NRA Recognizes Second Amendment March: There will be a Second Amendment
March in Washington, D.C., on April 19, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. Attendees will gather on the northeast corner of the Washington
Monument grounds at 10:00 a.m., and the entire event will take place
there (due to logistics, the event will be more of a "rally" than an
actual march). The event is sponsored and coordinated by the
organization "Second Amendment March," whose stated mission is, "to
galvanize the courage and resolve of Americans; to petition our elected
officials against establishing anti-gun legislation; and to remind
America that the Second Amendment is necessary to maintain our right to
self defense."
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=5401
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Rights vs. Regulation, Part 1: ...Certain rights are derived from God or
Nature and they are called Natural rights. They are universal rights and
do not depend on the laws of a specific society. These rights exist
necessarily and can not ever be taken away. Natural rights may also be
called moral rights or inalienable rights. Our founding fathers
described them as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Legal
rights on the other hand are based on a society's customs, laws or
statutes and may be created and therefore regulated, by the legislature.
The right to vote is an example of a legal right possessed by citizens.
Voting is done on election day,not when ever you are ready to toss out
an elected official. Even on election day, you may only vote once and
during the times when the polls are open. Voting is a right that is also
regulated. Citizenship itself is often considered as the basis for
having legal rights, and has been defined as the "right to have rights".
Although even this basis for enjoying rights has been extended to aliens
and to even illegal aliens and now even to our country's enemy's [sic].
Legal rights are also called civil rights or statutory rights and they
are culturally and politically interrelated because legal rights depend
on a specific societal context to give them a meaning...
http://www.examiner.com/x-5103-Wisconsin-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m2d12-Rights-versus-regulation--part-one
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Are Prohibitionists Changing Their Tune?: Remember when licensed
concealed carry (don't get me started, for now, on the offensiveness of
licensing the fundamental human right to bear arms) laws first started
speading from one state to another? Remember the sky-is-falling fear
mongering about the "wild west," and "blood in the streets"--shootouts
over parking spaces, etc.? With only two states completely outlawing
concealed carry for private citizens (and one of those "allowing" open
carry), the dire warnings have proven utterly false, as one law
enforcement or justice system official after another has been forced to
admit... In other words, the rhetoric seems to place less emphasis on
the (imagined) physical danger posed by armed citizens, replacing it
with hand-wringing about their "scariness." Now, the gun-haters are
apparently reduced to defending the non-existent right to "freedom from
[irrational] fear." Sure you wouldn't like some relevance with that
capuccino, Brady Campaign?
http://www.examiner.com/x-2581-St-Louis-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m2d12-Are-gun-prohibitionists-singing-a-new-tune
Speaking of Brady and Starbucks...: The on-going campaign against
Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee for not banning armed citizens from their
stores has won the cash-strapped and attention-starved Brady Campaign a
brief return to the spotlight, but it has also afforded the public one
more chance to understand why this gun prohibitionist group, and its
allies, are losing credibility and relevance. The Starbucks story is
certainly getting attention, but perhaps not the kind that the Brady
Bunch had hoped for when it launched this new campaign. Refreshingly,
newspapers and television reporters are providing plenty of balance, at
least in the Puget Sound region, perhaps because of an active open carry
movement, represented by down-to-earth people like Seatac's Jim Beal,
who appeared in a KING news story Thursday. (KOMO and KIRO also did
pieces, and I spent some time on the air with KIRO Radio's Frank Shiers
Wednesday evening." ...
http://www.examiner.com/x-4525-Seattle-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m2d12-AntiStarbucks-campaign-affirms-fear-loathing-and-bigotry-of-antigun-lobby
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California Restaurant Chain Bans Firearms: A California restaurant
chain, the Buckhorn Grill, has banned the display of guns in its
establishments after a gathering of gun rights advocates Feb. 6 at its
Walnut Creek restaurant that drew about 100 men carrying unloaded guns.
"Buckhorn Grill would like to apologize for some misunderstanding about
our 'no weapon policy' in any of our restaurants," John Pickerel, owner
of Buckhorn chain, said in a statement. "We have not in the past nor
shall in the future allow weapons in our restaurants." The ban applies
to all seven of the chain's restaurants. The meeting of Open Carry
advocates, who want to change California law to make it easier to carry
loaded guns in public, was an exception Pickerel said he now regrets.
