A List Member Responds: In response to my comments about the South Carolina bill that would allow "stowing" a handgun under the seat of a vehicle: As usual, the media stories on this particular issue are somewhat confusing. The "stow under the seat" phrase is desirable as an addition to the current statute language so that persons who are armed, and wish (or are required) to disarm after or upon leaving their vehicle, can stow their handgun in a below-the-seat storage compartment - many pickups and vans are so equipped. The idea is that someone who has stepped down from a tall vehicle can more easily reach the under-seat box than the in-dash glove box or center console box. The proposed change is not really about quick emergency access to a handgun that has been sliding around under a car seat for the last fifty miles. The SC statute is pretty specific about where loaded handguns can be stored in vehicles, and the proposal is intended to avert unduly zealously specific law enforcement action down the road. --- CCRKBA Blasts Hypocrisy over Rights for DC: The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms today accused Congressional Democrats of "world-class hypocrisy" for pulling a voting rights bill for Washington, D.C. residents because Senate Republicans added an amendment that would strengthen their gun rights, as affirmed in the June 2008 Heller ruling by the Supreme Court... "Once again," he said, "Democrats are revealing themselves as the party of restrictive gun control. If the citizens of Washington, D.C., have a right to full congressional representation, they also have a right to own the firearm of their choice. For Democrats to argue that one right is more important than another - especially after last year's Supreme Court ruling on the Second Amendment - they are engaging in world-class hypocrisy." ... http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/ccrkba-blasts-dem-double-standard-district-voting-rights-v-gun-rights,738567.shtml ...Unlike the Senate, House leaders were fully prepared to pass a version of the bill without the gun amendment, enabling a conference committee, tasked with resolving differences in House and Senate versions, to keep the measure out of the final bill ... that is, until the NRA quietly hinted that procedural votes related to the measure would be considered "test votes," potentially placing Democrats' NRA "A" ratings at risk. Now the bill is on hold, and its advocates are decidedly unhappy: Said D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), "Members are reacting in knee-jerk fashion to the NRA." House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) pronounced the tactic, "not appropriate." ... http://www.examiner.com/x-2698-Charlotte-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m3d4-Reports-of-gun-lobby-death-are-greatly-exaggerated --- Ignorance, Racism and "Gun Control": ...So when President Obama says "what works in Chicago may not work in Cheyenne," demographics must not be excluded from the factors he thinks make Chicago and Cheyenne dissimilar enough to warrant recognizing different rights. It's time to speak plainly about this and stop being, as AG Holder recently called us, "a nation of cowards" when it comes to race. It's a subject I'll be exploring in the coming days and as I feel it is warranted... http://www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m3d4-Ignorance-racism-and-gun-control --- Why Gun Confiscation May Be Good for You: Let's take a look at the silver lining in the cloud that is gun confiscation. Try to remember: nothing is all bad. Economics are a big consideration. Black market guns will likely be cheaper than they were at the gun shop or sporting goods store. And no more serial numbers on guns or any of that silly paperwork to fill out. There will be a market driven "trickle down" effect on the end user's price. To your benefit. Doncha see? There are at least 65 million gun owners in America today. That's probably as large a percent of the nation as ignored alcohol Prohibition. 65 million potential customers for black market guns is an awfully attractive business opportunity. And used-to-be gun owners will be seriously motivated buyers. Having someone disarm you is a little more edgy than being told you can't have a beer. Well ... that may be stretching it. But you get my point... http://www.jpfo.org/kirby/kirby-confiscation-good.htm --- From the Website of the L.A. Times: Last week's announcement that 730 people across the United States had been arrested during a 21-month investigation targeting Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel underscored the scope of a simply-described cross-border problem that cannot be easily solved. Cartel members smuggle drugs into the U.S., where demand is insatiable and worth billions, and smuggle high-tech weapons from the U.S. into Mexico to protect their interests against rival drug leaders and Mexican authorities. About 6,000 deaths in Mexico during the last 13 months have been attributed to the narco-war, and it's feared a similarly high level of drug-related violence will spill into the U.S. But is reinstating a ban on the sale of so-called assault rifles in the U.S. part of a solution? Probably not... http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/03/obama-should-no.html --- The Real Story on "Assault Weapons": What has erroneously been termed an "assault weapon" is a semi-automatic firearm that fires just one bullet with each pull of the trigger (versus a fully automatic firearm -- machine gun -- which continues to shoot until the trigger is released). Specifically, legislation has incorrectly defined an "assault weapon" as a semi-automatic firearm that can accept a detachable magazine and has two or more of the following cosmetic features (it is these cosmetic features that distinguish the firearm from other "non-assault weapons.")