.”
Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. declared in Brown v. United States on May 16th, 1921 in a case that upheld the “no duty to retreat” maxim that “detached reflection cannot be demanded in the presence of an uplifted knife.” In this spirit, in recent years, a growing number of states have passed so-called Castle Doctrine laws protecting a home owner’s right to use deadly force in self defense, without mandating a duty to attempt to retreat first, when the home owner’s life is being imminently threatened by an intruder or home invader.
The “stand your ground” law greatly benefits senior citizens, who may be physically unable to retreat.
“A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked (3) in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.”
Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. declared in Brown v. United States on May 16th, 1921 in a case that upheld the “no duty to retreat” maxim that “detached reflection cannot be demanded in the presence of an uplifted knife.” In this spirit, in recent years, a growing number of states have passed so-called Castle Doctrine laws protecting a home owner’s right to use deadly force in self defense, without mandating a duty to attempt to retreat first, when the home owner’s life is being imminently threatened by an intruder or home invader.
Teacher refused to grade report on guns
By Fil Alvarado
A Denton,Texas teacher allegedly refused to grade two student reports because they were about guns. Now one mother is demanded answers and an apology.
Marshall Williams said he and his classmates were told by Mr. Dewey Christian at Denton High School to write a report on anything that they were interested in using different types of sentence structures. He chose to write about the Fort Worth gun show.
But then he said his English teacher told him he would get a zero on the assignment because of the topic.
A Denton,Texas teacher allegedly refused to grade two student reports because they were about guns. Now one mother is demanded answers and an apology.
Marshall Williams said he and his classmates were told by Mr. Dewey Christian at Denton High School to write a report on anything that they were interested in using different types of sentence structures. He chose to write about the Fort Worth gun show.
But then he said his English teacher told him he would get a zero on the assignment because of the topic.
Progressive Left Disarms American Woman
Forum Comment - "Women! If you are attacked by a rapist. . . just grab a ball point pen"
By Michelle Malkin
If radical gun-grabbers have their way, your daughters, mothers and grandmothers will have nothing but whistles, pens and bodily fluids to defend themselves against violent attackers and sexual predators. Women of all ages, races and political backgrounds should be up in arms over the coordinated attack on their right to bear arms.
In Colorado this week, male Democratic legislators assailed concealed-carry supporters and disparaged female students who refuse to depend on the government for protection. The Democrat-controlled House passed a statewide ban on concealed-carry weapons on college campuses, along with several other extreme gun-control measures that will undermine citizen safety and drive dozens of businesses out of the state.
By Michelle Malkin
If radical gun-grabbers have their way, your daughters, mothers and grandmothers will have nothing but whistles, pens and bodily fluids to defend themselves against violent attackers and sexual predators. Women of all ages, races and political backgrounds should be up in arms over the coordinated attack on their right to bear arms.
In Colorado this week, male Democratic legislators assailed concealed-carry supporters and disparaged female students who refuse to depend on the government for protection. The Democrat-controlled House passed a statewide ban on concealed-carry weapons on college campuses, along with several other extreme gun-control measures that will undermine citizen safety and drive dozens of businesses out of the state.
Monday, February 18, 2013
You Know, The 2nd Amendment Is Really About Gun Control
By William Teach - 2/18/12013
Progressives are searching far and wide to make a case to disarm the American public and leave guns only in the hands of Government.
In 2008 the Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment did secure the right of law-abiding, responsible adults to have handguns in their homes for protection. Yet the court went out of its way to acknowledge that most forms of gun regulation remain constitutionally permissible. “Like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited,” Justice Antonin Scalia, explained. In a sentence the NRA and many gun-rights extremists apparently missed, Scalia wrote that the Second Amendment is “not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.”
Let’s say that again: Justice Scalia, hero of the most intransigent conservatives in the country, stated unequivocally that restrictions of Second Amendment rights are constitutional.
Progressives are searching far and wide to make a case to disarm the American public and leave guns only in the hands of Government.
In 2008 the Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment did secure the right of law-abiding, responsible adults to have handguns in their homes for protection. Yet the court went out of its way to acknowledge that most forms of gun regulation remain constitutionally permissible. “Like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited,” Justice Antonin Scalia, explained. In a sentence the NRA and many gun-rights extremists apparently missed, Scalia wrote that the Second Amendment is “not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.”
