Westerhold Fights Back

Sandusky, Ohio (TLS). Sandusky Register's Managing Editor Matt Westerhold is fighting back in the face of a deluge of criticism concerning his decision to publish the names of registered concealed handgun owners in the area covered by the newspaper.

In an editorial in today's edition of the Register, Westerhold takes on the NRA and Ohioans for Concealed Carry in their concerted effort to target advertisers in the newspaper. An unrepentant Westerhold maintains that his decision is 'not about the gun owners, but about government secrecy.'

This makes perfect sense. Suppose he were to publish the Social Security Numbers of all of the citizens in Ohio...information that the government has on record. Would this be a prudent step, given that 'we don't want the government to keep secrets?'

The fact of the matter is that Westerhold as very little logical or legal ground to stand on. He should be fired, and the state of Ohio should pass a measure that makes it clear that such personal, private information should not be disclosed to the public, just as we don't publish everyone's Social Security Numbers.

Click here to read Westerhold's drivel:
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/06/27/viewpoints/register_viewpoints/doc46822c5de594e512678645.txt

And then, click here to read a detailed and delightful rebuttal to Westerhold, provided by Front Sight, Press:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/rkba/westerhold-of-the-sandusky-register-responds-to-outrage-at-the-papers-decision-to-publish-list-of-ccw-permit-holders/

Second Amendment News Roundup for 6/26/07

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

The gun-rights blogs have been all over the story from Sandusky, Ohio about the Sandusky Register's publication of the names of registered concealed carry gun-owners. Front Sight, Press actually broke the story this morning. On that tip, The Liberty Sphere dug into the particulars and published the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of the publisher, the managing editor, and the newspaper itself.

Here is a sampling of what some fellow gun-rights bloggers had to say about this blatant attack on those who exercise the right to concealed carry:

From Front Sight, Press:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/news/sandusky-register-publishes-lists-of-ccw-holders/

From Say Uncle:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/06/25/another_paper_publishes_a_list_of_handgun_carry_permit_holders/

From the Jet Pilot:
http://ajetpilot.blogspot.com/2007/06/erie-county-concealed-carry-list-l.html

From Armed and Safe:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/ohio-newspaper-publishing-names-of.html

The Buckey Firearms Association has a complete analysis of the Register's publication of the story, and info on the fallout which has already started (this is a MUST-READ!):
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article3816.html

In other news of interest to the firearms community:

Alphecca blogs on another useless gun control law in Connecticut:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=266

Alphecca also reports that Jessie Jackson was arrested at the gun shop protest on Saturday:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=265

The Bitch Girls report on a proposal to allow professors to carry guns on campus in Nevada:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7003

Snowflakesinhell publishes the text of the new gun control law in Connecticut, and says it's worse than what we thought:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=909

The Jet Pilot has an important FIRST amendment alert:
http://ajetpilot.blogspot.com/2007/06/first-amendment-alert.html

Armed and Safe reports that Great Britain may not be the safe haven from crime that people think, considering it is supposedly gun-free:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/yeah-thats-example-i-want-to-follow.html

Captain's Quarters has the results of a Rasmussen Poll on the immigration compromise bill:
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/010346.php

Captain's Quarters also has ample evidence that the Democrats are worried sick about a potential Fred Thompson candidacy:
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/010347.php

Traction Control has this VERY timely reminder from one of the Founding Fathers:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=482

The Ninth Stage has a report and pictorial on a 'steel safari':
http://ninthstage.com/index.php/2007/06/25/steel-safari-with-photos/

Second Amendment News Roundup for 6/21/07

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

Ohioans for Concealed Carry reports a shocking development--the Illinois State Police is now visiting the homes of gun rights activists! Looks like Big Brother is at work in Illinois:
http://www.ohioccw.org/content/view/3894/83/

Xavierthoughts has the complete story on the Jacksonville, Florida man who was fired for bearing arms while attempting to thwart a criminal shooting:
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/06/man-fired-for-righteously-bearing-arms.html

John Lott reports that a handgun permit holder stopped a robbery in Orlando, Florida:
http://johnrlott.tripod.com/2007/06/concealed-handgun-permit-holder-stops.html

Lott also blogs that senior adults feel safer when they carry guns:
http://johnrlott.tripod.com/2007/06/cleveland-plain-dealer-seniors-feel.html

SayUncle has info on what may be the very first gun-shot victim of the New World, the remains of whom was found in Peru:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/06/20/strange-3/

A Keyboard and a .45 has some great info on guns and women...and a video that tells the story...women who carry are the safest from rapists:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/06/id.html

Off topic a bit, The McCarville Report says that Charlie Cook of the National Journal has an assessment of Fred Thompson:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/06/cook-fred-thompson-is-hot.html

