Retreat is not the same as surrender

On: By: admin

Obama does not appear to want to start a gun fight right now.  The Hill reports, “Holder dials back his commitment to pushing assault weapons ban“:

“Attorney General Eric Holder is retreating on his commitment to pursue a controversial gun-control measure. Holder’s statements, recently delivered to senators in writing, clearly indicate the Obama administration is in no rush to reinstate the assault weapons ban … Holder adopted a much different tone on the ban than he did in February … Noting his February statements, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) asked Holder, “Is it still your intent to seek a reinstitution of the ‘assault weapons’ ban?” … His response to a reporter in February, Holder claims, is not akin to “call[ing] for a new assault weapons ban, but rather restating the previously expressed campaign position on this issue.” Regarding the administration’s next step, Holder stated, “The department is currently reviewing existing gun laws to determine how best to combat gun violence and keep guns out of the hands of criminals and others prohibited from possessing them.” …”

Notice that Holder did not say they were giving up on the idea, just that they are in no rush to push the issue.  It is also important to note that there is no bill to re-institute the old Clinton gun ban.  The new bill, which Carolyn McCarthy has not reintroduced this session, essentially redefined an AW as any semi-auto which can accept detachable magazines and is much, much broader than the ’94 law.

Schumer’s re-election campaign #2

On: By: admin

He’s going to propose legislation to give tax breaks to hunters who donate venison to anti-hunger programs.

Schumer goes hunting

On: By: admin

Chuck Schumer went pheasant hunting in Nebraska with Ben Nelson.  Politico reports:

“Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) likes Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) so much that he took him hunting … Apparently the duo had a great time. Nelson is the co-chair of the Sportsman Caucus and Schumer, who has never held a shotgun, wound up bagging three pheasants.”

I expect photographs will be used in campaign mailings next year.

Missed it by that much

On: By: admin

We have come up 108 votes short of removing a 3rd MAIG member, Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan.  He won in a 3-way contest with 4068 votes to Republican challenger Rich David’s 3960 votes and independent candidate Doug Drazen’s 2040.

Schumer’s re-election campaign

On: By: admin

Chuck Schumer has begun his re-election campaign and once again he’s making a push for the Fudd vote.  He’s going to be at the Garrison Fish & Game Club tomorrow promoting legislation regarding the Venison Donation program.

They have learned nothing

On: By: admin

The NY GOP has learned nothing from their debacle in CD-23.  From Capitol Confidential, “Lazio picks up another county endorsement“:

“Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio has picked up another GOP county chair endorsement, this time from Schoharie chairman Lewis Wilson. Lazio, who is the only Republican to officially announce his bid for the governor’s office, has also been endorsed by the Republican county committee chairs in Orange and Suffolk. “I am proud to endorse Rick Lazio for Governor of New York … We need someone with Rick’s unique qualifications and skills to go to Albany and get our state back on track,” Lewis said in a statement …”

We most certainly do not need another antigun RINO who has publicly stated the problem with the Republican party is that is not not enough like the Democrat party.

After he brought out the gun, they run away

On: By: admin

Shotgun tops handgun in “Elmont store clerk scares off would-be robbers with shotgun, police say“:

“A bodega worker in Elmont scared off handgun-toting bandits who were trying to rob the cashier when he whipped out a shotgun, Nassau County police said. Police say the shotgun that the worker brandished was behind the counter when the two bandits came into the Elmont Deli at about 4:15a.m. Saturday and pointed a handgun at the cashier, demanding money from him … “After he brought out the gun, they run away,” said Sias Jihan, a co-worker of the employee who had the shotgun …”

Pataki for President

On: By: admin

Laugh of the day from George Stephanopoulos:

“… Former New York Gov. George Pataki (R) is being urged by major Republican donors and the party apparatus in Washington to run against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) in 2010. While he has not made a final decision on a Senate run, Pataki has told at least one major GOP donor in private that he is not interested in becoming a senator at the age of 64 and would rather run for president in 2012 …”

Sadly, the bar has been lower significantly for qualified presidential candidates recently.

Obama picks another kook

On: By: admin

Gov. Paterson’s Deputy Secretary for the Environment Judy Enck is moving up to the Environmental Protection Agency.  She’s the one who tried shutting down the Reynolds Pheasant Farm that the R&P and CANY successfully filed suit to stop.

Now as administrator for Region 2 (which includes New York State), she will be Ed Guster’s boss.  Guster is the administrator overseeing the Best Management Practices certification program for controlling lead at shooting ranges and gun clubs.

Bad analysis

On: By: admin

From the Times Union, “A central lesson in the 23rd“:

“For all the money that national conservative groups poured into the race for the 23rd Congressional District, their candidate lost. That is the undeniable bottom line … all that advertising and support from … a host of other outside … pro-gun groups didn’t make voters think much differently. Those groups could not persuade a majority of voters to believe in a platform that they didn’t endorse … New Yorkers as a whole … They tend to be more interested in sensible gun control than ensuring that every citizen can pack heat …”

Except the gun issue wasn’t an issue in the race.  The NRA rated both Doug Hoffman and Bill Owens as “AQ” based upon their candidate questionnaires and the Brady Bunch was nowhere to be seen.  Gunnies had nothing to win or lose in that race no matter who came out ahead.