John Lott has some great statistics that continue to put the lie to the meme that the number of gun owners is declining. The details are here.
Friday, August 30, 2013
More Facts Dispelling Myth of Declining Gun Ownership
Monday, August 26, 2013
Firearms Freedom Act Turned Back in 9th Circuit
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Free Training for Teachers
The VSSA Training Team offers free NRA certified pistol training to any teacher in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This training meets all the requirements for a Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) in Virginia. You can come to us in Fairfax, or we can set something up with a local range. All we need is access to a range and a classroom, everything else will be provided. Contact our training team lead, Tom Ciarula at Tom-C @ Cox.net to make arrangements.
Friday, August 23, 2013
New York Post Calls Bloomberg Hero to Virginians, Poll Says Something Else
Mayor Bloomberg’s bullish advocacy for stricter gun-control laws has won him considerable support — in Virginia.But Newsmax.com described it like this:
A majority of Virginians say New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg went too far when he claimed that many of the guns used in city crimes are coming from Virginia. But, almost half of voters in a new poll said their state lawmakers should do more to address gun control issues.VSSA had the opportunity to talk about the article and the 2013 Election on Cam Edwards of NRANews.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
NRA-ILA Looking for Virginia Election Volunteer Coordinators
In the past, the EVC program has been tied to congressional districts. But after last year's election, NRA-ILA transitioned to a more local approach, understanding that some congressional districts span multiple counties and sometimes towns and small cities.
If you are interested in serving as an EVC in one of the above areas, please contact Robert Melvin at rmelvin@nrahq.org . We are entering the fall push for this year's campaign and we need every gun owner engaged to ensure that pro-freedom candidates come out on top in November.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Manchin's Messaging on Background Checks
And he reiterated a line on guns he used repeatedly at the state fair and likely has been well-honed in his time at home since the spring: “Don’t you want to know if a person is a criminal or a crazy person or a terrorist?” Many in the group nod.And in National Journal:
Manchin said to the crowd. "Do you think it's unreasonable if you went to a gun show or online that there'd be a background check? That's all we're talking about."Manchin should know that was not all Manchin/Schumer/Toomey would do. He even repeated the false statement to the crowd in that meeting covered by National Journal that the amendment would have expanded gun rights. According to Dave Kopel, the amendment was a "bonanza of gun control."
Unlike Pat Toomey, who has moved on, Manchin continues to push the gun control proposal. Will he pay a price in his home state? Comments like this:
"Hey, I'm Joe, you know me."
Monday, August 19, 2013
Public Concern About Crime Falls with Crime Rate
Rather than focus on the article, which is more of a thinly veiled swipe at Cuccinelli charging he has become the "kinder - gentler" Republican when it comes to crime, let's focus on the chart. You'll note the continuing theme of the last couple of weeks - that crime has reduced dramatically in Virginia. Over the last 18 years, the crime rate has reduced 42%. At the same time, we know that over the last 6 years, the sale of firearms in the state has increased 75%.
So while Bloomberg wants to claim that his crime problems are due to Virginia guns, it would seem that the large number of firearms in the Commonwealth has not negatively impacted the safety of Virginians.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
With Eye on 2016, Christie Vetoed Gun Control Bills
Last night, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoed 3 gun-control bills considered to be the worst of the lot that passed this year. The story is here.
The bills included a ban on .50 rifles and special encoding of drivers licenses for gun owners. Pro-rights activists in New Jersey had been hopeful Christie might veto the bills since he did not act on them when he acted on other gun related bills earlier in August.
The actions, while good news for New Jersey gun owners, does little to bolster the pro-rights credibility of Christie. But he is likely more interested in looking like he can find a "middle ground" to support the storyline that Republicans need to run candidates who can appeal to "independents."
Friday, August 16, 2013
Fort Lee Dusters Excel Again at SCTP Nationals
A few weeks later in June, they competed in the State Sporting Clays Championship and the team finished first in the Intermediate Entry Level Class, Senior/Jr. Varsity Class, Senior/Varsity Class, and the Collegiate Class. Then it was on to the Nationals in Sparta Illinois July 15-21. What a great showing for the team!
SKEET – SQUADS
SKEET – INDIVIDUAL
SPORTING CLAYS – SQUADS
Intermediate Entry
SPORTING CLAYS – INDIVIDUAL
Mens – Intermediate Entry
INDIVIDUALS – HOA
Congratulations to this team of great young people. We are sure their parents are very proud of them.
Front Row: L-R Hunter Belch, Zachery Wells, Logan Whitley, Colin Lewis Back Row: L-R Christian Pinney, DW Trainham, Kevin Turner, Lindsay Martin, Austin Chinault, Michael Johnson, Kyle Gardiner |
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Piers Morgan Gets His Stats Wrong on Virginia Crime
State Senator Marsh Seeks New Law After July 4 Death of Chesterfield 7 Year-Old
For background, this has become an increasing problem in Chesterfield County where I live. Firing indiscriminately into the air in celebration is something practiced in a number of Third World countries. The influx of people into the county from locations that fit that description has caused consternation to citizens in some neighborhoods on dates like July 4th and New Years Eve because apparently these new arrivals don't seem to understand that not only is the practice unsafe, it is illegal.
