From GOA: ...As our new President takes his oath of office today, the
war against our rights is soon to begin. In fact, it has already begun,
as Obama's choice for Attorney General (Eric Holder) is one of the most
anti-gun picks that he could have made. As we mentioned in last week's
alert, Holder supported policies - during his tenure in the Clinton
administration - that were aimed at driving the nation's gun dealers and
manufacturers out of business. As part of an Obama administration, he
will have even more power to continue his war against gun owners. At lot
has happened since you received our alert last week. GOA was asked by
the Judiciary Committee to testify at the Senate hearings on Eric
Holder, as we were the ONLY national gun group that has told Senators we
will rate their vote on confirming Holder. We also "hammered" one of the
Republican members of the Judiciary Committee - Senator Orrin Hatch of
Utah - in his home state after he announced his support of the Holder
nomination...
http://gunowners.org/a012009.htm
---
From NRA: As a new administration takes charge of the nation, our work
defending firearms freedom enters a new chapter. I hope his
administration respects the Second Amendment Rights of all law abiding
citizens. Gun owners, however, cannot rely on hope. We must, as always,
rely on ourselves and each other to continue the unending fight to
preserve our civil rights - that eternal vigil which is, indeed, the
price of liberty. Make no mistake: There will be renewed, emboldened
attempts to infringe on our rights. Politicians will try to ban entire
classes of firearms. They will try to tax and regulate ammunition to the
point that ordinary Americans simply can't afford it. And they will try
to silence those who warn voters about their actions...
http://www.nranews.com/blogarticle.aspx?blogPostId=491
---
The Beat Goes On: Supply is barely keeping up with demand in the gun
industry. This spike in sales has pointed directly to President-Elect
Barack Obama since Election day. Now that Obama is officially taking
office, it appears gun enthusiasts are buying firearms at higher prices
and in higher numbers. The booming sales, come as people are worried
that Obama and a newly elected Democratic Congress will renew a retired
federal ban on assault weapons. That could also mean stricter
regulations and higher taxes. "Obama could, 30 minutes after
Inauguration, put a screeching halt to imported parts and ammunition,"
said Bob Irwin, owner of The Gun Store on Tropicana... (I have counseled
for may months that those who own firearms chambered in 7.62x39mm and
5.45x39mm should acquire a lifetime supply of ammo as its import could
easily be banned.)
http://www.ktnv.com/global/story.asp?s=9699569
In this struggling economy, it's hard to imagine any business doing
well. But one industry is thriving, so much so that the supply can't
keep up with the demand. Some folks believe it's thanks to the newly
elected Democratic Congress and President-elect Barack Obama. News 3's
Dan Ball explains why gun owners are flocking to stores and gun shows to
stock up...
http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=9695992&nav=menu107_2
For nearly 20 years, Bob Pucci has invited gun dealers and enthusiasts
to his shows across the state. That's why the Janesville resident is
worried about what will happen to gun-control laws when President-elect
Barack Obama takes office Tuesday. "Attendance and sales have
skyrocketed since the election," Pucci said. "Gun owners don't trust
Obama, but he is still the president." Big crowds and brisk sales were
seen Friday through Sunday at the Waukesha County Expo Center for the
Rocco Memorial Gun Show, which was renamed to honor Pucci's beloved
black Labrador that passed away in July. Pucci said this rush to
purchase firearms is even bigger than when former President Bill Clinton
signed an assault weapons ban in 1994...
http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2009/Jan_09/01182009_04.asp
---
VCDL Lobbies for Expanded Carry: The mission was simple Monday for
dozens of members of the Virginia Citizens' Defense League, (a group
that supports 2nd amendment rights), slap on an orange sticker, grab an
agenda, and find your local legislator. "We have teams that are going to
break up and they're going to visit every single legislator that is in
the building today," remarked Mark Stollenwerk, a VCDL organizer.
