Posts Tagged ‘Gun Control’

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

90% Myth: Where Are All Those Guns Coming From?

August 8, 2009

Where Are All Those Guns Coming From?

by Larry Pratt

The government of Colombia has been fighting the Marxist-oriented drug traffickers known by their Spanish acronym FARC for decades.  They have been trying to trace guns and other weapons coming from some twenty-seven different countries.

The guns turned up in various FARC encampments that have been busted by an increasingly successful counterattack by the Colombian military.

In an August 2 article in the Panamanian newspaper, Panamá América, it was reported that Columbia has made numerous inquiries to Interpol to find out where all the weapons are coming from.

In view of the Obama administration’s claims that privately owned guns in our country are migrating into Mexico and fueling violence down there, one might think that American gun owners are the cause of all foreign violence.  However, the truth is quite the opposite, it turns out.

The article summarizes the Colombian queries to Interpol as follows: rifles from Russia, Bulgaria, Communist China and Korea; pistols and revolvers from Central Europe and Brazil; explosives from Ecuador; munitions (a term that includes machine guns and other weapons such as grenades, mortars, cannons, rockets, etc.) from Brazil, Russia and Venezuela and anti-tank rockets from Russia, Rumania, Communist China, Sweden and the U.S.

Did you just hear the dog that did not bark?  In the above list, did you see any weapons that could be obtained at a U.S. gun store or show?  The only mention of the U.S. in the list is as a supplier of anti-tank rockets.  If anybody can tell me where us average citizens can buy rockets at a store or show, please let me know right away.

Where would anti-tank rockets enter the world market?  How about theft from domestic or foreign military arsenals?  By the way, the article reports that some of the weaponry mentioned above has been traced to Colombia’s own military industry.

The article also pointed out that the FARC are known to fly guns into Colombia on return flights that take drugs out.

You don’t suppose those same planes could sneak into Mexico, too, do you?

SOURCE

Tags:, , , , , ,
Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Law, Men's Issues, News, Politics, Warfare, Wordpress Political Blogs | 4 Comments »

Southern Neighbor Goes Right

August 8, 2009

While we head toward fascism and internal imperialism…

Southern Neighbor Goes Right

By Larry Pratt
July 22, 2009

For at least two years, Panamanian gun owners had to live with the threat that the socialist government of Martin Torrijos (son of the late dictator) was going to impose a George Soros-inspired backdoor gun ban.

The Soros gun ban comes advertised as a licensing scheme which means that gun ownership is illegal unless you get special permission from the government.  Getting that permission is the problem.  By simply delaying processing of applications and renewals, the clock runs out and before long, nobody has a legal gun.

This kind of law can be very effective at disarming the public.  I first saw a law like this on the books and in use in South Africa.

Panamanian shooters actively opposed the measure.  At one point I addressed a forum they organized to dramatize the problems with the bill and the threat to safety that it presented.  Happily, the Chavez-backed candidate (to succeed Torrijos) in the elections last May got her clock cleaned, and the threat of the bill ended with the socialist government.

The winner, Ricardo Martinelli, is a wealthy businessman — as is his vice president Juan Carlos Varela.  To set the anti-graft tone of their administration, Martinelli announced at his inauguration that they would be donating their salary to a charity that would be building a medical clinic in the interior of the country.  “We might stick our foot in our mouth in my administration,” he said, “but we will not be sticking our hand in the till.”

The two official inaugural celebrations that feted some 10,000 people combined were paid completely from private funds, starting with those from Martinelli’s own pocket.

Martinelli also announced a truly transformational reform.  As in a great deal of the world, many rural landholdings have no clear titles, hence loans are unavailable for the owners.  I have seen this reform carried out in Guatemala and in El Salvador, and the result is a fiercely anti-socialist group of rural voters.  Memo to Chavez: in Panama, many of those voters already own guns.

