If the NRA and other gun groups truly supported gun rights for all law-abiding citizens, they would defend people like Clifford Tyler.
Tyler spent one month in a mental facility in 1986 following a messy divorce, where his wife cleaned out his bank accounts and left him for another man. Despite no history of violence or criminal record, he was prohibited from owning a gun for the rest of his life because he was “mentally ill”.
Tyler eventually sued the federal government, and last week a US Appeals Court in Cincinnati ruled to restore his gun rights. It is the first time that a federal appeals court has ruled a gun law unconstitutional since 2008.
Aside from its historic significance, the case stands out because the NRA didn't take part. While the NRA usually gets involved in every high profile gun case, this time they did nothing other than issue a weak statement after the ruling came out.
This is because the NRA doesn’t like to get involved with anything having to do with mental illness and gun rights. Instead, they make a big show of supporting laws to disarm people with mental health problems.
They have encouraged states to share mental health information with the National Instant Criminal Background check system and they have asked Congress to block the mentally ill from accessing guns. After the Sandy Hook massacre in 2013, NRA President Wayne LaPierre called for an “active national database of the mentally ill”.
The only thing these restrictions do is punish law-abiding gun owners like Clifford Tyler, while giving the government another excuse to confiscate weapons. Meanwhile, a mentally ill person who is hell-bent on killing someone will have no problem buying a gun illegally – just like any other criminal.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Support For Gun Rights Hits 20 Year High
Despite the best efforts of the media and politicians, gun rights are more popular than ever.
New polling by Pew Research shows that most Americans support gun rights over gun control for the first time in two decades.
The poll found that fifty two percent of Americans believe that protecting the right of to own guns is more important than expanding gun control laws, while forty six percent supported increased gun control.
Support for gun rights has risen seven percent in the two years since the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The poll reports that there has been a “substantial shift in attitudes” since then.
The poll also found that most Americans believe that gun ownership promotes individual safety. Fifty seven percent of Americans say gun ownership “protects people from becoming victims of crime”, while thirty eight percent believe that it decreases personal safety.
Support for the right to own guns has risen most dramatically among women and minorities. Five percent more women and ten percent more black Americans support gun rights over gun control than they did five years ago.
Public approval of gun rights has been increasing for two decades. In the mid-90s, nearly sixty percent of Americans preferred gun control to gun rights.
New polling by Pew Research shows that most Americans support gun rights over gun control for the first time in two decades.
The poll found that fifty two percent of Americans believe that protecting the right of to own guns is more important than expanding gun control laws, while forty six percent supported increased gun control.
Support for gun rights has risen seven percent in the two years since the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The poll reports that there has been a “substantial shift in attitudes” since then.
The poll also found that most Americans believe that gun ownership promotes individual safety. Fifty seven percent of Americans say gun ownership “protects people from becoming victims of crime”, while thirty eight percent believe that it decreases personal safety.
Support for the right to own guns has risen most dramatically among women and minorities. Five percent more women and ten percent more black Americans support gun rights over gun control than they did five years ago.
Public approval of gun rights has been increasing for two decades. In the mid-90s, nearly sixty percent of Americans preferred gun control to gun rights.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Girl Shoots And Kills Stalking Mountain Lion
A twelve-year-old girl killed a mountain lion that was threatening to attack her on a hunting trip in New Mexico.
Alyssa Caldwell was hunting elk with her father in October when he left her alone to gather some gear. Almost immediately, she noticed that something was wrong.
“I already had a feeling that something was watching me or something, but I didn’t see the cat until it was close,” she said.
Just feet away, a mountain lion crouched ready to attack. Although she had never shot anything bigger than a white tailed deer, Caldwell knew exactly what to do. She raised her brand new .30-06 and fired, killing the animal instantly.
“I just raised up my gun and shot it point blank long ways through the body because it was facing me when I shot,” she told CBS News. “The cat instantly flopped over right there, of course I kept my gun on it just in case it got up or something like that.”
Her father came running back, thinking she had downed an elk. When he realized what had happened, he fell to his knees and “got emotional,” Alyssa says.
“I definitely could have died,” she added. “It was probably like seconds away from pouncing on me.”
Caldwell has been shooting since she was five and hunting since she was nine. Her quick thinking and calm under pressure show that, with the right training, anyone can defend themselves in a dangerous situation.
Alyssa Caldwell was hunting elk with her father in October when he left her alone to gather some gear. Almost immediately, she noticed that something was wrong.
“I already had a feeling that something was watching me or something, but I didn’t see the cat until it was close,” she said.
