I first saw this on PJ Media and couldn’t believe it. Then I found it on Chris Hayes’ Twitter feed.
The anti-gun left has lost its frigging mind!
We’re also very very lucky that the attackers tried to use explosives rather than guns.— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) September 19, 2016
Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons has recently published a series of videos on the sniper rifles used by the US Army and US Marine Corps in World Wars One and Two. One of the more interesting observations was that the Army had to start from scratch in WWII while the Marine Corps, who supposedly never throws anything away, pulled stuff out of storage.
From his WWI description:
The United States had two primary types of sniper rifles during World War One, although both were based on the M1903 Springfield rifle.
The most common optic used was the Warner & Swasey “Telescopic Musket Sight”, a rather clumsy prismatic optic mounted on the left side of the rifle, on a detachable rail. The model 1908 W&S offered 6 power magnification, which was reduced to 5.2x in the 1913 model in an effort to increase field of view. These optics were also used on the M1909 Benet-Mercie light machine gun.
The second type is the Winchester A5 scope, an excellent commercial scope available at the time. Although usually associated with the US Marine Corps, several hundred of these were also issued by the Army. The A5 was a much more tradition type of optic, mounted centrally above the bore and preferred by competitive marksmen.
The third rifle we are looking at in this video is a very interesting example of a competitive rifle from the pre-WWI period. It is a 1903 Springfield fitted with a commercial A5 scope and Mann bases. This is the sort of rifle that would have been used by the career military shooters for competition, and would likely have accompanied many such men overseas in the American Expeditionary Force. Woe to the German who found himself in the sights of such a man with a rifle like this!
From the bolt-action sniper rifles of WWII:
The primary sniper rifle used by the United States in World War II was the M1903A4 Springfield, a version of the exisiting 1903A3 with the iron sights removed and replaced with a Weaver 330C scope (adopted by the military as the M73B1). This was a low-power optic, but was centrally mounted on the rifle to avoid and of the windage issues caused by prismatic scopes.
The 1903A4 was the US’ first truly mass-produced sniper rifle, with more than 28,000 being manufactured during just two years of the war (1943-44). The rifle was taken out of production when the M1C sniper adaptation of the Garand was formally adopted, although production of the M1C would be delayed until the end of the war. The 1903A4 would remain in service after WWII, with later scopes being approved as replacements for the M73B1 (in this video, we will take a look at one equipped with an M84, the optic adopted for the later M1D).
The US Marine Corps, of course, had to be a bit different, and adopted their own sniper rifle variant in 1941, a 1903A1 fitted with an 8 power Unertl scope. These scopes were a tradeoff, being significantly more fragile than the M73B1, but also being much better for long range precision shooting. The USMC, taking much pride in their culture of marksmanship, was happy to make that trade, and the rifles served well throughout the war.
While the Army did adopt the M1C Garand semi-automatic rifle for sniping in 1944, according to Ian it never saw action during the war. It would make its debut in action during the Korean War.
Thanks to Ian for doing these histories of US sniping rifles as used during the world wars. If you want to help support the work he does, he has set up a Patreon account which can be found here.
I came across this video from Bloomberg’s Everytown this morning. I thought in light of the Missouri General Assembly overriding Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto of constitutional carry, it would be fun to show this waste of advertising dollars. It is obvious to me that the legislators listened to their own constituents rather than to Bloomberg.
Given that Shannon Watts (then Shannon Troughton) got her start after graduating Mizzou working for as a PR flack for Gov. Mel Carnahan (D-MO), you might be forgiven for thinking she would have a better feel for politics in her former state of residence.
With the Show-Me State becoming the 11th state to adopt some form of constitutional carry, Rob Vance has updated the graphic we’ve been publishing since 2011. The latest graphic shifts Missouri from shall-issue concealed carry to constitutional concealed carry. They already had open carry.
Back in April, I said that I might have to update what I said a few years ago. To wit, that shall-issue is the new norm. I concluded that I might have to change this to constitutional carry is the new norm. I think that might be going a little far but one can always hope.
