Perry Gets It

Perry Calls For Gun-Toting Freedom In Texas
April 30, 2007 06:31 PM

While people across the country have called for gun control in the wake of Virginia Tech, Gov. Rick Perry called for gun freedom Monday.

Perry met with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, who is traveling the country to decide how the government can prepare schools for these types of situations.

Perry said Texas should consider allowing licensed, law-abiding citizens to carry their authorized weapon anywhere in the state.

"Whether it's on a college campus or wherever, and frankly, I think it's time for our citizens to be able to protect themselves," Perry said. "The last time I checked, putting up a sign that says, 'Don't bring your gun in here,' for someone who has ill intent on their mind, they could (not) care less."


Courtesy of KXAN.com.

Pike County, Illinois, votes "No!"

Pike County is renowned for some of the best whitetail and wild turkey hunting in Illinois. That deserved reputation has turned hunting into a significant revenue source for the county and its residents.

A threat to that revenue may cause Pittsfield, the county seat, to someday be known as the spot where a quiet groundswell of protest against the growing proliferation of firearms restrictions finally erupted into grassroots action.

On Tuesday evening the Pike County Board citing the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, passed a resolution saying no to any state legislation limiting the right to keep and bear arms would be recognized in Pike County.

Their resolution minces no words:

"Now, Therefore, It Be And Is Hereby Resolved, that the people of Pike County, Illinois, do oppose the enactment of any legislation that would infringe upon the Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms, and deem such laws to be Unconstitutional and beyond lawful Legislative Authority."

In short, no state law placing any limitations on firearms will be valid in Pike County.

Click on the link above to read the rest of the article, courtesy of The Outdoor Wire.

Bravo, Pike County!

Nacho Guarache

From the Opinion/Editorials page of MySA.com:

This was actually published on ABC News!

Gun Control Isn't Crime Control
Stricter Gun Control Laws Wouldn't Have Prevented Va. Tech Tragedy

Opinion by John Stossel

April 26, 2007— This past Tuesday the governor of Virginia announced he would close the loophole that allowed Seung-Hui Cho to buy the guns he used to kill 32 people — and himself — on the Virginia Tech campus. OK, it's a good idea to keep guns out of the hands of people who are mentally unstable. But be careful about how far the calls for gun control go, because the idea that gun control laws lower gun crime is a myth.

Read the entire column here.

I think I need to pick up a copy of his book.....

House vote permits guns in more places

By TOM HUMPHREY, tomhumphrey3@aol.com
April 19, 2007

NASHVILLE - In a surprise move, a House panel voted Wednesday to repeal a state law that forbids the carrying of handguns on property and buildings owned by state, county and city governments - including parks and playgrounds.

"I think the recent Virginia disaster - or catastrophe or nightmare or whatever you want to call it - has woken up a lot of people to the need for having guns available to law-abiding citizens," said Rep. Frank Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains. "I hope that is what this vote reflects."


Click on the link above to read the entire article. I think Nicely and Briley have the right idea - I'd love to see something like this proposed in Texas.

Suzanna Hupp speaks out on VA Tech

Luby's Shooting Survivor Addresses Va Tech Tragedy
(CBS 42) Before the Virginia Tech massacre, the worst mass shooting was the lunchtime massacre at Luby's Cafeteria in Killeen back in 1991.

Watching the Virginia Tech massacre unfold, like other mass shootings across the country, left Suzanna Hupp both sad and angry.

"Every single one of the shootings have occurred in gun free zones,” Hupp said. “I think the politicians have created a shopping list for madmen."

Fifteen and a half years ago she helplessly watched as George Hennard drove his pickup into a crowded restaurant and systematically murdered her parents and 22 others.

"They said my mother was cradling my father, that she looked up at the gunman and he put the gun to her head and pulled the trigger,” Hupp said. “My parents had just celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary."

At the time, carrying a concealed weapon was illegal.

"I reached for my purse on the ground thinking, 'I’ve got him. I've got this guy',” Hupp said.

But her gun was still outside in the car.

"It was a stupid decision. One that I will regret forever,” Hupp said. “I would much rather be sitting in jail with a felony offense on my head and have my parents alive."

Turning anger into action, Hupp says she helped pass a concealed handgun law in Texas to give victims a fighting chance when staring down a killer.

And she's absolutely convinced if Virginia Tech officials had not banned guns on campus, this week's body count would have been much lower.

"It would have been prevented," Hupp said. "In fact, he never would have tried because people like him look for easy targets."

Recently, Virginia Tech officials testified at a legislative hearing against allowing their professors or students over the age of 21 to carry a concealed weapon on campus.

Hupp questions, if guns are the problem, why don't any of these mass killings ever take place at a gun show or at a National Rifle Association convention?

