Virginia Tech, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, Kirkwood City Hall, and Columbine, are just a few names of the churches, schools and workplaces that should be places of refuge, comfort, and learning, but instead are associated with violent acts. Two million Americans face violence in their workplace annually with 1,000 losing their lives. Extremist behavior, hate crimes, and violence associated with big cities are now within the boundaries of small towns and neighborhoods we call home. Over 50% of Active Shooting incidents occur in cities with populations of less than 10,000. In response to the demands of church officials, school administrations, and workplace management, Strategos International, LLC, has developed Intruder Response Training programs specific for each vulnerable environment. Read More…
Archive for Self-Defense Issues – Page 2
Illinois is one of only two states that prohibits all manner of concealed carry of firearms by citizens. But there is legislation moving through the Illinois General Assembly to change that.
House Bills 245 and 462 would allow Illinois residents to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm outside of their home. HB 245 would have the Illinois State Police issue the permits, while HB 462 would place the task with the county sheriff.
Both bills were approved 11-1 in committee and sent to the floor of the General Assembly. Both bills had the support of Democrats and Republicans alike in committee. Rep. Julie Hamos, a Democrat, was the lone voice against self-defense and personal liberty.
Illinois is notorious for its anti-gun laws, but most of that comes from the politically powerful in Chicago. Outside of Chicago, most folks in Illinois are pretty sane. In fact, a lot of people would like to see concealed carry be legalized. Don’t believe me? Steve Chapman wrote a opinion piece for the Chicago Tribune encouraging the state to legalize concealed carry. The Illinois Sheriff’s Association is on-board too.
If you live in Illinois, please contact your representatives in the General Assembly. Let them know that these bills are important to you, and that you will be watching how they vote.
Also, consider joining the Illinois State Rifle Association. The ISRA is your state-wide voice on Second Amendment issues.
Trying to figure out what to buy the gun-guy or -gal in your life for Christmas? Here are a few ideas:
Less Than $20
In the Gravest Extreme
Most ammunition can be purchased for less than $20/box. For a single box, your local dealer is probably the best vendor. For a larger quantity or for harder to find calibers, an online vendor like Natchez Shooters Supply, AmmoMan, or Midway USA is the best bet.
Speaking of ammunition, quality AR-15 magazines can still be had for less than $20. My favorites are the Bownells with the Magpul anti-tilt followers, but I also like the Magpul PMAG polymer magazines. Brownells is shipping as quickly as they come in, so if you order ASAP, they will likely be shipped before Christmas.
Bore brushes, cleaning patches, solvents, and oils are always needed and a good idea as a stocking stuffer.
Less Than $50
A NRA membership is perhaps the most important gun-related gift anyone can give this year. $25 includes a magazine of your choice plus all of the standard benefits such as firearms insurance, life insurance, legislative updates, and much more.
Handgun magazines are a useful gift. (The metal/poymer kind, not the paper mailed to you monthly kind.) With the run on all-things-gun, certain magazines, such as the Glock, have gotten more expensive ($25-30 tyically), but almost all common hangun magazines can be had for $35 or less.
More Than $50
A high intensity flashlight such as the inexpensive SureFire G2 Defender or the ultra-compact SureFire E1E are excellent choices for tactical lighting.
If your someone special owns a J-frame Smith and Wesson revolver, the Crimson Trace LG-405 Overmold Grips
While an AR-15 is certainly more sexy, the ubiquitous .22 rimfire rifle is a fun rifle to shoot plus it is inexpensive to purchase and keep fed with rimfire ammo. Nearly every rifle maker has at least one .22 rimfire in their line. Ruger’s 10-22 is pretty much the gold standard, but I really like the inexpensive, tube fed Marlin 60, which can be had for less than $150 at your local dealer or even WalMart.
Price Is No Object
If price is not a consideration, a trip to Gunsite or Lethal Force Institute is one of the best Christmas gifts you can give. Nothing beats professional training, and these schools are the best at what they do.
