Carrying / Self-Defense – Page 15 – Shall Not Be Questioned

Blame the Governor!

Here in Pennsylvania, our governor is just terrible. I mean terrible. His administration directed publicly funded colleges to review their rules and regulations and–gasp–make sure they are all constitutional! Oh, the horror of making sure that government agencies/departments/institutions aren’t violating the state constitution!

The directive that prompted Kutztown University to allow people to carry guns on campus came from Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration.

Corbett’s office of General Counsel directed all 14 state-owned universities to review their policies restricting guns on campus to determine whether the policies would withstand constitutional muster, said Kutztown University spokesman Matt Santos.

If I see an attack ad on this issue next year, I’m going to probably hit my head against a desk. I don’t care what side of the aisle you’re on, you should support a directive to make sure that the government isn’t violating rights. If anything, from a liberal perspective, it makes it less likely that these institutions will be sued.

Who Need an AR-15 For Home Defense?

Around these parts, they seem to work just fine. Elkins Park is just outside of Philadelphia. I also note that this was an apartment, and it doesn’t appear that the shot over-penetrated. Interesting to note that the homeowner’s Congressman is a staunch advocate for banning his rifle, and is the likely candidate to go up against Governor Corbett in 2014.

A Great Way to Explain How Gun Control Lost

Megan McArdle explains it succinctly here:

If you want to actually understand why gun control failed, let’s try a simple exercise. Â Raise your hand if you had a strong opinion about the background check bill that was in front of Congress.

Keep your hand raised if you know how your own Senator voted on it. Â Otherwise put your hand down.

Keep your hand raised if you actually live in a state that might plausibly elect a Republican to congress.

Okay, now keep your hand raised if that bill was in the top one or two issues that you’ll be voting on in 2014 or 2016. Â By which I mean, if your Senator votes the wrong way on that bill, you will vote for anyone who opposes them. Â Anyone–even someone with the wrong opinions on gay marriage, social security reform, transportation subsidies, the Keystone XL pipeline, carbon taxes, marginal tax rates on people who make more than $250k per annum, the deficit, and student loan repayment programs.

Now look around. Â Aside from those three guys in the back from Handgun Control Inc., do you know who still has their hand raised? Â NRA members.

Support for new gun control laws was high in the immediate post-Newtown period. Â But that support was evanescent; it’s already back below 50%, and probably still falling. Â Gun owners care year in and year out. Â And they vote on the issue.

RTWT, because it’s certainly true. We even write blogs that focus exclusively on the topic. In truth I’m not a completely single issue voter, but it’s certainly one of my top issues, given that it’s such a handy proxy for what a candidate thinks about the citizen’s place in our country. Megan has also made some very good points about negotiation. It was a horrible mistake for the other side to come at us with everything and the kitchen sink, because it helped us mobilize our people in a way I haven’t seen since I’ve been involved in this issue in a meaningful way (about 10 years now). It’s now becoming apparent that gun bans are no longer politically viable, and some minor regulatory changes are the best the gun control supporters can hope for.

The Other Carry Vote Today

In a very conveniently timed vote, Illinois had a last minute vote on a may-issue carry license bill that apparently was every thing an anti-gunner forced to pass some kind of carry bill could dream up–including the lack of preemption that would allow license holders subject to arrest for local possession laws–on the same day that gun owners were largely watching the federal debate.

It lost. In the words of Thirdpower, it “fail[ed] spectacularly.”

I heard there may be votes on better bills coming up as early as tomorrow. So, Illinois gun owners, keep paying attention to the state fight.

Defensive Shooting in South Philly

While I don’t tend to cover defensive shootings (because they are man bites dog, to be honest), this one caught my eye:

Under Pennsylvania’s Castle Doctrine, Heng most likely will not be charged, since he was defending his property. Since the gun was inside of his home, he’s not required to have a permit.

I’d say when someone climbs through your bathroom window while your kids are sleeping, and you shoot them in a struggle, it’s not your property you’re defending. And does this also surmise that before Castle Doctrine, they would have charged this guy? I’d say good luck getting a jury to convict on those circumstances anywhere in this country, even in Philly or New York, castle doctrine or not. Though, in New York he’d certainly be facing weapons charges since the pistol would have, more likely than not, been illegal. That’s justice in Bloomberg’s town.

Attempt to Repeal Castle Doctrine in New Hampshire

Apparently it’s passed the House. The Democrats in New Hampshire I guess are intent on getting as us neanderthals one way or another.

War on Women

Via Cam and Company, which now airs from 2-5PM at NRANews.com:

Campus Ban Passes Senate Committee

SCCC notes that the Senate Committee in Colorado has advanced the campus carry ban to the floor.

Committee Chairwoman, Senator Angela Giron cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the proposed campus carry ban exclaiming in tears that â€œthe testimony tonight has been very compelling, but I made a promise [to vote yes]!â€

Colorado has allowed licensed concealed carry on college campuses for nearly a decade, but lawmakers in the Centennial State reacting to recent mass shootings last year seek to reverse that provision despite no ill effects, a drop in both overall crime rates generally and sexual assault rates specifically after carry on campus was permitted, and no permitted student ever causing a disruption with a firearm on campus.

Who was it she made that promise to? Joe Biden? Do we run Colorado out of Washington these days? That seems to be the Democrats’ plan. Clayton Cramer has more here.

UPDATE: I guess not too surprising when they have this kind of contempt.

“The petitionÂŒ is therefore DENIED.”

Thirdpower reports that the request for a rehearing en banc has been denied this morning in Illinois.

Contrary to the claims by Cook County officials, even the dissent from the decision is pretty damn clear that Illinois cannot continue to violate civil rights.

The panel majority opinion is now the law of the circuit, and Illinois has 180 days to decide how to amend its laws.

The Usefulness of Gun Control

Anti-gun lawmakers from Philadelphia are speaking out on Pennsylvania’s new concealed carry reciprocity restrictions. What are they saying?

“I donâ€™t think itâ€™s going to drastically affect violence in Philadelphia.” – Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-rated by NRA)
â€œItâ€™s not the people with legitimate guns, itâ€™s the people with the street guns who are destroying the neighborhood.â€ – Rep. James Clay (refused to answer NRA member questions during his election)
â€œWe have to be realistic. This isnâ€™t a panacea thatâ€™s going to solve all of our problems.â€ – Rep. Brendan Boyle (D+ rating from NRA)

In other words, this served absolutely no purpose even though many of the Philadelphia lawmakers previously claimed that “closing the Florida Loophole” would absolutely make a huge difference to solving Philadelphia’s crime rates. Now that they have it, these lawmakers are calling for more laws and restrictions.