My fellow co-host of the Polite Society Podcast Rachel Malone is very active in Republican politics at the state level in Texas. She said in our last podcast that the Texas State Republican Executive Committee had adopted constitutional carry as one of their key legislative priorities in 2017. Imagine how the blue area would expand if the second largest state by both size and population adopted constitutional carry!
To illustrate how much things have changed since the original graphic was published, I am reposting the graphic. No issue (the red area) has gone to virtually nil and unrestricted (blue area) has grown exponentially.
The Missouri General Assembly overrode the earlier veto by Gov. Jay Nixon (D-MO) of Senate Bill 656 which now allows any person legally entitled to possess a firearm to carry that firearm without a permit. SB 656 also created lifetime carry permits, expanded both the castle doctrine and stand your ground protections, gave military members a longer period of time to renew their permits, and limits the cost of a permit to $100. The bill did not do away with permits but made the need for one pretty much irrelevant.
The override vote in the Senate was 24-6 and 112-41 in the House of Representatives. The official roll call vote breakdown of the Senate override has not been published as of yet.
The provisions of SB 656 with the exception of constitutional carry become effective in 30 days. Constitutional carry will not become effective until January 1, 2017. SB 656 rewrote Section 571.130 of the Missouri Revised Statutes which previously made it a crime to carry a weapon including a firearm concealed without a permit. The revision now makes it a crime to carry a concealed weapon in places where it is forbidden by Section 571.107. These places include correctional facilities, police stations, polling places on Election Day, court houses, and the like.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Gov. Nixon and other Democrats contend this will make the state less safe:
Nixon has said the bill would make the state less safe by taking power away from local law enforcement, who under current law issue permits to citizens who have completed a firearm safety training course and passed a background check.
Getting weapons without training raised a red flag even for gun-friendly Democrats.
“I don’t think it’s a burden to take an eight-hour course to understand the dos and the don’ts, the shoulds and the shouldn’ts, of carrying a loaded firearm,” said Sen. Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City, who waved his own concealed carry permit while speaking on the Senate floor.
St. Louis lawmakers said the lack of training would make the city more dangerous.
“We’re putting citizens in the place of law enforcement who have training and skills and experience,” said Rep. Kim Gardner, a Democrat who is set to become the next St. Louis circuit attorney.
Sponsoring Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, said the bill would give law-abiding Missourians the right to conceal and carry in places that already allow permitless open carry. It will take effect in 2017.
The video below from KMOV St Louis shows some of the debate over the bill’s override in the House. St. Rep. Stacey Newman (D-St. Louis), the reigning poster girl of Mayor Bloomberg’s Demanding Mommies, says “the bill we just passed will ensure, guarantee it, more gun deaths.”
Donald Trump is speaking in Asheville this evening.
I happened to be at my nearby Lowe’s Home Center which overlooks the Asheville Regional Airport when I noticed a number of people on one end of the parking lot. It turns out they were hoping to see Trump’s plane land. After I finished my shopping I joined them.
There were young deplorables there.
There were old deplorables there.
There were even some of my fellow middle aged deplorables there.
These pictures don’t capture the total number of people that had been there. I’d estimate it was over 50 during the course of an hour. Unfortunately, Trump arrived earlier than expected and most people missed seeing him arrive including me.
I did get to watch Trump’s speech over Livestream. He was introduced by former NYC Mayor Rudy Guilani. He started by having an assortment of folks on stage speak which included both whites and blacks.
The elderly black couple who had a “huge” number of combined years in education said it would be hard for them to be racist and sexist. It was kinda funny. Hillary is going to regret her description of a segment of Trump voters are both “deplorable” and “irredeemable”. They are already coming back to haunt her.
Just a reminder from the Second Amendment Foundation that the Gun Rights Policy Conference will be held in less than two weeks.
