California’s conservative activists are preparing to battle back Sacramento legislators, who are using the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy and their new super-majority to impose further restrictions on gun ownership.
A Fox News report describes some of the proposed measures:
Political analysts say the political landscape puts California in the pole position to test gun-control limits.
“Almost any idea that anybody in this country has, as to further regulate and limit access to weapons or ammunition, is probably going to get passed in California,” said Democratic strategist and USC law professor Susan Estrich.
Some politicians want to regulate all ammunition sales, requiring background checks and permits.
One Republican lawmaker wants a lifetime ban on gun ownership for anyone who’s ever been ruled a danger to others because of mental health issues — even if they’ve been successfully treated.
Why should this matter to non-Californians? Dawn Wildman, a state organizer for the California Tea Party groups, indicates that California will be a proving ground to determine what gun control advocacy tactics will be most effective.
“It appears that the fight will be in California, rather than nationally.” Wildman said. “The heart of the debate will be around large capacity magazines and assault rifles. They may change the regulations and also enhance the registration process as a means to a bi-partisan solution on the national level. On the state level, the super-majority will look to be as all-encompassing as possible and focus on banning assault rifles or ammunition as a means to an end.”
One of the legacies of the initial phase of the “tea party movement” that started in 2009 is the communication networks built between independent and conservative groups. Several California activists have cited the “Gun Owners of California” (GOC) as being the go-to team for this engagement.
It sure seems like a good choice:
When the legislation to ban semi-automatic handguns, rifles and shotguns surfaced in 1989, GOC was the first pro-gun group on television, radio and in the newspapers to oppose this gun control attack. GOC was the first gun group in the nation to produce a video for television telling the truth about semi-automatic firearms.
When discussing the Golden State, non-Californians often joke about letting it slide into the sea. All jokes aside, any gun control measures that get entrenched here can potentially impact other states (e.g., signed Executive Orders that remain unchallenged by a weak Congress).
So, if you support the Second Amendment, our battle is yours.
Instapundit Prof. Glenn Reynolds shared a history bit on the National Rifle Association today, which highlights the importance of Second Amendment battles in citizen activism. It underscores a critically essential point:
Gun-control legislation is the NRA’s best friend: The organization claims an influx of 100,000 new members in recent weeks in the wake of the elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn. The NRA, already with about 4 million members, hopes that the new push by Democrats in the White House and Congress to curb gun violence will bring the membership to 5 million.
The group has learned the virtues of being a single-issue organization with a very simple take on that issue.
In fact, the outrageous outrage in the wake of Sandy Hook has inspired some Californians to renew their NRA membership!
As California’s battle unfolds, partnership between experienced single-issue groups and engaged conservative citizen organizations will be an extremely important alliance. I will provide reports from the front lines as they come in!
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Comments
Leslie , I think you are hijacking whatever the TP is/ was.
There was very little about guns. The fact is that states have always had varying laws that have stood the test of Constitutional challenges .
That you think a gun owners group is a go to for validation is scary.
Non gun owners in America deserve some thought also. They may not want to be grouped with these other guys .
Can you read? As for non gun owners, that’s their business. Especially when it comes to sleeping in the bed they create.
Dawn Wildman, a state organizer for the California Tea Party groups, indicates that California will be a proving ground to determine what gun control advocacy tactics will be most effective.
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reading hurts……
Dear Banned: I am going to respectfully disagree that I am “hijacking” anything. I am merely reporting how some citizens are directly responding to treats of increasing gun control — beyond purchasing weapons themselves.
I also am demonstrating how some “tea party” groups are working with more established activists on topics they feel are important — instead of trying to do it all on their own. It is perhaps an example other groups may wish to follow.
The groups aren’t going to “gun owners for validation”. It is the fact GOC has experience and resources in handling progressive attacks on the second amendment, and mutual support will be beneficial.
If other “tea party activists” aren’t interested, then they don’t have to join in. They can pursue their own agendas.
California is the test bed for what is doable? Ostrich needs to pull her head out. If nothing else California has proven every libtard experiment has failed.