Impassioned group members roamed the hallways of the General Assembly
building, showcasing their support for legislation that would allow
concealed handgun permit holders to carry in restaurants and on school
grounds. (Under current law, Virginia residents can only carry openly in
establishments that serve alcohol.)
http://www.wtvr.com/Global/story.asp?S=9698009
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/01/hundreds-richmond-rally-back-progun-bills
---
Open Carry Becomes Issue in Wisconsin: For most of this decade, the most
contentious gun issue in Wisconsin has been that of concealed carry, or
the legal sanction to carry a firearm in public in a hidden manner,
either on the body or in close proximity. But this year that affair may
take a backseat to a rapidly intensifying debate about the legality of
open carry, or the act of publicly carrying a firearm in plain view.
Ostensibly, Wisconsin is an open-carry state, meaning there is no law
against a law-abiding citizen openly carrying a legal firearm.
Theoretically, at least, one could strap on a holster and pistol and go
buy groceries, or plant trees in one's own yard, whether or not such an
action might be wise... (There is an organized open-carry movement in
Wisconsin that is oriented toward encouraging the state to reconsider
its ban on concealed carry.)
http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=8970
---
Wyoming Gun Bill Clears Senate: The Senate passed on a first vote today
a bill requiring judges to warn people accused, that pleading guilty
would cost them their federal gun rights. The bill would also classify
misdemeanor domestic violence as a serious offense requiring defendants
to have lawyers. Republican State Senator Cale Case of Lander, told the
committee that Wyoming needs to make sure citizens realize they can lose
their constitutional right to own guns as a result of misdemeanor
convictions. (Not mentioned is how many people became prohibited
possessors retroactively when the Lautenberg Amendment became law, due
to old convictions and pleas for domestic-violence offenses.)
http://www.kgwn.tv/story.aspx?ID=1415&Cat=2
---
National Geographic Gun Program Draws Fire: A recent special from the
National Geographic Channel titled "Guns in America" has become the
latest catalyst in the debate over what responsible journalism means
when it comes to one of America's most contentious issues. Guns in
America originally aired on the National Geographic Channel on December
16, 2008. The show's intended mission was to be an unbiased exploration
of "the gun culture in America, from a police officer to a young
mother." No sooner had the program ended than gun right's advocates were
up in arms over the statistics used in the show and what they saw as a
decidedly anti-gun slant...
http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/news-national-geographic-gun-show-draws-heavy-fire-from-critics
---
Oops, Wrong Store: A masked bandit tried to rob the wrong store Thursday
night. A police report said about 11:19 p.m. a black man in his mid to
late 20s brandished a shotgun at a 73-year-old store owner, demanded
money and fired once, hitting the wall behind the owner. The store owner
pulled out his own gun and returned fire and called 911 as the man fled
the store on foot. Smoking a cigarette not long after lunch time Friday,
Milton McCarty leaned on the counter behind the cashier's area, a half
cup of coffee in a styrofoam cup resting near his elbow. He said he's
owned McCarty's Super Convenience Store at 3909 Camden Highway for 40
years and when he works at night, he always carries his weapon,
declining to say exactly what kind... (It sounds as though Mr. McCarty
could use a bit more range time.)
http://www.theitem.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090117/ITNEWS01/701179966
---
When Seconds Count...: ...It is a sad fact that law enforcement officers
are not able to be everywhere to stop every crime. It is stories like
this that emphasize the even someone who does everything right and
reports disturbances and suspicious behavior to the police are still
essentially on their own if a criminal decides to attack. People who
choose to own and carry firearms for personal protection are no
different from this unfortunate victim in many respects, but they are
more prepared. Being ready, willing, and able to fight back doesn't mean
you're paranoid, it means you're prepared. Bearing arms give you a
better chance to stay alive while waiting for help to arrive. Guns save
lives. (When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.)
