Obama Pushing Shooters Off Public Lands

by Paul Bedard

Gun owners who have historically been able to use public lands for target practice would be barred from potentially millions of acres under new rules drafted by the Interior Department, the first major move by the Obama administration to impose limits on firearms.

Officials say the administration is concerned about "the potential clash between gun owners and encroaching urban populations" who like to use same land for hiking and dog walking.

"It's not so much a safety issue. It's a social conflict issue," said Frank Jenks, a natural resource specialist with Interior's Bureau of Land Management, which oversees 245 million acres. He adds that urbanites "freak out" when they hear shooting on public lands.

If the draft policy is finally approved, some public access to Bureau lands to hunters would also be limited, potentially reducing areas deer, elk, and bear hunters can use in the West.

Conservationists and hunting groups, however, are mounting a fight. One elite group of conservationists that advises Interior and Agriculture is already pushing BLM to junk the regulations, claiming that shooters are being held to a much higher safety standard than other users of public lands, such as ATV riders.

"They are just trying to make it so difficult for recreational shooters," said Gary Kania, vice president of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. His group is one of several, including the National Wildlife Foundation, Cabela's and Ducks Unlimited, on the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council fighting the new rules. During a two-day meeting ending this afternoon, they are drafting their own changes to the BLM rules.

"What we probably are going to be looking forward to is a reversal," said Kania. Asked about how to handle people who freak out when they hear shots on public lands, Kania said, "I don't know how to quanitify 'freaking out,'" and noted that he's seen people panicing when fly fishing in float tubes but nobody wants to ban then from rivers.

BLM actually invited the fight, seeking the council's comments. But officials suggested to Whispers that no changes are being planned to the draft regulations.

Over five pages, the draft BLM regulations raise concerns about how shooting can cause a "public disturbance." They also raise worries about how shooting and shooters can hurt plants and litter public lands.
This is the key paragraph foes say could lead to shooters being kicked off public lands:

"When the authorized officer determines that a site or area on BLM-managed lands used on a regular basis for recreational shooting is creating public disturbance, or is creating risk to other persons on public lands; is contributing to the defacement, removal or destruction of natural features, native plants, cultural resources, historic structures or government and/or private property; is facilitating or creating a condition of littering, refuse accumulation and abandoned personal property is violating existing use restrictions, closure and restriction orders, or supplementary rules notices, and reasonable attempts to reduce or eliminate the violations by the BLM have been unsuccessful, the authorized officer will close the affected area to recreational shooting."

Squeezing out shooters, says the draft policy, is needed because, "As the West has become more populated, recreational shooters now often find themselves in conflict with other public lands users, and the BLM is frequently called on to mediate these conflicts."

At yesterday's meeting at Interior, the council balked at the BLM draft regulations, adding that the Obama administration was not being fair to shooters on the issue of safety.

In a draft report to BLM, the council said other users of public land aren't required to be as safe as shooters. They note that shooters have a much lower injury rate than others, like ATV users. "The policy fails to recognize that recreational shooting has one of the lowest incidences of death and injury compared to virtually any other outdoor recreational activity. The policy is prejudicial and discriminatory to target shooters as compared to other recreationists," said the council's draft response, expected to be finalized today.

What's more, the group charged that the BLM is acting in a contradictory fashion, encouraging the shooting sports while limiting shooting areas.

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2011/11/16/obama-pushing-shooters-off-public-lands

NOTEABLE COMMENT FROM ARTICLE:

There is a 10% tax on all gun purchases and ammunition purchases that complies with the Pittman-Robertson Act.  The Pittman-Robertson Act has provided billions of dollars that pay for the very public lands that Obama now wants to close to shooting and hunting. It funds 100% of National Forests and National Wildlife Areas. If this is successful, then gun owners will demand an immediate end to the Pittman-Robertson Act, and all the hikers and mountain bikers will have to pay each time they access public lands. Do the math ... do you want to pay $150 each time you take a hike?

- Derren of IN

SHULER & STEARNS: Nation needs right-to-carry reciprocity

By Rep. Heath Shuler and Rep. Cliff Stearns
 
As elected officials in Congress, we take seriously our oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the liberties and rights afforded to American citizens. This includes the Second Amendment, and we believe the bureaucratic, piecemeal right-to-carry reciprocity system in our nation threatens the ability of law-abiding American citizens to exercise this vital constitutional right.

The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, H.R. 822, provides a bipartisan, common-sense solution to this problematic system. We are proud to be sponsors of this legislation, which has overwhelming support in the House, with 245 bipartisan co-sponsors and counting. The intent of our bill is simple: If you can legally carry a concealed weapon in one state, you can legally carry a concealed weapon in all states.

