ACSL Archives
PLEASE NOTE: We have tried to maintain links where possible,
but due to the archival nature of these articles,
some links may have changed or be otherwise unavailable.
Tribute To Our Veterans
Pittsburgh Marriott North
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Sponsored by Senator Jane Orie
Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced that Pennsylvania has entered into a new reciprocity agreement with Arizona to promote the lawful carrying of concealed firearms
On February 19, Attorney General Tom Corbett announced that his office has successfully negotiated a reciprocity agreement with Arizona that provides for the mutual recognition of each state's licenses to carry concealed firearms. This agreement comes on the heels of the much-anticipated agreement just months ago with West Virginia and is part of a remarkable string of successes of the office of Attorney General in negotiating these agreements throughout the United States.
The Allegheny County Sportsmen's League, the Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Association, and the Pennsylvania Firearms Owners Association have been working with members of the attorney general's staff since last August (2007) on this particular agreement along with several others. We've also been communicating with representatives of the Arizona grassroots gun owners groups to show a mutual desire in both states to enter into an agreement.
On behalf of The Allegheny County Sportsmen's League and the organizations listed above I would like to commend the Attorney General for his diligence and determination in pursuing these agreements. These agreements contribute significantly to the safety and security of citizens in each state and in fact there are recorded instances of self-defense situations arising just weeks after some of these agreements.
Attorney General Tom Corbett will be appearing as a guest speaker at the Allegheny County sportsmen's league's annual banquet and gun owners are encouraged to attend this banquet so that they can personally thank the Attorney General for his support of our rights and freedoms. Anyone interested in attending this banquet can contact Mike Maranche, president of the Allegheny County sportsmen's league, for additional details and tickets.
3
rd AnnualRight to Keep and Bear Arms Rally
Monday, April 7, 2008
Rally kicks off at 10 a.m.
State Capitol Rotunda, Harrisburg, PA
Click Here for
Gunowners Help Needed To Stop Harrisburg Gun Control Juggernaut
A big anti-gun-rights conference is set for 3 p.m. April 9 in
Pittsburgh, at Duquesne U.
Ten of the top anti-rights people (Kellerman, Hemenway, James Brady, more) are
set to appear.
To provide "balance," one speaker, gun-law expert Alan Korwin, will address the
audience.
Symposium and RSVP info:
http://www.duq.edu/handgun
Info on Korwin: http://www.gunlaws.com
It's important that some pro-rights people attend.
Anyone in the Pittsbugh area who can attend should do so.
C-SPAN may broadcast the event.
Admission is free.
Because the crowd will likely be hoplophobic, vigorously anti-rights, and terrified of guns and gun owners, anyone who attends should go to great lengths to be respectful, refrain from caustic argument, and do more listening than talking to better understand how these people feel, think and react. The more you understand this side of the aisle, the more effective you can be in the future.
Please remember to refrain from any behavior that might reinforce
stereotypes or upset attendees. Don't wear rags.
--
Thanks.
Alan.
--
Alan Korwin
Bloomfield Press
"We publish the gun laws."
4848 E. Cactus, #505-440
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
602-996-4020 Phone
602-494-0679 Fax
1-800-707-4020 Orders
http://www.gunlaws.com
alan@gunlaws.com
Call, write, fax or click for free full-color catalog
(This is our address and info as of Jan. 1, 2007)
If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you're reading this in English, thank a veteran.
"No one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing
because he could do only a little."
--Edmund Burke
Cold Water Increases Risk of Boating Fatalities
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) strongly encourages boaters to wear their life jackets on cold Pennsylvania waters.
Despite a drastic decline in boating fatalities from 2006, the PFBC stresses the dangers of not wearing a life jacket, especially in cold water where sudden immersion (cold water shock) can kill a boater within seconds of submersion. The PFBC encourages boaters to be safe on the water by wearing their life jackets and taking a safe boating course.
“Too many people are still dying because they don’t recognize the danger of cold water,” PFBC Boating and Access Director Dan Martin said. In every fatal accident in 2007, except one, cold water shock was a probable factor. The vast majority of the fatalities happened when a small boat capsized or the victim fell overboard.
“The sad thing is that all the fatalities were preventable,” Martin said.
The number one way to be safe on the water is to wear a life jacket. Eighty percent of all recreational boating fatalities could be prevented if the victim had been wearing a Coast Guard approved life jacket at the time of the accident. Only two of the boating accident victims in 2007 were wearing a life jacket at the time of the mishap that resulted in their death. None of the victims were known to have taken a boating safety course.
Learn how to become a more responsible boater by visiting the Water & Ice Safety page of the PFBC website and always remember...
BE SAFE. WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET.
Source: PA Fish & Boat Commission
YOUR Help Needed With Gun Bill Vote Set For Monday March 17 (HB 1845)
District Attorneys Association oppose Levdansky amendment – Click Here
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency has launched a new website to increase
awareness about possible harm to the environment from chemicals
found in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, perfumes, and other
personal care products. The website www.epa.gov/ppcp
offers consumer tips on properly disposing of these products to
help prevent pollution.
Studies have shown that pharmaceuticals are present in our
nation’s rivers. As EPA scientists and other researchers
continue to investigate the environmental effects, the agency
suggests one straight-forward way consumers can help out –
properly disposing of expired and unused prescription drugs. The
federal government has developed guidelines that strike a
balance between environmental protection and human health risks
for poison or abuse from discarded medications:
- Take unused, unneeded or expired prescription drugs out of
their original containers and throw them in the trash.
- Mix prescription drugs with an undesirable substance like
unused coffee or kitty litter, and put them in an impermeable
container such as empty cans or sealed bags.
- Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the label
specifically instructs doing so.
- Participate in community pharmaceutical take-back programs
that allow the public to bring unused medications to a central
location for proper disposal.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Concealed Carry Permit Issuance Problems Growing in PA
Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office Problems:
Despite a written guarantee from the Allegheny County Sheriffs’ office from several years ago regarding notification of expiration and early renewals, this office has recently been refusing to allow ‘early renewals’ of Licenses to Carry Firearms.
