Wednesday, September 29, 2010

09-15-10

by permission from Stephen P. Wenger
comments in () by the same
http://www.spw-duf.info



From GOA: Gun Owners of America-backed candidate Christine O'Donnell completed a dramatic come-from-behind victory in Tuesday's Delaware Senate primary. O'Donnell was up against a member of Congress who earned the notorious distinction as the most anti-gun Republican in the House. But despite the backing of the Republican establishment in Washington, Mike Castle was handily defeated by pro-gunner O'Donnell. Christine ODonnellThe implications of this win are huge, not only for the next session of Congress, but also in a potential lame-duck session later this year. Because this is a special election to fill the seat of Vice-President Joseph Biden, O'Donnell will take office immediately following the November election if she defeats her Democrat opponent. Anti-gun congressional Democrat leaders seem intent on a lame duck session, but the addition of just a single constitutionalist to the Senate will go a long way to stopping any gun control from sneaking through in waning days of 2010… The O'Donnell win adds to a string of victories for GOA-backed candidates this year in Senate primaries in Nevada, Kentucky, Utah, Colorado, as well as the non-primary in Florida (where Marco Rubio chased Gov. Charlie Crist out of the primary—and out of the Republican Party). All of the candidates supported by GOA-PVF were opposed by the Republican establishment in their respective primaries. And all of these candidates agree with Gun Owners of America that it is not enough simply to defeat anti-gunners in elections. They must also be replaced with leaders who will fight to restore Constitutional liberties that have been under attack for decades. (You can visit www.goapvf.org to keep up with GOA candidates.) It is safe to say that the 2010 elections may be the most important in our lifetimes, with America's constitutional republic hanging in the balance…

http://gunowners.org/a091510.htm

…Last night, the National Republican Senatorial Committee indicated there would be no money for O'Donnell, and so we asked you to pound Sen. John Cornyn to demand that he reverse course. Well, Fox News is now reporting that things have changed, as the NRSC has done an about face after getting "peppered" by angry constituents. The NRSC is now singing a different tune. Here's what a Congressional newspaper, The Hill, is reporting in our nation's capital today:
[Sen. John] Cornyn said that O'Donnell, the conservative insurgent candidate who upset Rep. Mike Castle last night in the Delware GOP Senate primary, would have the NRSC's backing like any other Republican Senate candidate. "Let there be no mistake: The National Republican Senatorial Committee – and I personally as the committee's chairman – strongly stand by all of our Republican nominees, including Christine O'Donnell in Delaware," Cornyn said in a statement. The chairman of Senate Republicans' campaign efforts said he'd spoken Wednesday morning to O'Donnell and informed her of the NRSC's support, which included the maximum allowable $42,000 in direct donations to her campaign.
This is huge! Especially, considering that the NRSC had earlier indicated it would NOT help O'Donnell in her race to win "Joe Biden's" seat in the general election. Thank you all for your activism! …
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From CCRKBA: For the third straight year, violent crime has declined in all categories while gun sales climbed, gun ownership expanded and more citizens are carrying firearms for personal protection; proof positive that gun prohibitionists have been consistently and undeniably wrong, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today. The FBI released its 2009 report on Crime in the United States, showing that murder declined 7.3 percent, robberies fell 8 percent, aggravated assault dropped by 4.2 percent and forcible rape has declined 2.6 percent. Meanwhile, the National Shooting Sports Foundation notes that gun sales in 2009 were up dramatically. "What the data tells us is exactly the opposite of what the gun ban lobby has predicted for several years," said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. "Their dire predictions that America's streets would run red have been shown up as a fraudulent sales pitch for public disarmament. No matter how gun prohibitionists try to spin this," he continued, "the bottom line is that they have been consistently and demonstrably wrong, and they know it. On the other hand, gun rights organizations have been consistently right when we argued that increased gun ownership would not lead to higher crime rates, and might even have a deterrent effect, because even property crimes are down, according to this year's report…"

http://www.ccrkba.org/?p=2485
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BATFE Trace Data: The statistical breakdown for firearms submitted for trace by BATFE is available, by year and state, online.

http://www.atf.gov/statistics/
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More on NRA and the Nevada Senate Race: Why won't NRA endorse (formerly) A-rated Sharron Angle against (formerly) B-rated Harry Reid in Nevada's 2010 United States Senate race? If they have any expectation of maintaining credibility in other races, why would the association negate confidence in their own incentive system? The only argument, excuse really, parrots an NRA talking point, whether those uttering it realize the apologist-exploited meme's origins: "I'll give you four words: Majority Leader Chuck Schumer." That's Chris Cox, the NRA-ILA Executive Director and chair of the Political Victory Fund, explaining why they won't be trying for...uh...victory in Nevada's U.S. Senate race. The assumption is, Harry Reid, all by his own self, will keep "bad" bills from coming to the Senate floor that Schumer would gleefully expedite. So? …So instead I'll take the "pragmatic" approach and "compromise politically" – something ornery absolutists like me are often accused of never doing. I call on NRA's Political Victory Fund to RELEASE THEIR CURRENT GRADES for Sharron Angle and Harry Reid, so that Nevada voters- and all gun owner "stakeholders" in that election – can use that as a guide. I understand you don't want to give an endorsement, Mr. Cox – but post the grades