BELLEVUE, WA – Virginia attorney Alan Gura, who won both the 2008 Heller case and the 2010 case of McDonald v. City of Chicago before the U.S. Supreme Court, is slated to be one of the highlight speakers later this month at the 31st annual Gun Rights Policy Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Tampa, Fla., an event that will also feature several national gun rights leaders.
More than 75 speakers will participate in a wide range of panel discussions ranging from this fall’s elections to state legislative activities, working with the press, and other important Second Amendment issues including personal protection.
Also scheduled are Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), Mark Walters, host of the national radio show Armed American Radio; Tom Gresham, host of nationally-syndicated Gun Talk radio; nationally-recognized firearms instructor and self-defense authority Massad Ayoob, and Professor John Lott, author of The War on Guns and a Fox News.com contributor. The full roster of speakers is not yet finalized.
In addition, SAF and CCRKBA leaders will be joined by representatives from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Gun Owners of America, the National Rifle Association, Breitbart.com, the Washington Times, Washington Free Beacon and Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, who will also be speaking.
The weekend event typically attracts more than 700 gun owners, activists and experts from across the country. Attendance is free, and on-line registration is available at http://www.saf.org .
WHO: National gun rights leaders
WHAT: Speaking at the 31st annual Gun Rights Policy Conference
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 24 & Sunday, Sept. 25
WHERE: DoubleTree by Hilton, 4500 W Cypress St, Tampa, FL 33607
On Sunday morning, I will be presenting along with Paul Lathrop of The Polite Society Podcast about the uses of new media to advance gun rights.
The Polite Society Podcast will be livestreaming the event on both days. We will also have interviews during the breaks with many of the speakers. Even if you can’t make it down to sunny Florida in person, you can still participate in the Gun Rights Policy Conference. More details on where we will be livestreaming the event as we get closer.
Aaron at the Weapon-Blog has released his monthly list of contests in which you can win firearms, accessories, etc. There are some nice handguns on the list including a couple made by Wilson Combat.
Handguns
- Heckler & Koch VP9 Tactical
Deadline: September 13, 2016
Added to list: September 7, 2016
https://www.facebook.com/NationalRifleAssociation/app/143103275748075- Heritage Rough Rider
Deadline: September 13, 2016
Added to list: August 8, 2016
https://americanhandgunner.com/giveaway/- Heckler & Koch VP40
Deadline: September 13, 2016
Added to list: August 8, 2016
https://americanhandgunner.com/giveaway/- Wilson Combat 1911
Deadline: September 15, 2016
Added to list: August 26, 2016
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/bapid=475/ClientPage/2016-Wilson-Combat-1911-Giveaway- Remington 200 Year Celebration
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 7, 2016
http://www.impactguns.com/sweepstakes.aspx- Heckler & Koch VP9
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
http://grabagun.com/giveaway- Glock 17
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: July 7, 2016
https://www.secondamendmentgiveaways.com/- FNS-40
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
http://www.guntalk.com/site43.php- Glock 19
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
https://www.calgunsfoundation.org/contest/glock-19-giveaway-rules/- Springfield Armory 1911
Deadline: October 1, 2016
Added to list: August 12, 2016
http://www.gunwinner.com/contest/springfield-armory-1911-package-giveaway- EAA Corp 1911 Polymer
Deadline: October 1, 2016
Added to list: July 12, 2016
http://gunsmagazine.com/giveaway/- Wilson Combat Hackathorn 1911
Deadline: October 3, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
