Don't forget the annual meeting!

The KC3 annual meeting is going to be held May 15th at the Open Range in Crestwood, Ky., the same location we've used the last two years.

Just like last year, we're requiring that those who wish to attend make reservations so we'll have an exact count for planning purposes. The information on how to do that will be in the issue of hte newsletter that's being mailed at the end of this week, and will also be posted here on the blog.

We're going to have another raffle, and hope to be giving away various other items of interest to our members.

If you're not a member, now's the time to join up, and if you are a member of KC3 please try to make it for the meeting. It's YOUR organization and we need YOUR help to keep it going and growing!

Support Is Growing For Openly Carrying Permitted Weapons - CTnow

Support Is Growing For Openly Carrying Permitted Weapons - CTnow

Posted using ShareThis

NRA-ILA :: Progress Made On Military Once-Fired Brass Issue—ATK Stops Scrapping Cartridge Cases

NRA-ILA :: Progress Made On Military Once-Fired Brass Issue—ATK Stops Scrapping Cartridge Cases

NRA-ILA :: Campus Carry Regains Momentum in Colorado

NRA-ILA :: Campus Carry Regains Momentum in Colorado

NRA-ILA :: Governor Bob McDonnell Signs VA Restaurant Carry Into Law

NRA-ILA :: Governor Bob McDonnell Signs VA Restaurant Carry Into Law

Court: University Of Colorado Must Allow Guns On Campus

Court: University Of Colorado Must Allow Guns On Campus

Legal concealed weapon ruins robbery try - FOX19.com and FOX19 News, weather, traffic, and sports for Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky |

Legal concealed weapon ruins robbery try - FOX19.com and FOX19 News, weather, traffic, and sports for Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky |

Study: Networks snub, malign 'tea party' - Washington Times

Study: Networks snub, malign 'tea party' - Washington Times

Two Pro-Gun Billls in KY Need YOUR Help!!

Two Pro-Gun Bills Need Your Help!
Please Stand Up and Make Your Voices Heard!

House Bill 542, introduced by State Representative Terry Mills (D-24), passed the House by a vote of 96-2 on Thursday, March 18. It is now in the Senate State and Local Government Committee.

This bill would direct the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to include a voter registration application form as part of an application for a hunting license or permit. In addition, HB542 would also provide that any change of address form submitted for purposes of a hunting license or permit would serve as a change of address for voter registration. Hunter-Voter legislation will encourage sportsmen’s involvement in the political process and is an important method for preserving Kentucky’s outdoor heritage.

House Bill 453 passed the State House on Tuesday, March 16 by a vote of 92-4. It is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Authored by State Representative Will Coursey (D-6), HB453 would allow an individual to carry a loaded or unloaded firearm in an enclosed compartment originally installed by the manufacturer in a motor vehicle. The firearm would not be considered a concealed firearm under state law.

Both HB542 and HB453 are stuck in their respective committees. Because of budget talks during the final week of regular session, it looks like these bills may not be addressed. Please contact Senate leadership TODAY and ask them to consider HB542 and HB453 during the veto override session. Contact information is listed below.

Senator David Williams (R-16) – Senate President
Phone: (502) 564-3120
Email: David.Williams@lrc.ky.gov

Senator Katie Kratz Stine (R-24) – President Pro Tempore
Phone: (502) 564-3120
Email: Katie.Stine@lrc.ky.gov

Senator Robert Stivers (R-25) – Majority Floor Leader
Phone: (502) 564-2450
Email: Robert.Stivers@lrc.ky.gov

Senator Ed Worley (D-34) – Minority Floor Leader
Phone: (502) 564-2470
Email: Ed.Worley@lrc.ky.gov

Senator Dan Seum (R-38) – Majority Caucus Chairman
Phone: (502) 564-2450
Email: Dan.Seum@lrc.ky.gov

Senator Johnny Ray Turner (D-29) – Minority Caucus Chairman
Phone: (502) 564-6136
Email: Johnny.Turner@lrc.ky.gov

Senator Carroll Gibson (R-5) – Majority Whip
Phone: (502) 564-2450
Email: Carroll.Gibson@lrc.ky.gov

Senator Jerry Rhoads (D-6) – Minority Whip
Phone: (502) 564-2470
Email: Jerry.Rhoads@lrc.ky.gov

"Record numbers now licensed to pack heat"

This article appeared yesterday on the MSNBC website, and is sub-titled "Firearms deaths fall as millions obtain permits to carry concealed guns".

It's difficult to believe the weight of facts (however discounted in the article) has finally gotten to the point where even MSNBC has to recognize it. Comments are full of folks giving facts about concealed carry and the usual mix of PSH anti-freedom trolls.