By now everyone knows that NFL player Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself and was subsequently arrested for carrying a firearm into a New York City bar. As I don’t have all of the details surrounding the case, I’ll skip commenting about the incident other than (1) always remember and implement the four rules of firearms safety, and (2) all free citizens of the United States should be allowed to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense.
What I found to be interesting about the whole case is the National Football League’s stance on the lawful ownership of firearms. The NFL does not allow players to possess a firearm on any property used or owned by the NFL or team, even locked up in a personal vehicle. Additionally, the NFL discourages players from exercising their Second Amendment right away from the job.
From the NFL policy manual:
“In some circumstances, such as for sport or protection, you may legally possess a firearm or other weapon. However, we strongly recommend that you not do so.”
So, the NFL strongly opposes your right to own, possess, and use a firearm for self-defense and every other legally acceptable reason. Curious.
Something to consider… NFL players are high profile sports celebrities. They make a lot of money and seen every week on television. It would seem to me that NFL players stand a better chance to be the victim of a home invasion or of stalking than the average citizen. We’ve seen celebrities killed by a crazy fan and in common robberies. Yet, the NFL strongly suggests players not own a firearm.
As a side note, I wonder how Florida’s new self-defense law that allows gun owners to keep their firearm locked in their vehicle while at work will apply to thise NFL rule.
The Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network, LLC is a group of armed citizens who have networked together to provide legal assistance for innocent citizens who used deadly force to defend themselves. Some rather impressive people are associated with the Network, including Massad Ayoob, John Farnam, Tom Givens, and Dennis Tueller. Read More…
A shopkeeper shot an armed robber in a Marietta, GA liquor store on November 15, 2008. The robber pointed a handgun at the owner, demanding money and gin. When the robber started to put away his firearm so he could carry his loot, the business owner was able to produce his own handgun and bring it to bear on the robber. The robber then began to pull his firearm, forcing the shopkeeper to shoot him. The robber then fled.
Kudos to the business owner for keeping a cool head and acting when the robber was distracted.
There have been various reports in the media regarding the recent court ruling on Florida’s “Guns to Work” law. The law, which allows law-abiding Florida citizens to keep a gun locked in their car while at work, was challenged by the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
In an effort to clear things up, the National Rifle Association and the Unified Sportsmen of Florida released this joint announcement:
National Rifle Association & Unified Sportsmen of Florida
INFORMATION SHEET
Federal Judge Hands Huge Defeat to Florida Business Lobby on “Guns-at-Work” law
The Florida Chamber of Commerce and The Florida Retail Federation argued for three years that business owners had an absolute right to control their employees. That’s why they kept calling it the “take-your-guns-to-work” legislation.
They claimed they could search employee vehicles and ban firearms from those vehicles in the employer’s parking lot. They claimed businesses didn’t care if customers had guns in cars, they only cared about their right to control employees. When the legislature passed the law protecting the rights of workers, The Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Retail Federation filed a lawsuit in federal court asking the Court to throw out the law.
They argued that the law requiring businesses to allow guns in vehicles in their parking lots constituted an unconstitutional “taking” of their property. In court, the federal judge ruled against them – THEY LOST.
They argued that OSHA regulations require them to provide a safe work environment for their workers, which required them to bans guns in parking lots to comply with OSHA requirements. In court, the federal judge ruled against them – THEY LOST.
They argued that, as employers, they had an absolute right to control the conduct of their employees and could ban guns from employee vehicles in company parking lots while employees were at work. In court, the federal judge ruled against them – THEY LOST.
Those are the three points argued by the Chamber and the Retail Federation. THEY LOST ON ALL THREE POINTS.
At the hearing and in his ruling, the judge complained about language drafted by the legislature saying that it doesn’t give businesses clear guidance on whether the laws allows business owners to ban customers from having guns in their cars in parking lots. Rather that clear up the confusion according to the intent of the legislature, he ruled that businesses can prohibit customers from keeping guns in their in the parking lot.