We have also been receiving complaints about spotty notices being sent out for renewals as well.
We are currently exploring the reasoning behind these position changes and our options for addressing them. Early indications are that the PA State Police have adopted regulations that ‘prohibit’ early renewals by Sheriffs in contravention of Section 6109 in the Uniform Firearms Act.
We will have a more in depth report on this next month.
Gun Owners in PA Face Stiff Election Odds AGAIN in 2008
In 2006 the anger over the Rendell instigated Pay Raise resulted in over 50 House Seats changing hands or incumbents being voted out. It appears that 2008 will bring significant change AGAIN to the political landscape. The legislators listed below are either retiring or seeking other office thus creating an opportunity and a challenge for gun owners to elect freshmen legislators who embrace our freedoms.
· Rep. McIlhattan Rep. Yewcic
· Rep. Bennington Rep. Mantz
· Rep. Tangretti Rep. Raymond
· Rep. Steil Rep. Rubely
· Rep. Hershey Rep. Nailor
Rep. Nickol Rep. Leach
· Sen. Armstrong Sen. Williams
There are additional House members considering retirement and/or advancement into other offices (i.e. PA State Senate or Congress that are as yet unconfirmed).
A quick review of these races reveals that gun owners are taking the lions share of hits in these districts.
The time is now to prepare to volunteer your time and efforts to helping candidates get elected that espouse our views and beliefs. It is a ‘guaranteed’ fact that the anti-gun groups are preparing and mobilizing to do the same.
Message Below Was Posted on a Statewide Gun Owners Forum (PAFOA-www.pafoa.org):
Small Victory and Allegheny County
One of my former trainees lives out-of-state, but has family in Allegheny County and has a LTCC. When he went to renew it in August, he was denied because he is not a "resident of Allegheny County." Rather than make internet posts and bark about his rights from the porch, he decided to fight it.
I went to the Sheriff's office to file an administrative appeal. Nobody there had a clue what I was talking about. In fact, I was told my client was "not denied" - they just refused to issue his renewal because "you have to live in Allegheny County." (????) I was also told the prior Sheriff "was wrong" to issue the permit in the first place.
I finally wrung a "denial appeal form" out of them, which is one page. It has about six inches of blah blah blah, and about two inches of space to explain why one is appealing. I threw that away, and send a letter to the Solicitor for the Sheriff's Department, laying out the law establishing the right of out-of-state residents to obtain a permit here, and under what conditions.
mmended the staff at the Sheriff's office be reversed, and that my client's LTCC be renewed. The Sheriff now understands the requirements of the law. The total cost was well under $1,000.
There are many ways to fight. Some work well, some not so well.
Biting the bullet and going through the legal system works much better than mf'ing the cops or sitting on the porch and barking.
Lo, and behold, the Solicitor has now advised me he has reco
Quote:
Originally Posted by elston32
However, the fact
that an individual who live out-of-state has to hire a professional to
inform local law enforcement in-state law they should already know is
really annoying and an unreasonable burden.
---elston.
Yes, it is. But it is much easier than having to choose between knuckling under or risking your life.
Too many people use the fact the system is not perfect (slow, expensive, stacked in favor or monied interests, sometimes gives bad results) as an excuse to do nothing . . . nothing, that is, but whine or bluster.
There will always be somebody (be it individual official or group) who will try to dominate. It may be unfortuante, but, in life, "always the big fish eats the little fish." The question is not whether it should happen, because it will. The question is how one can resist.
I think it is important to recognize that one of the great things about the United States is we can resist government excess or abuse without having to put it all on the line.
This is why I am so contemptuous of those who proclaim: "They can have my gun when they pry my dead, cold hands from around it!* [* So long as I don't have to spend any money, miss any work, or risk getting my name on a list.]" Legal means of resistance are at hand, but these guys always have a reason not to put themselves out. They disregard a precious right to which we were all born (at the expense of those who went before us) simply because it is inconvenient. Then they attempt to cover thier sloth, selfishness and/or cowardice with a bumper-sticker slogan.
I feel very fortunate that it is not necessary for things to come to a choice between physical resistance or subjugation. I am grateful for this right in part because I know those who always have a reason not to put themselves out to defend thier rights in court or take a day off to attend a protest will ever risk their lives to help anyone, even themselves.
My client does not appear to have ever had a moment's doubt. It was just a matter of fact that he was going to fight. He was not happy, but he was not confused about what needed to be done.
If 10% of gun owners were like him, we would not have the problems we have.
http://www.pafoa.org/forum/concealed-open-carry-121/14278-small-victory-allegheny-county.html
Allegheny County Sportsmen's League, Inc.
Pennsylvania Sportsmen’s Association
PRIORITY: High
December 10, 2007
***LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT***
Issue: Pending Judiciary Committee Action – House Bill 641
On Tuesday December 11, the House Judiciary Committee will finally consider legislation that will help to reduce violent crime in Pennsylvania. HB 641 (Castle Doctrine) by Rep. Cappelli.
The bill will not make it out of committee unless you generate support. Please contact the members of the Judiciary Committee and let them know that you support this legislation.
HB 641 does not change the use of force requirements. What it does do is eliminate the honest citizens duty to retreat when confronted by violent criminals and provide honest citizens with legal protection if they defend themselves from criminals. It contains an anti-carjacking provision that will change state law so that if a criminal illegally and forcibly enters an occupied vehicle, the presumption is that he intends to harm the passengers. Protections against civil actions are also provided, should your assailant or his relatives sue you for harming the criminal when you defended yourself.
This legislation has been enacted in nearly twenty states and is pending in even more.