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Click on the link, & watch the video to hear it in Ms. Hupp's own voice.

VA Tech

There's been an awful lot said, by a lot of different folk, regarding the shootings at VA Tech; rather than me trying to re-invent the wheel, go over to Gun Law News and check out his list of links from yesterday and today.

Of special note is Tragedy and Heroism from The Captain's Quarters.

Gov. Perry has ordered US and Texas flags located on state property to be flown at half-mast until April 22 in respect for the families involved.

Victims' Rights

I saw this poster in a local Post Office this morning, courtesy of The National Center for Victims of Crime and the Office for Victims of Crime.

Victims' Rights: Every Victim, Every Time.
Right to Protection
Right to Restitution
Right to Be Heard
Right to Enforcement
Right to Compensation
Right to Dignity
Right to Attend
Right to Return of Property
Right to A Speedy Trial
Right to Be Informed

Sponsored by: US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime. National Crimes Victims' Rights Week, April 22-28, 2007.


On the surface, it looks pretty good - after all, who could possibly be against supporting the victims of crime? I noticed two things, though... First, all of these listed rights are "after the fact" rights. They're things that are considered due to someone who's already been a victim. While they are good rights, they still make the victim potentially dependent on Uncle Sam to take care of them and fix things after the fact. Which leads to the second thing: None of the listed rights deal with preventing oneself from being a victim.

Where the heck is the right to not be a victim? The right to be secure in one's own home, car, or personal space? The right to defense of self and family, and the right to defend one's own personal property?

"Just give the criminal what he wants. That (fill in the blank) isn't worth losing your life over." No, my life is worth more than any possession, but giving the criminal what he wants only encourages him to victimize someone else afterwards. Bullies become bullies because they've learned they can get away with it. When someone (or several someones) stand up to them, yes, someone might get hurt, but it also has the potential of preventing someone else from being bullied afterwards.

Personally, rather than submit meekly as many of our hoplophobic leaders want us to do in the face of thuggery, I'd rather depend on my own awareness, and my right to defend myself and my loved ones, and my property. The criminal is the one invading my space. He's not going to have my permission, or my thanks, for threatening me or mine. This is why I invested the time, money, and practice in a CCW permit, with my husband's blessing. This is why many states now offer the option of concealed carry. And concealed carry is contributing to the decline of violent crime, statistically, everywhere it's been actively pursued by the general law-abiding public. No matter what the MSM, and the Feinsteins and Bradys want us to think.

Thank God I live in Texas, instead of some place like California, Chicago or New York City. If my life is in danger, I will do what I can and not hide in the closet, hoping that "Dear Old Uncle" will make things "all better" afterwards.

So where's the MSM coverage on this?

43 straight months of job increases.

Jobless Rate Falls, 180,000 Jobs Added
Friday April 6, 4:54 pm ET
By Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writer

Unemployment Matches 5-Year Low; Jobs Surge by 180,000

WASHINGTON (AP) -- If you were looking for a job as a teacher last month, you were in luck. Same goes for health workers, retail clerks and building contractors.

All told, the economy added 180,000 new jobs, dropping unemployment to a 4.4 percent rate that matched a five-year low.

Article here.

With a hat tip to Second City Cop for the pointer.

Good Friday

Amazing Love!
How can it be
that You,
my God,
would die... for me?

Update on yesterday's Special Bulletin

Remington/Bushmaster or Bushmaster/Remington?

With yesterday's announcement that Cerebus Capital Management, L.P. had finalized the deal to acquire Remington Arms, a company best known for owning airlines (Air Canada), car rental companies (Alamo and National), a bus manufacturer (Bluebird), and banks and lending institutions in Germany, Israel and Japan became an instant player in the firearms industry.

With their acquisition of Bushmaster, Cerebus already was firmly ensconced in the "black rifle" industry. By acquiring Remington, they have a significant presence in every area of the firearms industry - except handguns.

Some industry figures are already whispering likely candidates to fill what one wag calls "the final space in the Cerebus gun safe".

The deal itself doesn't really take Remington in a new ownership direction. Remington was already owned by two New York private equity firms, Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Company, and Clayton Dubilier & Rice. Clayton Dubilier bought Remington's assets from DuPont in 1993 for $300 million. The Wilmington, Delaware-based chemical company purchased a 60 percent stake in the gunmaker in 1933 and acquired the remaining shares in 1980.

And, while Remington company spokesman Al Russo has been quoted as saying Remington's management, led by by CEO Thomas "Tommy" Milner, will remain in place, it does give Cerebus Capital some overlapping areas with Bushmaster.

The deal, announced with an estimated value of $370 million, will actually move considerably less real cash. With Cerebus assuming Remington's existing debt, less than $120 million will actually change hands. The remainder will be in existing obligations, transaction fees and other expenses.

