Don't forget to call the House leadership, too!

Urgent Alert: Important Kentucky Pro-Gun Bills Still Need Your Help and Time is Running Out! Please Stand-Up and Make Your Voices Heard!

Unfortunately, the Kentucky legislature played party politics in Frankfort the last two days of the working session and two pro-gun bills may have failed as a result. There are, however, only two legislative days left after the veto session (Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27) to consider them, so it is critical that you make your voice heard loudly.

Please contact the Senate Leadership and respectfully urge them to take up House Bill 419. Ask them to attach the NRA-backed amendment and send it to the full Senate for consideration. The NRA-backed amendment would strip HB419 of its original language and would require universities to comply with current Kentucky Code allowing gun owners to keep their firearms in a locked vehicle on public and private property.

Also, please respectfully urge the Senate Leadership to bring House Bill 358, as amended, to the floor for consideration by the full Senate. HB358 has been amended to contain the original language from HB419. This bill would now permit citizens to carry firearms for self-defense while engaged in hunting, fishing, trapping, and other activities, and would clarify that citizens may do what is necessary for self-defense in the case of a wild animal attack, without fear of unjustified prosecution.

If passed by the Senate, HB419 (with the NRA-backed amendment) and HB358 would need to be sent back to the House for concurrence. Please contact the House leadership and ask them not to close up shop early and continue working through the last legislative day during the Regular Session. Ask them to vote on these important Right-to-Carry measures if passed by the Senate.

Time is running out. We also ask that you contact your State Senator and State Representative TODAY and respectfully urge them to support HB419 (with the NRA-backed amendment) and HB358.

Contact information for both the Senate and House Leadership is listed below. To find contact information for your State Senator and State Representative, please click here. Your State Legislators can also be reached by calling (502) 564-8100 or by leaving a message at (800) 372-7181. It is most effective to contact your State Legislator's office directly.

Senate Leadership

State Senator David Williams (R-16), Senate President
Office: (502) 564-3120
District: (270) 433-7777
David.Williams@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Katie Stine (R-24), President Pro Tempore
Office: (502) 564-3120
District: (859) 781-5311
Katie.Stine@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Dan Kelly (R-14), Majority Floor Leader
Office: (502) 564-2450
District: (859) 336-9048
Dan.Kelly@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Dan Seum (R-38), Majority Caucus Chair
Office: (502) 564-2450
District: (502) 749-2859
Dan.Seum@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Carroll Gibson (R-5), Majority Whip
Office: (502) 564-2450
District: (270) 230-5866
Carroll.Gibson@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Ed Worley (D-34), Minority Floor Leader
Office: (502) 564-2470
District: (859) 625-5536
Ed.Worley@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Johnny Turner (D-29), Minority Caucus Chair
Office: (502) 564-6136
District: (606) 377-6962
Johnny.Turner@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Jerry Rhoads (D-6), Minority Whip
Office: (502) 564-2470
District: (270) 825-2949
Jerry.Rhoads@lrc.ky.gov

House Leadership

State Representative Greg Stumbo (D-95), House Speaker
Annex: (502) 564-2363
Capitol: (502) 564-3363
Greg.Stumbo@lrc.ky.gov

State Representative Larry Clark (D-46), Speaker Pro Tempore
Annex: (502) 564-7520
Larry.Clark@lrc.ky.gov

State Representative Rocky Adkins (D-99), Majority Floor Leader
Annex: (502) 564-5565
Rocky.Adkins@lrc.ky.gov

State Representative John Will Stacy (D-71), Majority Whip
Annex: (502) 564-7756
Johnwill.Stacy@lrc.ky.gov

State Representative Jeff Hoover (R-83), Minority Floor Leader
Annex: (502) 564-0521
Capitol: (502) 564-5391
Jeff.Hoover@lrc.ky.gov

State Representative Bob DeWeese (R-48), Minority Caucus Chair
Annex: (502) 564-4334
Capitol: (502) 564-5391
Bob.Deweese@lrc.ky.gov

State Representative David Floyd (R-50), Minority Whip
Annex: (502) 564-5413
David.Floyd@lrc.ky.gov

New message about making calls on bills today and tomorrow

We got a phone call from a friend in state government who said that the House needs to hear from us, too, to tell them to vote on the bills that we want to see moved - HB419 and HB358.

Even if the Senate brings them to the floor, if the House leadership doesn't decide to act on them then they're dead.
The House is saying that they're not going to hear any new bills and we need to change their minds!
The number is 1-800-372-7181 to reach the message center and to leave a message for EVERYONE in the House and Senate!