Killers are more concerned about law-abiding citizens than police having firearms. This was proven in the Wright-Rossi study and more recently by the example that the Columbine killers (Dylan and Klebold) “shared opposition to a bill in the state legislature that would have made it easier to carry concealed weapons” (NYT, 6/29/1999).
The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, in collusion with Ed Rendell and others, walked off the floor of the house this past Wednesday demanding the surrender of OUR gun rights and vowing not to return unless GUN CONTROL bills are passed. Rendell, Operation Ceasefire, and the usual antigun mayors will be gathering in Harrisburg Monday 10 Dec 2007 to demand MORE gun control. They will be lobbying the Judiciary committee in opposition to this legislation and our right to be free from unwarranted persecution by anti-gun authorities.
It is up to each of us once again to see to it that this legislation is passed into law and it all begins on Tuesday the 11th of December.
Members of the House Judiciary Committee are listed below (Please focus on the Pro-gun and Undecided legislators once again):
**Representatives listed below are Committee Leadership
State
Representative Thomas R. Caltagirone
(D-127), Majority Chairman
106 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202127
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2127
(717) 787-3525
Fax: (717) 772-5401
tcaltagi@pahouse.net
State
Representative Ron Marsico
(R-105), Minority Chairman
218 Ryan Office Building
PO Box 202105
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2105
(717) 783-2014
Fax: (717) 705-2010
rmarsico@pahousegop.com
State Representative Daylin Leach
(D-149), Secretary
109A East Wing
PO Box 202149
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2149
(717) 783-9114
Fax: (717) 787-0861
dleach@pahouse.net
**Representatives listed below are Pro
2nd Amendment
State Representative Deberah
Kula (D-52)
104A East Wing
PO Box 202052
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2052
(717) 772-1858
Fax: (717) 780-4784
dkula@pahouse.net
State Representative Joseph A.
Petrarca (D-55)
220 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202055
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2055
(717) 787-5142
Fax: (717) 705-2014
jpetrarc@pahouse.net
State Representative Jesse White
(D-46)
102B East Wing
PO Box 202046
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2046
(717) 783-6437
jwhite@pahouse.net
State Representative Tom C.
Creighton (R-37)
400 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202037
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2037
(717) 772-5290
Fax: (717) 783-1904
tcreight@pahousegop.com
State Representative Craig A.
Dally (R-138)
211 Ryan Office Building
PO Box 202138
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2138
(717) 783-8573
Fax: (717) 705-1849
cdally@pahousegop.com
State Representative John R.
Evans (R-5)
B12 Main Capitol Building
PO Box 202005
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2005
(717) 772-9940
Fax: (717) 772-7099
jevans@pahousegop.com
State Representative Will Gabig
(R-199)
410 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202199
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2199
(717) 772-2280
Fax: (717) 705-2012
wgabig@pahousegop.com
State Representative Glen R.
Grell (R-87)
404 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202087
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2087
(717) 783-2063
Fax: (717) 772-8418
ggrell@pahousegop.com
State Representative Beverly
Mackereth (R-196)
7 East Wing
PO Box 202196
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2196
(717) 783-2655
Fax: (717) 772-9869
bmackere@pahousegop.com
State Representative Todd Rock
(R-90)
162A East Wing
PO Box 202090
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2090
(717) 783-5218
Fax: (717) 260-6505
trock@pahousegop.com
State Representative Katie True
(R-41)
143A East Wing
PO Box 202041
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2041
(717) 705-7161
Fax: (717) 705-1946
ktrue@pahousegop.com
State
Representative Tina Pickett (R-110)
155A East Wing
PO Box 202110
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2110
(717) 783-8238
Fax: (717) 705-1949
tpickett@pahousegop.com
State Representative John E. Pallone
(D-54)
325 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202054
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2054
(717) 783-1819
Fax: (717) 772-9984
jpallone@pahouse.net
State Representative Don Walko (D-20)
121 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202020
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-5470
Fax: (717) 783-0407
dwalko@pahouse.net
State
Representative Sean M. Ramaley (D-16)
323 Main Capitol Building
PO Box 202016
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2016
(717) 787-4444
sramaley@pahouse.net
State Representative Carl W. Mantz (R-187)
53B East Wing
PO Box 202187
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2187
(717) 787-3017
Fax: (717) 772-9869
cmantz@pahousegop.com
**Representatives listed below are Uncommitted on these issues
State Representative Kate Harper (R-61)
149A East Wing
PO Box 202061
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2061
(717) 787-2801
Fax: (717) 787-2022
kharper@pahousegop.com
State Representative Bernie O'Neill (R-29)
B13 Main Capitol Building
PO Box 202029
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2029
(717) 705-7170
Fax: (717) 783-3278
boneill@pahousegop.com
**Representatives listed below are dedicated Anti 2nd Amendment Fanatics
State Representative Kathy Manderino
(D-194)
125 East Wing
PO Box 202194
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2194
(717) 787-1254
Fax: (717) 780-4770
kmanderi@pahouse.net
State Representative Lisa Bennington (D-21)
6A East Wing
PO Box 202021
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2021
(717) 705-7011
Fax: (717) 780-4761
lbenning@pahouse.net
State Representative Dan Frankel (D-23)
217 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202023
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2023
(717) 705-1875
Fax: (717) 705-2034
dfrankel@pahouse.net
State Representative Harold James (D-186)
317 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202186
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2186
(717) 787-9477
Fax: (717) 787-7517
hjames@pahouse.net
State Representative Greg Vitali (D-16)
103B East Wing
PO Box 202166
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2166
(717) 787-7647
Fax: (717) 705-2089
gvitali@pahouse.net
State Representative Jewell Williams (D-197)
101 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202197
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2197
(717) 772-2004
Fax: (717) 787-2284
jwilliam@pahouse.net
State Representative Chelsa Wagner (D-22)
109 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202022
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2022
(717) 783-1582
Fax: (717) 780-4755
cwagner@pahouse.net
State Representative Bryan R. Lentz (D-161)
106B East Wing
PO Box 202161
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2161
(717) 787-8574
Fax: (717) 780-4777
blentz@pahouse.net
The grassroots organizations observing and tracking this bill are listed below:
Allegheny County Sportsmen's League (ACSL),
Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs (PFSC),
Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Association (PSA),
National Rifle Association (NRA),
Gun Owners of America (GOA),
Second Amendment Sisters (SAS),
Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Association (PR&PA),
Pennsylvania Gun Collectors Association (PGCA)
Lehigh Valley Firearms Coalition (LVFC),
Philadelphia Federation of Sportsmen's Club,
Pennsylvania Gun Owners Association (PGOA)
Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania (USP)
Pennsylvania State Fish & Game Protective Association,
The Pink Pistols
OpenCarry.org
Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association (PAFOA)
National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSA)
Western Pennsylvania 30 Caliber League, Inc
**(FOAC) Firearms Owners Against Crime records all votes related to firearms and the constitutional connections thereof. Mitigating factors are taken into consideration when reviewing these votes such as presenting on record concerns during debate on legislation and will be so noted in the record for each legislator.
