Oklahoma Higher Education is Anti-Second Amendment

The true story how Oklahoma Higher Education kill HB 3354 'Oklahoma Open Carry' and other Second Amendment bills in the Second Session of the Fifty Second Oklahoma Legislature, with the help of the OU Lobbyist Chad Alexander and Danny Hilliard.

If a Bank in Oklahoma did this, i would use it!

Only in TEXAS, Enlightened Banking and believers in the Second Amendment.

Chappell Hill Bank is a small town bank, between Houston and Brenham on
Highway 290

Sen. Ellis Pleased Feds Upheld His Second Amendment Protection Law

State Senator Jerry Ellis called Wednesday’s ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals a major victory for second amendment rights and the rights of Oklahomans. The federal panel’s ruling upheld state law that allowed workers to have legal firearms in their locked vehicles. Ellis, D-Valliant, filed the original legislation when he was a freshman member of the House of Representatives.

“Having a gun for hunting or for protection is simply a way of life for most people in rural Oklahoma. When a major employer in my district started firing people for having their firearms in their vehicles, I was outraged,” Ellis said. “I was elected to the Legislature soon after this happened, and I knew I had to do whatever I could to stop this assault on our second amendment rights.”

Shortly before Ellis’ legislation was set to become law, it was challenged by various corporations who had argued against the statute claiming it was a workplace safety issue. A lower court had ruled that safety rules established by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act trumped state laws, but the 10th Circuit Court disagreed.

“I see this as a major victory for Oklahoma citizens. We’ve succeeded in protecting their second amendment rights, and this has also been a victory for states rights as well,” Ellis said. “When all is said and done, I believe this will have been one of the most important measures I will have passed in my legislative career.”

Rep. Ritze Bill Would Allow Open Carry

Oklahomans would be allowed to carry a visible rifle, shotgun or pistol without a handgun license under a bill filed by state Rep. Mike Ritze.

“In Oklahoma, carrying a rifle or shotgun in your pickup is an accepted practice and most Oklahomans believe they should have the right to carry their guns openly if they have not been convicted of a crime,” by Ritze, R-Broken Arrow. “I hope my fellow lawmakers will approve this bill in committee. It is an affirmation of their belief in our Second Amendment rights.”

House Bill 1414 specifies that the firearm would have to be carried in a belt holster, a scabbard or a case designed for carrying firearms that is “wholly or partially visible.” Currently, Oklahomans by law may carry an unloaded, visible rifle, shotgun or pistol to hunt, in a class, at a sporting event or in a police or military function without a handgun license.

“I believe House Bill 1414 will make it crystal clear that you can have a hunting rifle in your vehicle under most circumstances,” Ritze said.

Ritze noted that he planned to support several gun bills filed by other lawmakers during the 2009 legislative session including a bill that would create lifetime concealed carry licenses.

“Oklahomans oppose most gun restrictions with the exception of preventing convicted felons from purchasing firearms,” Ritze said. “The Second Amendment guarantees our right to bear arms, however, and as I was elected to uphold our rights, I will do my best to eliminate gun restrictions I see as unreasonably restrictive.”

Protecting 2nd Amendment Rights Moves to House Floor

A bill that would forbid employers from asking a potential employee if they own a firearm passed out of committee this week.

The legislation, House Bill 1025, is in response to President Barack Obama asking potential cabinet members if they owned or possessed a firearm, and if so, for its registration information on their background application.

Rep. Rex Duncan, author of the bill, criticized Obama’s question as an infringement on Second Amendment rights and wants to make sure no Oklahoma employers, both public and private, are allowed to ask a similar question on a job application.

“I was deeply offended by President Obama’s question,” said Duncan, R-Sand Springs. “I think Oklahoma employers are smarter than to ask a question like that as a term of employment, but this legislation will make sure.”

“It is inappropriate for any employer to exploit an employment application to determine a person's job eligibility or to breach their privacy and constitutional rights,” said Chris W. Cox, the executive director of the National Rifle Association - Institute for Legislative Action. “Gun owners and hunters are grateful for the leadership of Representative Duncan for his efforts to preserve their privacy and Second Amendment rights.”

The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee this week and will next be heard for a full vote on the House floor.

SEATTLE HOMICIDE STATS DON’T SUPPORT NICKELS GUN BAN SCHEME

Homicide statistics for 2008 in Seattle do not justify a proposal by anti-gun Mayor Greg Nickels to ban legally-carried handguns from public property, nor his plan to lobby for a change in the state’s preemption law, the Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation said today.

“Less than half of Seattle’s homicides in 2008 involved firearms,” noted SAF founder Alan Gottlieb, “and about one-third were gang-related. Yet Mayor Nickels would have the public believe there is a dire need to violate state statute and the civil rights of law-abiding gun owners, by challenging a state preemption statute that has stood for more than two decades as a model of efficiency and effectiveness that other states have copied.”

