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GRNC On S.374 And S.649

April 8, 2013 by

Grass Roots North Carolina issued an alert last night regarding the pressure that is being put on Sen. Kay Hagan and five Republican senators to support gun control. They note the ads being run by MAIG and petitions being gathered by OFA. GRNC has some suggested messages to send to Hagan and to the other senators.

From GRNC:


MAIG & Obama radicals pressuring Hagan & others

As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid vows to bring S. 649, the latest “universal background check” (read that “registration”) bill to a vote as early as this week, Bloomberg’s “Mayors Against Illegal Guns,” Obama’s “Organizing for Action, and the media have begun a full court press to pass whatever gun control they can foist on the American public.

In fact, North Carolinians “Against Gun Control” just dropped 39,000 petitions, presumably gathered by Obama’s radicals at “Organizing for Action,” on Hagan. In response, the National Coalition to Stop the Gun Ban forged by GRNC and others is running a campaign against Hagan and 5 other senators.

S. 374 & S. 649 would make you a criminal

There is nothing benign about “universal background checks,” which are gun control code words for “universal gun registration.” Not only would S. 649 open the door for registration, it and similar bills under consideration would make it a 5-year federal felony to:

  • Leave town for more than 7 days, and leave your wife, partner, or roommate at home with your guns;

  • Lend a gun to a friend to take shooting or to go hunting;

  • Loan a gun to your mother if she lives at a different residence;

  • Hand a gun to someone at a gun club which is not a shooting range;

  • Teach someone to shoot on your own land, if you hand them the gun; or

  • Fail to report a gun as lost or stolen within 24 hours, even if you are on a hunting trip deep in the woods and are unable to do so.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

  • CALL & EMAIL SEN. KAY HAGAN IMMEDIATELY at 202-224-6342 and by CLICKING HERE or going to: http://www.hagan.senate.gov/contact/ and deliver the message below.

  • CALL @ EMAIL Sen. Richard Burr at 202-224-3154 and by CLICKING HERE or going to: http://burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm and deliver the message below.

  • Call and email senate Republicans Pat Toomey (PA), Chuck Grassley (IA), Tom Coburn (OK), and Mitch McConnell (KY)

  • DONATE TO GRNC: In the next two days, GRNC will be sending 30,000 automated telephone alerts to gun-owning voters. THIS DOESN’T COME CHEAP. Please help with the effort by CLICKING HERE or going to: http://www.grnc.org/join-grnc/contribute

CONTACT INFORMATION

Sen. Pat Toomey (PA), 202-224-4254, email HERE or at: http://www.toomey.senate.gov/?p=contact

Sen. Chuck Grassley (IA), 202-224–3744, email HERE or at: http://www.grassley.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Sen. Tom Coburn (OK), 202-224-5754, email HERE or at: http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactform

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY), 202-224-2541, email HERE or at: http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactForm

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

To Hagan:

Suggested Subject: Don’t Support Universal Background Checks/Registration

Dear Senator Hagan:

You recently expressed support for the type of “universal background checks” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid plans to bring to a floor vote as early as this week. You’ve also been pressured by Michael Bloomberg’s misnamed group, “Mayors Against Illegal Guns” and President Obama’s “Organizing for Action.”

But I live in North Carolina. They don’t. I am one of the 300,000 gun-owning North Carolina voters who will follow the recommendations of Grass Roots North Carolina and the 39-member “National Coalition to Stop the Gun Ban” they have formed.

More importantly, *I* am the one who will work to remove you from office if you fail to: (1) Vote against any “motion to proceed” on S. 374, S. 649 or whatever other thinly disguised gun registration bill hits the Senate floor, and (2) Support efforts to filibuster such legislation.

I would suggest you act like your political career depends on it, because it does. I will be closely monitoring your actions via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Respectfully,

To Senate Republicans:

Suggested Subject: Don’t Support Universal Background Checks/Registration

Dear Senator:

I am one of the hundreds of thousands of gun-owners who follow recommendations of the 39-member “National Coalition to Stop the Gun Ban”. They have formed to oppose any and all gun control.

More importantly, *I* am the one who will work to remove you from office if you fail to: (1) Vote against any “motion to proceed” on S. 374, S. 649 or whatever other thinly disguised gun registration bill hits the Senate floor, and (2) Support efforts to filibuster such legislation.

The National Coalition to Stop the Gun Ban will not accept any “compromise” on competing universal gun registration schemes — not between Sens. Charles Schumer and Tom Coburn, not between Sen. Joe Manchin and the NRA, and not the “alternative” being put together by Sen. Chuck Grassley. We have long ago learned that “compromise” in the gun debate defines a process in which we lose less freedom than under our opposition’s original proposal, but we still lose.