We DEEPLY appreciate your patience and help with this very important step forward for our Freedoms and we will do our BEST to keep you informed on the developments ahead!
Respectfully,
Kim Stolfer
Harry Schneider
Legislative Committee,
Chairman Legislative Committee, Chairman
Allegheny County Sportsmen's League
Pennsylvania Sportsmen's
Association
E-Mail -- activist@fyi.net psa@pagunlaws.com
Website -- www.acslpa.org
(412) 221-3346, Home Phone
(412) 257-1099, Home Fax
FREEDOM PREVAILED ON THIS DAY BECAUSE OF GRASSROOTS ACTION
Thursday evening (Nov. 15), the ACSL and PSA issued an alert that listed the following organizations as being on record as opposing the legislation. The ACSL/PSA alert was widely distributed. Chomping at the bit for its first major legislative fight was the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association http://www.pafoa.org/. The founder of the PAFOA is an expert in internet communications and has assembled a very large email list of dedicated Pennsylvania activists. Special thanks to Melody Zullinger of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Judy Brown of the Second Amendment Sisters, Ken O'Donnell of West Shore Sportsmen's Association, Inc and Jack Lee of the Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Association (PR&PA).
Each of them went above and beyond. They certainly did their part as did the members and leaders of every organization listed below.
The grassroots organizations observing and tracking these bills are listed below:
Allegheny County Sportsmen's League (ACSL),
Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs (PFSC),
Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Association (PSA),
National Rifle Association (NRA),
Gun Owners of America (GOA),
Second Amendment Sisters (SAS),
Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Association (PR&PA),
Pennsylvania Gun Collectors Association (PGCA)
Lehigh Valley Firearms Coalition (LVFC),
Philadelphia Federation of Sportsmen's Club,
Pennsylvania Gun Owners Association (PGOA)
Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania (USP)
National Association of Firearms Retailers (NAFR),
Pennsylvania State Fish & Game Protective Association,
The Pink Pistols
OpenCarry.org
Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association (PAFOA)
National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSA)
Western Pennsylvania 30 Caliber League, Inc
Citizen’s Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA)
**(FOAC) Firearms Owners Against Crime records all votes related to firearms and the constitutional connections thereof. Mitigating factors are taken into consideration when reviewing these votes such as presenting on record concerns during debate on legislation and will be so noted in the record for each legislator.
THE RESPONSE:
The ACSL/PSA alert that was issued Thursday evening (the 15th) included the list of organizations opposed and the email addresses of all House Judiciary Committee members. On Friday morning, one committee member reported that in just over an hour he received more than 400 emails encouraging the defeat of the three bills. Another said that he got so many email messages on his Blackberry that it sounded like a machinegun.
We are very grateful for the cooperation of every person who took part in this event. We only ask for help when legislative leaders ignore us and decide to move bad legislation over our objections. The fact that so many individuals quickly acted upon the information that we provided, proved to legislators that they are concerned and will act. Even Committee Chairman Caltagirone commented on the professional demeanor of the gun owners who were present during the hearing. In short, everyone did what they needed to do to defend freedom.
We are also very grateful to the majority of the members of the Judiciary Committee who voted for freedom.
Recently, when the Associated Press asked the House Judiciary Committee Chairman (Caltagirone) why these anti-gun bills were bottled up in committee, this is what he said:
"Of all the groups I've ever dealt with, this by far is probably the most vocal, the most organized and the most politically savvy - communication-wise as well as networking - that I've seen in my time in the Legislature," said 16-term Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Associated Press September 8, 2007
What do you think he (Caltagirone) will say NOW!!!
We strongly believe that the legislature should NOT consider any additional restrictions on Article 1 Section 21 unless they first demonstrate goodwill by removing laws that have been studied and found to not reduce crime to a measurable degree. The burden of proof must be on those who advocate infringements, rather than on those of us who defend freedom!!
The assumptions that justify most gun control laws have NOT withstood independent study.
(2003) (CDC) Centers for Disease Control Task Force (2003) reported that they reviewed 51 published studies about the effectiveness of eight types of gun-control laws. The laws included bans on specific firearms or ammunition, measures barring felons from buying guns, and mandatory waiting periods and firearm registration. In every case the CDC Task Force found "insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of any of the firearms laws reviewed for preventing violence." It should be noted that prior to actually studying the issue and producing this report, the Centers for Disease Control used tax dollars to lobby for gun control laws as a public health measure.
(2005) (NAS) National Academy of Sciences Review "Firearms and Violence, a Critical Review "In summary, the committee concludes that existing research studies and data . . . do not credibly demonstrate a causal relationship between the ownership of firearms and the causes or prevention of criminal violence or suicide. The issue of substitution (of the means of committing homicide or suicide) has been almost entirely ignored in the literature . . ."