Pass it on and get out the word!

Don't forget to call your Senator during these last days of the session

The 25th and 26th of March are the days that the General Assembly takes up vetoed bills and finishes its business for the session. But they can also take up new bills and pass additional legislation if they choose.

HB419 and HB358 still need to be passed. They languishing in the Senate in committee, and need the support of the Senate leadership to move to the floor.
HB419 contains language that would make it legal to have a firearm in a vehicle on university property, just like you're allowed to have on everywhere else in the state. HB358 has the language that recognizes our right to be armed for self-defense even while hunting or in the field.
Both of these could still be brought to the floor and passed, but it'll take the work of all concerned citizens to get this done.
Be sure to call your Senator and tell them that you want to see these bills given a vote, and sent on to the governor for his signature, and contact the Senate leadership to urge them to make an effort to effect this.
The toll free number to leave a message with any and all of the Senators is (800) 372-7181. Take advantage of it and please pass on this information to your friends.

KC3 to be on TV in Louisville March 25th

Recently KC3 board member Charles Riggs was interviewed by Steve Burgin of WLKY Channel 32 TV in Louisville as part of an upcoming program about guns and the economy and related topics.

We haven't yet been told the title for the program, but we've been informed that it's set to air on Wednesday, March 25th at 5 PM and again at 11 PM. You can contact WLKY for more information via their web site here.

Unlawful registration of GIs guns reversed

Recently a knucklehead commander down at Fort Campbell, Kentucky took it upon himself to mandate that the troops had to register their personal firearms, even those stored off post - AND, they had to declare if they had a concealed carry permit!

Fortunately, the commander above HIM took over and rescinded this foolishness. Read the story about it, along with a copy of his letter, here.

Seems like people who agree with Obama's desire to restrict your rights are crawling out of the woodwork, even in the Army. Good thing that citizens choose to resist tyranny.

One stupid failed policy leads to another - the British government at work

There's a piece on the Vdare web site about the evolution of more crimes by foreigners in the UK, combined with more crimes using knives and the predictable nanny-state response to it by the government.

You can find it here - worth reading if only for the many links in the text to other stories and background material.
Here's an excerpt -

"In a culture where the normal instinct of self-defense has been largely depressed by decades of liberal peacenik propaganda, mere gun grabbing (as Washington is now gearing up) will not suffice. British peace extremists may have imagined that depriving the people of firearms would ensure the end of violence in society, but something else happened on the rainbow road to kumbaya—the confiscation of guns from the British people over several decades did not result in perfect peacefulness."

Gun rights advocates get ready for a fight, House rejects bringing back the gun ban

Folks on our side are busy refuting the arguments that Holder and Diaz and other rabid anti-gunners are trying to use to introduce another gun ban. Read it on Fox News online here.

Meanwhile, 65 members of the House of Representatives tell Holder, et al, to forget about another ban - it ain't gonna fly! See that report on the NRA/ILA site here.

IT IS TIME TO ACT!

Kentucky Tea Party
Lexington, Ky - March 21

The federal stimulus, spending hundreds of billions of dollars we don't have; sending billions to states that are raising taxes anyway; bailouts going to companies that should be restructured instead of sustained; 9,000 earmarks being called 'last year's news'; proposals to tax energy until it's no longer affordable, dispense with the secret ballot for union elections, make the government the director of all health care, double welfare spending...

It is an assault on the liberty that is very foundation of our national success, and it's time to say so in a public demonstration.

The Kentucky Club for Growth, Leland Conway of WLAP in Lexington, the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions and others are organizing a Kentucky Tea Party in downtown Lexington. KC3 supports this important public demonstration against the waste and bad policy being created in Washington.

Come down to the Robert F. Stevens Courthouse Plaza (corner of Limestone and Main) at noon on Saturday, March 21st, and let City Hall, Frankfort, and Washington know what's on our minds.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!
Don't be content with having this discussion only amongst ourselves. We need to show all of Kentucky that conservatives are still here and willing to engage.

Date: Saturday, March 21, 2009
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: Robert F. Stevens Courthouse Plaza

WE ARE ORGANIZING SO YOU CAN MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.
We must remind everyone that national success follows from individual success, not government direction.

JOIN US!
Bring signs, teabags, whatever your inspiration.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Andy Hightower
Executive Director

There's still time to contact the legislature about two important bills

The Fate of Two Pro-Gun Bills Rests in the Hands of the Kentucky State Senate Leadership!
Contact Senate Leadership Today!