H.R. 822 would allow any person with a valid state-issued concealed-firearm carrying permit or license to carry a concealed weapon in any other state. It would not create a federal licensing system but merely would require states to honor one another’s carry permits, just as states recognize one another’s driver’s licenses. Concealed-carry permit holders would have to obey the concealed-weapon laws of the state they enter, just as drivers must obey speed limits and basic safety laws of whichever state they are driving in, regardless of where they are from.


READ MORE:
 http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/nov/11/nation-needs-right-to-carry-reciprocity/

Brits relaxing gun laws - for some

The threat of Somali pirates commandeering British ships on the high seas off the east coast of Africa has forced even the gun-shy Brits to re-think their abject aversion to firearms.  The ban on firearms on ships “will be relaxed so that firms can apply for a licence [sic] to have them on board in danger zones.” The licenses will be issued to private mercenaries or security firms, but likely not to the sailors themselves.

Imagine that — firearms in the hands of potential victims of crime actually reduce crime!

http://dailycaller.com/2011/11/08/brits-bring-guns-to-fight-pirates/

Texas Oil Regulators Scrap Concealed Firearms Ban

by Kate Galbrait

Representatives from both the Attorney General's office and the Comptroller's office described their agencies' firearms policies. Workers for the AG's office can carry firearms — if they have a concealed handgun license.

At the Comptroller's office, they cannot. The policy there states: "Employees (other than CPA-commissioned peace officers) are prohibited from possessing a firearm, ammunition or other type of weapon or exlosive while in the performance of official duties. This includes even those employees licensed to carry a concealed handgun under Chapter 411 of the Texas Government Code."

Original story:

Texas Railroad Commission employees will now be able to carry concealed firearms as they go about their work, following a unanimous vote on Tuesday by the three commissioners.

"[Railroad Commission] employees often work alone in remote and desolate areas of the state where they may encounter criminals or dangerous wild animals," Barry Smitherman, the newest commissioner, said in a statement. "The least we can do is allow them to exercise their legal right to carry firearms in accordance with state law.”

The Railroad Commission regulates the oil and gas industry in Texas. The new policy will allow properly licensed employees to carry concealed weapons, which they previously had been prohibited from doing on state property and in state-owned vehicles.

Jerry Patterson, head of the General Land Office, said he made a similar change to his agency's policy shortly after arriving in 2003. Both the Railroad Commission and the GLO, Patterson said, "have a lot of employees who work out in the sticks, if you will," including along the border.

"It just makes sense" to be able to carry a concealed weapon, said Patterson, who also noted, "Frankly, if someone is going to go nuts at work, they're going to go nuts at work," regardless of the agency's gun policy.

Smitherman, who consulted with Patterson before pushing through the change, was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Railroad Commission this summer to replace Michael Williams. He must win a statewide election a year from now to keep his seat.

Smitherman said he hoped other agencies would follow the Railroad Commission's example. The Public Utility Commission, which Smitherman previously chaired, bans firearms in its offices (the agency does not have field offices; everyone works in Austin). Its employee handbook says, "It is strictly prohibited for an employee to possess a firearm, ammunition, or explosive while on the premises of the PUC."

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's policy states that "carrying firearms, concealed or unconcealed, or other weapons while performing TCEQ official business in the field or in the office" is prohibited, according to Terry Clawson, an agency spokesman.

Calls to offices of the Comptroller and Attorney General did not yield immediate answers as to their gun policies, and the Texas Department of Public Safety does not have a list of agencies' policies.

Smitherman said that all Railroad Commission workers must abide by the law. “To be clear, this is not the Wild West," he said in the statement. "Railroad Commission employees with a [concealed handgun license] will have to abide by all statutes applicable to CHL holders."

At the General Land Office, Patterson said that since the change of policy there, "we've had no problems," and if a security issue arises it gets addressed. For example, he said, if a "lady has it in her purse, and her purse is out in the common area, [we] may have a conversation about it."

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/2012-elections/texas-oil-regulators-scrap-concealed-firearms-ban/

MSNBC analyst Alex Wagner wants to get rid of the Second Amendment

 

MSNBC analyst and soon-to-be host of a daytime television show on the network Alex Wagner is asked what she thinks needs to be removed in the Constitution. Wagner says the second Amendment since it doesn't seem to fit in with the others.

I really don't understand anti-gunners political stance.  If they don't want a gun their own property, fine; I understand that completely.  I can respect that opinion.  But what makes them think that they have the right to restrict other peaceful, law abiding citizens from owning, sporting, hunting, or defending themselves?  This is one of the most illogical, narrow minded, shortsighted, intolerant mindsets that I can think of.  Tolerance means respecting the opinions and lawful pursuits of others.  How does enforcing their hoplophobic idealism upon others make any sense at all?

