Second Amendment News Roundup for 7/16/07

Washington, DC (TLS). There's lots of news on the gun blogs over the weekend, so let's get to it:

Let's start with Cap'n Bob and the Damsel. Bob has added rosewood grips to his new Smith & Wesson revolver, giving it a beautiful finish. Being a big Smith & Wesson fan myself, I couldn't resist linking to the pic:
http://capnbob.us/blog/2007/07/14/rosewood-grips/

Xavier Thoughts has some helpful practical tactics for concealed carry:
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/07/fight-realistic-practical-tactics-for.html

Front Sight, Press has the complete run-down on the defeat of those who attempted to gut the Tiahrt Amendment in the House, including the main players on both sides, and the Brady Campaign's propaganda:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/news/us-house-appropriations-committee-preserves-tiahrt-amendment/

Blogonomicon has a word from the Second Amendment Foundation to Paul Helmke of the Brady Campaign:
http://blogonomicon.eponym.com/blog/_archives/2007/7/14/3092109.html

The McCarville Report gives us a run-down on the latest news from Oklahoma, including a brief assessment of Fred Thompson's prospects for success in the state:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/07/gadfly-on-wall.html

John Lott presents a critical look at the new 'Hill and Bill' Show, as supposed 'feminist' Hillary Clinton takes husband Bill on her campaign tour:
http://johnrlott.tripod.com/2007/07/what-feminist-candidate.html

Congratulations to Blonde Sagacity on her 3rd anniversary in the blogosphere. Dang, if that woman weren't married I'd be planning on a quick trip up to Philly myself (she is a complete knock-out of a beauty):
http://mobyrebuttal.blogspot.com/2007/07/blogiversary-3-years.html

The Bitch Girls blog about the gun-grabbing Governor of Illinois and his penchant for recklessly spending taxpayers' money:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7136

Speaking of Illinois, Armed and Safe points out that even more counties in the state are continuing to pass resolutions in support of the Second Amendment, in defiance of the Governor and other gun-grabbers in Chicago:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/07/more-illinois-counties-reject-chicago.html

Well, it seems our...ahem... 'friends' over at the Brady Campaign have started a blog. But as Sebastian at Snow Flakes in Hell points out, the blog has not exactly been successful in living up to its purpose:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=1040

Nicki at The Liberty Zone reports that a very astute and well-trained 13-year-old boy saved his friend from an attack by using a gun:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/07/13-year-old-uses-scary-rifle-to-save.html

The Buckeye Firearms Association has an article on the national 'Stand Your Ground' Movement, based upon the new law passed in Texas that expands the definition of 'the Castle Doctrine.' This article provides much food for thought, even if one cannot agree with all of it:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article3846.html

A Keyboard and a .45 posts some information about an anti-gun bumper-sticker campaign in a certain city:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-stop-violence.html

The Ninth Stage writes about the stupid overreaction of some citizens in Franklin, Tennessee over a 'gun on school grounds':
http://ninthstage.com/index.php/2007/07/13/concerned-in-franklin/

Say Uncle has some examples of gun dealers 'under the gun':
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/07/13/gun_dealers_under_the_err_gun/

Finally, The Jet Pilot has a hilarious spoof of Hillary Clinton, based upon the video 'Got a Crush on Obama.' This one is entitled, 'Hott 4 Hill':
http://ajetpilot.blogspot.com/2007/07/hott-4-hill.html

Second Amendment News Roundup for 6/25/07

Washington, DC (TLS). Here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Traction Control has the definitive word on the meaning of 'militia' in the Constitution, as specified by the U.S. Code:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=478

Traction Control also has some neat pics of Kimber Pro Carry in .45 ACP:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=479

Snowflakesinhell blogs on the definition of a machine gun in light of the ATF's shenanigans of late:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=901

The Jet Pilot reports that Fred Thompson is set to make an announcement this week concerning his national headquarters for his upcoming yet unannounced bid for the White House:
http://ajetpilot.blogspot.com/2007/06/wsmv-tv-thompson-announcement-set-for.html

The McCarville Report blogs that gun-grabber Hillary Clinton came to Oklahoma City and raised over $300,000 for her campaign:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/06/turpen-hillary-raised-305000.html