https://www.gunsforacause.org/karashope/hackathorn/- Dream Gun Giveaway
Deadline: October 31, 2016
Added to list: August 8, 2016
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/freegungiveaway/2016aug-oct/index.html?id=MediaBuy2016-08&sid=WeaponBlog- RIA TCM Rock Target FS HC
Deadline: November 1, 2016
Added to list: August 8, 2016
http://gunsmagazine.com/giveaway/- Shooters Arms 1911
Deadline: December 31, 2016
Added to list: April 5, 2016
http://www.contests.gunownersofcanada.ca/2016—1911-giveaway.html- NRA 24-Gun Collection
Deadline: December 31, 2016
Added to list: September 4, 2015
https://www.nra.org/sweepstakes/- NRA Crack The Vault
Deadline: December 31, 2016
Added to list: June 13, 2016
https://www.nrailadonate.org/CrackTheVault/prizes.aspx- Glock 19
Deadline: 3,573 Followers
Added to list: August 23, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BI8_qECADOR/Rifles
- Remington 700VTR
Deadline: September 15, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
https://ggg.galleryofguns.com/- Remington 700
Deadline: September 15, 2016
Added to list: August 19, 2016
https://premium.easypromosapp.com/p/309821- Spike’s Tactical Crusader AR-15
Deadline: September 16, 2016
Added to list: August 8, 2016
https://nagr.org/2016/716CrusaderGW6.aspx?pid=fb3a- Daniel Defense M4V7
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
https://www.firearmspolicy.org/contests/dd4/- Colt AR-15
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
http://www.chooseliberty.org/aug-gg-S.aspx- CORE-15 AR-15
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8e35e2d413/- Bergara B-14
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
http://bergarausa.com/bergara-contest.php- Rock River Arms LAR-15 Predator Pursuit Rifle
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
http://ontargetmagazine.com/gun-giveaway-contest/- DRD Tactical AR-15
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
http://pages.rmgo.org/drd916-gw/- Henry Long Ranger Rifle
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
https://app.viralsweep.com/sweeps/full/24cf2e-4754- Mk-18 Mod 0 Mjölnir
Deadline: October 14, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
https://www.gunownersca.com/news/gun-giveaway/- Sig Sauer SIG716
Deadline: November 8, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
http://americanhandgunner.com/fmg-surveys/47756/- Smith & Wesson M&P AR-15
Deadline: December 31, 2016
Added to list: October 7, 2015
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/win-free-gun- Thompson/Contender Compass
Deadline: December 31, 2016
Added to list: July 19, 2016
https://tcarms.com/dreamtruckgiveaway- Remington 200
Deadline: December 31, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
http://200sweepstakes.remington.com/- Mauser Karabiner 98 Kurz
Deadline: 300 Contest Entries
Added to list: July 7, 2016
http://zelmanpartisans.com/?p=3454- Savage MK II BTV
Deadline: 5,000 Group Members
Added to list: January 7, 2015
https://mewe.com/join/pray_hard_shoot_straight- Xena-15 GEN4
Deadline: 100,000 Subscribers
Added to list: February 18, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFY0jhhMw54- CVA Muzzleloader
Deadline: Recurring Monthly
Added to list: January 1, 2015
http://www.cva.com/CVA-Contest.phpShotguns
- Remington 870 200th Anniversary Commemerative
Deadline: September 15, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
https://ggg.galleryofguns.com/Air Rifles
- Beretta Air Pistol
Deadline: September 7, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
https://www.umarexusa.com/pages/win-a-beretta-airgunAmmunition
- $1,000 Freedom Munitions Gift Certificate
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
http://www.nagr.org/ammo-giveawayfb.aspx?pid=fb090- 5,000 Rounds of Aguila .22LR
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
https://www.facebook.com/AguilaAmmo/photos/a.1534353410211642.1073741830.1534020623578254/1653994818247500- 5,000 Rounds of .22LR
