SAF On DOJ Heller Brief: Martin Luther King Jr. put it best: "A right delayed is a right denied." The lesson appears to have been lost on the Department of Justice and Solicitor General Paul D. Clement in the amicus curiae brief submitted recently for the government in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller, which challenges the city's 31-year-old handgun ban, a horrible gun law that has had its day in court and lost. In a transparent exercise of political pandering, Clement and his colleagues named on the brief have strenuously, and correctly, argued that the Second Amendment protects an individual civil right, yet they insist that every restrictive gun law currently on the books should stand. http://www.star-telegram.com/245/story/422415.html Related Commentaries: http://www.enterstageright.com/archive/articles/0108/0108secamd.htm http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=24582 --- Rights Activists, Prohibitionists Clash In Virginia: People on both sides of the gun control debate clashed yesterday as families and friends of Virginia Tech shooting victims and survivors of the tragedy flooded the Capitol in support of legislation designed to prevent criminals and the mentally ill from buying firearms at gun shows. Tensions escalated as about 100 supporters of a bill that would close the so-called gun-show loophole lay on the Capitol lawn to honor victims of gun violence. About 200 opponents surrounded the group holding signs that read, "Here Lie Disarmed Victims," both sides jostled for turf and one gun rights advocate posed questions to a survivor of the April 16 Virginia Tech shootings. http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080122/METRO/197189161/1004 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/21/AR2008012102156.html http://www.richmond.com/news-features/23370 --- Florida Bills Would Limit Access To CWFL's: Two bills have been offered in the state Legislature that would make it harder for people in Florida to get or keep licenses to carry guns. In the House, a North Miami lawmaker is proposing to increase the time people have to wait before getting concealed weapon licenses if they've pleaded guilty or no contest to felonies but had convictions "withheld." ... Meanwhile, in the Senate, members of the Criminal Justice Committee are working to improve how state officials learn when a person has been found mentally ill so that they can suspend or revoke a gun license. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flagunpermits0122sbjan22,0,7402509.story --- Arizona Restaurant-Carry Bill: A state lawmaker may have crafted the most politically acceptable plan yet to let diners at restaurants that serve alcohol carry their guns... Harper's proposal is worded so guns would be allowed only if the proprietor specifically posted a sign saying they are permitted. That means those eating establishments that didn't want armed diners would not have to do anything to keep it that way. (As I pointed out about this bill earlier, it also adds an offense to the Criminal Code's "Misconduct with weapons" statute for carrying where alcohol is served. Currently, doing so is only a rarely prosecuted violation a section of the Liquor Code.) http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/221607 --- NRA, Brady Bunch Clash Over "Castle" Bills: The spread of castle laws across the U.S. the past two years serves as the latest battleground between pro-gun forces and gun-control advocates. The two sides, led by the National Rifle Association and the Brady Campaign, use words carefully chosen for maximum emotional impact - and often the same words, though with far different meanings. And they fight state by state over bills that either provide "innocent victims" with an unlimited right to self-defense or place "innocent bystanders" in the line of fire with no legal recourse. By the beginning of 2008, 20 states - including Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana - had adopted castle laws, with more states considering similar legislation. http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-nrabrady_20met.ART.State.Edition1.37ae40a.html --- Arm Yourself: The young lady recently murdered while hiking the southern tip of the Appalachian Trail might be alive today if she had tucked a pistol into her backpack or fanny pack. Yes, I know it's against the law to carry a pistol on the trail, but which would you prefer - breaking a bureaucratic rule or getting your brains knocked out and then being decapitated? ... Two more points: Before you buy a gun for self-defense, make sure you are psychologically prepared to take a human life. That's not a minor thing. Death is irrevocable. There are always consequences. If you aren't prepared to deal with them, then you're better off buying pepper spray and a pair of running shoes. Secondly, learn to use your gun. That means lots of practice. If an attack comes, it will come unexpectedly and suddenly, and you won't have time to fumble around wondering where the safety catch is. Always shoot to kill. (It would be wiser to counsel not to shoot with the intent only to wound. The intent to kill is an element of the crime of murder.) http://www.lewrockwell.com/reese/reese429.html --- Oops, Wrong Car: An 85-year-old Shenandoah, Fla., man reportedly shot and wounded an alleged would-be car thief Monday in order to protect his grandson. Miami police said a 29-year-old robbery suspect was allegedly trying to steal a car when the owner, who was armed, confronted him, the Miami Herald reported. The two engaged in a "vicious fight," said police spokesman William Moreno. The car owner's grandfather, Florentino Jauregui, also armed, rushed out of the house and "fearing his grandson was being overpowered," shot the thief once, added Moreno. http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/01/21/would-be_robber_shot_by_85-year-old/3805/ --- Oops, Wrong Fight: ... In the parking lot outside the Brandywine Town Center occupants of two cars, who claimed the other car cut them off, began physically fighting. Shoppers called police but before troopers could get there, a 58-year-old man brandished a pistol and ordered the trio to "get to the ground," according to court records... Police arrested and charged him with felony aggravated menacing, possession of a firearm during a felony as well as carrying a concealed deadly weapon and disorderly conduct. http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080121/OPINION11/801210328/1112/OPINION --- Rule One, Rule Two Reminder: An honest gun owner shares: "On January 19, 2008 I had a negligent discharge of my pistol. It's a Rock Island full size 1911. .45 ACP loaded with Federal Hydro Shok ammunition. This round utilizes a 230 grain jacketed hollow point bullet. This is a very good self defense round, because the bullets expand as they pass through material like animals and people. I'm tempted to call it an 'accidental discharge,' but to me that implies that the gun fired without the trigger being intentionally pulled. That doesn't apply in this case. I intentionally pulled the trigger, I just neglected to unload the gun first." (The photos are not pleasant. Rule One: All firearms are always loaded. Rule Two: Never let the muzzle cross anything you're not prepared to shoot.) http://dishhead.home.insightbb.com/leg.html --- Rule Five Reminder: A reported escapee from a Wilmington community correction center was arrested Wednesday night after snatching an off-duty police officer's purse - which contained her police-issued weapon - and holding officers at bay for about two hours..."When she came out of the store, the suspect snatched her purse and ran," Wilmington police Master Sgt. Steven Barnes said. "She started to yell and get people's attention around her." (Rule Five: Maintain control of your firearm. I may be in a minority but I don't believe that off-body carry, as in a purse, provides good control.) http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008801170332 --- Disguised (Off-Body) Holster Pulled From Market: It looks like a Coke with ice - but it could be stashing a Colt with bullets. An Internet firm peddling a cup carrier designed to hide a loaded pistol underneath a drink abruptly yanked its product off the market amid flak from law-enforcement authorities. Firearm Access System Technologies recently began advertising its "FAST cup holster" for $29.95, saying it would let a driver to conceal a handgun beneath a 44-ounce plastic beverage cup. http://www.nypost.com/seven/01212008/news/nationalnews/take_a_load_off_43247.htm -- Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY Firearm safety - It's a matter for education, not legislation. http://www.spw-duf.info .