... (Linked page includes the old Leroy Pyle video from the time when California's first Assault Weapon Control Act was being debated - worth watching.) http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/opinion-the-real-story-on-so-called-assault-weapons --- Don't Worry, Be Happy: The National Rifle Association warned in a campaign ad that if Barack Obama were elected president he would try to take away hunters' guns and ammo. But with pro-gun Democrats a powerful force in Congress, it's already pretty clear there will be no messing with Americans' right to bear arms. Twenty-two Democrats, including Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, joined Republicans last week in a Senate vote to negate the District of Columbia's tough gun registration requirements and overturn its ban on rapid-fire semiautomatic weapons. More than 80 House Democrats voted for a similar measure last year. "It was a pleasant surprise, but it's not a huge surprise that elected officials are listening to their constituents," said Chris W. Cox, the NRA's chief lobbyist... (This article, credited to Associated Press, is remarkably similar to one linked yesterday, from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, which lacked such a credit. Is there an effort to lull gun owners into relaxing their vigilance?) http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/1457929,w-nra-gun-control-durbin-reid030309.article --- Gillibrand Denies Change on RKBA: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is denying a flip-flop on the issue of gun rights, but gun rights advocates are furious with her. Now, I should say I loathe the term "flip-flop," because politicians ought to be free to change their mind or evaluate new conditions or information. But in this case, gun rights advocates say Gillibrand "flip-flopped" on guns because they believe she's changing her position for political convenience. Gillibrand's office says she's not changing her position at all... read Senator Gillibrand's statement to Ken Mathison of SCOPE (Shooters' Committee On Political Education) today. He was not impressed... http://www.13wham.com/content/news/political/story/Gillibrand-Denies-Change-On-Guns-But-SCOPE-Fumes/8Iy1PmWbrUu_X53-4LwsfA.cspx --- Incrementalism - The Latest Step: First it was "plastic guns" that critics, including perennial anti-gun Senator Edward M. Kennedy, hysterically claimed could become the weapon of choice of terrorist because they did not show up on x-ray machines. But the "plastic gun" turned out to be a myth, and the pistol once called a "terrorist weapon" for its use of polymer components around a steel frame - the Glock - is now the choice of American police officers. Then it was the "semiautomatic assault-weapon," pilloried in the press because it looked like a military firearm and had some cosmetic features some people didn't like, and this allowed the fear-peddlers at the Violence Policy Center (VPC) an opportunity to confuse people and gull them into supporting a ten-year ban that accomplished nothing, especially when it came to protecting the lives of police officers. One law enforcement expert debunked claims by the gun prohibition lobby that these semiautomatic firearms - which function identically to grandpa's Remington or Browning shotgun he used to hunt ducks and geese - are "the weapons of choice" of criminals... http://www.examiner.com/x-4525-Seattle-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m3d4-At-it-again-Antigunners-trying-to-demonize-yet-another-class-of-firearms --- The Ongoing Campaign Against Lead Bullets: Three years ago, Phillip Loughlin made a choice he knew would brand him as an outsider with many of his fellow hunters: He decided to shoot "green" bullets. "It made sense," Loughlin said of his switch to more environmentally friendly ammo, which doesn't contain lead. "I believe that we need to do a little bit to take care of the rest of the habitat and the environment - not just what we want to shoot out of it." ...Some firing ranges are banning lead for safety reasons. Lead bullets contaminate military training grounds across the country and are the subjects of many environmental cleanups... The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources followed with its own study, which found that when lead bullets explode inside an animal, imperceptible particles of the metal can infect meat up to a foot and a half away from the bullet wound - farther than previously thought... (Military "green ammo" uses sintered tungsten bullets; tungsten may prove to be a more troublesome toxin than lead. I was unaware that lead bullets explode inside game.) http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/03/04/green.bullets/index.html --- What Stimulated the Gun-and-Ammo Market?: Since Obama's victory in November, Smith and Wesson and Ruger, the only two publically traded US gun makers, have experienced major increases in their stock prices. Ammo manufacturers are running 24/7 attempting to keep up with demand. Military-pattern semi-automatic rifles, including AR-15's and AK-clones are expensive, stocked-out, or both. Are these price increases "gouging," as some would say, or are they a natural response to the forces of supply and demand? If these prices are elevated over normal conditions, will they continue to soar upwards? To both questions I say, "No, there is no gouging, prices will probably fall in the future." http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig10/mattis1.html --- Ammunition Shortage Analyzed: ...The real fact of the matter is that the military got the bulk of its small arms (pistol, rifle, machine gun) ammunition from one contracted ammunition plant, and that plant wasn't even running near capacity. The military's consumption clearly wasn't to blame, and anecdotal evidence and statements from ammunition manufacturers strongly suggested that police departments themselves caused the 2007 ammunition shortage by purchasing far more ammunition than they had in the past. But what is causing our current