Monday, September 24, 2007
Fred Thompson's remarks to NRA
NRA's Celebration of American Values
NRA held it's Celebration of American Values in Washington, D.C. the past weekend. About 500 Endowment, Patron, Benefactor and President's Council members packed the Presidential Ballroom at the Capital Hilton to hear a number of presidential candidates as well as other U.S. Senators, Congressmen and Governors talk about our rights and the coming storm in 2008. I will post some video and photos from the event in the next couple of days but I wanted to share these words from Senator John McCain. I think his "three myths" theme expresses better than anything I have heard so far how some candidates and those pushing gun control view the Second Amendment.
Senator McCain put it this way: "In my years in Washington, I have seen what I will call three myths used by politicians to excuse their support for gun control. First, is the big city myth: that it is acceptable -- even necessary -- to fight crime in big cities. If you have a crime problem, they say it's really a gun problem. So instead of increasing police patrols, instituting tough sentences for lawbreakers and other measures that would actually address crime, we restrict ownership of guns and limit the rights of law abiding citizens.
"We are meeting today in a city that represents the worst of this myth. The citizens of the nation's capital do not enjoy the right to keep and bear arms. That is why I have co-sponsored legislation repealing the ban on firearms possession for law abiding citizens in the District of Colombia. The Second Amendment is not just for rural Arizona, it is for all of America.
"The second myth is that of the 'bad gun.' This was at the core of the debate over so-called 'assault weapons.' Proponents of this myth argue that some kinds of guns are acceptable -- for now -- but others are not if they have certain features -- like a pistol grip or an extended magazine. I will continue to oppose those who want to ration the Second Amendment based on their views of what guns it applies to.
"Finally, there is the hunting myth -- if you show your bona fides by hunting ducks or varmints or quail, it makes up for support for gun control. This myth overlooks a fundamental truth: the Second Amendment is not about hunting, it is about freedom."
Stay tuned for more comments about this exciting event.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
IACP Proposes More Gun Control
Just in time for their little party in New Orleans the second week in October, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) yesterday rolled out a number of proposals they say will prevent "violent crime." Funded by the gun hating Joyce Foundation, IACP's proposals could have been predicted even before they were rolled out. Specific gun control recommendations include:
- Requiring judges and law enforcement to remove guns from situations of domestic violence, as well as from people whose adjudicated mental illness, drug use, or previous criminal record suggests the possibility of violence
- Requiring that all gun sales take place through Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders with mandatory background checks (including all private sales - not just those private sales made at gun shows.
- Enacting an effective ban on military-style assault weapons, armor-piercing handgun ammunition, .50 caliber sniper rifles and other weapons that enable criminals to outgun law enforcement
- Repealing the Tiahrt Amendment, which hinders investigation of illegal gun trafficking
- Destroying guns that come into police possession once their law enforcement use has ended
- Mandating safe storage of firearms by private citizens and providing safe facilities where gun owners can store their weapons
- Mandating reporting of lost and stolen firearms
It should be no surprise that IACP wants more gun control. I doubt you will read in the media reports that the Joyce Foundation is anti-gun when they report who paid for the study.
Here is the report for you reading pleasure.
More on NRA's "Celebration of American Values"
You can read the articles here and here.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Giuliani to Speak to NRA Members
Attorney General John Ashcroft
Senator John Barrasso
Governor Haley Barbour
Senator John McCain
Former Senator Fred Thompson
Radio Talk Show Personality Glenn Beck
Congressman John Dingell
Congressman Harold Ford, Jr.
Governor James Gilmore
Speaker Newt Gingrich
Governor Mike Huckabee
Congressman Duncan Hunter (videotaped message)
Senator Mitch McConnell
Governor Mitt Romney (videotaped message)
Senator John Thune
The shooting industry will also roll-out the initiative to boost NRA membership and support. That will happen on Friday at a noon press conference, again in the Capital Hilton Presidential Ballroom.
The Brady Bunch for their part are not happy that Giuliani is addressing the group and are urging him not to abandon his long history of support for gun control. Giuliani backed handgun licensing while admiting it would not stop crime, backed registration of firearms, backed the Clinton gun-ban in 1994 and in the past has called the NRA extremists. As Mayor, he also sued gun manufacturers, saying they manufactured too may guns. As a presidential candidate, he now says he supports the Second Amendment and believes gun laws should be addressed by the states.
I will be at the conference and it will be interesting to see what type of reception Giuliani receives from the crowd.
Hillary - Shooter
Remember the slogan complete with a French Poodle that NRA-PVF used against John Kerry in 2004 - "That dog don't hunt." The same can be said for the Senator from New York.
