All about guns, legislation and politics in New York
Our press release has generated some positive pro-gun push back on H.R. 822.
The Citizen article, “Buerkle, Hanna support new gun law,” reports both Ann Marie Buerkle and Richard Hanna are co-sponsors. The Watertown Daily Times story, “Schneiderman, Owens on opposite sides of gun control measure,” cites incumbent Bill Owens and his probable ’12 challenger Matt Doheny both support the bill as well.
Tom on yesterday’s Capital Tonight program talking about H.R. 822.
Here is the press release we sent out about the bill.
I found this interesting story on Elena Kagan on CNN’s religion blog:
“… She recalled paying a courtesy call on Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) shortly after her nomination to the court by President Obama in May 2010. Risch asked her about gun rights, and remarked she may not realize how important the issue was to some Americans, especially in his home state. She admitted never having owned or fired a gun before. “But I told the senator if I was fortunate enough to be confirmed, I would go hunting with Justice Scalia.” And she has, joining her conservative colleague on an excursion to a Washington-area shooting range and on several hunting trips, until now never reported. Her host at the synagogue event was surprised. “You’re Jewish,” deadpanned Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg. “Yeah, but it turns out, it’s kind of fun,” said Kagan, laughing.”
Bloomberg/MAIG paid for a full-page ad in today’s U.S.A. Today stating their opposition to H.R. 822. From their press release:
“A coalition of more than 600 Republican, Democratic and Independent U.S. mayors today called on the Senate to reject efforts by gun lobby allies to quickly introduce and pass a measure that would override state laws determining who can carry concealed, loaded weapons in public places …”
About 100 of these mayors are from New York. How many of them have joined in with Blooomberg’s bitching? Zero. I have not seen a single media statement from any of the local mayors, even those from the larger municipalities. If this is such a hot issue, then why aren’t any of them talking about it?
You can sense the desperation in the antis attacks upon H.R. 822. Some examples:
They appear to have given up on stopping it in the House and are pinning their hopes on the Senate again. The math is not on their side. It only failed last time with 58 votes because Chuck Schumer promised a filibuster. By my count, the ’10 elections should up that number to 64 supporters which is enough to shut off debate.
10/19 UPDATE:
Eric Schneiderman sent out a press release and letter to Senate leaders.
The northeast RINO wing of the Republican party has not given up on seeing one of their own get the ’12 presidential nomination. From the AP wire, “Romney’s rise challenges tea party’s clout in GOP“:
“Mitt Romney’s early success in the Republican presidential race is challenging the tea party’s clout … On the surface, Romney’s strength seems at odds with the tea party’s fiery success in ousting Republicans seen as compromisers, and in making the House GOP caucus more ideological … Although he later changed, Romney once supported abortion rights, gun control and gay rights …”
What early success? He’s been leading the pack with around 25% which isn’t saying much. His campaign is well organized, but they should be considering he’s been running for the past 5 years or so. Romney has money, but Rick Perry raised more than he did last quarter.
As time goes on candidates are going to start dropping out as their resources are depleted. When that happens people will start focusing on issues including gun rights. That is when Romney will start running into problems.
I’ve watched parts of the committee hearings on H.R. 822 and they are boring. Jerrold Nalder continues to be disruptive and tried linking the bill with abortion.
On a positive note the bill picked up another co-sponsor, Rep. Ken Calvert of California, bringing the total back up to 245.
Hearings on H.R. 822 will continue today in the House. Several antigun amendments were defeated, including two by Jerrold Nadler which he whines about in his press release.
Carolyn McCarthy went a different route by sending a letter to all 50 Governors trying to get them to oppose the bill. This seems highly unlikely to work as 41 states are either shall issue or constitutional carry right now. Gov. Cuomo has not said anything publicly on the bill.
H.R. 822 is scheduled to have a hearing today in the House Judiciary Committee. One co-sponsor chickened out and pulled his name from the bill yesterday, Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has created a petition to try and block the nationwide CCW reciprocity bill H.R. 822. It is located here on the Whitehouse’s “We the People“ website which lets people create petitions on various issues as a way to lobby the administration.