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SB 162: Gun-Happy Legislators Consider Capitol Gunslinger Bill

It wouldn't be a South Dakota Legislative Session without lots of talk about guns. We have five bills easing or outright repealing our concealed weapons rules. Three have passed the House.

Awaiting its first hearing is Senate Bill 162, which reads like a version of the unwise and thankfully unused school sentinel law passed in 2013. Senator Brock Greenfield (R-2/Clark) wants legislators to be able to carry concealed weapons "for purposes of deterrence and defense against any violent attack against the Legislature, its members, its staff, and members of the public in attendance of any meeting of the Legislature."

Yes, because there are so many violent attacks on the Capitol in Pierre, and because our legislators are best trained and equipped to respond to crime with deadly force.

Senator Greenfield would create a whole bunch of bureaucracy to allow certain legislators to pack heat in the Capitol. The Attorney General would have to approve each request, and the permit-seeking legislators would have to take firearms training.

SB 162 would also keep the names of the pistol-permitted legislators secret. As I did with the school gunslinger bill, I find such secrecy offensive. If I visit the Capitol, I want to know exactly which legislators are carrying weapons so that I can be alert to the possibility of some legislator going off half-cocked. If Pierre is so dangerous, if our civil institutions have so egregiously failed, that we must allow legislators to carry firearms, they should carry those weapons openly, on their hips, to constantly remind us of the imminent danger all around.

But we elect our legislators to legislate, not play security guard. We pay taxes for qualified law enforcement officials to patrol the Capitol and protect our leaders. We don't need more Capitol gunslingers. Our legislators should all put their guns down and focus on public policy.

100 Comments

  1. mike from iowa 2015.02.11

    OK unidentified legislator. Put the koch bros on the ground and back away slowly.

  2. 96Tears 2015.02.11

    Thank you God and Jesus for our guns.

  3. Bill Fleming 2015.02.11

    In what way is the People's interest in any way served with bills like this, Cory? Please, someone convince me that this isn't some form of chronic, paranoid delusional, macho, numb-skullery. I say chronic, because it keeps coming up, year after year. WTF?

  4. larry kurtz 2015.02.11

    Yeah: let's laud PP's blog career so Dan Lederman can be enshrined in the Zionist/Catholic Shooter's Hall of Fame!

  5. larry kurtz 2015.02.11

    Arm the GOP so dog can sort them out more effectively.

  6. larry kurtz 2015.02.11

    Hey, Fleming: could you please take a selfie of your lip lock on PP's pp?

  7. Bill Fleming 2015.02.11

    Kurtz, it's not my problem that you have trouble getting along with people. If you don't like assholes, don't be one. We become what we hate, remember?

  8. mike from iowa 2015.02.11

    Relax South Dakotans. You've got wingnuttery company in Alaska(later) and Kansas-http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/kansas-gov-sam-brownback-rescinds-states-lgbt-protections?google_editors_picks=true

    Brownback is gonna make up state shortfall by cutting.....wait for it......public education.

  9. Lynn 2015.02.11

    SB162 brought to you by Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Glock, Beretta and America's NRA! Remember! Evil lurks behind every corner!

  10. larry kurtz 2015.02.11

    Sleeping with the enemy clearly soothes your pathological guilt for past transgressions, Bill: it does nothing for mine.

  11. Bill Fleming 2015.02.11

    Larry, are you projecting? If not, what's your purpose in interrupting the flow of conversation? Do you think we like watching you acting like a smartass and abusing people here? Is that how you deal with your guilt? And if so, how is that any different than what Sibby does?

    Have you showered today?

    If not, maybe that would help.

    Couldn't hurt. ;-)

  12. larry kurtz 2015.02.11

    Bill, my recommendation is for you to go buy the biggest sidearm you can afford, practice using it and prepare to protect yourself from the people who live in my home state.

  13. Roger Cornelius 2015.02.11

    More Republican secrecy for gun nuts, Republicans don't know the meaning of transparency.

    Why is the public not allowed to know who is carrying a weapon that may harm us?

  14. Disgusted Dakotan 2015.02.11

    This is another one of those issues that those on the Left take way too lightly.