ammunition shortages here in 2009? Much of the demand comes from continued high law enforcement demand, the same demand that led to shortages two years ago. Police agencies around the nation have become more militarized in recent years and two trends within this militarization have led to greater police ammunition demand... http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/nationwide-ammunition-shortage-hits-us/ --- West Virginia Capitol-Carry Bill Explained: ...Given several inaccuracies in recent media reports, I want to clarify some of the things the bill does and does not do. The bill repeals one statute that generally prohibits weapons on the state Capitol Complex. Second, it amends a separate statute prohibiting weapons in courthouses so that the ban will apply only to those portions of the Capitol in which the Supreme Court and its offices are located. Senate Bill 147 is hardly revolutionary. As in Oregon, New Hampshire, Virginia and several other states that respect the rights of law-abiding gun owners, the bill would permit us to exercise our right to keep and bear arms around and inside our Capitol in the same manner as most other public places... http://www.dailymail.com/Opinion/LetterstotheEditor/200903030089 --- Campus Carry Supported in Texas: In June 1975, every indicator predicted a good summer for America's seaside tourism industry-the oil embargo had been lifted, the Vietnam War was over, and the stock market was recovering. Instead, coastal tourism declined that summer, primarily due to growing concerns about shark attacks. Ironically, there were no fatal shark attacks in the U.S. in 1975. The national epidemic of galeophobia (fear of sharks) originated not from any real-life incident but from the June release of the movie "Jaws". A terrifying fantasy caused otherwise rational people to lose sight of reason and ignore the laws of probability (you're almost twice as likely to pick the winning Powerball numbers as to be killed by a shark in U.S. waters). A similar epidemic of baseless paranoia now grips Texas. But the perceived threat isn't sharks; it's concealed handgun license holders... http://media.www.ntdaily.com/media/storage/paper877/news/2009/03/04/Opinion/Guns-Protect.Students.On.Campus-3658531.shtml --- Oregon Student Loses Appeal, Will Sue: A Western Oregon University student who had trouble with the police over a gun he was carrying has learned that he is not welcome back on campus. Jeff Maxwell appealed the university's decision to suspend him - and has just learned it was denied. But as Rob Manning reports, Maxwell's allies plan to bring legal action. 30 year-old former Marine Jeff Maxwell was arrested in late January when police found him carrying a handgun on Western Oregon's campus. But charges were quickly dropped, when the District Attorney learned Maxwell had a concealed weapon permit. The university, though, suspended Maxwell. He appealed, but was just rebuffed... http://news.opb.org/article/4422-wou-student-loses-appeal-allies-sue/ --- Liberty University to Remain Gun-Free: Liberty University will remain gun-free, trustees at the Baptist school founded by the late Jerry Falwell decided March 3. Last year, Liberty's chapter of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus asked university officials to change the school's firearm policies to allow people with concealed-handgun permits to carry weapons on campus. "Liberty University prides itself in not adhering to 'political correctness' and is obligated to consider the facts instead of simply adhering to politically popular policies," the group appealed in an online petition. The petition said current rules banning firearms on campus "only deter the honorable" and that anyone intending to commit violence "would have no concern for breaking a university rule." ... http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3900&Itemid=53 --- Ohio DOT Has Removed All "No Guns" Signs: Last fall, Buckeye Firearms Association was pleased to report that the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) had ordered all "NO GUNS" signs at state rest stops and visitor centers to be removed. This action was in response to passage and implementation of Senate Bill 184, which included several major fixes to Ohio's concealed handgun licensure (CHL) law, including a change designed to allow patrons of rest stops to use the facilities without having to disarm. The law took effect September 3, but people who carry concealed weapons (CCW) in Ohio continued to report seeing the problematic signs at highway rest areas and visitor centers... Buckeye Firearms Association has now received word from ODOT Assistant Legal Counsel Heather Sullivan that "the districts have reported all of the signs are down", and in fact that the last signs were removed earlier today... http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/6553 --- Reprieve in San Diego: They received a reprieve Tuesday, but Elizabeth Avalos and Monica Cedano know they probably won't get more. The duo, award-winning shooters for San Diego High School's air-rifle team, are relieved that the school board will allow them to compete through the end of the school year, rather than immediately putting an end to all campus marksmanship training. But happy? Not really. "Just a little bit," said Monica, 16. The teammates are part of the district's Junior ROTC marksmanship program, which the board eliminated two weeks ago in response to criticism that air rifles, like other guns, shouldn't be tolerated on campuses. The students and coaches who participate in the program say the activity has been unfairly maligned by critics who associate it with school and street violence... http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/feb/28/1cz28shoot214749-young-marksmen-say-opponents-pain/?zIndex=59896 -- Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY Firearm safety - It's a matter for education, not legislation. http://www.spw-duf.info .