Shall-issue concealed carry: Because the right to protect yourself shouldn't stop at your front door. (TM)

Kentucky legislative update from NRA

You can read about the bills and their status here.

The Kenny Woods gun show in Louisville this weekend

The Kenny Woods gun show group is holding a show in Louisville March 20 and 21 at the Inn Place Hotel and Convention Center.

The address is 9700 Bluegrass Parkway which is actually in Jeffersontown, Ky. just outside the Watterson Expressway. Go south from I-64 onto Hurstbourne Parkway, then left onto Bluegrass Parkway, which winds back around along I-64. The hotel will be on your right, with large lots for parking just past it on the left.

The hotel's web page with a Google map is here.

The Kenny Woods/RK Shows group is a major sponsor and supporter of KC3 so come out and let them know you appreciate what they do for us here in the Bluegrass state.

Hope to see you there!

Gun show in Lexington April 17 and 18

This information is taken from the gun show USA web page - use the contact information below to get additional info from them about the show.

Apr 17-18 KY

Lexington, Oleika Shrine Temple, 326 Southland Dr.

300 Tables - $40 per table - Admissions $6.00

9-5 Sat-Sun H.R. McGinnis 423-255-3669

tennvalleysportsmen@yahoo.com

Two important bills to make calls on NOW!

Two Important Kentucky Pro-Gun Bills March Forward!
Please Contact Your State Legislators Today!

Two bills of importance to Kentucky’s gun owners and sportsmen are currently on the move in Frankfort.

House Bill 453 passed the House on Tuesday, March 16 by a vote of 92-4. It is now en route to the Senate for a committee assignment.

Authored by State Representative Will Coursey (D-6), HB453 would allow an individual to carry a loaded or unloaded firearm in an enclosed compartment originally installed by the manufacturer in a motor vehicle. The firearm would not be considered a concealed firearm under state law.

House Bill 542, introduced by State Representative Terry Mills (D-24), was passed by the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday, as well. HB542 now heads to the House floor for consideration.

This bill would direct the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to include a voter registration application form as part of an application for a hunting license or permit. In addition, HB542 would also provide that any change of address form submitted for purposes of a hunting license or permit would serve as a change of address for voter registration. Hunter-Voter legislation will encourage sportsmen’s involvement in the political process and is an important method for preserving Kentucky’s outdoor heritage.

Please contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge them to support HB453. Also, please contact your State Representative to voice your support for HB542. Contact information for your State Legislators can be found by clicking here.

Important CCDW bill signed into law by Gov. Beshear

Kentucky: Governor Beshear Signs

Concealed Carry Reform Legislation

On Thursday, March 11, House Bill 19 was signed by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear(D).

Sponsored by State Representative Fitz Steele (D-84) and State Representative BobDamron (D-39), HB19 will now enable military personnel who are on active duty to renew their concealed carry licenses early and by mail. It also allows for those military personnel whose license expires while on active duty to renew their license within 90 days after the end of their deployment, with no late fees or other penalties.

Thank you to all those who contacted their legislators during this process.

(and KC3's special thanks for Rep. Bob Damron's continuing efforts on our behalf - CR)

Excellent article by a Kentuckian about self-defense

Jim Higginbotham is a very good man and a very modest one. He's also a superb shooter and an ardent student of personal defense with firearms. And he's from right here in Kentucky.

He's begun writing online articles for the GunsAmerica forums. This is his first article for them, although it's not the first time he's written on the subject, and should be required reading for all of us who carry a firearm for defense. It's entitled "The 'Center Mass' myth and ending a gunfight" - you can read it here.

I'm proud to know Jim and to count him as a friend. We're both Gunsite alumni and I have worked with him in various settings as well as taking instruction from him. His counsel on surviving a gunfight could save your life - Charles Riggs, KC3 board of directors and co-founder.

CCDW instructor's certification course offered

One of our new sponsors, Threat Solutions, is offering training classes

that will qualify you to be certified as an instructor for CCDW in Kentucky.

See their web site here for complete information about all the courses they offer. Go to the bottom of the page for information about the CCDW instructor's course.

The next class is scheduled for May 1st and 2nd so you still have time to register. If you've thought about becoming an instructor this is a good opportunity because not that many trainers are holding classes now.

You can see their Facebook page about this class here.

Eric Dean, who runs the business, is a combat veteran MP with the Kentucky National Guard. We've taken an advanced pistol class with him and we recommend him and his associates highly. Good people, good training!

Wall Street Journal weighs in on new Supreme Court case

The WSJ supports the extension of ALL of the Bill of Rights to the states and has some very good comments on the case going before the SCOTUS today.