Again off topic, The Volokh Conspiracy has reason to believe that most Americans have become disinterested in politics:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_06_17-2007_06_23.shtml#1182354369

Armed and Safe provides a late-breaking update on the gun shop protest this coming Saturday in Riverdale, Illinois:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/updated-details-on-newest-march-of.html

Alphecca blogs on an alarming story from Switzerland...it appears there is a strong move for gun control in that country, after centuries of resisting such efforts:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=260

The Bitch Girls have a timely comment on the Jacksonville, Florida man who was fired for helping a neighbor who was shot:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=6980

Snowflakesinhell has an interesting item about the Daily News Update for the gun rights community...and as I said, I could never replace the fine work done by Gun Law News, but I am willing to provide this service since it is needed, if it is helpful to the community:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=883

Second Amendment News Roundup 6/12/07

Washington, DC (TLS). Here is the day's news on Second Amendment issues:

Front Sight, Press has a dire warning about pending gun legislation! Time for action! Read it:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/news/the-bar-is-being-lowered/

Veterans for 9/11 Truth exposes Gun Control's Nazi Connections:
http://freedomisforeverybody.blogspot.com/2007/05/gun-controls-nazi-connection.html

Armed with the Truth blogs on Fred Thompson's support for the 2nd Amendment:
http://maineforfredthompson.wordpress.com/2007/05/11/armed-with-the-truth/

Armed and Safe describes the Cook County, Illinois gun-grab attempt:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/05/fighting-back-against-cook-countys.html

The Bitch Girls post at length on the current state of the gun-grabbers of the Brady Campaign:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=6938

The Jet Pilot blogs about 'Gun Free Zones':
http://ajetpilot.blogspot.com/2007/06/gun-free-zones.html

Self-Defense: A Human Right documents media bias against gun-owners:
http://www.a-human-right.com/mediabias.html

Alphecca writes about an astonishingly biased National Geographic piece against gun owners:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=231

Alphecca also warns about the Democrat-NRA deal that amounts to yet another gun-grab:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=229

The Volokh Conspiracy points to police being unarmed at the City College of San Francisco:
http://volokh.com/posts/1181345231.shtml

A FOOL-PROOF WAY TO STOP CRIME

Crime stats show that violent crime is increasing in America's cities. How do we stop it? ARM THE CITIZENS! Scare the heck out of the criminals...greet them with your fool-proof way to keep from getting killed or robbed. And tell the politicians they will have HELL to pay if they prevent you from using the most effective means of self-defense!

IS THIS FAIR?

Think about it! (Hat tip to the Jet Pilot).

Ohio Politician Becomes Pro-Gun After Attack

Washington, DC (TLS). An Ohio state representative that was previously a gun control advocate has totally repudiated his previous position and become pro-gun following an armed assault.


Representative Michael DuBose, D-Cleveland, was the victim of a violent and potentially deadly attack. The assault totally changed his perspective on concealed carry.

Read the entire story here:
http://www.ohioccw.org/content/view/3873/83/

Fred Thompson on Concealed Guns and Virg. Tech

Washington, DC (TLS). Fred Thompson, the man who is the 3rd most popular choice among Republicans for the Presidential nomination, although he has yet to decide to run, is picking up quite a bit of support among gun rights activists with his comments on concealed weapons and the Virginia Tech massacre.

If there were ever any doubt that Thompson is a true stalwart on 2nd Amendment issues, his comments in the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre should quickly dispel any such doubt. We can count Thompson in as one of those who believes that had students been allowed to carry concealed weapons, Cho Seung Hui would have been stopped long before the body count grew passed three.

Here is an excerpt from Thompson's article on the subject:

' Whenever I've seen one of those "Gun-free Zone" signs, especially outside of a school filled with our youngest and most vulnerable citizens, I've always wondered exactly who these signs are directed at. Obviously, they don't mean much to the sort of man who murdered 32 people just a few days ago.'

Read the rest of Thompson's essential must-read here:
http://abcradio.com/article.asp?id=389928&SPID=15663

Virginia Tech History--Concealed Guns Save Lives

Blacksburg, Virginia (TLS). Before Virginia Tech enacted a ban on guns on campus, a crazed gunman was subdued by students who were carrying handguns, resulting in a minimum of loss of life. This was five years ago.

Before being subdued by gun-totin' students, the gunman had shot and killed three persons on campus and injured three others--a far cry from the 32 killed and 15 injured last week on a campus that had made sure its students were disarmed and unable to defend themselves.

This story is being retold time and again across the country in similar situations. Citizens who are allowed to carry firearms minimize the loss of life in the face of crazed murderers. Unarmed citizens are sitting ducks.

Virginia Tech made sure its students were sitting ducks through its ridiculous and totally illogical ban on guns.