During the administration’s first day, the education minister announced that she would not allow an association of professors to be recognized as a union.  The same day, Martinelli announced that a bankrupt banana-workers’ cooperative that had been getting subsidies from the socialist government would now be on their own.  Sink or swim — in the private sector.

At an inaugural mass specially called for by Martinelli, the sermon was preached by the Bishop of Panama.  It sounded like one of our colonial election sermons.  The bishop urged the people to pray for their new leaders that there might be peace in the land.  He then challenged the politicians who were present to never separate their Christian values from their politics lest the country lose its culture of respect for life and protection of the family.

With the legally deposed thug from Honduras (former President Mel Zelaya, a Chavez ally) sitting some twenty feet from him on the stage, Martinelli announced that his election represented a challenge to the far left wing in Latin America.  He added that he intends to make Panama the best place in Latin America to do business.

That is change that I can believe in.

SOURCE

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Law, Men's Issues, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | Comments Off on Southern Neighbor Goes Right

Ninth Circuit to Hear Gun Case

August 8, 2009

Second Amendment: Ninth Circuit to Hear Gun Case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit agreed this week to review en banc (by the full court) a panel ruling from earlier this year which held that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment. The idea of such incorporation has long been a question regarding the Second Amendment, though no one would seriously question that the First Amendment, for example, applies to state and local governments. And the First Amendment contains the far more specific provision of “Congress shall make no law…” (emphasis added). The Second is far broader: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Still, we were rather surprised to see even a panel of the Ninth Circuit find that the Second Amendment means what it says.

Furthermore, Ninth Circuit Judge Diarmuid O’Scannlain’s ruling in favor of gun rights is at odds with rulings by other Courts of Appeal — including a ruling penned by Sonia Sotomayor on the Second Circuit. The U.S. Supreme Court deliberately left the issue for another day in its Heller ruling last year, because the District of Columbia is not a state. Expect that silence to be broken in the not-too-distant future.

SOURCE

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Law, News, Non Compos Mentis, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | Comments Off on Ninth Circuit to Hear Gun Case

Triggering The Vote!

August 7, 2009

With each election, Americans go to the polls and make decisions that affect — for better or worse — the future of freedom in America.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 72 percent (142 million) of the eligible voting age citizen population (197 million) were registered to vote in 2004. This means that as many as 55 million people were eligible to vote, but unregistered — and therefore did not participate in the November 2004 elections.

Far too many gun owners and hunters are among them. And every year, millions of teenagers turn 18, thus becoming eligible to register and vote. Many of them have spent their formative years learning hunting and shooting skills, and could be expected to pay attention to NRA’s message.

Now, NRA-ILA has created a new affiliate, the NRA Freedom Action Foundation (NRA-FAF), which focuses on nonpartisan voter registration and citizen education.  The NRA-FAF has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Donations are fully deductible.

The NRA Freedom Action Foundation, in turn, has launched a new campaign – Trigger the Vote. And to serve as Honorary Chairman, we brought on board one of America’s most persuasive action heroes — Chuck Norris.  Visit www.TriggertheVote.org to hear his message.

This campaign has deployed a new approach to reach the younger generation, using new social media outlets. It will also use traditional methods of outreach including TV, radio and direct mail.

And Trigger the Vote is mobile, going on the road to educate and register voters at gun shows, shooting ranges and anywhere else gun owners, hunters and shooters can be found. The campaign will post regular updates on the site, including short videos of volunteers explaining why they are putting their time and effort into the campaign.

You too can be part of the campaign. Visit the website, recommend it to friends — and use it to persuade any unregistered gun owners, hunters or shooters you may know to get on board by registering to vote.

Then, click on the “Why Me Why Now” tab to send us your testimonial, whether a short video, photo, or even just an e-mail telling us what you did to sign up new voters. We’ll post the best submissions for all to share, and to inspire other visitors to the site to do their part as well.