As further evidence, consider that Vermont has almost no gun laws and very low crime. Clearly, if you want a solution to crime, you need to look beyond scapegoating gun owners. Somehow the Governator forgot to cite those studies in his address to the committee. Of course PA Gun Owners know that these weren’t his first and will not be his last sins of omission when it comes to his advocacy of Gun Control!
We DEEPLY appreciate your patience and help with this attack on our Freedoms and we will do our BEST to keep you informed on the threats ahead!
Respectfully,
Kim Stolfer
activist@fyi.net
Legislative Committee,
Chairman
Allegheny County Sportsmen's League
Website -- www.acslpa.org
PS; as additional evidence that Governator Rendell is out of touch with real police officers, read this letter to the editor:
The Philadelphia Tribune:
Tue, Apr. 10, 2007
Put the blame where it lies: The killers
We have to stop pointing the finger everywhere but at the very people who prey on us each day. Over time we have allowed our value system to erode. We refuse to hold people accountable for their actions and constantly make excuses for their inexcusable behavior. The incessant cry for tougher gun laws is a good example. Until we're ready to strictly enforce the current laws there is no reason for tougher ones.
Yes, there is a need to work on the social ills at the core of much of the unrest, but that does not mean we should accept those ills as a reason to excuse the behavior. Those engaged in this violent lifestyle know exactly what they're doing. They also know it is wrong. And they also know there are no serious consequences for their actions. It's not a matter of not knowing right from wrong, it's a matter of weighing the risk. And today they face very little risk.
Time after time these budding killers are arrested with guns, only to be returned to the streets with a slap on the wrist. Is it any wonder we have trouble getting witnesses to speak up? Instead of holding vigils at murder scenes, groups like Men United for a Better Philadelphia and Mothers in Charge should throw a ring around the Criminal In-Justice Center and demand that our judges hold the criminals accountable.
More than 80 percent of Philadelphia's cold-blooded killers have criminal records. Most of those records are lengthy, many for violent crimes. Every one of those arrests represents an opportunity to send a clear message, before they take another life.
Joseph Fox
Chief of Detectives
Philadelphia Police Department
Philadelphia
* House Bill 29 was tabled to avoid a sweep by gun owners of these bills and also in the hopes that a very minor amendment can be added so that another vote on this bill can be taken. There is NO WAY of making this concept better and it is still very bad and dangerous legislation, even with the proposed amendment.
Another bad bill, House Bill 1744 was previously rushed out of Judiciary committee because the NRA tweaked it and then withdrew its objections. The prime sponsor of HB 1744 is Judiciary Chairman Caltagirone who voted FOR--HB 18, HB 22, HB 29. HB 1744 was scheduled for a full House floor vote last Wednesday, but was temporarily derailed because of an analysis drafted by the ACSL and PSA that detailed numerous serious problems in the version released from the House Judiciary Committee, previously overlooked by the NRA. These flaws were discussed after the Judiciary Committee vote in the Appropriations Committee and on Harrisburg radio by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, Larry Pratt of GOA and Melody Zullinger of the PFSC. This legislation did pass out of the Judiciary Committee but is currently on hold in the House of Representatives due to the ACSL/PSA/PRPA/LVFC/PGOA/GOA position in opposition to it.
Please go to the Allegheny County Sportsmen's League website for analysis of these bills: http://www.acslpa.org/
http://www.acslpa.org/n-legislative/PA%20Gunowners%20Under%20Attack/
pa_gun_owners_under_attack.htm
DCNR WARNS AGAINST TRANSPORTING FIREWOOD IN WAKE OF EMERALD ASH BORER DISCOVERY
State officials are taking immediate action to contain the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer, a destructive forest pest recently detected in western Pennsylvania. The bureaus of State Parks and Forestry warn campers and other outdoors enthusiasts against transporting firewood anywhere in the state.
“The discovery of this forest pest, which kills ash trees, is grim news, indeed, and the approach of the 4th of July holiday, with its increased camping and other outdoor activities, heightens our concern,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. “We are asking travelers not to give the Emerald Ash Borer a free ride in firewood they might be transporting. All wood should be purchased locally and burned entirely.”
Meanwhile, both the state departments of Agriculture and Conservation and Natural Resources are working with the U. S. Department of Agriculture to conduct intensive surveys for the insect near the initial detection site in Cranberry Township, Butler County. The state has issued quarantines on moving wood in Butler, Lawrence, Allegheny and Beaver counties in a bid to control the spread of the insect.
At this time, there are no plans for wide-scale eradication of ash trees, which has been undertaken at infestation sites in other states, until surveys in Butler County are completed and results evaluated.
The state’s quarantine restricts the movement of ash nursery stock, green lumber and any other ash material including logs, stumps, roots, and branches, and all wood chips from the quarantine area. Due to the difficulty in distinguishing between species of hardwood firewood, all hardwood firewood — including ash, oak, maple and hickory – are quarantined.
Adult beetles were found June 22 in Cranberry Township by U.S. Department of Agriculture surveyors during a joint survey effort among the federal and state agriculture departments, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Penn State Extension. The insect already has forced quarantines in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland and Michigan.
“Not only is it illegal to move wood from a quarantined area, it’s not a wise idea to move any firewood anywhere in the state, especially with the ongoing threat of other insects and diseases to our state’s forests,” DiBerardinis said. “The ash borer’s discovery reaffirms DCNR’s ongoing efforts to educate campers and state forest visitors about the dangers of bringing firewood into an area and not burning it all.”
Usually visible from May to August, the adult Emerald Ash Borer beetles are slightly less than one-inch long, thin and bright metallic green in color. The beetle is believed to have originated from Asia and was uncovered in North America when it made its initial appearance during 2002 in southeastern Michigan. Since the pest’s arrival to the continent, its range has extended to Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, Indiana and portions of Canada.
The insect prefers green ash but will target all four ash tree species, regardless of whether they are healthy or stressed. The Emerald Ash Borer’s larvae cause girdling and death of branches and entire trees.
DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry officials estimate ash species — green, blue, black and white — make up about 3.6 percent of the state’s woodlands and total almost 308 million trees. Most are found on private land. Known for its strong, light-colored wood, Pennsylvania’s ash is used in the production of furniture, baseball bats and other wood-related industries. Commercial value of white ash alone is estimated at $768 million.
Overseeing 117 state parks, most of which offer camping, the Bureau of State Parks has posted warnings and information at campgrounds and on DCNR’s Web site: www.dcnr.state.pa.us (click on State Parks). Similar information is passed on to campers reserving sites online.
State and federal officials have conducted visual surveys for the Emerald Ash Borer annually throughout the state since 2003. In addition, DCNR established pairs of trap trees at state parks and rest areas in the western part of the state in 2005 and 2006, and state and federal teams established additional trap trees along the western sections of interstate highways. One ash tree at each site was peeled and inspected for borer larvae in fall 2006, and no larvae were detected.
Signs of Emerald Ash Borer infestation include upper crown dieback, woodpecker damage, vertical bark splits, S-shaped galleries under the bark and D-shaped emergence holes.
To report possible infested trees in Pennsylvania, call the Department of Agriculture’s toll-free pest hotline at 1-866-253-7189; or DCNR’s Division of Forest Pest Management at (717) 948-3941. For more information on the Emerald Ash Borer, visit www.emeraldashborer.info, or phone 717-772-5229.
Source: Pa. DCNR
PA Legislative Battles Over Gun Control Continue (November)
Last month we reported on potential developments with certain bills being advanced that presented moderate gun control concepts to appease certain more radical legislator elements within the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. On October 31 the Pennsylvania Judiciary Committee voted two bills out of committee.
The first bill was House Bill 784 which in it’s original form was unacceptable and as a result of request to rewrite the legislation put to the prime sponsor of the bill, Representative Scott Petri, Harry Schneider in Kim Stolfer were able to successfully correct defects in this legislation with the cooperation of several volunteer attorneys, notably Mike McCormick, to put together a more refined and polish language that will focus the intent of the bill.
The other bill that was passed out of the Judiciary Committee was House Bill 1744. As a result of earlier testimony before the Judiciary Committee this Bill was deemed by sportsmen and gun owner representatives as unacceptable in its current form. Our complaints generated a number of amendments that were to supposedly moderate our concerns. Unfortunately the process leading up to this vote did not allow for an open exchange of ideas even though the offer was made with Representative Tom Caltagirone to assist in determining what could be done to improve this legislation and to remove our concerns. In fact several of the amendments were not even available for review until the morning of the committee vote which is an unacceptable situation.
One of the amendments amounts to, in my view, a political payoff for support by giving the NRA taxpayer subsidies to establish 'Eddie Eagle' in Pennsylvania school districts. What is worse yet is that this ‘Firearms Education Fund’ does not mandate the use of ‘Eddie Eagle’ by use of the language “such as” to describe the entity doing the training so now we are opening up the entire PA school system to proselytizing at the expense of the PA taxpayers. For instance the Brady group uses a program called ‘Star’ that is 90% political advocacy for kids to lobby legislators to support gun control. This is a stupid, stupid move and the long term consequences could be disastrous.
his legislation is scheduled for a vote next week and we are asking ALL gun owners to notify their legislators to SUPPORT House Bill 784 and to OPPOSE House Bill 1744. We are going to be asking the statewide gun owner and sportsmen’s groups to join with us in this effort. If you would like copies of the legislation and the votes in the Judiciary Committee please e-mail your request. Also, please forward any comment that your legislator makes on this legislation to us so that we can respond properly. More to come!
HB 19 – Offenders, serious drug trafficking, violent repeat, not to possess firearms.
INTRODUCED BY D. EVANS, GERBER, CALTAGIRONE,
MYERS,
STURLA, WHEATLEY, WILLIAMS, BENNINGTON, BISHOP
, COHEN, CRUZ, CURRY, FRANKEL, GALLOWAY, JOSEPHS
, KIRKLAND, LEACH, M. O'BRIEN, PASHINSKI
AND ROEBUCK
Anti-gun politicians are always screaming for more “so called” common sense gun control to prevent criminal access to firearms. Unfortunately, almost of their proposed bills focus on the firearms of law abiding gun owners and not on the criminal’s actions or illegal possession of firearms.
This bill changes all that by forcing the District Attorney’s, judges and court system to punish repeat offending predatory criminals who use firearms in commission on crimes. By providing real common sense mandatory jail time and additional felony charges for prior criminal convictions using firearms in the past.
Many innocent people in PA have been injured or killed by repeat violent offenders being let back out on the streets early, from charges that were plea bargained away instead of enforced. Wow, what a novel concept; prosecuting repeat criminals for offenses they commit with firearms. How much safer will police officers and citizens be when these criminal predators are off the streets, incarcerated in jail paying a time penalty for their actions.
Gun control has a real human cost. It’s time criminals start to pay 100% for their crimes with time behind bars instead of citizens having to put bars on their homes and live in fear.
HB 142 – Right to hunt, fish, harvest game
INTRODUCED BY BAKER, ROHRER, ARGALL,
BENNINGHOFF,
BELFANTI,BOYD, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI,
CAUSER,
CLYMER, DALLY,DENLINGER, ELLIS, FAIRCHILD,
GEIST,
GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRELL, HARHAI, HESS,
HUTCHINSON, KAUFFMAN, M. KELLER, MANN,MARKOSEK,
McILHATTAN, METCALFE, MOUL, PERRY,
HILLIPS,PICKETT,
PYLE, RAPP, REICHLEY, ROAE, SOLOBAY, STABACK,
STERN, R. STEVENSON, WALKO AND WOJNAROSKI
This proposed bill would amend the PA constitution after a general election referendum vote. It aims to make hunting and fishing a right with proper state issued licenses according to restrictions provided by laws of the commonwealth.
