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?

Member Blogs

Ron Paul Calls to Abolish the ATF

I just received the following from Paul Velte of Peaceable Texans for Firearms Rights:

Here was the blurb I put out to my texas gun list:

This Week's GUNWEEK reports the following two stories:

Ron Paul Calls to Abolish the ATF

Presidential candidate Ron Paul's address to this year's GRPC (Gun Rights Policy Conference), called for abolishing the federal gun police, the ATF. "I don't even like the ATF," Paul said. I'm not looking … to enforce these laws … that I don't even believe in." The news story also noted that, while Paul admits "I don't pretend I hunt and shoot guns a lot," he does own a few and his commitment is philosophical and Constitutional: "My issue is the political reality and the importance of the Second Amendment for defending one's self against all forms of danger, including our own government if necessary." The story then goes on to note how most other candidates in recent decades have staged media events to show themselves using guns to hunt as a way to convince the public they are supporters of the Second Amendment. Meaningless photo ops versus real philosophical commitment: which will you choose to follow in the presidential race?

I posted before on Ron Paul's campaign response regarding the ATF.

Alerts List

Supreme Court Indecision

   The Supreme Court was widely expected to announce whether or not they were going to review the Parker/Heller DC Gun Ban case, but the case was not mentioned in the "Orders List" which came out today.
   The Court will have another conference on November 20 at which time they could make a decision about review of the case.  If they do make a decision during that conference, it should be announced that day or on the following Monday.
   There is much speculation as to why the Court might have chosen to delay a decision on this case, but as with most things involving the High Court, the real reason for the delay or indecision is unknown.  The Supreme Court doesn't explain themselves until they actually make a decision.
   As always, we will keep you posted as news becomes available.

*************************
  Continue reading Supreme Court Indecision →

Jeff's Blog

Reply to a Republican

 

I have had several comments from readers like the following so I have decided to share my reply to this one with the rest to you.

Duane said: 

Your recent posts regarding Republican candidates causes me great concern. Let us face facts: the Republican party is for the most part on our side and the Democrats want to destroy the right to keep and bear arms. To thumb noses at Republican candidates is evidence to me you have no clue as to how national politics operates. All your position does is to elect clowns such as Hillary. Most citzens do NOT concern themselves with the Second Amendment when they cast their ballot. Hold your nose, but vote Republican!

And I replied:

Duane,

Most Republicans only support us because they need us to be elected.

As long as they can depend on us "holding our noses" they will do nothing for us.

Look at the previous six years with a "pro-gun" Republican President, a "pro-gun" Republican House, and a "pro-gun" Republican Senate – we got basically NOTHING.

Continue reading Reply to a Republican →

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