Had a great time in Oklahoma chasing Wild pigs. I feel rather refreshed and have a few ideas for posting.
I'll have a post about the trip and a few pics up in a few days. We didn't take any digital pics of the hunt so I need to get the film back from the developer before I can post any.
Thank you all for hanging in there with me.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Gone Hunting
I am going out of town this all week and will be unable to post.
While I am gone please take the time time to check out some or all of the Blogs I have linked. It is an assembled group of Blogs written by informative people on a variety of subjects.
I will be back at the keyboard as soon as possible.
While I am gone please take the time time to check out some or all of the Blogs I have linked. It is an assembled group of Blogs written by informative people on a variety of subjects.
I will be back at the keyboard as soon as possible.
Friday, March 18, 2005
The Dog & Pony Show went well
Official public commentary for LB454, the Nebraska concealed carry measure, was heard yesterday, the very last day of scheduled committee hearings.
Everyone who cares knows all about LB454 by now, so mercifully I won't repeat it all here again. Senator Jeanne Combs (Sponsor) opened the hearing by stating her case before the committee of which she is also a member. Senator Combs is passionate about concealed carry and although she, like all Nebraskans, does not have the option of a CCW permit, has taken the time to recieve formal training in the safe responsible handling of a firearm. In fact Senator Combs is scheduled to attend an upcoming session at a Nationally known training facility located in one of the Western states.
Ernie has his say
In response to Senator Combs introduction, Senator Chambers had his say and readily admitted defeat at the committee level, noting that five of the eight members on the Judiciary Committee are either a sponsor or co-sponsor of the bill. The esteemed Senator from Omaha did promise a spirited debate and an unbreakable filibuster when the bill comes up for full floor debate though.
Chaired by Senator Bourne, the committee first heard heard testimony proponents of the bill. There were very 17 articulate people, including yours truely that spoke in favor of the LB454.
During the proponents testimony about the only comments proffered by Senator Chambers were to the effect of; "Well why are you here with the same old montra that this committee hears every year? There are at least five votes on this committee of eight for this bill, who's mind are you trying to change, certainly not mine, because that is not going to happen."
Note to Ernie: The answer Senator is that it is our civic duty to speak out on the issues whether it will change anyones mind or not. Unlike you who are paid to be there, we take unpaid time from work and in some instances travel many miles to present our views to our representives.
The Million Commie Mommies were not there
There were I believe about eight people that spoke in opposition to this bill. The Nebraska Police Chiefs Association their obligatory messenger boy there to state in concise terms that the organization believes that only Police Officers can and should be trusted with publically carrying a sidearm. The Chief waxed eloquant about the dangers of firearms in the home and other situations that really had no bearing on concealed carry. To the credit of the committee members that support this bill, they did a very good job of fisquing him with poinient questions. One other speeker in opposition had so much to say that he speed read his prepared remarks and still couldn't say all he wanted to in his alloted three minutes. There were no committee questions for him, I'm sure, because when he got done no one could remember a thing he said. His entire presentation sounded like one of those super fast legal disclaimers you hear at the end of a television commercial.
Even those that don't like the bill are in in favor of concealed carry
One of the most humorous thing about that is at least four of those, in opposition, CLEARY stated they support concealed carry but they did not support THIS BILL either because they felt it was a bad bill or Nebraska does not need this law because, as is in Vermont concealed carry is and has been legal for a very long time. (Where have you heard that before?)
There were two speakers that spoke from a neutral position on the bill; The first was a representive of a firefighters organization that supported the bill but expressed reservations about the portion of the bill that requires firefighters and EMT's to all be essentially firearms experts when dealing with the medical situation of a permitted person in posession of a firearm. The other netrual speaker represented the Department of Motor Vehicles and relayed to the committee that they are capable and ready to do the duties this law would require of them.
All and all it went well. As Senator Chambers alluded to, there were no minds changed on the committee and it will, unless something very dark disturbing and/or drastic happens, be voted out to the floor of the Unicameral.
Everyone who cares knows all about LB454 by now, so mercifully I won't repeat it all here again. Senator Jeanne Combs (Sponsor) opened the hearing by stating her case before the committee of which she is also a member. Senator Combs is passionate about concealed carry and although she, like all Nebraskans, does not have the option of a CCW permit, has taken the time to recieve formal training in the safe responsible handling of a firearm. In fact Senator Combs is scheduled to attend an upcoming session at a Nationally known training facility located in one of the Western states.
Ernie has his say
In response to Senator Combs introduction, Senator Chambers had his say and readily admitted defeat at the committee level, noting that five of the eight members on the Judiciary Committee are either a sponsor or co-sponsor of the bill. The esteemed Senator from Omaha did promise a spirited debate and an unbreakable filibuster when the bill comes up for full floor debate though.
Chaired by Senator Bourne, the committee first heard heard testimony proponents of the bill. There were very 17 articulate people, including yours truely that spoke in favor of the LB454.
During the proponents testimony about the only comments proffered by Senator Chambers were to the effect of; "Well why are you here with the same old montra that this committee hears every year? There are at least five votes on this committee of eight for this bill, who's mind are you trying to change, certainly not mine, because that is not going to happen."
Note to Ernie: The answer Senator is that it is our civic duty to speak out on the issues whether it will change anyones mind or not. Unlike you who are paid to be there, we take unpaid time from work and in some instances travel many miles to present our views to our representives.
The Million Commie Mommies were not there
There were I believe about eight people that spoke in opposition to this bill. The Nebraska Police Chiefs Association their obligatory messenger boy there to state in concise terms that the organization believes that only Police Officers can and should be trusted with publically carrying a sidearm. The Chief waxed eloquant about the dangers of firearms in the home and other situations that really had no bearing on concealed carry. To the credit of the committee members that support this bill, they did a very good job of fisquing him with poinient questions. One other speeker in opposition had so much to say that he speed read his prepared remarks and still couldn't say all he wanted to in his alloted three minutes. There were no committee questions for him, I'm sure, because when he got done no one could remember a thing he said. His entire presentation sounded like one of those super fast legal disclaimers you hear at the end of a television commercial.
Even those that don't like the bill are in in favor of concealed carry
One of the most humorous thing about that is at least four of those, in opposition, CLEARY stated they support concealed carry but they did not support THIS BILL either because they felt it was a bad bill or Nebraska does not need this law because, as is in Vermont concealed carry is and has been legal for a very long time. (Where have you heard that before?)
There were two speakers that spoke from a neutral position on the bill; The first was a representive of a firefighters organization that supported the bill but expressed reservations about the portion of the bill that requires firefighters and EMT's to all be essentially firearms experts when dealing with the medical situation of a permitted person in posession of a firearm. The other netrual speaker represented the Department of Motor Vehicles and relayed to the committee that they are capable and ready to do the duties this law would require of them.
All and all it went well. As Senator Chambers alluded to, there were no minds changed on the committee and it will, unless something very dark disturbing and/or drastic happens, be voted out to the floor of the Unicameral.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Heard it on the radio
The wife and I were out to the lake today doing a bit of fishing and trying out some new arrows when Senator Jeanne Combes was introduced as a guest on one of the local afternoon talk shows. (KLIN 1400 AM)
Sentor Combes is this years sponsor of the bill LB454, that if passed will create the concealed carry law in Nebraska. Senator Conbes is a well informed firearms owner and has done a lot of hard work and I dare say a fair amount of arm twisting to get this bill through this year.
E-mails have been working
The Senator mentioned that her office and those of several other Senators have been deluged with e-mails about LB454. She went on to say that out of the hundreds she has received herself only three have been in opposission to it.
The Senator further stated, without naming names, that there has been two Senators that were against it that will now vote for it because of the e-mails they have received from their constituants.
The votes just might be there folks
Senator Combs mentioned that she has the support of 36 Senators. If this is true and they remain steadfast in their commitment to her, that means there is 3 more votes than neccesary to bring cloture to a promised Senator Chambers filibuster.
The public hearing before the judiciary committee is tomorrow, March 17th. Anyone that can make it, whether you wish to speak of not is encouraged to attend and lend support to the issue. The Hearing will be held in the Capitol building in Lincoln sometime tomorrow, most likely in the afternoon, but get there early just in case.
There are 8 Senators on the committee and it will most likely by a vote of 6-2, unless something really drastic happens, make it out of committee. That is when the real work will begin.
Sentor Combes is this years sponsor of the bill LB454, that if passed will create the concealed carry law in Nebraska. Senator Conbes is a well informed firearms owner and has done a lot of hard work and I dare say a fair amount of arm twisting to get this bill through this year.
E-mails have been working
The Senator mentioned that her office and those of several other Senators have been deluged with e-mails about LB454. She went on to say that out of the hundreds she has received herself only three have been in opposission to it.
The Senator further stated, without naming names, that there has been two Senators that were against it that will now vote for it because of the e-mails they have received from their constituants.
The votes just might be there folks
Senator Combs mentioned that she has the support of 36 Senators. If this is true and they remain steadfast in their commitment to her, that means there is 3 more votes than neccesary to bring cloture to a promised Senator Chambers filibuster.
The public hearing before the judiciary committee is tomorrow, March 17th. Anyone that can make it, whether you wish to speak of not is encouraged to attend and lend support to the issue. The Hearing will be held in the Capitol building in Lincoln sometime tomorrow, most likely in the afternoon, but get there early just in case.
There are 8 Senators on the committee and it will most likely by a vote of 6-2, unless something really drastic happens, make it out of committee. That is when the real work will begin.
Guns for sale
A friend of mine from the east coast is selling off some of his beloved firearms to make the big leap into real estate. If any of you are looking for something on his list that follows here, he can be contacted through his for sale post over at the Snipers Hide Forum.
I don't know how negotiable he is, but the prices he has are not to bad anyway. So if you need something and want to help him realize his goal of homeownership pop over to the Hide and buy one of his guns.
1. Sig P228 basically new (fired maybe 100 rds) $550
2. HK P7M8 German Police model w/ night sights $700
3. Colt King Cobra .357 mag $450
4. Beretta CX4 Storm carbine 40 s&w (new) $650
5. Bushmaster ar-15 complete lower receiver $300
6. Springfield M1 garand 3006 (new) $1200
7. Arsenal SAM-7 carbine 762x39 (new) $500
8. Scattergun Tech 870 shotgun 12 ga. $800
Selling these guns to free up money to buy a house and they are just sitting around in the cases not being used. Need to go to a good home. I'll be going over to Doc76251's house this weekend to take pictures and will post here. Contact me if interested by either pm or by emailing through this board. Usual selling procedures apply (ffl, etc in your state) Thanks Chad.
I don't know how negotiable he is, but the prices he has are not to bad anyway. So if you need something and want to help him realize his goal of homeownership pop over to the Hide and buy one of his guns.
1. Sig P228 basically new (fired maybe 100 rds) $550
2. HK P7M8 German Police model w/ night sights $700
3. Colt King Cobra .357 mag $450
4. Beretta CX4 Storm carbine 40 s&w (new) $650
5. Bushmaster ar-15 complete lower receiver $300
6. Springfield M1 garand 3006 (new) $1200
7. Arsenal SAM-7 carbine 762x39 (new) $500
8. Scattergun Tech 870 shotgun 12 ga. $800
Selling these guns to free up money to buy a house and they are just sitting around in the cases not being used. Need to go to a good home. I'll be going over to Doc76251's house this weekend to take pictures and will post here. Contact me if interested by either pm or by emailing through this board. Usual selling procedures apply (ffl, etc in your state) Thanks Chad.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Holsters, Holsters and more Holsters
What Holster is the Best?