HB 205 – PGC Commission, composition & former employees
INTRODUCED BY PICKETT, PHILLIPS, R. STEVENSON,
CREIGHTON, GEIST,HERSHEY, YOUNGBLOOD,
CALTAGIRONE,
MUSTIO, GODSHALL, ROHRER,SONNEY, McILHATTAN,
HENNESSEY, KULA, J. EVANS, CAUSER, RUBLEY,
RAPP AND SWANGER
This bill requires an independent game commission composed of 8 competent PA citizens who are well informed on the subject of wildlife conservation, restoration and who are not PGC employees. They will be appointed by governor with the advice and consent of 2/3 of the senate.
HB 618 - Rights, restoration, offenses under prior
laws of the Commonwealth
INTRODUCED BY HANNA, DENLINGER, GEIST,
GEORGE, GERGELY, GODSHALLAND GRUCELA
This bill provides for restoration of rights for past non-violent offenses for those sentenced under very old laws involving the vehicle and penal codes where over the course of many decades the definitions have changed. People who had been convicted of or plead guilty to minor offenses in the past which presently would not be a serious violation of current law and the sentencing was an ambiguous misdemeanor shall have the option to have their rights restored to own and posses firearms for lawful purposes.
HB 641 – Self-protection, general principals of justifications, definitions, protection of other persons, use of force, civil immunity for use of force, sentences for firearms offenses
INTRODUCED BY CAPPELLI, BENNINGHOFF, BAKER,
BARRAR, BASTIAN,BELFANTI, BOYD, CALTAGIRONE,
CASORIO, CAUSER, CLYMER,DENLINGER, ELLIS,
EVERETT, FAIRCHILD, GEIST, GEORGE,GINGRICH,
GODSHALL, GRELL, GRUCELA, HALUSKA, HARRIS,
HERSHEY,HESS, HICKERNELL, HUTCHINSON,
KAUFFMAN, M. KELLER, KILLION,KOTIK, MAJOR,
MARSICO, METCALFE, R. MILLER, PAYNE,
PEIFER,PETRARCA, PETRI, PHILLIPS, PICKETT,
PYLE, RAPP, SAINATO,SAYLOR, SIPTROTH,
S. H. SMITH, SOLOBAY, SONNEY, STERN,R.
STEVENSON, SURRA, TURZAI AND WANSACZ
This bill, commonly referred to as the “castle doctrine”, is very similar to ones enacted in other states which have a proven history of acting as a real deterrent to violent criminal confrontations. Under PA law currently you are required to demonstrate that you retreated or attempted to retreat from any criminal confrontation other than inside you home. This presumes that you have the time and opportunity to call the police to intervene and hopefully they will make it in time to save you. If you do anything to protect your self or property outside your homes, even IF you are still on your own property/land, to harm the criminal or protect your family from imminent attack you can be held criminally and or civilly liable for your actions, justified or not, by an over zealous DA or criminals family. This bill would provide protections against punitive lawsuits for civilians as well as off duty law enforcement officers and their families. This single proposed bill, if passed into law, will restore balance to a justice system that has for decades favored the criminal over the victim. Citizens will be ‘less’ likely to fall into harms way because of fear of losing everything if they protect themselves and criminals will be less likely to commit these acts IF they do not know if they are armed or not. It’s a really cost effective way to deter criminals, with average citizens providing added security when the police are not around.
HB 641 would provide civil immunity for the use of force against criminals without having to surrender your personal safety or to needless retreat in the face of intrusion or attack outside the person home or vehicle. This bill also provides for very strict provisions on the use of deadly force and cannot be used by anyone while they are engaged in unlawful or illegal acts, or used against a peace officer acting in the performance of their official duties.
HB 819 – Game Commission, regulations relating to hunting with flintlock muzzleloader.
INTRODUCED BY DENLINGER, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI,
COX, GEIST,GINGRICH, GODSHALL, HARRIS,
HENNESSEY, HERSHEY, KAUFFMAN,KORTZ, MENSCH,
MILLARD, PALLONE, PICKETT, RAPP, READSHAW,
REICHLEY,
ROCK, ROHRER, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, SONNEY
AND STERN
This bill simply allows the use of ‘inline’ muzzle loaders whenever a ‘flintlock’ season is called for in the hunting regulations.
HB 1029 - Firearms, sale or transfer, further provided
INTRODUCED BY R. STEVENSON, METCALFE, BAKER,
BELFANTI, BOYD,BROOKS, CAPPELLI, CAUSER,
CLYMER, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, DALEY,DENLINGER,
J. EVANS, EVERETT, GEIST, HALUSKA,
HENNESSEY,HESS,
HUTCHINSON, KORTZ, KOTIK, LONGIETTI,
McILHATTAN,MILLARD, R. MILLER, PETRARCA,
PICKETT, PYLE, RAPP, ROAE,SOLOBAY, SONNEY,
STERN AND SURRA
This bill clarifies the instant check requirements for the sale of firearms that the holders of a valid concealed carry permit or any current law enforcement officer’s identification are exempt from the requirements and fees of the Pennsylvania Instant Check System.
HB 1115 - Pennsylvania Election Code - Disclosure to public of candidate information
INTRODUCED BY MUSTIO, METCALFE, J. EVANS,
EVERETT, GEIST, GIBBONS, GOODMAN, HENNESSEY,
HERSHEY, KOTIK, O'NEILL,SCAVELLO, SONNEY,
R. STEVENSON, GINGRICH, KILLION, COX,
KORTZ AND HARRIS
This much needed bill clarifies and defines Pa election code requirements for public disclosure of all candidates’ information, voter eligibility requirements, and much needed oversight to the election process of candidates to public offices.