Let’s say that again: Justice Scalia, hero of the most intransigent conservatives in the country, stated unequivocally that restrictions of Second Amendment rights are constitutional.
Olympic Arms refuses to sell to NY cops
By Washington Times - 2/18/2013
Washington-state-based firearms manufacturer has announced that it no longer will be doing business with New York law enforcement, in response to the state's sweeping new gun laws on private citizens.
Olympic Arms, a manufacturer of AR-15s and other semi-automatic rifles, made the announcement Tuesday as New York will begin imposing an assault weapons ban on its residents.
"Legislation recently passed in the State of New York outlaws the AR15 and many other firearms, and will make it illegal for the good and free citizens of New York to own a large selection of legal and safe firearms and magazines," the company wrote on its official Facebook page. "We feel as though the passage of this legislation exceeds the authority granted to the government of New York by its citizens, and violates the Constitution of the United States."
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's assault-weapons ban allows law enforcement agencies to purchase assault-style weapons, but Olympic says it no longer will serve the state's first responders, Fox News writes.
"It didn't make sense that citizens can't have what police departments have," Brian Schuetz, Olympic's president and co-owner, told the Times Union newspaper.
Washington-state-based firearms manufacturer has announced that it no longer will be doing business with New York law enforcement, in response to the state's sweeping new gun laws on private citizens.
Olympic Arms, a manufacturer of AR-15s and other semi-automatic rifles, made the announcement Tuesday as New York will begin imposing an assault weapons ban on its residents.
"Legislation recently passed in the State of New York outlaws the AR15 and many other firearms, and will make it illegal for the good and free citizens of New York to own a large selection of legal and safe firearms and magazines," the company wrote on its official Facebook page. "We feel as though the passage of this legislation exceeds the authority granted to the government of New York by its citizens, and violates the Constitution of the United States."
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's assault-weapons ban allows law enforcement agencies to purchase assault-style weapons, but Olympic says it no longer will serve the state's first responders, Fox News writes.
"It didn't make sense that citizens can't have what police departments have," Brian Schuetz, Olympic's president and co-owner, told the Times Union newspaper.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
No Guns for the Police
From www.ncgunblog.com
Seven gun manufacturers/distrubtors have said that they would not be selling firearms to State and local governments that could not also be sold to the residents of that State. With Olympic Arms refusing to sell anything at all to any government agency in New York, I think we have the makings of a large-scale boycott.
LaRue Tactical 2-8-13
Olympic Arms 2-12-13
Extreme Firepower Inc, LLC Date of policy unknown, reported 2-13-13
Templar Custom 2-13-13
York Arms 2-13-13
Cheaper Than Dirt 2-15-13
Bullwater Enterprises 2-16-13
Grass Roots North Carolina has petitioned SIG, Smith & Wesson, and Glock asking these three major companies to boycott sales to anti-gun states. The NYPD authorizes three handguns for duty use, made by these three companies.
Seven gun manufacturers/distrubtors have said that they would not be selling firearms to State and local governments that could not also be sold to the residents of that State. With Olympic Arms refusing to sell anything at all to any government agency in New York, I think we have the makings of a large-scale boycott.
LaRue Tactical 2-8-13
Olympic Arms 2-12-13
Extreme Firepower Inc, LLC Date of policy unknown, reported 2-13-13
Templar Custom 2-13-13
York Arms 2-13-13
Cheaper Than Dirt 2-15-13
Bullwater Enterprises 2-16-13
Grass Roots North Carolina has petitioned SIG, Smith & Wesson, and Glock asking these three major companies to boycott sales to anti-gun states. The NYPD authorizes three handguns for duty use, made by these three companies.
Guns and Self Defense - Cato Institute
By The Cato Institute
Support the cause of liberty
The Cato Institute stands in defense of the traditional American principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.
Gun control proponents want legislation that will restrict access to firearms. The rationale for such legislation is to reduce accidental shootings and the criminal use of guns against people. But if harm reduction is the goal, policymakers should pause to consider how many crimes--murders, rapes, assaults, robberies--are thwarted by ordinary persons who were fortunate enough to have access to a gun. Gun control proponents cannot deny that people use guns successfully against criminals, but they tend to play down how often such events take place.
At http://www.cato.org/guns-and-self-defense is a map that categorizes the use of various weapons in self defense in the US.
