SAF On DOJ Heller Brief: Martin Luther King Jr. put it best: "A right
delayed is a right denied." The lesson appears to have been lost on the
Department of Justice and Solicitor General Paul D. Clement in the
amicus curiae brief submitted recently for the government in the case of
District of Columbia v. Heller, which challenges the city's 31-year-old
handgun ban, a horrible gun law that has had its day in court and lost.
In a transparent exercise of political pandering, Clement and his
colleagues named on the brief have strenuously, and correctly, argued
that the Second Amendment protects an individual civil right, yet they
insist that every restrictive gun law currently on the books should stand.
http://www.star-telegram.com/245/story/422415.html
Related Commentaries:
http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0108/0108secamd.htm
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=24582
---
Rights Activists, Prohibitionists Clash In Virginia: People on both
sides of the gun control debate clashed yesterday as families and
friends of Virginia Tech shooting victims and survivors of the tragedy
flooded the Capitol in support of legislation designed to prevent
criminals and the mentally ill from buying firearms at gun shows.
Tensions escalated as about 100 supporters of a bill that would close
the so-called gun-show loophole lay on the Capitol lawn to honor victims
of gun violence. About 200 opponents surrounded the group holding signs
that read, "Here Lie Disarmed Victims," both sides jostled for turf and
one gun rights advocate posed questions to a survivor of the April 16
Virginia Tech shootings.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080122/METRO/197189161/1004
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/21/AR2008012102156.html
http://www.richmond.com/news-features/23370
---
Florida Bills Would Limit Access To CWFL's: Two bills have been offered
in the state Legislature that would make it harder for people in Florida
to get or keep licenses to carry guns. In the House, a North Miami
lawmaker is proposing to increase the time people have to wait before
getting concealed weapon licenses if they've pleaded guilty or no
contest to felonies but had convictions "withheld." ... Meanwhile, in
the Senate, members of the Criminal Justice Committee are working to
improve how state officials learn when a person has been found mentally
ill so that they can suspend or revoke a gun license.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flagunpermits0122sbjan22,0,7402509.story
---
Arizona Restaurant-Carry Bill: A state lawmaker may have crafted the
most politically acceptable plan yet to let diners at restaurants that
serve alcohol carry their guns... Harper's proposal is worded so guns
would be allowed only if the proprietor specifically posted a sign
saying they are permitted. That means those eating establishments that
didn't want armed diners would not have to do anything to keep it that
way. (As I pointed out about this bill earlier, it also adds an offense
to the Criminal Code's "Misconduct with weapons" statute for carrying
where alcohol is served. Currently, doing so is only a rarely prosecuted
violation a section of the Liquor Code.)
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/221607
---
NRA, Brady Bunch Clash Over "Castle" Bills: The spread of castle laws
across the U.S. the past two years serves as the latest battleground
between pro-gun forces and gun-control advocates. The two sides, led by
the National Rifle Association and the Brady Campaign, use words
carefully chosen for maximum emotional impact - and often the same
words, though with far different meanings. And they fight state by state
over bills that either provide "innocent victims" with an unlimited
right to self-defense or place "innocent bystanders" in the line of fire
with no legal recourse. By the beginning of 2008, 20 states - including
Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana - had adopted castle laws, with more
states considering similar legislation.
http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-nrabrady_20met.ART.State.Edition1.37ae40a.html
---
Arm Yourself: The young lady recently murdered while hiking the southern
tip of the Appalachian Trail might be alive today if she had tucked a
pistol into her backpack or fanny pack. Yes, I know it's against the law
to carry a pistol on the trail, but which would you prefer - breaking a
bureaucratic rule or getting your brains knocked out and then being
decapitated? ... Two more points: Before you buy a gun for self-defense,
make sure you are psychologically prepared to take a human life. That's
not a minor thing. Death is irrevocable. There are always consequences.
If you aren't prepared to deal with them, then you're better off buying
pepper spray and a pair of running shoes. Secondly, learn to use your
gun. That means lots of practice. If an attack comes, it will come
unexpectedly and suddenly, and you won't have time to fumble around
wondering where the safety catch is. Always shoot to kill. (It would be
wiser to counsel not to shoot with the intent only to wound. The intent
to kill is an element of the crime of murder.)
http://www.lewrockwell.com/reese/reese429.html
---
Oops, Wrong Car: An 85-year-old Shenandoah, Fla., man reportedly shot
and wounded an alleged would-be car thief Monday in order to protect his
grandson. Miami police said a 29-year-old robbery suspect was allegedly
trying to steal a car when the owner, who was armed, confronted him, the
Miami Herald reported. The two engaged in a "vicious fight," said police
spokesman William Moreno. The car owner's grandfather, Florentino
Jauregui, also armed, rushed out of the house and "fearing his grandson
was being overpowered," shot the thief once, added Moreno.
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/01/21/would-be_robber_shot_by_85-year-old/3805/
---
Oops, Wrong Fight: ... In the parking lot outside the Brandywine Town
Center occupants of two cars, who claimed the other car cut them off,
began physically fighting. Shoppers called police but before troopers
could get there, a 58-year-old man brandished a pistol and ordered the
trio to "get to the ground," according to court records... Police
arrested and charged him with felony aggravated menacing, possession of
a firearm during a felony as well as carrying a concealed deadly weapon
and disorderly conduct.
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080121/OPINION11/801210328/1112/OPINION
---
Rule One, Rule Two Reminder: An honest gun owner shares: "On January 19,
2008 I had a negligent discharge of my pistol. It's a Rock Island full
size 1911. .45 ACP loaded with Federal Hydro Shok ammunition. This round
utilizes a 230 grain jacketed hollow point bullet. This is a very good
self defense round, because the bullets expand as they pass through
material like animals and people. I'm tempted to call it an 'accidental
discharge,' but to me that implies that the gun fired without the
trigger being intentionally pulled. That doesn't apply in this case. I
intentionally pulled the trigger, I just neglected to unload the gun
first." (The photos are not pleasant. Rule One: All firearms are always
loaded. Rule Two: Never let the muzzle cross anything you're not
prepared to shoot.)
http://dishhead.home.insightbb.com/leg.html
---
Rule Five Reminder: A reported escapee from a Wilmington community
correction center was arrested Wednesday night after snatching an
off-duty police officer's purse - which contained her police-issued
weapon - and holding officers at bay for about two hours..."When she
came out of the store, the suspect snatched her purse and ran,"
Wilmington police Master Sgt. Steven Barnes said. "She started to yell
and get people's attention around her." (Rule Five: Maintain control of
your firearm. I may be in a minority but I don't believe that off-body
carry, as in a purse, provides good control.)
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008801170332
---
Disguised (Off-Body) Holster Pulled From Market: It looks like a Coke
with ice - but it could be stashing a Colt with bullets. An Internet
firm peddling a cup carrier designed to hide a loaded pistol underneath
a drink abruptly yanked its product off the market amid flak from
law-enforcement authorities. Firearm Access System Technologies recently
began advertising its "FAST cup holster" for $29.95, saying it would let
a driver to conceal a handgun beneath a 44-ounce plastic beverage cup.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01212008/news/nationalnews/take_a_load_off_43247.htm
--
Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