On July 4th of this year, a seven year-old boy, Brendon Mackey, was walking with his family to a fireworks display and was struck in the head by what police say was a .40 bullet fired into the air from somewhere within 5000 ft of the area. The boy died the next day. Police have yet to identify the individual responsible. Police, aided by BATFE agents, have canvassed the surrounding area asking residents if they heard something around the time of the incident and if they could describe from where they heard it. The only real way they will likely find the culprit is if someone comes forward, something that hasn't happened to date.
A. If any person willfully discharges or causes to be discharged any firearm in any street in a city or town, or in any place of public business or place of public gathering, and such conduct results in bodily injury to another person, he shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony (1-5 years in prison and $2500 fine). If such conduct does not result in bodily injury to another person, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Firearms at Public Meetings
Apparently, that incident has raised the concern of some employees of local governments in some areas of Virginia. It hasn't helped that the following comments were also made during a recent meeting in Norge, Virginia.
The issue came up again at the county's two recent rural lands meetings. During one, held at Norge Elementary School, W. Walker Ware IV, a speaker who was asked to summarize his comments about government control, said, "I think we take up muskets and start killing people."
Another attendee, Wayne Moyer, immediately asked Ware the speaker to back off the suggestion, saying it "bothers me very much."
"First of all, I don't necessarily agree with open carry," he said. "Very seldom do I do it. I did it because the night before, I wasn't allowed."
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Richmond Friends of NRA Banquet Highest Grossing Event in Virginia in 2013
Richmond has always been had difficult place to hold the typical FNRA banquet. The area has been saturated with National Wild Turkey Federation banquets, Ducks Unlimited banquets, Quality Deer Management Association banquets and the annual Virginia Deer Hunters Association banquet (by far the most successful of all the outdoor banquet events). In the late 90's the original Richmond FNRA committee moved to an outdoor shooting event in partnership with Dance's Sporting Goods, Green Top Sporting Goods, and DeGoff's. That move paid dividends as average attendance increased from 75 to over 200 people. But by around 2003, with a change in the NRA Field Director and the committee members having been involved for almost 10 years, the event was discontinued. An attempted to revive the Richmond FNRA events was attempted but when they tried to transition back to the traditional indoor banquet, the same problem with lack of attendance surfaced.
Enter new NRA Field Director David Wells in 2011. Wells worked with local folks, including Green Top, to partner with the successful Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show. The decision was made to hold the first event in 2012 at the Richmond Raceway Complex the night before the start of the outdoor show and in two years, the result has been phenomenal. While there are still FNRA events scheduled through the end of the year, it's going to be tough to top what the Richmond Committee has done. What can be expected for this fledgling event next year? With the VOSS continuing to grow - they added a third building of exhibits - The Green Top Pavilion - this year, as long as they remain partnered, it would seem the sky is the limit.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Do You Need Another Reason to Support Cuccinelli?
If Ken Cuccinelli – Mr. Conservative Record – loses against a flawed competitor like Terry McAuliffe, in a purple state like Virginia . . . and simultaneously, Governor Hug-Obama-After-a-Hurricane-and-Move-Left wins in a landslide up in New Jersey . . . the message to the rest of the Republican party will be pretty clear. What you fervently believe – conservatives win, moderate squishes lose – will be refuted in the eyes of many Republicans.But it seems that conservatives are not engaged yet if you use Cuccinelli's fundraising as the baseline. Geraghty points to this Bloomberg News article for the numbers:
Cuccinelli, 44, had $2.7 million in cash as of the end of June, compared with $6 million for McAuliffe, 56, the former national Democratic Party chairman and fundraiser. While McAuliffe had been expected to out-raise Cuccinelli, the Republican is lagging behind where McDonnell was at this point in his 2009 race, when he had $4.9 million in cash on hand.It's true that Erick Erickson of Red State cranked up his fundraising efforts last week but much more it needed. While money does not necessarily win campaigns, it's not helpful to be out gunned two to one in fundraising. So, if you don't want to see this in Virginia after 2013:
Please give a little time to the Cuccinelli effort beginning today. And if you can afford it, give a little money too.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Messaging on the Minds of Gun Ban Lobby
The gun ban lobby seems to be concerned with their messaging of late. Shall Not Be Questioned has posts on the subject here and here. John Lott posted about how Mayors Against Illegal Guns suggest their supporters address the issue of background checks.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Terry McAuliffe Changes Subject When Asked About Support for Gun Ban
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Trying Times In Virginia for Gun Control Advocates
Time after time, progressives have greeted expansion of gun rights with dire warnings that the expansion would turn society into the Wild West, and the streets would run red with blood. They said so after the Supreme Court’s two major gun-rights rulings in Heller and McDonald. They said so after the expansion of concealed-carry laws across the country. They said so after Virginia eased restrictions on guns in bars and restaurants.The RTD points out that facts are stubborn, and the facts show that the liberal claim that mores guns leads to more crime is wrong.
