CCRKBA announced its opposition
to S. 707, the proposed “Concealed
Weapons Prohibition Act of 1997,†by
Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey,
to outlaw generally the carrying of
concealed firearms.
Lautenberg said “Americans should
be able to travel across state lines for
business, to visit their families, or for any
other purpose, without having to worry
about concealed weapons.â€
John Michael Snyder, CCRKBA Public
Affairs Director, said the introduction
of S. 707 “comes in obvious frightened
response to the support in Congress
gathering for H.R. 339, by Rep. Cliff
Stearns of Florida, a CCRKBA Gun Rights
Defender of the Month Awardee. H. R.
339 would allow one who holds a permit
to carry a concealed firearm in any state
to carry that gun in any state.
“POINT BLANK readers should contact
their own U.S. Representative and
ask him or her to become a cosponsor of
H.R. 339, the proposed ‘Right to Safety
and Personal Protection Act.’â€
In New York, Congressman Charles
E. Schumer, the most actively outspoken
gun grabber in Congress, announced
that next year he would run for the United
States Senate seat held now by Sen. Al
D’Amato.
Over 80 percent of the public favors
legislation which would require child
safety locks on the triggers of all handguns,
according to THE WALL STREET
JOURNAL/NBC NEWS Poll reported in
the JOURNAL on May 2.
A lawsuit seeing to hold a firearm
maker responsible for the 1993 shooting
spree in a San Francisco law firm was
dismissed May 6 by a California Superior
Court Judge.
The judge ruled that Navegar, the
maker of one of the guns used by Gian
Luigi Ferri at the Petit and Martin law firm,
was not liable for Ferri’s criminal acts.
Judge James Warren’s ruling dismissed
the civil suit against Navegar
which was filed against the gun company
by the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence
on behalf of the relatives of Ferri’s
victims.
Richard J. Feldman, Executive Director
of the American Shooting Sports
Council and a CCRKBA Gun Rights Defender
of the Month Awardee, expressed
concern for the losses suffered by the
families, but noted that “their grief should
not be used to blame and victimize innocent,
third parties.
“We are all saddened by such tragic
events as occurred at 101 California
Street, but Navegar could not foresee,
predict nor prevent the criminal acts of
a madman.
“These lawsuits are examples of
ï·ï·ï·
ï·ï·ï·
misdirected efforts that refuse to hold
the individual responsible for his or her
misdeeds. Instead, they further the
goals of those who cast about looking
for someone else to blame. The inevitable
result is that society becomes twice
victimized.â€
The ruling was a “shock to supporters
of the lawsuit,†reported THE NEW
YORK TIMES. Dennis A. Henigan, a
lawyer for the Center to Prevent Handgun
Violence, said his organization would
repeal the court ruling.
Kenneth V. Blanchard of the District
of Columbia Defense League, writes in
THE WASHINGTON TIMES that Washington,
D. C. “needs to change its bad
gun laws. The law that is just over 20
years old has failed, and put ordinary
people at risk. The law prevents good
people from being able to own the
proper firearms to protect themselves.
The increase of crime in Capitol Hill
neighborhoods is evidence that we are
under attack. Capitol Hill has more
police protection than most of the city,
with three police departments sharing
jurisdiction in one community.
“We need to repeal the poor gun
laws of the city, so that honest, hardworking,
ordinary people can have the
chance to protect themselves and their
children. The District needs new legislation
to permit the carrying of concealed
firearms. This simple change will make it
safer for the residents of this great city.
Changing this law will cause criminals
to think twice before hurting you or coming
into your home. This will encourage
businesses and families to return to the
city. That will encourage and help law
enforcement.
“We have tried everything else to
save our families. Let’s try using education
and truth instead of more restrictions.
We need to repeal the bad gun
laws of the District, educate our children
and our neighbors and make this city
the leading city of the Nation.â€
