Carry Law Changes

This came across my Facebook and I thought it was worth sharing.  Interesting to see the changes in carry lows over the past 20+ years.

From http://gun-nuttery.com/rtc.php

Concealed Carry Comparison

As I was looking at the KY laws for concealed carry, I got to wondering about other states, both for reciprocal carry and their requirements.  Kentucky recognizes any permit from another state.  Most are fairly similar, written test, class, shooting requirement.  But within that framework there is a fair bit of variation.  I wanted to talk about this variation, but there is not feasible way for e to look at all 50 states.  So, I opted for the states my family lives in, where I've lived previously, and a couple places I travel to regularly.

Map of States that do and do not honor a KY CCDW permit

Obama's Changes to Public Land Use

I came across this article on my Facebook feed today. 
Obama Pushing Shooters of Public Land

Granted, it doesn't affect me as yet since so far all my shooting is on private property or at a range.  But I know this will affect a lot of people and if this goes through, what's next?

Here is the important paragraph:

"When the authorized officer determines that a site or area on BLM-managed lands used on a regular basis for recreational shooting is creating public disturbance, or is creating risk to other persons on public lands; is contributing to the defacement, removal or destruction of natural features, native plants, cultural resources, historic structures or government and/or private property; is facilitating or creating a condition of littering, refuse accumulation and abandoned personal property is violating existing use restrictions, closure and restriction orders, or supplementary rules notices, and reasonable attempts to reduce or eliminate the violations by the BLM have been unsuccessful, the authorized officer will close the affected area to recreational shooting." 

I love that the issue of litter, plant destruction etc is apparently limited to shooters.  No chance that these issues may arise from hikers or ATVs going off trail?   I'm more likely to pick up trash when I'm out.  Most gun enthusiast I've met are also concerned about the environment, especially impacts on wildlife.  We aren't likely to do anything that would seriously harm the animals and thier habitat.  And we definitely aren't out to scare people.

"Officials say the administration is concerned about the potential clash between gun owners and encroaching urban populations who like to use same land for hiking and dog walking.  'It's not so much a safety issue. It's a social conflict issue,' said Frank Jenks, a natural resource specialist with Interior's Bureau of Land Management, which oversees 245 million acres. He adds that urbanites "freak out" when they hear shooting on public lands."

Is banning shooting on public lands really the best solution here?  If the 'urbanites' (love that term BTW)  can't handle the idea or sound of shooting, perhaps they need a basic gun safety course, or a different place to walk dogs and hike?  There are lots of areas that are designated for those areas that are already gun free.  As opposed to removal of another person's hobby, perhaps we can find a way to work together?


What do you think?  Anyone readers shoot on public lands regularly?

Veteran's Day

A Nation's Strength
Walt Whitman
Not gold, but only man can make
     A people great and strong;
Men who, for truth and honor's sake,
     Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep,
     Who dare while others fly --
They build a nation's pillars deep
     And lift them to the sky.

The University of Kentucky's Nunn Center for Oral History has been working hard to get their stories online.  I highly recommend checking out their Veterans and Conflict page today.  There  are some great stories from some amazing people.

Emily Gets her Gun

If you aren't following Emily's quest to learn to shoot and own a handgun for home defense in Washington D.C., you should take a look.  An unique perspective on rights in the nation's capitol.

You can find her articles here.

I think one of the most interesting quotes in her conversations with politicians came from Newt Gingrich: “The Second Amendment does not give you the right to bear arms - you already have that right - it says your right ‘shall not be infringed,’” he told me. “It’s integral to political liberty. It’s a core political right of the American people.”

Definitely food for thought.