http://www.ohioccw.org/content/view/4218/53/
---
iPod Ballistic Calculator: A new application has been launched for the
iPod touch to help gun users line up a clean shot at their target. The
BulletFlight app, which costs �6.99 to download from the iTunes store,
has been developed by Runaway App to turn the iPod touch into a
ballistics computer which the company says can provide "quick solutions
in the field". Users can mount their iPod touch to their rifle, and then
use the iPod's touch-screen to tap in details about the wind conditions,
ammunition type, distance to the intended target and even the wind speed...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/apple/4297205/Sniper-rifle-software-launched-for-iPod-touch.html
---
More on Montana Hospital Shooting:
Confirmed information about the Glasgow shooting incident is slow to
emerge. There are no shortage of rumors about the details of the
incident in the Glasgow area. I'm getting many reports from there.
The media are unwilling to use information not from "official" (law
enforcement) sources. Meanwhile, the "official sources" are being very
closed-mouthed.
In fact, Glasgow-area law enforcement have actually accused me to the
Great Falls Tribune of inappropriately "leaking" information about the
incident. I haven't missed that they didn't accuse me of "speculating,"
but of "leaking," as if I had certain knowledge but exist under some
official restraint to not share that knowledge. You will remember that
I characterized the initial information I distributed as "Unconfirmed
but probable."
Our sympathies go out to the survivors of the incident.
I remain concerned that what role citizen Scott Billingsley played in
stopping the killer will be minimized or eliminated in media coverage
relying on only "official sources." I do know that several media
outlets are trying hard to confirm Scott's role. Still, I do not yet
have sufficient confirmed information to separate rumors from facts. I
did get an email from somebody who says he talked with Scott since the
incident, and that the information in my original release was
essentially correct. I'll stick by that until I have confidence in new
information.
There is one curious aspect to the investigation ongoing in Glasgow. I
hear that there are scores of federal officers in Glasgow working the
investigation. Why federal officers? My best guess is (if the reports
are correct) it's because Glasgow is adjacent to the Fort. Peck Indian
Reservation, and federal law enforcement agencies have primary authority
on reservations (although this incident happened off the reservation, in
Glasgow proper). I suppose it might also have something to do with
jurisdiction over property associated with the used-to-be Glasgow air
base. Maybe the feds were just having a slow day and decided to rally
some federal personnel to Glasgow for exercise. It seems confirmed that
local law enforcement called in investigators from the Montana
Department of Justice to help sort things out. But federal agencies and
personnel? Who knows?
Stay tuned ...
Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association
http://www.mtssa.org
---
From AzCDL:
Like it says in our brochure, AzCDL is an "all volunteer" organization
and we still need volunteers to help us at the remaining 2 gun shows
this January in Phoenix and Tucson:
January 24-25, 2009 at the Phoenix Fairgrounds (Crossroads of the West).
January 24-25, 2009 at the Tucson Convention Center (McMann's Roadrunner).
If you can spare a few hours we would deeply appreciate your help - the
majority of our members join AzCDL at gun shows thanks to the hard work
of our gun show volunteers. Come on down and spend some time observing
the other volunteers. When you feel ready, step on in. If pro-active
interactions are not your forte, we still need volunteers to manage the
table, help hand out flyers and brochures, and keep an eye on things.
Volunteers who work the AzCDL table for a few hours get into gun shows FREE!
If your membership is coming up for renewal soon, stop by the table and
renew at the "gun show special" rate ($10 off!). Sustaining memberships
get a FREE AzCDL T-Shirt.
Not a member? Not a problem! You can join AzCDL at the gun show!
Interested?
For the Phoenix gun show, send an email to John:
[email protected] .
For the Tucson gun show, send an email to Duke:
[email protected] .
These alerts are a project of the Arizona Citizens Defense League
(AzCDL), an all volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan grassroots
organization. Join today!
AzCDL - Protecting Your Freedom
http://www.azcdl.org/html/join_us_.html
Copyright � 2009 Arizona Citizens Defense League, Inc., all rights
reserved.
--
Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
