[rachilders]

It's a good time to be a gun owner in America. While a lot of people like to complain about restrictive laws and politics or the anti gun groups, just look at what we have now compared to just 10 years ago.

First, we no longer have the Clinton assault weapons ban. We also have the recently passed gun manufactures lawsuit protection act. Brazil voted down a bill just this past week that would have banned almost all civilian owned guns there which if passed, would have been used as a stepping stone to pass similar laws in other countries (including here in the US). Compared to 10 years ago, look at the number of states that now have CC/right to carry laws. Also, look at the improvement in ammo, weapons and gear that has occured and the new guns and calibers that are now available at prices that won't send most of us to the poor house.

There are other things that need to be done and as a gun owner things could still be much better, but these alone should be enough to make most gun owners sit up and rather than talk about the "good old days", consider the fact that compared to what things were like just a few short years ago, these ARE the good old days! Yes, I dare say if I were to look back on what life as a gun owner was like in the 90's or even as recently as 2001, it is a very good time to be a gun owner.

 

[cmidkiff]

+1 Love that positive outlook

 

[P95Carry]

True - or as I like to think - things could be a lot worse. I guess anything we still see as restrictive is not too popular but as long as the ''good fight'' continues then it should be possible to, for instance - see states like MD eventually go shall-issue.

ra - (Robert?) - am I right - the USCCA editorial in last Concealed Carry Mag issue was you? Good piece of work :smile:

 

[AirForceShooter]

Just a few more states to get lined up.
We'll get there.

AFS

 

[Captain Crunch]

Wishful Thinking

Now, if we could just get the Supreme Court to rule that the 2A is indeed an individual right......

 

[FortyFive]

We are fortunate indeed to be living I this time frame of firearms freedom. Here in California we are protected from buying substandard guns by the DOJ. The have a program where the gun mfg must have all guns certified by their labs and placed on the DOJ certified list. Handguns on the list are the only ones allowed to be sold in CA. Other benefits are Oakland has no gun shops, ex Gov Brown seen to that, in this way gun availability by lawful citizens may be hard to come by.
San Francisco is trying to get a complete gun band within the county so the benefit there is people on vacation from other states won’t feel threatened by someone protecting themselves legally with a gun.
I never did research to determine if all the special testing required for each handgun model of a mfg has raised the price or not. What would anyone’s guess be?
They have of course some time ago had a drive on where cop killer bullets and Saturday night specials were outlawed. Thank God we are protected here with good upstanding politicians who in concert with the anti-gun crowd are always quick to offer anti-gun bills taxing ammo being sold, that sort of thing.
SASS had their end of trail get together that lasted maybe a week, it had crowds from all over the country and foreign countries. The end of trail made money for the community as well as the participants. It was a big deal but gun control restrictions began a problem and after 24 years in Southern CA moved the end of trial to New Mexico where they are enjoying the revenue being generated,
When I sold my .22 revolver to a friend I had to be there for the transfer and during the process he had to show he was familiar with the revolver in question. The ritual went something like they used a roped off area at the counter and he stood between the ropes. The counter sales guy using a script had him explain the various things and after he assured them he understood the .22 we completed the paperwork. I spent almost 2 hours at the store to transfer my gun to him. Yes indeed we have come far in gun owner ship here in CA.
Yes, it has been something seeing gun control at its best here in CA. I cannot wait to see what next year brings to improve gun ownership in this state.

 

[Euclidean]

Enjoy it while it lasts guys... the pendulum always swings back and hard.

Hillary will get elected in 2008 and it'll all go to heck again. That is why I am buying reloading equipment and an AR15 NOW, not later, NOW.

 

[P95Carry]

Richard - it is sad that CA behaves as if not part of this great nation - and true enough, there you have way too many problems and restrictions. I can feel and share your cynicism and it needs remembered just how bad things are there.

Euc is right too re what the future may hold - and so definitely get stuff you plan for now if possible and - thinking ahead should make us maintain resolve in the fight. Much as some things have improved as of now - the potential for problems is all too real.

Comparing certain states with the majority rest makes for some stark paradoxes, and concerns too. Guard cannot be allowed to drop one bit.

 

[sarhog]

Florida HB 285

For what it's worth, the NRA-ILA just sent me this.
It's a shame that legislation like this if even needed:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bill Johnson
October 25, 2005 (321) 984-4848


REPRESENTATIVE MITCH NEEDELMAN FILES LEGISLATION TO PRESERVE CITIZENS’ RIGHTS DURING EMERGENCIES

TALLAHASSEE - Representative Mitch Needelman (R-Melbourne) today announced the filing House Bill (HB) 285 to preserve the right of citizens to lawfully possess weapons during an officially declared state of emergency.

“Recent events in the New Orleans area during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina demonstrate that citizens’ right to keep and bear arms are especially important during a state of emergency,” said Representative Needelman, a retired State Law Enforcement Officer. “The very basis for the Second Amendment is to empower citizens with the right to self-protection-and when is self-protection more critical than in a time of disaster?”

HB 285 clarifies the authority of the governor during a declared emergency by asserting that “nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the seizure, taking, or confiscation of firearms that are lawfully possessed.”

The New York Times reported in early September that legally possessed firearms were being confiscated from law abiding citizens, quoting the superintendent of police that "only law enforcement are allowed to have weapons." A Louisiana state statute allows the chief law enforcement officer to "regulate possession" of firearms during declared emergencies.

“HB 285 will ensure that the unconstitutional stripping of citizens’ rights does not occur during emergencies in Florida,” said Representative Needelman. “We have an opportunity to reassert the right to bear arms and avoid the clear violation that occurred in Louisiana.”