    Being weak on 2nd Amendment support incites numerous internal as well as external political forces against a candidate.

    Some of these bills appear to be seeded into sessions every year to throw the raw meat out there so these political forces can use them as fund/member raising battle cries.

    Many of the SD rural home town Democrats do not share their more liberal party members feelings on guns. This is an issue that continues to be craftily used against Democrats. Conservatives have also used it to some effect against the moderate Left sects of the SDGOP.

  15. Lynn 2015.02.11

    DD,

    What would you advise as a counter strategy for the SDDP or any opposition to the SDGOP establishment on this?

    I was a member of the NRA when I was a kid after taking my gun safety class and was a member until my early 20s but I don't recognize that same organization anymore.

    Some of my best memories were going out hunting with immediate and extended family members. I've served in the military and have a slight interest in a firearms along with target shooting if I had more time and money but it annoys me seeing every campaign ad requiring a candidate holding a gun. I mean come on!

  16. Ed 2015.02.11

    I wonder if Greenfield studied his bible for guidance before sponsoring this bill as I'm sure the bible has lots of references of support for carrying a handgun while legislating on the Senate floor. This is the crackpot that District 2 voters sent to Pierre instead of a good, reasonable person like Chuck Welke.

  17. Lynn 2015.02.11

    Ed not just Brock but Lana also. I watched the crackerbarrel video and it wondered who the heck voted for them? Was voter turnout that bad that they won?

  18. Lynn 2015.02.11

    Will there be any duals among legislators? Was it 50 paces?

  19. Bill Fleming 2015.02.11

    Lynn and DD,

    One idea would be for the SD Dem legislators to just go ahead and open carry their pheasant hunting shotguns into session, get arrested, and go to jail. (I suggest they bring the guns unloaded.) Either that or just surrender them at the door, avoid arrest, and then ask the question as to why those proposing this bill want to have their weapons concealed? That should get them plenty of NRA "gold stars" and maybe even give some GOPers a few demerits for being gun weenies.

    If nothing else, they'll make national news, maybe even get on Fox. :-)

    That's what I would do. See why I don't ever run for office?

  20. Harvey Wolllman 2015.02.11

    Cory, Why has this legislature set net new records for stupidity? Thank God for the few members of the minority that still think clearly. Harvey

  21. Lynn 2015.02.11

    Bill That legislative chamber would be a scarier place knowing some of these crackpots might be armed.

  22. jerry 2015.02.11

    The KOP has no idea about how to govern so they continue to come up with this lame stuff. If they want to play cowboy, they just need to get a hat and carry that trusty 6 shooter on their hips, in the open and then do a blue ribbon panel on why people giggle at them for not being able to accomplish anything worthwhile for the people.

  23. Jenny 2015.02.11

    Good little Christians always carry their guns! We all need to promote tolerance, respect and decency by being good little gun-totin Christian soldiers. Go bring your guns to the Pierre Capital everyone!! Yeehaa!

  24. Roger Cornelius 2015.02.11

    Greenfield and his SB162 bill are strongly suggesting that the South Dakota Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies are totally incompetent.

    Why not just pass legislation saying we don't trust our own law enforcement and will take matters into our own hands?

  25. Jenny 2015.02.11

    Heck, why don't you just throw in some strippers for the boys, also, and some good weed.

  26. Jenny 2015.02.11

    I'll get my gay boys to come over too from MN.

  27. Bill Fleming 2015.02.11

    Roger, exactly. Same with their death penalty argument. Good point.

    If law enforcement can't handle law enforcement assignments, that's a problem. They need to fix that unless they want us all to become our own police force.

    It's the kind of thinking that says government is irrelevant and essentially puts them all out of a job. Why bother writing all these laws if there's no way of enforcing them?

  28. leslie 2015.02.11

    since posting my antigun messages these last few days my various cyber accounts are covered w/ gaugdy ar-15 type ads, strange unidentifieable calls and emails, a i personally believe voicing my opinion that risks come with that.

