Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley Won’t Seek Reelection

Will guns be an issue on the table in the Windy City? That’s an interesting question to consider as Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced this week that he won’t seek reelection. The Chicago Mayoral election will be held on February 22, 2011. It is already believed that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, no friend to gun rights, could run for the office.

Key races will be determined this November for the U.S. House and Senate.

Brady Campaign Endorses Illinois Governor Pat Quinn

The gun-hating Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn, who currently trails in the polls, has picked up an endorsement from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Should we be surprised?

NY Times News Story Takes Aim at NRA

If you can’t beat them, the next best thing to do is to publish a story that takes aim at their agenda – or rather write a piece that claims to report on the group’s agenda. That’s how it seems that The New York Times has reported on the  National Rifle Association in a profile piece that ran this week, titled “Beyond Guns – N.R.A. Expands Agenda.” While the story included quotes from NRA leaders, it did offer the usual anti-gun/anti-NRA bias that we’d expect from the Old Gray Lady.

This is notable because the article seems to suggest that the NRA is somehow tied closely with just the Republican Party and that breaking with that trend somehow goes against the grain. This is simply a misconception, as not all gun owners are Republican and not all Democrats are anti-gun.

But should we really be surprised? The paper noted that the NRA might back Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the upcoming election, but the truth is – while many Republicans might not like Mr. Reid – he does support gun rights. Thus again, the NRA isn’t about conservative or Republican issues, it is about gun issues. Members aren’t required to vote a particular way, and one thing that the paper fails to remind readers is that this isn’t even a national issue – it only affects voters (and potentially NRA members) in the state of Nevada. Likewise, as the paper does note, the NRA believes that if the Democrats retain control of the Senate, which does seem likely at this point, the alternative to Reid could be far worse – someone truly that is an enemy to guns. The name Charles Schumer is noted in the article – fitting given that Mr. Schumer is from the “great” state of New York. Could there be a connection to the NY Times and this mention? We do wonder, we do wonder.

Firing Back: Turn Gun Control Into Crime Control

With voters in Massachusetts essentially giving Obama and his left-leaning agenda the finger, let’s hope the “Coakly pucker factor” stings like a cold slap in the face for every member of congress up for reelection. The message was clear: It’s time to shut up and listen.

The career politician are shaking in their boots, some, like Sen Chris Dodd, have given notice and are bailing on a Kamikaze-like democratic party that’s all about ideology and not about America.

Talk to your representatives, both democrat and republican and give them your thoughts, your opinions on foolish, wasteful anti-gun initiatives that slow or restrict an honest Americans right to own a firearm. Have them explain how restrictive firearms laws prevent criminals from purchasing guns? Ask them if they would feel safe walking the streets of Port Au Prince Haiti without armed security?

Gun control has proved a waste of time and resources. Perhaps its time to give Obama and his friends a chance an opportunity to move to the center on something!

Firing Back: No Vote of Confidence for Bloomberg

As a resident of New York City I feel less and less like a New Yorker with each passing year. While this is where I have lived for more than 17 years, it also feels less and less like a home. The reason is simple, Michael Bloomberg. His policies on firearms border on Fascist, and he is unwilling to budge. The laws are draconian and only getting worse.

But beyond what Michael Bloomberg does in New York City is really not the issue. Nearly my entire collection of firearms is housed out of state, because I fear that Bloomberg will change New York City gun laws and require me to “hand in” my guns. There is no grandfather clause in New York City. If the laws change, you change with them or you leave. I’m hoping I can leave, and the sooner the better.

Again, what Michael Bloomberg does in New York City is really not the issue. It is that Mr. Bloomberg is trying to change the laws in other states, and on the national stage. I find it ironic because many “lifers” as those who were born and will likely die in this city, complain that much of the old New York City is changing, that too many outsiders are coming in, and that New York City looks too much like the rest of the country.

Well, I say to the old guard in New York, including Mr. Bloomberg, maybe you should keep your old New York City. But keep your hands off the guns of law-abiding citizens, especially those who don’t live in New York City.

And to those New Yorkers, or just residents of New York City, who feel as I do… stay home on Tuesday. Don’t vote. This is a year when Mr. Bloomberg says he needs to see every voter get out. I say instead, stay home and vote by not going to the polls.