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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Gun Ban Lobby Shifts Messaging to "Guns and Violence Against Women"

You've probably seen or heard that domestic violence is the new front in the gun control battle. First, it's not that new because they've been trying that approach in the Virginia General Assembly for several years.  And, a "summit" on "gun violence" at UVA last December suggested this as one approach to pass new restrictions on the rights of law abiding gun owners.   It may be more accurate to say that guns are the newest part of the left's "War on Women" meme. The release of a new ad by Michael Bloomberg's Everytown for Gun Safety targeting three GOP U.S. Senators topped many of the news reports.
Interestingly, three of the four women on ABC's The View, did not buy into the message in that ad.

And an enterprising YouTuber came up with their own version:
No big surprise, Virginia's junior U.S. Senator jumped on the "guns cause domestic violence" band wagon yesterday.

Maybe Everytown should talk to Nikki Turpeaux about the subject. Nikki is a victim of domestic violence and she made the decision that it would never happen to her again.

Hat tip to Bearing Arms.

Update: The enterprising YouTuber had to remove the video linked above because he edited the actual Bloomberg video and Bloomberg's lawyers threatened to step in if he did not remove it.

You can however see it here, for now.

Second Amendment Scholar Steve Halbrook Predicts D.C. Will Enact "May Issue" Statute

On Wednesday's NRANews Cam and Company on The Sportsman Channel, VSSA Life Member and Second Amendment Scholar Steve Halbrook talked about last weekend's ruling in the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C. (Palmer v. District of Columbia) that struck down the District’s ban on handgun carry outside of the home. On Tuesday, a 90-day stay was granted to allow the City Council to comply with the ruling or file an appeal. During the discussion, Halbrook predicts that D.C. would likely enact a "May Issue" permitting system given the fact that after Heller, the Council actually made it harder to register a firearm.

The Well Armed Woman

It's almost old news that women are the fastest growing segment of the gun owning community.  Recently, NRANews Cam and Company host Cam Edwards spoke with Carrie Lightfoot, the founder of The Well Armed Woman, a one-stop shop for firearm education, accessories, and networking for women who wish to carry. In the interview, Carrie talks about the continued growth of the organization, as well as the growth of women taking concealed carry courses and NRA “Refuse to Be A Victim” seminars. She reports that there have been over 100 local media stories about Well Armed Woman chapters around the country, all of them positive.   Take a look.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Gun Ban Researcher Daniel Webster: Lott's Scholarship Has Been Completely Discredited

With the weekend decision in Parker vs. District of Columbia, a lot is being written about concealed carry.  The Washington Post had a blog post yesterday titled More Guns, Less Crime? Not Exactly.  In the post, Emily Badger writes:
That prediction — Washington will be safer without the gun ban — stems from what's known as the "more guns, less crime" hypothesis. It argues that violent crime declines in places where more legal gun owners carry the weapons in public, both because those people are capable of self-defense, and because would-be criminals know they're out there. "More guns, less crime" has been an incredibly potent idea in local policy debates over gun laws. But is there evidence that it's true?  
The District, which is appealing the decision, isn't buying it.

The theory has largely been fueled by a deeply contested 1997 paper by economists John Lott and David Mustard, who concluded that "concealed handguns are the most cost-effective method of reducing crime thus far analyzed by economists." If states without concealed-carry laws had them back in 1992, Lott and Mustard calculated, that year they could have avoided hundreds of murders, thousands of rapes and tens of thousands of assaults.
In the next paragraph you get a sense of where that term "deeply contested" may have originated.  Badger went to Johns Hopkins University gun ban researcher Daniel Webster.  Webster was part of the Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy that held a "summit" at UVA at the end of last year.  Webster is currently involved in a project of the Police Executive Research Forum funded by the U.S. Department of Justice where he is studying a City of Sacramento ordinance requiring purchasers of ammunition in the city to sign a log and leave a fingerprint at the time of purchase and what impact it may have had on reducing crime.

Webster told Badger:
"John Lott’s research was in my opinion very instrumental over decades in having more states pass laws to make it easier to get permits to carry concealed loaded guns, and to lessen the barriers for those permit holders to take guns in ever more places, whether it's bars, or places of worship, or schools," says Daniel Webster, the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research. "It’s all based upon Lott’s scholarship that has been completely discredited."
In fact, the very study that Webster sited to Badger as proof that Lott's research on concealed carry is flawed was itself challenged in the research paper, Trust But Verify: Lessons for the Empirical Evaluation of Law and Policy.  The Abstract to that paper notes:
In a recent article, Aneja, Donohue and Zhang claim that they are unable to replicate the regressions published by the National Research Council in Chapter 6 of Firearms and Violence. They conclude that the NRC regressions must have been based on bad data supplied by John Lott. The implication is that earlier studies that found that right-to-carry laws reduced crime were flawed because of bad data. However, we can replicate the NRC results with Lott’s original data and with the data set used by the NRC. The earlier studies are not flawed by bad data.
But even more important. Webster's quote in the blog post that "My opinion is that I think there’s greater evidence that they probably have had some harmful impact" just doesn't hold up when you look at the numbers.  For instance, between 2006 and 2012, the number of firearms sold in Virginia increased 101% while crime committed with a firearm decreased 28%. Firearm related crime has dropped in Virginia for four consecutive years.  A VCU criminal justice researcher put it this way:
“This appears to be additional evidence that more guns don’t necessarily lead to more crime,” said Thomas R. Baker, an assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs who specializes in research methods and criminology theory.
Those who question Lott's research usually are on the side of the argument that wants to place more restrictions on law abiding gun owners. So, why doesn't the media openly question the bias that a proponent of gun control may have in their research?