Unfortunately, the Kentucky legislature played party politics in Frankfort the last two days of the working session and two pro-gun bills may of failed as a result. Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27 are the only two legislative days left after the veto session to consider these pro-gun bills, so it is critical that Senate Leadership hear from you today.

Please contact Senate Leadership and respectfully urge them to take up House Bill 419 on Thursday, March 26. Ask them to attach the NRA-backed amendment and send it to the full Senate for consideration. The NRA-backed amendment would strip HB 419 of its original language and would require Universities to comply with current Kentucky Code allowing gun owners to keep their firearms in a locked vehicle on public and private property.

Also, please respectfully urge Senate Leadership to bring HB 358 with no additional amendments to the floor for consideration by the full Senate. HB358 has been amended to contain the original language from HB 419. This bill would now permit citizens to carry firearms for self-defense while engaged in hunting, fishing, trapping, and other activities, and would clarify that citizens may do what is necessary for self-defense in the case of a wild animal attack, without fear of unjustified prosecution.

At this time all legislators are back and forth between the capitol and their districts, so please take the time to use all the contact information listed below.

Senate Leadership
State Senator David Williams (R-16), Senate President
Office (502) 564-3120
District (270) 433-7777
David.Williams@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Katie Stine (R-24), President Pro Tempore
Office (502) 564-3120
District (859) 781-5311
Katie.Stine@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Dan Kelly (R-14), Majority Floor Leader
Office (502) 564-2450
District (859) 336-9048
Dan.Kelly@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Dan Seum (R-38), Majority Caucus Chair
Office (502) 564-2450
District (502) 749-2859
Dan.Seum@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Carroll Gibson (R-5), Majority Whip
Office (502) 564-2450
District (270) 230-5866
Carroll.Gibson@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Ed Worley (D-34), Minority Floor Leader
Office (502) 564-2470
District (859) 625-5536
Ed.Worley@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Johnny Turner (D-29), Minority Caucus Chair
Office (502) 564-6136
District (606) 377-6962
Johnny.Turner@lrc.ky.gov

State Senator Jerry Rhoads (D-6), Minority Whip
Office (502) 564-2470
District (270) 825-2949
Jerry.Rhoads@lrc.ky.gov

SAF press release about the attempt to gut the armed pilots program

OBAMA EFFORT TO END ARMED PILOTS PROGRAM AN OUTRAGE, SAYS CCRKBA

BELLEVUE, WA – A revelation by the Washington Times that President Barack Obama is trying to quietly end the armed pilot program, making air travel more vulnerable to terrorist attack, should outrage travelers, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today.

“The Washington Times nailed it,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb, who proposed arming pilots just hours after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and championed the armed pilot program. “What Obama is doing is risking public safety, as the newspaper put it, ‘in the name of an anti-gun ideology’.”

The newspaper reported in its Tuesday edition that President Obama is “quietly ending the federal firearms program” by diverting some $2 million from the training program to hire “supervisory” staff, whose job, it appears, will be to harass armed pilots through unnecessary field inspections.

“How dare the president, or anybody in his administration, take measures to erode the safety of air travelers,” Gottlieb questioned. “The armed pilot program provides a guaranteed level of security to the public. There may or may not be an air marshal aboard every airplane, but there is definitely a pilot in the cockpit.

“We trust commercial airline pilots with $500 million aircraft,” he continued. “We can certainly trust them with $500 pistols to defend those planes, and t! he lives of their passengers.

“Certain individuals have never liked the armed pilot program,” Gottlieb acknowledged. “These anti-gun, anti-self-defense bureaucrats seem more interested in their own power, and protecting their little empires, than they are in protecting the public. And now, Obama is catering to their anti-gun bigotry.”

Call the White House at (202) 456-1111, or send a comment by visiting www.whitehouse.gov/contact.

White House trying to kill Armed Pilots program

In yet another under-the-radar sneak attack, the Obama administration is pulling two million dollars from the Armed Flight Deck Officers program in order to move the money to people in the program who will kill it with regulations and restrictions.