Pickerel said the group "misled" Buckhorn about such things as the
nature of the event and number of attendees... "We organized the event
with (Buckhorn management) weeks in advance. They're backpedaling,"
Huffman said. "We spent more than $1,200 plus tips. It's ridiculous to
take our money and stab us in the back a few days later." (
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14390889?nclick_check=1
---
Did Brady Bunch Sabotage Facebook Page?: On December 4, 2009, Buckeye
Firearms Association launched a Facebook fan page. Within two months, we
grew to over 4,400 fans who were hungry for pro-gun news and
information. On February 8, 2010, our Facebook fan page vanished. No
warning. No reason given. How could this happen? We have only one clue:
The day before, our Facebook fan page administrator had the audacity to
post a pro-gun message on the Brady Center's anti-gun fan page. Did the
Brady Center sabotage our page? We have no proof, but you can be the
judge...
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7114
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A Liberal Goes Shooting: There is a fascinating adventure recounted by a
self-confessed gun-control liberal on the Huffington Post: He went
shooting! Beau Willmon says he is against guns, yet found that he
jumped at a chance to go shooting at the LA Gun Club with some friends
who were going. He suspects his desire to go along grew out of his
darker side, fed by violent video games. They rented an array of guns
from pistols to rifles to shotguns and traded around so everyone had a
chance to shoot each one. He admits to several things in the article
that are revealing peeks into the liberal mind...
http://www.examiner.com/x-2944-Denver-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m2d12-A-liberal-goes-shooting
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/beau-willimon/banging-everything-in-sig_b_432955.html
---
Another Gun-Free-Zone Shooting: A biology professor at the University of
Alabama in Huntsville who authorities say opened fire at a faculty
meeting is facing a murder charge after the shooting spree that left
three dead and three wounded. Amy Bishop, 42, was charged Friday night
with one count of capital murder, which means she could face the death
penalty if convicted. Three of Bishop's fellow biology professors were
killed and three other university employees were wounded. No students
were harmed in the shooting, which happened in a community known for its
space and technology industries. The husband of one of the victims said
he was told those at the meeting were discussing tenure for Bishop, who
had been an assistant professor since 2003. Authorities have not
discussed a motive... (This probably does not bode well for the Arizona
bill that would let faculty members with CWP's carry at the state's
colleges and universities.)
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/feb/13/prof-charged-3-fatal-shootings-ala-campus/
Perhaps it is symbolic that Amy Bishop, an associate Biology professor
at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, is the latest data point in
a long history showing that most multiple murders occur in "gun-free
zones." ...As with nearly all post-secondary institutions, people are
banned from carrying guns on campus. That she had a gun indicates
premeditation: She planned to kill people if they didn't grant her
tenure. Tragically and ironically, this may indicate posthumous wisdom
on the part of department faculty. As she was led away in handcuffs,
Bishop was heard to say: ""It didn't happen. There's no way. ... They
are still alive." ...The lab results are complete, and point to one
inevitable conclusion: gun control failed. It's time to try a different
experiment.
http://www.examiner.com/x-2879-Austin-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m2d13-Gun-control-the-failed-experiment
---
Maryland Gun Owners under Attack: The gun grabbers are at it again in
Maryland. Next month, the state's House Judiciary Committee will
initiate hearings on legislation forcing firearms enthusiasts to
register with the state government before they can exercise their Second
Amendment rights. The plan, drafted by Delegate Samuel I. Rosenberg,
Baltimore Democrat, and Sen. Brian E. Frosh, Montgomery County Democrat,
would mandate that citizens carry a special license while conducting any
number of routine transactions involving a gun. To obtain a gun license,
a person must fill out a long application form, attend a comprehensive
firearms safety course, pay a nonrefundable fee to the state and wait 30
days for the completion of a criminal background check. If all items are
processed properly, the Maryland State Police would drop the license in
the mail. It would become a crime to go to a gun range and rent a
firearm for a little target shooting without this license in hand.
Out-of-state visitors who might want to keep up their skills while on
vacation would be out of luck under the proposal because they would not
even be allowed to apply for a state gun license...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/feb/12/gun-owners-in-the-cross-hairs/
---
Judge Tosses Seattle Park Gun Ban: A King County Superior Court judge
has ruled in favor of a lawsuit filed by the Second Amendment Foundation
and National Rifle Association, striking down a ban on guns in city
parks because it violates Washington State's long-standing preemption
statute. Judge Catherine Shaffer ruled from the bench that the gun ban,
adopted under former Mayor Greg Nickels, violates Washington's law,
which placed sole authority for regulating firearms in the hands of the
State Legislature. That law was adopted in 1983 and amended in 1985, and
has served as a model for similar laws across the country. SAF and NRA
were joined in the lawsuit by the Citizens Committee for the Right to
Keep and Bear Arms, the Washington Arms Collectors and five individual
plaintiffs. "This is a great victory for the rule of law and Washington
citizens," said SAF Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. "Greg
Nickels was so blinded by his personal hatred for firearms owners and
his own arrogance that he imagined the city under his control could
simply ignore state law. That arrogance cost Nickels his job last year.