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/11/06/msnbc_and_huffington_posts_wagner_get_rid_of_second_amendment.html

New Wisconsin law protects homeowners who shoot intruders

By Jason Stein

Wisconsin  homeowners who shoot intruders would receive strong legal protection, under a bill approved by the state Senate on Thursday and the Assembly early Friday.


Under the bill, courts in most criminal and civil matters would presume that property owners using deadly force had acted reasonably against anyone unlawfully inside their residence, business or vehicle, whether the trespasser was armed or not. The proposal is sometimes known as the "castle doctrine," a reference to the saying that one's home is one's castle.

The legislation is one of a slew of bills moving through the Legislature this week as GOP lawmakers advance their agenda ahead of recall efforts expected to start against Walker and state senators later this month.
On Tuesday, Wisconsin became the 49th state in the country to allow people to carry concealed firearms. Republicans said the castle doctrine bill was another step in helping law-abiding residents protect themselves.

"A person has a right to defend themselves and their family in their dwelling," said Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine), a lead sponsor of the legislation and a former police officer. "The fundamental issue is about protecting life, not property."


Some district attorneys like John Chisholm of Milwaukee County and Joe DeCecco of Sheboygan County have said Wisconsin, like most states, doesn't need a castle doctrine bill because existing law provides more than adequate protection for anyone legitimately acting in self-defense.

Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has said he has not reviewed the particulars of the bill but that he supports the general concept.

Under existing law, a person can't seek to kill or wound someone unless he or she reasonably believes it's needed to prevent the same type of injury to himself or herself. Supporters of the bill say that people in their homes or businesses don't necessarily have the time to check whether an intruder is trying to hurt them.
The proposed immunity under the castle doctrine legislation wouldn't apply to people who were using their home or other property for crimes such as drug dealing.

It also wouldn't shield a shooter who attacked someone who he or she knew or should have known was a police officer. The Senate approved on a voice vote Thursday a Democratic amendment to offer that same legal protection to firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/lawmakers-pass-bill-protecting-homeowners-who-shoot-intruders-133227288.html

Sherrif suggests getting CHLs to women. "Buy a weapon to protect yourself and get some good training."

A South Carolina sheriff is making the extraordinary suggestion that local women arm themselves following the attempted rape of a woman at a local park, saying "you need to protect yourself."

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright, the county's top law enforcement officer since 2005, suggested local women apply for a permit to carry a concealed weapon during a news conference Monday about the attack on Sunday at Milliken Park in Spartanburg.

"It just struck me wrong that we keep telling everyone 'trust us, trust us, trust us,' but in reality, you need to protect yourself," Wright told FoxNews.com. 

"If you are not a convicted felon or someone who causes trouble or don't have any mental issues, buy a weapon to protect yourself and get some good training."

Wright suggested that had the unidentified victim been armed, perhaps with a .45-caliber handgun concealed in a fanny pack, she would have stood a better chance fighting off her attacker.

"If she didn't shoot the guy, she could have at least stopped him and made him leave her alone," Wright said. "You can defend yourself."

Wright said he was "tired of looking at victims" of crimes whose perpetrators are arrested multiple times and are later released without significant jail time. Lance, for example, had been arrested more than 20 times, he said, including for offenses like rape, battery and resisting arrest. Wright characterized him as an "animal" during Monday's news conference.

Since making the suggestion that women lawfully arm themselves, Wright said his office has received more than 200 phone calls supporting his stance. Only one didn't "praise" the call to action, he said.

"We're not trying to raise up a militia here, we're sending a message to the bad guys that we're tired of it," he said. "I'm through getting bit."

"There are tons of guns on the street now, I would just prefer to train the good people who have them so there'd be less accidents," Wright said. "I am plainspoken in a lot of aspects and we cannot be everywhere. I think the people in this county understand how I go after these drug dealers and people who break into our homes … We're just very relentless in our pursuit of justice."

Asked if he believes his message resonated with Spartanburg County residents, Wright replied: "I would say that if you're a concealed weapons permit instructor, you're about to make a lot of Christmas money.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/11/01/south-carolina-sheriff-need-to-protect-yourself/

Dont CC into an MRI

 

An incident occurred in may 2002 at an outpatient imaging center in western New York State, in which a firearm spontaneously discharged in a 1.5-T MR imaging environment with active shielding.

Examination of the weapon by a ballistics laboratory concluded that the force of the magnetic field was responsible for the firearm's discharge. To understand how the gun discharged requires a brief discussion of the firing mechanics of the Colt 1991 A-1.45 caliber pistol and the weapon's safety mechanisms.

At the time the weapon discharged, it was reportedly in a cocked and locked position; that is, the hammer was cocked and the thumb safety was engaged to prevent the hammer from striking the firing pin. A live round was in the chamber. (Many people who choose this weapon for personal protection will carry it in this manner because it allows tem to quickly fire the weapon if needed.)

http://www.ajronline.org/content/178/5/1092.full

Safety first!

