White House to Push Gun Control

[SuperDuty]

http://www.newsweek.com/2011/01/27/white-house-to-push-gun-control.html

"Obama intentionally did not mention gun control in his State of the Union, but aides say that in the next two weeks the administration will unveil a campaign to get Congress to toughen existing laws."

[Devereaux]

I'm shocked, simply shocked!

[Jeffh]

I feel a serious sense of impending doom. I have already written all of my state representatives, and predictably two of them blew me of, and the third wrote back basically saying that there has been a great tragedy and it is inappropriate to be concerned about gun control at this time despite the gun control bill proposed by NY representatives. Don't these people realize that the country they are working so hard to create already exists? Its called North Korea. What more can I do? I'm a member of the NRA, the Second amendment foundation, the USCCA, and the ACLDN. I'm a young guy who's only been involved in the gun rights world for a few years, and this is the first time I've really felt afraid. What do I do?
- Jeff Hiam

[Migo]

Jeff, I'm like you in that I've only been involved in the gun rights world a few years. The first thing you should do after writing your congressmen is listen to Eric Shelton. His upbeat message about "We are winning." is pretty much accurate.

Also keep in mind the following:

1. Only 56 of of 435 representatives have co-signed the magazine capacity bill. I don't think any of the 242 Republicans have signed on. There are only 193 Democrats and some are pro-gun. Conclusion: This bill will most likely die.

2. After the Tucson shooting, Glock sales peaked compared to numbers from the previous year.

3. After Obama was elected more guns were purchased than after the election of any recent president. Good job Obama!

4. Wyoming and Utah are considering following Arizona, Alaska, and Vermont in constitutional carry.

5. Number of Brady Bunch Facebook fans: 12,633. Number of NRA Facebook fans: 260,050

6. I am pretty sure I saw Obama snub McCarthy after the State of the Union address. He didn't even look at her as she approached him.

7. From Joan Petersen's (Million Mom March, Brady Campaign Board Member or whatever) blog this morning: "A Minnesota House of Representatives committee repeals sensible gun laws already on the books that have been working well to screen out those who should not have guns against vehement opposition of law enforcement" She's outraged. Apparently she can't even get her message across in her own state.

8. Actually if you read the blog above, she has only one or two supporters and the rest are like you and me. Um, where are all those anti-gunners?

9. Kim Thatcher, an Oregon representative, submitted House Bill 2790 which proposes constitutional carry in Oregon as well. HB 2791 is similar to the one proposed in Minnesota above. These won't pass, but it still indicates that we have many 2A fighters on our side.

10. Florida Senate Bill 234 is proposing open carry.

11. California Supreme Court overturns ill-concieved ammo ban.

12. We can now carry in National Parks thanks to Obama.

13. Amtrak now allows guns to be stowed in luggage.

I could go on. I will still write my congressmen, especially Blumenauer who cosigned McCarthy's bill, but I'm not too scared...

[Devereaux]

I feel a serious sense of impending doom. I have already written all of my state representatives, and predictably two of them blew me of, and the third wrote back basically saying that there has been a great tragedy and it is inappropriate to be concerned about gun control at this time despite the gun control bill proposed by NY representatives. Don't these people realize that the country they are working so hard to create already exists? Its called North Korea. What more can I do? I'm a member of the NRA, the Second amendment foundation, the USCCA, and the ACLDN. I'm a young guy who's only been involved in the gun rights world for a few years, and this is the first time I've really felt afraid. What do I do?
- Jeff Hiam

Don't lose heart, young man. You ain't seen "fear" yet - you should have been around in '93, when there was serious discussion by very level-headed people on how to resist any taking of weapons the government might try. Now there is only a few diehard dopes that keep making the same argument. Overall, we are winning this discussion, by enlisting the average American man and woman. The comment that this was "a great tragedy" in Arizona is simply typical blowhard overstatement. It was a tragedy. 6 people were killed. There are 6 or more people killed on highways pretty much any given week of the year, but I haven't heard any politician pontificating on THAT tragedy. Keep the faith, keep talking about rights and how government enlargement is basically taking those away. Keep talking about responsibility. Remind people that perhaps the greatest line from Ryan's rebuttal to the silly, self-aggrandizing SOTU speech was the one about the value of self-government. It's the middle we are fighting to move to our side, where they rightly DO belong, as they really DO believe our way. They only need some better demonstrations of how we're right and they're wrong - something to counter all those years of propaganda from the schools.