We repeatedly warned him not to push a gun ban, but he refused listen..."
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/saf-nra-victory-court-strikes-down-seattle-park-gun-ban-84271257.html
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Wyoming Firearms Freedom Act Threatened: Although the house has passed
this bill to committee, the committee chairman, Keith Gingery, is
essentially pushing this bill to the side by refusing to put it on the
schedule. Gingery has opted instead for Miller's HB-28, a drastically
watered down version of HB-95 with no teeth. If you do not voice your
opinion - prior to 8:00 Am tomorrow morning - this bill will not even be
heard in committee! It will be dead on arrival. It is crucial that your
email gets in before 8:00 Am tomorrow morning!!! To further this end,
we've devised a form that can be filled out quickly. It will send your
personal email to all members of the judiciary committee, and as well,
speaker of the house Colin Simpson simultaneously...
http://www.ammoland.com/2010/02/12/wyomings-firearms-freedom-act/
http://wyominggunowners.org/contact/hb-95/
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Oklahoma Bill Would Ban Confiscation, Registration: To protect citizens'
Second Amendment rights, state Rep. Leslie Osborn, R-Tuttle, has filed
legislation to protect Oklahomans from having any mandatory gun
confiscations or additional registrations. "The bill came out of
committee and was approved yesterday," Osborn said. "It will go to the
house floor next week and then on to the senate. I feel pretty confident
it will pass, because in Oklahoma there is a strong belief in the Second
Amendment and in our right to bear arms. I don't see any big
roadblocks." House Bill 3157, by Osborn, says Oklahoma citizens are not
required to participate in any international, state or federal firearms
registration program and cannot have any lawfully owned firearm
confiscated... Osborn described the bill as a proactive measure, with
just-in-case language added about gun ownership since the federal
government is talking about tougher gun control laws. She said crime
rates have risen significantly in nations that have enacted stricter gun
control laws...
http://www.chickashanews.com/oklanews/local_story_043102148.html?keyword=topstor
---
North Carolina Candidate Hosts Machine-Gun Social: Sweet tea, eastern
North Carolina barbecue and submachine guns. For a congressional
candidate, Tim D'Annunzio knows how to get to the heart of the Tea Party
Nation in this part of the country. D'Annunzio, a staunch believer in
the rights of law-abiding citizens to maintain and bear arms, staged a
"machine gun social" Thursday night at Jim's Gun Jobbery and Indoor
Range in Fayetteville. The 52-year-old D'Annunzio, of Hoke County, is
one of at least five Republicans seeking the nomination for the 8th
Congressional District seat held by Democrat Larry Kissell of Montgomery
County. By adding $25 to D'Annunzio's campaign kitty, supporters got the
opportunity to fire an Uzi or an MP-5 submachine gun...
http://www.fayobserver.com/Articles/2010/02/12/975554
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New York Gun Owners Gain Influence: It was three weeks ago that I
described here a rally that had taken place in the Well of the
Legislative Office Building in Albany. By some estimates, including my
own, some 2,000 gun owners showed up to make a statement to their
elected representatives. Two thousand gun owners overflowed the Well to
voice their concern about Albany's belief that gun violence can be
controlled by penalizing lawful gun owners. That showed the depth of the
discontent. As I stood there looking into the Well from two floors above
the podium, I was taken aback by two things: the first being the number
of people that took the time to make the trip to Albany - I never before
had seen such a turnout - and the other was the number of unfamiliar
faces that I saw in that crowd. People previously on the sidelines are
now making their voices heard. There has been a growing discontent among
gun owners and the story behind that story is that the discontent is
fomenting an awakening of sorts in every state, as well as in the
nation's capital. I think part of the agitation rises out of the ashes
of the June 2008 Supreme Court decision that set aside the District of
Columbia's onerous 30-year-old gun control law...
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20102110340
---
Oops, Wrong Electrician: Police said two electricians were lured to a
vacant house in south Fulton County [GA] and shot Thursday afternoon.