Police: Homeowner shoots intruder

Police say a central Indiana man shot an intruder who had broken into his home while his family was sleeping.

Anderson police say the 47-year-old man retrieved a handgun after being awoken about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday and confronted the 18-year-old intruder. Police say they scuffled briefly before the younger man was shot once in the back.

Police say the 18-year-old was taken to an Indianapolis hospital but didn't immediately release information about his condition. Investigators were searching for possible accomplices who might have fled the house in a neighborhood south of the city's downtown after the shooting.


http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/crime/police%3A-homeowner-shoots-intruder

EDITORS NOTE:   Remember that just because the suspect was "shot in the back" does not necessarily mean that he was running away or even just standing there harmless.  If someone is "shot in the back" does not necessarily mean the shooter was being cowardly, nor overzealous.  In reality, during a fight, people tend to twist and turn.  And you don't wait for someone to turn back around when they are in the process of attacking you.  If you are defending yourself or your family from an act of violence, weather inside or outside of your home, you have every right to shoot!

Women and liberals are buying guns

Gallup polls show that since 2009, gun sales have increased dramatically - especially among the demographics of Women democrats.  The Washington Times reports:

Gun ownership is on the rise in some surprising places. As much as President Obama would have us believe that only small-town yokels “cling to guns or religion,” a Gallup poll released Wednesday suggests many of the firearms that have been flying off the shelves in the past two years were purchased by Democrats and women. The Second Amendment has truly gone mainstream.  ... This change has significant impact on policy. ... There are now more Democrats with guns than there are liberals who want to take them away.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/oct/27/democrats-cling-to-their-guns/

This is no small change in national opinion - these results have been picked up by other news outlets like ZeroHedge on which we reported earlier.

http://whyguncontrol.blogspot.com/2011/10/more-people-are-buying-guns.html

It seems that the Washington Times got it right when they summarized:

Violent crime has been on the decline as the number of people carrying guns has soared, so it’s obvious that the anti-Second Amendment crowd has been lying to us all these years. Crime cannot be wished away by enacting laws that only restrict what the law-abiding can do. As this truth sinks in, more gun grabbers will be converted into gun owners.

The truth is that guns when used in self defense are nothing more than tools to give an advantage in violent conflict.  You may not like guns, but if you find yourself in a violent situation and needing to defending yourself, you'll wish you had every advantage you can get.  Criminals have weapons and you can't put the genie back into the bottle.  Be prepared.  The arms race has come to suburbia.

National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act passes committee

By Bill Thompson

U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns' bill forcing states to recognize valid concealed-weapons permits held by visitors from other “concealed-carry” states has passed a key committee and appears set for a House floor vote.

The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday passed the Ocala Republican's bill 19-11, almost exclusively along party lines. Stearns' district includes portions of Alachua County.  Rep. Dan Lungren was the only defector, as the California Republican joined 10 Democrats in opposing Stearns' measure.

It's unclear when Stearns' bill, known as the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, might come up for a final vote.  It already has enough support to pass the House; as of Thursday, the measure claimed 245 co-sponsors.  Still, its eventual success might hinge on how lawmakers react to a recent change to the legislation successfully pushed by GOP Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona.

Initially, the bill mandated that concealed-carry permit holders who travel outside their home state must comply with the regulations of their hosts, and not with those of their home state.  In final committee hearings on the bill earlier this month, Franks proposed a slight change in language — covered in just eight words — that critics maintain was a significant departure from Stearns' original proposal.  The version approved Tuesday by the Judiciary Committee would prohibit states from requiring visitors to abide by the host state's laws defining who is eligible to possess or carry concealed firearms.

As of next month, when a recently enacted concealed-carry law takes effect in Wisconsin, 49 states will now permit the carrying of concealed weapons. Illinois is the sole exception.

Ramsey noted that 38 states refuse to grant permits to people convicted of certain violent misdemeanors, while 29 states deny permits to alcohol abusers, including people convicted of driving under the influence.

And 14 of the 49 concealed-carry states do not require some type of gun safety training or live-fire practice prior to obtaining the permit, Ramsey said.

In a statement about the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, Rep. Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican and chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said, “This legislation does not preempt a state's ability to set concealed-carry requirements for its own residents. It requires states that currently permit people to carry concealed firearms to recognize other states' valid concealed carry permits — much like the states recognize drivers' licenses issued by other states.”

The bill, Smith added, “also does not affect state laws governing how firearms are carried or used within the various states. A person visiting another state must comply with all laws and regulations governing the carrying and use of a concealed firearm within that state.”

Contact Bill Thompson at 352-867-4117 or bill.thompson@starbanner.com.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20111027/ARTICLES/111029614?tc=ar