Firearms Blog » Second Amendment Rights

Bob Barr’s view of Challenges to Second Amendment Rights

simon — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 23:32:12 +0000

Bob Barr is a former Republican U.S. Representative from Georgia’s 7th District. Worked hard as the Presidential Candidate in 2008 under the Libertarian Party label and a National Rifle Association board member among many other accomplishments.

I found a great interview where Mr Barr discusses the challenges face by Americans with regard to their Second Amendment gun rights. Governments are continually looking for ways to limit freedom, especially with regards to firearms. The Heller and McDonald Rulings were not definitive enough to limit government’s intent on restricting firearm ownership. He also considers the international pressures at the end.

This video was posted by Youtube user JohnLockeFoundation1 who noted that “Barr offered these comments during an interview for Carolina Journal Radio (CarolinaJournalRadio.com) Program No. 396. Video courtesy of CarolinaJournal.tv.” The post dated was December 17, 2010.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Gun Free Zones- Funny and Serious

simon — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 23:52:37 +0000

Gun Free Zones (Pistol Free Zones) are supposed to be safe, right? No guns are allowed, so there must be safe places to be. Many places have been made to be Gun Free Zones, including schools, universities, post offices, churches, courthouses, playgrounds, hospitals, airports, alcohol-serving establishments, etc. Some expected all gun crimes at these types of locations to stop. Unfortunately, the only persons following these laws are the good guy sides of the equation. Criminals are lawbreakers by definition, and a little gun free zone law does not stop them.

I found two great videos demonstrating this, one humorous, one more serious and informative. Both are from Fox News.

The funny:

The serious:

This second video also demonstrates my point about the crazy logic of the Brady Campaign about the Terror Watch List at the end.

This all comes back to preserving the right of the law-abiding current and future citizens to defend themselves. Criminals have no respect for laws and will not abide by the cute little “Gun Free Zone” sign. Some simple-minded folks are soothed by the notion of a nice little sign and laws to go with it. Those upstanding non-criminal citizens that wish to defend themselves are not allowed to do so.

Chipping away at the Second Amendment.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Brady Campaign Fights More Rights

simon — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:49:10 +0000

The Brady Campaign is heavily supporting legislation to close a perceived “Terror Gap.” This legislation aims to remove Second Amendment rights from American citizens that are on the Terror Watch List. Directly from the Brady Campaign website:

————————————————————————————————————————————————–

POSITION: As a way to strengthen the Brady background check system, the Brady Campaign supports the Terror Gap bill.

PROBLEM: There is a gaping hole in our nation’s firearm laws that terrorists can exploit. Federal authorities can’t stop sales of guns – including military-style assault weapons – by federally licensed gun dealers to known or suspected terrorists because of gaps in current law. Our definitions of those prohibited from purchasing guns from federally licensed dealers do not include those known and suspected terrorists.

THREAT: There is government-documented evidence that terrorists have armed themselves with guns purchased in the U.S.

URGENCY: This Terror Gap threatens our safety. We don’t want to wait until after a tragedy occurs. We can do something about it now.

SOLUTION: Congress must pass the bill to close the Terror Gap to stop known or suspected terrorists from buying guns.

GET ACTIVE: Contact your Representative and Senators to urge them to support the Terror Gap bill. The Senate bill is S. 1317. The House bill is H.R. 2159.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————

As you can see, this will affect the Second Amendment rights of those on the Terror Watch List.

While seeming appropriate on the surface, my problem with this is that those on the Terror Watch list are not allowed their rights under the Sixth Amendment of the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution.

“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.”

Suspected terrorists are placed on this list without any sort of trial or due process. Most folks do not even know they are on the list. Some are added mistakenly. There does not seem to be any formal laws identifying what crimes or suspicions are considered to be added to the Terror Watch List. This list is kept secret according to the FBI.

The existence of this list is a beneficial tool for law enforcement to keep the public safe. Using this list to remove Constitutionally-guaranteed rights from American citizens without due process of trial is wrong.

If allowed, it has the possibility to be expanded to remove gun rights from a wide swath of American Citizens. Officials could put anybody on the Terror Watch List and remove rights by decree. Merely expanding the definition of a terrorist could quickly cause problems for untold numbers of citizens.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

SCOTUS McDonald v Chicago

simon — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:50:05 +0000

The ruling on Monday, June 28, 2010 by the US Supreme Court in the case of McDonald v Chicago is historic and important. The 5-4 decision in favor of the individual right to keep and bear arms was an important upholdance of the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America.