In perusing the internet and frequently being asked in person; What is the best holster in which to carry a concealed firearm in, I decided to provide my answer to the question here.
The question itsself is reminicent of the age old query as to what is the best caliber to hunt whitetail deer with. The short answer is that there is no one best holster for everyone and this article will certainly not put the subject to rest. I just feel the need to offer my thoughts and experience for fodder in the debate. People that tell a neophyte at concealed carry to get XXXX brand 1234 model holster and that is all you ever need are doing a severe disservice to that person. If there were one "best for all holster" the point would be moot as there would only be one holster on the market and the question would not need to be asked.
It is old news to many of us that there are many different types of holsters that can be worn on various parts of the body. Speaking of body the different shapes and sizes of the human body will dictate what holster is the best or most comfortable for any given person as well.
Inside the Waistband
By far the most popular at this time seems to be the "inside the waistband" (IWB) type that is worn either near or on the hip on the carriers strong side (right side for right handed people, left side for left handed people).
Granted this type of holster generally offers the best form of concealment for a sidearm and several models are made in this style.
Not everyone is comfortable with something between their body and their trousers though and that is just a fact of life.
Outside the Waistband
This brings us too the "outside the waistband holsters" (OWB) that ride on the wearers belt. Yes these holsters require more thought to conceal consistantly, but are by far more comfortable for some people.
The advantage of carrying a sidearm at belt level on the wearers strong side is accessability. In general the wearers hand is never far from the pistol for the purposes of drawing or protecting it. The strong side hip position is probably the most natural of all the types.
Crossdraw
Another type of either IWB or OWB holster is the crossdraw. It too is worn on the belt, but instead of being on the users strong side it is worn between the bodies front centerline and offside (weakside) hip. Of the holsters discussed so far the crossdraw is probaly the hardest to keep consistanly concealed, although there is a holster called the Pager Pal that seems to have rectified this dillema.
PAGER PAL
There are those that feel the crossdraw is not an effective method of carry and that it unneccesarily lends itsself to exposing the sidearm to be easily taken from the wearer. Many people that spend their days either seated in an automobile or desk chair do prefer a cross draw as it can be, depending on firearm size and barrel length, quite comfortable for this sedimentary activity.
Small of the Back
There is also a minority of people that carry a concealed sidearm that prefer "small of the back" (SOB) carry. SOB carry is just that, the sidearm is worn in the curve of the spine. There are a number of holsters that can be worn either IWB or OWB that accomplish this, but it has been my experience that this type of holster is the hardest to consistantly keep concealed especially if the person wearing it is actively bending stooping or kneeling. As a drawback it is also the hardest to draw from when in a seated position; as in a car seat or armed chair.
Shoulder Holsters
Shoulder holsters are either loved or hated by the minions that carry on a daily basis. As with waistband holsters there are generally two types of shoulder rigs. One secures the sidearm in a verticle postion down the wearers side, and the other holds the pistol horizontally under the wearers weak arm.
Many consider shoulderholsters uncomfortable and in some instances unsafe. Uncomfortable because the harness encompasses the entire upper body and fastens to the belt on one or both sides. Unsafe because the notion is that with the horizontal holster the sidearm is pointed at who ever is standing behind the wearer.
Pocket Carry
A growing trend in the carry of small easily concealable firearms is the "pocket carry". One should never just "stick a gun" in a pants pocket as there is too much chance for an unwanted discharge. Pocket holsters are designed to keep the sidearm in an upright position and cover the trigger guard. It should be noted that when using this method only the firearm and the holster be carried in the chosen pocket, find another place to carry keys, coins etc..
Ankle Holsters
Ankle holsters are simply what the name implies; a holster worn on the ankle that is covered by the pants leg. Many people that spend a lot of time sitting either in an automobile or at a desk prefer this method as it is easily accessable when sitting.
Fanny Packs
Fanny pack holsters have had a rise in popularity in the past several years and again the name says it all. Many companies that have made traditional holsters for years offer a fannypack holster for those that prefer this method. Any number of people that use a fannypack like this method because they can carry the sidearm, extra ammo, a knife, a flashlight and other items in the same container.
Deep Cover
For some people, because of employment or other reasons require a holster that gives them what is refered to as "deep cover". It is necessary that they wear a sidearm but it must be totally hidden ALL of time and products like Smart Carry or Thunder Wear provide that level of concealment. These holsters generally position the sidearm on the bodies centerline behind the zipper of the wearers trousers.
SMART CARRY
The major drawback that many find with these systems is the amount of time it takes to access the sidearm if/when it is needed. They do provide the concealment that the people who use them require though.
Off Body Carry
To this point I have refrained from offering an opinion on the methods I have described and have only noted some of the postives and or negatives that have been expressed about each them. The type of holster and where one wears it on their body is a personal choice depending on the body shape, size, activity and level of comfort desired. One last way that some people insist on carrying is called "off body carry". This describes a sidearm that is carried in a purse, or the ever popular day planner and I will present my own very biased opinion on this type of carry.
From my own perspective I disdain this type of carry and would caution against ever considering it. Using this method it is just to easy to leave the purse or planner laying somewhere or have it stolen from your very grasp. Now the "bad guy" has both your valuables and your firearm. When using the purse or day planner type method a person does not have the full and complete control that is neccesary for a responsibly firearm owner to have.
Other than rendering an opinion on "off body carry" I will seldom reccommend a specific style of holster or method of carry. There is just to many variables between human beings, even those of essentially the same size and body type. Firearms owners that are new to concealed carry need to be exposed to as many different types of holsters and ways to carry as possible. In the end it is a personal decision that everyone has to make for their own comfort and security.
NOTE All pictures were shamellesly link from on-line sites with no effort to reccommend one product over another. They were chosen simply to illustrate the method being described and should not be construed as an endorsement of any product.
In perusing the internet and frequently being asked in person; What is the best holster in which to carry a concealed firearm in, I decided to provide my answer to the question here.
The question itsself is reminicent of the age old query as to what is the best caliber to hunt whitetail deer with. The short answer is that there is no one best holster for everyone and this article will certainly not put the subject to rest. I just feel the need to offer my thoughts and experience for fodder in the debate. People that tell a neophyte at concealed carry to get XXXX brand 1234 model holster and that is all you ever need are doing a severe disservice to that person. If there were one "best for all holster" the point would be moot as there would only be one holster on the market and the question would not need to be asked.
It is old news to many of us that there are many different types of holsters that can be worn on various parts of the body. Speaking of body the different shapes and sizes of the human body will dictate what holster is the best or most comfortable for any given person as well.
Inside the Waistband
By far the most popular at this time seems to be the "inside the waistband" (IWB) type that is worn either near or on the hip on the carriers strong side (right side for right handed people, left side for left handed people).
Granted this type of holster generally offers the best form of concealment for a sidearm and several models are made in this style.
Not everyone is comfortable with something between their body and their trousers though and that is just a fact of life.
Outside the Waistband
This brings us too the "outside the waistband holsters" (OWB) that ride on the wearers belt. Yes these holsters require more thought to conceal consistantly, but are by far more comfortable for some people.
The advantage of carrying a sidearm at belt level on the wearers strong side is accessability. In general the wearers hand is never far from the pistol for the purposes of drawing or protecting it. The strong side hip position is probably the most natural of all the types.
Crossdraw
Another type of either IWB or OWB holster is the crossdraw. It too is worn on the belt, but instead of being on the users strong side it is worn between the bodies front centerline and offside (weakside) hip. Of the holsters discussed so far the crossdraw is probaly the hardest to keep consistanly concealed, although there is a holster called the Pager Pal that seems to have rectified this dillema.
PAGER PAL
There are those that feel the crossdraw is not an effective method of carry and that it unneccesarily lends itsself to exposing the sidearm to be easily taken from the wearer. Many people that spend their days either seated in an automobile or desk chair do prefer a cross draw as it can be, depending on firearm size and barrel length, quite comfortable for this sedimentary activity.
Small of the Back
There is also a minority of people that carry a concealed sidearm that prefer "small of the back" (SOB) carry. SOB carry is just that, the sidearm is worn in the curve of the spine. There are a number of holsters that can be worn either IWB or OWB that accomplish this, but it has been my experience that this type of holster is the hardest to consistantly keep concealed especially if the person wearing it is actively bending stooping or kneeling. As a drawback it is also the hardest to draw from when in a seated position; as in a car seat or armed chair.
Shoulder Holsters
Shoulder holsters are either loved or hated by the minions that carry on a daily basis. As with waistband holsters there are generally two types of shoulder rigs. One secures the sidearm in a verticle postion down the wearers side, and the other holds the pistol horizontally under the wearers weak arm.
Many consider shoulderholsters uncomfortable and in some instances unsafe. Uncomfortable because the harness encompasses the entire upper body and fastens to the belt on one or both sides. Unsafe because the notion is that with the horizontal holster the sidearm is pointed at who ever is standing behind the wearer.
Pocket Carry
A growing trend in the carry of small easily concealable firearms is the "pocket carry". One should never just "stick a gun" in a pants pocket as there is too much chance for an unwanted discharge. Pocket holsters are designed to keep the sidearm in an upright position and cover the trigger guard. It should be noted that when using this method only the firearm and the holster be carried in the chosen pocket, find another place to carry keys, coins etc..
Ankle Holsters
Ankle holsters are simply what the name implies; a holster worn on the ankle that is covered by the pants leg. Many people that spend a lot of time sitting either in an automobile or at a desk prefer this method as it is easily accessable when sitting.
Fanny Packs
Fanny pack holsters have had a rise in popularity in the past several years and again the name says it all. Many companies that have made traditional holsters for years offer a fannypack holster for those that prefer this method. Any number of people that use a fannypack like this method because they can carry the sidearm, extra ammo, a knife, a flashlight and other items in the same container.
Deep Cover
For some people, because of employment or other reasons require a holster that gives them what is refered to as "deep cover". It is necessary that they wear a sidearm but it must be totally hidden ALL of time and products like Smart Carry or Thunder Wear provide that level of concealment. These holsters generally position the sidearm on the bodies centerline behind the zipper of the wearers trousers.
SMART CARRY
The major drawback that many find with these systems is the amount of time it takes to access the sidearm if/when it is needed. They do provide the concealment that the people who use them require though.
Off Body Carry
To this point I have refrained from offering an opinion on the methods I have described and have only noted some of the postives and or negatives that have been expressed about each them. The type of holster and where one wears it on their body is a personal choice depending on the body shape, size, activity and level of comfort desired. One last way that some people insist on carrying is called "off body carry". This describes a sidearm that is carried in a purse, or the ever popular day planner and I will present my own very biased opinion on this type of carry.
From my own perspective I disdain this type of carry and would caution against ever considering it. Using this method it is just to easy to leave the purse or planner laying somewhere or have it stolen from your very grasp. Now the "bad guy" has both your valuables and your firearm. When using the purse or day planner type method a person does not have the full and complete control that is neccesary for a responsibly firearm owner to have.
