Just a Reminder: ...The current round of violence in Mexico is certain
to reignite the campaigns for more state and federal gun controls here
in the United States. As we reported last May ("Mexican Violence, Gun
Controls"), the escalating violence south of our border caused a flurry
of citations of false statistics from the politicians and media organs
attempting to link Mexico's woes to the availability of guns in the
United States. Senator Dianne Feinstein claimed that "ninety percent of
the guns that are picked up in Mexico and used to shoot judges, police
officers and mayors ... come from the United States." President Obama
and others repeated that bogus 90-percent claim, and it is now being
trotted out again to build support to curtail sales at gun shows and
further restrict firearms availability. As The New American pointed out,
the facts show almost the exact opposite of what the gun restriction/gun
confiscation advocates are claiming. Such as, that more than 80 percent
of the guns confiscated at crime scenes in Mexico do not come from the
United States. And that most of Mexico's street warfare is being fought
with automatic weapons that are not available from U.S. gun shops/gun
shows, but are coming from Central and South America and from deserters
from the Mexican military.
http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/world-mainmenu-26/north-america-mainmenu-36/2754-mexicos-descent-into-chaos
---
F Troop's Own Record Deficiencies: We've talked about the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) many times here,
including about their National Firearms Registration and Transfer
Record, the official record the government keeps on all National
Firearms Act-registered weapons, such as machine guns, short-barreled
rifles and shotguns, suppressors, destructive devices and AOWs, or "Any
Other Weapons" the government deems taxable/requiring registration.
We've seen their former branch chief make a startling admission: " Let
me say that when we testify in court, we testify that the data base is
100 percent accurate. That's what we testify to, and we will always
testify to that. As you probably well know, that may not be 100 percent
true." ...Today I'd like to present one real-world example that
illustrates both the inaccuracy of the NFRTR as well as the potential
danger gun owners who believe they're obeying the law could face. The
following document was obtained under a Freedom of Information Act
request... (I have been told that the loss of a great many NFA
registration has been attributed to their intentional trashing several
years ago by anti-RKBA female clerical employees, when the records were
still stored in DC. Be that as it may, this is an agency that has not
earned a reputation for being truthful.)
http://www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m1d13-Inaccurate-ATF-records-endanger-gun-owners
---
Carry Licensure Questioned: Toward the end of Monday's column, I made an
observation about the licensing of defensive handgun carry: "Another
reason I rarely approach gun rights advocacy from this angle is that I
don't believe in licensing the carrying of a firearm. In submitting to
a licensing requirement to carry a firearm, we undermine our own case -
that the keeping and bearing of arms is a Constitutionally guaranteed,
fundamental human right." ...In asking for that privilege, we have lent
implicit legitimacy to the denial of that which we should demand as free
citizens. Yes - I know that most states have "shall issue" permitting
systems, rather than "may issue," meaning that an applicant who meets
the requirements for issuance of a license cannot, in theory, be denied
the license. Sure - that's better than giving some police chief or
sheriff the power to arbitrarily require someone to be defenseless while
in public, but it still is an acceptance that our rights are something
granted by government authority, based on our meeting the conditions the
government imposes. Does that sound like "shall not be infringed" to
you? In only two states, Vermont and Alaska, can citizens legally carry
a concealed handgun without first asking permission...
http://www.examiner.com/x-2581-St-Louis-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m1d13-Licensed-defensive-handgun-carry-Are-we-doing-it-wrong
---
Another Look at Georgia RKBA Bill: ...SB 308 appears to address concerns
that have been raised from both sides of the debate over Georgia's gun
laws. This balanced approach is not surprising given that Sen. Seabaugh
was the Chairman of the Comprehensive Firearms Law Study Committee in
2008, where he listened to input from all sides. As an example, the
concealed weapon statute in Georgia has long been criticized for
permitting the arrest of any Georgian carrying a concealed knife, even
if that person has a Georgia firearms license and is carrying a
firearm. SB 308 would permit the concealed carrying of either a knife
or a handgun. As another example, gun control advocates have frequently
complained that there is currently no reliable system in place to report
convictions that should result in revocation of a firearms license. SB
308 addresses this concern by requiring clerks of court to report
revocable offenses to the issuing authority, which under SB 308 would
become the Georgia Secretary of State... The most interesting section of
the bill is Section 2, which repeals Georgia's 140 year old public
gathering law, originally adopted to expose black Georgians and
Republicans to violence by white Democrat mobs. SB 308 replaces the
public gathering statute with a new law that criminalizes possession of
weapons in some government buildings, courtrooms, jails and prisons,
elementary and secondary schools, and the dormitories or residential
housing at college campuses. There are new measures to protect the
possession of a firearm in an automobile while in the parking lots of
any prohibited locations if certain requirements are met...