Visit www.TriggertheVote.org today – and Trigger the Vote in your community.

SOURCE

Tags:, , , , , ,
Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Hunting Fishing and the Great Outdoors, Law, News, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | 3 Comments »

Senate Confirms Radical Anti-gunner to the U.S. Supreme Court

August 6, 2009

We knew this was coming. Now, we need to see to it that anyone that voted for her is out of a job.

Senate Confirms Radical Anti-gunner to the U.S. Supreme Court
— But Obama nomination suffers a higher than normal number of opposition votes

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://www.gunowners.org

Thursday, August 6, 2009

The Senate easily confirmed the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.  Only 31 Senators took seriously their oath to uphold the Constitution and voted against this radical anti-gun nominee, with 68 voting for confirmation.

All the Democrats in attendance voted for Sotomayor, while nine Republicans joined their ranks.

The Republican Senators who voted for Sotomayor were:  Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Christopher Bond of Missouri, Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Richard G. Lugar of Indiana, Mel Martinez of Florida, George Voinovich of Ohio and Susan Collins and Olympia J. Snowe of Maine.

Many Democrat Senators campaigned on a pro-Second Amendment platform, yet voted to confirm a nominee who does not believe you have a fundamental right to self defense or an individual right to possess a firearm.

Placing the prerogatives of President Obama over their constitutional “Advice and Consent” duty, many so-called pro-gun Senators reneged on their promises to voters that they would support the individual right to keep and bear arms.

The common refrain heard in the Senate before the vote was:  “The President deserves his pick.”

Of course, Senator Barrack Obama did not hold that view in 2006, when he opposed President Bush’s pick of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.  Then-Senator Obama said:

There are some who believe that the President, having won the election, should have the complete authority to appoint his nominee, and the Senate should only examine whether or not the Justice is intellectually capable and an all-around nice guy. That once you get beyond intellect and personal character, there should be no further question whether the judge should be confirmed.

I disagree with this view. I believe firmly that the Constitution calls for the Senate to advise and consent. I believe that it calls for meaningful advice and consent that includes an examination of a judge’s philosophy, ideology, and record.

Thankfully, we are seeing more and more Senators stand up to Obama’s radical agenda.  You will remember that GOA encouraged you to lobby other gun groups so that gun owners across the country could speak with a unified voice in opposition to Judge Sotomayor.

We were hugely successful in this endeavor!  News reports credit the gun lobby’s strong and unified opposition to Sotomayor as resulting in at least three NO votes from Senators who were previously undecided or in favor of the nominee. Even that figure is probably low, considering that 31 NO votes is a lot better than three NO votes (in the case of Justice Ginsburg) and nine NO votes (in the case of Justice Breyer).

One of the fence-sitting Senators who voted right today was Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah.  For the first time in his 33 year Senate career, Hatch voted against a Supreme Court nomination.  You may remember that Hatch even supported Obama’s pick for Attorney General and voted to end the filibuster on Harold Koh, the radical choice for the State Department counsel.

But faced with mounting pressure from grassroots in his state, Sen. Hatch broke with long-standing tradition regarding his support for Supreme Court nominations.  Today, he voted against Judge Sotomayor.

“I feel very badly that I have to vote negatively — it’s not what I wanted to do when this process started — but I believe that I’m doing the honorable and right thing,” Sen. Hatch was quoted as saying in Newsday.

Thank you, everyone, for putting the heat on your Senators.  President Obama would do well to interpret 31 NO votes as a “shot across the bow.”  With his approval ratings plummeting, the president’s next Supreme Court pick may have to be far more in the mainstream.

Tags:, , , , ,
Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Law, Men's Issues, mysandry, News, Non Compos Mentis, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | 1 Comment »

Hopolophobia: Here they come again…

August 5, 2009
After years of losing, gun control advocates say this week’s vote on confirming Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court will be their long awaited win that shatters conventional wisdom and proves that the Second Amendment is no longer the unstoppable force of Washington politics.
Read About It: The Washington Times
SOURCE
Followed by this:
President Obama’s choice to head the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs had Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Republican, so upset that he blocked it a move that puts only a temporary hold on the appointment.