Hat tip to Gun Law News.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Bloomberg At It Again
Now we all know how accurate this watch list is. Remember that Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, was blocked from boarding flights because his name triggered a similar name on the government’s no-fly list. And, there are no due process protections when a name ends up on the watch list. But facts have never gotten in the way of Bloomberg in his thirst for publicity. Hopefully, with the departure of Alberto Gonzales, the Justice Department will withdraw its support for the bill. You can read more about Bloomberg's latest pet project here.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
It's Official - Mark Warner to Run for U.S. Senate
What will all of this mean for gun owners in Virginia? Mark Warner entered the Governor's race in 2001 carrying the baggage of statements he made as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia in 1993 where he supported a five-day waiting period for the purchase of a firearm (the only platform that then Attorney General Mary Sue Terry ran on in her campaign for Governor). In 1996, in his U.S. Senate campaign against John Warner, he said he supported the Clinton Gun Ban (a.k.a. the Assault Weapons Ban). As a candidate for Governor, he said he would sign a bill banning guns in recreation centers, veto repeal of hand-gun rationing (a.k.a. one handgun-a-month) but other than that would not support additional gun control laws. The NRA basically sat out that election because Mark Earley had voted for one gun-a-month in 1993 as a State Senator and Mark Warner quietly lobbied NRA to remain neutral. In the end, because Mark Warner stumbled over a response to a question in a debate (posed by yours truly) as to whether he thought the NRA had a positive impact in Virginia, NRA-ILA's James J. Baker sent out an eleventh hour letter saying Virginia gun owners should vote for Mark Earley. It proved to be too little too late and Mark Warner won by five points.
As Governor, Warner did not veto any of the pro-gun legislation that made it through the General Assembly. This includes full preemption as well as a partial roll-back of one gun-a-month - Delegate Bill Janis' bill providing that concealed handgun permit holders could by as many handguns in a month as they wanted, that were part of the 17 pro-gun bills that passed in 2004.
In truth, Warner had few hard decisions when it came to gun bills. No gun control bills passed in his four years in office and nothing like a full repeal of one gun-a-month ever passed so we don't know what he would have done. If he is elected to the Senate, it is likely it will be a wash for gun owners as far as his votes because John Warner has voted with us as much as he has voted against us. Mark Warner is no Harry Reid or Bill Richardson on guns. Both Reid and Richardson voted against the assault weapons ban. Warner at best will vote slightly better than John Warner but may vote for some gun control.
2008 is shaping up to be an interesting year.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Roanoke Times on Gun Toting Mascots
The principal, Haywood Hand, thought the image of the flintlock wielding pirate was in conflict with the school's gun ban. So he ordered the logo redrawn without guns. The Times chastises the school administrators to focus on real things that could make a campus dangerous, not a cartoon pirate.
Virginia's Changing Demographics and Gun Rights
Jim Beacon over at Beacon's Rebellion analyzes this in more detail after House Speaker Bill Howell's comments about the states "newest residents" and how they may not embrace the "share values we have in Virginia." Most commentators and Democrat detractors have focused on immigrants (both legal and illegal) in discussing this comment - trying to drive a wedge in this important election year. But Beacon, understanding what Howell was getting at, writes about the massive influx of out-of-staters, mostly northerners, into Virginia and how it is altering the commonwealth's political complexion. This will not only impact who controls the State Capitol but has implications for gun rights as well. It is no secret that as you move north from Virginia, that with the exception of Pennsylvania and Vermont, guns are tightly regulated.
Beacon's comments are worth the read. While he does not talk about guns, gun owners should think about the changes he does mention and what they will do to our issue by extension. I agree that the changing demographics are "something that we have to adjust to." I rework the question Beacon poses by substituting "changing economy" and "economic opportunity" with guns and gun rights to get the following: Will northern-born voters bring the same values and re-create the same kind of political climate that constricted the rights of gun owners in their home states? Are the attitudes of the newcomers toward guns and role of government compatible with Virginia maintaining its gun rights friendly atmosphere? Bottom line: Is Virginia's government destined to look more like New York's and New Jersey's and less like North Carolina's and Georgia's? If so, what will that mean for our firearms freedom?
You can read Beacon's post here.
Virginia Tech Student Questions Panel's Gun Recommendations
You can read his letter here.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Rappahannock Pistol & Rifle Club Celebrates 25 Years
The club had developed cordial relationships with the neighbors and with town officials and all were invited to the celebration. Delegate Rob Wittman (R-99th District) was also in the crowd of over 150 and offered congratulations to the club on this special day.
The club boasts a membership of over 200 and is still growing. They have a trap field and wobble trap field for shot gun shooters (only one field can be in use at a time) and a 25, 50, and 100 yard range for handgun and rifle shooters. Special thanks to club president Bob Berry and all of the folks at RPRC for inviting me to be a part of this celebration. My daughter and I had a great time. For more information about RPRC visit the club's website.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
More on Volunteering for Cuccinelli
They are putting up signs in yards this week – hundreds of them. Know anyone in the district that would put up a Cuccinelli for Senate sign? Put a bumper sticker on their car? Please let the campaign know! Email Mike@Cuccinelli.com. He lives for signs. Loves it.
As always, they are door knocking and phone calling every day, along with other activities too, so please email Mike@Cuccinelli.com or call the campaign at 703-293-9001 to join in.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Police Departments May Soon Be Hit With Ammo Shortage
On a personal note, my favorite shotgun shells have almost doubled in price over the last couple years.