Democrat State Senate Candidate: I Don't Think You Ought to be Able to Sell Somebody an AR-15

Earlier this week, VSSA posted on it's Facebook Page that Democrat State Senate candidate Mike Hymes had made some comments related to his view of what gun owners should or should not be able to do.  Here is the audio:

In the event you had a hard time making out those comments, this is what Hymes said as posted on the Republican Party of Virginia web site:
"I don't think you ought to be able to sell somebody an AR-15, either. Because, law enforcement should have those kinds.  We've had to give our law enforcement in Tazewell County AR-15s because, you know, they go up a holler, some guy's got one. He's bought one. Virginia's gun laws are pretty doggone liberal."

"I do believe you ought to register handguns, we ought to have something. If they had not let that assault rifle ban drop, then that probably  wouldn't be a problem. So that's kinda where I am."
As of this writing, NRA-PVF has posted an "AQ" rating for Hymes for the special election set for August 19 to fill the vacant seat of former State Senator Phil Puckett (State Senate District 38).  That rating is based on responses on the candidate's questionnaire.  We have to presume he told the NRA that he is against gun control to get that rating. Clearly, the above comments would indicate otherwise. So, is Hymes trying to have it both ways?

If you live in Senate District 38, vote your rights.  On August 19th, vote for Ben Chafin.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Dave Kopel on the D.C. Carry Ruling

I've seen blog posts, Twitter posts, and news reports that make Saturday's ruling in Parker all roses for non D.C. residents when it comes to carrying handguns in the District.  Dave Kopel wrote this morning on the Volokh Conspiracy.  As usual he provides some thorough analysis but also adds some cautionary comments about the ruling:
Taking into account the summaries from the WaPo and from Fox31, it is clear that one should not read them as if they were legal codes. For example, the WaPo article indicates that non-residents “without felony records” can carry in D.C. It is possible that Chief Lanier said this, but it seems more likely that the D.C. Attorney advice which she transmitted to the D.C. Police was more restrictive than the article’s text would literally mean. Federal law (18 U.S.C. 922(g)) sets up 9 categories of persons who are prohibited from possessing firearms. A felony conviction is the best-known of the “prohibited persons” classes, but not the only one. It seems doubtful that the new D.C. order allows gun carrying by persons dishonorably discharged by the military, persons convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor against an intimate partner, and so on, who are prohibited by federal law from gun possession.
And Kopel notes other things to consider:
Nothing in the District Court’s opinion invalidates the D.C. ban on magazines holding more than 10 rounds.  Nothing in the opinion addresses the numerous federal and D.C. laws which prohibit carry in a huge number of locations within the District–such as most federal buildings, lots of federal property, as well as schools and colleges. (The D.C. “school” ban even encompasses a school of cosmetology whose students are all adults.) Under a 2009 federal statute, National Parks must follow the arms-carrying policies of their host state. The National Park Service regulation implementing this statute includes the following exemption to a general ban on weapons in National Parks. “(h) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Chapter, a person may possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded, and operable firearms within a national park area in accordance with the laws of the state in which the national park area, or that portion thereof, is located, except as otherwise prohibited by applicable Federal law.” 36 C.F.R. § 2.4. Thus, it might arguably be lawful to carry a concealed handgun at the Jefferson Memorial, if you have a handgun carry permit from your home state (or if you are a D.C. resident with a registered handgun).
The order provided to Metropolitan Police Officers by Chief Cathy Lanier can be found here.

Chicago Compensated Gun Confiscation Scheme Pays Dividends for Illinois Group

GunsSaveLife.com has the story here:
In 2012, Guns Save Life took up 65 clunkers to trade for perfectly good cash. Some of our guns were fire-damaged, others were just pre-1898 rust-ruined barreled-actions and some were literally held together with tape.  
We received $6240 that day for our collection of junk – including one starter pistol that wouldn’t fire a real bullet on the best day, but did gain us yet another $100 gift card.
The results:
We’ve been spending that money on ammunition for the nation’s longest-running NRA Youth Shooting camp each year, held annually at Darnall’s Gun Works and Ranges in Bloomington, IL. This year was the 20th anniversary of the camp, and Guns Save Life spent the final $2000 of that Chicago money on ammo to teach 151 young people, ages roughly 9-16 how to safely handle guns over the four-day, three-night camp. 
I'd say that's putting Chicago's money to good use!

D.C. Sends Muddled Response to Gun Ruling

Having to scramble to respond to a Saturday ruling could cause muddled messages but one would think that after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Peruta earlier this year that the District of Columbia would have had a contingency plan in place in the event the ruling went against them.  But alas, that was not the case, and Chief of Police Cathy Lanier had to clarify her hastily prepared guidance she gave her officers over the weekend.  From Roll Call:
D.C. police have been ordered not to arrest people for carrying pistols and deadly weapons in public. Washingtonians can still face criminal charges for carrying unregistered firearms and ammunition, but the millions of people who visit the nation’s capital are exempt from those provisions under an order from Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier. The chief’s guidance effectively put the District’s firearm regulations, at least for non-residents, on a par with the most permissive gun jurisdictions in the country. D.C. police got additional guidance from Lanier on Monday afternoon. She clarified that the ruling applies only to handguns, not long guns or shotguns that are still illegal, and that committing crimes with handguns remains illegal.

For non-residents, legal possession of a handgun in D.C. is based on the laws of their home jurisdiction, meaning D.C. police will be responsible for knowing and enforcing licensing and permitting restrictions from around the country. Lanier noted that additional information on gun laws in other states will be forthcoming and said that in the meantime, officers can call a 24-hour information line.

Lanier’s orders came in response to Judge Frederick Scullin Jr.’s July 26 ruling in Palmer v. District of Columbia that D.C.’s complete ban on the carrying of handguns in public is unconstitutional. In the 19-page decision, Scullin wrote that he was stopping enforcement of the law “unless and until” the city adopted a constitutionally valid licensing mechanism.

In her follow-up guidance to officers, Lanier nodded to the confusion. “Unfortunately, this ruling has left many unanswered legal questions that are currently being reviewed by the [Office of the Attorney General],” she stated.
This guidance could be short lived as the D.C. Attorney General has filed for a stay of the ruling, sighting the Madigan case from Illinois where the 7th Circuit stayed the ruling for 180 days.  This gave Illinois time to come up with a plan to issue permits.  It is unclear if D.C. wants the stay to appeal the case or to comply with it.

