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Jgarrick
Jgarrick's Journal
Jgarrick's Journal
April 5, 2014
Rep. Jackie Speier, a Peninsula Democrat, called on President Barack Obama on Wednesday to ban the import of assault weapons following last week’s high-profile arrest of state Sen. Leland Yee on gun-trafficking charges.
“This FBI investigation of Leland Yee reveals how easy it is to import lethal assault weapons that were previously banned,” Speier said in a statement. “This case should be a warning to us all that even the most trusted appearing among us are ready to do real harm. Since Congress can pass no meaningful gun-control laws, even after the mass killing in Newtown, President Obama should use his pen to slow the import of these weapons, which have no place in our homes.”
Speier, D-Hillsborough, who held Yee’s Senate seat before the suspended state lawmaker was elected in 2006, has long been an outspoken advocate for gun control. She is the sponsor of the federal Gun Transparency and Accountability Act of 2013 and the Child Handgun Safety Act of 2013, and co-sponsor of the Fix Gun Checks Act of 2013.
Dave Workman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms called Speier’s statement “ironic” because it comes on the heels of Yee’s March 26 arrest on suspicion of conspiring to traffic in firearms, along with the arrest of 25 other defendants on gun-trafficking and other charges related to a yearslong undercover FBI investigation. “I don’t see any reason for someone to propose a ban on perfectly legal firearms coming into the country where law-abiding citizens would be able to purchase and own those firearms for hunting, competition or for any number of good reasons,” Workman said.
Rep. Jackie Speier calls for ban on import of assault weapons in wake of Leland Yee arrest
http://www.sfexaminer.com/PoliticsBlog/archives/2014/04/02/jackie-speier-calls-for-ban-on-import-of-assault-weapons-in-wake-of-leland-yee-arrestRep. Jackie Speier, a Peninsula Democrat, called on President Barack Obama on Wednesday to ban the import of assault weapons following last week’s high-profile arrest of state Sen. Leland Yee on gun-trafficking charges.
“This FBI investigation of Leland Yee reveals how easy it is to import lethal assault weapons that were previously banned,” Speier said in a statement. “This case should be a warning to us all that even the most trusted appearing among us are ready to do real harm. Since Congress can pass no meaningful gun-control laws, even after the mass killing in Newtown, President Obama should use his pen to slow the import of these weapons, which have no place in our homes.”
Speier, D-Hillsborough, who held Yee’s Senate seat before the suspended state lawmaker was elected in 2006, has long been an outspoken advocate for gun control. She is the sponsor of the federal Gun Transparency and Accountability Act of 2013 and the Child Handgun Safety Act of 2013, and co-sponsor of the Fix Gun Checks Act of 2013.
Dave Workman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms called Speier’s statement “ironic” because it comes on the heels of Yee’s March 26 arrest on suspicion of conspiring to traffic in firearms, along with the arrest of 25 other defendants on gun-trafficking and other charges related to a yearslong undercover FBI investigation. “I don’t see any reason for someone to propose a ban on perfectly legal firearms coming into the country where law-abiding citizens would be able to purchase and own those firearms for hunting, competition or for any number of good reasons,” Workman said.
April 5, 2014
The retired Chicago man who fought successfully to overturn the city's handgun ban has died.
Otis McDonald was the lead defendant in the case before the U.S. Supreme Court four years ago. The court ruled that second amendment rights could not be infringed by local governments.
McDonald died Friday of cancer at the age of 80.
Rest in peace.
Otis McDonald, man who successfully fought to overturn Chicago handgun ban, dies at 80
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local/chicago_news&id=9492461The retired Chicago man who fought successfully to overturn the city's handgun ban has died.
Otis McDonald was the lead defendant in the case before the U.S. Supreme Court four years ago. The court ruled that second amendment rights could not be infringed by local governments.
McDonald died Friday of cancer at the age of 80.
Rest in peace.
April 4, 2014
SAF wins injunction v. N.M. “citizens only” CCW requirement
Source: Examiner.com
The Second Amendment Foundation notched another court victory today, this time in New Mexico, where a section of that state’s concealed carry law was hit with a permanent injunction for violating the Constitution’s equal protection clause, while in neighboring Colorado, a federal court this morning began hearing a challenge to that state’s new gun control laws, passed in 2013.
The SAF case was Jackson v. Eden, and it challenged the New Mexico requirement that all applicants for carry licenses be U.S. citizens.
Chief U.S. District Judge M. Christina Armijo issued the order Monday morning in Albuquerque, noting that the state can sever the offending requirement and still enforce the remainder of the carry statute, which has other legal requirements that all applicants must satisfy.
John W. Jackson is an Australian citizen who resides permanently in Rio Rancho, a community just north of Albuquerque. With the exception of his citizenship status, he is otherwise qualified to obtain a concealed carry license, the court ruled.
