Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill Includes Amendment Related to Dealers Reporting Multiple Long Gun Purchases

House appropriators advanced the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) appropriations bill to the floor Thursday, but not before adopting two amendments that Democrats could seek to strip out. One of those amendments, offered by Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., would bar funds from being used to require firearms dealers to report to the Justice Department sales of multiple shotguns or rifles to the same person. Overall, the measure’s $51.1 billion allocation represents a $1.6 billion, or 3 percent, cut below the fiscal 2012 spending levels and is $800 million below the $51.9 billion Senate version. Senate Appropriations CJS Chairwoman Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., said Senate leaders have not yet decided which spending measure will move first, adding that her measure, which the Senate Appropriations Committee approved April 19, should be at the top of the queue. Differences between the two will be worked out in conference.  It is anyone's bet whether an appropriations bill will pass before they adjourn for the election, or even during the expected "lame-duck" session. 

AG Cuccinelli to Kick Off Colonial Shooting Academy Grand Opening

Colonial Shooting Academy, billed as the "Nation's Largest Indoor Shooting Range," will welcome Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to kick off their Grand Opening Celebration today at 4:00 pm. Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

Grand Opening Details

• When: Wednesday, April 25 – Sunday, April 29
• Where: Colonial Shooting Academy, 6020 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230
• Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm; Sunday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

The ranges will be closed from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm on Wednesday, April 25 during the grand opening presentation.

Grand Opening Door Prizes

• Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm, #209301, Reg. $549.95
• Apple iPad2, 16GB, Reg. $299.99
• H&R Handi Combo 30-06/20 Ga. #72679, Reg. $234.95
• MGM Targets APS Auto Popper, Reg. 129.95

Is Governor McDonnell Raising Veep Profile?

The Roanoke Times Blue Ridge Caucus blog is reporting that Governor Bob McDonnell's Policital Action Committee (PAC) is running an ad touting his accomplishments of the last 21/2 years.

It can't be because he is preparing for re-election next year because Virginia governors cannot serve more than one term without sitting out four years before running again.  There had been talk early that McDonnell could be a possible running mate for presumed GOP nominee Mitt Romney.  And, McDonnell does fit this mold of smart, ambitious, clean-cut and a little awkward, used by The Hill in describing the type of VP that Romney may select.

Good Response to Those in Denial on Record Gun Sales

You know how the gun ban crowd always say the number of people owning guns has never been lower and how those record background checks are just paranoid current gun owners adding to their arsenal?  Bitter over on the blog Shall Not Be Questioned has a great post debunking that spin.

@TimKaine Skipping Shad Planking Today

Roll Call is reporting this morning that Democrat U.S. Senate Candidate Tim Kaine is skipping the biggest political event of the spring, the Wakefield Shad Planking, which will be held today.  For those not familiar with the Shad Planking, it is held in rural Sussex County at the Wakefield Sportsman Club and is considered the unofficial kickoff of the election year. It includes joke-filled speeches and boney fish nailed to wooden planks and smoked over hot coals, campaign staffed beer trucks serving cold golden beverage to attendees for free, and allows the thousand or so (depending on the election year) attendees a close look at the candidates.

The Wakefield Ruritan Club, the organizer of the longtime event, announced last month that former U.S. Senator and current GOP candidate George Allen would be the Keynote Speaker for this event.  It is unusual for a current candidate to keynot the event.  According to Roll Call, Kaine was also offered the opportunity to be a co-keynoter, but declined.

"Governor Kaine has already campaigned in the region, as recently as last week, and will campaign again there many times between now and Election Day," Kaine spokeswoman Brandi Hoffine said in a statement. "Tomorrow, he'll be meeting with veterans and military families in Hampton Roads and women business leaders in Chesterfield working to expand the strong coalition we've already built that will help us win in November."

Kaine also missed the event last year, which occurred just after he entered the race.  Is it possible that Kaine is following the Obama campaign strategy of ignoring working class white voters?

New Poll Shows Majority of Americans Have Positive View of NRA, Self Defense Laws - #NRAAM

The NY Daily News reported yesterday that a new poll shows a majority of Americans not only have positive view of the National Rifle Association, they also have a positive view of self defense laws that allow "deadly force" to protect your self and your family.

The Reuters/Ipsos survey, released Friday, shows 68% of respondents back the powerful, pro-gun rights lobbying group. There was a division among party lines with 82% of GOPers seeing the NRA in a positive light, versus 55% of Democrats.

The poll also showed that a whopping 87% of surveyed also support self defense laws.  A large number of the respondents, 87%, said they don't believe police could stop all crime and 77% belive "regular" people had to "step up" to prevent crime.