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: August 19, 2016
http://media.patriotoutfitters.com/shoppingspree/Knives
- Kershaw Launch 5
Deadline: October 1, 2016
Added to list: August 12, 2016
http://www.gunwinner.com/contest/kershaw-launch-5-knife-giveawayConstitution
- None this month
Gun Rights Organizations
- None this month
Accessories
- CarbonTV Summer Survival Sweepstakes
Deadline: September 7, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
http://www.carbontv.com/NWTFSpringStrategiesContest- Dock Days of Summer
Deadline: September 8, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
http://aliengearholsters.com/contest- Yeti Tundra & Yeti Tumbler
Deadline: September 8, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
http://woobox.com/zq7sqp- O2 Octane Camo
Deadline: September 14, 2016
Added to list: August 17, 2016
http://www.outdoorhub.com/cabelas-o2-octane-camo-giveaway/- MidwayUSA Hunting Clothing Package
Deadline: September 14, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
http://woobox.com/v6f85z- Custom Coonan Inc. Range Bag
Deadline: September 15, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
https://www.facebook.com/coonan357mag/app/515720611858523/- HSS Hanger Harness & Lifeline
Deadline: September 15, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
http://averagehunter.com/hss-hanger-harness-lifeline-giveaway/- NRA Truck Raffle
Deadline: September 15, 2016
Added to list: May 13, 2016
http://truckraffle.nra.org/default.aspx- Umbrella Corporation Rifle Grip
Deadline: September 15, 2016
Added to list: August 30, 2016
http://reloadone.com/mid-september-giveaway-umrella-corp-rifle-grip/- Concealed Storage Tribute Flag
Deadline: September 16, 2016
Added to list: August 26, 2016
http://sweepstakes.absoluterights.com/c/dq6xorkl- Gold American Eagle
Deadline: September 29, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
http://sweepstakes.billofrights.com/c/sd/yifcrbbspa6q- Colorado 9′ Pontoon Boat
Deadline: September 29, 2016
Added to list: August 26, 2016
http://sweepstakes.billofrights.com/c/ow6sk2lb- Raptor Razor
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0M4ag1viXRk-vfjKTqHSRdLaQf8nlVGZWLal8jaKHQkjeFw/viewform- USWarFighter Signature Camo
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
https://www.facebook.com/uswarfighters/app/112053162216760?brandloc=DISABLE&app_data=from-hijnj0,chk-57bca74ecd7e0- Ultimate Skre Gear Giveaway
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: August 26, 2016
http://www.skregear.com/giveaway/index.html- WHISKEY5 3-15x44mm Hunting Riflescope
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
http://www.sigsauer.com/TeamSig/Sweepstakes.aspx- Big Game Giveaway
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 7, 2016
https://www.facebook.com/outdooredgeknives/app/143103275748075- Barnett Ghost 415
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 7, 2016
http://woobox.com/fbthyt/htyyln- 3-Month Emergency Food Supply
Deadline: October 1, 2016
Added to list: August 12, 2016
http://preppersupport.com/content/3-month-emergency-food-supply-giveaway-0- Vortex VHS-4305 Riflescope
Deadline: October 1, 2016
Added to list: August 12, 2016
http://opticsfreak.com/content/vortex-vhs-4305-riflescope-giveaway- BulletSafe Body Armor Package
Deadline: October 1, 2016
Added to list: August 12, 2016
http://www.gunwinner.com/contest/bulletproof-vest-combo-package-giveaway- Holosun HS515C Optic
Deadline: October 1, 2016
Added to list: August 12, 2016
http://www.gunwinner.com/contest/holosun-hs515c-giveaway- Holosun HS403C Optic
Deadline: October 1, 2016
Added to list: August 12, 2016
http://opticsfreak.com/content/holosun-hs403c-giveaway- FireFly Solar Kit
Deadline: October 3, 2016
Added to list: August 16, 2016
http://sweepstakes.pioneersettler.com/- Parker Thunder Hawk Crossbow
Deadline: October 17, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
http://web.parkerbows.com/10crossbows.html- Barska Biometric Safe
Deadline: October 21, 2016
Added to list: August 12, 2016
