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Written by Daniel White
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Thursday, 10 January 2008 |
The Knox Report
From the Firearms Coalition
By Jeff Knox
(January 7, 2008) In the last moments of the 2007 congressional session both the Senate and the House passed a revised version of the “NICS Improvement Act” H.R.2640 and the President has now signed it into law.
The source of much rancor and gnashing of teeth for the better part of 2007, H.R.2640 was a modified version of a perennial bill from avid anti-gun Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and was the result of negotiations with NRA. With NRA support it flew through the House on a voice vote and seemed destined to pass through the Senate in similar fashion until Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) halted its momentum. Again NRA went to the bargaining tables to negotiate modifications that would satisfy Coburn without offending bill sponsors like Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY). The end result was the original bill with some extra verbiage to narrow and more precisely define its exact purpose and intent.
Any reasonable analysis of this bill must begin with the recognition that NICS exists and is not going away any time soon. It is supposed to prevent criminals and the “mentally defective” from acquiring firearms through legal channels. Setting aside debate about the existence of this program – it is unconstitutional and should be repealed – the issue at hand is whether it is better to leave the system as it is or make some changes to “improve” it.
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Written by Daniel White
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Saturday, 05 January 2008 |
The Knox Report
From the Firearms Coalition
By Chris Knox
(Phoenix, Arizona) At least twice this December, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents have held press conferences here in Phoenix to announce seizure of a “cache” – or maybe caches – of “assault-type weapons.” According to the latest reports, agents now have one man in custody on felon-in-possession charges. The guns, which have so far only been displayed on tables for television cameras, have not been described in detail, but appear to include AK-47 and AR-15 type rifles, as well as several handguns, ammo for each, and .50 caliber ammunition, although no mention has been made of a corresponding rifle. Numbers of guns involved in the seizure(s) range from 42 to 62, and it’s so far unclear even whether the most recent stories refer to two separate incidents or the same one. At the time of this writing no agents were available for comment or clarification.
Beyond the most basic facts, the reporting quickly degenerates into press release journalism. In a December 27 Associated Press story, 42 guns were assigned a value of $250,000 yielding an average value of $6,000 apiece. The media have also unquestioningly published ATF agents’ speculation that the guns are bound for Mexican or Los Angeles gangsters, that the guns were purchased at gun shows or in straw sales, as well as solemn intonations that the guns are “weapons of war” and “the weapon of choice” for drug dealers and gangsters.
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Written by Mike Kinsey
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Wednesday, 26 December 2007 |
A few weeks back, OFCC asked its members and supporters to help spread the message that gun rights are worth fighting for. Recently, there has been an onslaught of letters to the editor published throughout Ohio. Keep up the good work in getting our voices heard!
The latest was printed in today's edition of The Dayton Daily News
'Feel-good' laws need to be changed
Recently we saw two very public shootings.
The first, in an Omaha mall, ended as these often do these days — after taking a number of lives, the shooter took his own life. The police didn't arrive until six minutes after the first shot was fired.
The mall should have been safe. After all, there were "No Weapons" signs posted. Of course, only law-abiding citizens obey those signs.
The second shooting ended a bit differently. After taking two lives at one location, the shooter moved on to a second location. By all accounts, he was prepared to take many, many lives there. Once inside the church, things changed dramatically from the Omaha scenario. A legally armed citizen (a volunteer security guard) engaged the shooter and saved countless lives.
Sadly, in Ohio, we lean more toward Omaha in our treatment of this topic. Many malls post "No Weapons" signs. Should a CHL holder choose to enter armed anyway, he or she is now the criminal (albeit a misdemeanor). Further, carrying a firearm in a church in Ohio is illegal unless one has specific permission to do so, and it's a felony.
Won't it be a shame when more lives are lost because an armed citizen obeyed the law by disarming? We need to change these "feel-good" laws to something that works.
Kim D. Campbell
Wilmington
Mr. Campbell is coordinator of Ohioans For Concealed Carry.
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Written by Jeff Riley
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Thursday, 20 December 2007 |
Those of us who enjoy firearms for both self-defense and hunting are a little frustrated. What we are frustrated about is the attitude among some firearms enthusiasts that, “As long as the anti-gunners aren't clamoring to take away my (insert gun of choice), I don't care if they ban (insert boogeyman -- .50cal, 'assault' weapons, etc)”.
Well, now the chickens have come home to roost. I have seen an increase in both tone and substance in “banning firearms that can penetrate body armor”. We know that that includes most deer rifles.
Now this:
Gunman used hunting skills at Omaha mall
The world was stunned by the senseless shootings at the Westroads Mall and we mourn for the families and friends of the victims. While nothing can ease the pain of the survivors, it is time for the firearms industry and Nebraska Game and Parks to take partial responsibility for these wanton acts of violence, since incidents such as these expose the fine line between violence against wildlife and violence against humans.
