All posts by Chris Knox

Alerts List

Congress Passes NICS Bill

On Wednesday, 12, 19, the U.S. Senate voted to pass their version of the NRA supported NICS Improvement Act (H.R.2640).  The bill then went back to the House to resolve differences between the versions passed in the two bodies.  

Later that evening the House concurred with the Senate changes and passed the bill by unanimous consent as the Senate had earlier.

NRA, NSSF, and the Brady Bunch are calling Senate passage a victory, while GOA, many grassroots gun groups, and the more radical gun control organizations like the Violence Policy Center are calling the bill a sell-out. 
When this bill originally passed in the House, it did so on a voice vote with only one Representative speaking against its passage; that one Representative was Dr. Ron Paul of Texas, now running for President.

There will doubtless be much said about this bill over the next few days and it will be interesting to watch.  While some gun rights groups have taken to calling the bill the "Veterans Disarmament Act," anti-gun extremists claim it will open a  flood-gate of mentally challenged people regaining access to firearms.  The truth is that, like so many bills passed in Washington, this one will probably waste a lot of money with little or no actual benefit.

I've not had an opportunity to study the final version of the bill yet (since it was negotiated behind closed doors), but as soon as I do I will post a thorough analysis posted on the web site so be sure to check in at www.FirearmsCoalition.org to find out how this version stacks up.

 

Jeff Knox

Chris's Blog

NPR and the Dems Get It — Will Republicans?

A recent NPR story says the Democrats "have concluded this is just a loser issue for them." The story goes on to cite the 1994 loss of Congress in the wake of the Clinton "assault weapons" ban and Al Gore's loss of his own home state of Tennessee (which had he won, would have given him the presidency). New York-bred host Liane Hansen fairly sputters that recent shooting rampages have not sparked more discussion of "gun control" (failing to mention that one of those shootings was terminated by a citizen with a lawfully carried firearm.)

Now if only the GOP could pick up on that clue.

In fairness, some of them have — witness the improved poll numbers for Ron Paul, probably the most principled candidate in the race, Mike Huckabee, and Fred Thompson as former "maverick" John McCain and Rudy Giuliani show signs of fatigue. However I'm not holding my breath waiting for the Republican leadership on either side of the Hill to make another reform of the 1968 Gun Control Act any sort of priority.
 

Volunteer Security Guards

Speaking of that Colorado shooting, which was stopped by a "volunteer security guard" (that would be a law-abiding citizen carrying a lawfully carried weapon), I'm reminded of a story from a long-time friend and supporter. In the wake of a synagogue shooting in California his rabbi called him in and very gently and circumspectly suggested that since he and some of his friends made no secret of their ownership of guns, might they perhaps consider providing some informal security to the congregation.

"Rabbi, what makes you think that we haven't been doing that for years?"

The Knox Update

Candidates on Rights

The Knox Report

From the Firearms Coalition

 

Candidates on Rights

 

By Jeff Knox
           

            (December 5, 2007) As the Primary season begins, now is the time for GunVoters to step up and make sure that they have a choice worth choosing come next November.  If GunVoters don’t stand up now, in the early Primaries, there will only be a choice between an anti-gun Democrat and an anti-gun Republican for President. 

Here is an outline of the key candidates’ positions. 

Democrats:

If you are voting in a Democratic Primary, there is only one candidate with a pro-gun record; New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.  Gov. Richardson had a good record as a Representative and as Governor.  All of the others have expressed strong anti-gun views.

Republicans:

Continue reading Candidates on Rights →

Jeff's Blog

Positive Press

    Here is a link to an excellent article out of South Carolina that is definitely worth reading.  It is interesting to note some of the obvious problems with South Carolina's gun laws, particularly the prohibition on concealed firearms in "religious sanctuaries."  This woman's church was a prominent fixture in the story, but the law blocks her and her fellow church members from having the means to protect themselves going to, coming from, and in the church.  I guess it's just "common sense" that no one would ever attack anyone in or arround a church…

    Still, it's a very good article of the type that we rarely see and it is well worth reading and sharing.

    Read the whole story by clicking here . 

The Knox Update

Heller

The Knox Report

From the Firearms Coalition

 

Heller’s Up and Parker’s on Deck

 

By Jeff Knox

 

(November 28, 2007) The Supreme Court will review the D.C. gun ban case.  The case, originally known as Parker v. D.C. is now known as D.C. v. Heller.    The name change is a source of confusion, which we’ll explain momentarily.  Another matter of confusion is who’s behind the case.  It is often reported that this case is a project of the libertarian Cato Institute; that’s not true.  While several key players in the case are closely associated with Cato, the organization itself did not fund or sponsor the action.  It is true however that NRA was not happy about this case going forward but has filed a supporting amicus brief and recently began using it as a fundraising appeal.