http://sweepstakes.guncarrier.com/c/klgfxskp- Range Master Kit
Deadline: October 28, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
http://sweepstakes.guncarrier.com/c/fuqkwmeh- 230cc 4 Stroke ATV
Deadline: October 29, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
http://sweepstakes.survivallife.com/c/w4cljmaw- Ultimate Hunter’s Bundle
Deadline: October 29, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
http://sweepstakes.survivallife.com/c/ek2vsw4h- $2,500 5.11 Tactical Gift Card
Deadline: October 31, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
http://tacticalgear.com/sweeps- Otis Clean Start
Deadline: November 25, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
http://www.cleanstartgiveaway.com- Trip To Taurus Headquarters
Deadline: December 31, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
http://www.taurus-judge.com/tour/index.html- $250 2A Shooting Supply Gift Certificate
Deadline: December 31, 2016
Added to list: August 25, 2016
https://2ashootingsupply.com/giveaways/- Mossy Oak Rock Starz
Deadline: January 4, 2017
Added to list: August 30, 2016
http://www.addictionattractants.com/rockstarzphotocontest.html- Rusty’s Rags Cleaning Cloths
Deadline: Recurring Weekly
Added to list: February 11, 2015
http://www.rustysrags.com/retailer_Info.html- Dead Air Armament #MuzzleBrakeMonday
Deadline: Recurring Weekly
Added to list: June 9, 2015
https://www.facebook.com/DeadAirSilencers/photos/a.574740122637686.1073741828.567415350036830/682580115187019/- Patriot Ordinance Factory Drop-In Trigger
Deadline: Recurring Monthly
Added to list: August 23, 2016
https://pof-usa.com/monthly-contest-giveaway/- Relentless Tactical Gun Belt
Deadline: Recurring Monthly
Added to list: August 16, 2016
https://relentless.leadpages.co/relentless-tactical-belt-giveaway/- ATN SHot Trax-HD
Deadline: Recurring Monthly
Added to list: April 4, 2016
http://lauraburgess.com/clients/american-technologies-network/ATN_VideoContest_0416.pdf- Parker Compound Bow
Deadline: Recurring Monthly
Added to list: February 11, 2015
http://www.parkerbows.com/giveawaynew.html- Parker Crossbow
Deadline: Recurring Monthly
Added to list: February 17, 2016
http://www.parkerbows.com/giveawaynewxbow.html- Trailboss
Deadline: Recurring Monthly
Added to list: July 13, 2016
http://www.trailbossguns.com/signup.html- $100 60X Gift Card
Deadline: Recurring Monthly
Added to list: August 8, 2016
http://www.60xcustomstrings.com/giveaway/Raffles
- NRA Truck Raffle
Deadline: September 15, 2016
Added to list: March 7, 2019
http://truckraffle.nra.org/default.aspx- 556 Tactical & 3 Doors Down Charity Raffle
Deadline: September 30, 2016
Added to list: September 6, 2016
https://556tactical.com/product/556-tactical-3-doors-down-charity-raffle-citizen-soldier-ix/- NRA Banned Guns Raffle
Deadline: October 22, 2016
Added to list: August 13, 2016
https://nraraffle.nra.org/entry- Outdoor Mentors Gun A Week
Deadline: December 31, 2016
Added to list: January 6, 2016
http://outdoormentors.org/content/2016-gun-week-drawing- Hart’s Fort Rifle
Deadline: December 31, 2016
Added to list: February 8, 2016
https://www.youcaring.com/homeless-and-at-risk-military-veterans-516369- 2016 50 Gun Fundraiser
Deadline: Only 500 tickets sold
Added to list: January 28, 2016
http://www.pitstopbbq.org/#!2016-50-Gun-Fundraiser/cp5g/i2l12v0s1Training
- Tactical Training Adventure
Deadline: 60,000 Contest entries
Added to list: August 17, 2015
https://freedomfightersfoundation.org/sweepstakes/Hunting
- Cajun Whitetail Dream Hunt
Deadline: October 24, 2016
Added to list: August 23, 2016
http://www.buckmasters.com/contests/hunt/c/cawt16/s/2
Alan Gura won a big one in the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Amendment. In an 8-7 en banc decision, the court found that some people who had non-violent misdemeanors and/or felonies could get their Second Amendment rights restored. The court combined the cases of Binderup v. Attorney General and Suarez v. Attorney General for their hearing.