http://www.examiner.com/x-5619-Atlanta-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m1d12-GA-Bills-SB-308-The-Common-Sense-Lawful-Carry-Act
Related Legislation:
http://www.examiner.com/x-5619-Atlanta-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m12d30-GA-Bills-HB-615-a-bill-to-repeal-the-public-gathering-law
---
Washington "AWB" Bill Introduced: Four anti-gun Democrat lawmakers
representing four Seattle-area districts have filed a bill to ban
so-called "assault weapons" in Washington State, with definitions based
almost entirely on cosmetics rather than on the actual function of the
firearm. The bill is sponsored by State Senators Adam Kline (37th
District), Jeanne Kohl-Welles (36th District), Darlene Fairley (32nd
District) and Joe McDermott (34th District). McDermott is the majority
assistant floor leader. Ironically, the bill was filed on the same day
that Chelan County Sheriff Mike Harum was quoted by the Wenatchee World
noting that criminals like the man who gunned down four Lakewood police
officers on Nov. 29 will not be deterred by gun control laws. He sat on
a law enforcement panel appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire in the
aftermath of that shooting to determine if changes in state law might
reduce the possibility of another such incident...
http://www.examiner.com/x-4525-Seattle-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m1d13-Bill-introduced-to-ban-socalled-assault-weapons?cid=exrss-Seattle-Gun-Rights-Examiner
---
New Hampshire Gun Ban Sparks New Coalition: At two recent State House
hearings on gun control bills, a new group called the Hannah Dustin
Defense League has been handing out fliers opposing the regulation of
guns in public buildings. The women's group is a mix of concerned
citizens and organizations, including the Second Amendment Sisters,
Sword Forum International and Pro-Gun New Hampshire. The group is named
after Hannah Dustin, the New England colonist who was captured by
Indians, then escaped by killing her captors. The organization was
created within the last month specifically to oppose a recently
instituted ban on guns in the State House. It plans to actively oppose
other pieces of anti-gun legislation, such as bills that would ban the
open carry of firearms in a public building. "It is our hope this
coalition will be short-lived and unnecessary in the near future," the
group wrote on its website. Laura Jones, a home schooling mom in
Rochester and a member of the group, said the goal is to demonstrate
that a "gun-free zone is a killing zone," since any criminal can attack
without resistance.
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100113/NEWS01/1130327
---
Good Turnout at New York Lobbying Day: ...More than 2,000 strong came
from every corner of the state to the Legislative Office Building (LOB)
in Albany, arriving by bus, train and in at least one instance - by
plane. And when they got there they made sure their voices were heard,
not only by the politicians that occupied the egg-shaped dome, but by
the opportunistic lame-stream media that takes pot-shots at hunters and
gunowners every chance it gets. Organized by Assembly Republican
Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R-Canandaigua) and New York State Rifle
and Pistol Association president Tom King, the event was covered by
every television station in the Capitol District; and with National
Rifle Association (NRA) CEO and Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre
as the featured guest speaker, I wouldn't be surprised if coverage
didn't go national - with the national media putting its own spin on it,
of course. But it was all straight talk that emanated from the "Well" of
the LOB and the thousands of sportsmen and women that crowded the floor
and stairways loved every minute of it...
http://www.registerstar.com/articles/2010/01/13/columnists/outdoors/doc4b4d5f36e91f3333800337.txt
---
Bronx Expands Buyback to "BB Guns": What's next, water pistols? The
Bronx is expanding its successful gun buyback program to include - for
the first time in the city - BB and air guns, officials announced
yesterday. Although not normally lethal, BB and air guns sometimes are
used by criminals to scare victims into thinking the weapons are
conventional, deadly handguns. People who surrender such weapons Jan. 23
at several churches in The Bronx will be given a $50 gift or cash card
for each BB gun turned in, up to a $150 cap. The churches will also
accept regular guns. BB guns retail for between $40 and $60... (I
suspect that "BB guns" refers primarily to Airsoft replicas. It may not
be long before desperate drug users may be able to get cash for their
fingers as these can be used to simulate a handgun inside a pocket.)
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bronx/bb_gunmen_can_cash_in_PgNoXBkoV4t5zDnJIDmChM
---
Ohio AG Candidate Backs RKBA: Dave Yost (R-Delaware) made a campaign
swing through southwestern Ohio on Tuesday January 5. Xenia was one of
the several stops. Despite the cold temperatures and snowy conditions,
over forty area conservatives turned out to welcome the man they hope
will become the next Ohio Attorney General... Yost easily addressed the
issues and answered questions. When asked about the Second Amendment, he
quipped, "That is part of the Constitution I am sworn to uphold." He
then explained that he supports concealed carry noting the background
check process is working. Yost indicated he favors allowing concealed
handgun license holders to more freely carry in more places...