Remington says the transaction will strengthen its ability to grow its positions in shotguns, rifles and ammunition in the United States and "provide capital to further develop its market presence internationally."

In the announcement of the sale, Remington's Millner said "This transaction is an acknowledgment of the Remington tradition, its strong brand, and the excellent products built over 191 years through innovation and by our dedicated employees. Further, this new partnership signals our intent to continue the path of enhancing our production capabilities and product offerings, in order to further grow our presence domestically and internationally."

Millner also said the agreement would fuel research and development of products for customers worldwide, "whether hunting waterfowl with a Titanium receiver based shotgun or fighting terrorism as a member of our armed forces with our M24SWS Sniper Weapon System."

Those are, as the Remington releases state, reasons to look to the future with great optimism. But there has to be some concern in the Madison, North Carolina headquarters about the sudden overlapping of efforts between Remington's LE division and Bushmaster. Earlier this week, Bushmaster's E. Scott Blackwell announced the hiring of LE sales veteran Mike Chamberlain to head that company's newly-created post of Director, Law Enforcement Sales.

If there is an old school/new school comparison to be drawn, Remington, is decidedly "old school" in the law enforcement and military space. Bushmaster, with their highly regarded AR-style rifles, and a proprietary new caliber developed in conjunction with Hornady Ammunition (the .450 Bushmaster) is a player in the "black rifle" space with a new round that gives them a round very suitable for hunting - with a nine round magazine capacity.

While there's been no official confirmation of collaborative efforts between the two companies, industry officials and New York financial analysts we've spoken with say it's a virtual certainty there will be a Remington AR in the works. Likewise, it would seem to be logical to presume that Bushmaster may be introducing its own branded line of specialty and match ammunition, although the relationship with Hornady may find itself strained by the new development.

Remington's new ownership gives them rapid access to the cash needed to improve and modernize processes and facilities. Last year, Remington posted a small net profit after three years of significant losses, with overall sales rising to $446 million. As of February, Remington had 2,150 employees.

This is the second significant rolling-up in the firearms industry in the past few months. In December, Smith & Wesson acquired Thompson/Center Arms for $102 million. With Remington/Bushmaster and Smith & Wesson/Thompson/Center, the two companies are now competing head-to-head in rifles, shotguns, and blackpowder markets.

It should make for interesting times. Especially if Cerebus Capital Management, L.P. -with $23.5 billion under management - decides to complete their arsenal with the acquisition of a well-known, but underperforming handgun company.

We'll keep you posted.

Courtesy of The Shooting Wire and The Outdoor Wire.

Special Bulletin

From the Outdoor and Shooting Wires (links below)

Remington Arms Company, Inc. one of the nation's oldest continually-operating firearms companies, is being acquired by an affiliate of Cereberus Capital Management, L.P. The $370 million dollar acquisition includes the assumption of all of Remington Arms Company, Inc.'s liabilities and product lines.

Remington CEO Tommy Millner released a statement characterizing the transaction as "an acknowledgment of the Remington tradition, its strong brand, and the excellent products built over 191 years…"

The acquisition gives Cereberus two gun companies, Remington Arms and Bushmaster. Sources familiar with both companies say Remington will quickly add an AR-style rifle platform to complement their M24SWS Sniper Weapon System while Bushmaster will likely add signature branded ammunition and products.

Remington also includes a total line of shotshell, centerfire, rimfire and handgun ammunition and manufacturing under the Remington and UMC brands. For many years, Remington has remained the number one producer of both rifles and shotguns in the US domestic market.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC provided financing commitment and advisor services to Cereberus in the acquisition, expected to close in June 2007.

We will have complete details and reaction to the acquisition in the Friday, April 6, 2007 editions of The Outdoor and Shooting Wires.

The Shooting Wire
The Outdoor Wire

Here we go again

Do a Google search on "Feinstein resigns post" and you'll get several pages of links; most are from independent watchdog groups and e-news providers. There's now a goodly number of blogs & forums discussing the issue, as well. Most noteworthy, I haven't seen anything from the MSM yet, and this "broke" on Tuesday. Here are just three of the headlines:

Sen. Feinstein Resigns Military Appropriations Post (NewsMax.com)
Feinstein Resigns Post Amid 'Conflict of Interest' Questions (FreeRepublic.com)
Sen. Feinstein Resigns from Military Appropriations Post Amid Ethics Violation Cloud (Hendersonville Post)


Sen. Feinstein Resigns Military Appropriations Post
This article was written by Fred Lucas

Government watchdog groups want more answers as to why Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., stepped down from a military appropriations subcommittee at a time questions were being asked billions of dollars in federal defense contracts going to her husband's companies.

