Awhile Back...

...I saw this YouTube Video and really appreciated what the actor was trying to do. I didn't post it because it was a little out of date with the facts, but still very relevant. Give it a watch.

.

Now it appears that the Obamessiah has turned his gaze upon this video blogger.

Read about it at "Obama attempts intimidation tactics against blogger"

I am Late...

...getting to this, but RideFast was involved in a "Fun Shoot" record turnout. Man, that sounds like a great time and something we should work on around here.

Change

DirtCrasher has a few thoughts on Obamerica that are worth reading. When Obama said he was going to change America, he meant it.

Tax Day Tea Parties

I am sure you have heard at least a bit about the Tea Parties that have been happening all over the country. Hopefully you know about the ones scheduled for April 15^th. But maybe you don't know the background behind these protests. From the National Tax Day Tea Party web site:

Tax Day Tea Party

The Tax Day Tea Party is a national collaborative grassroots effort organized by Smart Girl Politics, Top Conservatives on Twitter, the DontGo Movement and many other online groups/coalitions.

The Tea Party protests, in their current form, began in early 2009 when Rick Santelli, the On Air Editor for CNBC, set out on a rant to expose the bankrupt liberal agenda of the White House Administration and Congress. Specifically, the flawed “Stimulus Bill” and pork filled budget.

During Rick’s rant (see video below), he called for a “Chicago tea Party” where advocates of the free-market system could join in a protest against out of control government spending.

A few days later, grassroots activists and average Joe Americans began organizing what would soon become the Nationwide Chicago Tea Party effort.

On February 27th, an estimated 30,000 Americans took to the street in 40+ cities accross the country in the first nationwide “Tea Party” protest.

Organizers of the February 27th events pledged to continue on with an even bigger and better protest to follow the first. With April 15th being “Tax Day”, it was decided to schedule the second round of Tea Party protests to ride alongside the tax deadline.

And with that, the “Tax Day Tea Party”, the second round of the Nationwide Tea Party protests, moved into reality.

Right now I feel that the out of control .gov spending and the nationalization of major segments of the American economy are the number one issues of the day. This is a turning point for the United States, and if we don't put a stop to this madness our grandchildren will rue the day that we failed.

Tax Day Tea Parties are taking place all over this great country. Head on over here to find one near you.

Click here to find a Texas Tax Day Tea Party.

V and I will be attending the Dallas Tax Day Tea Party. The Dallas event will take place at the Dallas City Hall from 5:30 to 9:00PM. Why so long? Here is the answer:

We are moving the time to 5:30-9. We still want a great crowd at 5:30 for the local news, but we’ve been notified that a national news show will carry the event live at 9pm, so we hope you’re excited about the chance to really make an impact. It’s well worth a little of our time to do so. Can’t wait to see you at Dallas City Hall!

I know that all y'all who read this blog are not the protesting kind of people. You are like V and I. You work, you take care of your family, you pay your bills and put food on the table. Free time is precious and best spent with those you love. You expect your elected officials to do what you elected them to do and see no reason to stand out in the streets waving signs like a '60's hippie.

This event is worth it. Our elected officials are not doing what is best for our country, and we have to let them know that we do not approve. Those folks up on Capitol Hill know that we have to be pretty pissed to do something like this, and the more bodies we have on the streets, the more they will understand just how pissed we are.

This will be V's very first protest, my second. Take the time to join us, there is an event near you.

Fun From Facebook

Image by David Reich

More on Gunz in Mexico and an AWB

Since they ask, why not head over to Newsy.com and let them know what you think about this story.

I found this Newsy video while looking for an embeddable version of this FoxNews Video that covers some "Gun rights advocates' concerns about Attorney General Eric Holder's commitment to the Second Amendment". Watch the Foxnews vid all the way to the end. An assault weapons ban is still on the congressional table.

Thanks to David Reich for the heads up on the Foxnews vid.

If you do not want to register at Newsy.com to comment, you can comment on YouTube.

Jay Leno on the Stimulus Package

Thanks to Tony3Dogs for the tip.

Texas Campus Carry Bill is...

...scheduled for public hearing on Monday, March 30^th. HB 1893, an act relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education, is scheduled for a hearing by the Public Safety Committee next Monday.

This is a very important piece of legislation that will not only expand upon our right to keep and bear arms, but will also greatly reduce the risk of an active shooter situation at a Texas college. Not only are "gun free school zones" easy pickings for deranged individuals looking to make headlines as they commit suicide by cop, and take as many unarmed people with them as they can, our schools are perfect targets for well trained terrorists.

If you support legal concealed carry by licensed CHL holders, please contact the members of the Public Safety Committee and ask them to pass HB 1893 on to the House Floor for open debate by the full House.