In every case, gun-related crimes fell.
However, the RTD should do a little more homework when it comes to determining just who is buying all those firearms.
Foes of gun rights might point out, correctly, that the percentage of Americans who own firearms is declining — therefore, the increase in gun sales is owing to existing owners who are buying more guns, not more people buying a gun for the first time.They should go up the road to Hanover just outside of Richmond and ask Green Top Sporting Goods, the retailer that the paper's database shows sold the most firearms in the seven year span, and ask them just how many were first time buyers. Or go to Colonial Shooting Academy in the west end of Richmond, and ask just who is taking all of those firearm training classes they teach. The RTD will likely find what those of us who pay attention to such things know, that, based on information from manufacturers who have compiled data from firearm warrenty registration cards, say that about 25% of the sales are to first time buyers. That has also been a big reason why you can't find ammo - more people owning firearms mean increased demand for ammo.
WRIC Richmond News and Weather -
Monday, August 5, 2013
Virginia Gun Sales Increase 100 Percent in Seven Years, Crime Decreases
The newspaper recently obtained updated firearm transaction figures and gun crime data for 2012 to compare them with the years originally reviewed by Baker. The new figures show a continuation of a pattern of increased gun sales not contributing to an increase in gun-related crime.
But Baker cautioned against drawing any conclusions that more guns in the hands of Virginians are causing a corresponding drop in gun crime, as some academics and gun-rights supporters have argued.
“To substantiate (that) argument, you would need to eliminate a number of other factors that could potentially explain away the relationship of more guns, less crime in Virginia,” Baker said. “Only if the relationship remained after controlling for additional factors could a researcher be more comfortable making the claim that more guns lead to less crime. But what the data does show is that the ‘more guns, less crime argument’ is certainly possible.”
“It’s a quite interesting trend given the current rhetoric about strengthening gun laws and the presumed effect it would have on violent crimes,” Baker added. “While you can’t conclude from this that tougher laws wouldn’t reduce crime even more, it really makes you question if making it harder for law-abiding people to buy a gun would have any effect on crime.”This news hit just two days after New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg and a New York Daily News article started a spitting match with Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell over Bloomberg's claim that most of the firearms recovered in crimes in his city come from out of state, including Virginia.
Bloomberg railed that 90% of all guns used in city crimes in 2011 came from other states — and that more of them came from Virginia than anywhere else, including the weapon that killed NYPD officer Peter Figoski in December of that year.McDonnell's spokesperson's response was too cute by half responding that Virginia’s murder and robbery (rates) are significantly lower than New York City’s then adding:
“We wish the mayor well as he attempts to address these issues within his home state and we hope he won’t hesitate to call on us if our law enforcement agencies can be of assistance in ensuring public safety in New York City,”This just begged for the Daily News to go fact checking then piled on by contacting criminologists to explain why the comparison between a city and a state are not correct for statistical purposes.
Maybe the Governor's office should have contacted Professor Baker for a response.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Harry Reid, Gun Control, and 2014
Bitter over on Shall Not Be Questioned has this post suggesting Harry Reid's promise to bring up another vote on gun control before the 2014 general election may be an attempt to hold his majority in the U.S. Senate. He must be nuts you might be saying. Basically, Reid is calculating that it will give his members running for re-election in red states one last chance to cast a pro-gun vote and giving gun owners on less reason to vote against them. Bitter points out other benefits Reid might see in such a strategy like causing the NRA to hold up endorsements until the votes are taken. She makes some valid points and I think she is spot on. Read the post and see if you agree.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Firearm Permit Requests Surge in Newtown Ahead of New Gun Laws
"I think people realize that you can't call the police all the time and expect them to save you," said Newtown resident Bill Stevens, 48 years old, an avid hunter who owns more than a dozen firearms. "It's sinking in to some folks that 'I need to take responsibility for keeping my family safe.' "
Like the rest of the nation, Connecticut has seen a steady increase in firearm transactions over the past decade. The Journal reports that according to the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection processed authorizations for the sale of 127,000 firearms—including pistols, rifles and shotguns—in 2012, more than double the number authorized in 2000. If the current pace continues, the state will surpass last year's total by October.
Once again, the gun ban lobby took the opportunity to claim that all those new gun purchases are being made by existing gun owners.
"What seems like inconsistent data [between gun sales and gun ownership] may make a little more sense if you realize the bulk of guns that are purchased are purchased by people that already own guns," said Daniel Webster, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research. Presidential elections—which can spur fears of a change in policy—and mass shootings typically result in surges in gun sales, he added.Tom Gresham, host of the weekly three-hour radio program Gun Talk, mentioned on his program a couple of weeks ago that one manufacturer told him based on product warranty cards received, clearly 25% of their sales are being made to new first time gun owners. So, folks like Webster can keep deluding themselves that firearms are being purchased by a shrinking market, but we have the facts on our side.