Gottlieb noted that Seattle’s 28 homicides pale in comparison to those logged in similar-sized cities, where concealed carry is forbidden. Milwaukee, WI reported 71 homicides in 2008, and Washington, D.C. posted 186 killings. Only in Seattle may citizens legally carry concealed handguns. In Baltimore, MD, where it is virtually impossible to get a carry license, there were 234 slayings last year.

“The figures from those other cities are staggering,” Gottlieb observed. “Yet in Seattle, where thousands of residents and thousands more visitors from all over the state, come and go legally armed, Nickels claims there is a public safety issue.

“Mayor Nickels is using one isolated non-fatal incident at last year’s Folklife Festival to push an agenda item for Washington CeaseFire,” he suggested. “Perhaps the mayor is trying to deflect public attention from his outrageous failures as a leader, from losing a professional basketball franchise to being unable to replace the aging Viaduct, and finally being forced to flip-flop on such a simple problem as snow removal.

“Nickels is firing blanks,” Gottlieb said. “He should channel his energy to disarming gangs and locking up their members, not harassing law-abiding citizens.”

Rep. Proctor Seeks Repeal of Taxes on Second Amendment

State Rep. Eric Proctor said he will file legislation to repeal the sales tax on the purchase of guns or ammunition in Oklahoma.

“As Americans, we should not have to pay a tax to exercise our constitutional rights – especially our Second Amendment rights,” said Proctor, D-Tulsa.

The measure, by Proctor and State Sen. Kenneth Corn (D-Howe), will not affect any dedicated revenue stream for wildlife or other programs and the measure would have minimal impact on the state treasury.

“In Oklahoma, we have a long tradition of sportsmanship and hunting that precedes statehood and we should protect that heritage,” Proctor said.

He said the tax should also be repealed because it could be a barrier for those needing protection.

“People shouldn’t have to pay a tax to the government if they need a gun in the home for self-protection,” Proctor said. “No matter what, the responsibility to protect your family is greater than the state’s need to generate taxes.”

Assault Weapons Ban Introduced…by Five R.I.N.O.'s

Hat Tip to Duane @ All American Blogger

Define R.I.N.O.:
A
Republican In Name Only

Examples of the type of Republican covered under this definition are:

Rep. Mark Kirk [R-IL]
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R-FL]
Rep. Michael Ferguson [R-NJ]
Rep. Christopher Shays [R-CT]
Rep. Michael Castle [R-DE]

These five supposed Republican are nothing more than jackasses in elephant’s clothing.

Rep. Mark Kirk has introduced a bill, H.R. 6257: Assault Weapons Ban Reauthorization Act of 2008, which would “To reinstate the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act.”

The bill has been co-sponsored by the other four jackasses listed above. All of them claim to be Republicans.

All of them need to leave the party.

Seriously.

Go.

We don’t need your kind anymore. It is this kind of stuff that lost the Republican majority in Congress. No, not this particular issue, but the failure to adhere to Republican values in general. If you want to behave like a gun-grabbing Democrat, go sit on their side. It is better that the Republicans be in the minority, but true to conservative values than to be in the majority with no clear values at all.

The problem with gun violence isn’t that law abiding citizens have access to assault weapons, whatever that means. It’s that criminals use them to commit crimes. Read that last sentence. Commit crimes is the key part of that sentence. Having these guns be illegal will not limit the criminal’s access to them. It will only make them better armed than their victims.

I found out about this through the Jawa Report, who saw it on The Arsenal. Tip of the hat to both of them.

By the way, the phone number to Rep. Kirk’s office is 202-225-4835. Let him know how you feel about his actions.

GOA Congressional Voter Guide Released

With the election less than one month away, Gun Owners of America is doing its best to keep gun owners informed about who is protecting your rights in the Congress.

Many gun owners are familiar with the differences between the candidates at the presidential level, but how well do they know the views and actions of those who are running at the congressional level?

On the campaign trail, almost no candidates for Congress admit to being against gun rights, making the tasks of compiling the Gun Owners of America congressional candidate rating both more difficult, and more important.

GOA determines grades for candidates first based on any past voting record. Then, all candidates receive a detailed questionnaire. But what about those with no record and who were not open enough to return a questionnaire that would reveal their true colors?

In past elections such candidates could be assigned grades by simply going to a campaign website. Learning what a candidate thought about issues like banning "assault weapons" and waiting periods for handgun purchases was lurking behind a button labeled "gun control."

Not any more. For one thing, it's virtually impossible to find a link that says "gun control" on any campaign website. If a candidate mentions gun rights at all (and most don't) it is usually in the context of "protecting Second Amendment rights."