The SCCC have produced an excellent handbook on campus concealed carry that might help you with your letter to the committee members and your representative. The "Students for Concealed Carry on Campus Handbook - Texas Edition" (.pdf) is an outstanding resource that is well worth your time reading.

Update: The Students for Concealed Carry on Campus have a Facebook page that is kept up to date with all the most recent information on campus carry across the nation.

Employer Parking Lot Bill Passes Texas Senate

As pointed out by JT in the comments to an earlier post, the Texas Senate has passed SB730. SB 730 is an act relating to an employee ’s transportation and storage of certain firearms or ammunition while on certain property owned or controlled by the employee ’s employer. In other words, the "Employer Parking Lot" bill.

From the Houston Chronicle:

By David Saleh Rauf

State may loosen laws on storing guns

AUSTIN — Texans would be allowed to stow their guns and ammo inside their locked cars or trucks while at work and parked on employer property under a controversial bill passed Wednesday by the state Senate.

The Senate voted 31-0 to prohibit employers from enforcing restrictions against employees possessing a legally owned handgun or ammunition inside a locked vehicle while in a company parking lot. Firearms and ammo must be stored out of sight...

You know this has to chap the rabidly anti gun staff of the Chron's rear ends, especially since the bill passed with a vote of 31-0.

SB 730 was amended in committee to exempt school districts from this legislation. School employees will still be prohibited from leaving a firearm in the car on company property. That is an interesting exception for a couple of reasons. First is that a CHL holder who is not employed by the school can, in most cases, have a firearm in their vehicle on school property. Second, the fact that this exception was inserted in this bill does not bode well for our campus carry legislation. I guess we will have to see.

SB 730 is now in the Texas House. When you get a free moment, let your Senator know that you appreciate their vote supporting SB 730, and let your Representative know that you would like for them to support this important bill.

Edit: The link to SB 730 above is to the bill "as introduced". Here is the link to the bill that passed the Senate.

Cancellations

The company I work for manufactures an automotive air condition part. When new car sales are up, our business is up. When new car sales are down, so is our production. Well, new car sales are down and have been for quite awhile. Cuts in benefits and overtime over the past couple of years have resulted in pretty close to a 27% decrease in take home pay. Yesterday we were called in to a meeting and learned of the latest cut. Managers and Supervisors are taking an across the board 5% cut in pay. When you do the math, that is over a 30% reduction in pay over the course of a couple years.

I don't mention this to garner sympathy. V and I are going to be okay. We locked in a low 30 year fixed rate mortgage on our fixer-upper home that we purchased below market value. Things are just getting a bit tight and we don't have much in the way of extra money to spend on things like trips to Phoenix in May. The money we have will be better spent replacing the back fence and siding on the Master Bedroom expansion that proves the previous owner of this house knew nothing about carpentry and installing siding.

We are going to have to cancel our trip to the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits and the Blogbash. A trip like that is just not very reasonable this year. I will hold on to the room for a few more days in case one of y'all are going and can't get a room at the hotel with most of the other bloggers. We can just transfer the reservation to your name.

Firearm Related Bills That Should be Opposed This Legislative Session

There are only a few firearms related bills in this Texas legislative session that I am actively opposing. Conspicuous by their absence are bills to limit handgun purchases and close the misrepresented "Gun Show Loophole". I have to wonder if Rep. Yvonne Davis has decided that exercises in futility are indeed futile? Or has she decided that this type of legislation will get more traction on the federal level?

Here are the bills that I am actively opposing:

HB760 / SB2345 An act relating to county regulation of sound levels; providing a criminal penalty. These bills are similar to HB 736 which is a bill "Relating to authorizing county regulation of nuisances and disorderly conduct". I spoke about HB 736 here. These bills will make it easier for antis to shut down shooting ranges and criminalize shooting on ones own property, no matter how much acreage is owned. All that would be needed is one person to file a complaint. These three bills need to be opposed. HB760 and SB2345 are not as onerous as HB736. As written, they regulate noise levels between the hours of 10:00PM and 6:00AM. If these bills become law, the regulated time can be easily expanded. If you decide to contact your representatives about these bills, it may be a good idea to let them know that you are against any statewide legislation concerning noise levels in unincorporated areas of any county. Other bills that seek to regulate noise levels in unincorporated areas are HB1119, HB1507, and SB1893.

HB1164 / SB651: An act relating to restrictions on the use of a stun gun; providing certain criminal penalties and defenses to prosecution. These bills would require an individual to obtain a license similar to a CHL in order to carry or use a stun gun. Other than being stupid, this kind of law would significantly increase the workload on DPS and further delay the processing of Concealed Handgun Licenses. SB94 is a similar bill that would criminalize having a stun gun in your own home with out a license. These bills are nanny state stupidity that, if passed, will end up costing the tax payer many thousands of dollars to support the expanded bureaucracy necessary to issue and keep track of these licenses.