Monday, July 28, 2014

NRA Youth Education Summit Returns to Virginia

The NRA Virginia Youth Education Summit was held July 10th-13th and was another smashing success.  VSSA acts as the financial agent for the program using funds provided by the NRA Foundation.  This year 16 Virginia high school students traveled to Richmond to experience a little of Virginia government, a local shooting range and even toured the Federal Reserve Bank. 

Senior NRA Field Rep for Virginia David Wells, said credit to the success of the event goes to a team of volunteers  that planned, coordinated and chaperoned this event. The program is made possible through the proceeds of Friends of NRA events throughout Virginia.

Three participants earned scholarship money and all had a great time.  A full report on the weekend can be found here.

DC Carry Ruling Could Positively Impact Hill Staffer and Lobbyist Caught With Gun At Capitol

Roll Call reports that Saturday's ruling by Judge Frederick Scullin Jr. in Palmer v. District of Columbia could affect currently charges against a Hill staffer and lobbyist recent caught carrying a firearm at the U.S. Capitol. Neither were charged by Capitol Police but were turned over to Metropolitan PD to be charge for violating DC gun laws:
Charges against two men whom Capitol Police allegedly stopped from bringing 9 mm handguns to Capitol Hill could change, as attorneys scramble to interpret the effect of a federal judge overturning the District’s handgun ban. 
On July 26, Judge Frederick Scullin Jr. ruled in Palmer v. District of Columbia that D.C.’s complete ban on the carrying of handguns in public is unconstitutional. In the 19-page decision, Scullin wrote that he was stopping enforcement of the law “unless and until” the city adopted a constitutionally valid licensing mechanism. 
D.C. police were subsequently instructed not to enforce the law against carrying pistols in public. In two separate incidents that are raising questions about campus security, Hill staffer Ryan Shucard and pork executive Ronald William Prestage were charged with violating that law when police uncovered handguns and magazines during administrative searches at the Cannon House Office building.  
The order not to enforce the law came from Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier on Sunday and is being implemented “until further notice,” according to her notice.
Likely stopped, at least for now, by the ruling from proceeding on charges related to violating DC city ordinances, federal prosecutors are considering charging both with violating the prohibition on possessing a firearm at the Capitol building or grounds.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Former N.J. Governor Jim Florio Offers Lame Response to Lott Op/Ed on Christie Magazine/Gun Ban Veto

Last weekend, the New Jersey Star-Ledger printed an Op/Ed by Dr. John Lott that logically explained why Governor Chris Christie's veto of a magazine/gun ban that was passed by the N.J. General Assembly during the 2014 session, was the right decision.  Today, former Governor Jim Florio, no friend of gun owners, took to the paper's editorial page to give an opposing view, and infers Lott is nothing but a shill for the NRA:
First, his book echoes the National Rifle Association’s executive director’s stated view that the answer to gun violence is more guns for everybody. Most people reject this Wild West attitude to law enforcement by shootouts. He offers the fact that there is no evidence to justify limits on magazine capacity.

Aside from the fact that the NRA has forced Congress into prohibiting gun violence research, by following his logic, there is no hard evidence that proposed limits don’t provide better protection. Common sense, however, dictates that when seconds count, a mass killer needs time to change magazines.
Note that Florio trots out the gun ban lobby's talking point about the lack of research.  But Lott has addressed that too:
Despite his widely publicized claim, no evidence has been provided that firearms research actually declined either after the Dickey Amendment to the Centers for Disease Control funding was passed in 1997 appropriations or restrictions were imposed on the National Institute of Health and other federal health agencies funding gun research. What Bloomberg measures is firearms research relative to all other research. And, indeed, after the 1996 restrictions on federal funding, firearms research in medical journals did fall as a percentage of all research but total research on firearms has increased over that time.

Florio goes on to endorse all the policies Obama trotted out last year, and throws in a ban on .50 rifles, even though no one can tell us when the last time a gang banger or your average run of-the-mill criminal used .50 rifle into a convenience store to commit a robbery.

Dr. Lott has in the past posted on his blog point by point responses to his critics.  I'm looking forward to him taking Florio's argument apart.

Roanoke Times Op/Ed: The Fault in Ourselves, Not Our Guns

A Virginia NRA member and hunter had this op/ed in today's Roanoke Times as a response to a previous letter to the editor.  The writer, Glenn Watson, pointed out what was wrong with the opinions laid out in that letter, then pointed out that while firearm sales have increased, crime has decreased.  He closed with:
People make choices their entire life and have to live with those choices and accept responsibility for their actions.
Kyle Scott, who teaches American politics and constitutional law at Duke University and the University of Houston,  referred to it as a lack of a moral compass.  Watson would probably agree.

Let me just add to the points Watson made related to gun sales, between 2006 and 2012, firearm sales in Virginia increased 101% while at the same time, crime dropped 28%.  And last year, murders were down in the City of Richmond to levels not seen in 30 yearsThe total for 2013 was 37.  Within the first four months of 1994, 60 murders had been committed.

While a number of factors lead to a reduction in crime, it is clear, that more guns do not equal more crime.

