House Bill 4156 would allow Concealed Pistol License holders the option to carry tasers.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billintroduced/House/htm/2009-HIB-4156.htm

A Colorado man claimed that his dog accidentally shot itself; later he claimed he shot it between the eyes by accident. His dog’s not talking.

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_11735862

Open carry of handguns is legal in many areas of our country; however, police will still spoil one’s day by arresting such law-abiding citizens for disturbing the peace or disorderly conduct. Seems more fitting to arrest those crying wolf because of it.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/39722082.html

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) couldn’t be happier with the formation of a new group of Congressmen that will promote its agenda.

On February 18, U.S. Representatives Jim Moran (D- VA) and Elton Gallegy (R- CA) announced the formation of a new Congressional Animal Protection Caucus. The goal of the group is to get like-minded members of Congress together and promote animal rights policy in Washington, D.C. through forums and briefings.

According to the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF), the legislative wing of the HSUS, the new caucus will “take lawmaking for the animals to the next level.” HSLF went on to gush in its blog, “we could not be more excited about their leadership of this new organization of humane lawmakers.”

HSUS President and CEO, Wayne Pacelle was also prominently quoted in Rep. Moran’s press release announcing the caucus’ formation.

Pacelle stated, “The newly constituted Congressional Animal Protection Caucus will help better align our federal policies with public opinion, and we are excited to work closely with its leaders and with the entire Congress to combat cruelty and abuse.”

As of press time, a full list of other U.S. Representatives joining the caucus was not available. However, the USSA will let sportsmen know as the names become available. Each member of the caucus should be contacted by constituents in their districts.

Representatives should be made aware of HSUS’ radical anti-hunting agenda. They also need to be aware that sportsmen expect their representatives not to kowtow to that agenda.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Contact: Joel Sheltrown
Toll-free: 1-888-347-8103

(LANSING) State Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch) today introduced legislation to place an issue before voters that would allow a portion of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to be used for wildlife and fisheries habitat improvement and management. The measure would also increase the amount of revenue available annually from the fund.

“Despite the importance hunting and fishing has in Michigan and its impact on the state’s economy, Michigan is near the bottom nationally in support of its conservation programs,” Sheltrown said. “An increase in state general fund revenue is unrealistic given the state’s continued budget deficits. Imposing new fees or increasing existing fees above the rate of inflation to make up shortfalls is counterproductive to the long-term viability of hunting and fishing programs. There has to be a different solution.”

Sheltrown’s solution would create a ballot proposal to dedicate half of Michigan Natural Resource Trust Fund annual expenditures for the development and management of habitat for game and sport fisheries including the stocking of game and fish. The remaining half would continue to fund the acquisition of land and development of public recreation facilities. Currently, three-quarters of the fund is used for acquisition purposes and one quarter is used for development.

The ballot proposal drafted by Sheltrown would also increase the amount of money available annually from one third of revenue deposited into the Trust Fund each year to one half of the money deposited. It would continue to allow the full amount of annual interest and other earnings to be spent. Based on 2008 spending, Sheltrown’s ballot proposal would provide $36 million for wildlife and fisheries habitat and management and $18 million each for land acquisition and public recreational facility development. Last year, approximately $12 million was spent for development and $36 million was spent on acquisition of new state lands.

“I understand there may be some concerns about reducing funding for the acquisition of new state land,” Sheltrown explained. “But local governments are complaining already about the DNR’s inability to meet its Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) obligations on the land it already owns. The upside is that this proposal would increase recreational development funding of existing public land by 50% and most importantly would fully fund wildlife and fisheries programs without the need for new fee increases.”

Based on 2008 figures, the Sheltrown proposal would provide wildlife and fisheries habitat funding at an amount equal to 58% of the total budget for the DNR’s Wildlife and Fisheries divisions. This surpasses the amount currently contributed by hunting and fishing license fee revenue and is seventeen times the amount currently contributed to those two divisions through the state’s general fund.

“The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund has been a triumph of smart government. Since its implementation in 1976, the fund has contributed nearly $700 million in grant funding for land acquisition and recreational development,” Sheltrown said. “As the fund now nears its statutory maturity, the resources are available to expand on its success by guaranteeing a perpetual source of revenue for Michigan hunting and fishing programs long into the future. If this ballot issue is approved by voters in November 2010, it will make Michigan a national leader in conservation programs without the need for new fee increases.”

Major Victory for American Workers Right to Self-Defense

Fairfax, Va. – Today, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously in support of allowing employees to store legally owned firearms in locked, private motor vehicles while parked in employer parking lots. This decision upholds NRA-backed legislation passed in 2004.

