AZ FFA

I've been occupied with other matters, so I'll rely on Dustin's Gun Blog to give us a summary of the Arizona Firearms Freedom Act and the Arizona State Firearms Preemption Act, signed into law by Gov. Brewer. [Read]

Here's what I have written about this effort:

• Website offers rallying point for 'Firearms Freedom Act'
• ATF to Tennessee: We're above your law
• ATF to Montana: 'You will respect our authoritah!'
• Gun groups fire back at feds with Firearms Freedom Act lawsuit
• Don't surrender so quickly on Firearms Freedom Acts
• NRA to Firearms Freedom Act supporters: You're on your own
• New Hampshire 'Firearms Freedom Act' threatens government violators with criminal penalties
  

UPDATE:

Kurt Hofmann and Chris Woodard have more in their Gun Rights Examiner columns. Click on their name links to read their commentary.

Website Offers Rallying Point for 'Firearms Freedom Act'

MSSA president Gary Marbut tells me:

In order to foster the Firearms Freedom Act movement, I have obtained the domain of: http://www.firearmsfreedomact.com/

I intend this to be an information and networking point for this cascading movement. [More]

Also meet The Coalition of the Obvious and visit The Firearms Coalition.

Tell a friend?

Have you read the latest from all the Gun Rights Examiners?

• Atlanta: Ed Stone
• Austin: Howard Nemerov
• Boston: Ron Bokleman
• Charlotte: Paul Valone
• Chicago: Don Gwinn
• Cleveland: Daniel White
• DC: Mike Stollenwerk
• Denver: Dan Bidstrup
• Los Angeles: John Longenecker
• Minneapolis: John Pierce
• National: David Codrea
• Seattle: Dave Workman
• St. Louis: Kurt Hofmann
• Wisconsin: Gene German

GRE Round Up for May 19

There's some good stuff being turned out by the Gun Rights Examiners. I hope you're availing yourself of it, and importantly, sharing these links via emails, on blogs and forums, with your local newspaper editor, etc.

A common complaint is media bias and absence of representation for "our side."

These people work hard to change that and ask for nothing from those of us their labors serve other than to help spread the word. I hope no one thinks that's too much to ask.

Here are their latest offerings:

Steve D. Jones/Fort Smith:
Oklahoma governor vetoes Firearms Freedom Act… again

Liston Matthews/Knoxville:
NRA 2010 convention in Charlotte, Part II: Friday leadership forum features Sarah Palin

Dave Workman/Seattle:
Is Sacramento’s Braziel SPD top cop front runner?

Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

A look at the Brady Campaign's brief against the Montana Firearms Freedom Act

Go. Read. And please share these links.

You're doing that, right?

Guns Magazine Spotlights 'Firearms Freedom Act'

The December 2009 issue of Guns Magazine is out, and it includes my column "Will Feds Kill 'Firearms Freedom Act'?" [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column is a shameless plug for my latest "Rights Watch" column.

Also learn the status of Ohio's "restaurant carry" bill, meet an Oregon "Only One" and get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

Kansas Suppressor Case an Opportunity for Trump to Show ‘Firearms Freedom’ Support

So what we’re left with while dithering is going on are good Americans who believed (correctly) they had a right to do what they did, now facing life-destroying punishments from a government ignoring two clear mandates: “…to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity” and “shall not be infringed.” We’re also left with the states and the people not just being ignored by the national government, but in-their-faces ruled. [More]

Telling ATF to back off from Firearms Freedom Act states seems like a good first step to me...

ATF to Tennessee: We're above your law

From Tennessee Firearms Association:

The ATF - as expected - has issued a letter in which it disregards the 10th Amendment restrictions on federal power (as seems to be the trend since the late 1930) and has notified Tennessee’s federal firearms dealers that the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act is meaningless. Essentially, ATF is saying to the state of Tennessee that the 10th Amendment no longer exists. [More]

I put out a second Gun Rights Examiner column today that presents both the Tennessee act and the ATF letter telling them they don't recognize it.

