Gun debate lights up phone lines in congressional offices

triblive.com ^ | 12 January, 2013 | Craig Smith

[marktwain]

Mass shootings, ammunition shortages and fear that government might snatch away gun rights have driven new voices to the gun control debate, and congressional offices are hearing from them.

Sen. Bob Casey‘s office has received more than 500 calls on the issue since mid-December, with about 60 percent in favor of reforming gun laws and 40 percent against.

Most of the 200 calls to the office of Rep. Mike Doyle, a Forest Hills Democrat, were “very heavily in favor of doing something.”

In one Arizona House district, calls were said to be running 9-to-1 against gun control measures.

Casey, D-Scranton, a longtime supporter of gun rights who got high marks from the National Rifle Association, softened his stance in the days after a gunman killed 20 first-graders and six adults Dec. 14 in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

The senator “believes a comprehensive solution is needed, including common-sense steps like the reinstatement of a ban on military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines,” said his spokesman, John Rizzo.

Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, received a “considerable number of calls,” most of them from constituents asking him to defend their Second Amendment right to bear arms, spokeswoman Julia Thornton said.

Kelly “believes that any effort to curb the type of senseless violence we‘ve seen in recent shooting massacres should be a measured and holistic approach, not merely a singular focus on gun policies,” Thornton said.

[marktwain]

If these numbers are accurate, we need to get busy and call congresscritters. I find it difficult to believe that even in blue districts, a congresscritter would be geting calls in favor of gun control.

I notice the anti-constitutional Doyle (F rating from the NRA) is careful to say that the majority of calls are to "do something", not for gun control. We need to step up the pressure. The are feeling enormous pressure from the MSM, and we need to counter it.

[Yosemitest]

Let's subjugate them to OUR end game, DUST!
"COMPROMISE" is a DIRTY word!
People who study the Bible know that COMPROMISE almost always leads to destruction.


It's time to mock the "Gun Control" Zombies!
"Gun Control" is a firm grip, steady breathing, accurate aim (developed by lots of practice), and a slow trigger pull.


The Swiss have got it CORRECT !
We need to learn from the Swiss and implement their "gun control measures" here in the United States right now, today!
These laws are the ones we should shove into the "2nd Amendment Haters" faces.

" Today, military service for Swiss males is universal. At about age 20, every Swiss male goes through 118 consecutive days of recruit training in the Rekrutenschule. ...

Even before required training begins, young men and women may take optional courses with the Swiss army's M57 assault rifle.
They keep that gun at home for three months and receive six half-day training sessions.

From age 21 to 32, a Swiss man serves as a "frontline" troop in the Auszug, and devotes three weeks a year (in eight of the 12 years) to continued training.
From age 33 to 42, he serves in the Landwehr (like America's National Guard); every few years, he reports for two-week training periods.
Finally, from ages 43, to 50, he serves in the Landsturm; in this period, he only spends 13 days total in "home guard courses."

Over a soldier's career he also spends scattered days on mandatory equipment inspections and required target practice.
Thus, in a 30-year mandatory military career, a Swiss man only spends about one year in direct military service.
Following discharge from the regular army, men serve on reserve status until age 50 (55 for officers).

By the Federal Constitution of 1874, military servicemen are given their first equipment, clothing and arms.
After the first training period, conscripts must keep gun, ammunition and equipment an ihrem Wohnort ("in their homes") until the end of their term of service.

Today, enlisted men are issued M57 AUTOMATIC assault rifles and officers are given pistol.
Each reservist is issued 24 rounds of ammunition in sealed packs for emergency use.
(Contrary to Handgun Control's claim that "all ammunition must be accounted for," the emergency ammunition is the only ammo that requires accounting.)

After discharge from service, the man is given a bolt rifle free from registration or obligation.
Starting in the 1994, the government will GIVE ex-reservists assault rifles. Officers carry pistols rather than rifles and are given their pistols the end of their service.

When the government adopts a new infantry rifle, it sells the old ones to the public.

Reservists are encouraged to buy MILITARY ammunition
(7.5 and 5.6mm-5.56 mm in other countries-for rifles and 9 and 7.65 mm Luger for pistols)
which is sold AT COST by the government, for target practice .
Non-military ammunition for long-gun hunting and .22 Long Rifle (LR) ammo are not subsidised, but are subiect to NO sales controls.
Non-military non-hunting ammunition more powerful than .22 LR (such as .38 Spl.) is registered at the time of sale.

Swiss military ammo must be registered IF bought at a private store, BUT NEED NOT BE REGISTERED IF bought at a range.
The nation's 3,000 shooting ranges sell the overwhelming majority of ammunition.
Technically, ammunition bought at the range must be used at the range, but the rule is barely known and almost never obeyed.

The army SELLS a variety of machine guns, submachine guns, anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft guns, howitzers and cannons.
Purchasers of these weapons require an EASILY OBTAINED cantonal license, and the weapons are registered.
In a nation of six million people, there are at least two million guns, including 600,000 FULLY AUTOMATIC assault rifles, half a million pistols, and numerous machine guns.
Virtually every home has a gun.