More Evidence the "40% of Gun Sales Don't Include a Background Check" Claim Is Untrue

The "40% of gun sales don't undergo background checks" claim gets even weaker thanks to this report out of Colorado.  Previously the Washington Post gave President Obama "Three Pinocchios" for making the claim.  Colorado used the number to justify a budget increase to pay for what they said would be an increase in background checks after they passed so-called "universal background checks" in 2013:
Gun-control advocates have long asserted that 40 percent of gun sales nationwide are made by private sellers and thus not subject to background checks. President Barack Obama cited the number last year, unsuccessfully urging Congress to pass a law mandating "universal background checks." 
But that figure, which Colorado legislative analysts and CBI officials say was the best available for the basis of their estimation calculus, comes from a 1997 National Institute of Justice report that gun-right's activists criticize as inaccurate. 
Catherine Mortensen, a spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association, said that using the 40 percent figure as a basis for Colorado's projection "calls into question lawmakers' access to accurate information on not only this, but all firearms-related legislation."
That 1997 NIJ report was based on data collected from a survey in 1994, the same year that the Brady Act requirements for background checks came into effect. The questions concerned purchases dating as far back as 1991 which was before the Brady Act became law.  This means that some, if not many, of the firearm sales included in that study were bought in a pre-Brady environment.  But of course, the gun banners retreat to their time worn "if we only stop one person..."
"The bottom line," he said, "is even if one, or five, or 10, or 10,000 or 20,000 people are being blocked, that's less dangerous people walking around with guns."
Never mind that most criminals are going to buy their firearms legally to start with.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

August Events of Interest to Virginia Sportsmen

August is when various outdoor shows and events take place in Virginia that get hunters ready for the upcoming season.  Here are some of the more popular events via the VDGIF Outdoor Report:

The 31st Annual Virginia Outdoor Sportsman's Show returning to the Richmond Raceway Complex! There's plenty of parking, more space for the 350 fun and exciting new exhibits, demonstrations and seminars- something for everyone in the family. The show has expanded into a third building which will include a new air gun shooting range sponsored by Crossman, an archery range sponsored by Parker Bows, decoy exhibit and contest, VDGIF K9 teams, casting range for kids and much more. Experienced and novice sportsmen and sportswomen can try the latest in new equipment and learn about new places and techniques to enjoy Virginia's great outdoors. Hunter Education Instructors will have exhibits and demonstrations on safe firearms handling, tree stand use and safety reminders for both experienced and novice hunters. This is your chance to see the biggest bucks harvested in Virginia. Deer hunters throughout Virginia will bring their mounts to this prestigious contest, organized by the Virginia Deer Hunters Association (VDHA). Celebrity guests R.J. Molinere and Jay Paul Molinere - Swamp People on the History Channel, Kip Campbell, Host of Red Arrow TV and Fred Abbas Co-Host of TV's A-Way Outdoors will be featured at this year's show.

The Virginia Hunter Skills Weekend will be held at Holiday Lake August 22-24. This program open to ages 11-90+ offers opportunities to learn new skills or fine-tune the ones you already have. Three 4-hour sessions in a variety of topics provide skills development for new and seasoned hunters alike and include pistol, rifle, shotgun, skeet, trap and muzzleloading shooting, archery, survival, game processing, cooking, preserving your wild game harvest, and a variety of big and small game hunting techniques. This partnership program is presented by the VA Hunter Education Association, VDGIF and Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center near Appomattox. Registration is open until August 8, 2014 and the cost is $120.00 (meals and lodging included); a discounted fee is available before August 1, 2014. Completion of a Hunter Education course is preferred but not required; children under 18 must attend with a parent. For more information visit www.holidaylake4h.com, call Holiday Lake at (434) 248-5444 or e-mail bbranch@vt.edu.​​​​

The Annual Farmville Outdoor Festival sponsored by Riverside Community Church is being held  Saturday, August 23 at the Five County Fairgrounds, with many fun filled activities and events planned. VDGIF will be offering shotgun training with the opportunity to try your skills at simulated hunting scenarios with clay throwers, as well as fishing skills at the kid's fish pond. Other activities include a turkey call seminar from Quaker Boy Pro-Staff followed by a Turkey Calling Contest for youth and adults! Bugg's Island Archery is hosting a 3-D archery contest and Appomattox River Kennels is sponsoring a Big Buck Contest.  This event is for all ages, so come out and bring your family and friends for a day of fun in the outdoors!  For more information, view flyer Farmville Outdoor Festival (PDF), or contact Riverside Community Church at 434-547-6770.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Another Non-Resident Ensnared by D.C. Gun Laws

Roll Call reports that this time it is an agricultural lobbyist from South Carolina:
Capitol Police confiscated a 9mm Ruger handgun from the bag of Camden, S.C., resident Ronald William Prestage shortly after 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning at the Cannon House Office Building. Prestage, 59, was arrested and charged with carrying a pistol without a license, a District of Columbia offense that carries up to five years in prison.
Are there really this many people that don't know about D.C.s gun laws and their propensity for make examples of anyone caught with a firearm inside the city?

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Congressional Staffer Gun Case Highlights Problems with Patchwork Gun Laws

Roll Call has this story on the Ryan Shucard case.  Shucard is the press secretary to two term PA Republican Congressman Tom Marino who was arrested after allegedly carrying a firearm and ammunition into the Cannon House Office Building.  Shucard lives in Alexandra, VA where it is legal to own a firearm.  Roll Call notes that the Capitol grounds are not governed by DC Law.
...Jason Kalafat, a partner at Price Benowitz LLP who has been hired to represent Shucard in D.C. court, had no comment on his client’s status as a gun owner in Virginia. He said there is no allegation that Shucard had the gun unlawfully, and pointed out that he is not being prosecuted for the federal offense of carrying on Capitol grounds, which carries up to five years in prison.

Kalafat said the difference between gun regulations in D.C. and Virginia creates a “big problem.” 
Because the Capitol grounds are federal property, they are not subject to the District’s strict gun laws.
The same thing could happen in Virginia were it not for pre-emption, which prevents localities from passing their own gun laws.  Say for instance, if Virginia did not have pre-emption, a gun owner traveling from one state to the next would have to know all the gun laws for every locality between the starting point and the final destination to make sure they did not get ensnared by them.

Shucard's case reminds me of the cases where gun owners have mistakenly attempted to take firearms through airport security.  It's obvious that they intended no harm.  Unfortunately in the case of Shucard, DC seems intent on making an example of him.

NRA Kicks Off 2014 Campaign Season

The NRA has kicked off the start of the 2014 campaign season with this web site and video:
Protect your rights! Make sure all of your gun owning family and friends are registered to vote.

