An article in the Boston Herald speaking positively about machine gun ownership.
Category: Guns
Still Largely a Philly Issue
Overall, the large number of General Assembly candidates responding to the questionnaire represents a significant increase over the number who responded to a similar survey from CeaseFirePA in 2008 – yet another indication that increasingly, candidates for elections in Pennsylvania are aware of the growing groundswell by voters for candidates who support more rational policies on gun violence prevention issues.
This could be an indication the issue is building momentum from the other side. But I noticed their non-endorsement endorsements, at the bottom of their press release, show that this issue is still very much a Philadelphia thing. What should be of concern to us is the issue penetrating into the suburban collar counties that ring Philadelphia. Especially Montgomery County, which is becoming particularly problematic for our issue.  Also of concern is some penetration into Chester County, some into Delaware and Bucks.
The danger here is, if we lose the suburbs on this issue, we lose the state. The rest of Pennsylvania can outvote Philadelphia, but it can’t outvote Philadelphia if its suburbs vote with the city.
Philadelphia Democrats on Guns
As you can imagine, it’s not good. These are the Democratic candidates for Governor, including our current Governor, who I think has convinced the Democratic panel that being in favor of gun control in Pennsylvania doesn’t hurt you.
Bitter is getting pretty good at using iMovie to splice together some propaganda of our own:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2Y04Yc2g60[/youtube]
Governor Wary of Open Carry Bill
It looks like Governor Brad Henry of Oklahoma is having second thoughts about the open carry bill there. Will he sign? The big problem for him would seem to be opposition from the Oklahoma State Troopers Association. Keep in mind this is coming from a state where gun rights generally are not really controversial.
Grenades!
You know those insert grenades you sometimes see at militaria collector tables at gun shows? Well, it looks like the Chicago politicians are willing to pay handsomely for them:
In announcing the early results and encouraging others to take part in the day-long event, Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis announced that 1,335 guns were turned in during the first half hour, including what looked like two hand grenades.
“What are we doing with hand grenades in Chicago?” Weis asked, incredulous.
Bomb and arson investigators determined the two real-looking grenades were inert, said Officer Daniel O’Brien of Police News Affairs. “They’re not capable of exploding,” O’Brien said.
I’m pretty sure the profit margin was pretty hefty on those. Something to keep in mind next time there’s a buyback.
Gun Crime in New Jersey
Cemetery reviews a gun control special put together by News 12 on Long Island. I could tell his expectations where very high when he said of the Mayor of Newark, “Bonus points for Cory Booker for not looking like a fat drunken slob.” That would be an allusion to the mayor of his city, who is.
Congratulations are in Order
As SayUncle pointed out yesterday, the Memphis Commercial Appeal had their panties in a bunch because the NRA lobbyist for Tennessee was actually, you know, lobbying. Now they give us some idea why they were so upset: she flipped the votes of 9 lawmakers. Great work Heidi!
Lawmakers wanted to float a 51% type bill. Those of you from Texas know what this is, because Texas is a 51% state when it comes to establishments that serve alcohol. What that means is if the establishment derives more than 51% of its revenue from alcohol, you can’t carry there. Most states that adopt this have posting requirements, so you’re not required to go get e financial statement before entering a restaurant, but I’m not aware whether the proposed Amendment that Heidi defeated contained a signage requirement. The obvious problem with this is there are pubs that do serve food that nonetheless are defined as “bars” because they don’t sell enough of it. The bill Heidi helped pass basically doesn’t mess with what is a bar and what isn’t, and just allows carry provided you’re not drinking.
Tennessee passed a restaurant carry law last year, but it was vague, since it allowed carry in restaurants, but not in bars, even though Tennessee had no statutory definition of a bar.
Lead Issue Being Addressed in PA
There’s a bill being floated in Harrisburg that’s meant to address Philipsburg Gun Club’s ongoing dispute with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. I’ve heard from some activists in the state that have issues with the bill, and I have to join in some concern. If you read the text, it creates a state level task force  to investigate the issue. The politicians who have introduced this bill do not concern me. Senators Wozniak, Pippy, White, Eichelberger and Stout are all A-rated, so I think this represents a genuine effort to try to deal with this dispute.
What concerns me is that the shooter’s voice in this debate will be represented by the American Trapshooters Association and the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. I have no issues with ATA’s presence on the task force, and think they bring a welcome voice. I do have some concerns with PFSC’s presence on the task force, as opposed to, say, NRA’s. Since Melody Zullinger left, PFSC has fallen on hard times, and they no longer seem to be active within the community. I’m very concerned about putting an issue this important in their hands.
Other than that, I think this bill does a number of good things. It prevents state agencies from closing down shooting at ranges without going through the PA Game Commission first, and even then only under a standard of, “because of scientific proof that the action is necessary to avoid environmental degradation which is beyond remediation.” It also puts the PA Game Commission, and not the DCNR, in charge of promulgating regulations for the management of lead at shooting ranges.
Spitting on the Second and First Amendments
The New York Times manages to do both in a single op-ed. It’s quite an impressive feat if you ask me. Maybe next week they can add support for quartering of troops for the trifecta.
You Can Tell it Just Drives Him Nuts
Holder doesn’t much like Georgia’s bill to allow carry in non-sterile areas of airports, despite the fact that very few of the 40 or so states that allow carry have any prohibition against the practice.
I’m sure the Administration’s position that “Thou shalt have no position on guns,” drives Holder nuttier than a fruitcake. It’s a joy to watch.