Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017

On: By: admin

North Carolina Congressman Richard Hudson has introduced the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, H.R. 38.  It has two co-sponsors from New York, Lee Zeldin and John Katko.

Variations of this bill have been floating around for ~20 years.  I don’t know if this particular one is the “final” one NRA would like to move through Congress.  They have issued a supporting statement for it.

It doesn’t have to be a perfect bill.  Something that basically says people from outside the state can carry in New York may open up new legal challenges to the Sullivan Act.  Ex. Why could a Pennsylvania resident carry in New York City, but me as a state resident, could not?

Also, non-residents should not take reciprocity as an invitation to carry in the state.  I can see the NYPD arresting people in spite of such a law as has been done before with travelers passing through the airports who were protected under FOPA.  This is just a good next step for us.

Sessions’ confirmation process

On: By: admin

The Donald nominated Senator Jeff Sessions to be his Attorney General.

NRA is pleased with the pick:

“… This nomination sends a strong message to Second Amendment supporters that he is serious about protecting our constitutional freedoms …”

Democrats will try to derail the nomination:

“Democratic senators plan to aggressively target eight of Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees in the coming weeks and are pushing to stretch their confirmation votes into March … Incoming Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) has told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) that Democrats will home in especially on … Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), his pick for attorney general …”

Trump thinks Schumer is his BFF:

“Donald Trump told Democrat Sen. Charles Schumer in a phone call he likes him more than his GOP brethren House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a source close to the transition team said. During a recent phone call, the president-elect “said to Schumer he likes Schumer more than Ryan and McConnell because they both wanted him to lose,” the source said … Trump has described his relationship with the incoming Senate minority leader as “very good” and “close” in interviews …”

Hold that thought.

Hanna floating ’18 run

On: By: admin

Outgoing Congressman Richard Hanna is floating the idea of a ’18 gubernatorial bid:

“U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna said today he will consider running for governor of New York in 2018, responding to the encouragement of at least a dozen top Republicans from across the state who approached him with the idea … Hanna declined to disclose the names of Republicans who have approached him to run for governor, but he said he has received calls from influential members of the party in the New York City area as well as Upstate …”

I don’t know him personally and I’ve only spoken to him once.  Let’s examine what he brings to the table.

Pluses:

  • Being a 3-term Congressman gives him some credibility as a candidate
  • Generally positive record on 2A issues
  • Might have some crossover appeal to Democrats

Minuses:

  • Does not have the best relationship with local Republicans
  • Not well known outside his CNY district
  • Unremarkable career in Congress

I heard talk of him running once before.  This looks like a trail balloon to determine interest in his candidacy.

Good move by Astorino & Testa

On: By: admin

In the past the Hudson Valley hosted a number of good gun shows.  For a variety of reasons, over the years, the quality went down and shows became fewer and farther between.

One of the better ones was the Westchester show at the County Center.  Andy Spano banned them from there when he was County Executive.  Rob Astorino allowed them back after he was elected.  Some complaints about the sale of militaria put them back on hold.

Now they’re back again with one set for January 21 & 22.  Predictably some folks are trying to stir up trouble:

“The chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators vowed there will be a showdown on Jan. 9 over whether a gun and knife show can take place at the County Center in White Plains … “I support the Second Amendment, but it doesn’t have to be at the County Center,” BOL Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, a Democrat from Somers, said on Tuesday …”

The County Center is a good place due to it’s location, ample parking and proximity to Metro North.

What’s Kaplowitz’s real beef?

“… Kaplowitz accused Astorino of quietly lifting his ban on gun shows to allow the Jan. 21-22 firearms show at the County Center “in a play for Upstate support” — assuming Astorino attempts a second bid for governor. “It doesn’t play well in Westchester County,” Kaplowitz told Daily Voice …”

Pure politics.  He wants to undermine a second gubernatorial bid by Astorino.

If gun shows weren’t popular in Westchester, the promoter would not have them there.  They’re not a charity, they want to make money.

“… More than 3,600 people have signed this petition calling for a ban on Westchester gun shows …”

Who cares?  As has been proven before, this is all the activism the antis are able to generate.  They cannot get people to vote based upon the issue.

“… As a counter proposal to an outright ban, the Republican caucus is instead proposing a law that would establish gun show procedures. The bill, which would follow a model established by state Attorney General Eric T. Schiederman, would make residents “feel more secure” about gun shows by having strict requirements, the GOP caucus said in a joint statement. “We can take an important step in Westchester that will preserve the Constitutional protections of citizens while assuring the public that a proven successful procedure for the event is in place,” Republican Majority Leader John Testa said in the statement …”

Good move by Astorino and Testa (who is an NRA member) calling the antis on their BS.  Bonus for working Schneiderman’s proposal into the mix as it undermines Democrats on the county board.  Republicans in Albany can learn from this.

Chuck Todd’s prediction

On: By: admin

Some thoughts on this:

Whether backed by Gov. Cuomo or not, Democrats are already lining up to primary challenge de Blasio next year so that’s going to happen.

As to de Blasio himself challenging Cuomo in ’18, I don’t think he could successfully do that. He is not popular enough in the City, much less the entire state, to do that. I could see him getting behind someone like Eric Schneiderman should he decide to run against Cuomo.

At this point a primary fight is the only way I can see us ridding ourselves of Cuomo. The NY Republicans aren’t functioning as a statewide political party and do not have a lot of well known people they could put up against him. Even if they did, Cuomo would threaten the Senate GOP again and they would undermine their own nominee just like they did Rob Astornio in ’14. What we need is a scenario where both de Blasio and Cuomo can kill each other off.

A minority majority

On: By: admin

John Brooks has defeated incumbent Michael Venditto in SD-8 giving the Democrats a numeric majority of 32 seats in the State Senate.

Because Simcha Felder will continue to caucus with the Republicans, and because the rest of the Democrats don’t have their shit together, the GOP will maintain nominal control of the upper chamber.

He better follow through

On: By: admin

Trump better follow through on his promise to nominate candidates like Scalia for SCOTUS because the 9th Circuit Court just issued a ruling that a 10-day waiting period to purchase a firearm is constitutional.

The real idiocy about this is that is applies to people who already own guns.

Pushback from Mass. A.G.

On: By: admin

I found a link to the Boston Globe with some more antigun pushback from the Massachusetts A.G.:

“In a new fundraising appeal, Attorney General Maura Healey is promising to take President-elect Donald Trump to court … She ticked off new issues that could be litigated, including health care, gun laws, climate change, and Wall Street reforms …”

I guess she could file suit challenging something like reciprocity using material from the antis (see #1 and #2), but how effective would this be?  It is my understanding there were some states rights concerns pre-Heller and McDonald, but those have fallen by the wayside.

Realistic expectations

On: By: admin

There is a good article at The Resurgent, “Trump Will Disappoint Everyone.”

Excerpt from the gun stuff:

“… Trump got an early endorsement from the NRA and is widely seen as a friend to gun owners. But in reality, it’s not a terribly high priority for him … Speeding up background checks, holding the line on awful “no fly no buy” laws, and generally supporting self-defense use of firearms is about the best we can hope for, and most of that is through the courts and congress. It’s not going to be a high priority–but hooray: it’s not Hillary …”

I can see Trump signing the reciprocity bill as payback for the endorsement, but that will require him and Mitch McConnell standing up to Chuck Schumer.  I don’t see him going all out for suppressors  and definitely not attacking the Hughes Amendment.