Besides SUBSIDIZED military surplus, the Swiss can buy other firearms easily too.
While long guns require NO special purchase procedures, handguns are sold only to those with a Waffenerwerbsschien (purchase certificate) issued by a cantonal authority.
A certificate is issued to every applicant over 18 who is not a criminal or mentally infirm.

There are NO restrictions on the carrying of long guns.
About half the cantons have strict permit procedures for carrying handguns, and the other half have NO rules at all.
There is NO discernible difference in the crime rate between the cantons as a result of the different policies.

Thanks to a lawsuit brought by the Swiss gun lobby, semi-automatic rifles require NO PURCHASE PERMIT and are NOT registered by the government.
Thus, the ONLY long guns registered by the government are FULL AUTOMATICS."

The Swiss have got it CORRECT !
Let's adopt THEIR LAWS !

Remember:

The beauty of the Second Amendment is
that it will not be needed
until they TRY to take it.

Read Second Amendment: It’s Not About Hunting, IT'S ABOUT TYRANNY .

[marktwain]

No comments on the article at the site. It would be a great bit of activism for some freepers to comment there. Perhaps asking about why the left feel such a desire to disarm their political opposition. You could note that it is not about saving children, as more children are killed in swimming pools than with detachable magazines.

Swimming pools are not constitutionally protected.

[Gaffer]

Democrat politicians are always going to lie about the support they’ve received on any measure that involves them trying to steal our freedom.

[Joe Boucher]

Why believe anything anyone in this gub mint tells us anymore about ANY subject?

[DaveA37]

No doubt that the supposed calls are along party lines. demodummies For More Gun Control.
repubs against more gun control.

IMO, Pretty much a no brainer there.

[Red in Blue PA]

Why do I not believe those numbers?

[KGeorge]

I noticed that the Az House office was unnamed (which may be a good thing to prevent their being targeted by the left) I’m sure the democrats will all claim that they receive asymmetrical support in favor of restrictions & bans.

After 0bamacare, I expect little but CYA (”we got calls supporting...”). But I agree that the effort should be made- early & then, refreshed when the voting is about to happen.
Boehner should make it a*priority* that no bill can ever again be gutted & replaced the way the bill re military mortgages was done for 0bamacare. *That* is corrupt. I don’t care about “precedent” or who does it. (Yes, I know- fat chance.) It should have happened immediately after.

[Jacquerie]

Agree. Aren't there 100,000+ Freepers? Whatever the number, if every one of us just sent a short email to our Congressional delegation after each rant, it would do wonders.

[patriotsblood]

Here is Senator Casey's stance on gun control that he wrote to me, and my response to him:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me about the tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. I appreciate hearing from you about this issue.

As you know, on December 14, 2012, an individual in Newtown, Connecticut forced his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School and opened fire on teachers and staff in the building.

In total, the perpetrator murdered 20 students between the ages of six and seven years old, as well as six adults, many of whom heroically sought to stop the shooter and save the lives of children.

Like many Americans, I was deeply affected by the scope and brutality of this act. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.

The motives that led to this senseless massacre will likely never fully be comprehended. However, I believe that all public officials have a responsibility to work to prevent such an event from occurring again.

This incident reflects a complex problem that requires a comprehensive strategy, including funding for law enforcement officers and the mental health care system. Too many individuals with mental illness are not receiving the services they need and tragically, sometimes a small number of these individuals turn violent.

I have supported access to affordable and accessible mental health services for all Americans and I will continue to review proposed solutions to improve our mental health system.

As you may know, I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. Pennsylvania has a fine hunting and sporting tradition, and I will defend the right to bear arms as it is enshrined in our Constitution.

However, I also believe that the attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School highlights very serious dangers posed to public safety by the misuse of certain weapons and technology originally developed for warfare.

According to reports, the shooter was able to kill many children and adults very quickly because he possessed a military-style semiautomatic weapon. He also allegedly used magazines containing up to 30 rounds of ammunition and carried hundreds of rounds more.

After much reflection and careful study of the issue, I have decided to support a federal assault weapons ban as well as legislation restricting high capacity clips.

In light of what occurred at Sandy Hook, these are two measures that will lessen the chances that this will happen again soon.

Our Nation has already begun a critical dialogue as we examine what steps must be taken to prevent this type of tragedy in the future. On December 19, 2012, President Obama announced the formation of an inter-agency task initiative, led by Vice President Biden, to study these issues and recommend possible actions.

I look forward to reviewing these proposals, as well to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address this complex issue.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about this or any other matter of importance to you.” Here is my response to him:

Senator Casey, in your response to me regarding possible gun control legislation, you said: "As you may know, I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. Pennsylvania has a fine hunting and sporting tradition, and I will defend the right to bear arms as it is enshrined in our Constitution. "

Senator, You need to understand that the Second Amendment is not about 'hunting and sporting', it is about a free people having the means to remain free from oppression of any tyrannical government, including our own. You sir, are no supporter of the Second Amendment.