Other than rendering an opinion on "off body carry" I will seldom reccommend a specific style of holster or method of carry. There is just to many variables between human beings, even those of essentially the same size and body type. Firearms owners that are new to concealed carry need to be exposed to as many different types of holsters and ways to carry as possible. In the end it is a personal decision that everyone has to make for their own comfort and security.
NOTE All pictures were shamellesly link from on-line sites with no effort to reccommend one product over another. They were chosen simply to illustrate the method being described and should not be construed as an endorsement of any product.
Monday, March 14, 2005
LB454 update
Heineman Non Committal on CCW
With the Judiciary Committee hearing on LB454 three days away Nebraska Governor spokesman Aaron Sanderford said that Heineman has not taken a position on the bill introduced by Jeanne Combs.
Supposedly Heineman, who was promoted to Governor when Mike Johanns was appointed to the Bush Cabinet as Agriculture Secretary, "supports the concept of legalizing concealed cary".
I'm not sure what that "supports the concept" means in Heinemans mind, but it does conjour up the idea that he would only favor a highly restrictive law that is of no real benefit to the citizens of Nebraska.
Unless something drastic happens between now and the time the committee votes this bill will come out of committee. It needs 5 votes to advance and there are nearly that many on the committee that are either a sponsor or co-sponsor of LB454.
The real fireworks will begin when it hits the floor
There are two things that can be taken to the bank when this bill hits the floor; the first is that there will be an almost uncountable number of amendments introduced ( an example of an amendment in previous years would not have had the law take effect for a thousand years) and the second thing is an Ernie Chambers filibuster.
The committee hearing will be held in the Capitol building this Thursday. The time at this point is generally thought to be in the afternoon as the death penalty law will also be heard the same day.
There will be several people speaking on the bill from all sides of the issue, whether anyone would like to speak or not it would be a good show of support for as many as possible to be there.
Even if you don't want to speak show up and be counted. If there is an overflowing numbers of supporters at the hearing it will be be a subject of discussion in the capitol building and it very well could sway a fence sitter or two when it comes time to vote cloture to a filibuster.
With the Judiciary Committee hearing on LB454 three days away Nebraska Governor spokesman Aaron Sanderford said that Heineman has not taken a position on the bill introduced by Jeanne Combs.
Supposedly Heineman, who was promoted to Governor when Mike Johanns was appointed to the Bush Cabinet as Agriculture Secretary, "supports the concept of legalizing concealed cary".
I'm not sure what that "supports the concept" means in Heinemans mind, but it does conjour up the idea that he would only favor a highly restrictive law that is of no real benefit to the citizens of Nebraska.
Unless something drastic happens between now and the time the committee votes this bill will come out of committee. It needs 5 votes to advance and there are nearly that many on the committee that are either a sponsor or co-sponsor of LB454.
The real fireworks will begin when it hits the floor
There are two things that can be taken to the bank when this bill hits the floor; the first is that there will be an almost uncountable number of amendments introduced ( an example of an amendment in previous years would not have had the law take effect for a thousand years) and the second thing is an Ernie Chambers filibuster.
The committee hearing will be held in the Capitol building this Thursday. The time at this point is generally thought to be in the afternoon as the death penalty law will also be heard the same day.
There will be several people speaking on the bill from all sides of the issue, whether anyone would like to speak or not it would be a good show of support for as many as possible to be there.
Even if you don't want to speak show up and be counted. If there is an overflowing numbers of supporters at the hearing it will be be a subject of discussion in the capitol building and it very well could sway a fence sitter or two when it comes time to vote cloture to a filibuster.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Range report: Part Two
Dr. Guns evaluation
As I related in my last post, I was not very satisfied with the performance of my 3" Model 629, and discovered the source of the problem after I got home and began cleaning the firearm. The grips are not as perfect a fit as they might be and there is just a wee bit of movement between the grips and the gun during recoil. This movement is just enough to effect group size at 25 yards.
Bowling Pins(A second opinion)
I also used the gun in a bowling pin shoot this past Sunday. I shot relatively well with it, but discovered another malady that needed addressing. The action on this Smith is very smooth and the trigger pull light. Several times when attempting double action fire I experienced a light hit on the primer and no kablooey, a situation that possibly cost me a round or two. I even had two light hits in single action mode using Winchester 240gr JHP Magnum loads.
Open side plate exploritory surgery
Monday I essentially tore the gun down looking for excessive wear and or other faults. Not finding anything I turned the hammer spring adjustment screw in tighter. This increased the amount of pondage on the trigger pull but makes for a positive ignition when the hammer falls.
While I had them removed I lined the contact surfaces of the grips with three layers of duct tape. These short strips of tape cut to the width of the wood surface filled in the areas that was allowing the movement. Re-assembling the grips to the frame and tightening the grip screw gave me the fit I was looking for. This is for me a temporary fix that will last indefinately, but I will be glass bedding the grips in the very near future. For the time being I wanted to make sure that was the problem and the tape is a very inexpensive way of finding out.
Physical Therapy
I took the gun back to the range today and shot it both double and single action at 25 yards. It was a pleasureable session with nary a miss-fire. I also began to see the group sizes I was expecting and hoping for. I would also note that to this point I have only fired two boxes of ammunition through this gun.
I was shooting only two shots for group today and all groups measured two inches or less. Not bad for a 44 Magnum with a 3" barrel.
In the gratuitous pic provided the shots are as follows;
1st group - the top hole and the center one of the three touching,
2nd group - the bottom hole and the left one of the three touching.
3rg group - the next to the bottom hole and the right one of the three touching.
Note: I have it sighted to point of aim (for hunting purposes)using a six o'clock hold on the black.
Ammunition was Winchester 240gr JSP Magnum loads
To sum it up the more I shoot it, and it is not that unpleasant to shoot with full magnum loads either, the more I like it. I just need to to wring it out and taylor it to me.
As I related in my last post, I was not very satisfied with the performance of my 3" Model 629, and discovered the source of the problem after I got home and began cleaning the firearm. The grips are not as perfect a fit as they might be and there is just a wee bit of movement between the grips and the gun during recoil. This movement is just enough to effect group size at 25 yards.
Bowling Pins(A second opinion)
I also used the gun in a bowling pin shoot this past Sunday. I shot relatively well with it, but discovered another malady that needed addressing. The action on this Smith is very smooth and the trigger pull light. Several times when attempting double action fire I experienced a light hit on the primer and no kablooey, a situation that possibly cost me a round or two. I even had two light hits in single action mode using Winchester 240gr JHP Magnum loads.
Open side plate exploritory surgery
Monday I essentially tore the gun down looking for excessive wear and or other faults. Not finding anything I turned the hammer spring adjustment screw in tighter. This increased the amount of pondage on the trigger pull but makes for a positive ignition when the hammer falls.
While I had them removed I lined the contact surfaces of the grips with three layers of duct tape. These short strips of tape cut to the width of the wood surface filled in the areas that was allowing the movement. Re-assembling the grips to the frame and tightening the grip screw gave me the fit I was looking for. This is for me a temporary fix that will last indefinately, but I will be glass bedding the grips in the very near future. For the time being I wanted to make sure that was the problem and the tape is a very inexpensive way of finding out.
Physical Therapy
I took the gun back to the range today and shot it both double and single action at 25 yards. It was a pleasureable session with nary a miss-fire. I also began to see the group sizes I was expecting and hoping for. I would also note that to this point I have only fired two boxes of ammunition through this gun.
I was shooting only two shots for group today and all groups measured two inches or less. Not bad for a 44 Magnum with a 3" barrel.
In the gratuitous pic provided the shots are as follows;
1st group - the top hole and the center one of the three touching,
2nd group - the bottom hole and the left one of the three touching.
3rg group - the next to the bottom hole and the right one of the three touching.
Note: I have it sighted to point of aim (for hunting purposes)using a six o'clock hold on the black.
Ammunition was Winchester 240gr JSP Magnum loads
To sum it up the more I shoot it, and it is not that unpleasant to shoot with full magnum loads either, the more I like it. I just need to to wring it out and taylor it to me.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Finally!! The range report
The weather wasn't exactly as I had hoped it would be but we made it to the range Saturday afternoon and got a lot accomplished.
Starting with Juniors Glock 23 it didn't take us long to get his glock 23 "patterned" with both the 155 grain Remingtons and the 135 grain Corbons. At 25 yards the Corbons printed right at the line of sight, while the Remingtons impacted a couple of inches higher.
This is not unusual as heavier and/or slower bullets exist the barrel farther into the recoil cycle than faster/lighter bullets, thus causing the heavier slugs to print higher on paper.
He has also decided to go with the 155 grain Remington load for the hunt. It is a bit slower than the 135 grain Corbon, but the heavier bullet will give better penetration. The Remington load proved twice as accurate than the Corbon as well. The Remington ammunition consistantly fired two inch groups to the Corbon's four inch performance.
Hauling out the Winchester 32spl it took about 6 rounds to put the finishing touches on sighting it in. As I had previously reported this old gun will still hold two inch groups at 100 yards, so it only took a few rounds to get it dialed in at that range. The rest of a half a box of ammo were expended into a dirt clod that was a third the way up the backstop about 10 yards beyond the 100 yard mark.
Sighting in the 629 proved to be a very trying experience. After about 15 rounds I was begining to get very frustrated. Firing three shots at a time it seemed that I could not get that gun to shoot a group smaller than six inches.
I just couldn't get a group small enough to indicate what adjustments I should make on the rear sight.
Now I know it is was not me. Under the wacthful eye of a loving son and a buddy who would both heckle me to no end if they caught me flinching or jerking the trigger I fired the gun several times not knowing if there was a live round under the hammer or not. Nary once did I flinch, a dime would have stayed laid flat on the front sight,held in my hands that gun was set in concrete.
No it was not me, I have fired a box car full of handgun ammunition in my time and except for an occassional off day "I ain't too shabby with a pistol".
Deciding that giving things a rest was the better part of valor, my buddy who as I have noted before is rather shy about having his name and picture on the internet, and who shall, here ever after on this Blog, be referred to by his favorite brand of powder (Hodgdon or Hodg for short), sat down at the bench and unleashed his fire power.
Hodg started out with his blued 3" S&W 29 and was not shooting the groups he is capable of either. It didn't take long before he was able to get his Smith dialed in though and he soon moved on to the Marlin 45-70 that he also brought along.
It didn't take more than a couple of rounds to check the zero on that field artillary piece and a few more rounds were expended by Junior, who had never shot the Marlin in that caliber before.
Taking my place at the bench again I decided to shoot the 629 at 50 yards just to see if I could even keep the rounds on paper at that distance. We were totally shcoked when I shot not one but three 3-4 inch groups right to the point of aim.
Now I was thoroughly confused, I could barely hold a 6" group with that gun at 25 yards and here I was shooting groups half that size at twice the distance with the same gun.
The photo illustrates one of the 3-4 inch groups I shot at 50 yards. The firearm with its three inch barrel is included for those that enjoy gratutitous gun pics and to give perspective to the group size.
Just to note I was using a six o'clock hold on paper and have it sighted in to point of aim for hunting purposes, so the rounds impacted on paper at the elevation I wanted them to.