Read the complete story here:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55326

Coulter Makes the Case for Concealed Carry

Washington, DC (TLS). Ann Coulter's latest column makes the case for allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons in the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre. Virginia Tech is a 'gun-free zone.' Thus, no law abiding citizen was allowed to carry their concealed handguns on the campus. They were sitting ducks for a madman like Cho Seung-Hui.

As we saw with the case of the Muslim who went on a shooting spree in Salt Lake City, a concealed handgun carried by an off-duty police officer took down the perpetrator before he could take more lives.

Had someone been on the campus of Virginia Tech with such a concealed weapon, Cho would have been gunned down long before his rampage became the largest single-perpetrator massacre in U.S. history.

Click here for Ann's article:
http://www.anncoulter.com/cgi-local/printer_friendly.cgi?article=179

IMPORTANT GUN NEWS FROM VIRGINIA

Washington, DC (TLS). The Liberty Sphere has learned that the Attorney-General of the state of Virginia has issued an opinion concerning the practice of some newspapers of publishing the names of concealed gun owners. Virginia Attorney-General Bob McDonnell issued an advisory opinion stating, 'Use of concealed carry permit information is limited to law-enforcement personnel for investigative purposes. Identities and locations of crime victim and witness permittees should be protected in the interest of public safety.'

Thus, the names and address of Virginia residents who apply for concealed handgun permits will no longer be available under the Freedom of Information Act.

Reporter Christian Trejbal of the Roanoke Times created a firestorm of controversy after publishing the database of concealed carry permit holders. So strong was the public outrage that the newspaper took down the database from its website just two days after its publication.

Observers of Virginia politics stated that elected officials in the state are gearing up for legislation to be introduced next year that would effectively bar news outlets from publishing the names and addresses of concealed gun owners. The first step in that process would be to get an opinion from the state's Attorney-General.

The fact that Attorney-General McDonnell's advisory opinion clearly refutes the practice of publishing the database suggests that the legislature now has the green light to pass a bill forbidding anti-gun bigoted newspapers such as the Roanoke Times from publishing such information in the future.

Thus, it is beginning to look like the imbecilic notion of targeting gun owners on the part of Christian Trejbal and the Roanoke Times has backfired. Their actions may well be the start of a nationwide effort to legally prevent news outlets from publishing the names of those with permits for concealed carry.

Such a push is long overdue. The practice puts citizens in mortal danger, such as single mothers hiding from abusive husbands.

Thus, there is good news coming out of Virginia today!

Update On Iowa Newspaper and Gun Owners

Iowa City, IA (TLS). The Iowa City Press-Citizen, the newspaper that published the names, addresses, and phone numbers of registered concealed gun owners in Johnson County, Iowa, maintains it was only following the law in making public the information.

No, the law does not mandate the publishing of information that is considered 'public.'

Allowing something and mandating it are two entirely different matters.

Liberal newspapers have used this argument as a matter of course to justify their despicable practice of publishing these names, i.e., that given that state law considers such information public, then it therefore is to be assumed that this 'public' information must be published.

Once again, let's turn to the information on personal real property that is entered into the records of every county courthouse in America. That, too, is considered public information. Why, then, do these newspapers not publish the detailed tax records and lot dimensions of homeowners?

There is but one simple-to-understand reason. Not everything that is 'legal' is 'smart.' In other words, the particular newspapers in this nation that publish the names of those with permits to carry concealed weapons are engaging in a practice that is 'legal' but 'dumb.'

The Iowa City Press-Citizen has not expressed one jot or tittle of remorse or regret in publishing those names, in spite of the fact that they may have put a number of local citizens in mortal danger.

The newspaper operates forums online where citizens can express their opinions concerning news items. An interesting thread has developed about this story. I encourage you to read it. It seems local gun owners are up in arms about the publishing of the information.

Interestingly, the Iowa City Press-Citizen is a Gannett newspaper, and thus, has a very liberal editorial policy. Apparently that liberal bent spills into the manner in which news is reported as well.

Click here to go to the forum about the publishing of the names of concealed gun owners:
http://forums.press-citizen.com/viewtopic.php?t=1057

Update on Roanoke Times-Christian Trejbal

Charlotte, NC (TLS). The Roanoke Times newspaper and its editorial writer, Christian Trejbal, are apparently up to their eyeballs in an explosive controversy over the publication of the names and addresses of registered owners of concealed weapons in the state of Virginia.

Stating that the citizens of Virginia 'have a right to know if their neighbor is packing heat,' Trejbal proceeded to use his column in the Roanoke Times to list the names and addresses of gun owners.

In a late-breaking update to this story, authorities state that not all of the information Trejbal made public was authorized for public scrutiny. This means that whoever helped Trejbal gain access to the information he published may have broken state law. And in turn, this would also mean that Trejbal broke the law as did the newspaper that published the information.