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7064
---
Arenas in Plea Negotiations: Prosecutors and attorneys for Washington
Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas were in plea negotiations this week that
could have Arenas in court on gun charges as soon as Thursday, according
to law enforcement sources... The sources said it was unclear whether
the plea agreement would set Arenas's punishment as probation, community
service, a fine or some combination. But the negotiations would ensure
that Arenas would not go to jail, one of the sources said. If the grand
jury were to charge Arenas, he likely would face charges of carrying a
handgun without a license, which is a felony and punishable by up to
five years behind bars. Because he has said he had four guns in the
Verizon Center locker room, he could face up to 20 years in jail.
Prosecutors could bring their own charge of possessing an unregistered
firearm, a misdemeanor that carries a 12-month sentence... (It says an
awful lot about the government's concept of justice that the
investigation seems to have focused on his possession and transportation
of handguns in DC and not on the allegation that he pointed one at a
teammate. The latter offense, in my home state, is a felony called
aggravated assault.)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/13/AR2010011304260.html
L.A. Times Columnist Seeks Comments: I've been puzzling over the antics
of basketball star Gilbert Arenas, who scorched local courts here as a
high school player but was benched by the NBA last week for gunplay with
a Washington Wizards teammate in the locker room after a game on
Christmas Eve... It seems stupid to me on so many levels; such a
dangerous imitation of macho toughness. But then what do I know about
guns? Not much. So I made a trip this week to the LAPD's firing range. I
discovered that I'm a pretty good shot. That there is something
thrilling about holding a gun. And that firing real bullets is nothing
like playing Halo. "Are you going to write one of those 'guns are evil'
columns?" the LAPD lieutenant supervising my shooting session asked. I
don't think guns are evil, but I'm trying to figure out the fascination
with them for Saturday's column. I'd like to hear from gun owners. Why
do you love your guns? If you have insights to share, let me know what
you think in the comments below.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/01/are-guns-evil-or-is-it-our-trigger-happy-culture.html
Al Sharpton Wants Arenas Punished: Whenever racism rears its head in
sports, the Rev. Al Sharpton has usually had something important to say.
In the process, he has proudly earned the contempt of the sports radio
blabbocracy. But today, Rev. Al is earning their praise. Al Sharpton
embraced by sports radio? Have we entered the twilight zone? Hardly.
They are loving Sharpton because the good Reverend wants Washington
Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas severely punished for bringing unloaded
guns into his team's locker room. Currently facing criminal charges and
league suspension, Arenas is likely facing probation or prison and will
be suspended by the NBA. It's a depressing story made worse by the fact
that Arenas is perhaps the last player you would ever predict would do
something so stupid. The son of a professional movie extra, and the
NBA's first blogger, he is an iconoclastic goof-ball, more likely to
bring a water gun to work than the real thing...
http://www.thewestsidegazette.com/News/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=100832&sID=12&ItemSource=L
---
Oops, Wrong Convenience Store: Two juveniles are behind bars following a
shooting that occurred during a convenience store robbery Tuesday
afternoon [apparently January 5]. Police responded to 3403 4th Ave. to
the J&C Quick Stop just before 3 p.m. after receiving a call of shots
fired. Witnesses on-scene advised that two black male suspects entered
the store, pointed a gun and demanded money. During the robbery, the
store clerk pulled a gun and shot the armed suspect, hitting him in the
wrist. Both suspects fled the store, but were quickly apprehended in the
2500 block of East 27th St. Police were also able to recover the money
taken during the robbery as well as the weapon used. The injured suspect
was taken to T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital, where he was treated and
released. Both suspects were then taken to the Juvenile Detention Unit,
where they were charged with aggravated robbery. (Note the gunshot to
the wrist. Bullets commonly strike guns, gun hands and gun-hand arms and
shoulders because the brain tends to focus on the weapon, not the person
wielding it. This is a good reason to carry a handgun accessible to each
hand.)
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_166110.asp
---
Oops, Wrong Liquor Store: Three men wanted in a botched liquor store
robbery that turned deadly were arrested Thursday, Wilmington [DE]
police said... The attempted holdup happened about 9:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at
Favor's Liquor Store, 1020 N. Walnut St. Two masked robbers brandishing
handguns ordered the 55-year-old clerk to hand over money. One climbed
across the counter and pointed a handgun at the cashier while the
another ran around the counter and also pointed a gun, according to
court records. One suspect then told the cashier to "get back," and the
victim backed up, police said in court records. One of the two suspects
tried to open the cash register while holding a gun on the cashier. When
the gunman looked away, the cashier pulled his own gun from the
waistband of his pants and started firing at the gunmen, who fled the
store. Kendel Miller, 20, of the 500 block of W. 39th St., was fatally
wounded by the store clerk, police said. Miller stumbled out of the
store and collapsed on the sidewalk...