That is pretty much it for this legislative session. Not much to get under my craw. HB1395 is a PETA sponsored bill that is not getting much traction, but should be opposed on general principal. This bill could significantly affect hunters.

Took a Little R&R These...

...past few days. I worked on the yard, played with youngest granddaughter, hung out with friends, got to know oldest daughters new beau, and spent some alone time with V.

I did not watch the news, work on the blog, read much of other blogs, or keep up with email.

For the folks who enjoy reading the blog on a regular basis, I apologize. I just needed some down time.

March 13th Has Come and Gone

So what does that mean for Texans?

March 13th was the last day to file new bills for consideration during the current legislative session. That is it folks, what's on the table is what we have to work with.

Here are the bills that I am actively supporting, and their status so far as I know it.

HB267 / SB1188: An act relating to the interstate purchase of certain firearms.

The NICS has been rejecting out of state long gun purchases for Texans when the transaction was in a state that was not "contiguous" to Texas. In other words I could purchase a rifle from an FFL in Arkansas, but not Kansas. This is due to a poorly written Texas statute. These bills rectify that situation.

HB 267 is in the Public Safety Committee and SB 1188 is in the Criminal Justice Committee.

HB1020: An act relating to the use, exhibition, or possession of a firearm by public school students participating in certain school-sponsored programs and activities sponsored or supported by the Parks and Wildlife Department.

I have previously mentioned HB 1020 here. This bill would open the door to once again allow public school sponsored shooting sports in Texas. The fact that there is no companion senate bill does not bode well for this bill. Getting this bill passed would take one heck of a lot of public support.

HB 1020 is in the Public Education Committee.

HB1301 / SB730: An act relating to an employee ’s transportation and storage of certain firearms or ammunition while on certain property owned or controlled by the employee ’s employer.

In other words, the Employer Parking Lot bills. My most recent thoughts on SB 730 can be found here. A more in depth explanation of why I believe that employers do not have the right to restrict firearm possession in employee vehicles parked parked on company parking lots can be found here.

HB 1301 is in the Public Safety Committee. SB 730 has been considered in public hearing in the Criminal Justice Committee. SB 730 is currently "Pending in Committee".

HB1644 / SB1236: An act relating to admonishments given to a person charged with a misdemeanor.

These bills would require that an individual charged with a domestic violence crime be informed that if he or she pleads guilty or is convicted of a domestic violence crime, they will lose their right to keep and bear arms (not much strength in this "right" if it can so easily be taken away). Many folks don't understand that if they are convicted of a family violence misdemeanor, they will loose their ability to legally purchase or own firearms. Informing them of this fact is the right thing to do.

HB 1644 is in the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. SB 1236 is in the Criminal Justice Committee.

HB1893 / SB 1236: An Act relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education.

These are the the campus-carry bills. These are likely the most important bills on the table this year. For more information on these bills, you can look at the Texas Campus Carry Study or Texas Campus-Carry Bills Have Been Filed.

HB 1893 is in the Public Safety Committee. SB 1236 is in the State Affairs Committee.

HB3684: An act relating to the carrying of a handgun by a disabled person.

This bill would allow an individual with a disability that prevents them from effectively concealing a firearm to open carry that firearm. A CHL is still required. This is an outstanding piece of legislation and I sincerely hope it gets much more coverage than it has.

HB 3684 has not yet been assigned to committee.

HCR76: A resolution memorializing Congress in defense of the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, affirming the right of states to nullify acts of Congress, executive orders, and judicial orders, and calling for the creation of a joint committee to communicate with other states about the limits of federal power.

This is probably my favorite piece of legislation this year. Go ahead, give it a read.

HCR 76 is in the State Affairs Committee.

There is more good firearms related legislation out there. These are the bills that I am currently actively supporting. I have not had time to study all the bills very throughoutly, when I do I may add more to this list.

I will write a post on bills I am actively opposing, then one on bills that I feel you should know about so you can decide if you want to take an active stand supporting or opposing them.

There is a Good Fisking Going on...

...over at Rustmeister's place.

Nothing Good Ever Comes From a Gun-Fearing Wussy

Excellent job Sir!

Hit this Poll

From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

President Obama is contemplating reinstituting the ban on the sale of assault weapons. What do you think of this plan?

Head on over here to add your vote.

Not that they are trying to influence the outcome or anything, but this is the viewpoint that goes along with the poll:

Nothing good comes from a gun

Yeah, I know, all the stories about gun violence are just a huge conspiracy from the liberal, gun-hating media. Please.

If I were in a fisking mood, that article would be an extremely easy target. Gary Stein is quite the pantie waste and hopefully he has no children who look to him to, you know, actually be a father and take care of them in any situation that life may throw at them.