To show just how unimformed average Americans, or possibly the pollsters who created the questions, are when it comes to current gun laws, the poll also asked those surveyed if they support a law limiting "automatic weapons."  There already is a law the limits the sale of automatice weapons.  So, one has to ask, is the the typical media (since Reuters commissioned the poll) tactic of confusing semi automatic firearms with automatic firearms?

@NYDailyNews Sets Up Ambush for NRA at #NRAAM

The New York Daily News extended an invitation to Jackie Rowe-Adams, a New York mother whose two sons were slain by criminals using firearms and the founder of Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E, to attend the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits. One can only gather from this that the intent was to put her face to face with one or more officials of the organization and plead her case for strict gun control.  And that is exactly what happened.

Rowe-Adams, one of the founders of the group Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E., stood in front of the stage where LaPierre appeared to ask for his support on background checks for gun buyers and microstamping.

Mrs. Rowe-Adams' husband had to buy a membership (the article said $25 but advertising for the event said non members could enter for $10) to get into the meeting.  The couple expressed "shock" at the number of families attending the show. 

“You see little babies asking questions about the guns,” she said. “It’s eerie. It’s not a good feeling, and it breaks my heart."

What gun ban advocates either do not understand or don't want to accept, is that the shooting sport is a family activity.  VSSA interviewed a number of the shooters signing autographs at the various manufacturer booths this weekend and there was a common theme - they all started shooting with their parents (all of the female shooters interviewed told similar stories).

So, while the mainstream media take every opportunity to present NRA leaders and members in a negative light, and gun control advocates push for more and more restrictions on freedom, the vast majority of Americans have positive views of the NRA and the right to keep and bear arms.

Day Two of the #NRAAM

As expected, day two has been busier than the first.  The exhibit floor has been packed since the doors opened.  A rainy day in St. Louis has likely helped drive people into the show.  Wayne LaPierre brought the crowd to its feet during the members meeting.  He hit familiar themes but he is always well received by NRA crowds.  Later on the exhibit floor, people crowded around to get a photo with LaPierre.

It wasn't hard to also spot constestants from History Channel's Top Shot taking in the the sights of the show.  Chris Reed from Season 2, as well as Eric "Izzy" Keyes, Greg Littlejohn, and Gabby Franco from Season 4.

Team shooters have been doing mini clinics at various firearm manufacturer booths.  Videos of these will be in upcoming issues of The Bullet.

It's back to the floor for the last few hours of the show.  VSSA coverages ends tonight as I have to return to Virginia tomorrow morning.  All of the interviews will be in The Bullet, as well as here on the blog in coming days.

Huge Crowds on First Day of #NRAAM

People have flooded into the exhibit hall on this first day of the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits.  I have attend 10 of the last 12 meetings and I can't remember seeing such a large crowd on the first day.  It could be the weather, which is currently a thunderstorm (the Cardinals' opener was canceled), or it may be the election year.

Interviews have been conducted with two USA Shooting Team shooters; Janessa Beaman and Caitlan Connor and Bass Pro Shop pro Allen Treadwell.

Janessa Beaman (left), Allen Treadwell (center), and Caitlin Conner (right)

VSSA also spent a few minutes with World and National Champion shooter and author, Julie Golob.

VSSA Legislative Chariman with World and National Champion Shooter Julie Golob

Julie recently wrote and published Shoot: Your Guide to Shooting and Competition.  Shoot is now in its 2nd printing.

The exhibit hall is full of world champion shooters.

Doug Koenig (left), Carl Bernosky (center), and Rob Leatham

For immediate updates, follow VSSA's Twitter feed.  Check the blog for more detailed information late in the day or evening.  Full coverage will be in the next edition of VSSA's member publication, The Bullet.

Mark Levin's Response to Bloomberg's Attack on Self Defense Laws

On the eve of the start of the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg held a press conference to attack the nation's self defense laws, and to chastise the NRA for working to protect and expand those laws.  Bloomberg said "stand your ground" laws don't belong in a civilized society and that such laws are simply a "license to kill." Sounds like Bloomberg has seen one to many James Bond movies.

 Last night, during his program, talk show host Mark Levin addressed Bloomberg's remarks and set the record straight - that these self defense laws make it clear you are not obligated to simply run to escape an attack and you have the right to defend yourself and your family if attacked.

St. Louis Businesses Happy #NRAAM Coming to Town, Detractors Plan Protest

One business owner predicts business will double or triple.  This news report does have one thing wrong when shes talks about guns for sale - no guns will be sold at the Annual Meeting and Exhibits.