Only three judges agreed on the court’s rationale for restoring the gun rights of Mr Binderup and Mr. Suarez. Another five judges concurred in the outcome but for different reason while seven judges dissented. The court’s governing opinion found:
Binderup and Suarez have presented unrebutted
evidence that their offenses were nonviolent and now decades
old, and that they present no threat to society, which places
them within the class persons who have a right to keep and
bear arms. Accordingly, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) is
unconstitutional as applied to them.
The court’s opinion, concurrences, and dissent total 178 pages of somewhat confusing logic as to the restoration of gun rights. Professor Eugene Volokh presents a good summary of it here.
The Second Amendment Foundation is very pleased with the result. It is a good win going into the Gun Rights Policy Conference later this month.
BELLEVUE, WA – The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that individuals convicted of certain non-serious misdemeanor crimes do not lose their fundamental rights under the Second Amendment in a decision involving two separate cases brought by the Second Amendment Foundation.
The unanimous ruling came from an en banc panel in the combined cases of Binderup v. the U.S. Attorney General and Suarez v. the U.S. Attorney General.
In 1990, Julio Suarez was stopped on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. At the time he was carrying a handgun and spare ammunition without a permit. He pleaded guilty in Maryland state court to the charge and received a 180-day suspended sentence and $500 fine. Daniel Binderup pleaded guilty in 1996 to a misdemeanor charge related to a consensual relationship he had with a 17-year-old female employee and received three years’ probation and a $300 fine. Neither man was ever incarcerated.
However, in both cases, the crimes could have resulted in jail time for which the federal gun law blocks firearms possession. Binderup and Suarez petitioned the Pennsylvania court in 2009 to remove the state prohibition against firearms possession, but federal law “continues to bar them from possessing firearms because their convictions have not been expunged or set aside, they have not been pardoned, and their civil rights have not been restored,” the court noted.
“Where the Second Amendment’s guarantees apply, as they do for Binderup and Suarez, ‘certain policy choices’ are ‘necessarily’ taken ‘off the table.’ Forever prohibiting them from possessing any firearm is one of those policy choices,” the appeals court said in today’s ruling.
“Today’s victory confirms that the government can’t simply disarm anyone it wishes,” stated SAF attorney Alan Gura. “At an absolute minimum, people convicted of non-serious crimes, who pose no threat to anyone, retain their fundamental rights. That this is even controversial is a matter of some concern.”
SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb cheered the ruling, adding that, “In an era where government officials want to disqualify as many people as possible from gun ownership, this ruling is monumental. This case will lead to the restoration of people’s civil and constitutional right to own a firearm that is long overdue.”
Gottlieb noted that today’s victory once again reinforces SAF’s long-stated mission of “Winning firearms freedom, one case at a time.”
Professor Volokh is of the opinion that if the Department of Justice decides to appeal the case it will most likely be taken up by the Supreme Court. If they do, it will be interesting to see where the Court’s liberals who are anti-gun come down on this. While they are anti-gun, they tend to be more supportive of rights for those who have broken the law in the past. Given that both Mr. Binderup and Mr. Suarez were convicted of non-violent misdemeanors for which they served no actual jail time and that they kept their noses clean after that, saying that there is a strong governmental interest in prohibiting them from possessing firearms would be a stretch.
Ed Friedman, editor of Shooting Illustrated, has captured this election in a nutshell. The comment below was in reference to something Tam wrote about Hillary’s lies about not knowing about classified emails.
The GOP’s problem is that people want their free shit, and will vote for a lyin, cheatin, murderin, stroke-havin, bribe-takin, becankled harridan and reinforce the failed policies of a feckless beta-male/manchurian-candidate president simply because the other guy is a white blowhard who says mean things.
As I approach age 60, this is what scares the hell out of me. It makes me want to buy a huge ranch in west Texas, put up a big fence, plant Claymore mines all over the place, and say the hell with the rest of the world. The only problem is that I hate really hot weather and I don’t have enough money to do it.
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