Read About It: The Washington Times
SOURCE
Then follow all that up with …
Zogby/O’Leary asked voters: “Would you support or oppose a U.S. Senator who voted to confirm a Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court who does not believe in the right to keep and bear arms and the right to self-defense?” Fifty-two percent of American voters would oppose the re-election of any Senator who votes to confirm a Supreme Court nominee who does not believe in the right to keep and bear arms. Only 26 percent of voters would support such a Senator.
Read About It: The O’Leary Report
It’s been a busy day to be sure. Have you thanked God or a Veteran for your liberty today?

Tags:, , , , , , ,
Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Law, mysandry, News, Non Compos Mentis, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | Comments Off on Hopolophobia: Here they come again…

Second Amendment March News

July 31, 2009

Things are progressing! This is the latest Second Amendment March Newsletter.

The Second Amendment March is proud to announce we are partnering with Front Sight Firearms Training Institute, www.frontsight.com, a world-renowned personal defense school located near Las Vegas, Nevada.  Dr. Ignatius Piazza, Four Weapons Combat Master and Founder and Director of Front Sight, has graciously offered to support the Second Amendment March by backing up his words with his money.

Dr. Piazza is a patriot and believes so strongly in the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and the Second Amendment March that he is offering a FREE Two-Day Defensive Handgun course to any person who supports or attends the Second Amendment March in Washington DC or any of the 50 State Capitol Marches. Upon attending the DC March or any of the 50 State Capitol Marches you will receive a certificate redeemable for a Front Sight Two Day Defensive Handgun Course with no expiration date! That’s right! You heard me correctly. We’re talking about a $1,000 Two-Day Defensive Handgun Course at world-class Front Sight Firearms Training Institute FREE OF CHARGE simply for supporting the Second Amendment March! How can any patriotic American justify not supporting the Second Amendment March with an offer like that?

But wait! Dr. Piazza isn’t done! If you can’t make it to the DC March or any of the 50 State Capitol Marches to take advantage of this great offer, then read further… Dr. Piazza will extend this offer to any person who donates $100 or more to the Second Amendment March in the next 30 days! That’s how serious he is about the Right to Keep and Bear Arms! Please don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Go now to www.frontsight.com to learn all about the classes Front Sight offers. This is a $1,000 class simply for doing the right thing in supporting the Second Amendment March!

Once again, thank you Dr. Piazza and Front Sight Firearms Training Institute for your generosity.
Note: When you make a $100 or more donation to Second Amendment March, the certificate will come directly from Front Sight Firearms Training Institute.  It generally arrives within 2-3 weeks of making your donation.

A Woman’s Journey Into Guns

by Marge Shoemaker
A few days ago, I was asked to tell my story about how I became interested in guns. To be honest, it wasn’t something I was born into, and it wasn’t something I practiced in my youth. It really was something that came upon me in the last few years.
I am the oldest of four children. As a young girl I was quiet and very shy, pretty much afraid of my own shadow. I especially didn’t like loud noises like balloons popping, fire crackers going off, you get the picture.

I was an avid animal lover. Every lost pet or stray found their way to my home. With some effort, I usually found their owners. In my junior high years, I became involved with saving the wild mustangs, wolves, you name it! I didn’t think too much of people hunting or shooting animals. Then in my high school years, I fell in love. Shortly after graduation, I married my best friend. Did I mention, he had a passion for hunting? Hunting!
Well, through the years, and two sons later (who also love hunting) I learned about harvesting wildlife. I learned to cook, or can, whatever my two boys and my husband brought home. I became quite good at it, but never, ever, did it interest me to shoot a gun. They go bang!

