Gun Nut Roundup Sept. 2011

Two Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bills In Congress

Two separate bills designed to help gun owners be able to exercise their Second Amendment rights when traveling outside their home state are winding their way through the U.S. Congress.

 Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) recently introduced  H.R. 2900, “The Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act.”  This bill is being championed by Gun Owners of America (GOA) which says the bill "allows law-abiding citizens who can legally carry concealed in their home state to carry all across the country, as well."  GOA also says: "The SAFE Act also respects the Constitution and states’ powers in that it does NOT establish national standards for concealed carry, nor does it provide for a national carry permit or require a state like Vermont to move to a permit system (in order for its citizens to carry out-of-state)."

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is putting its support behind H.R. 822, the "National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011," introduced by Reps. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.).  According to NRA-ILA, H.R. 822 "would allow any person with a valid state-issued concealed firearm permit to carry a concealed firearm in any state that issues concealed firearm permits, or that does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms for lawful purposes. A state`s laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within its borders. The bill applies to D.C., Puerto Rico and U.S. territories. It would not create a federal licensing system; rather, it would require the states to recognize each others` carry permits[.]"

DOJ To Eliminate ATF?

Katie Pavlich at Townhall.com reports of rumors that the Department of Justice may try to scrap the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Last week ATF offered 400 agents early retirement and sources say a plan is circulating in the DOJ to eliminate the agency and transfer its functions to other agencies.

While many gun nuts may cheer the elimination of the ATF, Pavlich suggests that DOJ may have ulterior motives.  "ATF field agents weren’t the problem with Operation Fast and Furious, high ranking officials within ATF and the Department of Justice were and still are," writes Pavlich.  "DOJ would eliminate ATF only to take the heat off of the Obama Administration. By eliminating the bureau, it makes it seem like DOJ is taking Operation Fast and Furious so seriously, they decided to 'clear out the corruption, clean house,' however, it would only be a distraction away from the people at the top of the investigation."

Court Allows Wolf Hunts To Proceed

Seeking to "win a stay of execution for wolves," several bunny hugger groups sued to halt wolf hunts in Montana and Idaho.  In late August however the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied their motion, allowing the hunts to proceed on the animals which are no longer considered "endangered" in the area.  (For a more in-depth analysis of the Western wolf issue, read Bawb's post here.)

Mike Garrity of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies (one of the groups involved) said of the ruling, “We will continue to fight to protect the wolves and enforce the separation of powers doctrine in the US Constitution.”  Garrity made no mention of the Tenth Amendment however, nor of protecting the moose and elk being eradicated by wolves, nor of protecting the livelihoods of local ranchers.