Schumer speaks on H.R. 822

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Chuck Schumer finally address H.R. 822 in this NY1/YNN story:

“… There are 242 co-sponsors to the bill,” [Congressman Jerrold Nadler] said. “I hope we can stop it in the Senate.”  That will likely happen, according to New York’s senior senator, Charles Schumer.  “It’s come up in the past and the Senate’s defeated it,” he said.  Schumer also said the bill would allow gun owners into the state without permission from law enforcement officials, which he said was not wanted …”

That isn’t what happened.  When is came up last year it had 58 Yea votes, just short of the 60 needed to prevent Schumer’s promised filibuster.  The ’10 elections should have added 6 pro-gun votes meaning there should be enough support now to end debate on the bill and bring it to the floor for a vote.  Schumer isn’t saying this.

Antis increasingly alarmed by H.R. 822

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Too funny:

“Democratic New York electeds are becoming increasingly alarmed by a bill in Congress that they say strip the rights of states to regulate conceal and carry laws … U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, who is appearing on former Gov. David Paterson’ WOR radio show this afternoon at 5:10 p.m, previously sent a letter to all 50 U.S. governors alerting them to the bill … And Attorney General Eric Schneiderman also took the issue last week writing in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell …”

Two fringe politicians out of hundreds of elected local, state and federal representatives from all across the state are complaining about the bill.  McCarthy’s letter has accomplished nothing, which isn’t surprising considering the vast majority of governors represent states which view New York gun laws as far outside the mainstream, while both Reid & McConnell are blowing off Schneiderman.  If there was serious concern by our local elected officials about H.R. 822 there would be a lot more people complaining about it.

H.R. 822 advances

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H.R. 822 has been voted out of the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 19-11.  Hilarity ensues on the Brady Campaign’s Twitter feed.

Bachmann has a CCW

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Big media is trying to attack Michele Bachmann on the issues, but inside this syndicated column there is this useful tidbit:

“… after a supporter asked her position on the Second Amendment, Bachmann said she supported Americans’ rights to own guns and that she had a permit to carry a concealed weapon …”

So do millions of other Americans.  It’s a mainstream position largely unknown to the editors of rags like the LA Times and Boston Herald.  So they try and marginalize her with this:

“… then she added: “I don’t believe in the U.N. taking that right away from us, as well. There are international treaties that want to do that.”  The United Nations is drafting an arms treaty, but it is aimed at stemming illegal international gun sales. While many gun manufacturers are concerned that such a treaty could lead to broader gun registration, only a narrow fringe purports that Americans could see their guns taken away by the U.N., which has no authority over constitutional rights …”

By “narrow fringe” they mean the NRA which has covered this topic extensively and Wayne LaPierre even wrote a book about, “The Global War on Your Guns: Inside the UN Plan To Destroy the Bill of Rights.”  This lame shot won’t hurt her campaign at all.  In fact, this Rasmussen poll last month shows more Americans think being labeled “Pro-Gun” is a positive rather than a negative.  This explains why none of the candidates, including Obama, are rushing to the Brady Campaign for their endorsement.

Push back on H.R. 822

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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.

H.R. 822 on Capital Tonight

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Tom on yesterday’s Capital Tonight program talking about H.R. 822.

Here is the press release we sent out about the bill.

Elena Kagan goes hunting and shooting

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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.”

What support?

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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?

Flailing away at H.R. 822

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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.

What early success?

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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.