World Examiner

Senate and House Agree on NICS Improvement Act

Link: NRA-ILA :: In The News.

After months of careful negotiation, pro-gun legislation was passed through Congress today. The National Rifle Association (NRA) worked closely with Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to address his concerns regarding H.R. 2640, the National Instant Check System (NICS) Improvement Act. These changes make a good bill even better. The end product is a win for American gun owners. Late yesterday, anti-gun Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), failed to delay progress of this pro-gun measure. The Violence Policy Center, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and other gun control and gun ban groups are opposed to the passage of this legislation because of the many pro-gun improvements contained within. The NICS Improvement Act does the following to benefit gun owners:

NRA Effort Not Feudal in Spreading Castle Doctrine

Link: SunHerald.com : Castle doctrine lauded by gun advocates.

The "castle doctrine" law removes the requirement that residents must first seek a safe retreat from an intruder before using deadly force. Similar laws have passed in 20 states in just two years, thanks to an intense lobbying effort by the National Rifle Association.

LaPierre re guns locked in parked cars: What's This Judge Thinking?

Wayne LaPierre responds to Oklahoma judge's strained interpretation of workplace safety rules. Link: What's This Judge Thinking?.

You want to talk about a case of judicial activism? A judge in Tulsa, Oklahoma, recently ruled that a state law that allows employees to keep their legally owned guns locked in their car while they're at work violates federal law. But to reach that strained conclusion, the judge had to engage in some pretty bizarre legal readings. He relied on the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which requires employers to minimize workplace risks. I don't know about you, but thinking that a legal gun owner is automatically a "workplace risk" because she wants to be able to drive to and from work safely is just crazy. If a parking lot is considered part of the workplace, and OHSA dictates that employers minimize workplace risks, then shouldn't these employers be required to ban cars from their parking lots? After all, in 2004 there were 42,000 people killed in car crashes in this country. How on earth could these employers let these vehicles onto their property without any regard for the safety of their workers? Now I'll admit, that's a pretty weak argument. But not nearly as weak as the judge's ruling. Here's hoping the state of Oklahoma will appeal this decision.

Video: Gun Banning Legislator Admits Ignorance

This video shows Carolyn McCarthy first evading, and then admitting she cannot answer, request to define "barrel shroud" banned under bill.

Constitutional Impact Statement: Remedy for Congressional Constitutional Contempt

Officials, high and low, routinely swear allegiance to a constitution they don't really understand.  This might help them come up to speed.

Link: Congressional constitutional contempt - - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper.

In each new Congress since 1995, Rep. John Shadegg, Arizona Republican, has introduced the proposed Enumerated Powers Act (HR 1359). The bill, yet to be enacted into law, reads: "Each Act of Congress shall contain a concise and definite statement of the constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that Act. The failure to comply with this section shall give rise to a point of order in either House of Congress. The availability of this point of order does not affect any other available relief."

NRA Responds to Critics: Setting The Record Straight On HR 2640

NRA responds to critics:

In last week's Grassroots Alert, we provided factual information to refute several myths being promulgated by some vocal opponents of the NICS Improvement bill.   

The success of the pro-gun community and the preservation of our Second Amendment rights rely heavily upon a well-informed membership.  In our on-going effort to set the record straight and provide you with the most up-to-date information to help address the confusion and blatant misrepresentations over H.R. 2640 -- the "NICS Improvement Amendments Act" -- below are some links to our NRA-ILA fact sheets and recent articles written to further clarify this important legislation.    

"The NICS Improvement Bill: Myth and Reality"
http://www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?id=221&issue=018 

H.R. 2640, the "NICS Improvement Amendments Act"
http://www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?id=219&issue=018 

"Clearing the Air on the Instant Check Bill"
http://www.nraila.org/Issues/Articles/Read.aspx?id=246&issue=018

"H.R. 2640: Sensible Solution or Trojan Horse?"
http://www.claytoncramer.com/PopularMagazines/HR%202640.htm

"Gun Bill Not Anti-Veteran"
http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,151321_1,00.html?wh=wh

"Enough NRA Bashing"
http://www.pgnh.org/enough_nra_bashing

Long Beach Drafting Ordinance Requiring ID and Fingerprinting for All Ammunition Purchases (Criminals Exempt)

The City of Long Beach is in the preliminary stages of crafting an ordinance requiring ammunition sales to be logged by all Federal Firearm Licensees (FFL’s) and electronically sent to law enforcement. Under this possible ordinance, it is likely that purchasers will be forced to present identification and submit to fingerprinting simply to purchase a box of ammunition to hunt or go to the range.