Read more: http://www.examiner.com/article/saf-wins-injunction-v-n-m-citizens-only-ccw-requirement
April 4, 2014
Sig Sauer just shared a letter sent to a police department from the ATF’s Firearms Technology Branch concerning the use of arm braces that referenced Sig’s own SB15 pistol stabilizing brace for AR pistols specifically. The ATF’s letter says that they’ve determined that firing a pistol from the shoulder would not cause the pistol to be reclassified as an SBR.
The letter, signed by the Chief of the ATF’s Firearms Technology Branch, Earl Griffith, states, “the firing of a weapon from a particular position, such as placing the receiver extension of an AR-15 type pistol on the user’s shoulder, does not change the classification of a weapon.”
“Further,” wrote Griffith, “certain firearm accessories such as the SIG Stability Brace have not been classified by FTB as shoulder stocks and, therefore, using the brace improperly does not constitute a design change.”
This clears up any doubts that firing an AR pistol using the distinctly buttstock-looking SB15 could get you in trouble, even if fired while shouldered.
ATF issues letter about use of shouldering an AR pistol
http://blogs.militarytimes.com/gearscout/2014/04/03/atf-responds-to-question-about-shouldering-an-ar-pistol/?repeat=w3tcSig Sauer just shared a letter sent to a police department from the ATF’s Firearms Technology Branch concerning the use of arm braces that referenced Sig’s own SB15 pistol stabilizing brace for AR pistols specifically. The ATF’s letter says that they’ve determined that firing a pistol from the shoulder would not cause the pistol to be reclassified as an SBR.
The letter, signed by the Chief of the ATF’s Firearms Technology Branch, Earl Griffith, states, “the firing of a weapon from a particular position, such as placing the receiver extension of an AR-15 type pistol on the user’s shoulder, does not change the classification of a weapon.”
“Further,” wrote Griffith, “certain firearm accessories such as the SIG Stability Brace have not been classified by FTB as shoulder stocks and, therefore, using the brace improperly does not constitute a design change.”
This clears up any doubts that firing an AR pistol using the distinctly buttstock-looking SB15 could get you in trouble, even if fired while shouldered.
April 3, 2014
Stockman urges House to repeal military base gun ban
Source: Your Houston News
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Stockman (R-TX 36) Thursday urged his House colleagues to pray for and support the victims and victims’ families of Wednesday’s fatal shooting at Fort Hood, and to support his bill, H.R. 3199, the “Safe Military Bases Act,” which repeals the Clinton-era ban on military personnel carrying weapons on base.
“This is the third mass shooting on a military base in five years, and it’s because our trained soldiers aren’t allowed to carry defensive weapons,” said Stockman. “Anti-gun activists have turned our military bases into soft targets for killers.”
“Only the most out-of-touch radical would try to disarm soldiers. It’s time to repeal this deadly anti-gun law before it creates another mass killing,” said Stockman. “This is another tragedy created by anti-gun activists. If members of Congress are protected by loaded automatic weapons in the Capitol they have no right to deny that right to trained soldiers on base.”
“In 1991, just six miles from Fort Hood, we suffered a mass shooting at a Luby’s cafeteria of civilians who by law had to leave their guns in their cars. Texas responded to this tragedy by passing a concealed carry bill allowing civilians to defend themselves in public,” said Stockman “It’s time for Congress to allow soldiers to defend themselves on base before this happens again.”
Read more: http://m.yourhoustonnews.com/friendswood/opinion/stockman-urges-house-to-repeal-military-base-gun-ban/article_3477708f-4c6f-520e-a79f-87ca9bd5965b.html?mode=jqm
April 3, 2014
Getting a concealed firearms permit could be easier, if a recently introduced bill is passed into law. Sen. Tony Ada recently introduced Bill 296, which would require the Guam Police Department to issue concealed firearms permits to applicants that meet certain requirements. Some of those requirements include being a resident of Guam, a U.S. citizen, 21 years old or older and hasn't been convicted of most crimes within a three-year period.
Current law allows the chief of police to approve concealed firearms applications at his discretion. While the chief would retain his authority under the provisions of Bill 296, applicants would no longer need to show that they have a good reason for applying for the permit.
Ada, R-Sinajana, said he considers the provisions of Bill 296 to be more in line with the constitutional right to keep and bear arms than what current statute allows.
"Guam law treats the bearing of firearms as a privilege, not a right. If someone should not carry a concealed firearm, the law should clearly state the reasons. Who may or may not be issued a concealed firearm permit should not be left to the discretion of one person," Ada said.