Two additional points are worth noting. First, the map is not comprehensive. Criminals will often flee the scene when they discover that their intended target has a gun. With no shots fired, no injuries, and no suspect in custody, news organizations may report nothing at all. Thus, it is important to remember that news reports can only provide us with an imperfect picture of defensive gun use in America. Second, when a citizen is able to shoot an attacker or hold a rapist or robber until the police arrive, it is very likely that more than one crime has been prevented because if the culprit had not been stopped, he could have targeted other citizens as well. The bottom line is that gun owners stop a lot of criminal mayhem every year.
Support the cause of liberty
The Cato Institute stands in defense of the traditional American principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.
Gun control proponents want legislation that will restrict access to firearms. The rationale for such legislation is to reduce accidental shootings and the criminal use of guns against people. But if harm reduction is the goal, policymakers should pause to consider how many crimes--murders, rapes, assaults, robberies--are thwarted by ordinary persons who were fortunate enough to have access to a gun. Gun control proponents cannot deny that people use guns successfully against criminals, but they tend to play down how often such events take place.
At http://www.cato.org/guns-and-self-defense is a map that categorizes the use of various weapons in self defense in the US.
Two additional points are worth noting. First, the map is not comprehensive. Criminals will often flee the scene when they discover that their intended target has a gun. With no shots fired, no injuries, and no suspect in custody, news organizations may report nothing at all. Thus, it is important to remember that news reports can only provide us with an imperfect picture of defensive gun use in America. Second, when a citizen is able to shoot an attacker or hold a rapist or robber until the police arrive, it is very likely that more than one crime has been prevented because if the culprit had not been stopped, he could have targeted other citizens as well. The bottom line is that gun owners stop a lot of criminal mayhem every year.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Message for Gun Control Advocates: 'Real assault weapons' are already illegal
By Joel Gerhrke - 1/24/2013
The Washington Examiner
As Senate Democrats unveiled an “assault weapons ban” encompassing a variety of rifles, shotguns, and pistols, the newest lawyer in the U.S. Senate pointed out that “real assault weapons” have been illegal since 1934.
“Washington politicians shouldn’t be taking advantage of recent tragedy to try to push an aggressive gun control agenda,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in a statement today. “Real assault weaponsmachine gunsare already functionally illegal, and they have been since 1934. This proposal would have done nothing to prevent the terrible murders in Newtown, but it would limit the constitutional liberties of law-abiding citizens.”
The Washington Examiner
As Senate Democrats unveiled an “assault weapons ban” encompassing a variety of rifles, shotguns, and pistols, the newest lawyer in the U.S. Senate pointed out that “real assault weapons” have been illegal since 1934.
“Washington politicians shouldn’t be taking advantage of recent tragedy to try to push an aggressive gun control agenda,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in a statement today. “Real assault weaponsmachine gunsare already functionally illegal, and they have been since 1934. This proposal would have done nothing to prevent the terrible murders in Newtown, but it would limit the constitutional liberties of law-abiding citizens.”
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Democrats Say Turn in Your Weapons or Face Jail
By Jim Hoft - 2/14/2013
Missouri Democrats introduced an anti-gun bill which would turn law-abiding firearm owners into criminals. They will have 90 days to turn in their guns if the legislation is passed.
Dana Loesch Radio reported on the new legislation being pushed by Missouri Democrats:
Any person who, prior to the effective date of this law, was legally in possession of an assault weapon or large capacity magazine shall have ninety days from such effective date to do any of the following without being subject to prosecution.
Here’s part of the Democratic proposal in Missouri:
4. Any person who, prior to the effective date of this law, was legally in possession of an assault weapon or large capacity magazine shall have ninety days from such effective date to do any of the following without being subject to prosecution:
(1) Remove the assault weapon or large capacity magazine from the state of Missouri;
(2) Render the assault weapon permanently inoperable; or
(3) Surrender the assault weapon or large capacity magazine to the appropriate law enforcement agency for destruction, subject to specific agency regulations.
5. Unlawful manufacture, import, possession, purchase, sale, or transfer of an assault weapon or a large capacity magazine is a class C felony.
UPDATE: It’s not just Missouri…
Minnesota Democrats Introduce Law to Confiscate Guns… Using Same Language as Missouri Democrats.
Missouri Democrats introduced an anti-gun bill which would turn law-abiding firearm owners into criminals. They will have 90 days to turn in their guns if the legislation is passed.