"The Justices needn't go this far afield to find that the individual right to bear arms that they correctly upheld in Heller applies to the entire country. If the First Amendment's right to free speech applies to the states, then so does the Second Amendment."

Read it here.

Contact your legislators to support CCDW for military personnel reform

KENTUCKY: Right-to-Carry Reform for Military Personnel Takes Another Step Forward The Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection Committee passed House Bill 19 and it is currently on its second read in the Senate Rules Committee. Sponsored by State Representative Fitz Steele (D-84) and State Representative Bob Damron (D-39), HB 19 would allow military personnel who are on active duty to renew their concealed carry licenses early and via mail. It also allows for those military personnel whose licenses expire while on active duty to renew licenses within 90 days after the end of their deployment, with no late fees or other penalties. Please contact your State Senator at (502) 564-8100 and respectfully urge them to support HB19.

CCDW begins in national parks!

Right-to-Carry Takes Effect In National Parks Friday, February 26, 2010

On February 22, a new law took effect that applied state firearms laws to national parks and wildlife refuges across America.

The implementation of the new law, which the National Park Service (NPS) has planned for since passage of H.R. 627 last May, has so far been without major problems. NPS management reports that it has worked with the 493 individual parks, promoting a consistent message on several key points:

• Under the new law, every park is subject to all the firearms laws of the state (or states) where the park is located.
  
• Park visitors must know and obey state laws, including knowing which state laws apply in parks (such as Yellowstone) that cross state boundaries. (For information on state laws, go towww.nraila.org/gunlaws.)
  
• The new law affects firearms possession, not use. Laws regarding hunting, poaching, target shooting or any unlawful discharge remain unchanged.
  
• It will remain unlawful to carry in certain locations, under a separate law that prohibits possession of any firearm in a "federal facility."

This last point—and especially the definition of "federal facility"—may be the one most likely to cause confusion for visitors. The National Park Service has indicated that, according to its apparently broad interpretation of the law, the law prohibits firearms not only in buildings (such as visitor centers, ranger stations, and administrative offices) but also in other areas that are regularly staffed by federal employees (such as developed caves and gated outdoor performance areas). However, NPS officials stress that all prohibited locations will be marked with signs.

The ban on carry in "federal facilities" does not apply to buildings that are located in parks, but not staffed by the federal government—such as many restaurants, lodges and gift shops. However, private operators of those places are free to make their own rules subject to state law.

Needless to say, anti-gun activists and the media have redlined their hysteria meters, with one newspaper claiming that "there assuredly will be more gun violence" in parks, and another suggesting that park visitors "might want to toss a Kevlar vest into the SUV." And the Brady Campaign is still looking for ways to use the courts to reverse the new law.

Needless to say, media fears are unlikely to be realized, and NRA-ILA will fight any effort to reverse this hard-won victory. As always, be sure to watch this alert and www.nraila.org for any new developments.

See the link to this information here

Please make your calls in support of this bill!

Pro-Hunting Bill Scheduled to be Considered Tomorrow!

Please Contact the Members of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee!

Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee will consider a bill that, if passed, would overhaul the structure and operation of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

House Bill 429, sponsored by State Representative Bob Damron (D-39), would, among other things, permit a person to carry a firearm for self-defense during bow hunting season. The bill would also create a “no-net-loss” hunting policy for public hunting lands, requiring that the Commonwealth maintain at least the same amount and quality of available public hunting land as currently exists. It requires that additional lands be opened to hunting if land that is currently open to hunting is closed.

Please contact the members of the committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to support HB429. Contact information for the committee can be found here.

2nd Amendment held to apply to the states!

WA Supreme Court: '2nd Amendment applies to the states via 14th Amendment due process clause'

The Washington State Supreme Court delivered a haymaker to anti-gunners – and strong reinforcement to gun rights advocates – Thursday morning when it handed down an opinion in the case of State v. Sieyes that states bluntly, “We hold the Second Amendment applies to the states via the Fourteenth Amendment due process clause.”

The majority opinion, written by Justice Richard B. Sanders, was signed by five other justices including Chief Justice Barbara A. Madsen, with a (sort-of) concurring opinion from Justice Debra L. Stephens that takes issue with the incorporation premise, and a partly-concurring and partly-dissenting opinion from Justice James M. Johnson that argues the majority ruling isn’t strong enough.