Monday, July 21, 2014

John Lott on Christie's Veto of NJ Magazine and Gun Ban Bill

John Lott had this op/ed over the weekend in The New Jersey Star-Ledger explaining that N.J. Governor Chris Christie's reasons for vetoing the magazine/gun ban bill were sound and on target:
But there is a reason that gun control supporters, such as Malloy, don’t provide evidence that Christie is factually in the wrong. There have been plenty of studies on assault weapon bans by criminologists and economists alike, but there isn’t any evidence that limiting magazine size helps fight crime.

Take the work of two criminology professors, Chris Koper and Jeff Roth. They were hired by the Clinton administration to evaluate the original assault weapons ban, which limited magazines to 10 bullets. They found: “the evidence is not strong enough for us to conclude that there was any meaningful effect (i.e., that the effect was different from zero).”

At the time, Koper and Roth suggested that after the ban had been in effect for more years, it might be possible to find a benefit. Seven years later, in 2004, they published a follow-up study for the National Institute of Justice with fellow criminologist Dan Woods that concluded, “we cannot clearly credit the ban with any of the nation’s recent drop in gun violence. And, indeed, there has been no discernible reduction in the lethality and injuriousness of gun violence.”
Even a bureau of the U.S. Department of Justice included Lott's article in their news clips for the day.

At least they don't completely dismiss the other side of the gun control debate as completely out of hand.

Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club 3d Archery Match

The Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club will hold a 3D Archery Match on Sunday, July 27th.  Sign-in, safety meeting, and warm-up begins at 8:30 and shooting begins at 9:00 AM.  Fee is $10.  Shooters should meet at the 100 yard rifle range.  The shoot will take approximately two hours and is open to the public so bring a friend or two.  Compound, recurve, and yes, even longbow shooters will be there.

To register, email archery@rrpc.org.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

VSSA High Power Rifle Team Update from Camp Perry

Just got a call from VSSA High Power Chairman Mike Jamison.  He reported that of our five two-man youth teams, VSSA #1 finished 20th out of 81 teams in the National Junior Team Match:

Coach: Darnell, Mike
Captain: Darnell, Mike
Team MemberStandingSittingProne RFProne SFAggregate
Thome, Dominic 95  - 3 95  - 3 94  - 0 184  - 4 468  - 10
Reinboldt, John 92  - 0 99  - 0 91  - 0 174  - 1 456  - 1

VSSS #2 finished 30th:

Captain: Jamison, Michael
Team MemberStandingSittingProne RFProne SFAggregate
Allison, Robert 90  - 0 97  - 3 93  - 1 178  - 3 458  - 7
Slota, Anne CIV 89  - 2 98  - 5 84  - 2 176  - 1 447  - 10

VSSA #3 finished 38th:

Coach: McKaig, William CIV
Captain: McKaig, William CIV
Team MemberStandingSittingProne RFProne SFAggregate
Sawyer, Benjamin CIV 89  - 1 96  - 2 97  - 2 187  - 5 469  - 10
Kissik, Anthony 75  - 0 93  - 2 90  - 1 165  - 1 423  - 4

VSSA #5 finished 56th:

Coach: Jamison, Michael
Captain: Darnell, Mike
Team MemberStandingSittingProne RFProne SFAggregate
Imel, Tyler  CIV 76  - 0 90  - 1 85  - 0 179  - 2 430  - 3
Moore, Collin 85  - 1 63  - 1 83  - 0 173  - 4 404  - 6

VSSA #4 finished 68th:

Coach: MSgt  Hicks, Donnie ANG
Team MemberStandingSittingProne RFProne SFAggregate
Cavender, Samuel CIV 74  - 0 87  - 1 82  - 0 166  - 3 409  - 4
Ross, Andrew CIV 83  - 0 87  - 0 61  - 0 132  - 0 363  - 0

In the CMP-USMC Jr Highpower Clinic EIC Match, Dominic Thome finished 40th,  out of 146 shooters, Anne Slota finished 66th, John Reinboldt finished 72nd, Samuel Cavender finished 77th, Andrew Ross finished 89th, Robert Allison finished 90th, Collin Moore finished 96th.  Benjamin Sawyer finished 96th, Tyler Imel finished 107th, Anthony Kissik finished 122nd.

In the National Trophy Junior Team Individual, Benjamin Sawyer finished 27th out of 170, Dominic Thome finished 30th, Robert Allison finished 52nd, John Reinboldt finished 58th, Anne Slota finished 71st, Tyler Imel finished 105th, Anthony Kissik finished 113th, Samuel Cavender finished 131, Collin Moore finished 138th, and Andrew Ross finished 157th.

Mike and his team of coaches have worked hard to recruit new youth shooters to VSSA's high power rifle program.  Congratulations to all of the shooters and look for more updates from Perry as our teams, adult and youth continue to compete.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Don't Recall Liberals Calling For Republicans to Change Senate Filibuster Rules

Roll Call has an op/ed today by Nan Aron, president of  Alliance for Justice, that praises the rules change Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid rammed through earlier this year and how that change has allowed a number of President Obamas court appointees to clear confirmation by the Senate:
A rule-or-ruin campaign by the Republican minority had turned the filibuster from a rarely used tactic reserved for extreme circumstances into a weapon of mass obstruction, used routinely to block nominations and paralyze entire government agencies.

That’s why the Senate had to change its rules to end filibusters with a simple majority vote. But now a months-long Republican temper tantrum is wasting the Senate’s — and the American people’s — time, necessitating new countermeasures.
I don't recall Aron making the same complaint about the Democrats when they were in the minority during the Bush Administration and how they held up, and in some cases killed, a number of Bush court appointees, using the exact same "weapon of mass obstruction."  And, maybe given the likelihood that Democrats may lose control of the Senate this year, she may wonder if she should have been more careful for what she wished.