By now I was almost 50 years old. One day my husband was sighting in his new 17 caliber rifle when I walked outside and said I wanted to start shooting. I had only one condition:  no guns with a loud bang or kick. He smiled a smile that made my heart skip a beat. Then he said, have a seat. He showed me how to hold the gun tight to my shoulder, how to look down the scope, take the safety off, and just squeeze the trigger. Hey, no loud bang or kick! I actually enjoyed it. I’ve been practicing for two years now.
Recently, I had a van load of suspicious-looking men come to my house which sits in the country way back off the road. I felt threatened and asked them to leave. One man grew angry and they wouldn’t leave my door step. I picked up my shotgun and stood in front of the doorway.
Marge works for a local school district in Michigan. She is a mom and grandmother and has been married for 33 years. She is a fan of country music and Jeff Gordon! Marge lives by these words:  “If you are a friend of mine, you are considered family. There is no greater love than she who would lay down her life for a friend. And I would. I love my God, and my country.”

Interviews and Speaking Engagements

Skip Coryell, Second Amendment March Founder, will be speaking about the March on the following dates:
The David Jericho Radio Show
Click here to Podcast
Monday, August 3rd at 8AM EST

Patriots in the Park Rally
Saturday, August 15th
Springfield, Missouri
Email Matt for more info: Matt@mattcanovi.com

Second Amendment Town Hall Meeting


Western Wayne County Conservation Association (WWCCA), go to http://www.wwcca.com or call (734) 453-9843

August 5
Plymouth, MI
Starts at 7:30PM

Interview wwith KVOI Radio, Charles Heller
Listen live or podcast by clicking here
http://libertywatchradio.com/
Sunday, August 30th at 3PM

Calling all College Students

College Volunteers –

There are a multitude of American college students interested in
making a difference for America. Please help us tap a
sometimes-overlooked reservoir of energy and enthusiasm by letting them know about SAM!

For any college students interested in promoting the Second Amendment March on your campus, please contact Drew Rankin (a Vanderbilt student) at mdrewrankin@gmail.com.

Around the ‘Net

Here is a great video from Rev. Kenn Blanchard, host of The Urban Shooter Podcast and owner of blackmanwithagun.com.
Freedom and the Second Amendment

New State Coordinators

Alabama
2A marchEd Anderson is our state coordinator for Alabama.
Ed is a Veteran of the Vietnam era and has over 25 + years as a credentialed Field Paramedic.  He has been an  NRA member since he was old enough to join, and is also a member of USCCA, GOA, and Numbers USA.  Ed’s interests include diving, piloting, amateur inventing, hunting, reloading, and target shooting.

Ed Anderson

Arizona

2A march

Terri Proud is our state coordinator for Arizona.
Terri has lived in Arizona for over 15 years. She is an NRA Member and a USCCA Member. Terri is active with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and has previously lobbied on Women and Children Issues.
Terri Proud
520-403-1134

Arkansas

2A march
Steve Skillern is our Coordinator for Arkansas.
Steve is a retired Army Major and an NRA Training Counselor in Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Personal Protection and Home Firearm Safety, an Arkansas Concealed Carry Instructor, a 4-H committee member and Shotgun Instructor.
Steve Skillern
870-897-3300

Maine
2A marchChris Brochu is our Coordinator for Maine.
Chris has been an NRA member for 12 years and a concealed carry permit holder for about the same. He enjoys hunting, hiking, fishing, shooting and of course, he loves the Second Amendment. Chris says he is “ready for the challenge” and looks forward to working with all of you.
Chris Brochu
New York
2A march Brian Belz is our Coordinator for New York.
Brian has a BA in sociology and is currently working on his masters degree in social work. He is committed to social justice through the preservation of the Constitution. Brian also runs a Second Amendment committee in New York’s capitol region.

Brian Belz
Brian.Belz@SecondAmendmentMarch.com

Thank you Ed, Terri, Steve, Chris and Brian!

