The Town of Philipstown in Putnam County is contemplating a gun control ordinance to prohibit legally owned firearms on town property. Here is a story where this is supposedly coming from and here is a draft copy of the proposal.
Not a given
Julie Sobel’s over at Hotline On Call writes, “NRA Already In Position To Celebrate In 2012.” There are some problems with her analysis:
“… Unlike in 2008, when the Republican ticket was topped by Arizona Sen. John McCain (R), whose mixed record on gun control has earned him a NRA rating of C+, a look at the potential 2012 field – even including Pres. Obama — suggests that gun rights activists may already be in a position to celebrate. “It’s inconceivable that the Republicans would nominate a candidate who was not 100% with the NRA,” said Robert Spitzer, author of the book “The Politics of Gun Control
” …”
Two words: Mitt Romney. He has not gone away. He’s F rated from his time as Massachusetts Governor. I believe he will put his hat into the ring for ’12.
“… Not only are Republican contenders sticking to their guns, Democratic leaders have essentially decided to cede the argument on gun control …”
No, they have not and nobody believes they have either. They just haven’t put it on the front burner because they know the issue is a stinker. That does not mean that at some more opportune time they will bring it up again.
It is entirely possible the GOP will screw up and either nominate a “moderate” on guns and/or nominate a generally weak candidate who ends up losing the general election. It is way to early to celebrate.
Albany antis want to help McCarthy
Several antigunners in the Albany Common Council want to try and help promote Carolyn McCarthy’s magazine prohibition bill H.R. 308. A memorializing resolution RES 6.21.11 has been introduced and is on the agenda for the Council’s next meeting scheduled for Monday the 7th.
Don’t cut it, abolish it
The Washington Post writes, “ATF fears budget cuts would imperil gun-trafficking fight at Mexico border“:
“… the White House budget office proposed steep cuts for the agency charged with enforcing federal gun laws … When officials at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives saw the proposal, they concluded it would effectively eliminate a major initiative in the fight against firearms trafficking on the Mexican border …”
“… “Any cuts to the already under-staffed and under-funded ATF would be a setback,” said Brady Center President Paul Helmke, “but the kinds of cuts that are rumored would be devastating to the ATF’s ability to interrupt the flow of illegal guns across America and Mexico … These laws would be more effective and efficient because they offer a pro-active means — instead of a reactive one — to stemming the flow of guns to Mexican drug cartels and to criminals and gangs on America’s streets …” …”
They’re still trying to keep the Mexican drug/gun canard alive. People ain’t buying it. The notion that drug cartels are coming across the border to buy guns legally, or even illegally, from mom & pop shops in Texas and Arizona is ludicrous.
“… “ATF is the ugly stepchild of every administration,” said James Cavanaugh, a former senior ATF official …”
Why is that? Shouldn’t the WaPo reporters have asked for an explanation for that answer because to me that is an awfully odd thing to say? I don’t recall ever hearing an employee of another government agency say that.
Perhaps it is because the agency’s sole purpose is to restrict the freedoms of average Americans. ATF should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Alcohol prohibition was a public policy disaster, all tobacco regulation has done is driven up the cost, while gun control policies have cost who knows how many decent people their lives. If the White House and Congress are serious about cutting spending, they should abolish the ATF entirely.
Keep your finger off the trigger
Eric Adams is one of the louder antigun voices in the State Senate. He’s pushing a new antigun campaign and has produced this video.
Talking about parental responsibility is good. However, he seems to have forgotten basic firearms safety as he appears to have his finger on the trigger at the 4:05 mark when he’s pointing the revolver at his own face …
Wishful thinking
Lots of wishful thinking on the part of Paul Helmke. The only resurgence of support for gun control is coming from crap media outlets and kook politicians like Carolyn McCarthy. Even the New York Times admitted a couple of weeks ago that “Support for Gun Control Has Dropped in Recent Years.”
Trying to intimidate Hayworth
The Journal News is trying to intimidate newly elected Congresswoman Nan Hayworth into backing Carolyn McCarthy’s magazine bill:
“… Will our region’s new congresswoman, Rep. Nan Hayworth, R-Mount Kisco, have the guts to do what is right, or will she cave to the will of the NRA?”
The question should be will she have the guts to do what is right, or will she cave to the will of the JN’s editors?
Legislative Report #3
Legislative Report #3 is now online.