Not until I got home and was in the process of cleaning the gun did I find the probable cause of the erratic performace. It seems that the grips are not as perfect a fit as they could be, nor was the grip screw as tight as it could be. This allowed for aproximately an 1/8" of movement between the grips and the gun. This small amount of play was enough to cause the problem I was experiencing. I have taken the proper steps to correct that problem and will be shooting the gun again this weekend to verify that, prior to and during a bowling pin match on Sunday.
Also as a side note; I had previously written that I intended to take the gun to Ohio this fall for a Whitetail deer hunt. I have since found out that with its three inch barrel it does not meet the minimum length barrel requirement imposed by the state for handguns. So I guess I will be getting out the scoped 870 16 gauge with the 18 1/2 barrel and using it.
Starting with Juniors Glock 23 it didn't take us long to get his glock 23 "patterned" with both the 155 grain Remingtons and the 135 grain Corbons. At 25 yards the Corbons printed right at the line of sight, while the Remingtons impacted a couple of inches higher.
This is not unusual as heavier and/or slower bullets exist the barrel farther into the recoil cycle than faster/lighter bullets, thus causing the heavier slugs to print higher on paper.
He has also decided to go with the 155 grain Remington load for the hunt. It is a bit slower than the 135 grain Corbon, but the heavier bullet will give better penetration. The Remington load proved twice as accurate than the Corbon as well. The Remington ammunition consistantly fired two inch groups to the Corbon's four inch performance.
Hauling out the Winchester 32spl it took about 6 rounds to put the finishing touches on sighting it in. As I had previously reported this old gun will still hold two inch groups at 100 yards, so it only took a few rounds to get it dialed in at that range. The rest of a half a box of ammo were expended into a dirt clod that was a third the way up the backstop about 10 yards beyond the 100 yard mark.
Sighting in the 629 proved to be a very trying experience. After about 15 rounds I was begining to get very frustrated. Firing three shots at a time it seemed that I could not get that gun to shoot a group smaller than six inches.
I just couldn't get a group small enough to indicate what adjustments I should make on the rear sight.
Now I know it is was not me. Under the wacthful eye of a loving son and a buddy who would both heckle me to no end if they caught me flinching or jerking the trigger I fired the gun several times not knowing if there was a live round under the hammer or not. Nary once did I flinch, a dime would have stayed laid flat on the front sight,held in my hands that gun was set in concrete.
No it was not me, I have fired a box car full of handgun ammunition in my time and except for an occassional off day "I ain't too shabby with a pistol".
Deciding that giving things a rest was the better part of valor, my buddy who as I have noted before is rather shy about having his name and picture on the internet, and who shall, here ever after on this Blog, be referred to by his favorite brand of powder (Hodgdon or Hodg for short), sat down at the bench and unleashed his fire power.
Hodg started out with his blued 3" S&W 29 and was not shooting the groups he is capable of either. It didn't take long before he was able to get his Smith dialed in though and he soon moved on to the Marlin 45-70 that he also brought along.
It didn't take more than a couple of rounds to check the zero on that field artillary piece and a few more rounds were expended by Junior, who had never shot the Marlin in that caliber before.
Taking my place at the bench again I decided to shoot the 629 at 50 yards just to see if I could even keep the rounds on paper at that distance. We were totally shcoked when I shot not one but three 3-4 inch groups right to the point of aim.
Now I was thoroughly confused, I could barely hold a 6" group with that gun at 25 yards and here I was shooting groups half that size at twice the distance with the same gun.
The photo illustrates one of the 3-4 inch groups I shot at 50 yards. The firearm with its three inch barrel is included for those that enjoy gratutitous gun pics and to give perspective to the group size.
Just to note I was using a six o'clock hold on paper and have it sighted in to point of aim for hunting purposes, so the rounds impacted on paper at the elevation I wanted them to.
Not until I got home and was in the process of cleaning the gun did I find the probable cause of the erratic performace. It seems that the grips are not as perfect a fit as they could be, nor was the grip screw as tight as it could be. This allowed for aproximately an 1/8" of movement between the grips and the gun. This small amount of play was enough to cause the problem I was experiencing. I have taken the proper steps to correct that problem and will be shooting the gun again this weekend to verify that, prior to and during a bowling pin match on Sunday.
Also as a side note; I had previously written that I intended to take the gun to Ohio this fall for a Whitetail deer hunt. I have since found out that with its three inch barrel it does not meet the minimum length barrel requirement imposed by the state for handguns. So I guess I will be getting out the scoped 870 16 gauge with the 18 1/2 barrel and using it.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Believe it or not
I have tried several times this week to set down and compose a post, and it seems like everytime I do something comes up and I have to postpone it.
We did have a good time at the range Saturday. I got the 629 sighted in at 50 yards and the Winchester at 100 yrds.
I am hoping to make time tomorrow to download pics from the camera and upload them for posting tomorrow. We have a bowling pin shoot this Sunday and the weather is looking extremely good for it so that is going to be the centerpiece for the weekend.
On the CCW front, the bill, LB454 has been assigned to the judiciary committee and is scheduled for public input on the 17th of March. The Committee is also hearing public input on a bill that will change the method of execution in death penalty cases that same day.
LB454 is scheduled for the afternoon session and could be heard any time from 1:00PM to 7:00PM (1300-1900 for you military guys).
There will be several people there speaking for and against it. Even if you do not wish to speak before the committee having a large group of people there that support it may go along way toward passage of this bill.
If you are in favor of it and can be there, please attend even if you do not plan on speaking.
Thanks all for hanging in there with me.
We did have a good time at the range Saturday. I got the 629 sighted in at 50 yards and the Winchester at 100 yrds.
I am hoping to make time tomorrow to download pics from the camera and upload them for posting tomorrow. We have a bowling pin shoot this Sunday and the weather is looking extremely good for it so that is going to be the centerpiece for the weekend.
On the CCW front, the bill, LB454 has been assigned to the judiciary committee and is scheduled for public input on the 17th of March. The Committee is also hearing public input on a bill that will change the method of execution in death penalty cases that same day.
LB454 is scheduled for the afternoon session and could be heard any time from 1:00PM to 7:00PM (1300-1900 for you military guys).
There will be several people there speaking for and against it. Even if you do not wish to speak before the committee having a large group of people there that support it may go along way toward passage of this bill.
If you are in favor of it and can be there, please attend even if you do not plan on speaking.
Thanks all for hanging in there with me.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Precursor to a range report
Pre-reader warning: If some of this seems like sentimental rambling it probably is, and I offer no appologies for it. I get that way with certain firearms, especially when I am preparing to hunt with them.
The weather is looking good for a nice day at the range this Saturday. In anticipation of a Hog Hunt in late March my oldest son, a hunting buddy and I will be target testing the firearms we plan to use. Also Accompanying us on the Oklahoma hunt will be my younger brother from New Mexico and a friend from Kansas. My Brother will be using a Pre-64 Model 94 30-30 and Mike will be using a Ruger 1B in 25-06 that he got for Christmas.
Enter the Glock
My oldest son is adamant about only using his Glock 23, 40 Smith & Wesson Caliber. We have done considerable research on the right load to use for hogs and have settled on the Remington Express 155 grain offering. Ballistically this appears to be a good load. It is also one of only a few loads in that caliber that meet the criteria to hunt Whitetail deer with in Nebraska. (handguns that deliver at least 400 ft. lbs of energy at 50 yards)
I was originally intending to use a Glock 23 as well, and the Remington 155 grain load has been very accurate in both firearms in the past. We are anticipating shooting distances from a few feet to a maximun of 30 yards So this load in the G 23 should by all accounts give good service if the hunter does his part.
My Buddy's guns
My buddy (he is shy and doesn't like his real name or picture on the net) whom I previously wrote about here will be bringing a short barreled Magna-Ported 44 Magnum 629 Smith & Wesson and a Marlin lever action in 45-70. He hasn't clued me in as to the loads he intends to use yet but he is an experienced shooter and hunter so what ever he has will be up to the task.
As for myself I am suffering the bane of all gun owners that own more than one gun. I am torn as to which to use. Since I had made my original decision to use one of my Glock 23's I have recently (in the last six months) aquired two firearms that each came with its own suitcase load of sentimentality.
Grandpa's Old Winchester
The first is a rifle I have written about previously here. It belonged to my Grandfather who passed away in 1977 and never got to see even a picture of his first great-grand son who had been born only days earlier. (My oldest son) This long barreld rifle is a made in 1907 Winchester Model 94 and sports (probably from the factory) a Lyman tang peep sight. It is in Winchester 32 special caliber and is the rifle featured in the picture at the top of this Blog being fired by my oldest son.
I had decided that this was going to be my primary firearm and aquired several boxes of Federal's 170 grain ammunition. I wanted to use this firearm simply because of the history that I have with it, but there is also a certain satisfaction that comes with adding your own history to a family heirloom. Now that we have that settled right??
Now enter the second baggage laden firearm.
A very dear friend that is also a veteran of the South East Asian conflict bestowed upon me a Smith & Wesson Model 629 44 Magnum round butt revolver. This particular non-fluted firearm originally came with a 4 inch barrel. Jerry sent the firearm to the Smith & wesson Custom Shop and had the action worked over and tuned. While it was there he had them install a 3 inch Magna-ported barrel on it. The first time I ever saw this gun replete with its rosewood grips I told jerry that it had to be about one of the most ugly pug-nosed guns I had ever seen and contemplated on the joy or lack there of in shooting such a beast.
This will be the primary firearm I use
Jerry has been insisting that I take the gun and hunt with it for more than a year now. He is also insistant that I use it in bowling pin competitions. I finally relented and accepted the gun over coffee a month or so back and the first pin shoot of the season is next weekend.
Jerry's disabilities preclude him from getting out and hunting like he used to and other than shooting this gun at the range he has never hunted with it. All he has asked from me is that I give him an 8x10 of me, a hog and the gun in the same picture. That readers is my intention.
I will also have the old 32 along in case I opt for the opportunity to harvest a second hog or in the rare event I don't have any within the range of the 44.
Having been a handgun hunter since the early 70's I have amassed considerable experience with (among other calibers) the 44 Magnum. Whitetail deer in the north east, Moose in Alaska, Mule deer in New Mexico and Montana, to name but a few. I have also spent hours casting bullets and reloading for this caliber.
For this hunt however I'm keeping it simple and sticking to factory ammunition. I have no doubt that Winchesters 240 grain Jacketed soft point will do its job if I do mine.
Why I chose the way I did
My Grandfather has been gone for many decades and knew that one day I would inherit the rifle from his son, my uncle Paul. I'm sure he also knew that I would put that firearm out in the field and use it as he had. This is something I can do another time.
My friend Jerry is still alive and even when he can't be in the field, he is with us in spirit. He has asked me to do something that he has not had the opportunity to do with that handgun and Jerry has always been the kind of friend that on the rare occassion he asks a favor I am happy to deliver.
Later this year
I am also planning a Whitetail deer hunt in Ohio this season. If the wife will be able to go it will be after Christmas for the Muzzle loading season. If her schedule won't allow that I will go for the regular firearms season in November for the sole purpose of providing Jerry with a picture of me, the 629 and a good sized Whitetail Buck. Yea Jerry is the kind of friend you go above and beyond for.