Dana Loesch Radio reported on the new legislation being pushed by Missouri Democrats:
Any person who, prior to the effective date of this law, was legally in possession of an assault weapon or large capacity magazine shall have ninety days from such effective date to do any of the following without being subject to prosecution.
Here’s part of the Democratic proposal in Missouri:
4. Any person who, prior to the effective date of this law, was legally in possession of an assault weapon or large capacity magazine shall have ninety days from such effective date to do any of the following without being subject to prosecution:
(1) Remove the assault weapon or large capacity magazine from the state of Missouri;
(2) Render the assault weapon permanently inoperable; or
(3) Surrender the assault weapon or large capacity magazine to the appropriate law enforcement agency for destruction, subject to specific agency regulations.
5. Unlawful manufacture, import, possession, purchase, sale, or transfer of an assault weapon or a large capacity magazine is a class C felony.
UPDATE: It’s not just Missouri…
Minnesota Democrats Introduce Law to Confiscate Guns… Using Same Language as Missouri Democrats.
Are 2nd Amendment rights absolute?
By Chuck Sweeny - 2/13/2013
Gun advocates tell me the amendment “means what it says,” in other words, it’s an absolute statement. But its application isn’t absolute. It’s complicated.
Here’s what it says: “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
The founders assumed that the amendment guaranteed an individual right. In recent decades, gun-control advocates have contended the amendment is no longer relevant because our professional Armed Forces guarantee the nation’s security.
In 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to interpret the right to keep and bear arms when it heard a case called Heller v. Washington, D.C., in which a man challenged that city’s ban on handgun possession. Mr. Heller, a special police officer whose job was to guard a federal building, tried to get a city permit to keep a handgun in his home; he was denied.
Gun advocates tell me the amendment “means what it says,” in other words, it’s an absolute statement. But its application isn’t absolute. It’s complicated.
Here’s what it says: “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
The founders assumed that the amendment guaranteed an individual right. In recent decades, gun-control advocates have contended the amendment is no longer relevant because our professional Armed Forces guarantee the nation’s security.
In 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to interpret the right to keep and bear arms when it heard a case called Heller v. Washington, D.C., in which a man challenged that city’s ban on handgun possession. Mr. Heller, a special police officer whose job was to guard a federal building, tried to get a city permit to keep a handgun in his home; he was denied.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
The Greatest Gun Ever
By: Ted Nugent - 7/3/2012
Through my rifle’s optics I watched the 14 steel plate topple over 1,000 yards away. A broad grin of satisfaction grew upon my face. It would stay there all day.
After touching off literally hundreds of thousands of rounds over my lifetime of dedicate aim small miss small marksmanship discipline, making my first 1000 yard shot on my new Discovery Channel TV program is unquestionably the pinnacle of my ballistically coefficient life.
I have achieved the ultimate gun nut American dream by being trained by the greatest snipers the world has ever known, being one of the lucky few to get so much trigger time with the heroes of the US Military and law enforcement. I have spent my life studying guns, admiring guns, shooting guns, fondling guns, cleaning guns, buying guns, wearing out guns, going to gun shows, writing about guns, promoting gun ownership, giving guns as gifts, and teaching others about guns. I’m the gun guy, a loud guitar Dirty Harry with a ponytail.
Through my rifle’s optics I watched the 14 steel plate topple over 1,000 yards away. A broad grin of satisfaction grew upon my face. It would stay there all day.
After touching off literally hundreds of thousands of rounds over my lifetime of dedicate aim small miss small marksmanship discipline, making my first 1000 yard shot on my new Discovery Channel TV program is unquestionably the pinnacle of my ballistically coefficient life.
I have achieved the ultimate gun nut American dream by being trained by the greatest snipers the world has ever known, being one of the lucky few to get so much trigger time with the heroes of the US Military and law enforcement. I have spent my life studying guns, admiring guns, shooting guns, fondling guns, cleaning guns, buying guns, wearing out guns, going to gun shows, writing about guns, promoting gun ownership, giving guns as gifts, and teaching others about guns. I’m the gun guy, a loud guitar Dirty Harry with a ponytail.
Print and fire: 3D printing could muzzle new gun laws
By Perry Chiaramonte - 1/13/2013
Gun owners who can't buy high capacity ammo magazines because of new laws have another option: Print them.
Gun control measures passed or proposed in the wake of the Sandy Hook school massacre have targeted magazines that can feed 30 rounds or more into the firing chambers of AR-15s and other semi-automatic guns. New York has banned magazines holding more than seven rounds, and a federal bill proposed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., would ban magazines holding more than 10 rounds.