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Vote On Switchblade Repeal In Texas

April 8, 2013 by 1 Comment

This weekend Knife Rights issued an alert regarding a repeal of the ban on switchblades in Texas. They are asking that those who reside, work, or travel to Texas contact the legislators below urging their support for HB 1862 which would repeal the ban.

I’m glad to see that Knife Rights is working so hard on the second front for the Second Amendment.


In Texas, Knife Rights supported HB1862 has been scheduled for a hearing this Tuesday, April 9, before the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence. HB1862, sponsored by Representative Harold Dutton Jr., will repeal the antiquated, senseless ban on the possession of switchblade (automatic) knives in Texas. Knife Rights lobbyist Todd Rathner is on his way to Austin to testify on this important bill and he needs YOUR help!

If you live, work or travel in Texas, PLEASE Call and Write EACH of the Committee Members TODAY and urge them to vote in favor of HB1862.

Chairman: Rep. Abel Herrero 512-463-0462 abel.herrero@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Stefani Carter 512-463-0454 stefani.carter@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Lon Burnam 512-463-0740 lon.burnam@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Terry Canales 512-463-0426 terry.canales@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Bryan Hughes 512-463-0271 bryan.hughes@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Jeff Leach 512-463-0544 jeff.leach@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Joe Moody 512-463-0728 joe.moody@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Matt Schaefer 512-463-0584 matt.schaefer@house.state.tx.us
Rep. Steve Toth 512-463-0797 steve.toth@house.state.tx.us

Whether writing or calling, all that is necessary is to simply ask them to vote in favor of HB1862. Keep it POLITE, short and to the point.

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I, For One, Wouldn’t Miss The Old SOB

April 8, 2013 by 3 Comments

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) had previously announced that he planned to retire at the end of his term in 2014. However, if this article from Politico is accurate, he doesn’t plan to return to the Senate this coming week – or maybe ever.

On Friday night, with the Senate still in recess, Lautenberg released a statement announcing he would be out next week. Lautenberg did not make clear any return date.

“I regret that I will not be returning to Washington next week as I continue treatment for, and recuperate from, muscle weakness and fatigue. My physician continues to advise me to work from home and not travel at this time,” Lautenberg said in a statement issued by his office.

Lautenberg added: “I am disappointed I will not be present for the opening of the debate on gun legislation in the Senate. It is an issue I am deeply passionate about, and my victories over the gun lobby are among my proudest accomplishments. I am, however, gratified that my legislation to ban high-capacity ammunition magazines will be one of the key amendments offered to this bill.”

I’m not disappointed nor do I think anyone who believes in the Second Amendment is going to be disappointed if Lautenberg never returns.

The Politico article goes into the timing of a potential early retirement. If Lautenberg retires before late August, an interim senator would be appointed to serve until November 2013 at which time a special election would held. If it goes beyond that time, the interim senator would serve out the remainder of the term. It is presumed that Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) would appoint a Republican to serve as the interim senator. That said, if the Republican senator holds similar views on guns to that of Christie, it would be no gain for gun rights.

H/T Todd

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Note To Demand Action – We Aren’t That Gullible

April 7, 2013 by 2 Comments

Demand Action to End Gun Violence (sic) is a project of Mayor Bloomberg and his Illegal Mayors. This week they have been tweeting a “breaking” message about a new 50-state “analysis of gun violence”.

I’d like to believe that no one would be so gullible as to believe this “analysis” was unbiased and accurate. The sad reality is that this report from the Center from American Progress, a “progressive” research and advocacy group, has been picked up by a number of media outlets including MSNBC. I guess given the record of the media running with sham stories I shouldn’t be surprised.

The first indication that this is a biased report is who wrote it. The authors – Arkadi Gerney, Chelsea Parsons, and Charles Posner – all have links to either Bloomberg or Obama. Gerney preceded Mark Glaze as the executive director of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Parsons was general counsel to the New York City
criminal justice coordinator prior to coming to the Center for American Progress. Finally, Posner worked for a Democratic polling group and Organizing for America prior to coming to CAP. To think that any of these authors would put out a report on guns that could pass the smell test is ludicrous.

The second indication that this report is a sham is the reliance on data and ranking from groups such as the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, the Violence Policy Center, and MAIG. While they do use some data that is valid, how they twist is not.

Finally, you need only read the “recommendations” to understand that this “analysis” was not at finding the truth but to promote advocacy for more gun control. They want universal background checks, a definition of “dangerous people” that goes far beyond felons and the mentally ill, a ban on “assault weapons and high-capacity magazines”, and stronger laws against trafficking.

 This report is proof positive that the old saw that “figures lie and liars figure” is true.

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Who Will Be The First To Leave?

April 7, 2013 by 14 Comments

Now that both Maryland and Connecticut have passed their draconian gun control acts, the question becomes who among the gun manufacturers in those two states will be the first to relocate.