You also said:

"After much reflection and careful study of the issue, I have decided to support a federal assault weapons ban as well as legislation restricting high capacity clips. In light of what occurred at Sandy Hook, these are two measures that will lessen the chances that this will happen again soon."

Senator, look at the calendar. The Sandy Hook incident happened on December 14, 2012, less than a month ago. That is hardly enough time to allow "much reflection and careful study of the issue".

Senator, I can't think of another issue that has a greater probability of removing you from office in the next election cycle than this one, and I am deeply disappointed at your predictably misguided, lock-step position on this issue that ignores the will of your constituents. Senator Casey is now on record that he supports a ban on semi-automatic weapons.

[RandallFlagg]

No comments on the article at the site. It would be a great bit of activism for some freepers to comment there.

I have a Facebook account for doing just that at the local news site here in Denver (thedenverchannel.com).
I write commentary about firearms on EVERY story they publish.
And, as expected, the hoplophobes get all pissy about what I say.
I'm quite the rebel/activist on this.

OH! Have you seen the latest hickok45 YouTube video about the January 19th rally?
It's pretty good.

Hickok45:
"You had a hot date that day? Guess where your date is going to be. IT'S GONNA BE AT THE STATE CAPITAL! Okay?"

Hickok45: 2nd Amendment March

[Vinnie]

Take their word for it? Riiiiiiight!
It’s the congresscritter’s way of doing what he/she wants and claiming popular support from his/her constituents.

[Vinnie]

Too many individuals with mental illness are not receiving the services they need and tragically, sometimes a small number of these individuals turn violent.

And who put these mental patients on the streets??
The ACLU, Democrats.

Here in Raleigh there is/was a huge mental facility, Dorthea Dix Hospital.
The State closed it down, leased the land to the City of Raleigh.
The city plans to raze the buildings and make a park.

In the meantime the patients have been moved to other facilities or turned out.
The 'do gooders' cry about the homeless on the streets, esp. in the winter.
The facility could be used to house hundreds of homeless.
Liberal non-think.!!

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

(comparing with other situations as to possible outcomes for gun laws if the gun controllers win.)

1) After years of wrangling and bad decisions about pornography laws, the SCOTUS finally decided that attitudes about pornography are not the same in New York as they are in Peoria. Therefore they punted and said that “local standards” should determine whether pornography is pornographic enough to be illegal. And despite efforts to revitalize stricter pornography laws at the federal level, such as the Meese Commission, the SCOTUS standard has for the most part survived.

2) The “made from whole cloth” abortion decision by the SCOTUS in Roe v. Wade, initially completely nationalized abortion, but over time, a concerted effort has been made at the state level to “federalize”, in the true sense, abortion law, that abortion law is a state, not national, prerogative. And as such they have substantially eroded the number and locations where abortions can be carried out over time.

However, those who are pro-abortion still use every opportunity to try and “re-nationalize” it, and and to use taxpayer money to pay for their eugenics program.

3) The outcome of the Civil Rights movement was not just to nationalize civil rights for equal enforcement for blacks, but that federal judges have made themselves the enforcers of those laws, far beyond their legitimate authority, using extraordinary means to do so.

This includes the forced transfer of children to far away schools to create unnatural integration; requiring that states may not change any part of their elections laws without Just Us Department approval; creating “special masters” to force state legislatures to appropriate money they do not wish to appropriate; and the list goes on and on.

4) Finally, the truly evil “War on Drugs”, and all its myriad vices: the “arrest” of property (property has no civil rights); RICO forfeiture laws; violent paramilitary drug busts; mass incarceration for drug users; and mandatory psychological conditioning by anti-drug counselors. etc., ad nauseum.

Each of these are possibilities if the gun control movement is able to achieve its goals, muster public opinion, and sway enough political leaders to either support it, or not stand in the way of those that support it. That is:

The SCOTUS could back down and permit some regulation at the state level. Or if one of the conservative justices on the SCOTUS died, so it became a “liberal court”, the SCOTUS could fully nationalize gun ownership, with registration, expensive annual licenses, and national government permission for anything to do with guns.

Congress could allow federal judges to create their own rules to control guns, which could get very weird. And this overlaps into a “War on Guns” scenario, with massive, but slow and methodical gun confiscation and arrest of “criminal gun owners”, for the crime of owning a gun.

[GregoTX]

So 60% of the phone calls to Rep. Mike Doyle on the issue were people wanting the government violate their civil rights?

I know there are herds of mindless zombies blindly following the MSM... but I doubt 60% of his calls were from people demanding that they loose freedom.

[Slambat]

Kelly “believes that any effort to curb the type of senseless violence we‘ve seen in recent shooting massacres should be a measured and holistic approach, not merely a singular focus on gun policies,” Thornton said.

“not merely a singular focus on gun policies,”

That’s RINO talk. My take is Kelly is for some form of
regulation but want’s a “measured and holistic approach” as
well.