Category: Gun Rights

Quote Of The Day

On By Tom LindsayIn Gun Rights, Quotes, Rant

LANGUAGE WARNING.

First they came for the blacks, and I spoke up because it was wrong, even though I’m not black.

Then they came for the gays, and I spoke up, even though I’m not gay.

Then they came for the Muslims, and I spoke up, because it was wrong, even though I’m an atheist.

When they came for illegal aliens, I spoke up, even though I’m a legal immigrant.

Then they came for the pornographers, rebels and dissenters and their speech and flag burning, and I spoke up, because rights are not only for the establishment.

Then they came for the gun owners, and you liberal shitbags threw me under the bus, even though I’d done nothing wrong.  So when they come to put you on the train, you can fucking choke and die.

Michael Z. Williamson, The Sacred Cow Slaugherhouse blog

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I’m not at that point yet, but I understand why he feels that way.

 

Gingrey On Magazine Bans And Background Checks

On By Tom LindsayIn Gun Rights, Politics, Self Defense2 Comments

Dr. Phil Gingrey is a Republican congressman representing my home district, the 11th of Georgia. He has had a very strong pro-second amendment record in the past, and he was rated A+ by the NRA and endorsed by them in the last election.

Yet, following the Connecticut shootings, he made some disconcerting statements in a speech to a local business group, which I reported on here. In that speech, he seemed to advocate a magazine capacity limit, and an expansion of background checks.

This speech didn’t make much news for those stances, however, because in the same speech he contended that his experience as a gynecologist, working with tense and worried women who could not get pregnant until they somehow relaxed, led him to believe that the stress a woman experiences during rape might prevent her from becoming pregnant as a result. Coming on the heels of Todd Akin’s similar claim prior to the last election, which seemed to lead to Akin’s defeat, this created a media storm that overpowered anything else said that day, apparently to everyone but me.

In any case, I clicked through a link in a Tweet from Gingrey today, to read a press release about government spending, and decided to look at the other documents posted.  There was a blog post that caught my eye that I found when I searched for Second Amendment issues:

Protecting our Second Amendment rights 
Washington, D.C., Mar 4 –

Since the unthinkable school shooting in Newton, Connecticut, there has been much discussion on how to prevent future tragedies. Americans are all united in our desire to ensure the safety of students and the public at large.

Unfortunately, much of the focus has been on firearms restrictions, many of which are based on false information or unproven theories. These policies would also inhibit a law-abiding citizen’s ability to protect themselves, their families, or respond to public threats.

As you may be aware, in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook attack, I made public comments about some of the policy considerations that I wanted to look at in order to prevent another such tragedy. I spoke publically before consulting with my constituents and key advisors on gun related issues. Since then, I have been convinced that limitations on magazine clips would not prevent any future tragedies, and I have been convinced that larger ammunition clips are actually safer because they allow for less frequent reloading which limits accidental misfire. 

In regard to background checks, I want to assure my fellow Georgians that I will oppose any legislation that could lead to any so-called “national firearm registry.”  It is my duty to protect the privacy and civil liberties of law abiding Americans and I will fight any measure that could provide the federal government the information it needs to track or confiscate firearms from lawful citizens.

The Obama Administration’s recent attempt to implement radical gun control policies through executive order is a gross violation of our Second Amendment rights. Let me assure you that I will work with House Republicans to oppose these measures in their entirety.  This January, I signed two similar letters to President Obama specifically reaffirming my commitment to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens in the face of these looming gun control executive orders.

Safeguarding our Second Amendment rights is of paramount importance, and throughout my tenure in Congress, I have worked – and will continue working – to preserve those rights. The National Rifle Association, of which I am a member, has consistently graded my voting record “A+.” Over a 10-year period, I have supported Second Amendment and sportsmen’s rights legislation 38 out of 38 times.

Since taking office, I have authored or co-sponsored 56 bills to protect or strengthen our Second Amendment rights. To view a complete list, click here.

During my tenure in Congress, I have made defending our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms one of my primary responsibilities. Please be assured that I will continue fighting against any measure that would infringe upon the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.

Emphasis mine. 

First, it’s good to see the Congressman making the right call, and being honest enough to admit his first reaction was off the cuff without consulting his constituents. Even if he believed that magazine capacity somehow contributed to crime, it’s good to know that he is capable of listening to reason, and changing his view.

But I would think he would want to make sure this was communicated to those who think this is important. I  searched Rep. Gingrey’s Twitter feed and his emails, and didn’t find any reference to this. Now, for one thing, it’s a blog post, and I’m not sure how those are publicized.

In any case, it’s good to see my Congressman is square set in the defense of our Second Amendment rights. I will continue to observe and report.

Reply From Senator Isakson

On By Tom LindsayIn Gun Rights, RKBA2 Comments

In December, I sent an email to all my elected officials, including Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), expressing my feelings about all the renewed gun control talk following the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Today I received a response from Senator Isakson:

Dear Mr. L…..:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. I apologize for the delay in responding. My office has experienced a significant increase in the volume of incoming mail, but please know your concerns were taken into consideration at the time your letter was first received. I appreciate and understand your concerns and am grateful for the opportunity to respond.

I am terribly saddened by the loss of innocent lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. I ask all Georgians to join me in praying for the victims and the families affected by this horrendous tragedy.

