Downrange: 06/07

Among the more shameful items resulting from the Virginia Tech shootings was the political haymaking that anti-gun politicians and gun-control groups tried to create. I thought the NRAs stance of “no comment for now” was the right and reasonable way to proceed, out of respect for the families and loved ones.

I wholeheartedly agreed with Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, who said, “People who want to take this within 24 hours of the event and make it, you know, their political hobby horse to ride, Ive got nothing but loathing for them. To those who want to, you know, try to make this into some little crusade, I say take that elsewhere. Let this community deal with grieving individuals and be sensitive to those needs.”

But the Gun Tests award for Extraordinary Tastelessness goes to Sarah Brady. A week after the massacre, she distributed a letter seeking contributions of $32 – “one buck for each of Seung-Hui Chos victims.”

No Lead at Ironwood? The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently released a resource management plan for Ironwood Forest National Monument in Arizona that proposes to ban recreational shooting in the 128,000-acre Ironwood Forest National Monument. The Monument is currently open to dispersed recreational shooting. However, if BLMs preferred alternative (Alternative C) is adopted, all recreational shooting will be banned. Comments can be submitted by email to Mark Lambert, BLM Planner, at AZ_IFNM_RMP@blm.gov.

Reciprocity Non-Reciprocity in Colorado. If State Senate Bill 34 is signed by Governor Bill Ritter, non-resident carry permits will no longer be honored if the permit holder is not a resident of the state that issued the permit. For example, a Florida permit issued to a non-resident will not be recognized in Colorado.

Hey, Les! Move to Houston. The LeClaire City Council (Iowa) was scheduled to meet and decide whether to permit Les Baer, the custom gun shop and firearms manufacturer, to purchase property from the city.

Open invitation to Mr. Baer: If LeClaire doesnt want you, well take you in Houston. Also, the Texas Hill Country is nice.

Pro-Gun Work in Nevada. Three important pieces of pro-gun legislation are progressing through the Nevada Legislature. 1: SB 237, the long-awaited Right-to-Carry reciprocity bill, passed the Senate 20-1. 2: SB 92, a measure that would eliminate Clark Countys immediate handgun registration mandate, passed the full Senate 20-1. 3: Assembly Bill 95, the Emergency Powers Protection Act, would restrict a government entity from confiscating firearms in a declared state of emergency. It unanimously passed on a 42-0 vote on the Assembly Floor. GT