    1st and 2d amendments are not compatible. i question the reasonable need for 2d amendment mania.

    i will not be attending functions where concealed carry is permitted. when i become aware someone is carrying in a social situation, i leave and will not further associate with persons involved.

    to be in a public setting where a carrier decides he/she is glad they are carrying, as they perceive a threat has arisen, i refuse to be placed in an endangered position from their armed status . i consider it an assault on my person.

    i do not wish to live in a country that fears for its public safety so that one must openly or concealed carry. i also believe those people are idiots.

  29. Jenny 2015.02.11

    What is SD law enforcement's stance on these gun-totin' bills that come across ever year? Do they want and encourage more gun carry laws?

  30. Jenny 2015.02.11

    Police forces have enough to do without havin' to worry about everyone and their grandma runnin' around with a gun.

  31. leslie 2015.02.11

    also, i have not seen american sniper but believe too those people who are moved to patriotic rapture by such movies are idiots as well.

    i fully support appropriate law enforcment and military use of weapons, as seldom as possible, subject to strict oversight of abuse.

    i grew up hunting, owning guns, and recognize they are almost never necessary in modern day life.

  32. Disgusted Dakotan 2015.02.11

    @Lynn & Bill, this is one of those issues that they are able to bait the hook with the more liberal minded legislators (R & D). The NRA does not normally track all the gun bills and only half heartedly support one or two a session. The NRA is notorious for playing political games with their ratings. The current "Constitutional Carry" bill has been up and down in the legislature many times now. When the NRA isn't highlighting it? The bill is killed outright in committee and the NRA does not count it as they were not highlighting the bill.

    Zach Laughtenslager's group is much more attentive to all the gun bills and is known to postcard legislators during session.

    The wiley moderates and liberals in strong 2nd Amendment supporting districts will swallow their qualms about the NRA bills will get in step normally. NRA is notorious for padding the scoring of not so strong 2nd Amendment supporters who may be in leadership positions.

    It is to NRA's advantage to have these not so strong gun rights legislators out there. It gives them a boogeyman/woman to use in recruiting members and raising $$. It's the reason the NRA doesn't do a full court press in support of the many gun bills that pop up. If SD's 2nd Amendment rights were rescued/strengthened? Why would anyone continue to donate?

  33. WayneF 2015.02.11

    Brock Greenfield is a classic example of a point I've made many times ... with few exceptions, people who move to Pierre to make laws immediately lose HALF their IQ, and it diminishes the longer they're there.

    Carry a gun in the Capitol? Really? Brock ... get a real job.

  34. leslie 2015.02.11

    dd, didn't you already say that at 14:04?

  35. larry kurtz 2015.02.11

    Everybody in South Dakota should be carrying right now but remember: save that last bullet for yourself.

  36. Roger Elgersma 2015.02.11

    Sooooo, we have one bill that anyone in general can carry a concealed weapon without applying for a permit, and another bill that says that a legislator would need to apply for a concealed weapon. Who do we trust here.
    Some say that anyone can carry a concealed weapon since only those good law abiding citizens apply(Argus Leader today). Well so since the bad guys do not apply you do not want a law to jail them if they carry a concealed weapon to do mischief? People that want a gun sometimes have no logic. I am not sure I want that kind having a gun.

  37. David Newquist 2015.02.11

    Last Saturday evening Democrats who had visited the cracker barrel session were still shaking their heads. One said it was like visitor's day at the asylum: rather than talk about salient points made about issues, attendees could only remark about the antics of the inmates. And these are the people writing and performing the legislative agenda. All one can do is snicker, while dreaming of places where sanity and a bit of intelligence rules.

  38. larry kurtz 2015.02.11

    Anyone else notice that a former SD governor, a professor emeritus and other asylum seekers come to Madville because Cory is the studmuffin deluxe?

  39. Jenny 2015.02.11

    Isaac Latteral is such a gay boy! What a cutie!

  40. larry kurtz 2015.02.11

    Governor Wollman: you packin' heat?

  41. Jenny 2015.02.11

    And those Novstrup boys! Such a gay love and peace fest it could be in Pierre if those beautiful MN gay boys came on over.

