Georgia Campus Carry Update

On February 23, 2016February 23, 2016 By Tom LindsayIn Campus Carry, Gun Free Zones, Self Defense

Currently, schools and college campuses in Georgia are Gun Free Victim Zones – areas where criminals know they are free to bring guns unopposed, and rob or kill their victims with no fear of armed opposition.

Yesterday, the Georgia House of Representatives moved one step closer to eliminating schools and colleges from the realm of Gun Free Victim Zones, by passing HB859, by a vote of 113 to 59. This bill would allow carry of concealed handguns on school campuses in the state, by those with a Georgia Weapons Carry License (GWCL).

Some notable points of this law, that seem to make the law more acceptable to a wider range of legislators, while still maintaining the central purpose of the bill:

Guns are allowed to be carried everywhere on campus except at sporting events, and in dormitories, fraternity houses, and sorority houses. To me, as a father with a son living in a dorm at Georgia State, I’m okay with that. This reduces the possibility of accidents resulting from guns being handled by unlicensed students. After a recent string of armed robberies on campus, this hits home.

Guns must be concealed. Concealment is further defined in the law, and it is worth noting that it includes requirements that the handgun is “substantially, but not necessarily completely, covered by an article of clothing.” To me this avoids the possibility of unintentionally allowing one’s gun to be seen, thus inviting charges of “brandishing.”

To me, these points in no way reduce the real effect of this bill. Criminals will have no way to know whether the person they intend to rob or attack is armed. So, they move on.

I did note, though, that handguns are the only weapons allowed under the bill. This eliminates knives with blades over 5 inches, which are also considered weapons under Georgia law, and the carry of which required a GWCL. I’m not sure why this is in there, but I am looking into it.

I applaud the Georgia Legislature on this move, and I look forward to the Senate’s passage, and the Governor’s signature.

“Gun Safety’s” Strategy, One More Time

On January 6, 2016January 6, 2016 By Tom LindsayIn Gun Control, Gun Rights, RKBA1 Comment

Confiscation Yesterday, the Poser In Chief, to much fanfare, announced another round of (redundant) Gun ~~Control~~ Safety initiatives, designed to keep him from having to forcea tear or national television.

Nothing he announced is new, and nothing he announced would have prevented the attacks on Sandy Hook, San Bernardino, or Paris.

So, I just wanted to remind everyone, once again, what the real end game is.

The Government is going to eventually expand background checks to nominally include all sales, even those between private individuals. This will likely happen because some much publicized event will happen, and it will be found that the gun was bought from a private seller (better, at a gun show) by someone who was otherwise prohibited from owning a gun. Never mind that what they did was already against the law, there will be a loud call for Universal Background Checks, and it will happen.

In the wording of the new law (or Executive Order or ATF sub-rule, it doesn’t matter) this will apply to all “transfers,” which the average person will understand to mean a sale, and which will also be explained to mean a gift or an inheritance.

But then the ATF will, suddenly and dramatically, remind us that handing the gun to a friend at the shooting range is, in fact a transfer. And both parties are then arrested and convicted dramatically, and stripped of all future rights as convicted felons.

There will suddenly be a police presence at gun ranges, to prevent these horrible crimes. This will go on, dramatically, for one or two years. But the overall number of gun crimes will not correspondingly decline. Now, it may decline in fact, but the media will make sure that is not apparent.

Then, eventually, the Antis will make the announcement that, since these simple Common Sense Gun Safety changes have made no difference, it must be because the Ebil Militia is still getting guns.

And some Horrible Tragedy will occur (the more children involved, the better, in their eyes) and there will be a clamor for Confiscation.

And our once supportive members of congress will cave. And they will call for confiscation.

The Second Amendment may or may not be repealed, but, for all intents and purposes, this will be the end of freedom as we know it.

At that time, it will be up to us gun owners to decide which side we are on. It won’t be a time for slogans or protests or social media.

I have already decided.

And I pray every day that I am wrong.

The Real Solution for National CCW Reciprocity

On December 30, 2015December 30, 2015 By Tom LindsayIn CCW, Concealed Carry

Last week, the Attorney General in Virginia decided to cancel reciprocity with 25 other states. The uproar around the country among gun enthusiasts was considerable. This brought up, once again, the issue of a national reciprocity law, which, as I pointed out, would be unconstitutional under the Tenth Amendment.

Now, in no way was that post meant to suggest that I am not a fan of universal reciprocity for carry permits. In fact, I believe that insofar as a government has the right to place prerequisites on the exercise of my civil rights by requiring that I obtain a permit to do so, then no government has the right to decide that the decision of any other government is null and void in its jurisdiction.*

But, given that the Constitution does not give Congress the authority to regulate carry permits, or the carry of guns, how then do we accomplish this?

I mentioned in my last posting that one argument cited for government mandated reciprocity is the Driver’s License system. After all, they argue, since my driver’s license is recognized by other states, my carry permit should be as well. While I agree with that premise, most people who argue this route don’t realize that this is the result of an agreement between the States, not because of any law.

What, then, should be our answer?

For me it is simple: abolish the carry permit system altogether.

Why? Because it’s unnecessary, under any understanding of the Second Amendment.

And yet, states require carry permits, and most of us think nothing of it. In fact, we make a big deal of it. “Look at me!” we rejoice. “The Government has acceded to grant me its begrudging permission to exercise a right already guaranteed under the Constitution!”

Naturally, the anti-gunners will argue that without a permit system any criminal would be allowed to carry a gun. How would we be protected from such a thing?

And yet, it should be obvious that criminals carry a gun now without permits. The law does not change their actions, because, by definition, they are criminals.

So, how do we get the permit system revoked?

Unfortunately, we white Americans are going to have to be honest about our white forefathers, and be honest about how it all began – as a way to keep guns out of the hands blacks. So to make the permit system go away, we have to show how racist the whole system was, and how that discrimination carries over to today, by allowing the government to know just who owns guns.

Think about how effective this would be, to tie in the carry permit system with the images of Jim Crow, the Confederacy, and the KKK.

Can we do this? Yes. Will we do this? I don’t know, but I hope so. Because, honestly, it is the best route to national reciprocity – by making every American equal.

At last.

A New Year Approaches

On December 24, 2015 By Tom LindsayIn Thoughts1 Comment

A new year approaches, and, like most people, I have been looking at my life, and taking inventory. I am making changes in a lot of areas, some that I may share here, but in terms of this blog and my interaction with my readers, and like minded gun owners in general, I see a lot of room for improvement.

Now, one thing I know about myself, is that I am very quick to make proclamations of change, but nothing changes.

However, in view of the current threats to our freedoms and way of life, from within and without, it’s clear I need to make these changes.

First, I have almost entirely gotten away from competitive shooting. It’s not that I don’t enjoy it, but between work and family I have somehow convinced myself that USPSA and GSSF come last. So today I made my renewals and set in motion changes, and I will start competing again in January.

Second, I see that I’ve made about 2 posts per month on this blog, which, frankly, disgusts me. Look for more posts coming, good or bad. Your feedback is welcome.

Third, I am going to take a more active role in Second Amendment support, through the NRA and GeorgiaCarry.org. Considering my wife joined both, the morning after the Paris attacks, this shouldn’t be difficult.

So, look for more from me. And, know that I’m not just saying it this time.