The Bitch Girls provide a crucial update on the man in Jacksonville, Florida who was fired for using a gun to fight off thugs who robbed his neighbor:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=6997

Armed and Safe posts an update on the continuing story of gun-shop protests in Illinois, involving a priest and 'the Reverend' Jessie Jackson:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/never-dull-moment-with-deacons-for.html

A Keyboard and a .45 reports a disturbing trend in Texas that is cause for great alarm. Big-city State's Attorneys in Texas are refusing to honor laws passed by the Texas legislature, such as the 'Stand Your Ground' bill, the Castle Doctrine, and others, which protect citizens' right to carry:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/06/what-is-wrong-with-this-picture.html

Gun Owners of America has an alert about a pro-gun amendment in the anti-gun immigration bill:
http://www.gunowners.org/a062207.htm

Several bloggers share their thoughts on this disturbing bit of news--Hollis Wayne Fincher, the American patriot and firearms activists, was given 6 and a half years in prison at his sentencing hearing. My friends, this is a travesty of justice, particularly when the prosecuting attorneys and the Judge stated that they did not want to hear about rights in that pesky document called 'the U.S. Constitution!'

Here are a few comments from the gun-rights community:

From Say Uncle:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/06/23/fincher/

From Front Sight, Press:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/rkba/hollis-wayne-fincher-gets-prison-for-machine-gun/

From Snowflakesinhell:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=902

From Armed and Safe:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/wayne-fincher-gets-6-12-years-for.html

Second Amendment News Roundup for 6/15/07

Washington, DC (TLS). Here is today's Second Amendment news roundup:

The Volokh Conspiracy corrects a misquote in the media that misled many gun-owners:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_06_10-2007_06_16.shtml#1181798799

The GOA blasts Congress, Carolyn McCarthy, John Dingell, and the NRA on the gun-grab:
http://www.gunowners.org/a061407.htm

Armed and Safe blogs on a two-minute anti-gun rant by Congressman Moran on the McCarthy-Dingell-NRA gun grab:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/congressman-moran-and-two-minutes-hate.html

Alphecca reports that a 'Stand-Your-Ground' bill has been introduced in Ohio, similar to the one recently passed in Texas that expands 'Castle Doctrine' principles, which allow citizens to use deadly force to defend themselves in an attack:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=242

Here's more on the Castle Doctrine push in Ohio from Ohioans for Concealed Carry:
http://www.ohioccw.org/content/view/3892/83/

Front Sight, Press has a video of Dr. Suzanne Hupp describing the absurdity of gun-free-zones:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/rkba/dr-susanna-hupp-on-gun-free-zones/

TEXAS VICTORY FOR GUN RIGHTS/SELF DEFENSE

Washington, DC (TLS). Advocacy groups for Constitutional rights are celebrating a major victory in Texas. The state legislature passed the new self-defense bill that vastly expands gun rights. The measure was signed into law by Governor Rick Perry.

The bill expands the definition of the 'Castle Doctrine'--an ancient concept in English Common Law that maintains that a person has the right to use deadly force in the defense of one's home.

Under the new provisions of the law, the Castle Doctrine is expanded to include autos and places of employment.

Prior to the passing of the bill, a person who was physically threatened at work or in a vehicle was required to first retreat rather than use deadly force in self-defense. Today a person can 'stand their ground' without retreat and use deadly force to defend themselves not only at home but at work and in one's vehicle.

Several other states are considering similar legislation this year. Over 20 other states have passed similar laws in previous years.

Read the entire story here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2721289620070327

Texas to Expand Gun-Rights/Self-Defense

Washington, DC (TLS). Texas is set to expand the gun rights and self-defense rights of its citizens. With at least 100 out of 150 state house legislators and 21 out of 27 state senators backing the legislation, known as the 'stand your ground' bill, this new law is expected to gain easy passage.

Under the provisions of the 'stand your ground' bill, the law would expand the concept known as 'the Castle Doctrine'--an ancient concept of English Common Law that maintains a person has the right to use force, including deadly force, in the defense of one's home, without any risk of criminal or civil liability. The Texas bill would expand the Castle doctrine to include one's automobile and place of business.

