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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Gun Control: Bits and Pieces

U.S. Constitution, Second Amendment: "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

Pa. Constitution, Art. 1, Sec. 21: "The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned."

Lehigh University Constitutional Law Professor George A Nation: "Until the recent Heller case the Second Amendment was interpreted to protect the right to "keep and bear arms" only in the militia (National Guard today) context. In Heller, in 2009, five of the Justices found that the Second Amendment protected an individual right to keep and bear arms, including specifically a handgun for self-protection unrelated to any type of militia service. But even the five in the majority made clear that the right is limited-- that is, it is not a right to possess any type of weapon.

"The opinion specifically recognizes the common limitations we have today - a ban on fully automatic weapons, switch blades, bazookas - as well as common place limitations - no guns in court houses, schools, planes, etc. There also can be limitations on who may possess guns."

NorCo DA John Morganelli on balanced Gun Control: "Without a doubt, millions of law-abiding people possess guns for self protection, and enjoy them recreationally. But criminals and disturbed and confused people often use them to tragic and devastating effect. Liberals tend to want to ban all guns and portray gun owners as 'rednecks'; On the other extreme, the gun lobby asserts that virtually any gun regulation is a threat to their constitutional rights. There must be a sensible middle to these issues, and majority of people want a balanced approach."

Mike Topping, President of NorCo Federation of Sportsmen (7,000 members): "Although oust, if not all, sportsmen are against any possible government infringement on their ability to own and use firearms, many also agree that some reasonable controls are appropriate:
1. Fully automatic weapons should require a special law for ownership, as is currently the case.

2. Persons who are criminals or mentally challenged should not have access to firearms.

3. When not in use, firearms should be locked up or placed in a secure area, out of the reach of children.
Cabela's to Boycott State's Largest Gunshow: Organizer of the event, scheduled next month in Harrisburg, have banned the sale of assault rifles and high capacity magazines. Cabela's released this statement on Facebook:
Due to recent changes made by Reed Exhibitions regarding the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, Cabela’s will no longer sponsor this year’s event. After careful consideration regarding Cabela’s business practices, and the feelings of our customers, Cabela’s will, unfortunately, not have a presence at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Assult weapons by definition are already prohibited to the general public due to their full-auto capability.

Cabelas has the courage to stand up for their integrity in the face of misinformation and hysteria.

I love cherish and protect my children and grandchildren to the best of my ability. I love my country and the extraordinary freedom it provides it's citizens as well.

God Bless America.

Anonymous said...

Agree with Cabelas. Keep your stubby fingers off my guns. Why not go after the unregistered, unlicenesed guys that use guns to hurt and kill.

Stop with the feel good crap.

Anonymous said...

This event is an "Outdoor expo" not just a gun show. Other vendors include Pocono Raceway. Do you see a good reason for a NASCAR fan to bring an AR-15 to the race where beer consumption is everywhere?

The event in Harrisburg (which is privately run and funded) has every legal right to limit items that can be sold. If not, what would stop vendors from selling questionable items at this family friendly event, like porno, or snuff? Sure those items are legal to buy, but are they appropriate either for the event?

Anonymous said...

The event is in the toilet. Hat's off to Cabela's and other boycotters. Freedom is tricky.

Anonymous said...

O'Hare won't discuss the real people behind all the gun violence because he calls statistics racist. Better to just play the emotion card.

Reality sucks.

Anonymous said...

Are sporting rifles appropriate for an outdoor show where hunting / shooting are much of the event ?

I'll have to think about that for awhile before I answer,

Pornography? That figured in here how?
And alcohol at the Raceway? What is this Fox News where wild leaps are made to connect unrelated subjects? The reasoning here is tortured.

Good job Cabelas. At least someone is consistent and reasonable,

Anonymous said...

Thank you Cabelas for taking a reasonable position. Now let's see if the sportsmen follow that lead.
Also I went to the Sportsmen's show as long as I can remember. I will not attend this year and I asked to be removed from their mailing list. The "Main Hall is all about guns and hunting". The smaller halls are all about the outdoors, archery, handgun hunting, etc etc. The main theme of this event is about hunting. This crap about raceing being a major part of this event is just that a bunch of crap. I urge all the sportsmen to boycott this event.