On Thursday, there was an article in Opposing Views suggesting that Beretta USA had announced their departure from Maryland. However, if you read the article closely, this is incorrect. What Beretta actually said was that they would have to leave if the gun control legislation was passed. They have not yet made a formal announcement that they were moving their operations out of Maryland. I’m sure that probably will happen but it hasn’t happened yet.

So that leaves the question who will be first. Moreover, where will they move.

Both states have a number of well-known firearms manufacturers: Beretta, Colt, Ruger, and Mossberg. However, to get a better feel for the companies involved in firearms manufacturing in both states, I went to the ATF list of Federal Firearms Licensees. I pulled the 07 FFLs – manufacturers of firearms other than destructive devices – and 10 FFLs – manufacturers of destructive devices for each state. It should be noted that some of the firearms “manufacturers” in each state either make components or are actually gunsmiths doing custom work.

Maryland and Connecticut each have five manufacturers of destructive devices including big companies such as Beretta, Colt Defense, Colt’s Manufacturing, and  defense contractor Mistral Group. Under the listing for ordinary firearms manufacturers, Connecticut has 121 companies listed while Maryland has 105 companies listed. Below is a list by state of some of the true manufacturers as opposed to either gunsmiths or those providing ancillary services such as CNC milling or specialty coatings.

Maryland

Connecticut

When discussing who will leave and who won’t, we need to keep a number of things in mind. First, you don’t just relocate a plant of any kind at the drop of a hat. Second, the companies involved have ties to their community and region going back generations. Third, very few, if any, of the manufacturers do everything and must depend upon local subcontractors to perform certain operations. Fourth, the companies would be losing a well trained workforce if they moved and their employees did not also relocate. Finally, with the firearm industry being heavily regulated, there would be immense amounts of red-tape involved in moving to a new state.

Dan Haar of the Hartford Courant looks at the issue in an article published yesterday entitled, “Gun Industry Dilemma: Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now?” He notes the issue for some of these companies is not just having to move family but the consumer backlash on their companies if they don’t.

Scalise (of ASC) badly wants to stay in Connecticut, where he and his wife have four children ages 5 to 12. So does Mark Malkowski, owner of Stag Arms a few hundred yards away in New Britain, and the executives at O.F. Mossberg & Sons and Colt’s Manufacturing Co. — all of them makers of the now banned military-style rifles at the heart of the law.

The trouble is not the direct effects of the ban — they’re allowed to continue manufacturing, and each firm will lose a few percentage points of their sales — but rather, the companies’ standing in an industry where customers famously punish certain brands.

The companies have been receiving thousands of emails from both current and future customers urging them to move. Some have indicated they will purchase from other companies if, for example, Stag Arms, stays in Connecticut. Moreover, industrial recruiters from more gun friendly states have been offering incentives to the companies to move. Whether they will move lock, stock, and barrel or move some of the production to plants in other states is the question.

Haar believes that the majority will attempt to grow production at plants outside of the state while still having some operations in Connecticut. He notes that Mossberg has a plant in Texas. It should also be remembered that Colt opened a new factory in Osceola County, Florida in 2011. Likewise, in Maryland, Beretta has some operations in Virginia.

Having established metal fabricating and finishing companies in a state would be a definite plus in attracting any firearm company to relocate. You would tend to find many of these co-located with the automotive and aircraft industries. Thus, you could see companies moving to the Upstate of South Carolina due to BMW, to Alabama due to Mercedes, to Tennessee due to Nissan, or Kentucky due to Toyota. Likewise, you could see a company relocating to the Wichita, KS area with its aircraft industry. All of these locations are in gun friendly states with strong industrial development recruiting departments.

So who would be first to go? In terms of ease of relocating, Ruger would be at the top of the list. Their manufacturing operations are in New Hampshire and Arizona. The only operations they have in Connecticut are their corporate offices.

The next on my list would be either ASC or Stag Arms. ASC is actively considering it.

Scalise, his accountant, lawyer and a few industry colleagues are looking into a move to a friendlier state. And it’s not just ASC, a New Britain business with 100 employees, that might pull up stakes. Scalise’s other company in New Britain, Marsam Metal Finishing, and at least one other firm in the firearms industry are part of the joint plan.

In all, more than 300 people would lose their jobs or be forced to move to a locale like Arkansas, South Dakota, Kansas or Texas, to name just four states that are wooing Scalise with tax breaks, cheap labor and a government that has open arms for arms-makers.

“We’re doing a due diligence analysis state-by-state,” Scalise said.

Mark Malkowski of Stag is also considering moving.

Mark Malkowski, the 34-year-old founder of Stag Arms, said he grew up in New Britain, where the company is based, and had never before considered leaving the state. But he said he would consider it now.