  42. Jana 2015.02.11

    Think of the poor pages! First they are submitted to millions of callers using foul language over the Clark/Daugaard anti-democracy bill and now they will be fatally in harms way over legislators who couldn't dream of passing a live fire drill carrying lethal weapons who may decide to shoot at the threat of a woman wearing a birth control patch.

    Please God, someone submit the lot of them to a live fire simulator that would show just how good they are in close range attacks.

    Grow up Brock! If you need a gun to feel like you are a big man...look in the mirror...you're a big target that would do more harm to others than your attackers.

  43. Jenny 2015.02.11

    I really want to know, has there ever been a GLBT day at the Capital during the legislative session? Gay rights is a lot more important than crazy gun bills. Does anyone know? Cory, we should plan one if there has never been one.

  44. Jenny 2015.02.11

    Cory, the SDDP should plan an anti-racism peaceful protest rally in Pierre also. I mean really, who is running the Dem party in SD? What a bunch of wusses. There are rallies in St Paul most days during the legislative session. Reading SD political news just really gets me depressed. How can dems stand living there?

  45. Jenny 2015.02.11

    The dems may not have the power, but protest rallies are free and legal.

  46. jerry 2015.02.11

    Could it be penis issues that cause these KOP ers to continue with this gun carrying direction? I am betting it is. That would explain the crazy gal from Perkins county's obsession.

  47. Disgusted Dakotan 2015.02.11

    @Leslie I did touch on some of those salient points, yes. Contrary to the catcalls, I'm not a "concern troll." I have seen the benefit of our state having an actual two party system and do not see the wisdom of Democrats sacrificing their candidate's on issues where they have no actual differences with moderate Republicans and issues where the "ball" movement is measured in millimeters.

    Democrats are scratching their heads still wondering why they fare so poorly against Republican candidates in SD? I've pointed out that part of their problem is setting up their candidate's to lose by putting them firmly in the crosshairs (no pun intended) of special interest groups (NRA, Right to Life, etc) on issues where movement on the issues are measured in the smallest of fractions but the positions are portrayed dramatically to aggressive support networks.

    The difference between many moderate "Republicans" and Democrats often boils down to the letter behind their names; however, because those political opportunists place their personal interests above ideology, Democrats lose out on the influence those numbers provide their cause.

  48. El Rayo X 2015.02.11

    May I offer a couple of amendments to SB162? First, all guns must have suppressors on them. The Capitol building is primarily an office building and excess noise does not make for a good workplace. Second, all guns must use low velocity, hollow-point bullets so exiting rounds don't do damage to the historic building. Let common courtesy and good manners prevail.

  49. leslie 2015.02.11

    2d amendment right to bullet proof vests for all 700,000(i am guessing) of us not carrying.

  50. Roger Cornelius 2015.02.11

    There used to be a darn good reason why Freedom of Speech came first and the 2nd Amendment followed, with the actions of the legislature that seems to have been turned around.
    The more I follow this discussion and others on SB162 the more I am convinced this isn't an issue about the 2nd Amendment, NRA, vs. lefties. It is about sanity and insanity, paranoia is a mental illness and Greenfield is showing his.
    If Greenfield has so little faith and trust in South Dakota law enforcement, he does not belong in office.
    Sb162 is an accident or intentional shooting just waiting to happen.

  51. Jana 2015.02.11

    El Rayo X, good points. I would add that only firearms and ammo manufactured in South Dakota are permitted...that might help the Economic Development department attract the people they have spent millions trying to get to move to South Dakota.

    Still would love to see how many innocents would die when the legislators were put through a live fire simulation.

    Wonder what the scores were for the last time any gun totin proponents of this bill scored when they actually had to prove that they could handle a gun in a crisis situation.

    Hide your kids...Betty's packing heat.

  52. Robert J. Cordts 2015.02.11

    Civil discourse isn't what it used to be. Better not disagree with Senator Greenfield.

  53. Owen 2015.02.11

    where does it say in the 2nd amendment that a person has the right to conceal a gun?
    I think DD is right that this comes up every year. I think it's a way for them to get the right to throw money at them to stop those terrible liberals from taking their guns.

