Self-defense laws on the rise

[RACastanet]

Wow, more great news:

Judge overturns San Francisco weapons ban

A state trial judge sided Monday with the National Rifle Association in overturning a voter-approved city ordinance that banned handgun possession and firearm sales in San Francisco.

Commonn sense and self defense have prevailed.

Rich

[RACastanet]

This is near and dear to me as I am a member of this great club. A handful of elitests moved into this remote area and gasp, were annoyed by the club! They cost us thousands of dollars in legal and other fees but common sense prevailed last night.

Imagine that! A club in existance for 40 years, surrounded by 300 arcres of forest that we own and manage, assualted by a few.

The supervisors were not fooled as they voted 5 to 2 in the club's favor.

Gun club permit request passes
Hanover supervisors vote 5-2 to approve filing; more than 300 attend hearing

BY MELODIE N. MARTIN
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Jun 15, 2006


A western Hanover County gun club moved closer to compliance with the law late last night.


The Hanover Board of Supervisors voted 5-2 just before midnight to approve permit applications filed by the Cavalier Rifle and Pistol Club.

The vote came after an overflow crowd of more than 300 people gathered for a public hearing by the board, which heard comments for three hours until nearly 11 p.m.

Here is the full story:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Sa ... 9188496514

Rich

[Bill Glasheen]

I blame that on the realtors, Rich. They buy land in areas known to be near industry, and sell houses without informing the buyers of the issues. It happened in my neighborhood where folks on the far end were just an Interstate highway distance away from a rock quarry. Soon they were "shocked" that blasting was ocurring.

It's no different than chasing out the wild animals and the First Americans as we expand our population. At some point, all parties need to agree on how scarce land will be used.

In any case, it doesn't make sense to tell a former user they can't do what they were previously permitted to do when the suburbanites move in. Grandfathering is the common solution. Where I grew up, we had a fellow with a chicken farm around the corner. He was there before the post-WWII families moved in and declared that people couldn't keep farm animals. I was glad they allowed him to keep his chickens. I still remember summer days with the rooster crowing early in the morning as I tried to get my last hours of sleep. While others considered that a nuisance, it was music to my childhood ears.

It was certainly a lot more pleasant that jets breaking the sound barrier over our house.

- Bill

[RACastanet]

Personally, I believe if you are going to spend $400,000 or more on your new home a little due diligence is a good idea.

Before I purchased the house we now live in I visited the area late at night, early in the morning and during the day several times. Plus I tested the morning and evening commutes. I also visited the neighbors, studied the lot and surveyors plan, drainage lines and checked for old mine shafts. I listened for strange sounds and sniffed for strange oders. Then I bought it.

Only one of the complainers actually abuts the range property. The most vocal of the bunch were people that actually lived 2 or more miles away! Give me a break! They complained of all the constant noise and were just unpleasant. The club had a consultant take noise readings at our propery line during a hi power rifle match and the sound level was under 72 dba. 72 dba is a normal conversational sound level.

As far as the crowds, I do not go out to shoot there alone as there is rarely anyone there and I am afraid that if I had an accident I would not be found until God knows when.

You have been out there twice I believe. Did we see anyone else? The place is as remote as can be possible. If a range cannot exist there, then where?

We won big points with the conservation efforts. Over 300 acres are pure timberland buffer.

Louisa county is on the other side of the range. An adjacent farm owner just sold his place for $2.7 million to a developer. Louisa is next in line as a bedroom for the DC area. DC-ites will turn the area into Short Pump if they are allowed. We could sell our 435+ acres for $3 to $4 milion and distribute the cash amongst the 500 members... hmmm $6,000+ each or have a nice place to hang out and shoot. That was a possible poison pill had the forces of a few won.

That said, when do you want to go out and shoot? We can get box of clays and shhot trap!

Rich

[RACastanet]

I was at the meeting last night and listened to the speakers. We had more so to be 'fair' the supervisors gave the dissenters 5 minutes each speaker as opposed to the standard 3 minutes our side received. A little bias was showing.

We had a number of military members speak. Reservists get almost zero firearms training and rely on Cavalier and its members for range time. I do this quite a bit for Marines and the JROTC. Even regular Marines do not get much range time unless they are about to be deployed. As you know, firearms skills are perishable with time.

One dissenter had the audacity to claim that Hanover County should not be supporting the military's training needs. That is not the county's problem. Ooof. That put a nail in the coffin.

Another dissenter cryed that it sounded like Baghdad because of the range. A recently returned vet chastized that person for such an insult. And he made it clear that having been in a war zone, the range was in no way comparable to the real thing. Another nail.

Then, we pointed out that the Hanover County LEOs had no where to train with their sniper rifles and auto weapons other than Cavalier. The gunsmith hired by Hanover and other counties to build the special weapons and train their LEOs said the LEOs would have to do without if Cavalier was closed or if full auto was banned. Big point scored.

We went in thinking we had a good chance at a 4 to 3 three vote in our favor. The plan was to show up in force, be polite, make our point and let the whiners dig their own hole. They did just that.

In the end, we won on every point by a 5 to 2 majority! Every demand by the opposition was denied.

God bless America.

Rich

[Bill Glasheen]

I'll have to take you up on that range offer. The weather has been nice lately.

Tom still have his place in Hanover?

- Bill

[RACastanet]

Another victory for the good guys:

Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski Signs
NRA-Backed Castle Doctrine Bill Into Law

Thursday, June 22, 2006


Fairfax, VA-Governor Frank Murkowski has signed the National Rifle Association (NRA)-backed “Castle Doctrine” self-defense bill into law in Alaska.

