Lutz Poll Proves Need for More Education: Mike Bloomberg and his Mayors
Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) caused quite a stir in the gun rights
community recently when they released a poll declaring that gun owners
and NRA members support the group's gun control agenda. The poll was
conducted by Frank Lutz's company "Word Doctors." The media gleefully
reported the poll as indisputable fact while NRA and others cried
"Foul," pointing out flaws in the pollster's methodology and challenging
the results. The flaws and distortions are undoubtedly real, but it is
important for rights activists to carefully examine this poll to find
data we can use to help our cause. In spite of its flaws, this poll
demonstrates a serious failure on the part of rights groups and
supporters in efforts to educate our less activist brethren. We're not
preaching to the choir enough and not getting the right messages through
to them... (It's nice to know that my daily mailings are worth the
effort in keeping gun owners informed. If you know other gun owners who
would benefit from the mailings, have them e-mail me a request. I need a
subject line such as "Subscribe to mailings" and a first and last name.
I insist on people making their own requests.)
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7053
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The Argument for Open Carry: Desensitization is making somebody less
aware of something by making them become used to it. That is one of the
techniques used by those who want to normalize the act of openly
carrying firearms... When concealed carry was being considered in Ohio,
one tool that was used to get the law passed was getting groups of gun
supporters together for "open carry walks." The idea was to spread
awareness that carrying a firearm for personal protection was already
legal and that passing concealed carry would just add another method of
carrying. The initial walks got great media coverage. As more and more
were held, fewer and fewer reporters showed up. They, and their readers,
had become desensitized to the practice and it was no longer news.
That's what proponents of open carry hope to accomplish, that citizens
will no longer even bat an eye at openly armed citizens because
"everyone does it."
http://www.examiner.com/x-2206-Cleveland-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m1d12-Normalizing-carrying-guns
Speaking of Which...: There are people today who are shocked to discover
that gun manufacturers advertise their products in magazines displayed
on grocery store shelves. Gun ads? In a grocery store? What if the
children see those ads? As shocking as it might be to some people, there
was a time not so long ago when guns were not only advertised in
dedicated "gun" magazines, they were routinely advertised in popular
publications of all kinds. Guns used to be a normal and acceptable part
of American life. Guns were accepted as necessary tools and respectable
recreational equipment ... even for children. A boy learned to shoot
before the training wheels came off his bike. He could even carry his
rifle to school for shooting practice without causing a panic that
resulted in a S.W.A.T. team locking down the school...
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7057
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From GONV: Your action is needed in a few ways. Please take the time to
read how you can help secure a better Nevada for all gun owners. Many of
you have already read the Vin Suprynowicz article in the Sunday LVRJ. If
you have not, please do so now:
http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/handcuffed-disarmed-for-obeying-the-law-81088092.html
Again, please read his article before continuing with this message. It
is important that you understand the context of this alert. After
reading Vin's article you might be wondering why Nevada has a CCW
requirement (concealed firearms permit or license). Most of the emails
and phones calls that we've received about Vin's article are asking this
question. From a voice mail message: "Why should anyone get a concealed
carry permit to then be treated with suspicion after dialing 911 as the
victim of a crime?" And frankly, GONV would like to know that answer as
well. Mr. Mitchener was violated twice. Once by those who broke into his
place of business and again by "the system." ...Several things need to
be done. First, Sheriff Gilespie needs to hear from the voting
constituency (via email) that law abiding tax payers will not be treated
as criminals when exercising their second amendment rights. Encourage
everyone you know to also email the sheriff. See the bottom of this
alert for the email address and suggested text. Spread this email around
and encourage others to join our email alerts...
http://gonv.org/Alerts011210.htm
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LaPierre Makes New York Appearance: Wayne LaPierre, the face and voice
of the National Rifle Association, ventured, as he put it, "into the
heart of the beast" Tuesday, visiting the state Legislative Office
Building's "Well" area where he addressed a cheering crowd of NRA
members who crammed the large meeting area, even lining the stairs into
the balconies overhead. The NRA's executive vice president since 1991,
LaPierre is known for his strident defense of gun rights and for his
attacks on those who he believes are threatening them. He didn't
disappoint the crowd in a lengthy speech that was part
fire-and-brimstone and part O'Reilly/Palin/Savage-style media and
government bashing. "I look around here and I feel like I'm in the
heart of the beast," he said before launching into attacks against the
New York triumvirate of Bloomberg, Schumer, and Clinton (all of whom
have been staunch gun control supporters) and stressing his belief that
better enforcement of existing criminal laws, rather than banning guns,
would lower the crime rate...
http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/21488/nra-and-the-belly-of-the-beast/
The New York State Rifle and Pistol Association wants New York to become
the 41st state to allow carrying a concealed firearm for personal
protection. Advocates are pushing for what they see as being protected
under the second amendment. In addition, they want to eliminate what
they call the "useless" ballistic database. They are also against
micro-stamping. (It would have been more accurate reporting to say that
NYSRPA is lobbying for a shall-issue law for CCW licensure. New York
already has provisions for lawful CCW; they are just not applied fairly
and uniformly throughout the state.)
http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S1358988.shtml?cat=300
The National Rifle Association held a "Second Amendment Advocacy Day" at
the capitol today. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the NRA,
addressed a large crowd of supporters. Members met with legislator's
from both houses to lobby on gun rights. Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel,
a long-time gun-control advocate, went on the defense trying to make
sure the NRA didn't sway any of her colleagues away from supporting her
microstamping legislation. Schimel handed out a fact sheet to
legislators to refute the NRA's take. Microstamping is a technology that
would mark fired bullets with information that would link them back to
the gun that discharged them. Schimel and other legislators like Sen.