(excerpt, remainder of article at link)
Bill would make firearms permit easier to get (Guam)
http://www.guampdn.com/article/20140331/NEWS01/303310009?odyssey=mod|mostcomGetting a concealed firearms permit could be easier, if a recently introduced bill is passed into law. Sen. Tony Ada recently introduced Bill 296, which would require the Guam Police Department to issue concealed firearms permits to applicants that meet certain requirements. Some of those requirements include being a resident of Guam, a U.S. citizen, 21 years old or older and hasn't been convicted of most crimes within a three-year period.
Current law allows the chief of police to approve concealed firearms applications at his discretion. While the chief would retain his authority under the provisions of Bill 296, applicants would no longer need to show that they have a good reason for applying for the permit.
Ada, R-Sinajana, said he considers the provisions of Bill 296 to be more in line with the constitutional right to keep and bear arms than what current statute allows.
"Guam law treats the bearing of firearms as a privilege, not a right. If someone should not carry a concealed firearm, the law should clearly state the reasons. Who may or may not be issued a concealed firearm permit should not be left to the discretion of one person," Ada said.
(excerpt, remainder of article at link)
April 2, 2014
CLEMSON, S.C. — Pete Matsko expected a little pushback when he posted a sarcastic sign banning concealed weapons from Backstreets Pub & Grill, his beer and burger bar in this college town, but he did not expect to become a national target.
Within weeks, he was slammed with so many online attacks and harassing phone calls that he changed his number and started asking the police to open his mail.
A new concealed-weapons law in South Carolina turned his pub into a battlefield in America’s culture wars. Like an increasing number of bar and restaurant owners around the country, Mr. Matsko discovered that his politics can matter more than what he serves.
As the position restaurants hold in American culture grows, so too does the list of issues on which chefs are asked to make a stand. Refusing to bake a cake for a gay wedding, requesting that a woman not breast-feed at the table or trying to prevent a diner from wearing a gun can have serious business implications.
(excerpt, remainder of article at link)
It should be noted that not once in the entire article is the word “douchebag” (the term the restaurant owner used to describe people who carry concealed) mentioned. Instead, they say the sign used a “derogatory term used for an obnoxious person”, leaving the reader with the impression in could have been something as innocuous as “jerk”.
Want Guns With That? Chefs Find Politics Hotter Than Kitchen
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/us/chefs-find-political-waters-anything-but-tepid.htmlCLEMSON, S.C. — Pete Matsko expected a little pushback when he posted a sarcastic sign banning concealed weapons from Backstreets Pub & Grill, his beer and burger bar in this college town, but he did not expect to become a national target.
Within weeks, he was slammed with so many online attacks and harassing phone calls that he changed his number and started asking the police to open his mail.
A new concealed-weapons law in South Carolina turned his pub into a battlefield in America’s culture wars. Like an increasing number of bar and restaurant owners around the country, Mr. Matsko discovered that his politics can matter more than what he serves.
As the position restaurants hold in American culture grows, so too does the list of issues on which chefs are asked to make a stand. Refusing to bake a cake for a gay wedding, requesting that a woman not breast-feed at the table or trying to prevent a diner from wearing a gun can have serious business implications.
(excerpt, remainder of article at link)
It should be noted that not once in the entire article is the word “douchebag” (the term the restaurant owner used to describe people who carry concealed) mentioned. Instead, they say the sign used a “derogatory term used for an obnoxious person”, leaving the reader with the impression in could have been something as innocuous as “jerk”.
April 2, 2014
CLEMSON, S.C. — Pete Matsko expected a little pushback when he posted a sarcastic sign banning concealed weapons from Backstreets Pub & Grill, his beer and burger bar in this college town, but he did not expect to become a national target.
Within weeks, he was slammed with so many online attacks and harassing phone calls that he changed his number and started asking the police to open his mail.
A new concealed-weapons law in South Carolina turned his pub into a battlefield in America’s culture wars. Like an increasing number of bar and restaurant owners around the country, Mr. Matsko discovered that his politics can matter more than what he serves.
As the position restaurants hold in American culture grows, so too does the list of issues on which chefs are asked to make a stand. Refusing to bake a cake for a gay wedding, requesting that a woman not breast-feed at the table or trying to prevent a diner from wearing a gun can have serious business implications.
(excerpt, remainder of article at link)
It should be noted that not once in the entire article is the word “douchebag” (the term the restaurant owner used to describe people who carry concealed) mentioned. Instead, they say the sign used a “derogatory term used for an obnoxious person”, leaving the reader with the impression in could have been something as innocuous as “jerk”.
Want Guns With That? Chefs Find Politics Hotter Than Kitchen
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/us/chefs-find-political-waters-anything-but-tepid.htmlCLEMSON, S.C. — Pete Matsko expected a little pushback when he posted a sarcastic sign banning concealed weapons from Backstreets Pub & Grill, his beer and burger bar in this college town, but he did not expect to become a national target.
