From GOA: ...As our new President takes his oath of office today, the war against our rights is soon to begin. In fact, it has already begun, as Obama's choice for Attorney General (Eric Holder) is one of the most anti-gun picks that he could have made. As we mentioned in last week's alert, Holder supported policies - during his tenure in the Clinton administration - that were aimed at driving the nation's gun dealers and manufacturers out of business. As part of an Obama administration, he will have even more power to continue his war against gun owners. At lot has happened since you received our alert last week. GOA was asked by the Judiciary Committee to testify at the Senate hearings on Eric Holder, as we were the ONLY national gun group that has told Senators we will rate their vote on confirming Holder. We also "hammered" one of the Republican members of the Judiciary Committee - Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah - in his home state after he announced his support of the Holder nomination... http://gunowners.org/a012009.htm --- From NRA: As a new administration takes charge of the nation, our work defending firearms freedom enters a new chapter. I hope his administration respects the Second Amendment Rights of all law abiding citizens. Gun owners, however, cannot rely on hope. We must, as always, rely on ourselves and each other to continue the unending fight to preserve our civil rights - that eternal vigil which is, indeed, the price of liberty. Make no mistake: There will be renewed, emboldened attempts to infringe on our rights. Politicians will try to ban entire classes of firearms. They will try to tax and regulate ammunition to the point that ordinary Americans simply can't afford it. And they will try to silence those who warn voters about their actions... http://www.nranews.com/blogarticle.aspx?blogPostId=491 --- The Beat Goes On: Supply is barely keeping up with demand in the gun industry. This spike in sales has pointed directly to President-Elect Barack Obama since Election day. Now that Obama is officially taking office, it appears gun enthusiasts are buying firearms at higher prices and in higher numbers. The booming sales, come as people are worried that Obama and a newly elected Democratic Congress will renew a retired federal ban on assault weapons. That could also mean stricter regulations and higher taxes. "Obama could, 30 minutes after Inauguration, put a screeching halt to imported parts and ammunition," said Bob Irwin, owner of The Gun Store on Tropicana... (I have counseled for may months that those who own firearms chambered in 7.62x39mm and 5.45x39mm should acquire a lifetime supply of ammo as its import could easily be banned.) http://www.ktnv.com/global/story.asp?s=9699569 In this struggling economy, it's hard to imagine any business doing well. But one industry is thriving, so much so that the supply can't keep up with the demand. Some folks believe it's thanks to the newly elected Democratic Congress and President-elect Barack Obama. News 3's Dan Ball explains why gun owners are flocking to stores and gun shows to stock up... http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=9695992&nav=menu107_2 For nearly 20 years, Bob Pucci has invited gun dealers and enthusiasts to his shows across the state. That's why the Janesville resident is worried about what will happen to gun-control laws when President-elect Barack Obama takes office Tuesday. "Attendance and sales have skyrocketed since the election," Pucci said. "Gun owners don't trust Obama, but he is still the president." Big crowds and brisk sales were seen Friday through Sunday at the Waukesha County Expo Center for the Rocco Memorial Gun Show, which was renamed to honor Pucci's beloved black Labrador that passed away in July. Pucci said this rush to purchase firearms is even bigger than when former President Bill Clinton signed an assault weapons ban in 1994... http://www.gmtoday.com/news/local_stories/2009/Jan_09/01182009_04.asp --- VCDL Lobbies for Expanded Carry: The mission was simple Monday for dozens of members of the Virginia Citizens' Defense League, (a group that supports 2nd amendment rights), slap on an orange sticker, grab an agenda, and find your local legislator. "We have teams that are going to break up and they're going to visit every single legislator that is in the building today," remarked Mark Stollenwerk, a VCDL organizer. Impassioned group members roamed the hallways of the General Assembly building, showcasing their support for legislation that would allow concealed handgun permit holders to carry in restaurants and on school grounds. (Under current law, Virginia residents can only carry openly in establishments that serve alcohol.) http://www.wtvr.com/Global/story.asp?S=9698009 http://hamptonroads.com/2009/01/hundreds-richmond-rally-back-progun-bills --- Open Carry Becomes Issue in Wisconsin: For most of this decade, the most contentious gun issue in Wisconsin has been that of concealed carry, or the legal sanction to carry a firearm in public in a hidden manner, either on the body or in close proximity. But this year that affair may take a backseat to a rapidly intensifying debate about the legality of open carry, or the act of publicly carrying a firearm in plain view. Ostensibly, Wisconsin is an open-carry state, meaning there is no law against a law-abiding citizen openly carrying a legal firearm. Theoretically, at least, one could strap on a holster and pistol and go buy groceries, or plant trees in one's own yard, whether or not such an action might be wise... (There is an organized open-carry movement in Wisconsin that is oriented toward encouraging the state to reconsider its ban on concealed carry.) http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=8970 --- Wyoming Gun Bill Clears Senate: The Senate passed on a first vote today a bill requiring judges to warn people accused, that pleading guilty would cost them their federal gun rights. The bill would also classify misdemeanor domestic violence as a serious offense requiring defendants to have lawyers. Republican State Senator Cale Case of Lander, told the committee that Wyoming needs to make sure citizens realize they can lose their constitutional right to own guns as a result of misdemeanor convictions. (Not mentioned is how many people became prohibited possessors retroactively when the Lautenberg Amendment became law, due to old convictions and pleas for domestic-violence offenses.) http://www.kgwn.tv/story.aspx?ID=1415&Cat=2 --- National Geographic Gun Program Draws Fire: A recent special from the National Geographic Channel titled "Guns in America" has become the latest catalyst in the debate over what responsible journalism means when it comes to one of America's most contentious issues. Guns in America originally aired on the National Geographic Channel on December 16, 2008. The show's intended