I do not believe that bans on assault weapons or cartridges are the answer to ending acts of massviolence, nor will such measures pass Congress. As history shows us, the 10-year ban on assault weapons that was in effect from 1994 to 2004 could not prevent the mass shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. The common threads running through these shootings are mental health issues. I believe that more effective and sensible solutions are those that focus on background checks and mental health care, rather than restrictions on our Second Amendment right to bear arms. I look forward to working for commonsense solutions that keep our children safe without infringing upon our Constitutional rights.

Thank you again for contacting me.  Please visit my webpage at http://isakson.senate.gov/ for more information on the issues important to you and to sign up for my e-newsletter.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson
United States Senator

It’s obvious he opposes any new gun bans, although he looks willing to consider and expansion of background checks. As I have said before, if done right, this isn’t a bad thing, but capitulating and turning background checks into a national firearms permission and tracking system is disaster waiting to happen.

He also says nothing about magazine capacity restrictions, although he has indicated in the past that he thinks this would pass. I would hope he would stay with his correct assertion that no AWB would make any difference on crime, since the same is true about magazine capacity.

A Compromise On Universal Background Checks

On By Tom LindsayIn Gun Rights, Politics6 Comments

Just kidding. I don’t want to compromise. I want to give them exactly what they want. Background checks.

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Congress will vote soon on something regarding the recent gun control proposals. Just what they vote on remains to be seen.

Senator Feinstein has called for bans on nearly all semi-automatic firearms, and if you think I am exaggerating, then you need to re-read her legislation.

Simultaneously, some are calling for an expansion of the background checks required for the sale of new firearms, to include all used firearms.

I”m here to say that this is the area we should give in to, to let them have their victory.

But not in the way the anti-gun crowd thinks.

Here is what the anti-gun crowd thinks when they hear universal background check:

  • Bill has an assault rifle, a Bushmaster KidSlayer Deluxe 3000, with a pistol grip, a 1,000 round assault clip, and a shoulder thing that goes up. He bought it at a gun show in 2005 after the AWB expired, for $100 from a guy named Leon, with no background check,  right in front of the policeman taking money at the door, who said nothing.
  • Alan wants to buy the Bushmaster KidSlayer Deluxe 3000, so Alan and Bill go together with the gun down to the county courthouse. At noon, sharp. Because the Gun Background Check Office is only open from noon to 12:15PM every other Thursday.
  • They stand in line. Both men get fingerprinted, photographed (both with and without the Bushmaster KidSlayer Deluxe 3000), weighed, and have blood drawn. Both submit their full identification, including last year’s tax forms, and they fill out a form 4473-A, which looks like a form 4473, except for the 17 extra pages asking about relatives and secret bunkers.
  • Once all the forms are filled out, they leave them with the County Clerk, along with the Bushmaster KidSlayer Deluxe 3000, for a minimum of 10 days. Of course, the office is only open every other Thursday, so it’s really more like 2 weeks.
  • Alan gives his money for the gun to the county clerk for holding. Good faith, you know.
  • Both men report back to the courthouse to find out if they are approved. Once approved, the photos get laminated onto the back of their drivers licenses, they are given the gun, and are free to go. The record of the gun ownership is published every night in the local newspaper at the bottom of page 2, as well as added to a local scrolling feed at the bottom of their Facebook pages.
  • Bill gets the money, less a small handling charge (10 percent), on a government debit card, so they can track where he spends it.
  • No, you cannot use government debit cards to buy another gun. Because we said so, that’s why,

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Here’s more what I think we should aim for: wristbands.

When I go to a sporting event where alcohol is served, I have to have my ID checked to buy it. But rather than slow down every beer buy, many venues get smart. At the entrance is a booth where you show your ID, and,  when you prove you’re over 21, you get a wristband. Then, when you buy a beer, instead of showing your ID, you show your wristband as proof that the ID has been checked.

Here’s my Firearms Wristband proposal:

If you decide you would like to buy a firearm in the next (insert some period of time here, like 5 years) you go to the county courthouse and fill out a form 4473-B, which looks just like a form 4473 except it has no place to record the firearms being bought. Then, the background check is run, and you get a wristband.

Actually, you get a stamp on your CCW or your Driver’s License or your passport, or a card. Wristbands are a metaphor. In fact, since most CCW’s include a background check, you’re done if you have a CCW, which is why I only sell my guns privately to people with Georgia Weapons Carry Licenses.

Then, when you decide you want to buy a gun, you arrange the sale, and you fill out a form 4473-C which has your name and wristband number (remember, it’s a metaphor) and you take it to your local FFL holder. He or she confirms the wristband number and the gun serial number with the ones on the 4473-C, and gives you and the seller a copy, and keeps the original. You pay the FFL holder a nominal fee, maybe $5, and you’re done.

You’re done.

There is no need to call the CCW office, or the NICS, or anybody. You’re wearing the wristband.

You’re done.

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But, what if you decide not to follow this procedure?

Well, you’re in violation of the law, just as you are now, if you buy a new gun from someone without a background check.

But what keeps guns out of the hands of criminals?

Good question. What keeps them out of their hands now? What makes you think they are going to follow the Universal Background Check that Bill and Alan did?

Seriously, if you have ideas on that one, let’s hear them.

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Here’s a summary of my point, at last.

The other side wants universal background checks. Fine. Let’s give them universal background checks. But nothing more. No registration, no oversight, no right of approval. If the buyer has a valid background check, the government’s work is done here, move along.

Otherwise I say we tell them to take a flying leap. After all, we have the votes, we have the political power. Let’s use it.