“If our product is so bad, so dangerous, why would the state of Connecticut want us to produce it here, create jobs here, manufacture it here and ship it to all the other states?” he said.

You would also have to put Beretta up high on the list given their past statements.

As to the others, I foresee that they will move more and more operations out of state as time goes by.  While they all can “export” their products for now, you have to wonder how long the state will even allow that.

This all leaves one more entity to consider – the National Shooting Sports Foundation. It is hard for me to see just how long they can remain in Connecticut and not be considered to be tacitly endorsing the Connecticut gun control laws by staying.

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A Wicked Good Sense Of Humor

April 5, 2013 by 1 Comment

I don’t know who writes the Rocky Mountain Right blog but they have a wicked good sense of humor. Their latest post is ostensibly written by Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and contains her guide to gun safety.

It contains this warning about those dastardly “assault weapons” and how to recognize them.

WARNING: A RIFLE THAT HAS BEEN PAINTED BLACK IS AN ASSAULT WEAPON, ONLY
HANDLE AN ASSAULT WEAPON IF YOU HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BY AN ELECTED
OFFICIAL OR CELEBRITY.

The post even has drawings to illustrate the dangers of certain kinds of ammunition. I didn’t know ammo had dragons in it!

Go to the link above and read the whole thing.

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NSSF On Passage Of Connecticut Legislation

April 5, 2013 by



The National Shooting Sports Foundation based in Newtown, Connecticut released the following statement yesterday regarding the passage of that state’s new gun control law. I think the most important part of their statement is the last sentence which says they are studying it for possible legal challenges.

I think this will be a given and not a possibility. The only question will be which gun rights organization files first.

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, issued the following statement today:

Gov. Dannel Malloy today signed into law a package of gun-control legislation that was assembled in secret by a small group of state legislators and that never received a public hearing. Most legislators had little time to even read the actual bill language.

The unfortunate results of this process, which made it appear that all points of view were being heard when in fact true expertise was shut out when it was most needed, means that mistakes in what is now enacted law will have to be corrected.

For example, language in the new law specifies a procedure for licensed firearms retailers to perform mandatory “universal” background checks on private party transactions that is not permissible based on federal law and regulations governing the National Instant Criminal Background Checks (NICS) system. As we read it, this mistake in lawmaking means that all private party transactions in the state now cannot be accomplished legally.

We share the goal of wanting to make Connecticut safer for our citizens following the unspeakable tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. In the end, however, public safety has not been enhanced and the unintended consequences of behind-closed-doors lawmaking will cause considerable confusion until the General Assembly corrects its mistakes.

Here is where we stand today. Law-abiding citizens of this state now have greater restrictions on their Second Amendment and state constitutional rights while Connecticut’s firearms manufacturers will be forced to seriously weigh the impact on their businesses and their employees of the state’s double-standard of you can build it here, but not sell it here, public policy formulation.

We will be carefully studying all provisions of the law for possible challenge in the courts.

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A Special Kind Of Arrogance

April 5, 2013 by

I can’t say anything more about Connecticut’s infamous Bill No. 1160 which was rammed through the General Assembly as emergency legislation than has already been said. 

That said, it takes a special kind of arrogance still to proclaim this on the State of Connecticut’s official “About Connecticut” webpage:

Connecticut is often described as the “Arsenal of the Nation.” It gained this reputation as early as the American Revolution. Early in the 19th century, Eli Whitney and Simeon North began making Connecticut firearms with interchangeable parts. This is generally recognized as the beginning of modern mass production.

Then there is there that other thing Connecticut likes to call itself – The Constitution State.

Only in their (lost) dreams.

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So Much For Being “The Free State”

April 4, 2013 by 4 Comments

One of the state nicknames for Maryland is the Free State. With the passage of draconian gun control by the Maryland House of Delegates yesterday, that nickname should be called into question. The bill in question, SB 281, now returns to the State Senate for concurrence.

The bill would ban the sale of semi-automatic rifles with cosmetics the proponents don’t like; would require training, a license, and fingerprinting to purchase a handgun; and would ban the sale and transfer of  all magazines with greater than 10 round capacity. The bill would also require the registration of all currently possessed “assault pistols” and “assault weapons”.  Failure to do so would result in fines and an up to one year prison term. Maryland Shall Issue has an excellent summary of the provisions of the bill here.

The NRA-ILA issued an alert last night urging Marylanders to contact their state senator and Senate President Mike Miller. As they noted, this will be the last chance to stop this legislation. Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-MD) has been a major proponent of gun control legislation and will sign this bill if passed by the Senate.

UPDATE: The Maryland Senate gave final approval to the bill yesterday and it has been sent to Gov. Martin O’Malley for his signature. At this point, the only thing that could delay its implementation is if opponents gather enough signatures to get it put on the ballot in November 2014 as a referendum item.