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Sadly, the killing skills used by [the killer] are taught to Nebraska's children by the Game and Parks Commission under the guise of "Hunter Education." As long as state agencies conspire with the weapons industry in promoting violence as recreation, senseless killings will always take place.
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Couple this with the moronic response of people who like this doctor have no problem forgiving the SHOOTER:
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Written by Mike Kinsey
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Wednesday, 19 December 2007 |
Long-time OFCC member Rick Troha had an excellent letter to the editor published in The Cleveland Plain Dealer yesterday.
Mr. Troha, along with all law-abiding firearm owners, detests when the mainstream media compares innocents to criminals. This is true regarding gun owners, or victims of violence.
Gunshot 'victims' fall into two distinct categories
While my Webster's New World Dictionary agrees with The Plain Dealer that culpability does not exclude one from being labeled a "victim," I still feel there is something inherently wrong in lumping together innocent gunshot victims, who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, with criminals who were shot while committing a crime ("Where do the guns come from?" Sunday). I think it minimizes and detracts from the idea that one should be responsible for the consequences of one's actions.
Rick Troha
North Olmsted
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Written by Daniel White
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Thursday, 13 December 2007 |
On Saturday, September 29th, Ohioans For Concealed Carry held our fourth annual Party in the Park at Liberty Park in Powell, Ohio.
Over 200 people gathered on a beautiful early fall day to enjoy the company of pro-gun activists from across the state.
After feasting on burgers, hotdogs, and BBQ chicken, attendees were paid a visit by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland who worked the crowd before taking the podium to deliver the keynote address. The Governor spoke about the bright future of Ohio, as well as the importance of the citizens' right to Keep and Bear arms.
Also on the speaking docket were Professor Bryan Patrick from the University of Toledo, who spoke about the effectiveness of grassroots activism, Ohio Representative Michael DeBose, who recounted his conversion from anti-CCW to pro-CCW after being mugged, and Attorney Dan Ellis wrapped up with an overview of several legal issues OFCC is involved with.
Overall, this was our most successful, well attended picnic to date and we thank everyone who was able to attend!
Click the links below to listed to mp3 recordings of the guest speakers.
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Written by Mike Kinsey
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Wednesday, 12 December 2007 |
Ohioans For Concealed Carry has received confirmation that many across the state have answered our call and contacted their elected representatives for removal of ineffectual and dangerous "No Guns Zones".
During my contact, I requested a written reply of how someone would work to remove "No Guns Zones" from Ohio communities. I made sure to mention that I would share their intentions with our members and supporters. I received an almost immediate reply from Ohio Speaker of the House Jon Husted. His thoughts are given below.
December 11, 2007
Mike Kinsey
Coordinator, Ohioans for Concealed Carry
[Personal Contact Info Removed]
Dear Mr. Kinsey:
I received your e-mail on behalf of Ohioans for Concealed Carry
regarding "Gun Free Zones". I appreciate your continued interest in this
issue.
Please know that as a law-abiding gun owner myself, I am greatly
concerned with any issue facing gun owners' rights in Ohio.
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Written by Todd Coughlin
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Wednesday, 12 December 2007 |
For many years Pro-Gun groups have butted heads with the media on many
different fronts (literary works, television broadcast, etc.). Many times
the animosity comes from publishing Licensee names, distrust of "people who
own firearms", and by publishing outright lies.
Folks in the Northern Ohio area have been exposed to some real gems over the years. (Think back or use a web search engine for "Doug Clifton"). While remnants
of Mr. Clifton remain, it seems as if the Cleveland Plain Dealer may
be turning a corner.
By now you have read about newly crowned hero Jeanne Assam, the heroic woman that stopped a crazed killer that attacker her church in Colorado Springs, CO. What you might
not know is that some folks (continue) to see the light, while other folks
who publish news items may be seeing that same light a little clearer.
Recently, the Plain Dealer has published (somewhat) pro-gun
articles, but the newspaper showed up today with a very strong Pro-Gun-Rights message:
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Written by Mike Kinsey
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Tuesday, 11 December 2007 |
It is being reported that the Colorado Church Shooting that occurred this week was prevented from being a large-scale massacre by an average woman with a Concealed Handgun License that volunteered to be armed during services. While several media sources are mentioning the hero’s size and gender, not very many are including the important fact that she was armed with only her license and personal handgun.
However, if you look hard enough, you can find some honest reporters that found that fact interesting.
Colorado Shooting Highlights Churches' New Emphasis on Security
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — When a black-clad gunman walked into New Life Church on Sunday and started shooting, he was met with the church's first line of defense: a congregant with a concealed weapons permit and a law enforcement background.
The woman, an armed volunteer, shot and killed the gunman. New Life's pastor credited her with saving 100 lives.
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