HB 285 has been filed for consideration in the 2006 Session of the Florida Legislature. The Legislature is slated to convene on March 7, 2006.

 

[FortyFive]

Chris I have been following gun control for a number of years. The gun people don't understand the anti crowd is in the game for the long run, not a few years but decades. Maryland would offer some screwed up antigun bill and it maybe it would work and maybe not. Then you would see CA doing the same thing, same kind of bill it was like playing ping pong.
The game right now is to shut CA gun owners down with restrictions and see how far it goes. Once the model is a slam dunk other states who are very comfortable with their gun laws will suddenly have a flock of what we are going through.
I sure don't know the answer, well I do its money, but once the push is on the most comfortable place will become a battle ground.

 

[rachilders]

P95 - Yep, that was one of my rants in CCM. They keep asking for a profile and a photo, but I doubt if anyone is interested in looking at my old, hairy face and hearing about my days in the navy or the triplet 6 y/o boys I now have at home.

 

[P95Carry]

Haha - well Robert - Maria has my profile, a cover pic and, an article all on back burner - not sure now the profile anyways will be too flattering to me but hey - I embarrass less easily now :biggrin:

 

[rachilders]

We are fortunate indeed to be living I this time frame of firearms freedom. Here in California we are protected from buying substandard guns by the DOJ. The have a program where the gun mfg must have all guns certified by their labs and placed on the DOJ certified list. Handguns on the list are the only ones allowed to be sold in CA. Other benefits are Oakland has no gun shops, ex Gov Brown seen to that, in this way gun availability by lawful citizens may be hard to come by.
San Francisco is trying to get a complete gun band within the county so the benefit there is people on vacation from other states won’t feel threatened by someone protecting themselves legally with a gun.
I never did research to determine if all the special testing required for each handgun model of a mfg has raised the price or not. What would anyone’s guess be?
They have of course some time ago had a drive on where cop killer bullets and Saturday night specials were outlawed. Thank God we are protected here with good upstanding politicians who in concert with the anti-gun crowd are always quick to offer anti-gun bills taxing ammo being sold, that sort of thing.
SASS had their end of trail get together that lasted maybe a week, it had crowds from all over the country and foreign countries. The end of trail made money for the community as well as the participants. It was a big deal but gun control restrictions began a problem and after 24 years in Southern CA moved the end of trial to New Mexico where they are enjoying the revenue being generated,
When I sold my .22 revolver to a friend I had to be there for the transfer and during the process he had to show he was familiar with the revolver in question. The ritual went something like they used a roped off area at the counter and he stood between the ropes. The counter sales guy using a script had him explain the various things and after he assured them he understood the .22 we completed the paperwork. I spent almost 2 hours at the store to transfer my gun to him. Yes indeed we have come far in gun owner ship here in CA.
Yes, it has been something seeing gun control at its best here in CA. I cannot wait to see what next year brings to improve gun ownership in this state.

I suppose I should have been more specific and said it's a good time to be a gun owner in the United States. The Republik of Kalifornia left the union long ago, strangely about the time ex govenor Jerry Brown, Dianne Feinstein and a few others began getting elected. Guess it proves two axiums my mother told me... you reap what you sow and if you turn a blind eye to injustice, don't be surprised if someone pokes a stick into it.

 

[Chad]

Yes, it is better than 10 years ago.
And that is encouraging...the small steps of progress that let us envision more progress in the future.

But there is still an incredibly long way to go.
The "interesting editorial" thread in this forum is a prime example of the fact that law-abiding gun owners face as much or more threat from government, lawyers and anti-gun proponents than from a BG.

But as this thread states, it's good to remember the positive side. :hand56:

 

[Hunting Coyotes]

Positive because we made it that way!

I will try not to get too far on my soap box, but it's all of us who belong and support the NRA and state NRA affiliates, as well as other pro-gun groups. I'm sure there is not a person on this forum that beleives we are "just lucky" that things have gotten better.

The NRA and grass roots efforts (that means you and me) have gotten off our tails and let our elected representatives know that we want such options as "Shall Issue". Our hard work paid off...yes, the pendulum may swing back...so keep up your vigilance and do what you can do to support the pro-gun and pro-self defense movement.

Soap box off...and back to our regular great programming.

 

[gunthorp]

Keep up the positives. My mag is half full

 

[Free American]

The best part of the politicians in LA stripping citizens of their right to defend themselves is that they were all safe and sound in BATON ROUGE!!!

 

[HiWayMan]

The best thing that ever came of the 10 round mag capacity, in my opinion, is all the small frame autos we have now. I can't forsee that ever having happened if not for assinine legislation. The Glock 26 and 27, the Warthog, the SA Micro-compacts, the SA XD compacts. All great designs brought out in the last 10 years.

 

[rachilders]

Yes, it is a good time for most of us to be gun owners... unless you live in Kalifornia or the independent principalities of Washington, DC and Chicago. I'd considered mentioning San Francisco in particular after the Sep 8th vote to ban guns, but since you can now no longer own a gun in San Francisco, I guess it no longer applies!

 

[Gideon]

Well it isn't if you live in San Francisco. Did you see that they just banned all handguns and ammunition within the city? They join the likes of Chicago and Washington DC. It'll be interesting to see if people leave the city...

As for being a good time? I don't think so. It may seem good only because it's better than a few years ago but compared to fifty, or one hundred, its terrible and the attitude about guns in general is changing. I'd admit concealed carry is making a come back but that's really only getting back a right our forefathers had all along...

I'm acutally disturbed at where I think things are heading over the next twenty years.

Let's all hope I'm wrong....