The Senate Judiciary Committee looked the National Rifle Association in the eye yesterday and said no... twice.
The NRA sent lobbyist John Commerford from Washington, DC, to lobby for House Bills 1096 and 1116 before Senate Judiciary Tuesday morning. Both bills tinkered with our concealed weapons permit laws; HB 1116 was the worse, effectively repealing the need to obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm. The NRA supported both bills, and Senate Judiciary rejected both bills. The only votes supporting HB 1096 and HB 1116 came from Senator Jeff Monroe (R-24/Pierre), who has previously laid bare his fearful fealty to his NRA score.
The full Senate struck another blow against gun nuttery yesterday by tabling Senate Bill 192, which would have allowed sergeants-at-arms in the Capitol to carry firearms. Prime sponsor Senator Brock Greenfield (R-2/Clark) wheezed again about his vague terror at our "ever-changing, increasingly volatile world" yet yielded to law enforcement and security professionals and asked the Senate to table his fearful bill. The Senate obliged.
The Legislature has now killed six bills dealing with concealed weapons in their titles (previous dust-biters: HB 1108, HB 1183, HB 1206, and SB 162). Only two concealed weapons bills have survived: HB 1215, creating an enhanced concealed weapons permit, is headed for Senate committee, while the Governor has signed Senate Bill 12, making it easier for military spouses to get concealed weapons permits.
I cheer the Legislature's possibly growing willingness to say no to the NRA. Now how about developing the will to say yes to the NEA? The Legislature seems to have floated more bills to put guns in people's pockets than to put more money in teachers' pockets. Tell me, citizens, which problem seems to be more urgent in South Dakota: the inability of citizens to defend themselves with secretly carried deadly force, or the inability of teachers to make ends meet on South Dakota's barrel-bottom teacher pay?
Okay, I'll say it. I'm proud of the Senate committee for dumping these goofy bills. Bravo. Well done. Thank you.
I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop before I pat them on the back for doing the right thing for once.
Seems 1096 was a good idea (clarifying how background checks were to be done), there were just some issues to iron out. Sounds like it'll be back next year with the kinks worked out (like a CCP revocation procedure).
Wasn't particularly fond of either one of these bills but do not forget this: laws only protect you against the law abiding-and you seldom need that protection!
Well, perhaps their I some intelligence and intestinal fortitude in our Republican legislators concerning the NRA. Key word, some.
Next year a bill needs to be offered that wants to pay teachers more so they can buy Lots O' Guns!
cod-tell that to trayyvon martin, 17 year old shot dead by stalker/concealed carry nut zimmerman. well...then send that note to his grieving parents, siblings, extended family. anytime in the next ten years will be comforting.
Why Koch/NRA gun laws won't work as they'd like:
http://www.gocomics.com/aunty-acid
That was funny,Deb. Already pasted at the mudflats.
We could just pay the teachers in bullets.
I am an advocate of allowing people to own firearms without having to file government paperwork to do so. I am an advocate of prohibiting some people to handle a firearm.
"Concealed weapons permits" provide nothing to the citizens of SoDak except the $10 each permittee pays. People who intend harm to others don't need a permit. The only way around that is a metal detector at every intersection.
You can ban firearms at any venue. You have to be able to search people--and stand the gaff over that--in order to make your ban have any teeth.
Not many of us with opinions similar to mine pack heat regularly. But an awful lot of us have guns readily available in our homes. We'd prefer not to be illegal if a situation comes up where we'd like to carry a concealed firearm for a while, but if the situation were dire enough, we'd do it.
Like my friend Bob says, you have to stand the gaff.
Deb, like the Aunty Acid link. I'm more concerned about the latter though not an advocate of either!
I am not your friend, you prick.
I know, Bob. I know. You sister knows how to dance. She might be more my speed.
My sister is exactly your speed.
MinnPost is an online newspaper. This brief comment refers to terrorist threats to the Nall of America in the MN metro. It's written by Brian Lambert.
"Frankly, I’m stunned it took this long for someone to bring up the obvious solution. KMSP-TV’s [local TV station, Fox] Aaron Rupar writes, “In the wake of al-Shabaab's threat against the Mall of America, one of the legislature's staunchest pro-gun rights lawmakers is taking aim at the mall's firearms policy. … Asked to expand on why he thinks banning guns in the mall's common areas isn't smart, Cornish [Republican] says, ‘A terrorist pays no attention to signs.’ ‘A terrorist is going to come in and cause mass casualties and couldn't care less if you have a petty misdemeanor violation of a sign,’ he continues. ‘It creates a kill zone of unarmed sheep for terrorists.’ … We asked Cornish if he supports open carrying in the mall. ‘I have always advised against the option of open carrying because it raises some people's fears,’ he replies. ‘But if you go to Arizona, they've had [open carrying] for years, and nobody has a heart attack if they see someone with a .45 in the store. It's a different culture here in Minnesota.’” So if you see anything or anyone strange at MOA, open fire and then call security."
This may very well be the best action - making these non actions - to happen in the SD legislature this year.
If I am reading your legislative calendar correctly, the last day to file bills passed 3 weeks ago and there are just 8 working days left to this legislative session.
Home stretch.
Thanks, Deb, for posting this crazy Cornish's comments. Don't you love it? Lets carry a gun, appoint ourselves judge, jury and executioner and fire at will!!! What could possibly go wrong with that attitude in a crowded mall?
I know CLCJM. Nutso, nutso, nutso.
Who says the lege doesn't provide for teachers?
http://tinyurl.com/lnto867
Thank someone for tiny url. This cartoon 's original url was 610 characters.
Figures, mike. this is their idea of protecting people. Who's protecting us from them?