D.C. Leaders Blame Virginia's "Permissive" Gun Laws for Navy Yard Shooter Getting Guns

The Washington Post reports that District of Columbia leaders are not happy that a Congressional Republican wants to keep the City from using congressionally appropriated funds to enforce gun laws that make it harder for law abiding citizens to purchase firearms.  They even went so far as to say that the city's restrictive gun laws forced the Navy Yard shooter to go to Virginia to buy his guns because their laws are more permissive.
“That gun was not purchased in the District of Columbia,”  (Mayor Vincent) Gray said. “That gun was not gotten from the District of Columbia. It came from a neighboring state, Virginia, whose gun laws are far more permissive than the District of Columbia and doesn’t have the level of background checks that we have.”
Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie, the main congressional sponsor of the budget amendment, correctly pointed out that those restrictive gun laws did nothing to stop the killer.  It should also be noted that the problem was not Virginia's "permissive" gun laws, but the fact that several law enforcement people who came into contact with the killer prior to his purchasing the firearms did not take the extra step to report his erratic behavior, which may have prevented him from being able to make the legal purchases of the firearms he used.

But facts are inconvenient things to gun banners.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Virginia Shooters Score Big at Junior Olympic and CMP Championship


Olympic Dreams Begin Here is on the banner, but the hard work takes place on ranges like the Norfolk County Rifle Range (NCRR) in Chesapeake, VA.  On June 27, during the 2014 National Junior Olympic 3P Air Rifle Championship held at Camp Perry, Ohio,  the 4-H Patriot Shooting Club precision air rifle team shot these scores: 

Robert Hudson 577, Claire Zanti 579, Anika Corsi 583, Madeleine Godwin 591, Sarah Osborn 593. Madeleine placed 5th, and Sarah Osborn was named the USA Shooting National Champion for 2014.  She was awarded the coveted USA Shooting jacket and a spot on the Junior National Development Team.
USA Shooting’s Youth Development Director Michael Theimer, Sarah Osborn (Hampton, Virginia), Kristyn Trump (DuBois, Pennsylvania), Director of Civilian Marksmanship (Emeritus) Gary Anderson.
The 4-H Patriot Shooting Club precision team set a new National Record for a 4-H Team in a 3x20 match by shooting a score of 2344. Below is a photo of the Friday Junior Olympic award ceremony. 
On June 28, the 4-H Patriot Shooting Club precision team competed in the 2014 CMP National Championship held at Camp Perry, Ohio.   The 4-H Patriot Shooting Club precision team shot these scores:

Anika Corsi 577, Robert Hudson 583, Claire Zanti 591, Madeleine Godwin 591, Sarah Osborn 593.  Claire placed 4th,  Madeleine placed 3rd with a Bronze medal, and Sarah Osborn placed second with a  Silver medal. Sarah set 4 National records for kneeling with her score of 200 with 19 center tens (of 20 shots).

The Patriot team set three new National Records for a 4-H Team, Club team, and Overall in a 3x20 match by  shooting a score of 2352. This is the highest team score ever in Junior Air Rifle Shooting. The 4-H Patriot Shooting Club is the 2014 CMP National Champion Precision Air Rifle Team.
Anika Corsi, Madeleine Godwin, Claire Zanti, Robert Hudson, Sarah Osborn, and coach Lynn Wheeless
The prestigious Junior Distinguished Badge for excellence in three-position air rifle competitions was awarded to Claire Zanti, Madeleine Godwin, and Robert Hudson.
Madeleine Godwin was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for being the highest scoring high school senior.
The team wishes to thank all of the adults from around the state whose cumulative efforts to support junior shooting sports in Virginia contributed to their success.
Scores can be found  hereNational Records are here.

Thanks to Norfolk County Rifle Range (NCRR) for submitting this news.  NCRR is a 100% VSSA membership club.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Gun Politics and the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act

As was noted yesterday, the prospects for passage of the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014 looks to have dimmed after it overwhelmingly cleared the initial hurdle that opened debate Tuesday.  Roll Call has an article this morning that all but predicts the bill will fail in the highly partisan fever of the election year, preventing endangered Democrats in red states from being able to take a vote on bipartisan legislation back to their states as part of their campaign.  It was originally Harry Reid's way of giving what looked like an easy vote to his colleagues facing tough elections.  But, it looks like he got out flanked by the Republicans.
The 2014 strategy on the sportsmen’s bill differs from a 2012 effort, in which legislation from then-in-cycle Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., was scheduled prior to the election for a vote in the lame duck. Tester got credit from local media, but he avoided any chance of a legislative belly flop on the floor.
Still, sources on the ground said the issue didn’t seem to have much resonance in North Carolina race yet. Republican challenger Thom Tillis’ campaign was pointing to the differences in the two records on gun issues, including Hagan’s “F” rating from the National Rifle Association, but it wasn’t clear what kind of response to the sportsmen’s bill there might be.
The Washington Post Politics blog reports a little more hopeful (but not by much) outlook for the bill:
As the fighting continues, Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) began using procedural steps Wednesday to advance the hunting and fishing bill, leaving open a slim possibility that Democrats and Republicans will agree to votes on gun-related­ amendments and pass the bill. If such an agreement can’t be reached, the measure could be quickly blocked and defeated.