  54. scott 2015.02.11

    I hope there are guns in heaven.

  55. jerry 2015.02.11

    There are big guns in heaven, Jayne Mansfield is there.

  56. Owen 2015.02.11

    love it Jerry. lol
    Marilyn Monroe as well

  57. Roger Cornelius 2015.02.11

    Jerry and Owen

    Republicans will never find out if there are guns in heaven, there is only room for liberals up there.

  58. Tim 2015.02.11

    I spend a lot of time working in the state toilet, I wonder if my employer will buy me a bullet proof vest for protection when I go over there? I am expressly forbidden to carry a firearm of any kind in my truck, I'll have no way to return fire when one of those idiots falls off the deep end.

  59. mike from iowa 2015.02.11

    Mansfield lost her head,that would necessarily make her a wingnut,would it not?

  60. jerry 2015.02.11

    Tim, they will probably drop that piece on the floor while they are comparing their shooting irons. The absolute worse place to be, with full of bullshit republicans, is in the latrine. Danger, danger!! What a big bunch of nonsense. How many more days of the fiasco before they take their sorry behinds home?

  61. jerry 2015.02.11

    Your probably right Roger, after killing the Medicaid Expansion, they all have blood on their hands.

  62. Tim 2015.02.11

    Jerry, I hate to bring bad news but I think they have two or three more weeks. They haven't even started butchering the budget yet.

  63. jerry 2015.02.11

    3 weaks of drivel, what a complete waste of oxygen.

  64. Deb Geelsdottir 2015.02.11

    A commenter on another blog refers to the people who lust after guns as "ammosexuals." I like that.

    While I think that some gun lovers do have issues about their sexuality, I'd bet that most of it is America's oligarchy in action. The NRA is the political arm of Smith & Wesson, Colt, Ruger, etc. It only masquerades as an organization of hunters and target shooters.

    The American oligarchs have employed top flight psychology experts for decades. They know exactly how to manipulate their targets to consume the oligarch's products. When it comes to weapons, either public or military, Fear triumphs any other tool.

    Those same oligarchs used their psychology experts to learn the easiest and cheapest way to buy political types. It's likely that many who've been bought are unaware.

  65. MC 2015.02.12

    Based on what we see, I believe there is no reason for legislators to carry, open or concealed, a gun in the capital. But what are we not seeing? There a handful of people out there who mentally unstable. Who might consider legislators, the governor, or the government as whole, evil and must be extinguished. Are there death threats against anyone in the capital? It is hard to make a judgment without having all the facts.

  66. Bob Newland 2015.02.12

    Half-cock is when the position of the hammer is partially but not completely cocked. Many firearms, particularly older firearms, had a notch cut into the hammer allowing half-cock, as this position would neither allow the gun to fire nor permit the hammer-mounted firing pin to rest on a live percussion cap or cartridge. The purpose of the half-cock position has variously been used either for loading a firearm, or, as a safety-mechanism, or for both reasons. The still commonly used English expression of "going off half-cocked" derives from the failure of the half-cock mechanism to keep the hammer from falling and the subsequent failure to prevent a firearm from firing when unintended.

  67. mike from iowa 2015.02.12

    As I so graciously mentioned before,in Texas statehouse women have their purses searched and have feminine hygiene products taken away so they can't be used as missiles. At the same time,total,complete idiots prance around waving loaded assault rifles at congressweasels with ignorant bliss-legally.

  68. MC 2015.02.12

    The Second Amendment is not about grabbing your AR-15 and going after neighbors chickens because they crow too much; or settling disputes on main street at high noon. The Second Amendment is about empowering the people to be responsible for their own community's security.

    We have a responsibility to provide for our own security. Yes we pay taxes for law enforcement, but they can't be everywhere all the time. Sometimes that means locking our doors, other times more aggressive means are necessary.

    I would add something to the effect that the legislator needs to provide some kind proof why they need to carry a firearm.

    Leslie, I feel sorry for you that you dislike people who own and carry firearms. Most of those people are stand up law abiding citizens, who are willing to defend you and your rights, even if they don't agree with you.