CURRENT STATUS:
The judge upheld the new NRA-supported law.
If a business has a gun ban policy, employees who possess a valid Concealed Weapons License are exempt from the gun ban policy and cannot be fired for exercising their gun rights.
If a business has a gun ban policy and no employee has a valid CW license, then that business can also ban customers from having guns locked in their vehicles in the parking lot while they shop or conduct business.
A business may not search vehicles to see if a person has a firearm; may not ask if a person has a firearm in the vehicle; may not ask if a person has a CW license.
PRACTICAL EFFECT:
Before the law passed, employees had no protection from anti-gun employers. They had no recourse. They had to give up their firearm and self-defense rights or be fired. They now have protection. WORKERS WON – BUSINESS LOBBY LOST
Due to the judge’s ruling based on inartful language, business owners can post signs notifying customers that they are prohibited from having firearms locked in their vehicles while in the parking lots. CUSTOMERS DON’T HAVE TO PATRONIZE A BUSINESS THAT DOESN’T RESPECT THEIR RIGHT TO KEEP A GUN IN THEIR CAR – THEY CAN SPEND THEIR MONEY ELSEWHERE – CUSTOMERS WIN – BUSINESS LOSES
Spokespersons for the Florida Chamber and the Florida Retail Federation are claiming victory, praising the judge for ruling that businesses can keep customers from having firearms in their vehicles in parking lots. It remains to be seen if business owners will agree that they won anything. They probably wish the Florida Chamber and the Florida Retail Federation would just shut up and quit alienating customers.
Our position is: Big Business lost. The People won.
On July 2, 2008, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed Senate Bill 51 into law. SB 51 allows all law-abiding employees, invitees, and customers to keep firearms locked in their vehicles while parked on publicly accessible parking lots, unless state or federal law already prohibits the possession of firearms on the premises, or the vehicle in question is company-owned or leased.While SB 51 primarily affects parking lots that are accessible to the general public, businesses which provide secure parking for its customers or employees (parking that is inaccessible to the general public) must also provide storage facilities, such as lockers, for their customers or employees to temporarily place their firearms, or provide alternative parking for customers or employees who wish to transport and store firearms in their private motor vehicles. That alternative parking area must be reasonably close to the secure parking area. SB 51, now ACT 684, is effective 8/15/2008.
Please thank Governor Jindal for signing this critical bill into law. You may contact the governor by clicking here.
Governor Janet Napolitano (D) vetoed House Bill 2389 earlier this week.
Simply stated, under HB2389 you would have been allowed to carry a firearm by means of any transportation – other than public transportation – without a concealed carry permit. Many states already allow the lawful transport and keeping of a firearm in a private vehicle without a state-issued permit.
This is the fourth veto of a pro-gun bill by Governor Napolitano this legislative session on NRA-supported measures such as HB2629, the defensive display of a firearm clarification; HB2630, which would have lowered the penalty for carrying a firearm without a permit to a petty offense; and SB1106, the lifetime concealed carry permit bill.
A recently enacted state law in Florida allows citizens to keep their lawfully owned firearms locked in their vehicles while they are at work. In the past certain employers, such as Disney World, would prohibit the lawful possession of a firearm on their property. This had the unfortunate effect of denying thousands of citizens their right to self-defense. If a citizen went to work without a lawfully owned and carried firearm due to the employer’s policy, that same citizen would be unable to defend themselves that evening in the parking lot of the grocery store when they stopped to pick up a few things for the family dinner.
A spokeswoman for Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has said that individuals can file complaints with the Attorney General’s office if their right to have a firearm, locked in their privately owned vehicle in a parking lot, for self-protection and other lawful purposes is being violated by a business.
To file a complaint, please contact the Attorney General’s office by phone at 866-966-7226 or click here. Attorney General McCollum can be reached via email at ag.mccollum@myfloridalegal.com.
To view a news article by WMBB in Panama City, please click here.
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