Bernie O'Hare said...

2:54, No matter what it is called, it has historically been the largest gun show in the state.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Keep your stubby fingers off my guns."

So far as I know, there has been no proposal to disarm anyone.

Bernie O'Hare said...

4:51 AM is only interested in trashing me. That's the reality.

hokie joe said...

It is my understanding that the number of vendors boycotting the show is now up to 60. If and when the NRA comes out with a position "pro or con" against the show, it may very well cost Reed Corp. millions of dollars. Reed Corp is a Great Britain firm located about 25 miles where innocent children were slaugthered by a maniac. I understand their position, I just don't understand their rationalization.
Hokie Joe

Anonymous said...

Honestly, it was an overpriced show to start with and you had to really look far and wide to find the deals to justify driving out there.

That being said, their gun stance pushed fence sitters like me to vote with my wallet and not patronize the show this year.

Credit said...

Kudos to Cabela's.

I won't be going to the show this year.

J. SPIKE ROGAN said...

And this is why I refuse to belong to the NRA, look at how nasty and obnoxious their "supporters" are. But when you have mentally unstable celebs like Ted Nugent as a "spokesperson", should we expect you to make us, reasonable gun owners, look rational?

Where were all you conservative NRA people when the all Republican, Pocono Mountain School board ended the Rifle Team?

Just keep name calling and acting like immature children, that will really help the cause--for proving why you people are not responsible and mature enough to handle 5.56 assault rifles.

J. SPIKE ROGAN said...

And only foolish consumers buy firearms from Cabellas. They are by far the most OVERPRICED gun dealer in America.

Anonymous said...

Spike go get your constable approved weapons. After all a constable is part of a "well regulated milita".
What a load of crap.

J. SPIKE ROGAN said...

ANON 12:34 THANK YOU FOR PROVING MY POINT! KEEP IT UP! (Also, you are so brave by not putting your name to that post).

Anonymous said...

Just reread the comments and didn't find any particularly nasty or obnoxious until Spike joined the thread, called posters nasty and obnoxious, and elicited an equivalent response. The post was going fine until Spike blew in scrawling insults. Best to ignore flame throwers in order to advance reasoned discussion.

J. SPIKE ROGAN said...

Anons: 4:12, 4:51, and 12:34 all making attacks and insults. But I guess when acting rude is an accepted tactic, well, you don't see how foolish you make us the rational owners look.

J. SPIKE ROGAN said...

This is my point in all caps: http://youtu.be/ytZtDyjcq7c

I'm done on this post.

Anonymous said...

2:06
Many Ds support the 2nd Amendment.
Your an asshole for making sweeping generalizations. Turn off Fox news and read a book, or go to the range and sharpen your skills.

Anonymous said...

Which is the gun show that is having a problem keeping vendors? It is a non-profit organization that gives the profits from the gun show to wounded veterans. Is this that gun show?

Anonymous said...

Hey easy on Spike. He is going to be a constable an that gives him special gun privledges. He may even buy an old cop car and wear a tactical vest.

LOL

Peter J. Cochran said...

Bernie, I say to you that a full 30 round magazine does not increase the probability of injury in assaults except on a very limited short range burst in a confinement. When the Infantry goes into a defensive position they need to be able to deliver grazing fire ,interlocked one foot or so off the ground at the farthest point from the defensive line during an attack up to the capacity of that weapons system.Otherwise almost never any advantage to a shooter as it gets in the way, exception being in a match under international rules you are allowed to rest the magazine on the ground in the prone position,600 meter slow fire,ie. that may cause a failure to feed on some ARs.

Peter J. Cochran said...

Let me help you on the other issue about Spike and being a firearm carrying Constable here in Pa. Act 41 ,under PCCD rule allow Constables to carry firearms like cops and Deputy Sheriffs. However the applicant will be screened, and vetted a several occasions and then that individual will have to qualify and pass tests that are more comprehensive that police training, period.Do not forget that ALL POLICE POWERS in this COMMONWEALTH are derived from that of a Constable.No special anything about this ,just hard and fast rules and regulations.

Anonymous said...

Bernie,

The list of exhibitors and sponsors pulling out of the Eastern Sports Show as a boycott has grown tremendously. Check pennlive.com for an article, or google the list.