Just feet away, a mountain lion crouched ready to attack. Although she had never shot anything bigger than a white tailed deer, Caldwell knew exactly what to do. She raised her brand new .30-06 and fired, killing the animal instantly.
“I just raised up my gun and shot it point blank long ways through the body because it was facing me when I shot,” she told CBS News. “The cat instantly flopped over right there, of course I kept my gun on it just in case it got up or something like that.”
Her father came running back, thinking she had downed an elk. When he realized what had happened, he fell to his knees and “got emotional,” Alyssa says.
“I definitely could have died,” she added. “It was probably like seconds away from pouncing on me.”
Caldwell has been shooting since she was five and hunting since she was nine. Her quick thinking and calm under pressure show that, with the right training, anyone can defend themselves in a dangerous situation.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
What Happened To The NRA’s Opposition To NSA Surveillance?
The National Rifle Association wrote an editorial in the Washington Times last week calling on the Senate to pass the USA Freedom Act, a bill that would have limited the National Security Agency’s illegal spying program.
The article called the USA Freedom Act “badly needed legislation” that should be “sent to the White House as soon as possible.”
But the article disappeared just a few hours after it was posted. The only explanation came from the editor of the Washington Times, who said that the article was taken down as a “courtesy” to the authors.
The NRA hasn’t said anything about why it had the article removed, and it hasn’t issued any follow up statement about the USA Freedom Act.
The NRA previously stood strong against the NSA’s illegal surveillance practices. In 2013, it joined a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against Obama’s surveillance program, saying that the program “could allow identification of NRA members, supporters, potential members and other persons with whom the NRA communicates.”
But when a bill to abolish NSA surveillance actually came up for a vote, the NRA ate its own words. Why?
The day after the article was retracted, the USA Freedom Act failed in the Senate after being filibustered by Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell and other big government Republicans.
The reasons for the NRA’s retraction are unclear, but judging by its close relationship with the Republican establishment, there may have been some backroom deal-making going on.
The article called the USA Freedom Act “badly needed legislation” that should be “sent to the White House as soon as possible.”
But the article disappeared just a few hours after it was posted. The only explanation came from the editor of the Washington Times, who said that the article was taken down as a “courtesy” to the authors.
The NRA hasn’t said anything about why it had the article removed, and it hasn’t issued any follow up statement about the USA Freedom Act.
The NRA previously stood strong against the NSA’s illegal surveillance practices. In 2013, it joined a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union against Obama’s surveillance program, saying that the program “could allow identification of NRA members, supporters, potential members and other persons with whom the NRA communicates.”
But when a bill to abolish NSA surveillance actually came up for a vote, the NRA ate its own words. Why?
The day after the article was retracted, the USA Freedom Act failed in the Senate after being filibustered by Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell and other big government Republicans.
The reasons for the NRA’s retraction are unclear, but judging by its close relationship with the Republican establishment, there may have been some backroom deal-making going on.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Texas Governor Shows Support For Open Carry
Texas Governor Greg Abbott reaffirmed his support for efforts to legalize the open carry of handguns in Texas. Texas is one of only six states in the United States where open carry remains illegal.
“If open carry is good enough for Massachusetts, it’s good enough for the state of Texas, Abbott said following his election on November 4th. “If an open carry bill is passed by the House and Senate and arrives at my desk, I will sign it into law.”
Open carry bills have failed in each of the last two legislative sessions. Supporters are hoping this will change with the election of Gov. Abbott.
“I am pretty confident, almost to the point of guaranteeing that we’re going to have open carry next year,” said CJ Grisham, president and CEO of Open Carry Texas. “I think the Texas voter spoke loud and clear in this election, and [the] voices of opposition are in the minority.”
Several open carry bills have already been filed in advance of the 2015 legislative session. Ultimately, the legislators will consider two main versions of the bill, reports KVUE.
HB 195 would install constitutional carry throughout the state, allowing all citizens to open carry without a license. HB 106 would allow open carry only for those with a concealed handgun license.
Gov. Abbott has said that he prefers licensed open carry, which would require all open carriers to undergo a criminal background check.
“If open carry is good enough for Massachusetts, it’s good enough for the state of Texas, Abbott said following his election on November 4th. “If an open carry bill is passed by the House and Senate and arrives at my desk, I will sign it into law.”
Open carry bills have failed in each of the last two legislative sessions. Supporters are hoping this will change with the election of Gov. Abbott.
“I am pretty confident, almost to the point of guaranteeing that we’re going to have open carry next year,” said CJ Grisham, president and CEO of Open Carry Texas. “I think the Texas voter spoke loud and clear in this election, and [the] voices of opposition are in the minority.”