Ohio State March Date Announced

Attention, Ohioans!
Mark your calendars!  The Ohio State March for Second Amendment March will take place on April 10, 2010.
Contact Dan White at dwhite@OhioCCW.org if you are able to help with this event.
More details will be published as they become available.

Upcoming Town Hall Meetings

Please be sure to regularly check our map on our homepage at www.SecondAmendmentMarch.com for Town Hall Meeting dates and locations.  New meetings are being added regularly.
MICHIGAN

What: Town Hall Meeting for the Second Amendment with Skip Coryell, founder of the Second Amendment March

When: Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 from 7:30pm to 8:30pm


Where: WWCCA Clubhouse, 6700 Napier Road, Plymouth, MI 48170


Who: OPEN to all WWCCA membership, the general public and all media
—————————————————————————————–
Michigan Second Amendment March Town Hall Meeting
Where To Meet: River Woods Park
Address: 202 N. Squirrel Road  Auburn Hills, Michigan
When: Sunday, August 9, 2009
Time: 12:00 Noon
Sponsored by Michigan Open Carry

MISSOURI
“Patriots in the Park” Town Hall Meeting
August 15th,
10Am to 2PM

Sass Park, Springfield, MO

Contact info: Matt Canovi — matt@mattcanovi.com

Second Amendment March on Twitter

Second Amendment March is now on Twitter!  Twitter is a free service that allows people to stay connected via short messages, called “tweets”.  Second Amendment March is utilizing this tool to provide updates and news to our supporters.
You can follow us at: http://twitter.com/2AMarch

Second Amendment March Store

Did you know that we offer Second Amendment March merchandise such as t-shirts, hats, pins, bumper stickers and more at http://store.secondamendmentmarch.com?
When you purchase items from the store, you can be assured that 100% of the money earned by Second Amendment March goes directly to supporting our second amendment rights.  The organizers of Second Amendment March are not taking any personal income from these sales — it’s strictly a fundraising effort.

How You Can Help

There are many things you can do TODAY to make a difference for future generations:

  • Join our forums
  • spread the word
  • pass out flyers
  • set up a town hall meeting in your area
  • write articles for the Second Amendment March website
  • write to your legislators
  • make a donation
  • write to the media
  • Set up a Second Amendment March fundraiser in your area
  • Share your special skills/knowledge
  • wear your Second Amendment March shirt proudly

“It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds..”

–Samuel Adams

Tags:, , ,
Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Law, Men's Issues, News, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | 3 Comments »

Coming Up On Armed American Radio

July 25, 2009

Coming Up On Armed American Radio

The Official Voice of the USCCA

by Mark Walters

Armed American Radio continues its march across the United States of America now as a NATIONALLY SYNDICATED RADIO PROGRAM adding affiliate stations to the growing list of cities every week.

Last week we added new listeners at 99.1 KKTF, the station with Nevatitude in Carson City Nevada, KBYR in Anchorage Alaska and Mountain Talk 97.1 in Mountain Home Arkansas as well as our flagship Intelligent Talk 920 WGKA in Hotlanta, GA.

Help us get AAR in YOUR city by calling your local talk station and ask them to FEED YOUR HEAD with the nationally syndicated Armed American Radio Network! Until then, listen live every Sunday at 8 PM Eastern on www.920wgka.com. Armed American Radio Network with host Mark Walters, brought to you every week by the USCCA!

Subscribe to, and download our podcasts here: www.ArmedAmericanRadio.org

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in Education, Gun Control, Law, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | 2 Comments »

More on Sotomayor

July 25, 2009

Independent Institute Research Fellow Stephen P. Halbrook testified on July 17th before the Senate Judiciary Committee against the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor for Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Dr. Halbrook is the author of the Institute’s landmark book, The Founders’ Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear Arms, that has formed the basis for the Second Amendment Book Bomb.