Update: The bill is now the casualty of a filibuster as several Democrats joined a majority of Republicans in voting against Reid's move to block a number of the filed 81 amendments.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Gun Amendments Bogging Down Sportsmen's Bill

Roll Call reported shortly before 1:00 PM today that the Bipartisan Sportsmen Act of 2014 (S. 2363), a legislative priority for NSSF, is about to collapse under the weight of gun amendments, some of which are aimed at endangered Democrats in red states under pressure in an election year, and it's not just pro-rights amendments.
There are firearm policy amendments being lined up on both sides. That includes everything from the interstate transportation of ammunition to a sweeping overhaul of gun control in the District of Columbia. That last amendment has been filed by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

On the other side, Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin wants to impose stiff criminal penalties for “straw purchasers” of firearms, citing the spate of violence last weekend in Chicago in a Wednesday morning floor speech. Other Democrats  advocating firearm safety are working on proposals as well, including Sen. Christopher S. Murphy, D-Conn.
Roll call noted that Durbin is itching to have a debate on gun control and hopes that a "filibuster" does not prevent it.  It's likely that both sides could end up bringing the underlying bill down if it looks like one side or the other may prevail on gun rights or gun control.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

VSSA Working With Sportable to Provide Shooting Opportunities for Disabled Veterans

VSSA is proud to support the Sportable Air Rifle Program. The purpose is to familiarize the participants with basic knowledge of air rifles and to introduce them to competitive shooting. The programs air rifles and air pistols. Air rifles are broken down into two classes: Sporter and Precision. Sporter rifles are classified as “training grade” and precision rifles are compressed air or CO2 rifles that can be used all the way into the Paralympics.
The Fall Session of the Program begins in September and takes place on Tuesdays from 1-3PM starting September 9th running to October 14.

All programs are held at McGuire Veterans Hospital (1201 East Broad Rock Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia 23249) in the Multi-Purpose Room. Programs are free to all veterans but you must have a Sportable Athlete Membership before you can register for their sports programs.

How does Everytown Match Up With the NRA

After Everytown for Gun Safety announced they were going to put out a candidate survey and make it public this election cycle, the Christian Science Monitor decided to see how the group matches up with NRAEverytown should be taken seriously when you have $50 million at your disposal.  The Monitor notes that Bloomberg obviously has the edge in money, but that NRA's real strength is in mobilization:
He’s right. The NRA’s real strength is its ability to mobilize voters – to get them off of their couches and to the phones, to meetings and rallies, to letter writing and e-mailing, to leafleting, and to the voting booth. While 90 percent of Americans may support expanding background checks to the Internet and gun shows, getting them to act is something else entirely. 
And, that 90 percent isn't really 90 percent when you dig a little deeper.

The article also repeats another myth - that less people own firearms than did in the 1970's and that is what the Monitor points to as possibly why Everytown may have long term success:
Everytown leaders say yes, and the trend lines are on their side, according to the General Social Survey by NORC, a research center at the University of Chicago. A New York Times analysis of the survey data shows the share of American households that have guns declining from 50 percent in the 1970s to 34 percent today, though the NRA contests the figures.

"Demographics work against gun ownership," says Professor Spitzer.
It's not like the NRA is not working to reach out to those changing demographics.  I'm betting those who say a large number of gun owners aren't going to tell a stranger on the phone they own firearms, regardless of whether they identify themselves as working for a pollster, are right.  All you have to do is a simple Internet search and you will find articles about the increased demand trainers see in their firearm classes.  I'm thinking that's not driven by people who are long time gun owners.

When Should Grandpa Give Up His Gun

NBC News had this fairly balanced report on a new paper published by two geriatric specialists on the topic of when it is and isn't safe for senior citizens to continue possessing firearms.
The paper, published June 4 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, lists “5 Ls” to ask an older gun owner: Is his or her gun “loaded” and “locked;” do “little” children visit the home; is the owner feeling “low,” and is he or she “learned” about proper use?

Pinholt, a firearm owner, said she and her co-author, a retired Army Ranger, “are not against guns,” and simply are seeking to reduce suicide risk and boost safety for visitors –- including home-health professionals. Some gun-rights advocates assert, however, the paper’s focus on the elderly is another attempt to try to chip away constitutional freedoms.
The reporter, Robert Briggs, reached out to the Second Amendment Foundation's Alan Gottlieb, to get another view:
“Should we prevent people from serving in public office into their 70s or 80s? Decisions they make could affect millions of citizens,” Gottlieb added. “Simply because someone is older does not mean they should begin to lose their firearms rights … One doesn’t lose his or her civil rights merely because we turn the page of a calendar."
Gotlieb also appeared on Sunday's Armed American Radio to discuss the article in a little more detail.
On a personal note, my grandfather had all of his firearms until his death at the age of 92.  I hunted with him until he was in his late 70's.  I never saw any activity by him that indicated he should not have continued owning his firearms.

Monday, July 7, 2014

What the New Sunday Hunting Law Means to You

Bill Cochran at the Roanoke Times notes what the new Sunday Hunting Law means for hunters:
...Firearm’s deer season will be lengthened by as many as nine days in some areas; bear season by as many as 13; fall turkey by as many as six; spring gobbler season by five; doves, 10; rabbits, 17; squirrels, 27.
Cochran also notes that there will be 12 additional days for hunting quail, if you are lucky enough to live where the species has not completely disappeared. He also writes that the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) is waiting on the AG's office to give an official opinion on what the term "landowner" means and once they get the clarification (one would think that is not all that hard but we are talking about lawyers) the agency will begin a public education campaign.

It should be noted, that if you go after nuisance species like groundhogs or predator species like coyotes, which have a year-round open season, you get to start taking advantage of Sunday Hunting now on private property.

Bloomberg to Survey Congressional and Senate Candidates on Gun Control

The Washington Post and other news outlets are reporting that Bloomberg plans to put all candidates for Congress and the U.S. Senate on record regarding their position on restricting our firearm freedoms.
The survey intends to make candidates state their positions on the record for the first time. Everytown plans to use their answers — as well as an analysis of any past legislative votes and public statements — to rally voters for or against them in key Senate and House races this fall, similar to how the NRA uses its ratings system to motivate pro-gun-rights voters.
It's basically a ten question survey that asks questions like:
  • Under federal law, anyone who buys a gun from a federally licensed dealer must pass a criminal background check, but the same person can end-run this requirement by buying a gun from an unlicensed seller, including from a stranger that the buyer met online or at a gun show. This loophole enables felons, domestic abusers, and other prohibited purchasers to buy guns with no questions asked. In the states that require background checks on all handgun sales, there are 38% fewer women shot to death by their intimate partners and 39% fewer law enforcement officers killed with handguns. Do you support requiring background checks for all gun sales (with reasonable exceptions such as for transfers between close family members and temporary transfers for hunting and self-defense)?
Interesting how they word that first question about so-called "universal background checks" because the only "exceptions" that the Manchin/Schumer/Toomey background check amendment made was fore "close" family members. There were no exceptions for "hunting and self-defense."