Eric Schneiderman say the technology should be required for all
semi-automatic pistols sold in the state because it would help solve gun
crimes. They insist the legislation is not about gun control. Gun rights
advocates say the technology is flawed and expensive and the legislation
is a back door to banning semi-automatic weapons...
http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/01/12/schimel-plays-defense-on-microstamping/
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Meanwhile, in California...: Firearms microstamping, signed into by Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Calif.) in October 2007 and slated to take
effect this New Year's Day (2010), is not in effect since the technology
remains encumbered by patents. Microstamping - the process by which
firearms manufacturers would have to micro laser-engrave a gun's make,
model and serial number on two distinct parts of each gun, including the
firing pin, so that in theory the information would be imprinted on the
cartridge casing when the pistol is fired - must be certified as
patent-free by the California Department of Justice before the law can
go into effect...
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7059
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Bills Attack Washington Gun Shows: Washington's Legislature convened
Monday at noon, and a quick check of the legislative website reveals
that gun control proponents are a busy bunch. One name in particular has
risen to the fore already, and it is not Adam Kline, Jeanne Kohl-Welles
or Ross Hunter, but a state representative named Brendan Williams, a
Democrat from the 22nd District, representing north Thurston County
primarily... Rep. Williams so far is sponsoring two bills, both assigned
to the House Judiciary. These are HB 2477 and HB 2264. HB 2477 would
hold a person responsible if they sell a gun at a gun show to someone
who would not have passed a NICS background check, and who subsequently
uses that gun in a crime, especially if someone is injured or killed.
This would effectively kill private transactions at gun shows, which are
perfectly legal under existing federal law. HB 2264 also deals with gun
shows, and requires every transaction to go through a licensed dealer.
This absolutely kills private transactions at gun shows...
http://www.examiner.com/x-4525-Seattle-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m1d12-Washington-Legislature-convenes-and-gun-bills-crop-up?cid=channel-rss-Politics
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Washington County Must Scrap Gun Ban: Somewhere in the distant past,
apparently back in the 1970s, Snohomish County adopted a ban on firearms
in county parks; a ban that remains on the books today, but thanks to
the passage of a state preemption law in 1985, it is a regulation
without teeth. Indeed, because of language in RCW 9.41.290, the state
preemption act, this parks ban is null and void. The Everett Herald
noted that Attorney General Rob McKenna has weighed in on this, due to
the parks gun ban in Seattle - which is being challenged in court by the
Second Amendment Foundation and National Rifle Association - and said
that such parks bans are prohibited by the statute. But Wednesday
morning, the Snohomish County Council is scheduled to discuss this ban
in a public hearing that will undoubtedly bring out sentiment pro and
con, with rhetoric ranging from adherence to the Second Amendment to
protecting children... It's wasted breath. The council really has no
option to a proposal by Councilman John Koster, a Republican, to a code
revision that recognizes citizens with valid concealed pistol licenses
can enter county parks while armed. Right now, if some legally armed
citizen were arrested for criminal trespass, the county would lose,
thanks to specific language in the state preemption statute that
"preempted and repealed" those old ordinances, "regardless of the nature
of the code, charter, or home rule status of such city, town, county or
municipality." ...
http://www.examiner.com/x-4525-Seattle-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m1d12-BREAKING-Snohomish-County-Council-needs-to-clean-house-of-old-gun-ordinance
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Wisconsin Pols Prepare Attack on RKBA: In a recent story appearing in
Madison's Capital Times (Ready, Set, Fire! Pols take on NRA), State
Senator Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee), revealed his true agenda when he
admitted recent gun control bills introduced in the state are only the
beginning. But Coggs's statements revealed something even more chilling:
State democrats don't believe gun owners can or will defend themselves
against gun control advances, and more anti-gun legislation has been
planned. "When you look at the fact we are taking on the NRA and other
pro-gun groups during a re-election year, we're bucking the trend," said
Coggs, a sponsor of several gun control bills before the Wisconsin
legislature. "I used to be surprised by the power of the pro-gun
opposition, but not anymore." ...The story continues, saying, "Coggs may
not have that tough of a fight. Rep. Scott Gunderson, R-Waterford, has
already introduced a similar bill in the Assembly. Gunderson has sought
to make straw purchasing a state felony for the past 10 years but with
no luck." ...Gun owners are urged to contact Gunderson and tell him that
his efforts to turn gun owners into a whole new class of criminals
aren't appreciated...
http://www.ammoland.com/2010/01/12/wisconsin-politicians-admit-to-war-on-gun-ownership/
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Georgia RKBA Bill Revised: State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) on
Tuesday dropped his bill to rewrite Georgia's laws governing where
concealed weapons may be carried by licensed citizens. University dorms?
