West Virginia –-(Ammoland.com)- Yesterday, SB347, after extensive argument, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. Many members were listening, jaws agape, to the committee debate. Some of the highlights:
Villains:
Rodney Miller, President of the Sheriff’s association argued extensively against the free exercise of your rights, citing sheriff’s slush funds, training, and of course, officer safety. He could not answer, however, how contacts with the public would be any different, because law-enforcement presumes everyone to be armed until proven otherwise. He then went on to allege that in the recent self-defense shooting in Pinch, WV, had the pharmacist not had training, he would have probably killed everyone. He further alleged that, of people carrying guns, only those who get permits are law abiding, and that anyone who wishes to carry without a permit must be a criminal.
Sheriff Miller also admitted that Sheriff’s departments harass people legally open carrying.
I’d say the anti-gunner that took the cake would be Sheriff Brady (ironically coincidental name, no relation to Sara Brady, I’m sure) from Randolph County. Sheriff Brady insulted all West Virginians, claiming that his parents taught him responsibility that your parents did not teach you, or alternately, you do not teach your children. He of course argued about officer safety and money too, but his commentary about how his parents were great, and well, the rest of you shouldn’t carry guns because your parents don’t teach responsibility… well… Yeah. I’ll let you decide how you feel about that.
Heroes:
We had some liberty-minded Senators really step up to the plate today, too.
- Senator Leonhart (R-Monongalia) stepped up three separate times (that I counted) in defense of your rights.
- Senator Karnes (R-Upshur) did likewise, and (sort of) jokingly indicated that ragingly anti-gun Mayor of Charleston, Danny Jones’ influence might not be that strong with the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- Senator Ed Gaunch (R-Kanawha) several times left Sheriff Brady and the Sheriff’s Association President Rodney Miller at a loss for answers to basic logical questions. When asked what training was required for open carry (there is no requirement) and how putting a coat over a handgun makes a difference, Miller could not provide a rational response.
- Senator Ryan Ferns (R-Ohio) set up NRA-ILA lobbyist Dan Carey with a couple of great questions, which Dan hit out of the park.
NRA-ILA lobbyist Dan Carey was present at the meeting, and did an outstanding job of arguing in favor of Constitutional Carry. Dan faced some rather underhanded questions during the debate, and stood strong with class.
Delegate Josh Nelson (R-Boone) came across the building from the House of Delegates and provided a personal and relevant story in support of the right to bear arms. He also stood up well to questions, which sounded to me more like a hostile cross-examination at a trial than a Senate hearing. Delegate Nelson kept his cool and responded logically and in great form.
Net result: Despite the objections of the Sheriff’s Association, SB347 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in great shape.
Action!
Contact your Senator, and ask them to support SB347 without amendment on the Senate Floor.
You can find your senator’s contact information by clicking here, looking at the map, and scrolling down to find your senator.
When you have done that, contact your county Sheriff’s office, and ask if the Sherriff’s association truly represents their views on liberty. If so, you might start spreading the word that you need a new Sheriff. Also, consider a non-answer as a “yes, the Sheriff’s Association represents me and my anti-gun views.”
SS109 Ammunition Ban
The AR-15 and other .223/5.56 NATO rifles are everywhere. Chances are, you own one. And if you don’t, what are you waiting for?
The BATFE is planning to ban the sale of SS109/M855 62grain ammunition to the public, claiming (incorrectly) that it is armor piercing and can be fired from a handgun. Nearly every cartridge can be fired from a handgun (Thompson Contenders, et al) and SS109 is a steel-core round, but is hardly armor piercing.
This is not about armor, or piercing it. Our wars are winding down, and Lake City and other plants are still at full production for military 5.56 ammunition. Very soon, innumerable tons of that ammunition are going to become “military surplus” and hit the civilian market. The Obama administration does not want you to have cheap ammunition. End of story.
You can submit comments against ban by email to [email protected]. We also recommend that you contact the following West Virginia representatives and ask them to stop President Obama’s ammunition ban.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito
(202) 224-6472
https://www.capito.senate.gov/content/contact-shelley
Senator Joe Manchin
(304) 342-5855
https://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
Representative David McKinley
(202) 225-4172
Representative Alex Mooney
(202) 225-2711
https://mooney.house.gov/contact
Representative Evan Jenkins
(202) 225-3452
https://evanjenkins.house.gov/contact
Keith Morgan
President,
West Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc.
About:
The West Virginia Citizens Defense League (WVCDL) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, all-volunteer, grassroots organization of concerned West Virginians who support our individual right to keep and bear arms for defense of self, family, home and state, and for lawful hunting and recreational use, as protected by the state constitution and the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. Visit: www.wvcdl.org