A reader will find comments such as this one, referring to the recent Supreme Court decision striking down the gun ban in the nation's capital:

"I agree with the Supreme Court's interpretation last week that an absolute prohibition against gun ownership violates the Second Amendment right for citizens to bear arms."

That may sound good at first blush, but a careful reading will reveal that this statement -- made by a former mayor who had considered joining other cities in suing gun makers out of existence in 1999 -- is almost meaningless.

Facing this kind of doublespeak, it is especially important that voters take advantage of tools like the 2008 Gun Owners of America voter guide.

The stakes are high in this election, as they always are. The main focus is on the presidential race. If elected, Barak Obama would be the most anti-gun president this country has ever seen, and his vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden is just as bad. John McCain has been all over the map on the gun issue, but he did choose a stellar pro-gun running mate in Sarah Palin.

While the White House may be up for grabs, liberal Democrats are in firm control of both chambers of Congress. With all the media attention on the race at the top of the ticket, it is important to remember that it is in the Congress where most of the battles over gun rights occur.

Help Elect Pro-gun Champion Lou Barletta To Congress

Lou Barletta, mayor of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, is best known for his fight against illegal immigration.

But the mayor is also a staunch advocate for Second Amendment rights, and he is now seeking a seat in Congress.


Mayor Barletta is running in Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional District, in the part of the country Barak Obama believes is populated by "bitter" people "clinging" to their guns.

Although Lou Barletta is a gun owner himself, what he really clings to is the Constitution, liberty and freedom.

Lou is in a tight race against a long-time incumbent who plays it both ways on the gun issue. Lou's opponent sometimes casts votes in favor of gun rights, but at other times, he can be found toeing the line of anti-gun Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. That's not leadership -- that's grinding the Second Amendment into the dust.

Gun owners and sportsmen need reliable voices to represent them in the U.S. Congress. Lou Barletta is a powerful, articulate advocate of Second Amendment rights. It's up to us to see him through to the finish line.

Lou will bring proven leadership to Congress. When gun issues come to the floor of the House, gun owners will not have to wonder if Lou Barletta will stop by the Speaker's office to find out how to vote.

Lou Barletta will stand with you in Congress. I urge you to stand with Lou now. Go to loubarletta.com and make the largest contribution you can.

Born and raised in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Lou Barletta learned the value of hardwork at an early age. Lou worked side by side with his father Rocky, mother Angeline and his three brothers in the family business - A. Barletta and Sons Road Construction, and Barletta Heating Oil.

After graduating from Hazleton High School and attending Luzerne County Community and Bloomsburg State Colleges, Lou left school early to pursue a major-league baseball career, trying out with the Cincinnati Reds. He jokes that his inability to hit a curve ball led him back to Hazleton.

Once home, Lou married the former MaryGrace Malloy. The couple have four daughters: Kelly, 27; April 26; Lindsey, 23; and Grace, 21.

In 1984, Lou and MaryGrace founded Interstate Road Marking Corp., a pavement marking business. Starting with just small spray paint cans they built IRM into the largest pavement marking contractor in Pennsylvania.

By the mid-1990s, Lou became concerned about the direction Hazleton was heading. And even though the city was overwhelmingly Democrat, Lou campaigned for and won a seat on city council - the only elected Republican on the five-member board.

It was during his first term that Lou saw that, despite his best efforts, Hazleton’s stability was still slipping away. Lou knew he had to do more.
Lou ran for mayor on a platform of bringing business sense into city government. Lou won by a 2-1 margin.

When Lou took office in January 2000, Hazleton was in worse shape than anyone realized, with a large deficit and budget shortfall. Hazleton had illegal contracts with all four of its unions. There was a general lack of communication and accountability at virtually every level of the city’s government. Layoffs seemed like the only option.

Demonstrating the leadership and courage that has marked his entire life, Lou went right to work. He and MaryGrace sold Interstate Road Marking (by that time, the nation’s sixth largest company of its type) so he could focus his full attention on fixing the city’s problems.

Within the first few months of 2000, Hazleton was in the middle of a complete turnaround.

Through prudent fiscal management and tough choices, the entire budget shortfall was erased. All four contracts were renegotiated. Hazleton earned the Governor’s Award for Fiscal Accountability and Best Management Practices.

Hazleton’s turnaround became one of the best municipal success stories in the entire state of Pennsylvania.

And when an influx of illegal immigration threatened the financial foundation of the city and brought gang violence, drugs and crime to peaceful neighborhoods, Lou never hesitated or waivered. Lou stood up, passed one of the toughest illegal immigration ordinances in the country and again brought the city back from the brink.

Lou Barletta is a leader with a proven record and the courage to stand up for a better Northeast Pennsylvania and America.