According to NPR, over the past month, newspapers across the country have published stories suggesting that police departments could soon be hit by a nationwide ammunition shortage. Ammunition prices have increased along with copper and other commodities. And that, analysts say, has prompted some gun owners to stockpile ammunition.
You can here the NPR report here.
State Senator Ken Cuccinelli Needs Your Help
D.C. Appeals Gun Ban Decision to Supreme Court
The gun ban crowd is not exactly happy with this decision as they have been quoted as saying the DC law is not the most defensible. The city outright bans handguns not registered prior to 1976 and only allows rifles and shotguns if they are unloaded and secured with a trigger locked, and stored in a different location than the ammunition - thus making them useless for self-defense.
Some in the gun rights community are equally apprehensive. There are only four sure votes that we believe can be counted on our side on the Court. The swing vote, Anthony Kennedy, could go either way. It also is not a done deal that the court will hear the case. If not, D.C. will have to scrap their law and come up with something else - likely one that bans carrying guns outside the home. In any case, most legal eagles believe the Court if it hears the case will likely make a narrow ruling with little national impact other than to settle the question of whether the 2nd Amendment protects an individual or collective right. We should know by November if the court will hear the case and if they do, expect a ruling likely the last day of the term in June - right smack in the middle of a presidential election.
You can read about the District's decision and any possible national impact by clicking here. I hope to upload a link in the next couple of days to audio of the Independence Institute's Dave Kopel discussing the issue with NRANews' Cam Edwards as heard on the Tuesday night show.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
House Majority Leader Griffith Calls Recomendation Irrelevant
Governor Kaine responded that "Should somebody who's mentally ill and dangerous be able to get a gun or not? And if the answer is they shouldn't be, then let's have rules to protect the public and disable those people from having weapons."
You can read the article here.
Virginia Tech Review Panel and Guns
There are actually several recommendations related to firearms. They are:
http://www.vtreviewpanel.org/report/report/13_CHAPTER_VI.pdf
CHAPTER VI. GUN PURCHASE AND CAMPUS POLICIES RECOMMENDATIONS
VI-1 All states should report information necessary to conduct federal background checks on gun purchases.
There should be federal incentives to ensure compliance. This should apply to states whose requirements are different from federal law. States should become fully compliant with federal law that disqualifies persons from purchasing or possessing firearms who have been found by a court or other lawful authority to be a danger to themselves or others as a result of mental illness. Reporting of such information should include not just those who are disqualified because they have been found to be dangerous, but all other categories of disqualification as well. In a society divided on many gun control issues, laws that specify who is prohibited from owning a firearm stand as examples of broad agreement and should be enforced.
VI-2 Virginia should require background checks for all firearms sales, including those at gun shows.
In an age of widespread information technology, it should not be too difficult for anyone, including private sellers, to contact the Virginia Firearms Transaction Program for a background check that usually only takes minutes before transferring a firearm. The program already processes transactions made by registered dealers at gun shows. The practice should be expanded to all sales. Virginia should also provide an enhanced penalty for guns sold without a background check and later used in a crime.
VI-3 Anyone found to be a danger to themselves or others by a court-ordered review should be entered in the Central Criminal Records Exchange database regardless of whether they voluntarily agreed to treatment.
Some people examined for a mental illness and found to be a potential threat to themselves or others are given the choice of agreeing to mental treatment voluntarily to avoid being ordered by the courts to be treated involuntarily. That does not appear on their records, and they are free to purchase guns. Some highly respected people knowledgeable about the interaction of mentally ill people with the mental health system are strongly opposed to requiring voluntary treatment to be entered on the record and be sent to a state database. Their concern is that it might reduce the incentive to seek treatment voluntarily, which has many advantages to the individuals (e.g., less time in hospital, less stigma, less cost) and to the legal and medical personnel involved (e.g., less time, less paperwork, less cost). However, there still are powerful incentives to take the voluntary path, such as a shorter stay in a hospital and not having a record of mandatory treatment. It does not seem logical to the panel to allow someone found to be dangerous to be able to purchase a firearm.
VI-4 The existing attorney general’s opinion regarding the authority of universities and colleges to ban guns on campus should be clarified immediately.
The universities in Virginia have received or developed various interpretations of the law. The Commonwealth’s attorney general has provided some guidance to universities, but additional clarity is needed from the attorney general or from state legislation regarding guns at universities and colleges.
VI-5 The Virginia General Assembly should adopt legislation in the 2008 session clearly establishing the right of every institution of higher education in the Commonwealth to regulate the possession of firearms on campus if it so desires.
The panel recommends that guns be banned on campus grounds and in buildings unless mandated by law.
VI-6 Universities and colleges should make clear in their literature what their policy is regarding weapons on campus.
Prospective students and their parents, as well as university staff, should know the policy related to concealed weapons so they can decide whether they prefer an armed or arms-free learning environment.
VSSA will be opposing all attempts to force private sales to go through background checks. Gun shows played no part in the events that led up to the shootings and this is simply an attempt to use the Tech incident to advance an anti-gun agenda that has been defeated in every session of the General Assembly since it was introduced.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Light Posting Result of Vacation
Happy Labor Day.