Read the entire article here

NRA bulletin about legislation in Kentucky

KENTUCKY: Right-to-Carry Reform for Military Personnel Takes Another Step Forward Late last week, the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection Committee passed House Bill 19 and it is currently on its second read in the Senate Rules Committee. Sponsored by State Representative Fitz Steele (D-84) and State Representative Bob Damron (D-39), HB 19 would allow military personnel who are on active duty to renew their concealed carry licenses early and via mail. It also allows for those military personnel whose licenses exp! ire while on active duty to renew licenses within 90 days after the en d of their deployment, with no late fees or other penalties. Please contact your State Senator at (502) 564-8100 and respectfully urge them to support HB19.

Important Hunting Bill Introduced! Legislation that would overhaul the structure and operation of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources was introduced last week in Frankfort. House Bill 429 would, among other things, permit a person to carry a firearm for self-defense during bow hunting season. The bill would also create a "no-net-loss" hunting policy for public hunting lands, requiring that the Commonwealth maintain at least the same amount and quality of available public hunting land as currently exists. HB429 has been assigned to the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee. Please contact the members of the committee and respectfully urge them to support HB429. Contact information for the committee can be found here.

National Review online about the suit against UK

Even the National Review is weighing in on this issue -

Read it here.

KC3 supports UK employee in his suit against UK

Grad student sues UK over being fired for having handgun in car

By Jennifer Hewlett - jhewlett@herald-leader.com

A University of Kentucky graduate student has sued the university and others, claiming he was wrongfully fired from his job at the UK Chandler Medical Center because he had a handgun in his car.

The car was parked at Commonwealth Stadium while he was at work.

Michael Mitchell, who had a permit allowing him to have a concealed weapon, was working as an anesthesia technician at the medical center in April 2009, when he was fired

Read the story here.

On "gun control" laws:

“If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878

Mel Gibson keeps a gun for self-defense

And he has a good attitude about defending himself.

Read it here.

KC3 is on Facebook!

We now have a page on Facebook - you can find us in a search of 'groups' on their web page.

We did this in order to have more contact with more people and to help us network and communicate with a larger group of people here in Kentucky and around the country.

You have to join to be able to see all the content, so check it out and let us know if you want to join up.

The email alert list is up and running

We've been without a means of broadcasting emails to our members and friends for some time, but we've fixed that now.

If you go to the KC3 web page you can click on the link for 'sign up for email alerts' at the bottom of the page, then send that email to us so that we can add you to the list. We'll be using this to send out current information on what we're doing and the progress that we're making this session by this list. Stay informed and help us get this bill passed!

Catch KC3 on the radio this week

KC3 board member Charles Riggs will be appearing on Sue Wylie's radio talk show on WVLK 590 AM, Lexington this Tuesday morning, January 26th at 10:00, along with David Burnett of the group Students for Concealed Carry on Campus.

Please try to listen and call in with your questions and support, and to tell your friends and our allies so that we get maximum attention on our new effort to change Kentucky's CCDW law for the better.

Time to get cracking

This week we're working to get a bill going that will change Kentucky law so that CCDW permit holders can carry firearms on college campuses.

For too long, the people who run higher education in this state have been allowed to treat honest adults as children, while increasing the hazard to their lives by depriving them of the means of self-defense. We're going to do our best to change this, and bring the colleges in line with the rest of the state. More on this later in the week.

2010 Kentucky Gun Shows through April

Jan 30-31 Morehead, Ky Conference Center RK Shows 563-927-8176 email:kehrli8@n-connect.net

Jan 30-31 Paducah, Traders Mall, 150 tbls A: $5, Midwest Promotions LLC 270-521-6959

Feb 6-7 Somerset, (Kenny Woods Gun Show LLC) The Center Map (2292 S. Hwy 27) RK Shows 563-927-8176 email:kehrli8@n-connect.net

Feb 13-14 Lexington, Heritage Hall of Lexington Center Map RK Shows (Kenny Woods Gun Show, LLC) 563-927-8176 email:kehrli8@n-connect.net

Feb 20-21 Hindman, Knott County Sportsplex Map 450 Kenny Champion Loop RK Shows 563-927-8176 email kehrli8@n-connect.net

Mar 6-7 Ashland, El Hasa Temple Map RK Shows (Kenny Woods Gun Show, LLC) 563-927-8176 email:kehrli8@n-connect.net

Mar 13-14 Lawrenceburg, Eagle Lake Convention & Expo Center, 1006 Eagle Lake Rd RK Shows 563-927-8176 email:kehrli8@n-connect.net

Apr 17-18 Lexington, Oleika Shrine Temple, 326 Southland Dr, 300 Tbls: $40, A: $6: 9-5 Sat-Sun H.R. McGinnis 423-255-3669

Talk about a prompt response

Just a few hours after our email to Scott county today, we received this image showing a sign with the offending language removed!