Tell a friend?

GRE Round Up for March 17

Here are the latest offerings from my fellow GREs:

Yih-Chau Chang/Oakland:

• The Timeless Legacy Of The Gun Control Lobby

Dave Workman/Seattle:

• Pressure mounts on ATF for ‘Gunrunner’ info, answers
• Idaho House passes guns-on-campus bill

Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

• Can the 'Fix Gun Checks Act' prevent violence? Can it respect liberty?
• Firearms Freedom Act supporters not legitimate participants in polical process?

Also check out these other Liberty-oriented Examiners:

• Cochise County Libertarian
• Conservative
• LA Anti-Establishment
• Michigan Firearms

A Federal Response

Daniel White tells us the feds have responded to Montana concerning their Firearms Freedom Act lawsuit. [More]

Wading through the legalese, it essentially boils down to two words, the first one starting with an "F," and I don't mean "firearms" or "freedom."

I was going to say something on it but I've been busy following the SHOT Show bust, so I'll have to rip Daniel off in tomorrow's column.

New Hampshire 'Firearms Freedom Act' Threatens Government Violators with Criminal Penalties

"Any official, agent, or employee of the government of the United States, or employee of a corporation providing services to the government of the United States that enforces or attempts to enforce a act, order, law, statute, rule or regulation of the government of the United States upon a personal firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in New Hampshire and that remains within the State of New Hampshire shall be guilty of a class B felony." [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column looks at a bill with appropriate consequences.

Also find out about a new threat in Oregon and get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend? Seriously, will you send them the link? I'm probably going to write about this at some point, but if you perceive that you get consistent value from here or from the Examiner columns, I need your consistent help to spread the word and grow the readership.

Terms of Endearment

From Stephen P. Wenger's 11/25 Defensive Use of Firearms email:

A List Member Replies: Gary Marbut, a name many may recognize as the author of the Montana Firearms Freedom Act comments: 

In your email of today, I notice two items about "parking lot storage." This topic has generally been rebranded/redescribed as "Safe travel to work," to better reflect the most important effect, and to make it obvious that it is less about workplace rules than it is about civil rights. Your change of descriptor would be helpful. 

Gary's point is well taken but his alternative term seem a bit cumbersome. How about “safe commuting”? It's already the law in Arizona but the semantic correction may be of value to RKBA activists in other states.

"Safe commuting." I like it.

Wenger puts out an invaluable, always interesting email list.  He tells how you can get on it on his website.

Gun Groups Fire Back at Feds with Firearms Freedom Act Lawsuit

What if an FFL was not acting in his capacity as a federal licensee to manufacture for personal use, or to transfer firearms strictly within a state? Or what if a person so engaged was not a federal licensee at all?

ATF's determined intent to hold all accountable under federal law has not wavered. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column covers the lawsuit filed against the feds by SAF and MSSA, and includes a copy of the complaint.

I know some have dismissed this strategy. I also know that this is a good case in terms of being consistent with founding intent, but admit seeing unconstitutional tyranny prevail in federal courts is an outrageous possibility. Still, there's a very important fundamental object lesson to be learned here if that happens. Anyone who dismisses it is no one I care to follow.

Also get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

More from the Ghost of Thomas Jefferson

The following was forwarded by Len Savage. The author, in the tradition of PUBLIUS, is unknown.

Once the Founding Fathers had broken the chains of tyranny they realized that what stood before them was a task unequaled in history. Civilizations have always risen and fallen, usually due to the enlightened or misguided paths the leaders chose. Having set the stage for a new civilization guided by the ideals of personal responsibility, honor, and freedom, the men who cast off the oppressors of their time found that creating a nation bound by laws that prohibited a government that set itself apart from the people was a task not easily accomplished.