Hopefully I will be able to post a full range report complete with a few pictures either Sunday or Monday at the latest.
The weather is looking good for a nice day at the range this Saturday. In anticipation of a Hog Hunt in late March my oldest son, a hunting buddy and I will be target testing the firearms we plan to use. Also Accompanying us on the Oklahoma hunt will be my younger brother from New Mexico and a friend from Kansas. My Brother will be using a Pre-64 Model 94 30-30 and Mike will be using a Ruger 1B in 25-06 that he got for Christmas.
Enter the Glock
My oldest son is adamant about only using his Glock 23, 40 Smith & Wesson Caliber. We have done considerable research on the right load to use for hogs and have settled on the Remington Express 155 grain offering. Ballistically this appears to be a good load. It is also one of only a few loads in that caliber that meet the criteria to hunt Whitetail deer with in Nebraska. (handguns that deliver at least 400 ft. lbs of energy at 50 yards)
I was originally intending to use a Glock 23 as well, and the Remington 155 grain load has been very accurate in both firearms in the past. We are anticipating shooting distances from a few feet to a maximun of 30 yards So this load in the G 23 should by all accounts give good service if the hunter does his part.
My Buddy's guns
My buddy (he is shy and doesn't like his real name or picture on the net) whom I previously wrote about here will be bringing a short barreled Magna-Ported 44 Magnum 629 Smith & Wesson and a Marlin lever action in 45-70. He hasn't clued me in as to the loads he intends to use yet but he is an experienced shooter and hunter so what ever he has will be up to the task.
As for myself I am suffering the bane of all gun owners that own more than one gun. I am torn as to which to use. Since I had made my original decision to use one of my Glock 23's I have recently (in the last six months) aquired two firearms that each came with its own suitcase load of sentimentality.
Grandpa's Old Winchester
The first is a rifle I have written about previously here. It belonged to my Grandfather who passed away in 1977 and never got to see even a picture of his first great-grand son who had been born only days earlier. (My oldest son) This long barreld rifle is a made in 1907 Winchester Model 94 and sports (probably from the factory) a Lyman tang peep sight. It is in Winchester 32 special caliber and is the rifle featured in the picture at the top of this Blog being fired by my oldest son.
I had decided that this was going to be my primary firearm and aquired several boxes of Federal's 170 grain ammunition. I wanted to use this firearm simply because of the history that I have with it, but there is also a certain satisfaction that comes with adding your own history to a family heirloom. Now that we have that settled right??
Now enter the second baggage laden firearm.
A very dear friend that is also a veteran of the South East Asian conflict bestowed upon me a Smith & Wesson Model 629 44 Magnum round butt revolver. This particular non-fluted firearm originally came with a 4 inch barrel. Jerry sent the firearm to the Smith & wesson Custom Shop and had the action worked over and tuned. While it was there he had them install a 3 inch Magna-ported barrel on it. The first time I ever saw this gun replete with its rosewood grips I told jerry that it had to be about one of the most ugly pug-nosed guns I had ever seen and contemplated on the joy or lack there of in shooting such a beast.
This will be the primary firearm I use
Jerry has been insisting that I take the gun and hunt with it for more than a year now. He is also insistant that I use it in bowling pin competitions. I finally relented and accepted the gun over coffee a month or so back and the first pin shoot of the season is next weekend.
Jerry's disabilities preclude him from getting out and hunting like he used to and other than shooting this gun at the range he has never hunted with it. All he has asked from me is that I give him an 8x10 of me, a hog and the gun in the same picture. That readers is my intention.
I will also have the old 32 along in case I opt for the opportunity to harvest a second hog or in the rare event I don't have any within the range of the 44.
Having been a handgun hunter since the early 70's I have amassed considerable experience with (among other calibers) the 44 Magnum. Whitetail deer in the north east, Moose in Alaska, Mule deer in New Mexico and Montana, to name but a few. I have also spent hours casting bullets and reloading for this caliber.
For this hunt however I'm keeping it simple and sticking to factory ammunition. I have no doubt that Winchesters 240 grain Jacketed soft point will do its job if I do mine.
Why I chose the way I did
My Grandfather has been gone for many decades and knew that one day I would inherit the rifle from his son, my uncle Paul. I'm sure he also knew that I would put that firearm out in the field and use it as he had. This is something I can do another time.
My friend Jerry is still alive and even when he can't be in the field, he is with us in spirit. He has asked me to do something that he has not had the opportunity to do with that handgun and Jerry has always been the kind of friend that on the rare occassion he asks a favor I am happy to deliver.
Later this year
I am also planning a Whitetail deer hunt in Ohio this season. If the wife will be able to go it will be after Christmas for the Muzzle loading season. If her schedule won't allow that I will go for the regular firearms season in November for the sole purpose of providing Jerry with a picture of me, the 629 and a good sized Whitetail Buck. Yea Jerry is the kind of friend you go above and beyond for.
Hopefully I will be able to post a full range report complete with a few pictures either Sunday or Monday at the latest.
Monday, February 21, 2005
New Blogroll Addition
As I indicated in a post sometime back I had been reading Head's Bunker Blog for some time and that it needed to be added to the blogroll.
For all the Gun Bloggers out there, Head has a challenge for us. It involves introducing a new shooter to the sport in the form of a competition based on the honor system.
Check it out.
For all the Gun Bloggers out there, Head has a challenge for us. It involves introducing a new shooter to the sport in the form of a competition based on the honor system.
Check it out.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Indoctrination vs. Education
Felon disfranchisement
Could this be the latest buzz word or politically correct expression used to envoke sympathy for the poor convicted "it wasn't their fault they had a rough childhood" criminals?
In this weeks Opinion piece in the Daily Nebraskan, Alex Clark uses that combination of words to state his case for the restoration of voting rights for convicted felons.
Alex a sophomore political science major plays the race card in the very first paragraph, again in the third and the fifteenth. One gets the feeling the only reason Alex or anyone else cares about this is that it has an effect on minorities. If it were only white American males that were "victims of felon disfranchisement" would student Clark be so passionate and out spoken on the issue?
This is what they are learning in college these days?
The purpose of election law is not to make sure good citizens are running the country. The purpose of election law is to gauge the sentiment of the people ruled and translate their attitudes into actions.
That is the most accurate and complete recipe for Sodom and Gommorah I have ever read. That truely illustrates the point many of us have been making for years; That a segment of our society genuinely wants the inmates running the asylum.
In the very next paragraph Alex writes;
If we have a rehabilitative justice system, then how can we justify not trusting those rehabilitated with the most important civic right? In many states, disfranchisement is permanent.
Why stop there Alex lets take it one step farther? You are all for the restoration of rights for those persons that have paid their debt to society, why not make it total and complete. If they have earned the right to our unbiased trust allow me the latitude of re-writing one of your paragraphs in my own words;
I don’t understand the danger in letting ex-offendersvoteposess firearms. Are we afraid they would steal their voting booths or accost pollworkers rob a bank or accost a Kwik-Shop employee? I feel the only people that cannot be trusted to vote are the permanently violent who shouldn’t be allowed out of prison anyway. It seems nonsensical and duplicitous to claim we can trust someone with physical liberty but not with voting the ability to protect and defend themselves, something far less dangerous.
Hey Alex, how about it there buddy lets not go about this with any halfway tripe, lets jump right out there and show the world what big hearts we have for the reformed of our society. After all if they have paid their debt, why should they be denied any right?
After all as you put it "we trust them with personal liberty" don't they have the same right to protect that personal liberty as you and I do? You shouldn't have a problem with that since as you so eloquantly state "the permanently violent who shouldn’t be allowed out of prison anyway".
Do I think that felons, that have paid their debt to society, be allowed to vote? Yes I do. I also favor the current system to have their rights restored, in some cases even the right to own firearms, gradually over a period of time as they prove they can become a continuing contributing member of society.
LOB53 is just another handout that panders to a restricted segment of society. A segment that is composed of all races and nationalities of people. It is just another touchy feely way of telling those that prey on the law abiding public that hey no sweat don't worry about having to earn anything.
To all the Cons in Nebraska;
When this bill passes you can just sit around with all your convict buddies remenicing the old days and planning new capers and as long as you don't get caught you can vote for me in two years. And if you vote for me in two years I will continue to make it easier for you to prey upon those I have taken an oath to protect.
Sincerely Yours,
Senators Feelgood and Onthetake
P.S. Remeber to vote once but vote often.
I wonder just how many people this law will benifit anyway. One would think that with the recidisism rate among felons very few would ever make it to the two year mark without being arrested for another equally henious crime.
And if you care to respond Alex, and as a next to final point I just got to ask what Hagel and Bereuters comments about President Bush have to do with the topic of your essay?
Are you trying to imply that if the felons were autonimously allowed the vote that Al Gore or John Kerry would be President now and all would be well with society?
Come on Alex put your keyboard where your heart is. If the "reformed felons" deserve one right restored they deserve all of them restored. Don't be a piker about it Alex let's campaign for all or nothing, if they have the intelligence and the trust to vote they ought to have the intellgince and trut to own firearms for their own self protection.
How about it bud are you in for the end game???????????????
Could this be the latest buzz word or politically correct expression used to envoke sympathy for the poor convicted "it wasn't their fault they had a rough childhood" criminals?
In this weeks Opinion piece in the Daily Nebraskan, Alex Clark uses that combination of words to state his case for the restoration of voting rights for convicted felons.
Alex a sophomore political science major plays the race card in the very first paragraph, again in the third and the fifteenth. One gets the feeling the only reason Alex or anyone else cares about this is that it has an effect on minorities. If it were only white American males that were "victims of felon disfranchisement" would student Clark be so passionate and out spoken on the issue?
This is what they are learning in college these days?
The purpose of election law is not to make sure good citizens are running the country. The purpose of election law is to gauge the sentiment of the people ruled and translate their attitudes into actions.
That is the most accurate and complete recipe for Sodom and Gommorah I have ever read. That truely illustrates the point many of us have been making for years; That a segment of our society genuinely wants the inmates running the asylum.
In the very next paragraph Alex writes;
If we have a rehabilitative justice system, then how can we justify not trusting those rehabilitated with the most important civic right? In many states, disfranchisement is permanent.
Why stop there Alex lets take it one step farther? You are all for the restoration of rights for those persons that have paid their debt to society, why not make it total and complete. If they have earned the right to our unbiased trust allow me the latitude of re-writing one of your paragraphs in my own words;
I don’t understand the danger in letting ex-offenders
Hey Alex, how about it there buddy lets not go about this with any halfway tripe, lets jump right out there and show the world what big hearts we have for the reformed of our society. After all if they have paid their debt, why should they be denied any right?
After all as you put it "we trust them with personal liberty" don't they have the same right to protect that personal liberty as you and I do? You shouldn't have a problem with that since as you so eloquantly state "the permanently violent who shouldn’t be allowed out of prison anyway".
Do I think that felons, that have paid their debt to society, be allowed to vote? Yes I do. I also favor the current system to have their rights restored, in some cases even the right to own firearms, gradually over a period of time as they prove they can become a continuing contributing member of society.
LOB53 is just another handout that panders to a restricted segment of society. A segment that is composed of all races and nationalities of people. It is just another touchy feely way of telling those that prey on the law abiding public that hey no sweat don't worry about having to earn anything.