“I want to thank Governor Frank Murkowski for signing this victims’ rights bill into law,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA’s chief lobbyist. “When you’re confronted by a criminal, you don’t have the luxury of time. This bill states that if victims choose to stand their ground and fight, their decision will not be second-guessed by the State of Alaska. The ability to protect yourself, your children, or your spouse from harm is important, whether you're in your home or outside.”

SB 200, the "Castle Doctrine" self-defense bill, simply states that if a criminal breaks into your home, your occupied vehicle or your place of business, the victim does not have a “duty to retreat”. The bill also provides protection from criminal prosecution and civil litigation for those who defend themselves from criminal attack.

The “Castle Doctrine” bill met with overwhelming, bipartisan support, passing with a unanimous 33-0 vote in the state house and 16-0 concurrence vote in the senate. Alaska joins 10 other states that signed similar legislation into law this legislative cycle.

“On behalf of all NRA members in Alaska, I want to thank Governor Frank Murkowski for signing this important bill into law. I’d also like to thank the chief sponsor of the House companion bill, House Majority Leader John Coghill, Jr. We also thank Senator Gene Therriault (R-District F) for his leadership in passing this vital measure in the Senate,” concluded Cox. “The Castle Doctrine bill is about putting the law back on the side of the victim, the way it’s supposed to be.”

[RACastanet]

Lawmakers have approved a package of bills strengthening the right of Michiganians to use deadly force in self-defense against thugs who break into their homes or threaten them on the street.

For the story:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar ... 00383/1022



Rich

[RACastanet]

Hoosiers Can Get Lifetime Carry Permits

Indiana is the first state in the nation to offer residents lifetime handgun permits under a new law that went into effect this month.

For the story:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 006/NEWS01

Virginia has a better version of the law that will go into effect July 1, 2007. Under that new law you do not pay a large fee for a lifetime permit. Once you get one it will be good unless revoked. The condition is that the State Police put in place a review mechanism to find those abusing a CHP so it can be revoked. The plan to do so is in place.

That will be a relatively simple program as history has shown that CHP holders are the most law abiding citizens in the state as well as the US.

Also, effective July 1 of this year fingerprinting will no longer be an option for CHP renewal. At present communities may still fingerprint for a first time permit but less than half of the counties in VA do so at this point.



Rich

[RACastanet]

Kentucky `Castle Doctrine` Protects Right Of Self-Defense

A new law gives Kentuckians the right to use deadly force without fear of being prosecuted or sued if an intruder breaks into their home or occupied vehicle.

The new law states that "a person who is not engaged in illegal activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force."

That measure, dubbed the "castle doctrine" by its sponsors, is one of two bills passed during the 2006 regular session of the General Assembly that attempts to expand gun rights in Kentucky.

The other exempts concealed carry permits from the state open records law, bars law enforcement officers from seizing weapons during disasters and allows employees to keep firearms in their vehicles on the premises of their employers. It was sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Belcher, D-Owingsville.

Both measures take effect July 12.

For the full story:

http://news.kypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar ... 014/NEWS02

[RACastanet]

For those opposing the 'Castle Doctrine', the writer of the article posted below has the answer:

`Castle Doctrine` Lesson? Stay Out Of The Wrong Castle

"Detractors of Mississippi`s new "Castle doctrine" law are fretting as Senate Bill 2426 goes into effect. But there`s a simple solution to concerns about the "Castle doctrine." law. People who stay out of the wrong "castle" should be fine," writes Sid Salter.

The safety valve for the "Castle doctrine" is for burglars, crackheads, carjackers, strong-arm robbers, muggers, rapists, thieves and other assorted boils on the butt of humanity to stay out of homes, cars, stores, offices and other domiciles that don't belong to them and to stop mugging, robbing, raping and stealing.

For the full story:

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs. ... 71/OPINION

[RACastanet]

Florida Crime Lowest Since 1971

Florida`s crime rate dropped for the 14th straight year in 2005 to its lowest mark since 1971 because of tougher laws, increased financial support from the Legislature and law-abiding citizens with guns, Gov. Jeb Bush said July 11.

Florida led the way with 'shall issue' concealed carry laws and most recently with codifying the 'Castle Doctrine' and protecting citizens from frivilous civil suits for defending themselves. The result speaks forr itself.

Criminals in Florida rightly fear meeting up with an armed 'citizen'.

For the full story:

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/cont ... Crime.html

Rich

[RACastanet]

This is incredibe as it will over ride all 50 states' assorted rules. Ten states have passed a similar law but if the House agrees to this the states led by less informed politicians must comply. The Virginia version of that law went into effect on July 1!

Senate Votes To Bar Gun Confiscations

The U.S. Senate voted to prohibit the confiscation of legally owned guns during an emergency like last year`s Hurricane Katrina, marking another victory for gun owner`s rights.

For the full story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01446.html

[Glenn]

Here is an update on the initiative by the Lincoln mayor and police chief to have a ban on concealed weapons by the city (since the new Nebraska concealed-carry law that goes into effect January 1 allows that cities can still impose a ban). The City Council is divided over the issue, and not along party lines surprisingly.
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/200 ... 475842.txt

[RACastanet]

Freedom prevails in Omaha. Hopefully Lincoln will follow suit:

Carry Will Be Legal In Omaha

Omaha is no longer out of step with the state`s new law allowing Nebraskans-with permits-to carry firearms for self-defense.

For the entire story :

http://www.journalstar.com/articles/200 ... 962196.txt

Rich