To express the difficulty they faced to future generations so that their intent and desires would not and could not be questioned, they documented much of their discussions. The prime example is of course the Federalist Papers. Notes from the First and Second Continental Congress provide insight as well. Though these documents do exist and are exquisitely detailed as to the intent of the Founding Fathers, most American citizens do not know or understand what is contained within these historic pages. Sadly, while the technological knowledge base has increased over the centuries, the fundamental understanding of history and civic lessons of the past are being neglected, dooming the United States to follow other civilizations that fell to the burdensome weight of their governments. This lack of education is the leading culprit that places the United States in the dire position it now is.

Recent passage of laws such as the misleadingly named Patriot Act and the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act has subtly eroded away the freedoms recognized in the Bill of Rights. The lack of public outcry to such travesties of justice and freedom is purely shocking.

The men who created this new nation knew that the right to express discontent to the Government was a paramount right that only existed if the ability to vocalize such redress of grievance was reinforced by the capability to physically prevent the Government from taking an action that the citizenry felt compelled to stop. This is the foundation of the recognition of the right to use force to defend life, liberty and freedom. The Founding Fathers outlined this in the Second Amendment with the clear intention, as shown by documentation of the period, to prevent a new dictatorship from occurring in the new United States.

A perfect example of the wisdom of the Founding Fathers in action dates back to the late nineteen-forties. Athens, Tennessee became a battleground when armed citizens prevented election fraud and the foundations of a local tyrant. Yet, how many civics textbooks used in the school systems in our nation have even a single sentence in reference to this small but historically significant event?

The men who stood against tyranny in Athens, Tennessee believed in the words and deeds of the Founding Fathers. Instead of kneeling to the iron fist of a dictator, these men risked their lives to uphold the belief that no man is above the law.

Unfortunately, the events in Tennessee were nearly a decade and a half late. During the nineteen-twenties, the first real nationwide push to dictate restrictions upon the citizens became real. Prohibitionists demonized imbibing of alcohol and successfully barred the practice by forcing their position on everyone, even those who disagreed. Two things of paramount importance happened with the passage of the Amendment. The first thing to occur was the willful disregard of the public to abide by the restriction. This set into motion a new view of the Government and laws in which were passed. The response by the Government was one that haunts the nation to this day. The creation of what would be considered one of the most hated agencies associated with the United States Government came into being. When Prohibition was abolished, instead of learning from the experience, the United States Government attempted to follow the same insane path by passing into law the 1934 National Firearms Act. The publicized goal of this law was to prevent access to machine guns and certain other arms by the criminal element that came to exist due directly to the failed attempt at banning alcohol. A database was created and a tax was imposed on the transfer of machine guns, silencers, and long guns with barrels shorter than a specific length. Though the law was highly unconstitutional, most people remained silent on the matter since the precedent had been set less than a decade before when the citizens ignored Prohibition. This silence was considered approval by a greatly misdirected Congress. A new department came into being solely designed to manage the database and to aid in enforcing the law. Within a few decades, this department would grow to become a vile example of tyranny within the borders of the United States.

When Congress passed the 1968 Gun Control Act, one of the worst blows to the Constitution occurred. A seemingly insignificant phrase contained within the new law set the stage for decades of horror. The law delegated to the Attorney General the power to determine the status of a firearm based upon its sporting suitability. The so-called sporting purpose clause allowed the Attorney General to unconstitutionally interpret the law recklessly and loosely. It wasn't long before the duty of determining sporting purpose was further delegated to the BATF with disastrous results.

Since that time, the BATF has repeatedly re-interpreted the sporting purpose clause to suit its needs of the moment leading to unjust prosecutions and unjustifiable deaths. Instead of addressing those seeking a redress of grievance, Congress has repeatedly ignored complaints from the public and professional firearms community. The result of this has been an emboldening of action by the BATF further infringing upon the rights and freedoms of citizens.