Several open carry bills have already been filed in advance of the 2015 legislative session. Ultimately, the legislators will consider two main versions of the bill, reports KVUE.
HB 195 would install constitutional carry throughout the state, allowing all citizens to open carry without a license. HB 106 would allow open carry only for those with a concealed handgun license.
Gov. Abbott has said that he prefers licensed open carry, which would require all open carriers to undergo a criminal background check.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Israel Eases Gun Restrictions Following Attack
After a horrific attack at a synagogue yesterday, Israeli Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch said that he would ease gun control restrictions in order to help Israeli citizens defend themselves against terrorism. He added that the Israeli government is “doing everything we can to prevent [another attack].”
Aharonovitch did not say exactly what the changes would be, but it is thought that he will allow soldiers and security personnel to continue carrying their weapons even when they are not on duty. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis own firearms, although gun ownership there is lower than the United States due to strict gun control laws.
Yesterday’s attacks took place at a synagogue, where two terrorists from East Jerusalem attacked worshippers using a meat cleaver and a gun. They killed four and wounded eight before being shot dead by police. Three of the victims were American citizens.
There have been several attacks in Jerusalem in recent months, including one where a terrorist drove his car through a crowd of people, killing an Israeli-American infant.
President Obama responded to yesterday’s attack with the usual victim blaming, declaring that “too many Palestinians have died” as well as Israelis in the conflict between the two groups.
Aharonovitch did not say exactly what the changes would be, but it is thought that he will allow soldiers and security personnel to continue carrying their weapons even when they are not on duty. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis own firearms, although gun ownership there is lower than the United States due to strict gun control laws.
Yesterday’s attacks took place at a synagogue, where two terrorists from East Jerusalem attacked worshippers using a meat cleaver and a gun. They killed four and wounded eight before being shot dead by police. Three of the victims were American citizens.
There have been several attacks in Jerusalem in recent months, including one where a terrorist drove his car through a crowd of people, killing an Israeli-American infant.
President Obama responded to yesterday’s attack with the usual victim blaming, declaring that “too many Palestinians have died” as well as Israelis in the conflict between the two groups.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Knife Wielding Burglar Stopped By Two Different Gun Owners On The Same Day
Last month, a knife wielding Ohio man tried to break into two different homes over the course of four hours. Both times a gun owner stopped him. The man, Michael Roberts, is now in jail facing several charges.
On October 23rd, homeowner Brian Hiner heard a commotion in his basement and confronted Roberts as he was coming up the stairs. Hiner called 911 and used a gun to keep Roberts cornered while waiting for police to arrive.
Police arrived and arrested Roberts, but he escaped from the back of the cruiser and fled into a cornfield.
“This other cruiser pulled up and saw that he got out and started running towards the cornfield and that's when they panicked. They didn't even know how he got out of the cop car, they just knew he got out and the chase was on,” said Hiner.
Following a four-hour chase, Roberts ended up at the home of 15-year-old Justin Kugler, who had stayed home from school with an illness.
“I was home sending an email to my teachers about homework when my dogs started barking and I looked out the window but I didn't see anybody there so I went to the top of the stairs with the gun to make sure there wasn't anybody downstairs and then that's when the door opened and I saw him,” Kugler said.
The young man confronted Roberts a forced him to back out of the house, where he was arrested for a second time.
“Guns have always been an important thing in our family and he knew what to do when the problem came up,” Kugler said. “I feel pretty good about it that I could have saved other people's houses and their property.”
On October 23rd, homeowner Brian Hiner heard a commotion in his basement and confronted Roberts as he was coming up the stairs. Hiner called 911 and used a gun to keep Roberts cornered while waiting for police to arrive.
Police arrived and arrested Roberts, but he escaped from the back of the cruiser and fled into a cornfield.
“This other cruiser pulled up and saw that he got out and started running towards the cornfield and that's when they panicked. They didn't even know how he got out of the cop car, they just knew he got out and the chase was on,” said Hiner.
Following a four-hour chase, Roberts ended up at the home of 15-year-old Justin Kugler, who had stayed home from school with an illness.
“I was home sending an email to my teachers about homework when my dogs started barking and I looked out the window but I didn't see anybody there so I went to the top of the stairs with the gun to make sure there wasn't anybody downstairs and then that's when the door opened and I saw him,” Kugler said.
The young man confronted Roberts a forced him to back out of the house, where he was arrested for a second time.
“Guns have always been an important thing in our family and he knew what to do when the problem came up,” Kugler said. “I feel pretty good about it that I could have saved other people's houses and their property.”
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