Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

Paul Helmke: Guns and Governing
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"I've been involved with politics all my life, served as Mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana for twelve years, been the Republican nominee for United States Senator in Indiana, and now, after four months as head of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, I'm at a loss why some pundits and elected officials consider common sense measures to reduce gun violence as 'wedge issues' too controversial to be considered by the new Congress." ...

We don't need guns in national parks
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"A few years ago, we fielded a regular stream of phone calls from a guy in Texas angry because he dreamed of hiking the Continental Divide Trail through Montana but felt thwarted by National Park Service regulations that would bar him from packing his .338 Winchester Magnum on the Glacier National Park leg of his journey. No gun, no trip, and he wanted the Missoulian to do something about it."

"At the time, all we could do was chuckle. Last week, ... Sen. George Allen of Virginia introduced a bill (S. 4057) that would solve the Texas rifleman's quandary. Allen's bill would allow national park visitors to pack heat. His bill is the legislative version of the long shot, and it hasn't a chance in the world of becoming law." ...

The question is, AP, why are gun rights denied in parks?
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"I found the headline "Guns may be let into parks" [Nov. 25] and the accompanying story typical of The Associated Press."

"Does it describe the current ban and its infringement on citizens' rights? No."

"Does it describe the proposed law to change the current bureaucratic rule? No."

"It does scream, 'Guns may be let into parks!' Oh my! Next, they may even let in people. Oh, the horror!"

"A more fitting and truthful headline would be 'Citizens may be armed in parks.'"

"Lots of quotes from both sides of the self-defense argument don't tell anything about the proposed law."

"The National Park Service has not shown a need to disarm the citizens visiting the parks, so why does it?" ...

Souther: Gun regulations
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"This is in response to the letter in the Nov. 16 issue, regarding the Second Amendment."

"Much of the following paraphrases Saul Cornell, a history professor at Ohio State University. ..."

"We have had gun regulation in America as long as we have had guns. The primary purpose of the Second Amendment is to assure gun regulation. Mustering the militia without regulations would not have been possible. Muster rolls kept track of militia members and their firearms. Village gunsmiths knew every gun and owner."

"This kind of regulation is just what the gun rights community opposes. ..." ...
-------

Submitter's Note: This member of the 'gun rights community' would happily muster on the village green every fourth Sunday to show that my FN Herstal F2000 5.56x45mm is fully functional, and to blast off 500 rounds to show my proficiency.

Anti-crime zones hurt innocents instead of protecting them
Submitted by: Anonymous

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"A Jersey City ordinance that takes effect on Dec. 11 bars sex offenders from living within 2,500 feet of a school, day-care center, park, playground, sports facility, library, theater or convenience store. These zones cover the entire city."

"As a result of the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act, you can't legally transport a firearm in Phoenix unless you have a carry permit or keep it locked and unloaded. ..."

"Across the country, politicians are eager to draw magical circles of protection they claim will banish evil and keep children safe. It's an easy, cheap way of opposing what everyone opposes and supporting what everyone supports. But the resulting crazy quilt of drug-free, gun-free and molester-free zones is ineffective, sometimes counterproductive and frequently unjust." ...

Journal of the Senate, 'Prelude to War', January 28, 1861
Submitted by: GunShowOnTheNet.com
Website: http://gunshowonthenet.com/index.html

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"...Mr. Seward presented the petition of Daniel D. Foote, praying that the rights of the people in all the States and Territories may be recognized...."

"...Mr. Iverson...of an ordinance adopted by by the people of the State of Georgia, "to dissolve the union between the State of Georgia and other States, united with her under a compact of government, entitled 'the Constitution of the United States of America,'" ...he did not feel at liberty any longer to take part in the proceedings of the Senate, and that he should withdraw..."

"...in the spirit in which the Constitution was originally formed, and consistently with its principles, so as to afford to the people. . . adequate guarantees for the security of their rights...."

Head of NRA touts gunmaker Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Website: http://www.nysrpa.org	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"When Sandra S. Froman is at home in Arizona, she carries a Smith & Wesson Model 442 revolver." "When Froman, the president of the National Rifle Association, informed a crowd of workers at Smith & Wesson of that fact yesterday, applause erupted in the company's cafeteria." "Froman visited the factory at the invitation of Smith & Wesson officials." ...

OH: Bill easing gun control faces veto
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Gov. Bob Taft is expected to veto a bill the Ohio General Assembly approved yesterday that would ease restrictions on those carrying concealed handguns while preventing Toledo and other cities from enforcing tougher gun laws."

"'Its likely the bill will be vetoed,' said Taft spokesman Mark Rickel. 'For months, the governor has voiced concerns over the pre-emption part of the bill. Legislators have proposed far-reaching pre-emption provisions that would eliminate current laws on weapons, sales, and possession.'"

"Although it has threatened at times, the General Assembly never has overridden a Taft veto, a relatively rare event. The bill passed with veto-proof margins ... but it remains to be seen whether super-majorities would hold up when, or if, it comes to overriding the veto of a governor in his last days in office." ...

OH: HB347 earns predictably inaccurate media coverage (BFA)
Submitted by: Buckeye Firearms Association
Website: http://www.buckeyefirearms.org

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"If the media is ashamed of their biased news coverage in the days leading up to passage of Ohio's concealed carry laws, or if journalists have been convinced by the overwhelming evidence in Ohio that gun ban extremists were wrong about their 'wild west' rhetoric, they sure aren't showing it."