Fulton County police told CBS Atlanta that a man called two electricians
from two different companies to the home. When the first electrician
arrived, the suspects robbed him, then shot him in the leg. Police say a
short time later, the second electrician arrived... The suspects then
shot the second electrician in the leg. That's when the electrician
pulled out a gun and shot the suspect in the head, according to
investigators. The alleged robber was taken to the hospital in critical
condition. "I'm just glad that the electrician had a weapon. He
retaliated against him so they wouldn't think about doing it again to no
one else," said May Youmans, who saw all the police commotion. Other
neighbors also commended the electrician was his quick thinking. "I
think the state made it legal for civilians to carry weapons now because
there are just too many robberies going on," said Clarence Martin, a
neighbor. "You don't want to be a victim." Police said there may be a
second suspect with a bullet wound. He fled on foot...
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/news/22533639/detail.html
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Colorado County May Build New Shooting Range: El Paso County officials
are considering the creation of a shooting range on county-owned land
next to Fort Carson. County commissioners began mulling the idea after
the U.S. Forest Service closed the South Rampart Shooting Range
following a fatal accident in July. Commissioners Dennis Hisey, Amy
Lathen, Sallie Clark and Wayne Williams said Friday they're in favor of
establishing a new shooting site. Commissioner Jim Bensberg could not be
reached for comment. "It makes sense," said Clark, who represents the
district in which the closed shooting range is located. "It will be more
accessible and give us the ability to clean up the Rampart facility so
it can be used as an access to mountain terrain." Williams said closure
of the Rampart range has left gun owners with no place to go. "Right now
there are insufficient places for folks to shoot," he said. "It's
providing a different form of outdoor recreational park. We have trails
set up for bikes and horses. In this case it would be for the use of
guns." ...
http://www.gazette.com/articles/county-94110-range-shooting.html
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Do My Eyes Deceive Me?: Click on the number 20 in this slide show and
tell me that the USMC battalion commander in the photo, addressing his
troops before starting their offensive in Marja, Afghanistan, is not
wearing a Beretta M9 pistol with an empty magazine well.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/02/12/GA2010021202764.html?hpid=multimedia1&hpv=national
---
NRA-ILA Alerts: List members are encouraged to check the alerts for the
week, posted on the NRA-ILA Website.
http://www.nraila.org/GrassrootsAlerts/read.aspx
---
Tangentially Related: With much of his legislative agenda stalled in
Congress, President Obama and his team are preparing an array of actions
using his executive power to advance energy, environmental, fiscal and
other domestic policy priorities... "We are reviewing a list of
presidential executive orders and directives to get the job done across
a front of issues," said Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff...
(While I still believe that the Big Brother regime will end up being
viewed as the biggest example of the law of unintended consequences in
American history, I will be very surprised if we survive it without an
executive order banning the importation of firearms and ammunition from
Russia.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/13/us/politics/13obama.html
The men file silently down the narrow snow-covered path, each in winter
camouflage, eyes forward and rifle ready. This is not a unit of the US
armed forces or the National Guard, the dozen or so men are members of
the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia (SMVM), regular citizens banded
together, they say, to defend their country, neighbourhoods and, above
all, the US constitution. Since the election of Barack Obama as the
country's first African-American president, membership in the militia
has doubled... (Note that this attempt to cast the militia movement as
racially motivated comes to us from Abu Dhabi, one of the United Arab
Emirates.)
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100213/FOREIGN/702129824/1135
A year into the Obama administration, some people are more worried than
ever that private gun ownership is in jeopardy. Members of the Southeast
Michigan Volunteer Militia are ready to fight to keep their weapons.
It's a Wednesday night in February, and 22 men and one woman are
gathered at Mayberry's Restaurant in Farmington Hills. They're all
Caucasian. Some are middle-aged, out of shape; others are in their
twenties, and fit. This is the militia's monthly business meeting. It's
also recruitment night. The group says it welcomes everyone, regardless
of race, religion or politics... Amy Cooter is the only woman here, but
she's not a member. She's getting her PhD in sociology from the
University of Michigan, and she's been studying the group for two years.
"I think that they're more often seen, publicly as a group, paranoids,
out in the woods with tin-foil hats, but these are men who vote on a
regular basis, who talk about political issues in their meetings, and
who encourage people to write their congressmen," Cooter says. "And I
think that's not what people expect." ...Protecting the Second Amendment
is the primary reason for the militia's existence... (This is the NPR
version.)
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/michigan/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1610742/Michigan.News/Michigan.Militia.Prepares.for.Action.
--
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