This is simply crazy. The armed pilots program has been a positive force in the prevention of hijackings and violence on commercial aircraft, with an outstanding safety record. How does it make any sense to jeopardize the safety of the traveling public by this action?
You can read about it here in the Washington Times, and follow it up as it progresses on Michael Bane's blog here. Michael is the host of the Shooting Gallery show on the Outdoor Channel, and a long-time champion of our rights. He's also the host of Downrange TV on the internet. If you haven't ever seen Michael's work, time to take a look. Gun owners and concealed carry advocates have no better friend than Mr. Bane.
Pro-rights groups such as the Second Amendment Foundation have begun to take notice of this attempt to gut the safety of the skies and are sending out email alerts to gun owners and activists.
Once again, it's going to take the active efforts of those of us who care about freedoms and personal safety and our right to bear arms, making those phone calls and sending those emails, to undo this treachery. Better get used to it, it's going to be a long haul.
To send a message to your Congress-critters, you can go here to the government's web page and contact portal, or use the tools at the Gun Owners of America page.

Ban on re-use of brass lifted - and fast!

In the last few days, the internet was on fire with emails and blogging about a newly announced Dept. of Defense policy that would require the destruction of all once-fired brass from military ammunition.

In the past, brass from military ammo was sold as surplus to ammunition reloaders all over the USA.  They would use that to turn out economical ammo for LE training and the civilian market. Then suddenly there was an announcement in the last week that henceforth the brass must be destroyed, ground up and sold only as scrap.  Doing that would require that the buyers would have to melt the stuff down and have it made back into brass cartridge casings, which would have made the cost prohibitive!

Fortunately, gun owners started a firestorm of protests, emails and phone calls, to their Congressmen and every else they could get in touch with to protest this outrageous ruling.

Now, suddenly, the ruling is reversed and the sale of the intact brass will continue as it has for many years.

Had this not been corrected, companies such as Georgia Arms would have seen their incomes savaged, forcing them to lay off employees and conceivably going out of business.

Read more about the whole mess and the sudden turnaround here at The Firearm Blog.

For some thoughts on what this means about what's going on in Washington in the Obama administration, take a look here at Bloggo's.

Utah expands rights of gun owners

It's now legal to conceal a handgun in a car or at home, even if it's loaded, without having to have a concealed carry permit.
Read about it here.
You still can't carry a loaded rifle or shotgun in your car, but every bit of progress is a good thing.

Important new site for your use and information

If you'll look to the left of this page, we now have a listing of blogs and sites that you can visit and use.

The first one we put on here today is maintained by Clayton Cramer and David Burnett. It's the Civilian Gun Self-Defense Blog, found here.
You can even use the labels at the bottom of each posting to search for listings unique to various topics, including those solely related to Kentucky.
This is good stuff. It's important that we be able to point to incidents the bear out our contention that guns in the hands of the law-abiding citizenry save lives and preserve order.
Thanks and a hat tip to David Burnett, the Midwest regional director of the group Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, found here.

Chilling threats to free speech on campuses

Fox News and other sources have reported a story about a college professor who called campus police after one of her students made a presentation in class that supported the right of students to be armed on campus.

See the original story about this HERE .

Even college newspapers are expressing their outrage over this attack on his free speech rights, and on intellectual censorship - HERE.

This is exactly why KC3 is working to change the law here in Kentucky so that CCDW permit holders can carry legally on school grounds. We have to change the climate on campuses at all levels of education so that students and other adults aren't treated like criminals for refusing to be victims, and for espousing their point of view. Children have to learn that guns aren't bad, and that responsible gun ownership saves lives.

You can do a lot to help change this. Support KC3's petition drive by emailing us to get copies of our petition, then having other citizens sign it and mailing it back to us. We'll be presenting these to the Governor and the General Assembly to show your support for the bill that we intend to file in the 2010 session that makes the necessary changes in our laws.

You can also support the grass-roots student organization Students for Concealed Carry on Campus by going to their web site HERE and seeing what you can do to assist them in their efforts to make it legal to refuse to be a victim while at school.

Protecting our kids is just part of the equation. We have to make sure that gun-phobic teachers and administrators aren't poisoning their minds against gun ownership as well. It's going to take a lot of work and we need your help to make it happen.

HB419 has passed the House - time to call your senators!

HB419, which affirms the right of citizens to be armed for their own defense while hunting or in the field, has passed the House and has moved to the Senate for a vote.

You can find the text and history of the bill HERE.

This is important legislation which eliminates any doubt about our right to self-defense while we're in the woods, without leaving it to the judgement of individual game wardens or courts.  It also continues the current protections for wild game against poaching.

Contact your senator via the toll-free number at (800) 372-7181 or by email from the Kentucky Legislature web page HERE - and let them know that you expect them to vote in favor of this bill, and that you appreciate their support for our rights!