You have to love Andrew Arulanandam's (the print report of this story got his name wrong too, referring to him as "Adam") response to the anti-rights state legislator pushing the protest march.

RTD: Rancor reigned at 2012 General Assembly

As the legislature has now been notified of Governor McDonnell's actions on the approximately 1600 bills passed during the 2012 session of the General Assembly, and they prepare to vote on a budget for the Commonwealth next Tuesday, a day before the Reconvened Session to act on the Governor's amendments and vetoes, we have one more article telling us about how social issues caused all of the rancor during the 2012 General Assembly.  All of these articles point to repeal of Virginia's gun rationing law, bills requiring voter identification when attempting to cast a vote on Election Day, and pro-life legislation, as a major reason for the partisanship.  University of Virginia Political Scientist Larry Sabato put it like this:

"There's a different tone. It's a more aggressive tone and a much more partisan tone, and I think it's fair to say the partisanship's on both sides," he said.

Sabato is on to something. The Democrats were not happy when Republican Lt. Governor Bill Bolling cast a tie breaking vote to organize the evenly split State Senate with a Republican majority including all important committee chairmanships.  They resorted to asserting control the only way they could, stopping the passage of a state budget, which required 21 votes in the senate.  Bolling does not have the constitutional power to break a tie on budget votes.  They are still threatening to stop passage of a budget next week.

"You ain't got 21 votes in the Senate for a budget — period," Sen. Richard L. Saslaw, D-Fairfax, said late Thursday. "Not now. Not next week. Not next month. Not June. That's the way it is."

We'll know next week if Virginia is going down the road traveled by politicians in D.C.

Winchester Welcomes Attendees to #NRAAM

If you are going to the NRA Annual Meeting, be sure to stop by the Winchester Booth #1805.

St. Louis Businesses Look Forward To #NRAAM

Businesses are looking forward to this weekend's NRA Annual Meeting, with restaurants having ordered extra food and increased work shifts. An estimated crowd of 70,000 is expected in St. Louis and could possibly break the record of 72,000 set in Charlotte in 2010.

With sentiments like these expressed by business owners:

"These are red-blooded Americans with good American money."

NRA members can expect a warm welcome.

Looks Like It is Romney vs Obama

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum suspended his campaign for President this afternoon.

Rick Santorum abruptly suspended his White House campaign Tuesday, clearing the way for front-runner Mitt Romney to claim the Republican presidential nomination..

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Congressman Ron Paul remain in the race but it is not likely either of them can stop Romney from winning the Republican Nomination.  Romney, Gingrich, and Santorum are all three scheduled to speak at the NRA Annual Meeting on Friday at the Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum.

Hunger Games Star: "Screw PETA"

Last week Cam Edwards of NRANews.com's Cam and Company shared how the hit movie "The Hunger Games" is having a positive impact on the sport of archery.

Now comes word via Petersen's Hunting that the Oscar nominee star of the film also has some choice words for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA):

"Hunger Games" Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence is apparently as cool in real life as she is playing Katniss, a bowhunting supersurvivor in the blockbuster movie. The 21-year-old beauty gutted a squirrel in the most talked-about scene for her role in 2010’s "Winter’s Bone" (for which she was nominated). The scene was not faked, she told Rolling Stone magazine: “I should say it wasn’t real, for PETA,” she said. “But screw PETA.”

Lawrence also told Rolling Stone that after she completes filming of her next movie, she plans to buy a house, a dog, and a shotgun.  You go girl!

Update: PETA has hit back:

"The squirrel was 's**ewed,' not PETA... We hope Jennifer will learn from other young celebrities like Justin Bieber, Lea Michelle and Kellan Lutz, who are using their influence to help, rather than hurt, animals."

I knew there was a reason I did not let my daughters listen to Justin Bieber.

Kopel On Stand Your Ground

Great Op/Ed by Dave Kopel addressing the "stand your ground" myth.

Hat tip to Cam Edwards and NRANews.