This has culminated to the point where the BATF has openly begun to operate outside the law. Ignoring legal mandate, the BATF is now repeatedly creating evidence using the sporting purpose clause to justify their actions. By using an undefined term called "readily restorable", meaning that a firearm can be made into a machine gun without setting standards for what defines readily, the BATF is now making determinations with no basis in scientific procedures or standards, leaving the public openly questioning what is legal under BATF mandate and what isn't.

To say that choices for Congress and the Presidency are lacking is an understatement. No longer do people of good character and upstanding moral qualities offer to sacrifice their time to perform the civic duty of becoming an elected official. Instead, those who would seek to increase their personal power and glory attempt to command the field. With this appalling situation the citizens must seek justice through the courts. When District of Columbia v. Heller was appealed to the Supreme Court, the possibility of justice prevailing became a possibility leaving the political spectrum behind.

This possibility concerns the BATF greatly. Congress has made itself an accomplice to the illegal actions of the BATF by refusing to address the illegal actions of the agency and when it invoked "National Security" to conceal the committee hearings regarding the confirmation of Mr. Michael Sullivan to the position of Director of the BATFE. Instead of addressing the concerns of the people, Congress has decided to separate itself from the people even further. BATF has for many years lobbied Congress, though highly illegal, for its own ends. Without an opportunity to lobby the Court, the BATFE must now decide on how it will address future issues should it survive intact after the District of Columbia v. Heller decision comes down.

The conduct of the BATFE will most likely be of concern to the Court in their decision making process. At least one Justice is familiar with the process required by the BATFE regarding the NFA. Documentation available through the Congressional Research Staff and other documentation available on the internet regarding the less than appropriate conduct of the BATFE and the unprofessional actions by employees of the BATFE in court and during professional contact with the firearms industry should have a great impact on the Court.

Would the Founding Fathers approve of the nation as it rests today? That is something every citizen must ask. It is not time to water that famous tree while hope still exists. Should that change, undoubtedly the citizens will come to understand what their forefathers knew at Concord, Lexington and not so long ago in Athens.

With warmest regards-
The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson

[More from Jefferson's Ghost]

GRE Round Up for Apr. 8

There's some good stuff being turned out. I hope you're availing yourself of it, and importantly, sharing these links via emails, on blogs and forums, with your local newspaper editor, etc.

A common complaint is media bias and absence of representation for "our side."

These people work hard to change that and ask for nothing from those of us their labors serve other than to help spread the word. I hope no one thinks that's too much to ask.

Here are their latest offerings:

Liston Matthews/Knoxville:
Demilitarized Brass

John Longenecker/Los Angeles:
Safer Streets 2010: The second amendment as a 2010 stumping issue, Part I.

Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

Missouri, look to Wyoming to see how getting a Firearms Freedom Act is done

Go. Read. And please share these links.

You're doing that, right?

OK Senator Calls Governor's Reasons for Vetoing Firearms Freedom Act 'Absurd'

So whether you're for or against the FFA strategy, gun owners deserve to know just how much distance the "800 Lb. gorilla" of the gun rights movement intends to keep. Specifically, Brad Henry is claiming an "A" rating, yet he gives a string of buzzword-seeded excuses that sounds like it was scripted by the Brady Campaign. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner asks a question about ratings that we ought to have an answer to.

Also link up to today's Trigger Sports Live! appearance.

Share the link?

Brady Center Blows Firearms Freedom Act Brief

So none of their co-signers "sought or received permission to" be listed? And their attorney didn't file the required motion to represent them? [More]

This development warranted a second Gun Rights Examiner column.

ATF to Montana: 'You Will Respect Our Authoritah!'

On Friday, we saw the letter ATF sent to FFL dealers in Tennessee telling them the Bureau was overriding the state's Firearms Freedom Act, and would continue to impose federal requirements in disregard of state law.

They've done the same thing to Montanans. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner notes a federal progression to snuff out a movement...

Tell a friend?