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100109/NEWS01/1090333
---
Firearms Stolen from California Range: A $5,000 reward was offered today
for information leading to the apprehension of a suspect who broke into
a Riverside shooting range and stole several firearms on Jan. 2. "The
burglary and theft of firearms ... is a very serious crime and a top
investigative priority,'' said Special Agent John Torres with the
federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms. "We are asking for the
public's help in our effort to apprehend and convict those responsible
for this burglary,'' he said. The reward was announced jointly by the
BATF and the Riverside Police Department. Torres said the break-in
occurred around 4 a.m. at the Riverside Magnum Range, a combination gun
store, training facility and indoor recreational shooting range at 12391
Sampson Ave... (I don't know if this is the same Riverside County range
where a classmate from my basic Firearms Instructor Development School
was killed in a robbery for firearms several years ago. Criminals
generally don't buy firearms at gun shows.)
http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/44619/
---
With Friends Like These...: Maricopa County [AZ] authorities say they
have arrested a Mesa woman who reportedly tried to trade her 2-year-old
daughter for a gun. Maricopa County sheriff's deputies arrested
33-year-old Tanya Nareau on Tuesday after receiving a tip about the
swap. While at Nareau's home, deputies spoke with a family friend who
had the child and confirmed to deputies that Nareau gave the girl to him
for gun. Deputies say Nareau felt that the family friend would do a
better job in raising the child than she would. They say Nareau also
claimed she could not buy a weapon because she is prohibited from doing
so by law. Authorities say Nareau has been booked into the county jail
in downtown Phoenix. She has been charged with the unlawful sale of a
child and solicitation to possess a weapon by a prohibited person. It
was unclear Wednesday whether Nareau had legal representation yet.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2010/01/13/20100113b5filler0114.html
---
When Guns Are Outlawed...: A man killed by a shotgun blast to the chest
may have been attacked in revenge after a snowball fight between two
groups of youths in east London. Mahmood Jama, 21, of Plaistow was shot
dead moments after one of the men in the other group was hit in the face
with a snowball. He was chased into a block of flats in Newham and shot.
Witnesses told police that the incident was sparked by a snowball fight
on a garage forecourt about half a mile away in Studley Road. Mr Jama
was found bleeding to death on the first floor of Whyteville House in
Upton Lane last Wednesday. One witness, who did not want to be named,
said the victim was "gunned down in cold blood"...
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23794633-man-shot-dead-after-snowball-fight.do
---
Tangentially Related: The Transportation Security Administration, under
scrutiny after last month's bombing attempt, has on its Web site a
"mythbuster" that tries to reassure the public. Myth: The No-Fly list
includes an 8-year-old boy. Buster: No 8-year-old is on a T.S.A. watch
list. "Meet Mikey Hicks," said Najlah Feanny Hicks, introducing her
8-year-old son, a New Jersey Cub Scout and frequent traveler who has
seldom boarded a plane without a hassle because he shares the name of a
suspicious person. "It's not a myth." ...It is true that Mikey is not on
the federal government's "no-fly" list, which includes about 2,500
people, less than 10 percent of them from the United States. But his
name appears to be among some 13,500 on the larger "selectee" list,
which sets off a high level of security screening... Both lists are
maintained by the Terrorist Screening Center, which includes the Federal
Bureau of Investigation. They are given to the Transportation Security
Administration, which in turn sends them to the airlines... (Recall that
there are those who would use these lists to block lawful purchases of
firearms.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/14/nyregion/14watchlist.html?ref=us
The [Arizona] Department of Public Safety has a new boss. Gov. Jan
Brewer on Wednesday appointed Robert Halliday to take over from DPS
Director Roger Vanderpool by the end of the month. Halliday will inherit
a department facing unprecedented budget cuts, but Brewer thought
Halliday's lengthy career in law enforcement and military experience
made him a good fit for the job, said Paul Senseman, the governor's
spokesman. "We know he'll do a fine job in keeping morale high in the
department and building on the success Roger Vanderpool had there,"
Senseman said... Halliday's appointment continues the tradition of
Arizona governors appointing DPS leaders of their own choosing when the
opportunity arises. Vanderpool, a Democrat, was appointed to his
five-year term by then-Gov. Janet Napolitano while he was serving as
Pinal County sheriff. (I know nothing of Halliday's views on the RKBA
but Vanderpool eliminated the classroom training available for Arizona's
CWP instructors to stay current on legal issues. That program was of
minimal cost to the state because the attorney who gave the lectures is
a volunteer.)
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2010/01/14/20100114politics-dpschange0114.html
--
Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
The tactics and skills to use a firearm
in self-defense don't come naturally
with the right to keep and bear arms.
http://www.spw-duf.info