Link: NRA-ILA :: Legislation.

Tennessee legislators move to allow carry on public property

Link: KnoxNews: State.

In a surprise move, a House panel voted Wednesday to repeal a state law that forbids the carrying of handguns on property and buildings owned by state, county and city governments - including parks and playgrounds.

Just in: NRAnews.com reports DC Possibly to Allow 90 Day Registration Period

Just saw NRAnews.com report (Ginny Simone) that DC Mayor Marion Barry has introduced legislation to allow a brief 90 day period for registering handguns only, to deal with a "gun violence epidemic", after which restrictions on registration would be re-imposed.  NRA is studying the proposal.

Law would make Minutemen guilty of 'domestic terrorism'

Link: WorldNetDaily: Law would make Minutemen guilty of 'domestic terrorism'.

A. An individual or group of individuals commits domestic terrorism if the individual or group of individuals are not affiliated with a local, state or federal law enforcement entity and associate with another individual or group of individuals as an organization, group, corporation or company for the purpose of patrolling to detect alleged illegal activity or to individually patrol for the purpose of detecting alleged illegal activity and if the individual or group of individuals is armed with a firearm or other weapon.

You mean, like this?  The groups I participated in were well armed (especially during the July '05 incident) but there was a third group (Friends of the Border Patrol) I did not participate with because that group's rules limited carry to LEO's only.  Predictably, that group ended up being assaulted by a mob, resulting in injuries and theft of membership lists, etc.  The border is a dangerous place.  (And as jimmyb of Conservative UAW Guy reminds us: free speech isn't free.)

Montana Castle Doctrine Bill Provides Cause of Action for Employee Victim, Where Employer Prohibits Carry

Link: Train Keeps Rollin' (Wayne LaPierre's blog). Excerpt:

Montana's Castle Doctrine bill also contains a provision stating that if companies forbid employees from legally and lawfully carrying a firearm, and an employee is a victim of a crime, then the employee can sue his or her employer for failing to protect him (or refusing to allow him to protect himself).

LaPierre: "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act" calls for Registering Speech

Link: Can't Shut Me Up (Wayne LaPierre's blog).  Excerpt:

As gun owners, we know the drill. First comes registration, then comes confiscation. If Pelosi gets her way, it won't be long before Congress is deciding whether what you have to say can ever be said without their review and approval.

Unbelievable--she actually wants to register speech?  We used to joke about this!

Can small arms be a check on government?

Link: The Volokh Conspiracy - James Madison, Gun Nut:#171608.  Excerpt from an anonymous comment on Volokh Conspiracy, responding to a contention that small arms could not effectively check the power of a better-armed government:

Small arms such as a single-shot deringer, a semi-automatic pistol, .22 revolver, a bolt action rifle, a modern military type rifle, heck, couldn't even a simple knife be considered a potential check on government, or at least on those who govern? Looking at history it would appear to me that small arms are quite capable of being a “check” on those who govern.

Lawmakers Override Taft's Gun Bill Veto

Link: Lawmakers Override Taft's Gun Bill Veto.

Big Win for pre-emption and RTC in Ohio - first such override in 20 years!

Right to Carry in Illinois?

Link: Let People Defend Themselves, Second Amendment Group Says (CNS News). Excerpt:

The Illinois State Rifle Association says it will draft legislation allowing law-abiding citizens to carry firearms for their own defense.

Legislation to be introduced next year.

Firearm proposal triggers debate - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Link: Firearm proposal triggers debate - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.  Excerpt:

"But in his role as an elected official, the 59-year-old Statkowski is advocating a controversial idea in which the borough would recommend that the "heads of households" maintain a firearm for protection and receive appropriate training on how to use it."

Looks like the idea is spreading.

Of Arms and the Law: Legislation to allow carry in Nat'l Parks

Link: Of Arms and the Law: Legislation to allow carry in Nat'l Parks.

Taken your kids to the maul lately?  Wildlife aside, visitors at our national parks have been victims of some of the most violent criminals.  This is possibly the last chance for National Park carry, the blanket prohibition of which makes absolutely no sense.