Feinstein resigned her post as chairwoman of the Senate Subcommittee on Military Construction Appropriations last week.

The decision came less than two months after Metro Newspapers, a group of alternative weekly papers in northern California, detailed the number of defense contracts awarded to Perini Corp. and URS Corp., both of which her husband, Richard C. Blum, has ownership, according to the newspapers.

The investigation was partially funded by the Investigative Fund of The Nation Institute, a non-profit organization affiliated with the liberal magazine The Nation.

"This was a critique from the left," Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, a conservative public interest group, told Cybercast News Service. "These were left-leaning papers. The fact that she stepped down from the committee lends credibility to the charges."
...etc.
exerpt from a post on OutdoorsBest Forums

Cheerleading more hazardous than hunting

Another good article on today's The Shooting Wire. (If you aren't already subscribed to TSW, I'd recommend it!)

Accidental Fatalities Hit New LOW

The National Safety Council has released new data that demonstrates that accidental firearms fatalities continue to remain at the lowest levels since the NSC began record keeping. In fact, over the last decade, fatalities have dropped 40 percent, from 1,225 in 1995 to 730 in 2005.

There were key findings that say you're less likely to be injured by a firearm than you are by a motor vehicle, poison, falls, choking, flames (and smoke), drowning, suffocation, natural heat and cold, or being struck by or against an object.

In fact, if hazardous activities were outlawed on a statistical basis, cheerleading equipment would be more likely to be outlawed than firearms - or footballs. Cheerleading, due to the new emphasis on gymnastics and increasingly more dangerous stunts, has claimed the number one position in traumatic injuries in high school and college sports.

Here are some other key findings, courtesy of the National Shooting Sports Foundation's Industry Intelligence Reports:

Firearms-related injuries have been decreasing consistently since record keeping began in 1903 and dramatically in the past 10 years.

Over the last nine years, the number of unintentional firearm related fatalities for children (ages 14 and under) has decreased by 69 percent.

Accidental firearm-related fatalities are substantially lower compared to the number of accidental deaths caused by other injury types.

Hunting is one of the safest forms of recreation in the United States.

Firearms are involved in fewer than 1.2 percent of accidental fatalities among children.

In the past 10 years, firearms-related accidents in the home have dropped by more than 44 percent.

Firearms are involved in fewer than 1 percent (0.7 percent) of all accidental fatalities in the United States.

Over the last decade the rate of firearm-related injuries per 100,000 people has declined by 60 percent, from 0.5 percent in 1995 to 0.2 percent in 2005.

In other words, don't let anyone tell you that responsible ownership of a firearm is irresponsible.

~~~~~~~
I'm looking for the original NSC report... if anyone has a link, I'd sure appreciate being pointed in the right direction.

Yerggghhh!

We (the son and I) went to the local gun show this past Saturday. Sunday evening I was trying to post a wee bit on the topic, and Blogger kept timing out on me. I couldn't even save the post as a draft, & wound up tossing up my hands & heading to bed. Morning comes awfully early on Mondays.... Early Monday morning, I find out the "problem" was that Blogger decided, on its own, that my blog needed to be "upgraded" to the next level, and commenced to do so right in the middle of what I was doing. And I couldn't log in anymore.

Finally got the situation sorted out, & found a number of Comments that folks had left on my blog that I'd never known were there.... and that missing "un-saved draft" somehow magically reappeared - posted.

So please forgive me, folks, if you've tried leaving a msg & thought I was ignoring you. I honestly didn't know there were comments pending... including one from the very first post I made on this blog!

(I guess I did need to upgrade, after all....)

A good weekend

You might be a gun nut, if -
- you're on a first-name basis with the owners and employees of four different gun shops and three pawn shops, in two different states, and at least recognized and remembered by face and favorite caliber, if not by name, in several others;
- two of the gun shops keep your name and phone number handy in case something comes in that they think you might be interested in;
- most of the vendors at the local gun shows recognize you, and make comments like, "I saw your son a few minutes ago & wondered where you were!"

The son and I attended a local show yesterday; spent the better part of the day on our feet walking around & visiting with folks, looking over the tables and playing the "If I had the cash..." game. Both of us had trade/sale fodder with us, and we both managed to find something we wanted and still come home with a bit more cash than we'd left with! All in all, a very satisfying day; it would have been perfect except the son got called in to work afterwards to cover the shift of another employee who'd brilliantly managed to get himself fired. So, no range time yesterday evening... we may be able to visit the indoor range one evening this week instead.

And now that the weather's warming up a bit, I'm half-way expecting a call from a couple of the husband's friends from the anime club on campus.... they like to invite themselves out to the range with us on the weekends, when they need to decompress a bit from the stress of their classes.