  69. Bob Newland 2015.02.12

    Brock Greenfield's reason to want to carry in the Capitol: "I am a dim-witted fat man who misrepresents Christianity to support arguments for legislation that makes no sense."

  70. Jenny 2015.02.12

    I agree, Bob. A lot of gun folks are overweight and obese and in their minds they feel like Clint Eastwood when they have are clasped to their guns, it makes them feel good. It's kind of like an addiction. Ammosexual is a good term for it.
    Sigh....... only in America.....

  71. Jenny 2015.02.12

    Meanwhile their granddaughters and grandsons are being murdered by their ammosexual obsession and no one gives a damn, but let's ostracize a woman for aborting a zygote.

  72. Bob Newland 2015.02.12

    Or a mountain goat.

  73. Lynn 2015.02.12

    Given that this was just another fear driven bill proposed courtesy of the SDGOP that was thankfully killed should I wear a flack jacket or some body armor if I go to Pierre for protection just in case Brock or one of his buddys sneak a firearm in? Are there any fashionable body armor options available I could coordinate with various outfits?

  74. Roger Cornelius 2015.02.12

    MC,
    The other day I was told by a 2nd Amendment guy that he carries a gun to protect himself and his family not me.

    When I go out and about in racist Rapid City I don't expect citizens to protect me, I expect law enforcement to do that.

  75. Jenny 2015.02.12

    My watch dog dachshound (don't laugh - she's meaner than most big dogs) and my local law enforcement protect me along with practicing safety measures. I'm too confident and sensible to carry a gun. You couldn't pay me to carry one.

  76. MC 2015.02.12

    Roger, This is kind of a pet peeve with me.

    The Second Amendment is just "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed"

    There a small part in front of that "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,"

    If you read the whole thing, it is pretty the intent of the Amendment.

    Maybe we need some education?

  77. Jenny 2015.02.12

    Again, it's too bad ammosexuals do not have confidence in the local law enforcements. I commend all the hard-working policemen and local detectives out there working to get the 'bad guys'. It's a hard job and I wouldn't want to do it. I have total confidence in you guys, too bad the gun lovers don't.

  78. MC 2015.02.12

    Jenny, No one is forcing you to carry a gun, If you don't want to than so be it.

    At the same time if someone chooses to carry a gun, you shouldn't stop them.

  79. Jenny 2015.02.12

    Law enforcement with the help of a private citizen, stopped a mentally unstable highschool kid from gunning down his local school here in MN. The private citizen didn't need a gun to do it. It was being proactive and noticing strange behavior at a building behind her house. She called police and didn't try to confront the boy herself. There are the kinds of citizens police want, not every one and their gramma trying to fight crime themselves with being gun horny.

  80. MC 2015.02.12

    That is correct, and this is a good example of citizen working with law enforcement to stop a crime BEFORE it happens.

    However, local law enforcement can't be everywhere all the time. You have to take some responsibility yourself, first by calling the police should the need arise, be extremely observant of everything (details matter) and you have to keep yourself safe until the police arrive.

  81. Roger Cornelius 2015.02.12

    MC,
    Contrary to many beliefs the 2nd Amendment is easy to understand as are most of the Constitutional Amendments, we make them complicated.
    I'm suspect of anyone carrying a gun, including law enforcement, you never know when a cop will have a mental breakdown or is carrying a grudge against someone he profiles.
    If I see anyone carrying or toting a weapon of any kind, concealed or otherwise, I will dial 911 immediately, it does not matter to me if he has a license or not, that is not the point.

  82. Disgusted Dakotan 2015.02.12

    A knife, a car driven with intent to harm, a hammer, a screwdriver, etc., etc., all cab be used to kill another human being. A gun makes those who wish to defend themselves equal in their ability to do so. As MC pointed out, cops cannot protect us 24-7.

    Where Democrats lose electoral ground is when they attack 2nd Amendment Rights and propose radical gun control in the face of a SD culture (D's & R's) that cherishs that culture.

    While it may make a few far Left Democrats happy to express such sentiment, it drags the rest of your tickets down and is literally "spitting" in the wind.

