Hearing Update
Repost far and wide
Good news first. The MPPA passed out of the civil law committee on a 7 to 4 vote. The only surprise - Rep. Lynn Wardlow (an author on the bill) voted again it.
There are TWO things we learned from the hearing. Our response needs to be pounded home to our supporters. It would be nice if creating public policy were about logic. Unfortunately all to often it is about political correctness.
1. PERMIT HOLDERS ARE THE GOOD GUYS. Even some of our supporters seem to forget this. A person going through the training and through the process is not the citizen others have to worry about. They do not and should not become criminals based on where they stand or whom they are picking up. PERMIT HOLDERS ARE AN ASSETT TO THE COMMUNITY NOT A THREAT. Law enforcement is particularly susceptible to this problem. We need to be sure that legislators are able to distinguish between permit holders and criminals with guns.
2. TODAY IN MINNESOTA THERE ARE OVER 11,000 PERMIT HOLDERS CARRYING INTO SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, HOSPITALS, STADIUMS, AND THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS. PERMIT HOLDERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED AND EVEN ENCOURAGED TO CARRY IN ALL OF THESE VENUES. NONE SHOULD BE STATUATORIALY EXEMPT.
The reasons:
§ See #1 above
§ We are about to enter into a war against and enemy with resources already on our shores, in our cities and neighborhoods. To assist our enemy we are going to provide them with a list of facilities (our schools, churches, shopping centers, stadiums, etc) where our most precious possessions - our children are - and tell them that as a matter of law it is illegal for the parents, teachers, custodians administrators, neighbors, fellow citizens or other group of adults (see #1 above) to be armed to defend our children. STOP, think about this, really think about this.
I have tried and tried for years to get the anti-gun crowd to walk their talk and put up in their homes a sign reading "NO GUNS IN THIS HOUSE". To date I know of none that have, yet they want us to do that in our schools, churches, and shopping centers. This is hypocrisy. Gun Controllers benefit from private gun ownership through lower burglary rates, yet they will be challenging us to collectively put up the "NO GUN SIGNs". Pound this hypocrisy home people.
§ To only a lesser extent our opposition is proposing that we provide the same courtesy for the criminal element. They will be proposing amendment after amendment listing venues and facilities in which permits to carry will not be valid. ALL MUST BE DEFEATED. Property owners should reserve that right unto themselves as to how they want to deal with permit holders. It should not be statutorily mandated.
§ Permit Holders know that the safest place for their firearm is with them. Each venue or facility for which permits are exempt will create a firearm thief's dream shopping experience. All they have to do is to watch as see which cars have unattended firearms in them. Break in and steal them. It is the fulfillment of gun controller's dreams, to legislate more gun thief opportunities. THE SAFEST PLACE FOR A FIREARM IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF ITS OWNER. PERIOD
§ Any venue or facility limitation will also affect retired cops. So after 25 years of service, Joe retires, goes to a Vikings game and right behind him is the a past collar with a attitude. It is not right to deny those who have risked their lives for the sake of Political Correctness.
We should get the jump on the opposition and the media. Be sure those legislators understand that you expect them to think logically about the MPPA. Speak often, politely and firmly.
Get these words out strong and clear.
-Kframe