The Spin in Senator Howell's Op/Ed Qualifies it as a Thrill Ride

Senator Janet Howell (D-Fairfax) recently wrote this Op/Ed in the Washington Post that says there is "hope" for "reasonable gun laws" in Virginia.  We are used to such pronouncements from the gun ban lobby.  But Senator Howell's spin on the results of the just completed 2012 Session of the General Assembly truely qualifies the article as a thrill ride. Her reasoning:

First, while plenty of pundits thought that the gun lobby would have carte blanche in Virginia this session, there was a remarkable level of pushback from both sides of the aisle. While the media focused on the one-handgun-a-month repeal and a new law that prevents localities from fingerprinting those applying for concealed handgun permits, other gun-lobby priorities, such as allowing guns on college campuses, repealing Virginia’s background-check system and expanding the “castle doctrine” (legal immunity for those who defend themselves against intruders at home) were stopped, along with approximately two dozen lower-priority bills. Additionally, two bills that would make it harder for domestic abusers to carry firearms passed the Senate. The gun lobby has lost some clout in Richmond because a powerful grass-roots movement, led by survivors of the horrific shootings at Virginia Tech in 2007, has organized into an effective opposition, helping Virginians keep their families and communities free from gun violence.

Let's address that last claim first.  For the last four years, individuals associated with victims of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting have lobbied the General Assembly to close the non-existent "gun show loophole."  To date they have had no success.  They also lobbied Governor McDonnell to veto the repeal of Virginia's handgun rationing law.  Again, they failed.  Does this sound like a "powerful grass-roots movement" to you?

Regarding pro-rights groups having "carte blanche" to pass pro-rights legislation during the General Assembly, both the NRA and VSSA had rather modest priorities for the session.  VSSA's priorities were repeal of one gun-a-month and passage of Castle Doctrine.  We also supported repeal of fingerprinting for first time concealed handgun permit (CHP) applicants, clarification of the "Emergency Powers" law, restricting the ability for localities to engage in compensated confiscation schemes ("gun buybacks"), and bills streamlining CHP application procedures. All in all, a rather modest list of priorities.  It is true that the NRA asked for a bill to be introduced that would do away with the state police background check and have the state use the federal NICS check.  That bill however never really garnered support from gun owners as there is a school of thought that why force gun owners to rely on federal checks when the state can do it.  Yes, Virginia charges a $2 fee and the feds do not, and there have been some delays in state checks in tight budget times, but we all remember the backlogs during the Clinton years when NICS all but shut down on major sales days like Black Friday. 

VSSA and NRA was successful in having an amendment included in both the House and Senate Budget to provide more funding to the State Police for background checks.  We will have to wait on the final budget currently being considered in the special session to see if we met with success in the final budget.

Senator Howell would have readers believe that the only victories for gun owners during the 2012 General Assembly were repeal of handgun rationing and repeal of the local option to fingerprint first time CHP applicants.  Lets review what passed this year and anti-rights bills defeated:

HB 20: Emergency Services & Disaster Law; shall not be interpreted to prohibit carrying, etc., of firearms.

HB 22: Firearms; disposition thereof acquired by localities. (restrictions on compensated confiscation)

HB 26: Concealed handgun permit; failure to produce upon demand of a law-enforcement officer, penalty

HB 364: Criminal history record information; record check to be performed on prospective transferee. (annual gun show bill)

HB 375: Firearms; workplace rules by localities.

HB 458: Firearms; locality may adopt an ordinance that prohibits in libraries.

HB 754/SB 67: Concealed handgun permit applications; removes option for locality to require applicant fingerprint.

HB 940/SB 323: Handguns; eliminates prohibition on purchasing more than one in a 30-day period.

SB 563: Concealed handgun permits; application procedures.

That's not a bad list of accomplishments for the year.  It is true that campus carry went nowhere but that is not a change from previous years.  It has never had a hearing.  Most folks would consider that a positive for the anti-rights folks only if it had received positive action in the past and is now not being considered. Castle Doctrine did pass both houses for the first time but then got hung up in concerns that the bills may negatively impact current protections in Virginia common law.  In the end, both houses decided they did not have time to deal with fixing the bills to insure they did no harm so one was defeated, and one carried over so that it can at least be considered in the interim.

Howell also considers another positive for gun banners to be polling numbers from Christopher Newport University that found 66 percent of voters statewide wanted to retain the one-handgun-a-month law.  She also touts a poll conducted of in what she calls two south western Virginia Senate Districts.  According to that poll:

●Voters in both districts want to make gun laws stronger, not less restrictive.
●More than seven in 10 voters oppose guns on campus.
●More than six in 10 voters oppose the repeal of one-gun-a-month.
●Ninety-four percent of gun owners support universal background checks.

First, no one has proposed doing away with background checks, only eliminating the state check in favor of the federal check.  Be that as it may, one would think such findings would have already impacted elections.  Howell says these finding show just how much the politics of guns is misunderstood in Virginia. 

Howell is not the first anti-rights person to spin something positive out of annual legislative defeats, and she won't be the last.