  83. mike from iowa 2015.02.12

    Cops can't protect us 24/7. Do you think armed citizens can protect us 24/7? I've seen so many "responsible" gun owners leave their "responsibilities" where kids and others can lay hold of them with deadly results. I'm thinking to myself,I'll take my chances with a mugger. You "responsible"gun owners scare the shit out of me.

  84. larry kurtz 2015.02.12

    People of South Dakota: go out and buy the best gun you can afford.

    The Ruger Mini-14 is a good rifle, you can get a used one for less than $500 and you still find ammo for it. You can find a good .357 hand cannon for less than that. Learn and practice especially if you are unfamiliar with firearms, get all the ammo you can, put it in a dry, safe place then be ready to protect yourselves and your families.

  85. Jenny 2015.02.12

    I haven't personally been attacking the 2nd Amendment. As a white person, I have full confidence in law enforcement keeping me protected. I understand there is a chance that I could be a victim of crime, but I don't suffer paranoia over it like the ammosexuals. Believe it or not, I am not an anti-2nd amendment hater.

  86. caheidelberger Post author | 2015.02.12

    Disgusted, back the gun truck up. My opposition to the Capitol gunslinger bill (and the Senate Judiciary committee's rejection thereof) is not "radical gun control." It's the sensible recognition that, as Senator Mike Vehle said in committee, legislators ought to concentrate on listening and legislating, not on viewing citizens in hearings and the Rotunda as potential threats and opportunities for Dirty-Harry target practice. Any time a legislator is thinking, "Should I shoot that citizen?" civil discourse and representative democracy are in trouble.

  87. MC 2015.02.12

    If someone breaks in your home right now with intent to kill you-

    How long do you have to call 911?

    How long do you have until the police arrive?

    Can you hold your ground until they arrive?

    If you are in Sioux falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, or even Pierre. you might have a fair chance. If you live a bit further out, say on a farm, or an acreage, it might take a while.

    For some people owning a gun it just isn't practical. For others it makes sense. each situation is different and should be addressed as such

  88. Owen 2015.02.12

    It's called common sense gun control Disgusted, not radical.
    It's the right wing that proposing crazy laws. It 's the far right that screams "the government is going to take our guns" whenever a gun control becomes up or even when some stupid bill gets passed like letting people conceal without a permit. Mention that it shouldn't pass and these people scream their taking away our guns. Incredible

  89. MC 2015.02.12

    In my mind, the need for a legislator to carry a firearm in the capitol would have to be pretty incredible.

  90. mike from iowa 2015.02.12

    I'm so paranoid about muggers and burglars I don't even lock my door at night way out here in the iowa countryside. I have a couple of weapons but I am certainly not itching to use them on any human being and don't feel the need to tote them everywhere I go. And I don't feel safe knowing there are thousands of itchy trigger fingers in this country that are just begging for the chance to be "Dirty Harry."

  91. larry kurtz 2015.02.12

    Testimony today on campus guns centered on students who already carry concealed illegally: likely the legislature already has a paranoid contingent with guns looking to find ways to fend off those who might encroach too closely seeking to exercise First Amendment rights.

    South Dakota: Land of Infinite Vituperation.

  92. larry kurtz 2015.02.12

    Think about it: it's not like Betty Olson and her earth hater sorority haven't pissed some people off.

  93. Deb Geelsdottir 2015.02.12

    I'm hearing comments based on NRA fear-mongering, as I described in a comment last night. "What if someone broke into your house . . . What if a mugger attacked you . . . What if a rapist chased your daughter . . . What if . . . What if . . . " And the ever popular, "Obama is going to take your guns!!!"

    That's simply fear-mongering. The crime rate is significantly down, and has been dropping for several years. These horror scenarios you're describing are less likely than any time in the 20teens. You have less to fear than you did in 2009.

  94. leslie 2015.02.18

    google woman kills self adjusting bra-holster. then child shoots parent, then dog shoots hunter,...it just goes on and on....

  95. leslie 2015.02.18

    google toddler shoots army vet mom during diaper change...three year old shoots father, pregnant mother...

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