Thus, if citizens feel that their lives are endangered while at the work place or behind the wheel, they can feel free to use deadly force with the backing of the law. And, in those cases where citizens use a firearm to defend themselves against harm, whether at home, work, or in an automobile, they are granted the protection of the law from criminal or civil litigation.

Detractors claim that Texas does not need such a law since, according to some critics, 'citizens are normally not prosecuted in Texas for matters related to self-defense anyway.'

This may be true, but the concept of an individual citizen's right to self-defense with a firearm or any other weapon must be codified into a legally binding provision that would shield citizens from any possible prosecution. The bill's critics are relying solely upon Texas culture to protect citizens in the event they use deadly force in self-defense. However, should that culture change, there are all too-many lawyers and District Attorneys who would not hesitate to make citizens liable for actions taken in self-defense. It has already happened in other states. In fact, in some states the Castle Doctrine has come near to going the way of the dinosaur, even in the protection of one's home. All too often across the United States, prosecuting attorneys have aggressively brought charges against citizens who defend themselves and their homes against criminal intrusion. Many of these citizens have also found themselves the needless victims of lawsuits brought by CRIMINALS who are injured while breaking and entering. The expansion of the Castle Doctrine in Texas is an important step in insuring that citizens feel free to protect themselves, including the use of firearms under the provisions of the Second Amendment.

As expected, the Texas 'stand your ground' legislation has critics across the nation. Never wavering from their incessant assault on the rights of individual citizens, particularly with regard to firearms, the Left Wing in this country views the proposed Texas law as the 'shoot thy neighbor' bill. The Boston Globe referred to the bill as a 'shoot first, ask questions later' approach to personal safety. Yet similar legislation across the country has gained broad support among the citizens and their legislators. 15 states have already passed similar self-defense laws since 2005, and another 6 states are considering such legislation this year.

One of the fiercest opponents to expanding self-defense laws is the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. It should be noted that the Brady Campaign has pushed Congress to pass some of the most oppressive restrictions on the rights of individuals in the history of the Republic. In the name of protecting citizens from gun violence, the Brady Campaign would prevent law-abiding citizens from using one of the most effective tools for stopping criminals--the exercise of their Second Amendment rights. In fact, the Brady bunch is on record supporting an outright ban of handguns, the preferred weapon of choice for most citizens when it comes to self-protection.

Zach Ragbourn, a spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, stated, 'Changing the law opens the door to indiscriminate killing by people who later claim they feared for their lives. You won't be thrown into jail for legitimate self-defense. Monkeying with the law can only help people who would have otherwise been punished.'

The Liberty Sphere would like to know where Mr.Ragbourn has been all of these years as government officials have aggressively prosecuted citizens who exercised self-defense. The cases are too numerous to mention. And this does not even begin to address the countless litigation brought against citizens by the perpetrators of crime. Naturally Mr. Ragbourn and the Brady bunch would like for citizens to forget this assault on their rights by rabid gun-grabbers such as those involved in the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

Apparently, the citizens and legislators in Texas and twenty other states have not forgotten. This is precisely why legislation such as the 'stand your ground' bill is gaining such widespread support. Ragbourn's contention that such legislation is not needed is ample reason to pass it. Perhaps Texans wish to nip in the bud the beast of the gun-grabbing rights-robbers before it reaches the point that citizens are placed in the precarious position of criminal and civil liability for merely using their firearms to protect their lives. In far too many states in the nation, self-defense as encapsulated in the Castle Doctrine has fallen on hard times. The Texas bill ensures this will not happen in Texas.

The Liberty Sphere believes that this bill needs to be considered by all of the states. And, if we ever oust the present Congress that is ruled by the purveyors of anti-freedom, this type of legislation should be considered as the official law of the land throughout America. This would stop once and for all the senseless, tyrannical assault on the rights of citizens, not only to keep and bear firearms, but to simple self-defense, not only at home, but in the workplace and in our autos.

As long as Democrats run Congress, such legislation, of course, will never be considered. But...we can bide our time. 2008 is on the way.