But the laws are at least one step behind technology. Using 3D printers and schematics available on the Internet, gun owners can manufacture a fully functional, plastic magazine clip. Plans are free, although getting access to a 3D printer may prove expensive, at least for now.
Gun owners who can't buy high capacity ammo magazines because of new laws have another option: Print them.
Gun control measures passed or proposed in the wake of the Sandy Hook school massacre have targeted magazines that can feed 30 rounds or more into the firing chambers of AR-15s and other semi-automatic guns. New York has banned magazines holding more than seven rounds, and a federal bill proposed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., would ban magazines holding more than 10 rounds.
But the laws are at least one step behind technology. Using 3D printers and schematics available on the Internet, gun owners can manufacture a fully functional, plastic magazine clip. Plans are free, although getting access to a 3D printer may prove expensive, at least for now.
Blacks: Both victims and Perpetrators
By Walter E. Williams - 2/13/2013
There's a story told about a Paris chief of police who was called to a department store to stop a burglary in progress. Upon his arrival, he reconnoitered the situation and ordered his men to surround the entrances of the building next door. When questioned about his actions, he replied that he didn't have enough men to cover the department store's many entrances but he did have enough for the building next door. Let's see whether there are similarities between his strategy and today's gun control strategy.
Last year, Chicago had 512 homicides; Detroit had 411; Philadelphia had 331; and Baltimore had 215. Those cities are joined by other dangerous cities -- such as St. Louis, Memphis, Tenn., Flint, Mich., and Camden, N.J. -- and they also lead the nation in shootings, assaults, rapes and robberies. Both the populations of those cities and their crime victims are predominantly black. Each year, more than 7,000 blacks are murdered. Close to 100 percent of the time, the murderer is another black person.
There's a story told about a Paris chief of police who was called to a department store to stop a burglary in progress. Upon his arrival, he reconnoitered the situation and ordered his men to surround the entrances of the building next door. When questioned about his actions, he replied that he didn't have enough men to cover the department store's many entrances but he did have enough for the building next door. Let's see whether there are similarities between his strategy and today's gun control strategy.
Last year, Chicago had 512 homicides; Detroit had 411; Philadelphia had 331; and Baltimore had 215. Those cities are joined by other dangerous cities -- such as St. Louis, Memphis, Tenn., Flint, Mich., and Camden, N.J. -- and they also lead the nation in shootings, assaults, rapes and robberies. Both the populations of those cities and their crime victims are predominantly black. Each year, more than 7,000 blacks are murdered. Close to 100 percent of the time, the murderer is another black person.
NYC Murder Rates same as Brazil
By Frank Rosario and Bob Frederics - 2/13/2013
East Harlem and the nation of Brazil have something in common and it has nothing to do with delicious food.
The Manhattan neighborhood’s 21 murders per 100,000 residents mirrored the rate in the crime-ravaged South American country, according to a Columbia University study that compared every city precinct’s homicide rate with a UN member.
New York finished 2012 with 419 homicides an average of just 3.8 killings per every 100,000 residents.
East Harlem and the nation of Brazil have something in common and it has nothing to do with delicious food.
The Manhattan neighborhood’s 21 murders per 100,000 residents mirrored the rate in the crime-ravaged South American country, according to a Columbia University study that compared every city precinct’s homicide rate with a UN member.
New York finished 2012 with 419 homicides an average of just 3.8 killings per every 100,000 residents.
US Attorneys General file amicus brief in 2nd Amendment case
By Jacques Couret - Senior Online Editor- Atlanta Business Chronicle
Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens joined a bipartisan coalition of 19 Attorneys General that filed an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a case that challenges a New York law they claim infringes on the constitutional right to bear arms.
Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens joined a bipartisan coalition of 19 Attorneys General that filed an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a case that challenges a New York law they claim infringes on the constitutional right to bear arms.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
US - Left, right clash at latest hearing on guns
By Associated Press - 2/12/2013
WASHINGTON - The plague of gun violence makes it plain that current firearms restrictions are insufficient and new federal limits are needed, a top Democrat said Tuesday at a Senate hearing on gun control. Parrying that, a Republican said gun rights must be protected, even amid horrors like the mass shooting of school children in Connecticut.
