What is interesting is that even in a “balanced” piece, there was some not so subtle bias, which we practically expected. Consider the wording:

“But do stronger gun-control laws make a society safer – as (Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee) Baca suggests – or less safe? It is not clear from statistics whether gun control has lessened crime in the states that have implemented stronger laws, say critics.”

Is this true? Numerous studies have shown that gun control has had little effect on crime, while some studies have shown that gun ownership doesn’t result in crime. But instead CSM’s editors have twisted this, suggesting that it isn’t clear.

While this is a less overtly anti-biased piece than many we’ve seen in the CSM, it is still clear to us that the paper has an agenda – even when they say the facts aren’t so clear.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=32wfcUODT_0

Cam Edwards talks to Ed Worley, NRA-ILA California State Liaison

“Gov. Jerry Brown’s says he has signed a measure that bans the open carrying of handguns in California. The law, AB144, makes it a misdemeanor to carry an exposed and unloaded gun in a public place.”

This is a major step back for those in California and it will be interesting to see how the mainstream media responds to this issue.

Oath Keepers Founder Stewart Rhodes and Sheriff Richard Mack (who is on our National Board of Directors) will both be speaking at this open carry event at the Kentucky State Capitol, in Frankfort this next Saturday, October 8, 2011.

This march is organized by Oath Keepers founding member Rex Bartley, who also organized last year’s march. This is an important event. So far as we know, this is the only open carry rally (including open carry of rifles) at a state capitol. Please turn out to stand with the strong patriots of Kentucky as they exercise their right to bear arms.

SPECIAL OATH KEEPERS MEETING THAT MORNING, BEFORE THE MARCH
The march kicks off at 1pm, but there will also be a special Oath Keepers breakfast and meeting starting at 8am that same morning, in Frankfort. That meeting is expected to last until noon, with presentations from both national and state Oath Keepers leadership and a questions and answers period. At least four Oath Keepers state chapter presidents will be on hand from nearby states. Come get to know both the leadership and other members. Location for breakfast is still not set, but we will post it within the next few days.

From the organizer:

Come and spend the afternoon with like minded, freedom loving Patriots. We will feature numerous pro-Second Amendment speakers, candidates for state and national office, and current office holders. Hear about the latest news concerning your right to keep and bear arms and what you can do to protect and promote that right.

THIS IS AN OPEN CARRY EVENT
(Yes, it is legal to carry on Capital grounds.)

ADMISSION IS FREE. THIS IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY GATHERING.

To make a donation or acquire more info call 859-748-5391.

MESSAGE FROM STEWART RHODES:
This is a critically important event to attend. If you are within driving distance, please come. As with last year, this is an open carry event, and slung rifles and holstered pistols are welcome. It is important that we exercise those liberty muscles – use it or lose it! Oath Keepers was at last year’s event, and one of our local organizers conducted an oath renewal ceremony. Sheriff Mack and I both agree that this is such an important event that we need to be there this year. The good folks at Second Amendment March are paying our travel expenses, and they have our thanks.

Please join us for this important event. As our nation faces ever greater challenges, it is critical that we who are willing to defend liberty come together in brotherhood. See you there!

About:
Oath Keepers is a non-partisan association of currently serving military, reserves, National Guard, veterans, Peace Officers, and Fire Fighters who will fulfill the Oath we swore, with the support of like minded citizens who take an Oath to stand with us, to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so help us God. Our Oath is to the Constitution. Visit: www.oathkeepers.org

To Recap: On Saturday, September 18, 2010, five (5) members of WCI met for dinner at a Culvers Restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin.

Each of these individuals was openly carrying a handgun when they arrived at the restaurant, entered the restaurant and ordered and ate their meals.

At or about the time that the WCI members finished their meal and left the restaurant, a woman in her car observed them openly carrying handguns and called 911 to report it to the City of Madison Police Department.

The 911 caller informed the dispatcher that she didn’t know if it was an emergency, the men were doing nothing wrong and appeared totally relaxed, weren’t threatening anyone and the restaurant was full of people but they each had sidearms and she didn’t know if that was legal.

Upon being informed by the 911 dispatcher that open-carry is legal the woman stated “then there is no problem and its not an emergency”. The dispatcher then suggests that if the woman is concerned or disturbed then it becomes a problem and the woman says “no they weren’t threatening anybody or acting threatening”. When the dispatcher informs the caller they are sending officers she says “well I feel bad then because they weren’t doing anything wrong”

Listen to the 911 call here: www.wisconsincarry.org/video/Madison5-911.wav

As these WCI members left the restaurant, they were accosted by eight(8) City of Madison police officers, who demanded that they produce identification, and threatened that if they did not do so, they would be arrested. From the time that these WCI members arrived at the restaurant up to and including the time that the police officers confronted them and demanded that they produce identification or face arrest, none of the WCI members violated any law, nor were they involved in any violent, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud or otherwise disorderly conduct, nor did they through their conduct cause or provoke any disturbance.

