The Wandering Minstrel

The Better Half and I had a discussion about HR-822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, as we drove across the California Desert yesterday. I told her that I think there is a good possibility of the measure being signed into law.

HR-822 passed in the House of Representatives yesterday, with only a handful of whiny RINOs voting against it, and the usual anti-rights Democrats, of course. Now the bill goes to the Senate where I believe Harry Reid, who wants to make up to the NRA and regain their endorsement, will put it on the agenda for the upper house. I believe the Senate will pass the bill (probably with changes) and return it to the House where they will evaluate and approve any changes.

Now, as for the Obamination to sign the bill into law, just remember that this in an election cycle. He will sign it to deflect the Fast and Furious issue and then say to the voting public “See, I’m not against guns and the Second Amendment, See?” Yes, he is that much of a whore.

Of course, that’s my opinion, I could be wrong.

Chris Cox and NRA-ILA have posted a video showing without a doubt that Holder LIED about his knowledge about fast and furious.

Click on the anagram below . . .

Next week, effective November 1st, the state of Wisconsin’s concealed weapons permit law goes into effect. On the same date, permit holders from 25 states will be able to carry guns in Wisconsin. Arizona is among the 25 states.

This is good news for The Better Half and I since we will probably find ourselves transiting through Wisconsin when we visit that region on a long-planned motor tour.

Excerpt from Madison.com:

Those states include: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Arizona and Wyoming made the list despite the fact that residents in those states are allowed to carry firearms without a permit. However, those states offer a permit that can be used for reciprocity. Alaska also has an optional permit procedure, but didn’t make the list. Neither did Vermont, the only state that allows residents to carry firearms and doesn’t offer a permit.

Hat Tip to the NRA-ILA.

I ordered “The Arizona Gun Owner’s Guide” last week from GunLaws.com. It arrived yesterday and I started reading it today. I read the first two chapters this afternoon, “The Right To Keep and Bear Arms” and “Carrying Firearms.” Both chapters were very informative and interesting.

The author, Alan Korwin, spices up the pro-rights aspect of gun ownership in Arizona throughout the text. He also hasn’t missed opportunities to knock the politicians and others responsible for the mess created by gun laws. At least in the first two chapters, there is a definite flavor for exactly where the author stands.

Korwin has a blog called Page Nine. The most recent post, Eyewitness Report “Occupy” Rally thoroughly exposes the “Flea Party” demonstrators in Phoenix.

Here is an excerpt from the website blurb about AGOG:

If you want to know what you can and cannot do with guns in Arizona, this is the book to own. Since 1989 we have been publishing the guide Arizonans go to for all the details on the state’s gun laws.

You get a copy of all the gun laws word-for-word, but more important, everything is described in plain English. The descriptions are cross-referenced to the laws. Updates on our website are free.

H.R. 822, the “National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011”, is on the move in the U.S. House of Representatives. On September 13, House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security held a hearing on H.R. 822. The House could consider H.R. 822 in the next few weeks, so you should contact your congressperson soon about this vital legislation. I already contacted Congressman Franks (R-AZ) even though he is very likely to support the bill.

There have been rumblings in the pro-gun community that this legislation would be bad for gun owners. The NRA points out that the rumors are unfounded:

This bill DOES NOT:

• Create a federal licensing or registration system;
• Establish a minimum federal standard for the carry permit;
• Involve the federal bureaucracy in setting standards for carry permit;
• Destroy permitless carry systems such as those in Arizona, Alaska, Vermont and Wyoming.

H.R. 822 is a good bill for gun owners. Don’t listen to false claims. Read the bill yourself and read our fact sheet to get the facts. Then, please contact your member of Congress and urge him or her to support the earliest possible consideration of H.R. 822 this year.

After only a 38 day wait, my Arizona CCW permit arrived in the mail today. The DPS website says expect up to a 75 day approval cycle, so it arrived in about half that time. The Better Half’s permit did not arrive yet, so we’re still waiting on hers. We hope it shows up within the next few days.

Even though Arizona is a Constitutional Carry state, The Better Half and I got our CCW training so we can carry in the 32 other states that recognize Arizona CCW permits. There are also several perks within Arizona, like being able to carry in restaurants that serve alcohol and the background check to purchase firearms is waived for permit holders.

Yesterday when we attended Smithsonian day at the local museum (free admission this day only) I expressed my displeasure with this sign on the door and said that I would only attend whenever it was free admission and we would not patronize the gift shop. It is a very nice museum with a very bad policy.

The Wickenburg area Boy Scout District is holding a Camporee on the weekend of October 15, 2011. As a part of the weekend activities, approximately 30 Boy Scouts will be at the Wickenburg Sportsman’s Club for instruction in gun safety. After the safety briefing, they will be given instruction in Trap Shooting.

The event already has access to several shotguns, but they were asking to borrow a few more. They also need volunteers to donate some factory shotgun ammunition for the event.

I called the gentleman in charge of organizing the event and offered my Remington 870, The Better Half’s Remington 870 Junior and 100 rounds each of 12 and 20 gauge number eight shot shells. He was happy to accept our offer and we made arrangements to deliver the items.

We’re proud to support any event that gets kids interested in sport shooting. After all, they are the ones that will have to carry on the never-ending fight to protect our right to keep and bear arms and the Second Amendment itself. The Better Half and I will be attending the event and she, as usual, will have some images to share when I report on the day’s activities after it’s over.