HB 1145 - Prohibits the Governor in time of a disaster or emergency from seizure, taking or confiscation of lawfully possessed firearms or ammunition
INTRODUCED BY SOLOBAY, BAKER, BELFANTI,
BENNINGHOFF, BOYD,CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI,
CASORIO, CLYMER, CONKLIN, COX, CUTLER,DALEY,
DeWEESE, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FAIRCHILD,
GEIST, GEORGE,GIBBONS, GOODMAN, HALUSKA,
HERSHEY, HESS, KORTZ, KOTIK,McILHATTAN,
METCALFE, MUSTIO, PAYNE, PETRARCA,
ROAE,K. SMITH, SONNEY, R. STEVENSON,
SURRA, WALKO AND J. WHITE
This bill prohibits the governor of PA from authorizing anyone from unlawfully taking of firearms or ammo away its citizens in times of any disaster or emergency situation.
As evidence, the accounts of what happened to the survivors of hurricane Katrina wherein the Governor of Louisiana disarmed the citizens who needed their firearms the most to protect themselves from the break down of all civil authority and protect their property from criminal looting and violent attacks. (There are currently no specific protections against this kind seizure of firearms in Pennsylvania law.)
HB 1160 – Temporary emergency Licenses for carrying further provided
INTRODUCED BY METCALFE, BASTIAN, COX,
EVERETT, GERGELY, GRELL,M. KELLER, KORTZ,
MOUL, MUSTIO, PETRARCA, PYLE, RAPP,
ROAE,ROHRER, R. STEVENSON, CAUSER,
SWANGER, DENLINGER AND YEWCIC
This bill authorizes the issuance of immediate temporary non-renewable concealed carry license to qualified individuals in imminent danger for their lives. This license would be issued, by the Sheriff in the County of residence, only after the individual provides evidence of the imminent danger AND passes all the background checks necessary for the issuance of a regular license to carry firearms.
HB 1161 - Offense of unlawful firearms records; penalty prescribed.
INTRODUCED BY METCALFE, BAKER, BASTIAN,
CAPPELLI, COX,CREIGHTON, CUTLER, J. EVANS,
EVERETT, GEIST, GERGELY,GIBBONS, HARRIS,
HERSHEY, HESS, HUTCHINSON, M. KELLER,
KORTZ,MARSHALL, MUSTIO, RAPP, ROAE,
ROHRER, S. H. SMITH, SONNEY,R. STEVENSON,
SURRA, CAUSER, SWANGER, DENLINGER,
SAYLOR ANDYEWCIC
This bill prohibits the state police or any other state agency from keeping or maintaining any registry or any type of database of law abiding firearm owner’s purchases. Free people should never have their gun registered and history has shown that registration has always lead to confiscation of firearms, and given rise to tyranny. People should not fear their governments, governments should be fear of their people. A long as this balance of power by of consent to be governed by the people, honesty, fairness and freedom for all is maintained.
The state police wasted nearly $130 million operating the PICS system, which would have been done at ‘no’ cost to gun owners or the state of Pennsylvania by the National Instant Check system, a part of which is the retention and maintenance of an illegal database of gun owners. How many crimes have the state police solved by the staggering amount of money spent? Conducting the Instant Checks through the state run system has cost Pennsylvania citizens and gun owners dearly.
1998 Start up costs for the PICS System -- $22,000,000.
Yearly costs to operate and maintain PICS -- $6,000,000.
(Total thus far 11 years x $6 million= $66,000,000)
2007 PICS Upgrade -- $32,000,000
Total Costs to date -- $126,000,000
Successfully prosecuted prohibited individuals who tried to buy a gun on average per year--120 - 140
Wouldn’t the money be much better spent catching and locking criminals up rather than making list of law abiding gun owner’s firearms? See also SB 738 for concurrent senate bill.
HB 1185 – Employees Right to self defense act.
INTRODUCED BY SONNEY, METCALFE, BAKER,
BELFANTI, BENNINGHOFF,CAPPELLI, COX,
CUTLER, DALEY, EVERETT, GEIST, GINGRICH,
HUTCHINSON, M. KELLER, KIRKLAND, KORTZ,
MARSHALL, McILHATTAN,PICKETT, PYLE, RAPP,
ROHRER, SAYLOR, SOLOBAY, R. STEVENSON,
GIBBONS, DENLINGER AND YEWCIC,
This bill prohibits employers from discharging, threatening, or discriminating against an individual who chooses to exercise their right to self-defense throughout the Commonwealth, while on the job or storing their firearm in their privately owned vehicles on company property.
HB 1235 – provides for open access to PSP Records that are used in the denial of a firearms purchase so that a citizen can challenge the accuracy of criminal history records information. Note this bill is currently in senate, passed house vote 197 to 6 against.
INTRODUCED BY J. WHITE, McCALL, EVERETT,
METCALFE, SURRA,GERGELY, SOLOBAY, COX,
DALEY, DENLINGER, GIBBONS, GOODMAN,HORNAMAN,
KAUFFMAN, KORTZ, KOTIK, MAHONEY,
MANDERINO,McILHATTAN, MOYER, MUSTIO,
READSHAW, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, WALKO,YEWCIC,
HESS, ROAE, SIPTROTH AND CALTAGIRONE
This bill provides a specific and regulated process for the state police to provide show just cause and provide documentation in a specifically designated time frame as to why an individual was denied the right to acquire firearms.
There is also a prescribed manor in where the individual citizen can challenge the accuracy of the state record. The burden to prove the accuracy shall fall upon that agency to prove its records are correct. If the challenge to accuracy is ruled valid, the individual also has the right to appeal the decision directly to PA the Attorney General for another review. If that review fails you shall have the added recourse of appealing to the commonwealth court. This is vastly superior to the current system of hiring a lawyer and paying legal fees to obtain the same information.
HB 1292 – Limits the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, to regulate the possession of firearms inconsistent with provisions of statutory law.
INTRODUCED BY FAIRCHILD, METCALFE, BAKER,
BASTIAN, CALTAGIRONE,CASORIO, CLYMER, CUTLER,
DENLINGER, EVERETT, FAB