Wisconsin law does not allow officers to arrest for merely refusing to provide ID. 2 days later, Madison Police admitted the error in arresting and charging our members with obstruction, rescinded those tickets and instead, despite there being no disturbance, and no laws broken, issued disorderly conduct charges to all 5 of our members.

Wisconsin Carry filed our first federal lawsuit against the Madison Police Department 10 days after the original incident to challenge the Madison Police Departments unconstitutional policy of arresting law-abiding open-carriers if a call/complaint comes in. That lawsuit remains in front of the Federal Court in Madison.

This second lawsuit is being filed as the disorderly conduct charges against the Madison 5 were dropped this past spring. In this lawsuit WCI seeks damages on behalf of the Madison 5 for the unlawful detainment/arrest of our members including legal costs associated with preparing for the defense of the unlawfully issued disorderly conduct citations.

A copy of this lawsuit can be viewed here:

http://www.wisconsincarry.org/pdf/Madison5/Doc_1_Complaint.pdf

Wisconsin Carry, a 100% volunteer non-profit corporation, will continue to use the federal court system to seek remedy for and deter instances where the rights of law-abiding Wisconsin residents who carry in the manner of their choosing, open or concealed (as of Nov. 1st when the new concealed carry law goes into effect)are violated.

Carry On,

About:
Wisconsin Carry, Inc. is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation and reclamation of the rights of law-abiding Wisconsin residents to carry in the manner of their choosing. We believe that “open carry” and “concealed carry” are choices to be made by law-abiding citizens based on their situation and preference. Wisconsin Carry, like many gun-rights organizations in Wisconsin, is investing a great deal of resources to get Wisconsin law changed to allow concealed carry this next legislative session by proposing Constitutional Carry. Wisconsin Carry, Inc. will continue to use legal recourse to deter unlawful treatment of law-abiding Wisconsin residents who currently exercise their right to open carry, and soon will exercise their right to concealed carry in Wisconsin. Visit: www.wisconsincarry.org

“If, however, California bans what is called ‘open carry,’ the state will probably have to loosen the standards for people to have permits to carry concealed weapons. In California, gun owners can only legally carry a concealed firearm, loaded or unloaded, if they have a permit. And in cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, ‘concealed carry’ permits are very difficult to obtain — arguably too difficult, if AB 144 becomes law.”

Some excellent points that prove the battle for our gun rights is never over.

But rather than apologize and drop the matter the city is throwing the book at Fiorino and taking aim at other gun owners. Lt. Raymond Evers, a spokesman for the city police, reportedly told FoxNews.com “that gun owners who open carry, which is legal in the city, may be asked to lay on the ground until officers feel safe while they check permits.”

Additionally FoxNews.com noted:

“The warning comes after Mark Fiorino, a suburban Philadelphia IT worker, posted an audiotape to YouTube of his tense, 45-minute encounter with police in February over his exposed handgun. The video went viral and captured national attention.”

Our best wishes to Fiorino for standing up for his (and all of our) rights.

The California Police Chiefs Association hailed the move, suggesting it would “increase public safety.”

Should we be surprised by this ruling in the least?

The story notes that gun-rights activist Mark Fiorino took a stroll around the City of Brotherly Love with a holstered firearm. The author noted:

“One city cop, who requested anonymity, said that he was unaware carrying a firearm openly within the city limits was legal.”

The story further noted that it is legal to carry openly within Philadelphia as long as you have a license, and open carry is legal throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

So it was refreshing to see Allison C. Barinholtz write an op-ed piece for The DePaulia, the student paper of DePaul University, titled “The right to bear arms and self-defense.” Ms. Barinholtz notes an interesting point:

“…there exists no constitutional amendment granting the right to government to limit the usage or ownership of private guns.”

This is an interesting point, given that many on the other side of the issue like to note that the Second Amendment is not limitless in its power.

She also makes an excellent point on the notion of carrying firearms, concealed or open:

“With the capability of individuals to carry guns, coupled with the proper permits and training, the common citizen is safer overall. The permission to carry a gun grants both power and responsibility. Some are afraid that granting people more power in this field will encourage more and easily provoked gun violence. Comfort may lie within the realization that a firearm does not need to actually be used in order to gain a desired effect.”

Of course, we must accept that the anti-gun zealots won’t see, or agree with this point of view.