As we reported Tuesday afternoon on The Liberty Sphere, the actions of Trejbal and his newspaper may place them wide-open to multi-million-dollar lawsuits. Publishing the names of persons who have a right, affirmed by the state of Virginia, to carry concealed weapons is a breach of personal security. Had I been one of the citizens named on that list, I would have made a bee-line to my attorney's office to sign the paperwork for such a massive lawsuit myself.
Since The Liberty Sphere published that story late Tuesday afternoon, reports indicate that the Roanoke Times has been inundated with an avalanche of phone calls, emails, and text messages from irate readers concerning the publishing of the names. There is also widespread talk of cancellations of subscriptions to the paper.

Apparently the outcry of the citizens is being heard. The Roanoke Times took down the posted list of gun owners from its website. But before it took this action, the damage had already been done. Hundreds, if not thousands, of readers had already seen who was on that list, including some powerful politicians in the area. One reader even found her own name on the list for all to see--a female who lives alone.

My friends, this is a call to action. As we have already advocated on The Liberty Sphere, gun owners should track down and publicize the personal information of news reporters and newspaper editors who engage in this despicable practice of attempting to target and shame gun owners. The property information of every single person in America is available to the public at the county courthouse of their residence. This should be made public and posted on the Internet. That way, whenever a hot-shot 'reporter' decides to conduct a vendetta against gun owners in the name of journalism, we will fight back by putting THEIR information online for all to see. Tit for tat.

In addition, readers of the Roanoke Times should immediately call the paper and cancel their subscriptions. Did I mention we can put newspapers out of business too?

I am also calling for persons whose names were published by The Roanoke Times and their rogue editorialist, Christian Trejbal, to consider taking legal action in the wake of having your personal security compromised by the tasteless, despicable, and deplorable actions of a newspaper and a columnist. You do not have to take this sitting down. You have legal rights.

And if someone in the government of the state of Virginia helped Christian Trejbal and the Roanoke Times to break the law by publicizing names that should not have been made public, then every single person involved in this scandal should face the full consequences of the law.

Renewed Calls for Assault Weapons Bans

Washington, DC (TLS). The Salt Lake terrorist attack by Bosnian Muslim Sulejmen Talovic has resulted in renewed calls for assault weapons bans. As always in cases like this, the usual suspects among the gun-grabbers and Leftist ideologues seize incidents such as school shootings, mass murders in shopping malls, and the like, in order to attempt to capture public sentiment at a vulnerable moment to advance their subversive agenda. That agenda is the disarming of law-abiding citizens in the name of keeping criminals from using guns.

Of course, the apologists for the Left will predictably claim that since Talovic had no history of violent activity, then the only way to address tragedies such as the one he perpetrated is to pass legislation restricting access to weapons among the general population.

Naturally, the Liberals will never acknowledge that it was a concealed weapon carried by a citizen who happened to be a cop off duty that stopped the killer. Had this hero not been present, had he not used the concealed weapon in his possession, then the carnage wreaked by Talovic would have been infinitely worse.

But let's cut right to the chase for a moment, shall we? Instead of making law-abiding citizens pay for the actions of a criminal minority, why don't we go straight to the source of these problems and acknowledge that extremist Muslims are intent on carrying out this type of attack and others like it, and we had best be getting ourselves ready for urban warfare against terrorists--warfare that will require citizens to carry and use their guns.

The same can be said for school violence. Administrators and others within school systems across the country need to be allowed to carry concealed weapons. A teacher armed with a gun would have stopped most mass murderers in schools long before they were able to get off a single shot in most instances.

Instead, in our politically-correct 'gun-free zones' we have left these areas wide open for criminals who don't give a flying flip about the law to bring in their weaponry, leaving ordinary citizens as sitting ducks.

Frankly, I am growing very impatient with these grand social designers of the Leftwing and their grossly illogical proposals for more anti-gun laws. These laws do not work, and two major studies by the CDC and the American Academy of Science prove it.

What DOES work is profiling. It is time to ditch the lame-brained politically correct approach to not identifying likely suspects for the fear of offending CAIR. The attack in Salt Lake was part of the Jihad. The young man who carried out the attack was more than likely a victim of Sudden Jihad Syndrome, which is growing rampant among Muslim young men around the world after they are exposed to the extremist rhetoric of Islamic Jihadists.

Here is a better proposal. Just as the cop in Salt Lake was allowed concealed carry, so should the citizens be afforded the very same right. In the absence of law enforcement personnel at crime scenes, the citizens need the right to defend themselves against the onslaughts of violent criminals. If anything, the Salt Lake case is an example for the need for the citizens' right to concealed carry.