[Charlie Foxtrot]

.
It's heartening to see duh libs throw away their one big advantage: immediacy.  The longer BHO delays, the more remote this tragedy becomes.   

[Devereaux]

Agreed! I am simply enough of a jerk to refer to him as BH0.

[Jeffh]

Thanks guys,
I've been in a state of high anxiety, and it is good to get a sense of perspective from people with experience. I've written all my state representatives as well as the president, so I guess I'll tale a deep breath and focus on the good stuff.

[Heritagefan]

They might not get that passed, but the ATF just finished a sutdy of the Importation of Shotguns

http://www.atf.gov/publications/firearms/012611-study-on-importality-of-certain-shotguns.pdf

In it, it states that the Attorney General has the ability to authorise or not authorise the importation of shotguns based on these catagories.

1. Folding, telescoping, or collapsible stocks;

2. bayonet lugs;

3. flash suppressors;

4. magazines over 5 rounds, or a drum magazine;

5. grenade-launcher mounts;

6. integrated rail systems (other than on top of the receiver or barrel);

7. light enhancing devices;

8. excessive weight (greater than 10 pounds for 12 gauge or smaller);

9. excessive bulk (greater than 3 inches in width and/or greater than 4 inches in depth);

10. forward pistol grips or other protruding parts designed or used for gripping the shotgun with the shooter’s extended hand.

So they will use this as a "Plan B".  Don't be surprised by it.

[Blue Ridge]

That would surely make millions of Americans owners of illegal weapons.  There are a lot of tactical shotguns out there.

[Devereaux]

?Can someone explain #8 & 9. ?Why would LARGE and HEAVY be bad in their eyes.

[tscentral]

That would surely make millions of Americans owners of illegal weapons.  There are a lot of tactical shotguns out there.

No, this is about importation of new guns. Does not criminalize any current weapon. Does not stop manufacture of domestic weapons. Currently applied, why you can't get a new German made PPK or the weirdness with foreign build AKs. Now looking to apply to shotguns, all stupid, but not really new. "Sporting Purpose" is part of the 68 Federal Law.

Hunter

[tscentral]

?Can someone explain #8 & 9. ?Why would LARGE and HEAVY be bad in their eyes.

They are stupid.

[Chris]

This may be overly optimistic... but given the present mood in this country from what seems to be 55-60 percent of voters...and the Tea Party candidates elected in 2010 (and those that I believe will be further elected in 2012.... and the liberal incumbents are aware of the polling data, and might want to hang onto their cushy jobs)... I do not see any significant anti-gun legislation coming from this current Congress. States are suddenly finding out what the 10th Ammendment actually means, and are telling the Feds to get "fooked".
The President may issue some Executive Orders... but I see a limited lifespan for them when Congress becomes aware of them and addresses them. I think the election of Barry Hussain Obama, to the office of President of the United States (and which may be subject to further conformation), has awakened the American public to the fact that they are the frogs in the water pot, and they are finally feeling the water reach boiling. I could certainly be wrong, but I don't think I am. YMMV.
Chris Christian

[Migo]

In another example that we are winning:

UNDERCOVER VIDEO SHOWS ILLEGAL SALE AT ARIZONA GUN SHOW: 1,990 views

NYC Mayor Bloomberg Explains Sending An Undercover Team To Arizona Gun Show: 799 views

4 Pounds of Tannerite VS 1 Old Fridge: 313,350 views

BTW, I wasn't one of the 1990 or 799, but I was one of the 313,350, which is now 313,351.