Here's another interesting question:
  • People listed on the federal government’s terror watch lists are prohibited from boarding airplanes—but current federal law does not bar them from buying guns or explosives. Indeed, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office, people on terror watch lists bought firearms or explosives from licensed dealers 1,321 times between 2004 and 2010. 4 Do you support legislation—drafted by the George W. Bush administration—that would close this "terror gap" by giving the FBI the discretion to block these people from buying guns?
Note that reference to President Bush as if that makes the proposal okay. Here is what is wrong with that proposal:

It will be interesting to see how Virginia Senator Mark Warner will respond to this survey as Bloomberg promises to make it public.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

The Lesson - You Don't Need to Make a Point of Open Carry Carry in a State Where It's Legal

The Richmond Times Dispatch reports that two guys from Chesterfield tried to organize a show of support for open carry but they were the only two that showed up.
More than 300 people were invited on Facebook to walk down Cary Street on July Fourth with handguns, rifles and other so-called “long guns” proudly displayed.

Two showed up — and they were the organizers of the midday event in the family-oriented Carytown shopping district.
As the RTD noted, it is perfectly legal to carry firearms openly in Virginia.  So as one of the people who commented back on the Facebook page of the organizer, exactly what were they protesting?

Friday, July 4, 2014

The Americans Who Risked Everything

As we celebrate our Independence today, let us remember that freedom is not free, and that those 56  brave signers of the Declaration of Independence understood this and pledged their "Lives, Fortunes, and Sacred Honor" so that future generations might live in freedom.

Rush Limbaugh's father delivered an often requested speech about those brave men.  A portion is reposted below but click the above link to read it in its entirety:
Lives, Fortunes, Honor
Of those 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war. Five were captured and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families. One lost his 13 children. Two wives were brutally treated. All were at one time or another the victims of manhunts and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned. Yet not one defected or went back on his pledged word. Their honor, and the nation they sacrificed so much to create is still intact. 
And, finally, there is the New Jersey signer, Abraham Clark.

He gave two sons to the officer corps in the Revolutionary Army. They were captured and sent to that infamous British prison hulk afloat in New York Harbor known as the hell ship Jersey, where 11,000 American captives were to die. The younger Clarks were treated with a special brutality because of their father. One was put in solitary and given no food. With the end almost in sight, with the war almost won, no one could have blamed Abraham Clark for acceding to the British request when they offered him his sons' lives if he would recant and come out for the King and Parliament. The utter despair in this man's heart, the anguish in his very soul, must reach out to each one of us down through 200 years with his answer: "No."

The 56 signers of the Declaration Of Independence proved by their every deed that they made no idle boast when they composed the most magnificent curtain line in history. "And for the support of this Declaration with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
Happy Independence Day from the Virginia Shooting Sports Association!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Governor Chris Christie Vetos Gun/Magazine Ban

I guess it's official, Christie plans to run for President.

ANJRPC has the story here:
"After months of intense battle over this misguided legislation that won't stop another crime or prevent another tragedy, we are grateful that Governor Christie has heard the voice of the outdoor community and ended the discussion,” said ANJRPC Executive Director Scott Bach. "The Governor clearly recognizes the difference between legislation that punishes violent criminals vs. legislation that targets the rights of law-abiding citizens.”
Congratulations to New Jersey gun owners.

Sunday Hunting is Now the Law

I had the opportunity yesterday to speak with Cam Edwards of NRANews about one of the new laws that took affect on July 1, as well as talk a little about the mess that anti-gun Delegate Joseph D. Morrissey has found himself.


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Proposed Changes to the CMP Pistol Program

From today's CMP Shooters News:
The CMP Pistol Program promotes and governs U. S. bulls-eye target pistol shooting with "service pistols." This program includes the Distinguished Pistol Shot Badges, National Trophy Pistol Matches, Pistol EIC Matches, the Pistol Small Arms Firing School and CMP Games Pistol Matches. This program is revered for its time-honored traditions and it enjoys the esteem of countless pistol shooters. Nevertheless, two critical concerns have caused the CMP to consider changes in this program. First, overall program participation has declined over a period of many years. Second, many shooters and match sponsors are calling for changes to increase participation and offer more competition opportunities. In response to these concerns, the CMP Rules Committee convened a "blue ribbon" panel of pistol experts to evaluate the CMP Pistol Program and recommend possible changes. The CMP Pistol Program Review Panel includes experts who represent all aspects of competitive pistol shooting, including experienced competitors, match officials and advanced pistol armorers. The Panel has produced a comprehensive document titled CMP Pistol Program Changes that is now posted on the CMP website. This document describes the changes to the CMP Pistol Program that are being considered. The CMP invites pistol shooters, match officials and other concerned persons to study this document and forward their comments to competitions@thecmp.org. Comments should be received not later than 7 July 2014.

Is Operation Choke Point Behind Google's "Increased" Restrictions on Firearms and Accessories?

Over the weekend Breitbart reported that Google was about to put forward increased restrictions on firearms, ammunition and firearm accessory ads.  Tom Gresham also mentioned it on his Gun Talk Radio program.  But as Sebastian and Bob Owens noted, these "increased" restrictions are not really much different than what they are already doing.  On Sunday night's broadcast of Armed American Radio, Alan Gottlieb of the Second Amendment Foundation wondered if Google's announcement of a policy change that isn't really a policy change is driven by Operation Choke Point.

For those not familiar with Operation Choke point, it is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice to put a whole host of industries, including firearms and ammunition manufacturers and retailers, on a "high-risk" list and urged banks to pay close attention to those industries.

So,  as Gottlieb asked, is Google making a big deal about it's policy change which isn't really a change in policy to make a point that it should not be targeted by Holder's DOJ goons?