Chuck Schumer is pushing to have NYPD commissioner Raymond Kelly take over as FBI chief when Robert Mueller retires later this year.
Not good. Kelly is antigun and often acts as Mayor Bloomberg’s puppet on the issue.
Obama speaks
Obama penned an op-ed at the Arizona Daily Star over the weekend regarding gun control where he calls for improving NICS and enforcing existing laws.
Some thoughts on this:
- There’s no way the antis can be happy with this. Brady, NYAGV, etc. were clearly going for magazine prohibition via H.R. 308.
- He didn’t say he was endorsing Schumer’s bill S-436, which curtains but does not outright prohibit private firearms transfers. MAIG wants this and despite their press release I would guess they’re not very happy either.
- Obama goes out of his way not to offend gunnies: “… in fact, my administration has not curtailed the rights of gun owners – it has expanded them, including allowing people to carry their guns in national parks and wildlife refuges …”
- I don’t think Obama wants to deal with this issue and doesn’t plan to spend much political capital on it. The op-ed comes across as a half-hearted effort designed more to silence his critics than make substantive policy.
Trying to intimidate Grimm
Fresh off the effort to try and intimidate Nan Hayworth, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence is trying the same thing with Michael Grimm:
“… In response to Tucson, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-Garden City) introduced legislation (H.R. 308) that would ban the manufacture, importation and transfer of large-capacity ammunition magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds … a group of concerned citizens (including the writers), clergy and victims of gun violence met with Congressman Michael Grimm to request his support of H.R. 308. While the meeting was cordial and much common ground was established his support for this vital legislation is still pending “further review.” …”
He’s blowing them off. The bill is only about a page long. It doesn’t take long to read it.
“… Among his concerns were the real world outcomes of implementing such a ban …”
Meaning the political consequences for him.
The last time I recall NYAGV trying to pressure Grimm’s predecessor Vito Fossella, they had less than a dozen people (which included NYAGV staff and opposition party functionaries) show up to protest outside his district office. From a political standpoint, these people have nothing. They don’t have money, they don’t have much of a constituency and they don’t have a voting block to help or hinder his re-election plans. Grimm ought to continue ignoring them.
Show me the money
Two more state legislators are in trouble on corruption charges: Senator Carl Kruger and Assemblyman William Boyland.
Given the seeming regularity in which our elected officials disgrace themselves these revelations should come as no surprise. What I did find amusing was this:
“NYPIRG’s Bill Mahoney put together a list … of those who have benefitted from under-fire state Sen. Carl Kruger’s political generosity … I got a call (and perhaps others did, too) from the office of state Sen. Jose Peralta of Queens, insisting that he never got any KrugerBucks. HOWEVER, Kruger reported giving Peralta a donation. Peralta’s committee never reported receiving it. Where did it go??? …”
Perhaps Perlata should spend some time looking into this instead of pushing his microstamping bill.
CD-26 candidates
Capitol Tonight has a rundown of potential Democrat candidates to fill the open seat in CD-26. Of those listed, the only one I’m aware of with some positive pro-gun leanings is Erie Co. Clerk Kathy Hochul.
The Republicans have chosen Jane Corwin and she appears to be likely to receive the Conservative Party endorsement as well next week. Corwin has a pro-gun record in the Assembly and her radio ad mentions her A rating from NRA at the 0:33 mark:
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Two potential independent candidates include millionaire Jack Davis, who has run and lost several times before, and David Bellavia who might get tea party backing.
Microstamping request withdrawn
Jose Peralta has withdrawn his request for Senate Codes take up his microstamping bill S-675.
Peralta trying to move microstamping
Jose Peralta is trying to bring up gun control in the Senate. He’s requested Codes take up several of his bills including S-675, microstamping.
The new committee chair is Steve Saland and he is pro-gun. However, there are some new faces in the Senate who do not have public records on gun issues so I’m not sure how they are going to react.
State and NYC legislative update
Legislative Report #5 and NYC Legislative Report #4 are now online.
Next weeks legislative agenda:
Assembly Codes, Tuesday 3/8
A-2494, Requires the judge in a criminal proceeding or in a family court proceeding, upon issuance of an order of protection to inquire as to the possession of a firearm by the defendant or respondent.
Senate EnCon, Tuesday 3/8
S-2975, Allows for rifle hunting in portions of Ontario County.
Social justice
The Daily News calls this street justice, but I think it’s more of a social justice issue:
“… David Williams was pummeling his 19-year-old gal pal … when the pistol-packing Good Samaritan stepped up … Williams, 22, got in the unidentified man’s face … and forcefully told him to mind his business. “Mind my business?” the passerby responded … The man then whipped out a gun and shot Williams … once above his left eye …”
Nice shot.
“… Williams – who had 10 domestic violence arrests involving his mother and the baby’s mother – was rushed to Lincoln Hospital, where he died …”
Fuck him.
“… Police were hunting for the shooter last night …”
Why?
“… Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers …”
Yeah, good luck with that.
Powered by PSH
The antis are trying to move Carolyn McCarthy’s magazine prohibition bill H.R. 308 with the power of their PSH.
Capitol Tonight, “Bicoastal Push For Large Capacity Magazine Ban“:
“The City Councils in LA and NYC introduced simultaneous resolutions today in support of federal legislation to ban large capacity ammunition magazines of the sort used by alleged Arizona shooter Jared Lee Loughner …”
Los Angeles Times, “L.A. mayor and police chief back federal ban on large-capacity ammunition magazines“:
“Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Police Chief Charlie Beck and other top officials voiced their support Wednesday for federal legislation that would ban large-capacity ammunition magazines such as the one used by the alleged gunman in the Tucson shooting rampage …”
Plus, in statehouse we have this.
Daily News, “State Sen. Eric Adams shows how easy it is to buy high-capacity gun clips in New York State“:
“Gun magazines packing the massive firepower of up to 30 bullets should be long gone from New York since state lawmakers banned them in 1994. They’re not. The Daily News this week accompanied State Sen. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) to two gun stores near Albany that routinely sell the high-capacity clips …”
RadioVoiceOnline, “Connecticut legislator proposes ex post facto law for gun magazine capacity limit“:
“Article 1, Section 9, Clause 3 of the Constitution is clear concerning ex post facto laws, but that won’t stop the anti-gun left in Connecticut from making possession of high-capacity gun magazines – previously completely legal to buy and own – a felony unless you turn in the ones you own within 90 days …”
Sadly (for the antis), reality bites.
Washington Times, “No hope for gun grabbers“:
“The left has permanently lost the argument on gun control. Despite their best efforts to take advantage of the tragic shooting in Arizona to promote pointless restrictions on things like the size of handgun magazines, the propaganda campaign is unlikely to go anywhere. Instead, the right to keep and bear arms continues to gain steam as state lawmakers around the country are enacting measures that would have been unthinkable not so long ago …”