"Media reports on HB347 in recent days have been equally disingenuous, and in some cases provably factually wrong. This story will be used to document some of the more pertinent examples the anti-gun media covers passage of this important legislation." ...

OH: Taft flip-flops, says he will veto HB347 over preemption clause (BFA)
Submitted by: Buckeye Firearms Association
Website: http://www.buckeyefirearms.org

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"The Associated Press is reporting that Republican Bob Taft, one of the most unpopular governors in Buckeye State history, may veto HB347, which was passed overwhelmingly by members of his party, along with many pro-gun Democrats, on November 29." ...

"Contrary to the assertions of his spokesperson, we are unaware of any previous objections to the preemption statute having been voiced by Taft. In fact, just yesterday, this same Taft spokesman offered no insight to reporters into whether the governor would support the revised measure."

"'It has not been a priority for the governor at this point,' Rickel told the Columbus Dispatch on Tuesday." ...

OH: Preemption & Car Carry Needs Your Help!!! 9OFCC)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"OFCC President Jeff Garvas has issued a call for action via the CCW-Alert email mechanisms. Specifically, OFCC is asking everyone that wants HB347 as law to call their legislators and the Governors office until HB347 is undeniably on its way to becoming reality!"

"Governor Taft is on record as saying he intends to veto this bill. In order for that veto to be overridden, HB347 needs a three-fifths (3/5) majority vote. Based on the Senate and House vote tallies yesterday (and other sources) OFCC is confident that those votes exist. HOWEVER, there are no guarantees and each one of us spending 10 minutes of our time urging our representatives to represent us will help ensure victory! ..." ...

NY: 150 years of precedents paved way for blatant police brutality
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"We don't have a black and white problem as much as we have a black and blue problem. While the race of police officers who have been involved in questionable, high-profile shootings have been black, white and Hispanic, the race of the citizens who have been shot by police have been the same: black."

"In most instances, those citizens have also been males." ...

"On Tuesday, New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg called the 50 shots that killed Sean Bell, 23, on his wedding day, and critically injured two of his friends 'inexplicable' and 'unacceptable.'"

"But that's PR talk meant to appease black leaders."

"Firing 50 shots at unarmed men should be called what it is: extreme brutality." ...

GA: Probe into Civil Rights Violations
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Federal officials said they are looking at possible civil rights violations in the shooting death of Kathryn Johnston." ...

"Since the shooting, there have been many rallies, as people express outrage over Johnson's death. Federal officials are asking for the public's patience as they try to sort out all the details surrounding the tragic shooting."

"'This investigation will take time to do it right ... to find out what the facts are and then to make careful decisions about whether anyone broke the law, either federal or state,' said David Nahmias, U.S. Attorney." ...
-------

Submitter's Note: Cops lie to get a warrant, a woman winds up dead and there is a question about whether the law was broken?

TN: 'Brass on the grass' surprisingly hot at Sciota Rifle Range, Unicoi's best-kept secret
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Residents of Unicoi County may not know that within Cherokee National Forest is Unicoi's best-kept secret, Sciota Rifle Range. Yes, muzzle meets mountain in a safe and beautiful, natural environment where use of the National Forest is not just limited to hiking, camping and fishing. Pistol, rifle, shotgun, and all kinds of gun enthusiasts may also enjoy the natural surroundings that the forest provides. And enjoy it they do . . .with a bang." ...

NJ: Controversy over the right to defend yourself
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Fifteen states have enacted self-defense laws during the last two years, expanding the right to use deadly force."

"In New Jersey, where a similar bill is awaiting debate in the Assembly, supporters argue that 'stand-your-ground' laws protect crime victims from possible prosecution for defending themselves. Critics, meanwhile, say that 'shoot-first' measures constitute excessive force and are wreaking public-safety havoc." ...
-------

Submitter's Note: But of course, these laws are not 'wreaking public safety havoc'. Relax Chicken Little, the sky isn't falling. Honest.

NY: High schoolers get education on new gun law with prison time
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Officials warned an audience of high schoolers Wednesday to resist the temptation to carry a gun or even hold one for a friend because getting caught now means a minimum sentence of 3 1/2 years in prison."

"'That's ninth grade, 10th grade, 11th grade and half of your senior year,' Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore told nearly 1,000 teens at Mount Vernon High School."

"DiFiore was launching a campaign to educate residents about a state law, in effect since Nov. 1, that eliminates the possibility of probation and forces judges to impose at least 3 1/2 years when someone is convicted of possessing an illegal, loaded handgun." ...

Somalia: Businesspeople Ordered to Surrender Their Arms to Islamic Courts
Submitted by: Anonymous

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"The Union of Islamic Courts senior leaders have today ordered the armed businesspeople and ordinary people to hand their weapons over to Islamic Courts, issuing decree concerning the ban on weapons in the capital Mogadishu."

"The decree signed by Islamic Courts executive council leader Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed has warned local businesspeople and other individuals probably armed to surrender their weapons to the Courts administration."

"Most of Somalia's firms' owners and businesspeople possess largest numbers of trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns and uncountable small arms for the protection of their businesses." ...
-------

Submitter's Note: Here it comes...