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-national/fear-of-schumer-reid-angle-race-is-a-cop-out

Related Commentary:

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-national/why-is-anti-gun-mayor-bloomberg-backing-harry-reid
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Justice Breyer on the RKBA: "The majority thought that a well-regulated militia [was] necessary for the security of a free state. But that isn't the heart of the thing. The heart of the thing is the right of the people to keep and bear arms and that means to protect themselves from attack, even by burglars. The minority, of which I was one, looked back over the same history and they say, 'No. This was put here for a particular reason. What happened was that Madison and the others who wanted the Constitution faced opposition from states, and the states were afraid that Congress would call up state militias as part of the federal army and then disband them – and the states would not be protected. ... Madison and Hamilton [had stated], 'We will write these words into the Constitution and they will protect the states' rights to have a militia.' Now the minority thought that was the basic value underlying these words so there was a disagreement. If, in fact, you accept the minority views – look back at the words, look back at the language, look back with the history – this does not have much to do with keeping a pistol on a table to protect yourself from a burglar. Now ... assume the majority is right, which I did not assume they were right, I don't believe they were right but I'll assume it for argument's sake. Still, on the assumption that they're right and this has something to do with keeping pistols next to your bedside, the question is: What does it have to do with it? The District of Columbia had passed a law which said you cannot have pistols in the District of Columbia. And the question would be: Is that law prohibited by the Second Amendment as the majority interprets it? And I thought, and the others in dissent thought, that the answer is the District of Columbia can pass such a law. Because it serves a very important objective: saving lives from burglars, from accidents, from suicide. And it is overwhelmingly important – but you see, what we're trying to do there, is to work out: Is this kind of prohibition proportionate? Is it fair? Is it reasonable in light of the ends, the objectives and the values in the Constitution?"

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129831688
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Maine Debates Gun Ban: A proposed plan to ban guns from public places in Maine is stirring up a debate amongst Portland residents. The Portland Public Safety Committee held a public hearing Tuesday night to discuss the plan proposed by committee chair Dan Skolnik. Skolnik said that he wants to draft a resolution to the full council asking the state legislature to ban guns in certain public places. In Portland, that would include venues like Fitzpatrick Stadium, the Expo and City Hall. The proposed ban would make limited exceptions for certain groups with concealed weapons permits – like law enforcement [emphasis added]. Skolnik said the goal is to keep Maine residents safe, while opponents said it violates the Second Amendment right to bear arms… Portland Police Chief James Craig said he would support the legislation… (Poor grammar, ignorance or political misdirection? Would the proposed legislation exempt holders of concealed-weapon permits and treat them like law enforcement or does the news staff at WMTW believe that Maine requires its cops to obtain permits to carry discreetly? Maine has been a shall-issue state since before Florida kicked off the CCW-reform movement in 1987.)

http://www.wmtw.com/r/25013733/detail.html

At least a dozen men carrying guns Tuesday attended a public hearing at City Hall on a proposal for state legislation that would ban firearms from public buildings. The gun-rights advocates said they were the first wave of a larger armed contingent who will defend their constitutional right to carry guns in public buildings in Portland or any other municipality in Maine. City Councilor Dan Skolnik, who chairs the council's Public Safety Committee, wants to build support for state legislation to ban firearms from public buildings where mass gatherings occur, or allow municipalities to do so… In Maine, guns are prohibited in schools, courthouses, jails and bars where the owners post notice. Guns are also banned in the Capital Area, which includes any state-controlled location in Augusta…

http://www.pressherald.com/news/gun-carriers-join-hearing-on-ban_2010-09-15.html
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Utah Expects Drop in CFP Applications: About 4,000 fewer people are expected to apply for concealed firearm permits in Utah this year. That's not true in Summit County, where numbers continue to rise… According to Jason Chapman, firearms supervisor for the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification, the office that issues permits and licenses instructors, applications have steadily risen since 2004. The meteoric rise began before Obama took office, but 2009 was the highest year on record with nearly 74,000, he said. That is why a predicted decrease of 4,000 applicants by Dec. 31 is noteworthy. In 2006, there were about 16,000 applicants. That number has increased by 60 to 75 percent every year until this one, he explained. Chapman said his office has no comment on the political theories as to why interest in permits accelerated, but he thinks the most logical reason is better awareness of the reciprocity of Utah's permit. If you can carry a concealed firearm in Utah, you may also do so in 32 other states. As more Americans become aware of that, more are applying. He didn't have a theory on why fewer people are applying this year…