To all the Cons in Nebraska;
When this bill passes you can just sit around with all your convict buddies remenicing the old days and planning new capers and as long as you don't get caught you can vote for me in two years. And if you vote for me in two years I will continue to make it easier for you to prey upon those I have taken an oath to protect.
Sincerely Yours,
Senators Feelgood and Onthetake
P.S. Remeber to vote once but vote often.
I wonder just how many people this law will benifit anyway. One would think that with the recidisism rate among felons very few would ever make it to the two year mark without being arrested for another equally henious crime.
And if you care to respond Alex, and as a next to final point I just got to ask what Hagel and Bereuters comments about President Bush have to do with the topic of your essay?
Are you trying to imply that if the felons were autonimously allowed the vote that Al Gore or John Kerry would be President now and all would be well with society?
Come on Alex put your keyboard where your heart is. If the "reformed felons" deserve one right restored they deserve all of them restored. Don't be a piker about it Alex let's campaign for all or nothing, if they have the intelligence and the trust to vote they ought to have the intellgince and trut to own firearms for their own self protection.
How about it bud are you in for the end game???????????????
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Shooting Blanks or Paying Homage to the Moron?
The most recent edition of the Nebraska Universities Campus paper The Daily Nebraskan features an article penned by Senior physics and chemestry major Adam Scheer.
In his opinion piece entitled "Shooting Blanks" Student Scheer shamelesly pays homage to Michael Moore, by basing his diatribe entirely on "facts he gleaned from the movie "Bowling for Columbine".
"Facts" that have been credably proven false time after time since the release of Moore's "documentry".
I am not even going to bother to fisque his rant, it is not worth re-writing what has already been written by countless other legal scholars like David Kopel, et al.
Whether Scheer took the easy way out and just sat down with a laptop, a bowl of popcorn and the movie or whether he has had his head stuck so far up a test tube for so long that he didn't know that the entire movie had been seriously debunked is a moot point. The point is that Adam seems to get all of his current events education from the box office.
What's next Adam? Should we appeal to the Jedi High Councel urging them to send Obi-Wan to settle the Iraqi problem? Or maybe the situation is so desparate that Yoda himself must go.
Adam is there anything pressing that we need Jason Bourne for?
The Daily Nebraskan does have a section where readers can submit their comments. After they have been approved by the editorial staff they will be posted under the article in question.
In his opinion piece entitled "Shooting Blanks" Student Scheer shamelesly pays homage to Michael Moore, by basing his diatribe entirely on "facts he gleaned from the movie "Bowling for Columbine".
"Facts" that have been credably proven false time after time since the release of Moore's "documentry".
I am not even going to bother to fisque his rant, it is not worth re-writing what has already been written by countless other legal scholars like David Kopel, et al.
Whether Scheer took the easy way out and just sat down with a laptop, a bowl of popcorn and the movie or whether he has had his head stuck so far up a test tube for so long that he didn't know that the entire movie had been seriously debunked is a moot point. The point is that Adam seems to get all of his current events education from the box office.
What's next Adam? Should we appeal to the Jedi High Councel urging them to send Obi-Wan to settle the Iraqi problem? Or maybe the situation is so desparate that Yoda himself must go.
Adam is there anything pressing that we need Jason Bourne for?
The Daily Nebraskan does have a section where readers can submit their comments. After they have been approved by the editorial staff they will be posted under the article in question.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Passing a broke bill
It has been no big secret that I do not like LB454 in its current form. I along with several other hard working and dedicated people have been addressing our concerns for the shortcomings of LB454 with the various members of the judiciary committee. If certain sections of the bill would be amended and/or changed it could provide for a serious working model for future enhancement.
In previous posts I have addressed the most serious of those issues and won't bore you with a re-hash of that.
Mostly what I am hearing from people that support LB454 as it is written, including several of the Senators and the NRA is that "it is essential that we get THIS bill made into law. Once we have the law it will be easier to get it changed."
Excuse me!!!!!!!!!!!
Pardon me while I dissagree.
How in hell would anyone think that? Especially about Nebraska.
If this bill passes this year it will be because nearly every Senator in the Unicameral has been dragged kicking and screaming to the podium to vote for cloture of a Senator Chambers filibuster. And it will have taken the better part of a decade to get that done.
Previously I have written of my conversations with Senator Chambers. He is a very intellegent and well read Senator and citizen of Nebraska. He opposes CCW because he has researched the subject and based on his life experiences has come to the conclusion that it is not necessary. That is one man speaking from his own heart and not the voice of those Senators that hide behind him.
If there is one thing Ernie Chambers is not it is a liar. When Ernie Chambers tells you that there are any number of Senators that supposedly support CCW to their constituency and count on him to successfully filibuster it into oblivion every year because they really do not want the people that vote for them to have the ability to protect themselves YOU CAN TAKE THAT CHECK TO THE BANK.
Most of Nebraskas Senators don't really seem to favor or want it, how are they going to be when we go back to them in two years and tell them we want changes to it that make it easier for law abiding citizens to protect themselves?
It ain't gonna happen folks!!!!!!!!!!!!
If we do not get a good bill out of the gate then we will spend the next 10 years trying to change it all the while whining, crying, pissing and moaning about how restrictive it is and how it is better to take your chances under 28-1202 than to jump through all of the hoops like a good little state trained puppy dog for that permission slip to exercise a right. Waaaa waaaa waaaa
Sure we get a bill and the Unicameral has an out; they delegated all of the authority for its enactment to non-elected, non-accountable bereaucrats.
Dear Citizens,
You wanted a bill, we gave you a bill. A bill that was backed wholey and completely by the NRA, we might add. We delegated the powers in this bill to agencies that are trusted and viewed as responsible. Since that is a separate branch of Government we have no authority over them. Any changes that you deem necessary must be addressed by the supervisors of those individual departments, or take it up with the NRA since we gave that organization the bill that they asked for on your behalf.
Signed,
Your Unicameral
This bill allows the Senators to have it both ways. The ones that are not truely in favor of it get to pass a CCW law that will surely get some of them re-elected. By leaving the admistration of the law up to departments run by non-elected, and possibly anti-gun bereaucrats, they can disavow any responsibility when the majority of the citizens can not get a permit.
Which you can bet your bottom dollar that most of them want it that way anyway.
To re-cap; If it passes this time it will have taken nearly 10 years for it too happen. What the hell makes anyone think that it will take any less time for any changes however minor to be effected?
Get a grip on reality people; most of your Senators DO NOT WANT YOU TO HAVE THIS. If you insist on it they will pass the most benign bill they can.
If your Senators were genuinely as supportive of this as they claim to be, it would have been law 8 years ago and we would be arguing about the changes that need addressing today not the enactment of the bill itsself.
I know there are is a very intellegent group of law abiding people that are working very hard to make a silk purse out of this sows ear, concerning LB454. I have met them. THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING, but they can't do it all or bring to bear the kind of pressure only large numbers of people can bring.
To the rest of you:
Get off your asses and do something. Start making some phone calls. Write some letters. If you live within 50 miles of Lincoln take some time and visit your Senators office in the unicameral and tell them that you made the trip just to let them know how you feel about LB454 and what you EXPECT them to do about it if they want your vote for re-election. Hell take two or three friends with you.
If you can't make it to Lincoln, find out when your Senator will be home or in your area, put together a meeting and invite that person to attend. If they don't show up tell the media about it, write letters to the editor of your local papers suggesting that your Senator is dodging his/her constituency. You are suppose to tell them what you want, not have them tell you what you are going to get.
One of the biggest reasons a CCW law has not been passed in Nebraska is not Senator Ernie Chambers, it is the apathy of the citizens in the state of Nebraska. If a majority of Nebraskans do not want CCW then that is fine with me, that is the way the system is suppose to work. If there are a large number of Nebraskans that want it but are unwilling to put forth any effort to get it passed then it will never happen, and that is the way the system works too.
The system works and will continue to work whether you are a part of it or not. But if your not a part of it don't expect anything from it. The reason our elected officials get away with so much is because so many of us are not a part of it and they count on that.
In previous posts I have addressed the most serious of those issues and won't bore you with a re-hash of that.
Mostly what I am hearing from people that support LB454 as it is written, including several of the Senators and the NRA is that "it is essential that we get THIS bill made into law. Once we have the law it will be easier to get it changed."
Excuse me!!!!!!!!!!!
Pardon me while I dissagree.
How in hell would anyone think that? Especially about Nebraska.
If this bill passes this year it will be because nearly every Senator in the Unicameral has been dragged kicking and screaming to the podium to vote for cloture of a Senator Chambers filibuster. And it will have taken the better part of a decade to get that done.
Previously I have written of my conversations with Senator Chambers. He is a very intellegent and well read Senator and citizen of Nebraska. He opposes CCW because he has researched the subject and based on his life experiences has come to the conclusion that it is not necessary. That is one man speaking from his own heart and not the voice of those Senators that hide behind him.
If there is one thing Ernie Chambers is not it is a liar. When Ernie Chambers tells you that there are any number of Senators that supposedly support CCW to their constituency and count on him to successfully filibuster it into oblivion every year because they really do not want the people that vote for them to have the ability to protect themselves YOU CAN TAKE THAT CHECK TO THE BANK.
Most of Nebraskas Senators don't really seem to favor or want it, how are they going to be when we go back to them in two years and tell them we want changes to it that make it easier for law abiding citizens to protect themselves?
It ain't gonna happen folks!!!!!!!!!!!!
If we do not get a good bill out of the gate then we will spend the next 10 years trying to change it all the while whining, crying, pissing and moaning about how restrictive it is and how it is better to take your chances under 28-1202 than to jump through all of the hoops like a good little state trained puppy dog for that permission slip to exercise a right. Waaaa waaaa waaaa
Sure we get a bill and the Unicameral has an out; they delegated all of the authority for its enactment to non-elected, non-accountable bereaucrats.
Dear Citizens,
You wanted a bill, we gave you a bill. A bill that was backed wholey and completely by the NRA, we might add. We delegated the powers in this bill to agencies that are trusted and viewed as responsible. Since that is a separate branch of Government we have no authority over them. Any changes that you deem necessary must be addressed by the supervisors of those individual departments, or take it up with the NRA since we gave that organization the bill that they asked for on your behalf.
Signed,
Your Unicameral
This bill allows the Senators to have it both ways. The ones that are not truely in favor of it get to pass a CCW law that will surely get some of them re-elected. By leaving the admistration of the law up to departments run by non-elected, and possibly anti-gun bereaucrats, they can disavow any responsibility when the majority of the citizens can not get a permit.
Which you can bet your bottom dollar that most of them want it that way anyway.
To re-cap; If it passes this time it will have taken nearly 10 years for it too happen. What the hell makes anyone think that it will take any less time for any changes however minor to be effected?
Get a grip on reality people; most of your Senators DO NOT WANT YOU TO HAVE THIS. If you insist on it they will pass the most benign bill they can.
If your Senators were genuinely as supportive of this as they claim to be, it would have been law 8 years ago and we would be arguing about the changes that need addressing today not the enactment of the bill itsself.
I know there are is a very intellegent group of law abiding people that are working very hard to make a silk purse out of this sows ear, concerning LB454. I have met them. THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING, but they can't do it all or bring to bear the kind of pressure only large numbers of people can bring.