No. K-12 schools? No. K-12 school parking lots? Yes. In the state
Capitol? Yes to the halls and rotunda, but no to specific offices...
Current state law bars them from "public gatherings" - including
churches, public buildings and sporting events. Seabaugh said his bill
is intended to make clear where weapons can be carried, and where they
can't... Seabaugh's measure would continue a ban on firearms in K-12
schools, public and private. But it would permit firearms in locked cars
on K-12 school property, extending to others a right he said was now
enjoyed by teachers. Permit holders could carry concealed in unsecured
areas of airports. Firearms would be banned from government offices,
jails and prisons, and dorms in public universities. "You would be able
to carry into the Capitol. However, you could not carry into any one of
the government agency offices that that are located in the Capitol,"
Seabaugh said. That would include the House and Senate chambers, when
the Legislature is in session. Firearms are currently barred from all
portions of the Capitol. Licensing for concealed weapons would be taken
out of the hands of probate judges in the state's 159 counties, and
centralized in the secretary of state's office - to create a more
accurate data base for monitoring violations... (It sounds to me as
though a revised version of this bill is still alive so how can it have
been dropped?)
http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2010/01/12/senate-gun-bill-dropped-no-to-weapons-in-university-dorms-yes-to-some-areas-of-state-capitol/?cxntfid=blogs_political_insider_jim_galloway
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Bozos and Non Sequiturs: Saturday's movie theater shooting has many
questioning New Mexico's law on gun control... "If this young man had
actually had a license to carry the weapon, he would have been much
better trained. I doubt, very seriously, that he would have actually
been in a situation where the gun would have just discharged," said
State Rep. Gail Chasey. Police said Dante Aikins had no permit to carry
the loaded revolver. It went off in a crowded theater, injured one
person, and it has lawmakers asking questions. "Would we then want to
look at changing the law?" Chasey said. "But I don't think there's the
political will to further restrict the law." Chasey said that is the
main issue - no desire to change the state law. The current law prevents
weapons from being brought into courthouses, on school property and
inside establishments that serve liquor. Chasey even tried to introduce
a bill called the Handgun Safety Standard Act in 2001. Her bill never
made it passed debate on the floor of the House. So for now, crowded
venues, like theaters, stores and sporting events are fair game until
the state gun law can be tightened. (It is unclear if Aikins was
initially violating New Mexico law, which requires no permit for open
carry. What does safety training have to do with restricting the right
to carry in a crowded venue?)
http://www.koat.com/news/22222292/detail.html
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Oops, Wrong House: A grand jury finds a central New York woman was
justified in fatally shooting a man who ransacked her home in October.
Deanna Candee of Schroeppel (SCROO'-puhl) in Oswego County was cleared
of wrongdoing in the death of Timothy Hartigan, whom she found inside
her home after returning from a shopping trip. Deputies said Hartigan
had ransacked her home and attacked Candee. Her son pulled Hartigan off
of her and she grabbed her revolver and shot the intruder. Hartigan's
relatives said he had a history of mental illness. The Oswego County
district attorney's office said it would have no further details of the
grand jury findings.
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=11806199
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Guns Are Not Sex Toys: A gun collector who introduced several weapons
into sexual play with two other men contends the weapons were intended
to fulfill a sexual fantasy. Instead, a lethal combination of drugs,
extreme sex and Russian roulette has put him on trial for manslaughter.
Both the defense and prosecutors say there was no intention to kill. But
prosecutors say defendant Bruce Lavallee-Davidson, a farmer from
Skowhegan, was responsible for ensuring his gun wasn't loaded when it
was being handled... "You never point a loaded gun at someone's head,"
Marchese said after resting her case Tuesday, emphasizing it's the
responsibility of the person holding the revolver to ensure the chamber
is empty. "You don't point a gun and pull the trigger unless you're 100
percent sure." ...One of his lawyers, Mike Whipple, says his client
checked three times over the course of the night to make sure the
.44-caliber Rossi revolver wasn't loaded. Whipple contends it's likely
Wilson loaded the gun while Lavallee-Davidson briefly stepped away to
use the bathroom... (Actually, Rule Three says you don't point a firearm
at anything you're not prepared to shoot. A corollary to Rule One is
known as the Condition Check: Whenever you pick up a firearm that has
been out of your control, even if only for an instant, open the action
to determine that it is in the condition in which you want it, loaded or
unloaded. Other sources claim that these guys took turns having each
other suck on the barrel of at least one revolver.)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34837974/
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Firearm Modifications: ...Before the new gun owner delves into the many
options to gild the lily, they should become proficient shooting their
gun as is, so not to be psychologically dependent on gee-whiz