http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_16074526
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Park Carry in Tennessee: In the 15 months since Tennessee handgun-carry permit holders got the right to go armed in state parks, two gun-related incidents have been reported at state facilities and neither resulted in violence, officials said. "I am pleasantly surprised," said Tennessee Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke, who in 2009 lobbied against the so-called "guns in parks" bill. "I believed that it was not a good idea." The legislation, which took effect in late June 2009, allowed permit holders to go armed in all 53 state parks and 81 state natural areas. The bill included local parks but allowed local governments to opt out. Many, such as Chattanooga, did just that. Fyke said the law "has not been disruptive" for the most part. A "major" exception, he said, involved a Dec. 20, 2009, incident in which rangers at Radnor Lake State Park in Nashville stopped Leonard Embody, who had an AK-47-like handgun strapped over his shoulder. They detained Embody nearly three hours before releasing him without charges after determining he had a lawful carry permit and a legal weapon… Fyke said the other park case involved a pistol found at Hiwassee State Scenic River's Gee Creek campground in Polk County. "A lady left a pink handgun on the back of a commode," Fyke said. "We found it. She was cited. I think they threw it out of court. But the point was, a kid or someone else could have come in there." … (Embody is a strange ranger, who appeared to be fishing for a lawsuit that would give him fame and fortune. The second case is a simple Rule Five violation – failure to maintain control of one's firearm.)

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/sep/12/guns-havent-changed-state-parks/
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Oops, Wrong Old Man: A Kerr County [TX] man has been arrested in connection with an attack on a senior citizen that investigators said was prompted by his desire for prescription drugs… Capt. Scott Prout, with the Kerr County Sheriff's Office, said deputies were called to the home in the 300 block of Westway Drive around 8 p.m. Sunday for a report of an assault with shots fired. Prout said the 79-year-old victim told deputies Curtis had hit him in the face after he refused to share his pain pills – the prescription drug hyrdrocodone – with him. "There was swelling and redness on the complainant's face," Prout said. "There's evidence to support what he said." The man, who has since been identified as Joe Close, told deputies when Curtis returned to his home, Close pulled out a handgun and fired one shot, missing him on purpose. "I just wanted to scare him. I didn't want to wound him," Close said. "I would've killed him and I would've been in the right, defending myself." Sheriff's investigators agreed that Close fired in self-defense. Prout said at this time that he will not face any charges… (All's well that ends well but, in most states, warning shots are a very tricky proposition legally.)

http://www.ksat.com/news/25010348/detail.html
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Northern Arizona Range – the Beat Goes On: An open house about the planning and development of the Northern Arizona Shooting Range will be held on Thursday, Sept. 23 from 3-8 p.m. at the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Flagstaff regional office on 3500 S. Lake Mary Road. "This open house will give the public a first look at some conceptual designs of the range and a chance to make suggestions on the designs," said Jay Cook, chief of shooting ranges for Game and Fish. "We will have staff on hand to help with their questions and discuss the development timeframe for this future community shooting range." …In July, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission purchased the 160-acre Foster Ranch in Coconino County for establishing a local public shooting range to serve surrounding communities' law enforcement training, hunter education, hunter sight in, and recreational/competitive shooting of firearms and archery.  Cook added, "Flagstaff is one of Arizona's largest communities without a designated place for recreational shooting. Providing a safe, designated range will reduce use impacts to surrounding areas and provide an positive economic benefit to the local communities." … (Way back when, Game and Fish sought - unsuccessfully - to reap a huge profit by selling the world-famous Ben Avery Shooting Facility, north of Phoenix, promising to replace it with a similar complex farther up I-17, near Flagstaff. We're still waiting for the promised range in northern Arizona.)

http://www.ammoland.com/2010/09/14/flagstaff-shooting-range/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ammoland+%28AmmoLand.com%29
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Israel May Restore RKBA: Following the drive-by terrorist murder two weeks ago of Yitchak Imas, whose gun was confiscated by police several weeks ago, and three other people, the Knesset Interior Committee held a stormy session today in which MKs demanded that Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria be allowed to defend themselves. The committee, by majority vote, resolved to recommend to Interior Minister Eli Yishai and to Public Security Minister Yitzchak Aharonovitch, who oversees the police force, to ease the regulations on bearing weapons for the Jews of Judea and Samaria. The committee asked that Aharonovitch report back on the steps being taken to this end, and to investigate why the weapon of Yitzchak Imas was not returned to him in time for him to possibly use it to save his life. Some committee members suggested that any resident whose weapon is taken from him be entitled to a hearing…

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/news.aspx/139619
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Tangentially Related: A group fighting the establishment of a prison in Pahrump is among the latest to be sued for copyright infringement after a Las Vegas Review-Journal story allegedly was posted on its website. Righthaven LLC, the Las Vegas company suing website operators throughout North America over Review-Journal stories, on Tuesday filed suit in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas against Pahrump Life and two individuals associated with the group, Maren and Michael Scaccia. This was one of at least four Righthaven lawsuits filed Tuesday, boosting its lawsuit total since March to at least 128. The Pahrump Life website indicates the group is opposed to plans for a Corrections Corporation of America facility planned for the town in Southern Nevada west of Las Vegas… (These are the lawsuits that have suspended the operation of The Armed Citizen website, which is seeking donations to aid in its defense.)

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/sep/15/copyright-lawsuit-filed-against-group-fighting-pah/
http://www.thearmedcitizen.com/
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