Add your vote to the poll, let them know how we feel.

H/T to Fits.

Employer Parking Lot Bill is...

...scheduled for public hearing tomorrow. On Tuesday, March 17th, the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice will hear SB 730 by Senator Glenn Hegar (R-Katy). SB 730 allows the legal possession of firearms and ammunition in an employee's personal locked vehicle when parked on the employer's parking lot.

This is a bill that we need to support. Call your Texas State Senator tomorrow and urge them to support SB 730. There is absolutely no way that I can get out of work tomorrow to testify at the committee meeting, or else I would be there. Hopefully when its House companion bill, HB 1301, is scheduled for a hearing I will be able to make it.

Here is the phone number for the clerk of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee: (512) 463-0345. Give Vanessa Valdez a call and let her know that we would like the committee to send this bill on as written.

The members of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee are:

Chair:
Sen. John Whitmire

Vice Chair:
Sen. Kel Seliger

Members:
Sen. John Carona
Sen. Rodney Ellis
Sen. Glenn Hegar
Sen. Juan Hinojosa
Sen. Dan Patrick

After you contact your Texas State Senator, it might not be a bad idea to give the members of the committee a call.

You can look here for talking points in support of this bill if you would like.

This is important, call your Texas State Senator tomorrow morning. Better yet, FAX them this evening and follow up with a morning phone call.

More on Shot Placement.

A couple weeks ago I posted an image Illustrating the importance of shot placement. Mike recently came across an FBI academy .pdf that even better illustrates the importance of shot placement.

Praxis: "Shot placement is everything in a gunfight."

Remember, you have to put holes where they do the most good.

Joe is...

...so very helpful.

Arms Sales go Bollywood

H/T to DoubleTapper who has a bit more on this video here.

Today's House Select Committee Meeting...

...was interesting. Very long, but interesting.

Representative Jim Dunnam, the Committee Chair, did an excellent job of chairing this meeting. Everyone who wanted to be heard, had a chance at the mic. Rep. Dunnam also did a great job of explaining the proceedings and the issues at hand.

The meeting was to start at 1030, but that was just not possible. Many, many more people showed up than was anticipated and we had to wait a bit while they expanded the meeting room to make room for all of us. Even with expanding the room by another third, the Fire Marshal ended up turning some people away because we were over capacity. USCitizen from Traction Control and I did make it in.

The meeting started with a brief video presentation that was basically a bit of pro-stimulus propaganda.

After the video we jumped right in to public testimony. Organizations that were invited to testify went first. Several school districts, a few health care organizations, either the North Texas Tollway Authority or TXdot (I think it was TXdot, but I am not 100% sure. Much of the conversation focused on toll roads and toll roads that went by names other than toll roads), and a representative of the broadband internet companies. The broadband guy mentioned a quote that just pretty much stunned me. He stated something along the lines of "We have a social obligation that all have broadband internet access." The stimulus plan already allocates $6.5 Billion for expanding broadband internet access, to him that is not enough.

The best part of the day was the citizen testimony. Much of the citizen testimony focused on the $555 Million in unemployment benefits that Governor Perry turned down. Traction Control did a good job of explaining the strings that are attached to these funds, so I'll let you head on over there for that information. Much of the citizen testimony was emotional and most of it was very well done. The citizens took this opportunity to address the committee seriously and it showed. There were a few more people there asking that the legislature override Governor Perry and accept the $555 Million in unemployment benefits with the attached strings, even though the money would be spent in one month and the additional expenses that come with the strings will go on forever.

It was late in the day when it came to be my turn to testify. My testimony basically asked the committee to take great care with this money, not to treat it as 'found' money, but as money that we have borrowed from our children and grandchildren. I asked that they not fund any projects that would result in recurring legacy costs that would further increase our future tax burden. I made two copies of my testimony, one for the committee and one so I could publish it here. Somewhere between UTA and home I lost my copy. I will link to it when it is published on the committee web site.

Early in the day there were a dozen or so legislators up on the dais. Once the press left, the legislators started trickling out also. By the time it was my turn to testify, there were only two legislators left to hear me. The Committee Chair, Representative Jim Dunnam, and the Senator for my district, Senator Wendy Davis. Senator Davis is not a member of the committee, but she hung in there to the end. She was involved with the testimony, asked pertinent questions, and paid attention to all that was going on. I disagree with much of what Senator Davis stands for, but I am impressed with what she did today.

I walked out of the meeting at 1630, and testimony was still being heard. All written testimony will be published on the Texas Stimulus Fund website here.

We are going to have to keep a close eye on our legislators as they scurry to spend this money on their pet projects. We don't want them building facilities that we can not afford to staff.