The story so far:  Last March the Federal Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled in Parker v. D.C. that the District’s rigid gun control laws violated D.C. citizens’ rights under the Second Amendment.  The court declared that the Second Amendment refers to an individual right, but left plenty of wriggle room by suggesting that “reasonable restrictions” do not constitute “infringement.”

Continue reading Heller →

Jeff's Blog

DC Gun Ban in the Supreme Court

What Now?

    Since the Supreme Court announced that they are going to review the DC gun ban case, now is probably a good time to review the case and its convolutions.

    This case has been in the system for a number of years and its journey to the Supreme Court has been anything but a straight shot.  Originally the case involved six DC residents who felt that their constitutional rights were being infringed by the District's strict gun control laws.  While many believe that the case was developed and sponsored by the libertarian Cato Institute, there has never been any formal connection to Cato.  Several people involved in the case do have close ties to Cato, but Cato did not fund or guide the case.

    Besides the Second Amendment questions at the heart of this case, there is also a question of when a citizen has the right to challenge a law as unconstitutional.  The Supreme Court has always held a liberal position on “standing” where constitutional rights are concerned, but the DC Circuit has developed their own precedents on “standing” which are much more constricting.  Of the six original plaintiffs in the “Parker” case, only one, Dick Heller, was determined by the court to have “standing” in the case.  The court said that the other five had not had their rights violated since they had not been “harmed” for exercising or attempting to exercise those rights.

Continue reading DC Gun Ban in the Supreme Court →

Alerts List

DC Case Taken by Supreme Court

   The Supreme Court announced this morning that they are going to hear the appeal of the DC gun ban case.
Since the Court didn't make any announcement about this case last week when expected, many Court watchers were not expecting an announcement until after the Thanksgiving break, but, as we reported last week, we expected that they might make an announcement today as they did.
   Look for analysis and more detailed information in my Blog area here.

Jeff Knox
 

Alerts List

Big Votes in PA Tuesday, 11/20

We usually don't do this, but the following Alert from the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is timely and urgent so we are forwarding it to our list. (As list members add their ZIP codes, we will eventually be able to focus such Alerts to specific states.)

URGENT ACTION: TELL PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE MEMBERS TO OPPOSE HB 22, HB 18 and HB 29
Anti-gun rights Governor Rendell plans to take an unprecedented step and personally attend Tuesday’s PA House Judiciary Committee meeting to attack gun owners and our constitutional freedoms by forcing bad legislation (HB 18, HB 22, and HB 29) out of committee. You need to act now!!!

Please contact members of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today and keep it up through Tuesday morning.

ASK THE MEMBERS TO OPPOSE HB 22, HB 18 and HB 29.
The Committee Votes are scheduled Tuesday November 20 at 10:00 AM.

Phone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses are at the end of this message. PLEASE USE THEM.
Continue reading Big Votes in PA Tuesday, 11/20 →

Member Blogs

Do you REALLY want Maximum Mike as head of the ATF?

I received a letter from firearms manufacturer, Len Savage of Historic Arms LLC; that Savage had sent to Acting ATF Director Michael J. Sullivan, commonly known as Maximum Mike. In the letter Savage informs Sullivan about the conduct that he was experiencing from BATFE Management. He also notes Sullivan's refusal to return his calls (Sullivan has also refused to contact us, despite his staff stating that he would).

So what was Maximum Mike's response to Mr. Savage? Within 2 days he sent 2 ARMED ATF Inspectors to do an intense audit of his books and inventory. Keep in mind that Inspectors are not Agents and they do not carry firearms. In fact in the ATF's frivolous claim that we harassed and intimidated them, they told the Judge: "It should be noted that Inspectors are not Agents, they do not have arrest powers and they do not carry firearms"

It is obvious that Sullivan in his year and a half as Acting Director of the ATF, has no intention of curbing the blatant abuse of the ATF. So why do we want an Overbearing, Manipulative, Abusive Director of an Overbearing, Manipulative, Abusive Government agency? This is a recipe for disaster! Today JPFO, David Codrea and numerous bloggers have urged people to contact your Senators to Block Sullivan's Confirmation. Write them today!

Member Blogs

Former ATF Agents create association

Former employees of the ATF have recently came together to form Association of Former ATF Agents:

The Association of Former Agents, Inspectors, and Explosive Enforcement Officers of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was established in 2007 as a means of providing a federation to bring together former and current ATF colleagues for fellowship, friendship and to provide support in a time of need.

So who is a member:

Members of the association include Special Agents, Industry Operations Inspectors, Explosive Enforcement Officers and other support personnel who carried out the ATF mission.

What have these members done:

The members of this association have served honorably with pride and distinction while performing their ATF duties on behalf of the citizens of the United States of America. They have enforced our Nations firearm and explosives laws in furtherance of preventing terrorist acts, reduce violent crime and to protect the public in a manner that is faithful to the Constitution and the laws of the United States.

Did I mention Former Director John W. Magaw, who recently endorsed an anti-gun book is a member?