“This is a victory for the millions of American workers who have been denied the right to protect themselves while commuting between their homes and their workplace,” said NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. “This effort was aimed at skirting the will of the American people, and the intent of legislatures across this country while eviscerating Right-to-Carry laws. This ruling is a slap at the corporate elitists who have no regard for the constitutional rights of law abiding American workers.”

In March 2004, the Oklahoma legislature passed an amendment holding employers criminally liable for prohibiting employees from storing firearms in locked vehicles on company property. A number of corporations subsequently filed suit in opposition to the new laws, alleging they were: unconstitutionally vague; an unconstitutional taking of private property; and preempted by various federal statutes. The lower court ruled in favor of the injunction.

“This issue was contrived by the gun control lobby who goaded corporations into doing their dirty work for them,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA chief lobbyist. “However, this ruling is a vindication for every hardworking and lawful man and woman whose basic right to self-defense was taken away on a whim by corporate lawyers. NRA is prepared to defend this right and to ensure the safety of every American worker.”

In October 2008, Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry and Attorney General Drew Edmondson appealed to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals the lower court decision to strike down the NRA-backed worker protection laws. Today’s proceedings handed down by Circuit Judges Paul J. Kelly, Bobby R. Baldock, and Michael W. McConnell reversed the lower court’s grant of a permanent injunction.

Alaska Congressman Introduces Two Bills to Allow the Import of Trophies and Guarantee Conservation Funding

(National)- The US Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) applauds the action taken on February 12, 2009 by Representative Don Young (R- AK) to introduce two bills drafted to permit the import of sport hunting polar bear trophies.

The bills, HR 1054 and HR 1055, address a serious problem that emerged in the wake of the recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) decision to list polar bears as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

HR 1054 is a short-term fix that eliminates legal confusion surrounding existing trophies and permits created when the U.S. Department of Interior on May 15, 2008 formally listed polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). HR 1055 provides a comprehensive solution by amending the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prevents polar bears from being imported, no matter their ESA status. Young’s amendment allows for new trophies to be imported to the United States.

Under the Polar Bear’s new designation as a threatened species under the ESA, the other law that prevents their import, no trophies can be brought into the U.S. In addition to denying hunters the ability to hunt one of the world’s great species, the import prohibition eliminates a significant source of conservation funding for polar bears as the bulk of those dollars are generated by Americans hunters as they pay various trophy fees.

The Interior Department issued the threatened listing in response to a lawsuit by environmental activists who allege that shrinking arctic ice caused by global warming may cause polar bear numbers to decline in 50 years.

“The threatened species listing provides no solution to arctic ice,” said Rob Sexton, USSA Vice President of Government Affairs. “The only result of the listing is to suspend polar bear hunting. The threatened listing is pure political theater.”

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects and advances America’s heritage of hunting, fishing and trapping. It does so in the courts, state legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

The Feds aren’t going to like losing control over their subjects in Big Sky country, if this bill continues forward.

http://www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m2d16-Showdown-under-the-Big-Sky

Having guns in national parks is nothing new; they have been allowed for years – as long as they were unloaded and locked away. A lot of good that does when imminent danger is at hand.

Anti-gunners argue that only a few deaths have occured as a result of human-wildlife encounters. Too bad it hasn’t been one of their own; maybe that would make a difference.

Having been in the wilderness regions of Arizona mountains (then referred to as National Monuments), I was only approached once by a protective Javelina, as I got a little close to its offspring while photographing. I sure would have felt better had I been carrying. And, although I never had a meeting with a mountain lion, I knew they were in the neighborhood, as I lay asleep in their midst.

Gun grabbers also argue that certain park visitors won’t be inclined to hike and watch the birds, if they know some honest citizen might carry a sidearm for personal protection. That may be true, but who cares. Others may visit for the same reason.

I guess the Brady Bunch assumes lawful gun owners will go wild when in the wild and will somehow begin careers as serial killers without cops watching over them.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/16/AR2009021601151.html

In January, Michigan no longer requires the idiotic “safety inspection’ of handguns after purchase.

This simple idea – one of allowing honest citizens to report purchases on their own – permits law enforcement more time to catch bad guys and to be otherwise productive. What’s astounding is that this concept – again, one which will eliminate wasted time of tax payers’ servants – has taken some 2 years to come to fruition.

So, we make a job easier by eliminating intrusive red tape and it takes years to make it happen. Who in their right mind, other than those on the take or those in defiance of John F. Kennedy’s advice, would choose more government management of anything!

Great piece linked below.

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20090106/OPINION02/901060303/1014/OPINION