California is very unique . I cannot think of anywhere on earth remotely similar.
But still , if they have the numbers & it is drafted Constitutionally secure – then they have the right to alter , apply regulations on anything .
Dear jdkchem: I am going to have to respectfully disagree with you as well. “Libtard experiments” have broken out of the test-tubes and spread like viruses.
A good example: Smoking bans. Started here, and spread elsewhere.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/10/health/california-leads-health-laws/index.html
Leslie. The smoking thing is a topic worthy of its own thread.
California does lead the US in the lowest rates . It is a fact that lower smoking rates leads to lower health costs later in life.
Smoking is declining across the west . US is 20%. Can 18 % Aust 13 %.
I welcome comparisons between gun owning & smoking .Not sure what can be made of them though .
I’m not saying we haven’t been deluged with libtard stupidity in the rest of the nation just that if one wants to look at California, or Illinois, New York or Rhode Island, the libtard experiments have been a massive failure. It should not be that grand a leap to realize that if “as California goes so goes the nation” we are thoroughly and truly screwed.
Anybody remember the Rifleman…???
He could put out some serious firepower with that antique lever-action…at least on a par with a modern semi-auto.
Browning and Savage both made or make lever-guns with box magazines, too…
The gun-control people are typical Collectivist magic thinkers.
Browning still does. I find the Remington 760(0) more to my liking as the bolt does not come back into your face and they are box fed.
Like the Savage M-99. A truly advanced weapon, especially when you consider when it was introduced.
Chuck Connors’ rifle was a lever-action .44-40, the same one used by John Wayne in Hondo. For the Rifleman TV show, a gunsmith fitted a little toggle to the trigger cutout on the lever. When flipped forward, the toggle would press the trigger as part of the action of moving the lever.
For the record, similar trigger activating devices or recoil triggering mechanisms would be banned under Di-Di’s new “assault weapon ban”.
[…] California targeted for enhanced gun control activism […]
I really think politicians suffer from two things, the first is that they always need to look like their are doing something, ANYTHING to prove their usefulness, and second, they all suffer from the never ending fight to beat the other side, regardless of the issue. If one side is for A, the other side will fight for all they are worth for B… always loyal to party and not to the will of the people who elected them or what is right for the country. Gun control is the perfect issue for Dems. They can look like they are doing oh so much, trounce the Reps and the individual gets screwed out of a right.
I can see why the Left would want to start the process here. As goes California, so does the nation. And most people I know in the Bay Area are anti-gun bigots. I’m saying “bigots” because they are highly prejudicial against gun owners.
I hope the nude gay days stay local & do not spread . Are the new regs requiring paper towels when siting on infrastructure county or state ?
Not sure the Founding Fathers thought of that need.
Unfortunately no one has mentioned Bobby Jundal who has thrown a fork in the Republican / LeslieTeaParty gun argument.
His PHD in health policy& New Orlean’s homicide rate does allow him comment on guns & mental health . He also proposed over the counter contraceptive availability thereby avoiding health insurance involvement.
I like all them dislikes but guys – I think this one is not going to go all your way. You have to secure the main rights . And that ain’t guns for the mad , the depressed or prescription treated disorders.
You mean Bobby Jindal? I suggest you stick to topics you have some knowledge about. New Orleans is massively corrupt and has had a severe homicide problem for more than 20 years. Furthermore genius Louisianans love their guns so your ignorant unsubstantiated claim means jack shit.
I know the gun laws in Louisiana . I know the homicide rates.
That Bobby Jindal is speaking up about tightening ownership for people with mental issues is significant.
You can ignore it but it has caught international attention.
New York seems to be going first: magazines limited to 7 cartridges, which basically means that small and medium caliber semi-auto handguns will be banned in New York, along with many long guns of all kinds.
They seem intent on testing the limits of the 2nd Amendment.
And apparently, NY Republicans are going along with this, too. Someone needs to give them “the talk.”
This video from the Cato Institute suggests that magazine bans and “scarey-looking gun” bans violate Heller.
Watch it… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6swSM_nqCnk
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