Many people rightly have concern about the four dissenting votes in this case. Rightly so. We seem to have four Justices at the highest level of the Judicial Branch of the U.S. government that do not interpret the Second Amendment to mean that individuals have the right to own firearms to protect and defend.

My first thought on hearing of this close decision was this:

“What if the ruling had gone the other way?”

What would the reaction of the pro-gun rights crowd be? Of course it would be peaceful, though the media might warn of cases of violence. I do not believe that this ruling would have been “The straw that broke the camel’s back.”

I am an optimist, and I believe that a ruling in favor of the City of Chicago’s gun ban would have strengthened the pro-gun rights movement. The election of President Obama was a large awakening for the movement. Without any direct threat or promise, many feared a change in the White House would greatly affect their Second Amendment rights. These fears were well founded by facts and previous actions of the President and his men.

This was a close victory for those that believe in the great American right to keep and bear arms. Let us not take this victory for granted and fail to see the other challenges in the future. Many elements of society still want to make it illegal for law-abiding citizens to own firearms with which to defend themselves. They will work any other avenues available.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

More Good 2nd Amendment Legislation

simon — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:27:35 +0000

There has been some recent action in the U.S. Congress on additional legislation that will strengthen the Second Amendment–the American right to keep and bear arms.

H.R.2296 and S. 941 work to legislate reform at the ATF. Titled “To reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, modernize firearms laws and regulations, protect the community from criminals, and for other purposes”

This legislation aims to roll back unnecessary restrictions and correct errors in federal firearms laws and regulations. The bill would revise the system of administrative penalties for licensed dealers, manufacturers and importers of firearms. It would prevent the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) from punishing licensees for insignificant technical violations as a means of making unconstitutional encroachment on citizens’ Second Amendment rights.

This legislation creates a more effective method of “gun control” by providing appropriate resources to ensure that individuals who commit crimes with guns are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, as opposed to seeking opportunities to penalize clerical errors – such as use of abbreviations, or filing records in the wrong order – as is currently practiced by the BATFE.

H.R. 1074 and S556 are commonly known as the Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act. This legislation will remove some older restrictions on the interstate sale of firearms.

The bill summary states:

“Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act – Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) allow licensed firearms importers, manufacturers, dealers, or collectors (licensees) to sell or deliver any firearm (currently, rifles or shotguns) to a resident of a state other than the state in which the licensee is located or temporarily located if the licensee meets with the purchaser to complete the sale or delivery and the transaction complies with the laws of the state in which the transfer is conducted and the purchaser’s state of residence; and (2) eliminate the requirement that a licensee must conduct business at a gun show only in the state that is specified on the licensee’s license.

Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the sale or other disposition of a firearm or ammunition: (1) between licensed firearms dealers at any location in any state; or (2) by a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to an unlicensed person at a temporary location in any state.”

H.R. 442 is the Veterans’ Heritage Firearms Act of 2009, which intends “To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain firearms in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, and for other purposes.”

These are several pieces of good legislation in the U.S. Congress that need to be supported by those of us who want to protect our Second Amendment rights. This legislation can be further researched for details, sponsors, and ongoing progress by visiting the Library of Congress tracking tool called Thomas. It is very easy to find at www.thomas.gov It is a very good place to browse legislation and search for specifics.

After we are informed, we need to write our Representative and Senators. Thank those who are on the record as a co-sponsor and encourage those who are opposed to vote for it.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Obama Good for Gun Industry

simon — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:19:25 +0000

The gun industry has gotten a windfall from the election of President Obama. Even though there have not been any moves by the Administration to get an Assault Weapons Ban or do other things to limit firearms, there has been a huge buying frenzy for guns and ammunition. Anybody that has tried to get ammo for pistols lately knows that WalMart has had empty shelves for at least the last six months.

Many pistols have long back orders and guns are getting bought up in record numbers. The number of people getting Concealed Weapons Carry permits has been huge as well. Smith & Wesson announced yesterday that their fourth-quarter profit more than doubled as compared to a year ago.

The fear and frenzy of the loss of second amendment rights has helped to educate those who have taken these rights for granted. The fear of not being able to get guns in the future has caused many prior non-gun owners to go out and get educated and purchase a firearm.

The gun industry has had strong sales and awakening from a larger cross section of the public, thanks to the election of President Obama. The threat of losing gun rights has awakened and encouraged a larger awareness among the public.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.