Check out the latest from other Gun Rights Examiners:

• Atlanta: You bet it's personal!
• Austin: Does civilian gun ownership cause bloodshed?
• Boston: Sotomayor: Unfit to serve
• Charlotte: Sotomayor: Where for art thou, NRA?
• Chicago: Judge Sotomayor thinks gun rights are about hunting?
• Cleveland: Ohio Highway Patrol may get carbines next year
• DC: Sotomayor: latinas, guns, and werewolves
• Denver: Lessons from "bring your guns to church day"
• Los Angeles: On Sotomayor: The Judiciary Committee needs to get it, too.
• Minneapolis: It takes a gun to stop a gunman
• Seattle: NRA takes stand against Sotomayor; committee vote Tuesday
• St. Louis: The Brady Campaign to create 'gun crime'
• Wisconsin: Party like it was 1773
  

GRE Round Up for Apr. 6

There's some good stuff being turned out. I hope you're availing yourself of it, and importantly, sharing these links via emails, on blogs and forums, with your local newspaper editor, etc.

A common complaint is media bias and absence of representation for "our side."

These people work hard to change that and ask for nothing from those of us their labors serve other than to help spread the word. I hope no one thinks that's too much to ask.

Here are their latest offerings:

Liston Matthews/Knoxville:
Inner City Gang-Rape

Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

Firearms Freedom Act still picking up steam

Chris Woodard/Tucson:
Obama exposed? Did Michelle let the cat out of the bag?
Arizona gun rights still moving along


Go. Read. And please share these links.

You're doing that, right?

GRE Round Up for Mar. 7

There's some good stuff being turned out. I hope you're availing yourself of it, and importantly, sharing these links via emails, on blogs and forums, with your local newspaper editor, etc.

A common complaint is media bias and absence of representation for "our side."

These people work hard to change that and ask for nothing from those of us their labors serve other than to help spread the word. I hope no one thinks that's too much to ask.

Here are their latest offerings:

Mike Stollenwerk/DC:
Starbucks lauded for best business practice on customer gun carry

Liston Matthews/Knoxville:
TN candidates respond to gun rights quiz - TN State 7th Senatorial District: Campfield

Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

More states pass 'Firearms Freedom Act' legislation

Chris Woodard/Tucson:
Orange tipped toy guns.... A good idea gone bad.

Go. Read. And please share the links.

You're doing that, right?

GRE Round Up for Mar. 22

There's some good stuff being turned out. I hope you're availing yourself of it, and importantly, sharing these links via emails, on blogs and forums, with your local newspaper editor, etc.

A common complaint is media bias and absence of representation for "our side."

These people work hard to change that and ask for nothing from those of us their labors serve other than to help spread the word. I hope no one thinks that's too much to ask.

Here are their latest offerings:

Steve D. Jones/Fort Smith:

Arkansas gun politics; make your legislator work for you

Liston Matthews/Knoxville:
UT Knoxville reverses student-athlete gun ban

TN candidates respond to gun rights quiz - Knox County Commission, Seat 11 At-Large - Armstrong

TN candidates respond to gun rights quiz - Knox County Commission District 4 - Jeff Ownby

John Longenecker/Los Angeles:
Safer Streets 2010: Beck and Palin, Part IV.

Dave Workman/Seattle:
Health care out of way, now let’s see what is ‘reasonable gun control?’ Start the debate here

Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

Missourians, if you want the Firearms Freedom Act, 'raise a ruckus'

Is 'gun crime' inherently worse than other crime?

Chris Woodard/Tucson:

Is health care now out of the way?

Go. Read. And please share the links.

You're doing that, right?

The Sounds of Silence...

Hello darkness, my old friend...[More]

Nothing to see here...

Maybe they're all too busy.

Fortunately, a few folks like Kurt and Steve are helping out...

UPDATE: Somebody finally noticed.

Funny--they talk the LA Parks bill which has had no "gun lobby" involvement, and the the state Firearms Freedom Act effort which NRA has specifically declined to support, and here's their conclusion:

The trend is attributed in large part to a push by the National Rifle Association.

Just in case you wonder why I so love "Authorized Journalists"...