To the rest of you:
Get off your asses and do something. Start making some phone calls. Write some letters. If you live within 50 miles of Lincoln take some time and visit your Senators office in the unicameral and tell them that you made the trip just to let them know how you feel about LB454 and what you EXPECT them to do about it if they want your vote for re-election. Hell take two or three friends with you.
If you can't make it to Lincoln, find out when your Senator will be home or in your area, put together a meeting and invite that person to attend. If they don't show up tell the media about it, write letters to the editor of your local papers suggesting that your Senator is dodging his/her constituency. You are suppose to tell them what you want, not have them tell you what you are going to get.
One of the biggest reasons a CCW law has not been passed in Nebraska is not Senator Ernie Chambers, it is the apathy of the citizens in the state of Nebraska. If a majority of Nebraskans do not want CCW then that is fine with me, that is the way the system is suppose to work. If there are a large number of Nebraskans that want it but are unwilling to put forth any effort to get it passed then it will never happen, and that is the way the system works too.
The system works and will continue to work whether you are a part of it or not. But if your not a part of it don't expect anything from it. The reason our elected officials get away with so much is because so many of us are not a part of it and they count on that.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Been way to busy
It has been a little over a week since I last posted.
We have had decent enough weather that I needed to get some outside work done, that included pruning and cutting back the dormant fruit bearing trees, rechecking and repairing the protections for water pipes and numorous other asundry chores that pile up when I spend to much time on the internet.
I have also, as time permits been working on several firearms. Chief among them is the restoration of a Waffenfabrik/Styer model 1909 tipup barrel 25. ACP. This is a "relic" of WWI and still shoots quite accurately by the way. It came to me in rether sad shape though. The internals and rifling are in great shape but the exterior is all patina and pitted in places.
One other project I have been working on is the complete refinishing of a Mossberg single shot target rifle. It certainly was not in as bad a shape as the styer when I got it but it too had languished in someone elses closet for years without the proper attention it is due.
Possibly when I get done with them or nearly so I will post pictures of them.
As if I don't have enough to do already, I aquired a two piece monte carlo stock with cheek piece for a 303 enfield that I have had since 1 was thirteen years old. It is in the raw, has never been on another firearm and is a real fine Walnut.
Hopefully I will have more time this week to do some writing, till then thank you all for checking in on a regular basis.
We have had decent enough weather that I needed to get some outside work done, that included pruning and cutting back the dormant fruit bearing trees, rechecking and repairing the protections for water pipes and numorous other asundry chores that pile up when I spend to much time on the internet.
I have also, as time permits been working on several firearms. Chief among them is the restoration of a Waffenfabrik/Styer model 1909 tipup barrel 25. ACP. This is a "relic" of WWI and still shoots quite accurately by the way. It came to me in rether sad shape though. The internals and rifling are in great shape but the exterior is all patina and pitted in places.
One other project I have been working on is the complete refinishing of a Mossberg single shot target rifle. It certainly was not in as bad a shape as the styer when I got it but it too had languished in someone elses closet for years without the proper attention it is due.
Possibly when I get done with them or nearly so I will post pictures of them.
As if I don't have enough to do already, I aquired a two piece monte carlo stock with cheek piece for a 303 enfield that I have had since 1 was thirteen years old. It is in the raw, has never been on another firearm and is a real fine Walnut.
Hopefully I will have more time this week to do some writing, till then thank you all for checking in on a regular basis.
Friday, January 28, 2005
LB 454 and the Future of Concealed Carry in Nebraska
History
Anyone that has been reading this Blog for a period of time knows that I and many other people in Nebraska believe that concealed carry is and always has been legal in this state. In past postings I have articulated that fact and provided links to articles of the constitution, statutes and case law to re-enforce that position.
Being a realist I understand that the only way this can be put to rest and to ensure that a Nebraskans ability to carry is not contravined by local ordinance and, recognized in other jurisdictions is for the subject to be legislated as a matter of state wide concern.
LB454
The citizens of Nebraska deserve more than this from their representitives. Considering what has been legislated in other states in recent years the Senators of Nebraska consider their constituants to be nothing more than children that are not deserving of the same laws that have passed in those states.
Personally I am offended by that abhorent demeanor of the Senators, as should every Nebraskan that is of the age of majority and capable of independant rational thought. Whether one supports this legislation or not anyone that recognizes the under current of arrogance and condemnation at work here should be mad, damned mad. If the Senators are of this tact on LB454, it has to be asked how many other bills do they hold their constituancy in such contempt on?
Their proposed legislation is an antiquated attempt to appease both sides of the issue and the result is a compromise that infers that the citizens of Nebraska are not as responsible as those of the other 46 states that do have some form of concealed carry laws.
To our Loyal SubjectsConstituancy,
We the Senators of the Unicameral hold that the citizens of Nebraska are not equal to and are therefore undeserving of the forms of legislation that has been enacted on behalf of the citizens in several of the other states. We shall provide you with LB454 and in the ensuing years should you demonstrate to us that you can be subserviant subjects accepting of our dominance responsible citizens led by our devine guidance we may at our leisure reward you with a change in this law. Be forewarned however that these changes if effected will only occur in years that require your vote for our re-election.
Sincerely, Your Royal Family Unicameral
P.S. - Do not attempt to influence us to change this bill. The NRA in the form of the representitive lobbying this body supports LB454 in it's present form and, in their recognized infinate wisdom, they have informed us that they do not wish to see it trifled with. We have therefore appeased the largest organization that represents a threat to our individual existence as Senators. The NRA has spoken for you on this matter and in wishing to maintain viable opportunities for our own individual re-elections we will be resisting your attempts to influence change prior to passage of LB454.
In not any specific order of relevance, because they are all equal, I will address the major points of concern that make LB454 unsuitable legislation for the citizens of Nebraska.
This bill does not address the issue of pre-emption.
There is nothing in it that will prohibit any political subdivision from restricting, banning or requiring their own licensing scheme. The ramifications are obvious and that the cities of Omaha, Lincoln and others will address this at city council is without doubt. Once a local law is passed any and all local ordinances are generally grandfathered when new state statute contravines. Once these local laws are instilled they can only be changed with local action.
Granted the CI-1 of the state Constitution is suppose to prevent that from happening, but it has yet to do so and it will doubtless prevent local ordinance in this respect either.
Training Requirements
The entire mandate for training has been designated to the State Patrol for establishment and implimentaion. Under LB454 as it is written the State Patrol could in it's judgement require the applicants for a Nebraska license to carry a concealed firearm undergo any number of hours of training. At their discretion they can also rewrite the requirements when ever they want to without approval of the Unicameral.
As it is now written there is nothing in LB454 that prevents the Patrol from manadating a minimum 40 hours of training be conducted at the Grand Island Law Enforcement Training Center, on a lottery basis and as space provides, to 40 individuals per year at an individual cost of 2000 dollars.
That it would be that extreme is doubtful, but the point is that the Patrol has utter and complete authority lacking any and all oversite from the Unicameral to establish anything they see fit at any time they see fit. That is just not good governement and is far too wide open for bereaucratic abuse.
A stated number of hours of training must be written into this bill. That is and has been the practice in all of the other states. The number of hours, within reason is inconsequential be it 10, 12, 14, 16 or even 20, but the number must be written in the bill.
Time limit for issuance
Under LB454 as it is written a Sheriff must issue a permit within 5 days of the completion of a background check. It is also pretty much up to the Sheriff to establish the entire scope and length of the background check.
Should a conceincious Sheriff determine that a complete and thorough background check take 6 months to a year, or more to complete for certain residents, there is nothing in this bill that hinders that efficiancy. One could profitably wager that friends, associates and campaign contributors would be the kinds of upstanding citizens that qualify to receive their permit in mere days.
This bill must be amended to reflect a maximum number of days the Sheriff has to issue from the receipt of an application. This requirement has not been a problem in any other state and the Sheriff is held harmless by the LB454 for problems arrising from the issuance of the permit anyway.
Reciprocity/Recognition
In the last year or two, the states of Missouri and Ohio have enacted CCW legislation that included recirpocity/recognition. New Mexico a state whose law predates Ohio and Missouri does not yet have that provision.
In recent years many of the other states have changed their laws to create or enhance the reciprocity and or recognition of other states permits. Arizona, Colorado and Oklahoma come immediately to mind.
That reciprocity/recognition cannot be a provision of LB454 is an affront to not only the responsible citizens of Nebraska but to those of the other states as well.
There is more that needs to be addressed in LB454, but the aforementioned articles of the bill are the most agregious, insulting and infringing. Virtually none of the topics addressed in the present form exist in the laws of any of the other states. (Any number of states may have one of these issues, but in their entirety there is no shall issue state, that I know of, that still emcompasses all of the items addressed above.)
This bill is a supposed model that has been passed in many other states. Given that being true, those states have in the last 2-20 years made the necessary changes and their laws no longer represent the original work.
That the citizens of Nebrsaka be required to submit to an original bill that many states have spent at least the last decade rewriting clearly demonstrates the regard in which the Unicameral holds the citizens it is suppose to be responsible to.
Informative point: Yes the NRA supports this bill in it's present form and does not want to see it trifled with. There may be more to report on that in the coming weeks.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Yes I know I have been lazy and not posted anything since Monday.
But hey;
- It is my 48th birthday this week.
- I have been busy with the Unicameral trying to make a silk purse out of the sows ear they call a CCW law (LB454)
- I had to travel out of town Tuesday
- And in General I have just been to busy to do most of my daily reading let alone write to my own Blog.
- I am trying to get a post out today or tomorrow, but there is a really good gunshow in town this weekend and I am trying to put together my shopping list. (Don't expect much over the weekend ..hehehe)
- I appreciate everyone that keeps stopping by to check if anything new has been posted, if there are days you don't find anything new click through the links on my Blogroll. Those folks have good things on their sites.
All for now. Be safe & Keep the faith.
Gun
Monday, January 24, 2005
To what do we owe the honer??
History
Long time readers and residents of Nebraska are familiar with Matt Connealy. Matt, a Democrat, recently lost the election for the 1st District United States Congressional Seat vacated by retiring RINO Doug Beureter and now held by republican Jeff Fortenberry.
Concealed Carry legislation has as usual been introduced in the Unicameral and was given the designation LB454. Introduced by Jeanne Combs and co-sponsored by 23 other Senators the bill now boasts 25 sponsors.
Connealy is on Board
It seems that in the last week Matt Connealy has officially added his name as a co-sponsor of LB454.
After one of the Congressional debates last fall I had the occassion to ask the Senator why he opposed the previous bill LB256. His response was that it did not mandate training. Anyone remotely familiar with LB256 knows that there was a training requirement as part of that bill.
What ever the reason that brought Matt to the light is moot at this point and the bill has one more vote than I would have counted last week.
I could change my mind. It has been known to happen
In previous posts I have avered that I could not support this bill in it's current form, even before any attempt to attach agregious amendments that usually come from the floor.
I have spent this morning in meetings and negotiations with several Senators and their aides, some of whom are on the Judiciary Committee that will hear public comments on LB454. For the most part they were receptive to the concerns that were expressed about the bill and these items will be addressed when the bill is discussed in committee.