"There are too many families who now face an empty seat at the dinner table" because of gun violence, said Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., chairman of a Senate Judiciary subcommittee. He said that while opponents of stricter gun limits claim that existing laws simply need to be better enforced, "that's not enough. There are so many gaps in those laws."
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Maine Gov Addresses Gun Rally Supporting 2nd Amendment
By A.J. Higgins - 02/08/2013
More than 100 tea party Republicans and constitutionalists braved sub zero wind chill today for a rally outside the State House in support of the Second Amendment. One of many protests held across the country, the Maine gathering attracted the attention of Gov. Paul LePage.
Gun control opponents rally outside the Maine State House in support of the Second Amendment.
Largely absent from the Maine political stage since his unsuccessful primary bid in Maine's 2nd Congressional District, Blaine Richardson stepped to the microphone outside the State House, as the snow blew sideways, and took a moment to reflect on divine providence.
"If we could just take a moment to thank God for bringing us together here, to protect our God-given rights," Richardson said. "We're here particularly for the 2nd Amendment today. Let's find the strength to carry this message across the state of Maine."
More than 100 tea party Republicans and constitutionalists braved sub zero wind chill today for a rally outside the State House in support of the Second Amendment. One of many protests held across the country, the Maine gathering attracted the attention of Gov. Paul LePage.
Gun control opponents rally outside the Maine State House in support of the Second Amendment.
Largely absent from the Maine political stage since his unsuccessful primary bid in Maine's 2nd Congressional District, Blaine Richardson stepped to the microphone outside the State House, as the snow blew sideways, and took a moment to reflect on divine providence.
"If we could just take a moment to thank God for bringing us together here, to protect our God-given rights," Richardson said. "We're here particularly for the 2nd Amendment today. Let's find the strength to carry this message across the state of Maine."
Friday, February 8, 2013
Gun Control Democrats Hide Gun Control Behind the 2nd Amendment
By Evan McMorris-Santoro - 2/7/2013
Members of the House Democratic gun violence task force put a heavy emphasis on the Second Amendment when they rolled out their policy recommendations Thursday. From speaking directly hunters to telling a personal story of a family defended from roving bands of racist thugs, Democrats praised the right to posses firearms and promised they’re not ever going to touch it as they work to reduce gun violence after the Newtown, Conn., school massacre.
Members of the House Democratic gun violence task force put a heavy emphasis on the Second Amendment when they rolled out their policy recommendations Thursday. From speaking directly hunters to telling a personal story of a family defended from roving bands of racist thugs, Democrats praised the right to posses firearms and promised they’re not ever going to touch it as they work to reduce gun violence after the Newtown, Conn., school massacre.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Who owns guns in the US Congress?
Commentary - Read the following with the perspective that 100% of US congressmen (and women) and some of their family members have available armed body guards 24/7/365.
By GOP Staff
Republicans in Congress are much better armed than their Democratic counterparts -- a fact that helps explain the deep partisan divide as Congress gears up for its first major votes on gun control in a decade.
One hundred nineteen Republicans and 46 Democrats declared themselves as gun owners in a USA TODAY survey of lawmakers.
There is no uniform public record of gun ownership by members of Congress, and it is not part of the information lawmakers are required to reveal in their annual financial disclosure forms. So USA TODAY and the Gannett Washington Bureau contacted every congressional office to ask: Does the lawmaker own a gun?
The results show a partisan -- and regional -- divide. Only 10% of Republicans who responded said they do not own a gun, while 66% of Democrats said they are not gun owners.
By GOP Staff
Republicans in Congress are much better armed than their Democratic counterparts -- a fact that helps explain the deep partisan divide as Congress gears up for its first major votes on gun control in a decade.
One hundred nineteen Republicans and 46 Democrats declared themselves as gun owners in a USA TODAY survey of lawmakers.
There is no uniform public record of gun ownership by members of Congress, and it is not part of the information lawmakers are required to reveal in their annual financial disclosure forms. So USA TODAY and the Gannett Washington Bureau contacted every congressional office to ask: Does the lawmaker own a gun?
The results show a partisan -- and regional -- divide. Only 10% of Republicans who responded said they do not own a gun, while 66% of Democrats said they are not gun owners.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Woman Shoots an Intruder
By GOPUSA Staff - 2/5/2013
Imagine what could have happened. A mother and six-year-old child are at home when she hears a noise inside her house. When she checks, she finds not one, but three armed intruders demanding money. One of the men pulls out a roll of duct tape to use on her. What happened next? She made it to her gun and shot one of them.