mission was to be an unbiased exploration of "the gun culture in America, from a police officer to a young mother." No sooner had the program ended than gun right's advocates were up in arms over the statistics used in the show and what they saw as a decidedly anti-gun slant... http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/news-national-geographic-gun-show-draws-heavy-fire-from-critics --- Oops, Wrong Store: A masked bandit tried to rob the wrong store Thursday night. A police report said about 11:19 p.m. a black man in his mid to late 20s brandished a shotgun at a 73-year-old store owner, demanded money and fired once, hitting the wall behind the owner. The store owner pulled out his own gun and returned fire and called 911 as the man fled the store on foot. Smoking a cigarette not long after lunch time Friday, Milton McCarty leaned on the counter behind the cashier's area, a half cup of coffee in a styrofoam cup resting near his elbow. He said he's owned McCarty's Super Convenience Store at 3909 Camden Highway for 40 years and when he works at night, he always carries his weapon, declining to say exactly what kind... (It sounds as though Mr. McCarty could use a bit more range time.) http://www.theitem.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090117/ITNEWS01/701179966 --- When Seconds Count...: ...It is a sad fact that law enforcement officers are not able to be everywhere to stop every crime. It is stories like this that emphasize the even someone who does everything right and reports disturbances and suspicious behavior to the police are still essentially on their own if a criminal decides to attack. People who choose to own and carry firearms for personal protection are no different from this unfortunate victim in many respects, but they are more prepared. Being ready, willing, and able to fight back doesn't mean you're paranoid, it means you're prepared. Bearing arms give you a better chance to stay alive while waiting for help to arrive. Guns save lives. (When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.) http://www.ohioccw.org/content/view/4218/53/ --- iPod Ballistic Calculator: A new application has been launched for the iPod touch to help gun users line up a clean shot at their target. The BulletFlight app, which costs £6.99 to download from the iTunes store, has been developed by Runaway App to turn the iPod touch into a ballistics computer which the company says can provide "quick solutions in the field". Users can mount their iPod touch to their rifle, and then use the iPod's touch-screen to tap in details about the wind conditions, ammunition type, distance to the intended target and even the wind speed... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/apple/4297205/Sniper-rifle-software-launched-for-iPod-touch.html --- More on Montana Hospital Shooting: Confirmed information about the Glasgow shooting incident is slow to emerge. There are no shortage of rumors about the details of the incident in the Glasgow area. I'm getting many reports from there. The media are unwilling to use information not from "official" (law enforcement) sources. Meanwhile, the "official sources" are being very closed-mouthed. In fact, Glasgow-area law enforcement have actually accused me to the Great Falls Tribune of inappropriately "leaking" information about the incident. I haven't missed that they didn't accuse me of "speculating," but of "leaking," as if I had certain knowledge but exist under some official restraint to not share that knowledge. You will remember that I characterized the initial information I distributed as "Unconfirmed but probable." Our sympathies go out to the survivors of the incident. I remain concerned that what role citizen Scott Billingsley played in stopping the killer will be minimized or eliminated in media coverage relying on only "official sources." I do know that several media outlets are trying hard to confirm Scott's role. Still, I do not yet have sufficient confirmed information to separate rumors from facts. I did get an email from somebody who says he talked with Scott since the incident, and that the information in my original release was essentially correct. I'll stick by that until I have confidence in new information. There is one curious aspect to the investigation ongoing in Glasgow. I hear that there are scores of federal officers in Glasgow working the investigation. Why federal officers? My best guess is (if the reports are correct) it's because Glasgow is adjacent to the Fort. Peck Indian Reservation, and federal law enforcement agencies have primary authority on reservations (although this incident happened off the reservation, in Glasgow proper). I suppose it might also have something to do with jurisdiction over property associated with the used-to-be Glasgow air base. Maybe the feds were just having a slow day and decided to rally some federal personnel to Glasgow for exercise. It seems confirmed that local law enforcement called in investigators from the Montana Department of Justice to help sort things out. But federal agencies and personnel? Who knows? Stay tuned ... Gary Marbut, president Montana Shooting Sports Association http://www.mtssa.org --- From AzCDL: Like it says in our brochure, AzCDL is an "all volunteer" organization and we still need volunteers to help us at the remaining 2 gun shows this January in Phoenix and Tucson: January 24-25, 2009 at the Phoenix Fairgrounds (Crossroads of the West). January 24-25, 2009 at the Tucson Convention Center (McMann's Roadrunner). If you can spare a few hours we would deeply appreciate your help - the majority of our members join AzCDL at gun shows thanks to the hard work of our gun show volunteers. Come on down and spend some time observing the other volunteers. When you feel ready, step on in. If pro-active interactions are not your forte, we still need volunteers to manage the table, help hand out flyers and brochures, and keep an eye on things. Volunteers who work the AzCDL table for a few hours get into gun shows FREE! If your membership is coming up for renewal soon, stop by the table and renew at the "gun show special" rate ($10 off!). Sustaining memberships get a FREE AzCDL T-Shirt. Not a member? Not a problem! You can join AzCDL at the gun show! Interested? For the Phoenix gun show, send an email to John: john.rosado@AzCDL.org . For the Tucson gun show, send an email to Duke: duke.schechter@AzCDL.org . These alerts are a project of the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), an all volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization. Join today! AzCDL - Protecting Your Freedom http://www.azcdl.org/html/join_us_.html Copyright © 2009 Arizona Citizens Defense League, Inc., all rights reserved. -- Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY Firearm safety - It's a matter for education, not legislation. http://www.spw-duf.info .