Many of the concerns can be fixed or changed with amendments that add or take away a few words here and there or simply line through ommissions.
In theory this could shape up to something I could support.
The Judiciary Committee
There are 8 Senators on the Judiciary Committee. There are definately 2 no votes to advance it to the floor, those being Chambers and Bourne. There are 6 yes votes that include the person that introduced the bill Combs, 2 co-sponsors Flood, Friend and one Senator who has co-sponsored the bill in the past Aguilar. Pedersen and Foley have said that they support the bill.
Lb454 will make it to the floor, it is there that the real work begins; Preventing the scurolous amendments that Senators like Chambers, Bourne and Schimek will attempt to attach to it.
I didn't think I would ever be saying this but it seems that there is a faint glimmer of hope that it could be a reality this time.
Senator Chambers promised to filibuster LB454
Lastly count on a Chambers filibuster. I spoke with him personally and asked him directly if he intends to do so.
From his own lips;
"I have to. They are counting on me, they need me to do it. It would suprise you the number of Senators that don't want it, that tell their constituency that they are for it to get votes, knowing that I will filibuster it. It makes me the scapegoat when they go back home and tell their voters hey I tried but that darn Ernie did it to you again."
Tell me you haven't heard that from me several times in the past.
Know thine enemy. It is not the Honorable Senator Ernie Chambers (D-Oma)
Long time readers and residents of Nebraska are familiar with Matt Connealy. Matt, a Democrat, recently lost the election for the 1st District United States Congressional Seat vacated by retiring RINO Doug Beureter and now held by republican Jeff Fortenberry.
Concealed Carry legislation has as usual been introduced in the Unicameral and was given the designation LB454. Introduced by Jeanne Combs and co-sponsored by 23 other Senators the bill now boasts 25 sponsors.
Connealy is on Board
It seems that in the last week Matt Connealy has officially added his name as a co-sponsor of LB454.
After one of the Congressional debates last fall I had the occassion to ask the Senator why he opposed the previous bill LB256. His response was that it did not mandate training. Anyone remotely familiar with LB256 knows that there was a training requirement as part of that bill.
What ever the reason that brought Matt to the light is moot at this point and the bill has one more vote than I would have counted last week.
I could change my mind. It has been known to happen
In previous posts I have avered that I could not support this bill in it's current form, even before any attempt to attach agregious amendments that usually come from the floor.
I have spent this morning in meetings and negotiations with several Senators and their aides, some of whom are on the Judiciary Committee that will hear public comments on LB454. For the most part they were receptive to the concerns that were expressed about the bill and these items will be addressed when the bill is discussed in committee.
Many of the concerns can be fixed or changed with amendments that add or take away a few words here and there or simply line through ommissions.
In theory this could shape up to something I could support.
The Judiciary Committee
There are 8 Senators on the Judiciary Committee. There are definately 2 no votes to advance it to the floor, those being Chambers and Bourne. There are 6 yes votes that include the person that introduced the bill Combs, 2 co-sponsors Flood, Friend and one Senator who has co-sponsored the bill in the past Aguilar. Pedersen and Foley have said that they support the bill.
Lb454 will make it to the floor, it is there that the real work begins; Preventing the scurolous amendments that Senators like Chambers, Bourne and Schimek will attempt to attach to it.
I didn't think I would ever be saying this but it seems that there is a faint glimmer of hope that it could be a reality this time.
Senator Chambers promised to filibuster LB454
Lastly count on a Chambers filibuster. I spoke with him personally and asked him directly if he intends to do so.
From his own lips;
"I have to. They are counting on me, they need me to do it. It would suprise you the number of Senators that don't want it, that tell their constituency that they are for it to get votes, knowing that I will filibuster it. It makes me the scapegoat when they go back home and tell their voters hey I tried but that darn Ernie did it to you again."
Tell me you haven't heard that from me several times in the past.
Know thine enemy. It is not the Honorable Senator Ernie Chambers (D-Oma)
Friday, January 21, 2005
Movies you won't see in a theater near you review
It has been a while since our movie critic elaborated on those movies that are only shown on the backside of his eye lids. So without further fan fare here is the Bar Wars Saga avaiable in the Special Collectors imaginary box set;
1. Bar wars: Liberal menace
After a drunken car crash left his pregnant padowan learner, Bubbles Pfatt (Mary Jo Kopechne) dead, a drunken Senator Palpitation (Teddy Kennedy) realizes he will never be elected High Council. Turning deeper to the Democrat side the Senator schemes to oust the leaders of the Republican led High Councel, Spaced Window (Gerald Ford) and Yodel (Nelson Rockefeller). The Senator backs Count DooDu (Jimmy Carter) and Boss Mess (Walter Mondale) intending to control them from behind the scenes.
2. Bar wars: Attack of the Clowns
A troubled Senator Palpitation (Kennedy) has sucessfully installed Count DooDu as High Council. Much to the Senators dismay DooDu (Carter) and Mess (Mondale) bumble their way through a four year administration seemly immune from the effects of Palpitations influence. Selling everything the Empire stands for down the river DooDu and Mess, will stop at nothing to ensure that Empire credits buy them another election
3. Bar wars: Return of the GOP
When all of the shinanagans of DooDu (Carter) and Mess (Mondale) come to light they are ousted at general election by Qui-Ray-Gun (Ronald Reagan) and his padowan apprentice Obi-Brush-Kanobi (George Bush Sr.). A comfortable period of security reins over the Empire as Qui-Ray-Gun holds steadfast to the principles that the Empire was founded on. Qui-Ray-Gun's leadership is so enspiring that the citizens elect Obi-Brush-Kanobi to replace him on the High Council. While not the leader that his predecesor was Brush-Kanobi maintains the peace for a four year term.
4. Bar wars: Bubbas from Hope
After his dibilitating defeat at the hands of the Republicans years before Senator Palpitation crawled further into the bottle rueing his defeat and plotting revenge. Sobering up long enough to locate a suitable padowan puppet to run the Council, Senator Palpitation finds a new apprentice that has already gone to the Democratic side. Bubba Klingon (Bill Clinton) aided by his trusty sidekick Har Har Blinks (Al Gore) are swept onto the High Council on a madate for change.
5. Bar wars: The GOP Fights back
Two years into Bubba's (Bill Clinton) leadership, Jabber-the Butt (Newt Geingrich) is thoroughly disgusted with the scandals that plague the Bubba Administration. Representive Jabber seeks to change the policies and lower taxes that were forced upon the people by Bubba. He forms alliances and establishes a 100 day contract with the Empire. This effort succeeds in Jabber-the Butt's gaining control of the necessary seats to effect the needed changes, even though it was not supported in the Senate by leader Opie Bob Kanope (Bob Dole). Discontent with the eight year leadership of Bubba Klingon the citizens of the Empire, in a closely contested election deny Har Har Blinks his assention to the highest seat in the Empire, by electing Scrub Brushwalker (George Bush Jr.) in his place.
6. Bar wars: Return of the GW
In this episode, said to be the final, in the Bar Wars saga, coming from almost relative obscurity Scrub Brushwalker (George Bush Jr.), the reletively unknown son of Obi-Brush-Kanobi ( George Bush sr.), takes the helm of a troubled Empire. The economy is in a downward spiral and within months of his election the Empire is visciously attacked by the Nemuslidians lead by Nuetered-Gun-Ray (Osama bin Laden). Scrub Brushwalker calls in all of his markers and on all of his Generals to throw back the opressive Nemuslidians and hunt down the evil Gun-Ray. Will Brushwalkers efforts be successfull? The Empire again trusts the helm of power to him, for a second term, as he continues his quest to eliminate the the threat of the Nemuslidians? Surely the audiance won't be left hanging on this point, there must be an episode seven being written.
1. Bar wars: Liberal menace
After a drunken car crash left his pregnant padowan learner, Bubbles Pfatt (Mary Jo Kopechne) dead, a drunken Senator Palpitation (Teddy Kennedy) realizes he will never be elected High Council. Turning deeper to the Democrat side the Senator schemes to oust the leaders of the Republican led High Councel, Spaced Window (Gerald Ford) and Yodel (Nelson Rockefeller). The Senator backs Count DooDu (Jimmy Carter) and Boss Mess (Walter Mondale) intending to control them from behind the scenes.
2. Bar wars: Attack of the Clowns
A troubled Senator Palpitation (Kennedy) has sucessfully installed Count DooDu as High Council. Much to the Senators dismay DooDu (Carter) and Mess (Mondale) bumble their way through a four year administration seemly immune from the effects of Palpitations influence. Selling everything the Empire stands for down the river DooDu and Mess, will stop at nothing to ensure that Empire credits buy them another election
3. Bar wars: Return of the GOP
When all of the shinanagans of DooDu (Carter) and Mess (Mondale) come to light they are ousted at general election by Qui-Ray-Gun (Ronald Reagan) and his padowan apprentice Obi-Brush-Kanobi (George Bush Sr.). A comfortable period of security reins over the Empire as Qui-Ray-Gun holds steadfast to the principles that the Empire was founded on. Qui-Ray-Gun's leadership is so enspiring that the citizens elect Obi-Brush-Kanobi to replace him on the High Council. While not the leader that his predecesor was Brush-Kanobi maintains the peace for a four year term.
4. Bar wars: Bubbas from Hope
After his dibilitating defeat at the hands of the Republicans years before Senator Palpitation crawled further into the bottle rueing his defeat and plotting revenge. Sobering up long enough to locate a suitable padowan puppet to run the Council, Senator Palpitation finds a new apprentice that has already gone to the Democratic side. Bubba Klingon (Bill Clinton) aided by his trusty sidekick Har Har Blinks (Al Gore) are swept onto the High Council on a madate for change.
5. Bar wars: The GOP Fights back
Two years into Bubba's (Bill Clinton) leadership, Jabber-the Butt (Newt Geingrich) is thoroughly disgusted with the scandals that plague the Bubba Administration. Representive Jabber seeks to change the policies and lower taxes that were forced upon the people by Bubba. He forms alliances and establishes a 100 day contract with the Empire. This effort succeeds in Jabber-the Butt's gaining control of the necessary seats to effect the needed changes, even though it was not supported in the Senate by leader Opie Bob Kanope (Bob Dole). Discontent with the eight year leadership of Bubba Klingon the citizens of the Empire, in a closely contested election deny Har Har Blinks his assention to the highest seat in the Empire, by electing Scrub Brushwalker (George Bush Jr.) in his place.
6. Bar wars: Return of the GW
In this episode, said to be the final, in the Bar Wars saga, coming from almost relative obscurity Scrub Brushwalker (George Bush Jr.), the reletively unknown son of Obi-Brush-Kanobi ( George Bush sr.), takes the helm of a troubled Empire. The economy is in a downward spiral and within months of his election the Empire is visciously attacked by the Nemuslidians lead by Nuetered-Gun-Ray (Osama bin Laden). Scrub Brushwalker calls in all of his markers and on all of his Generals to throw back the opressive Nemuslidians and hunt down the evil Gun-Ray. Will Brushwalkers efforts be successfull? The Empire again trusts the helm of power to him, for a second term, as he continues his quest to eliminate the the threat of the Nemuslidians? Surely the audiance won't be left hanging on this point, there must be an episode seven being written.
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