Last Wednesday’s mass shooting in northwest England is more proof that restrictive gun laws do not prevent horrible criminal acts, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said…
Gun control restrictions snag heroes, but have no effect on criminals
by Jeff Knox
With a decision expected from the Supreme Court later this month, the importance of the McDonald case challenging Chicago’s handgun ban was brought into stark relief last week when an 80-year old Chicago resident used a handgun to stop a violent home intruder. Reports indicate that the intruder broke in through a back window of the octogenarian’s home in the early hours of May 26 and then fired on the homeowner who promptly returned fire, killing the intruder. Police and prosecutors said the shooting appeared to be justified and that no charges would be filed in the slaying, but there was some question as to whether the homeowner – the crime victim in this case – might be charged for possessing a handgun in his home, a violation of Chicago’s strict handgun ban.
Luckily for the elderly homeowner, Illinois passed a law a few years ago barring prosecution of persons for violating local handgun bans when their violation comes to light through successfully using their “illegal guns” to defend themselves and their families from violent attack. That law was passed in response to public outcry when a homeowner in Wilmette, a Chicago suburb, was charged with illegal gun possession after shooting a burglar in his home. It is worth noting that Senator Barack H. Obama twice voted against this bill. Of course, this leaves residents with a tough question: whom do they fear more, the police or criminals?
Ohio man competes in History Channel’s “Top Shot”
The Akron Beacon-Journal is reporting that an Ohio man is among those competing on Top Shot, a History channel series that premiered Sunday at 10:00 p.m.
Hosted by Colby Donaldson of Survivor fame, the show has 16 marksmen competing for a $100,000 prize. Among the competitors is Chris Cerino of Wadsworth, Ohio, who told the Alron newspaper he loved being part of it.
Obama administration’s ATF Reverses Interpretation of Gun Control Act; Redefines “Transfers” of Firearms
Editors note: The following is republished from a blog post by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
Reversing an interpretation of the Gun Control Act that has been on the books for more than four decades, ATF today posted a ruling declaring any shipment of a firearm by a manufacturer (FFL) to any agent or business (e.g., an engineering-design firm, patent lawyer, testing lab, gun writer, etc.) for a bona fide business purpose to be a “transfer” under the Gun Control Act of 1968. As a consequence, legitimate business-related shipments will now require the recipient to complete a Form 4473 and undergo a Brady criminal background check. In many instances, these requirements will force shipments to a third party, thereby lengthening the process and the time that the firearm is in transit.
Research: Concealed Carry and Guns Save Lives
Guns save lives, and are necessary for protection. That’s according to research from David Burnett and Clayton Cramer, who track incidents of defensive gun use at TheArmedCitizen.com.
The stories include senior citizens fighting off robbers, and women defending themselves against rapists or attackers, proving armed citizens prevent violent crimes everywhere from restaurants and grocery stores to banks, coffee houses and pizza parlors.
“We’ve documented 2,160 stories of self-defense with guns since May 2007 – the same time frame the VPC used,” said Burnett. “When it comes to concealed carry permits, we have 153 documented cases across 26 states with at least 550 lives saved.”
The Violence Policy Center (VPC) recently claimed concealed weapons licensees are killers, offering stories as proof. Burnett says the VPC is distorting the truth.
“If these victims had been disarmed, they wouldn’t be able to fight back…they’d be dead,” said Burnett. “Since no place is immune from crime, we must allow people to be armed for their own protection. Nobody wants to kill someone, but nobody wants to die either.”
Burnett also notes that in 14 percent of documented cases, no shots were fired. “You don’t always have to shoot to stop a criminal. Sometimes the threat is enough.”
Anti-gun Ohio newspaper editorial board member embraces “denial” like a baby does his “binky”
de·ni·al – “An unconscious defense mechanism characterized by refusal to acknowledge painful realities, thoughts, or feelings.” – The American Heritage® Stedman’s Medical Dictionary by Ken Hanson, Esq. In a May 30, 2010…
Mexican President Calls For Reinstatement Of Failed Gun Ban
On Thursday [May 20], Felipe Calderon, the president of Mexico, where prohibitive gun laws prevent good people from having firearms for protection against criminals and governments of dubious legitimacy (historically the norm in Mexico), encouraged Congress to reinstate the federal “assault weapon” ban. With a warning seemingly designed to appeal to those who believe that speaking out against the Obama Administration’s policies are one step short of sedition or worse, Calderon said, “[I]f you do not regulate the sale of these weapons in the right way, nothing guarantees that criminals here in the United States with access to the same power of weapons will not decide to challenge American authorities and civilians.”
Calderon also misinformed Congress, claiming that violence in Mexico rose significantly after the U.S. ban expired in 2004. In fact, Mexico’s murder rate has been stable since 2003 and remains well below rates recorded previously. However, he did not explain why violent crime has declined significantly in the U.S. since the ban expired, or how a ban on flash suppressors and bayonet mounts relates to drug thugs in Mexico or anywhere else.
Facing defeat in U.S. courts, Chicago Mayor Daley suggests “appeal” to World Court
by Gerard Valentino
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley is clearly getting desperate to save the city’s longtime ban on private ownership of firearms. With the prospect looming of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling his city’s ban unconstitutional, and after the state Supreme Court tossed his $433 million lawsuit against the gun industry, he is now calling for a change of venue — to the World Court normally reserved for disputes between nations and crimes against humanity.
They mayor’s actions are dripping in hypocrisy since for years, Daley has demanded freedom from the Illinois state government and now he is willing to sacrifice United States sovereignty at the altar of gun control.
Daley’s actions are those of a man becoming unhinged at no longer being in complete control.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED TODAY FOR 2 GUN BILLS!!!
We need your IMMEDIATE help to get two important pro-gun bills passed. S.B. 239 removes the restriction on carrying within a restaurant or bar that serves alcohol, so long as the licensed…
Obama backs international gun control treaty
The OAS Firearms Convention Is Incompatible with American Liberties by Theodore Bromund, Ray Walser, Ph.D. and David Kopel President Barack Obama has called on the Senate to ratify the Inter-American Convention Against…