The judge-executive assures us that this was an oversight when they addressed the problem before, and apologized for the mistake.

We're appreciative of their speedy response, and of their willingness to do the right thing! If only all our efforts paid off this quickly.

Scott county politicos mock the law, still violating your rights

Because of this sign, photographed at the Great Crossing park and boat ramp in Scott county on September 12th, 2009 -

today we sent this letter to the county judge-executive and the magistrates of Scott county -

"Mr. Lusby - Our organization has contacted you about the illegal signs in Scott county parks previously.
In our last conversation, you assured me that you "didn't want to go getting into any trouble". You were scoffing and amused in your tone and didn't seem to take it seriously. Apparently you were not sincere in your assurances to us that the offending and ILLEGAL signs would be removed.
These photographs were taken at the Great Crossing boat ramp and park on September 12th, 2009.
It appears that you and whoever else has assisted you in the placement of these signs believed that once you had given us your false promises that we would stop watching or check back on the situation. That was a mistake. The citizens of this state are still watching you, and are vigilant for violations of their rights.
We expect that ALL such signs in ALL such public locations in Scott county will be removed forthwith, in accordance with the Kentucky revised statutes.
Should you fail to attend to this in a most timely fashion, the Kentucky Coalition to Carry Concealed will consult with the Attorney General of Kentucky for proceedings against the responsible persons for malfeasance by public officials. We are sure that the taxpayers of Scott county will not be amused that in these difficult financial times that their elected officials are wasting their money on illegal signs that violate their rights under Kentucky's laws and constitution.
I remind you that email constitutes a legal method of communication, and that this email carries the same weight under the law as a written letter delivered by post. Please do not make the mistake of ignoring or trivializing it as we do NOT consider this egregious conduct to be a trivial matter.
I have copied this email to the magistrates of Scott county in the hope that they will make sure that if you choose to ignore the law then someone in Scott county with more of a sense of responsibility will see to this matter. Hopefully they are better stewards of public funds than the persons responsible for these signs.
We look forward to your prompt reply - Charles Riggs, board of directors and co-founder, Kentucky Coalition to Carry Concealed"

We thought that this was done with. We were wrong, but stay tuned. We're not done yet. And it wouldn't hurt if all of you were to contact these folks and let them know what you think about this. The county's web page is here.

Federal judge rules in favor of open carry

A federal judge has ruled that in the absence of criminal behavior, the police can't detain or stop or otherwise interfere with persons who are carrying firearms openly on their persons, in compliance with the law.

See the story about it here.

Open Carry picnic cancelled

The city of Lexington decided to throw their weight around, and put a requirement for a MILLION DOLLAR insurance policy on the event, since it was advertised to the public.

So the Open Carry picnic set for Saturday the 29th is cancelled.

If you're out in the park on Sunday, the 30th, you might want to look around and see if you notice any like-minded persons out there. If you do, stop by and bring your picnic stuff.

Another step for concealed carry on campus

Not in Kentucky, but a good thing, nonetheless.

Read about it here.

Don't forget these important dates in September

Here's the dates for the Lexington and Louisville gun shows in September -

• Sep 19-20 Lexington, Heritage Hall of Lexington Center Map RK Shows (Kenny Woods Gun Show, LLC) 563-927-8176 email:kehrli8@n-vonnect.net
  
• Sep 12-13 Louisville, Map Kentucky Fair & Expo Center West Hall A&B RK Shows 563-927-8176 email:kehrli8@n-vonnect.net
  
• Sep 26-27 Louisville, Kentucky Fair & Expo Center 2100 tbls National Gun Day 513-523-3574

KC3 will have a table and representatives at each of these gun shows. If you'd like to come out and help us, get in touch with us via the comments section on this post.

Celebrating our rights!

The good folks at the Open Carry organization are going to be holding their first ever public event to demonstrate the fact that in Kentucky your right to carry a firearm openly on your person in public is constitutionally protected.

We hope that many of you will find the time to get out and show your support for this event.

In a time when so many forces in government are working to restrict or destroy your rights it's crucial that we take each and every opportunity we have to get out and show the world that we're here and we're decent people who keep the peace, just like everyone else.

A right unexercised is a right denied!

See you there.

More lies from the media about concealed carry

Here's an expose of some extremely shoddy work by the Violence Policy Center, a group that's notorious for bad research and extreme anti-gun positions.

In a recent release, they try to brand concealed carry as dangerous to the public because of the misconduct of some persons who had CCDW permits.

But people who read their study and took the time to analyze the data and pick it apart have written an article about it, and shown how hopelessly prejudiced and badly researched it was.

You can read about it HERE.