His book formed the basis for his Amici Curiae Brief on behalf of 55 members of the Senate, the Senate President, and 250 members of the House of Representatives, in the successful, landmark, 2008 case of District of Columbia v. Heller before the U.S. Supreme Court, that affirmed that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to own and bear arms.

The Second Amendment Book Bomb has received more than 3,300 pledges toward the goal to make The Founders’ Second Amendment a bestseller in order to educate millions of Americans this year and send an unmistakable message that tampering with Second Amendment rights with not be tolerated. Please go here and pledge now to purchase at least one copy of the book, and then urge everyone you know to make their pledge. To help educate others on our Second Amendment rights, please consider making gifts of the book to family and friends, business and civic leaders, policymakers and political candidates, teachers and students, journalists, judges and attorneys, and your local libraries.

SOURCE

Tags:, , , , , ,
Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Law, mysandry, News, Non Compos Mentis, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | 1 Comment »

No Surprise: NRA ILA

July 25, 2009
No Surprise: Anti-Gun Groups Wage Desperation Attack On Right-To-Carry Before Senate Reciprocity Vote
Friday, July 24, 2009
Let’s just say it didn’t exactly catch anyone at NRA off-guard, when earlier this week Brady Campaign and Violence Policy Center (VPC) raised superficial, misleading arguments in an effort to derail the Thune-Vitter Right-to-Carry permit reciprocity amendment.

When Brady was called National Council to Control Handguns, it called for “a ban on the manufacture, sale, and importation of all handguns and handgun ammunition.” VPC, an off-shoot of the so-called National Coalition to Ban Handguns, openly advocates banning the private possession of handguns. And, naturally, both groups have always opposed people carrying concealed handguns for self-defense, Brady going so far as to say that self-defense is not a constitutionally-guaranteed right.

In attacking the amendment, both groups listed a small number of instances in which permit holders committed various crimes over the years, implying that such crimes would be the national norm if the amendment became law—basically the same old “the sky will fall” prediction heard every time a state adopts a Right-to-Carry law.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) complemented the allegation, by making the outrageous claim—and we are not making this up—that if the amendment became law, 16-year-old firearm traffickers would get permits in Vermont (an odd claim since Vermont has no licensing system), and then go to other states carrying large numbers of handguns in backpacks, to be illegally sold to criminals.

Brady and VPC hoped their panic-stricken predictions would frighten senators into overwhelmingly rejecting the amendment. But we were able to show that even if you take the group’s lists at face value, they show that permit-holders are much more law-abiding than the rest of the public.

Based upon VPC’s list, permit holders are 15 times less likely to commit murder, plain and simple. Try as it might, VPC could come up with only a very small number of criminal homicides committed by permit holders, in situations in which a permit was required to possess a concealed handgun. Of course, VPC did not mention instances in which murders did not occur, because people were able to defend themselves.

Brady’s claim is a little more difficult to sort out, only because their list included situations in which no crime was committed, including false reports of illegal carrying, and accidents (some not even resulting in an injury); crimes not involving the misuse of a firearm, such as having a gun in a vehicle operated under the influence, or illegally possessing a firearm or having a firearm in a vehicle in a school zone or other restricted area; crimes not involving a handgun; and crimes that took place in locations where a permit was not required to possess a concealed handgun. Sifting down to violent crimes, with concealed handguns, in locations where a permit was required, permit holders again came out far better than the rest of the public.

In the end, Brady’s and VPC’s efforts had virtually no effect on how the Senate voted. But, like the 10-round (or lower) magazine-capacity limit they support within “assault weapon ban” legislation, and their support for handgun ammunition microstamping and encoding, and “smart” gun requirements, they reminded us that Brady and VPC are handgun-ban groups at their core.

SOURCE

Tags:, , , , , , ,
Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Education, Gun Control, Law, mysandry, News, Non Compos Mentis, Politics, Wordpress Political Blogs | 1 Comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »