Election 2008 and Judicial Nominees: On May 22, Senate Minority Leader
Mitch McConnell gave a speech about judicial nominations in the U.S.
Senate, calling out Senator Harry Reid for breaking his commitment to
get judicial nominees a vote on the Senate floor. McConnell said there
would be consequences, and on June 4 he proved it by slamming on the
brakes in the Senate. With the California Supreme Court's gay marriage
ruling a couple weeks ago and the Second Amendment case about to be
decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, the issue of judicial nominations
could heat up. If so, it could deliver some swing states in the
presidential election and in close Senate races...
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/SandyFroman/2008/06/06/mcconnell_halts_senate_over_judges?page=full&comments=true
---
Proposed Infringements Advance in California: ... The California
Assembly further reinforced the state's reputation as having the most
stringent gun laws in the nation by passing two bills late last month
that would put more restrictions on buying and selling handguns and
handgun ammunition. Both bills must now win state Senate approval. One
bill, AB 2235, would require any new handgun sold in the state to have a
device installed that prohibits anyone other than the owner from pulling
the trigger. The caveat is that the technology for such devices isn't
yet available for sale and the bill wouldn't take effect until after it
is, according to the legislation. The other bill, AB 2062, would require
that ammunition sellers copy an ammo-buyer's photo ID before selling
them handgun rounds...
http://www.redding.com/news/2008/jun/06/gun-ammo-bills-go-to-senate/
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Machiavelli Was Right: Niccol� Machiavelli, who was a sort of Karl Rove
of his day, though with more integrity, said of the Swiss that they were
"the most free and most armed people" of Europe. Get it? The connection
between arms and freedom? That statement is still true of the Swiss.
Many people know that they practice neutrality, but not many know that
they practice armed neutrality. If the gun controllers' claim that the
mere presence of arms leads to mayhem were true, the Swiss would have
wiped themselves out years ago. There are guns and gun ranges all over
the place. You would be hard-pressed to find a Swiss home without a
firearm and ammunition. Yet, the Swiss have a very low crime rate...
http://www.lewrockwell.com/reese/reese463.html
---
It Happened Here: Whenever tragedy strikes, there is always someone who
says, "Things like this don't happen here." It gets said so often, it's
clich�. It's also a lie. I know it's a lie because a tragedy happened
here. It happened in my hometown, in the middle school I went to as a
young girl, the same school that is next door to the public library
where I work now... I think, "What if just one qualified, trained school
administrator never allowed the gunman to get past the front office?
Would Pete still be here?" I don't know if allowing guns in schools is
the answer in situations like these, but I do know that no man should
die because he was unable to protect himself from someone who meant him
harm. But, sadly, sadly, they do. Even here.
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/5647
---
Open Carry Gains Notice: For years, Kevin Jensen carried a pistol
everywhere he went, tucked in a shoulder holster beneath his clothes. In
hot weather the holster was almost unbearable. Pressed against Jensen's
skin, the firearm was heavy and uncomfortable. Hiding the weapon made
him feel like a criminal. Then one evening he stumbled across a site
that urged gun owners to do something revolutionary: Carry your gun
openly for the world to see as you go about your business. In most
states there's no law against that... (In California it is illegal to
carry a loaded firearm in a public place, which is inside the limits of
an incorporated city or anywhere that has been designated a public place
by the sheriff.)
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-opencarry7-2008jun07,0,3346099,full.story
---
Dim-Bulb Award: A convicted felon was arrested in Palm Bay after
allegedly putting a gun in a 6-year-old child's hands and forcing her to
pose for pictures. Investigators said 30-year-old Toby Allen took the
disturbing photos on a cell phone. They finally tracked him down at a
house in Palm Bay on Tucson Street (see map), where they arrested Allen
and one of his roommates, 26-year-old Paul Rosaci... Investigators with
the Palm Bay Police Department and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office
said Allen took the photos, including two more of himself holding an SKS
assault rifle. Detectives said the pictures came from a cell phone
stolen from the owner of a local landscaping company where Allen
recently worked. The owner of the company was able to recover some of
his stolen property, including the phone and contacted officers when he
discovered the photos. By examining the background in the photos, police
determined they were taken at the home on Tucson Street where officers
arrested Allen Friday...
http://www.wftv.com/news/16529535/detail.html
---
Kentucky Youngsters to Learn Firearm Safety: A Youth SportsFest Camp,
sponsored by the National Rifle Association, will take place June 21 at
the Lloyd Wildlife Management Area in Crittenden. The day camp will
begin at 8 a.m. and will conclude around 4 p.m. The NRA Youth SportsFest
Camps provide a perfect setting to introduce youngsters to the fun and
excitement of the shooting sports in a safe, positive and educational
environment. The camp will feature training in the safe handling of
shotguns, rifles, handguns and archery equipment, all under the
supervision of experienced instructors.
http://www.kypost.com/content/sportsandscores/story.aspx?content_id=09f34eba-c897-44e8-a40a-ba3240099933
---
Oregon Gun Club Seeks Expansion: Finding a place for target practice
didn't use to be that difficult in Oregon. That's no longer the case as
an increasing number of public and private property owners no longer
welcome the practice, leaving many marksmen nowhere to go. The shortage
of options is driving more and more people to join organizations such as
the Albany Rifle and Pistol Club. The club added about 250 members over
the past year, bringing its total membership to almost 1,300... As a
result of the increased usage, the club is seeking a change to its
conditional use permit that will allow it to accommodate more members
and events...
http://www.democratherald.com/articles/2008/06/06/sports/community/4com01_club.txt
---
From GOA: Representative Bill Sali is introducing a bill to send a
message to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(BATFE) that freedom still means something in this country. As part of
its Asset Forfeiture training program for agents, the BATFE ordered
2,000 Leatherman tools inscribed with the words "Always Think
Forfeiture." The program urges agents to focus on seizing private
property. Rep Sali believes the agency should be thinking 'Freedom,' not
'Forfeiture.' The Idaho Republican complained about the program and
recieved a letter from Acting ATF Director Michael Sullivan, who
apologized for the "confusion" over the issue. While Rep. Sali
appreciated the apology, he said that, "My constituents deserve to know
the truth about this marketing program, which has been interpreted by
many Idahoans as anti-gun and anti-private property."
http://www.gunowners.org/a060608.htm
---
From The Firearms Coalition:
In this Alert:
1. Special opportunity for our friends in the Washington DC area.
2. National Parks - Do It NOW!!!!!
3. Get Active on GunVoter!
Special Event this Monday in DC
This Monday evening I am planning to attend a presentation on the
historical meaning of the Second Amendment by noted scholars Stephen
Halbrook and Joyce Malcom. I expect it to be very informative and look
forward to acquiring an autographed copy of Steve's newest book, "The
Founders' Second Amendment."
The event is open to the public and I would encourage those who are
able to attend.
Here are the details:
WHEN: Monday, June 9, 2008, Reception and book signing: 5:00 p.m.,
Program: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Q&A to follow
http://www.independent.org/events/detail.asp?eventID=137
WHERE: The Independent Institute, 1319 Eighteenth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20036
Map and directions:
http://www.independent.org/aboutus/map.asp#wash
RESERVATIONS: Complimentary, Phone: 510-632-1366 x118, Email:
[email protected]
Reserve online:
http://www.independent.org/events/rsvp.asp?eventid=137
Copies of The Founders' Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear
Arms, by Stephen P. Halbrook, will be available for purchase at a
special discount.
http://www.independent.org/store/book_detail.asp?bookID=72
****************************************************
National Parks - Do It NOW!!!!!
The deadline for comments on the proposed amendments to
firearms-related regulations in National Parks and National Wildlife
Refuges is approaching rapidly. If you haven't already done so, please
take a moment right now to go to the government regulations web site and
submit a comment.
The opposition is working hard and their people are very actively
posting comments in opposition to lifting the ban on firearms in the
parks. Every concerned gunowner needs to comment on this important
regulation.
Using the Regulations.gov web site is not as easy as it ought to be,
but not as hard as it might seem. The easy way to make sure you're in
the right place commenting on the right issue is to follow these steps.
1. Go to www.Regulations.gov
2. Place your cursor in the center search box and enter "1024-AD70"
and click on "Search."
3. In the left margin of the screen under "Document Type" will be
"-Public Submissions" and "-Proposed Rules," click on "-Proposed Rules."
4. In the middle of the screen it should say, "General Regulations
for Areas Administered by the National Park Service and the Fish and
Wildlife Service." On the next line it should say, "Send a Comment or
Submission." Click on, "Send a Comment."
5. In the form that pops up, fill in the information you're
comfortable having others see. It is best to include your name and
state of residence, but none of the personal information on the form is
required to be filled out.
6. Enter your comment.
Every pro-rights organization I'm aware of has agreed to recommend
the same strategy I advise here for comments; Support the proposed
regulation, but encourage them to go further and stop restricting any
types of firearms within the parks and refuges.
Just a note that says "I support the proposed rule change," is
probably just as effective as a carefully structured letter. It's
primarily about numbers so whatever you do, get your comment in now,
then make sure that your spouse, kids, neighbors, and all the folks at
church submit comments in support of the proposed changes as well.
Using your own words is best, but here is some sample language to get
you started:
As a frequent visitor to, and transient through National Park lands
and National Wildlife Refuges, I am very glad to see these proposed
regulations. This is not a question of why someone Needs a firearm in a
National Park or Wildlife Refuge, but rather why a law abiding citizen
should be disarmed for simply crossing onto certain federal lands. I
strongly encourage the adoption of the proposed rules and would
encourage that they be taken a step further to bring National Park and
Wildlife Refuge lands into line with National Forest and BLM lands; that
is that firearms laws on these federal lands fully assimilate the
firearms laws of their host state.
The current proposal could accomplish this goal by simply striking the
word "concealed" in both occurrences and by striking the words, "in any
state park,
or any similar unit of state land." I believe these changes would be a
major improvement on the current proposal though the proposal, as
written, is a good step in the right direction. Thank you for your
consideration.
The comment period for this proposal closes on June 30. All comments
must be received before that date. Along with submitting comments
on-line at www.Regulations.gov, comments can be submitted by mail to:
Public Comments Processing, Attn: 1024-AD70
Division of Policy a Directives Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222, Arlington, VA 22203
Don't wait. Get your comments in today.
***************************************
Get Active on GunVoter!
If you haven't visited www.GunVoter.org recently I encourage you to
stop by and leave some information about the folks you'll be voting for
in November.
We had some problems early on but everything is working smoothly now
so please visit the site and get involved.
--
Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