Within weeks, he was slammed with so many online attacks and harassing phone calls that he changed his number and started asking the police to open his mail.
A new concealed-weapons law in South Carolina turned his pub into a battlefield in America’s culture wars. Like an increasing number of bar and restaurant owners around the country, Mr. Matsko discovered that his politics can matter more than what he serves.
As the position restaurants hold in American culture grows, so too does the list of issues on which chefs are asked to make a stand. Refusing to bake a cake for a gay wedding, requesting that a woman not breast-feed at the table or trying to prevent a diner from wearing a gun can have serious business implications.
(excerpt, remainder of article at link)
It should be noted that not once in the entire article is the word “douchebag” (the term the restaurant owner used to describe people who carry concealed) mentioned. Instead, they say the sign used a “derogatory term used for an obnoxious person”, leaving the reader with the impression in could have been something as innocuous as “jerk”.
April 1, 2014
Sonia, a mother of two on Milwaukee's south side, doesn't want guns in her house. But with a pair of convicted sex offenders nearby who have just been granted allowance to leave their home unsupervised, Sonia has begun to think about some form of protection, perhaps pepper spray or a Taser.
When gun rights activists fanned out in her neighborhood Saturday afternoon, handing out fliers promoting free classes for training on carrying firearms, Sonia was one of the first to sign up — since Wisconsin residents need similar training to legally carry a Taser.
Milwaukee's south side became the latest community where activists who advocate for the right to carry concealed firearms in public took their case. They were led by Wisconsin Carry Inc., a nonprofit founded in 2009 and "dedicated to preserving & advancing the right of law-abiding Wisconsinites to carry in the manner of their choosing," according to the group's Facebook page.
"Are you from Wisconsin Carry?" Sonia asked, running out of her house on a chilly afternoon. She had heard the group would be in her neighborhood and wanted a copy of the group's flier, which advertises the next free training session for carrying a weapon. Sonia went back inside her house and immediately registered for the free class, to be held April 19.
(excerpt, remainder of article at link)
Concealed carry group takes message door-to-door (WI)
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/concealed-carry-group-goes-door-to-door-in-bay-view-b99236083z1-253056741.htmlSonia, a mother of two on Milwaukee's south side, doesn't want guns in her house. But with a pair of convicted sex offenders nearby who have just been granted allowance to leave their home unsupervised, Sonia has begun to think about some form of protection, perhaps pepper spray or a Taser.
When gun rights activists fanned out in her neighborhood Saturday afternoon, handing out fliers promoting free classes for training on carrying firearms, Sonia was one of the first to sign up — since Wisconsin residents need similar training to legally carry a Taser.
Milwaukee's south side became the latest community where activists who advocate for the right to carry concealed firearms in public took their case. They were led by Wisconsin Carry Inc., a nonprofit founded in 2009 and "dedicated to preserving & advancing the right of law-abiding Wisconsinites to carry in the manner of their choosing," according to the group's Facebook page.
"Are you from Wisconsin Carry?" Sonia asked, running out of her house on a chilly afternoon. She had heard the group would be in her neighborhood and wanted a copy of the group's flier, which advertises the next free training session for carrying a weapon. Sonia went back inside her house and immediately registered for the free class, to be held April 19.
(excerpt, remainder of article at link)
March 29, 2014
Where’s the beef? That’s what the carnivores were wondering as they arrived at the Boathouse in Central Park for the “Noah” party.
The buffet tables were loaded with various forms of edible vegetable matter, but there was no meat, fish or cheese — because director Darren Aronofsky is vegan, as was the hero of his biblical epic, as played by Russell Crowe.
To underscore the point in the movie, which also stars Emma Watson and Jennifer Connelly, villain Tubal-cain (Ray Winstone) eagerly bites the head off an unidentified reptile and devours it raw. Meat = evil. Got it.
As hungry Boathouse guests bellied up to the bar for liquid nourishment, I wondered, why did Noah go to all that trouble to save the animals, if not to eat at least some of them?
No meat at 'Noah' party
http://pagesix.com/2014/03/28/no-meat-at-noah-party/?_ga=1.163366773.814746388.1395973567Where’s the beef? That’s what the carnivores were wondering as they arrived at the Boathouse in Central Park for the “Noah” party.
The buffet tables were loaded with various forms of edible vegetable matter, but there was no meat, fish or cheese — because director Darren Aronofsky is vegan, as was the hero of his biblical epic, as played by Russell Crowe.
To underscore the point in the movie, which also stars Emma Watson and Jennifer Connelly, villain Tubal-cain (Ray Winstone) eagerly bites the head off an unidentified reptile and devours it raw. Meat = evil. Got it.
As hungry Boathouse guests bellied up to the bar for liquid nourishment, I wondered, why did Noah go to all that trouble to save the animals, if not to eat at least some of them?
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