The wounded suspect was later arrested at a local hospital.
"When I saw three of them, I knew I was in a lot of trouble. I said, 'The TV is the most expensive thing I own. You could take that through the front door and go with it,' and they said, 'No, the money, the money,'" said Erin.
Erin said she had to think fast as the men headed towards her son's room. The mom said she distracted the men as she rushed to get her gun.
"Somehow the way it happened, as they were going down the hallway, I told them sometimes I keep money under the mattress, which is not true. But I needed to get to where my gun was," she said.
At this point, Erin said she prayed for something to distract them so she could grab her gun. She said her prayers were answered when her dogs ran in and started barking.
"They all turned around and looked. I grabbed my gun, cocked it, I turned and shot him right in the stomach," said Erin.
Two of the intruders escaped, but the other one wrestled the gun away from Erin before he took off running as well. Channel 2 News reports that "Adrian Granados-Yepez, 27, of Tomball, was arrested at Memorial Hermann Hospital Monday night, where he was being treated for a gunshot wound."
Would the police have been able to do ANYTHING to help her? No. She did what she had to do and thankfully, she had a gun.
Imagine what could have happened. A mother and six-year-old child are at home when she hears a noise inside her house. When she checks, she finds not one, but three armed intruders demanding money. One of the men pulls out a roll of duct tape to use on her. What happened next? She made it to her gun and shot one of them.
The wounded suspect was later arrested at a local hospital.
"When I saw three of them, I knew I was in a lot of trouble. I said, 'The TV is the most expensive thing I own. You could take that through the front door and go with it,' and they said, 'No, the money, the money,'" said Erin.
Erin said she had to think fast as the men headed towards her son's room. The mom said she distracted the men as she rushed to get her gun.
"Somehow the way it happened, as they were going down the hallway, I told them sometimes I keep money under the mattress, which is not true. But I needed to get to where my gun was," she said.
At this point, Erin said she prayed for something to distract them so she could grab her gun. She said her prayers were answered when her dogs ran in and started barking.
"They all turned around and looked. I grabbed my gun, cocked it, I turned and shot him right in the stomach," said Erin.
Two of the intruders escaped, but the other one wrestled the gun away from Erin before he took off running as well. Channel 2 News reports that "Adrian Granados-Yepez, 27, of Tomball, was arrested at Memorial Hermann Hospital Monday night, where he was being treated for a gunshot wound."
Would the police have been able to do ANYTHING to help her? No. She did what she had to do and thankfully, she had a gun.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Last Word on the 2nd Amendment!
By Jim Delaney - 1/30/2013
Intuitively, I had always believed that the 2nd Amendment protected my inherent right to keep and bear arms for my own personal safety; that this right was derived from “natural law” irrespective of any right to same which may have been specifically granted or denied by either the United States or any of the States.
Further, I had always believed that since the federal government was not specifically granted the right to restrict my right to self-protection, that, in accordance with the enumerated powers of Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, the federal government did not have the right to in any way deny my right to self- protection; that, similarly, since the right to self-defense is an inherently natural right that no State could abridge or otherwise deny that right as well.
In light of the recent District of Columbia v Heller (2008) decision in which SCOTUS struck down DC’s handgun ban as well as its ban on loaded, operable firearms for DC residents’ self-defense and the McDonald v City of Chicago case which protected the right to keep and bear arms from infringement by local governments, my curiosity got the best of me and I decided to explore the meaning of the 2nd Amendment for myself.
Intuitively, I had always believed that the 2nd Amendment protected my inherent right to keep and bear arms for my own personal safety; that this right was derived from “natural law” irrespective of any right to same which may have been specifically granted or denied by either the United States or any of the States.
Further, I had always believed that since the federal government was not specifically granted the right to restrict my right to self-protection, that, in accordance with the enumerated powers of Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, the federal government did not have the right to in any way deny my right to self- protection; that, similarly, since the right to self-defense is an inherently natural right that no State could abridge or otherwise deny that right as well.
In light of the recent District of Columbia v Heller (2008) decision in which SCOTUS struck down DC’s handgun ban as well as its ban on loaded, operable firearms for DC residents’ self-defense and the McDonald v City of Chicago case which protected the right to keep and bear arms from infringement by local governments, my curiosity got the best of me and I decided to explore the meaning of the 2nd Amendment for myself.
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