Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Default 1994-2019 - 25 Years To Virginia

    In 1994, the US Government (Congress & President Clinton) decided that the appropriate response to violence in our nation was to limit the access of law-abiding citizens to weapons that look scary. That is the only definition that truly fits the way firearms were targeted for banning. I'm referring to the decision known as the 1993 Assault Weapons Ban.

    This ban was perpetrated on the unspoken concept that guns, sans criminal actors, do, in fact, create Gun Violence. It further asserts (in unspoken concepts), without considering any criminal actor that might be involved, that this Gun Violence is to be so feared that no law-abiding citizen should have access to such firearms. Coupled with the lack of a firm resolve to deal with violent and habitual criminals in a long-term solution to their danger to our society, this gun ban (which is still promoted) has and will place law-abiding citizens at risk.

    The argument claims 'reasonableness' on the basis of the type of weapon defined. Yet the actuality of the ban is based on fear. Fear is highly variable. Fear can be produced from nothing more than mental perceptions, totally devoid of reality. Fear can exist as a mental disorder. Psychiatrically, a phobia can be defined as "a type of anxiety disorder that causes an individual to experience extreme, irrational fear about a situation, living creature, place, or object." Jeff Cooper coined the term 'Hoplophobia' to refer to 'an irrational fear of weapons', firearms or armed citizens.

    The Hoplophobic fears of mostly urban dwellers, who were not raised with weapons as part of the tools of rural living, and of those who fear their weakness to confront criminality but must rely upon the police (who do have guns), and of those who fear their own inability to handle firearms safely, were manipulated to engender support for the passage of the 1993 Assault Weapons Ban. Wholly separated from the criminal element of society that can make any tool into a weapon (even in prison), the idea that the specified guns were uniquely dangerous and caused Gun Violence was foisted on society as a valid reason for the ban. Yet, as seen over the following years, expanded fears begin to include any and every type of firearm within the irrational perspective of Gun Violence.

    It is significant that four presidents promoted this ban (Ford, Carter, Reagan & Clinton). The ban passed with a 216-to-214 vote, violating the rights of millions of Americans with a simple majority of one vote that went for YEA instead of NAY. While not elected directly by the people, the Supreme Court has also had a role in the past and present nature of this question of firearms rights. And it will continue to have an influence into the future. The silence of the USSC in the past and it's refusal of cases to be considered has allowed many infringements on the 2nd Amendment Rights, or as Pennsylvania's Constitution prohibits, it has been 'questioned' and stepped upon on many occasions. The Supreme Court has allowed these violations to linger on.

    Which raises the question of who can be trusted in today's political climate to look out for and promote the 2nd Amendment Rights of the entire citizenry? Despite Justice Roberts' vehement denial, the policies and perspectives of the president who appoints Supreme Court justices is reflected in many ways by the 'judicial temperament' of the selected justice. While clear partisan perspectives may not be evident in every individual case, everyone knows that the appointing president selects those of similar ideas.

    In the rulings in Heller and McDonald cases, the decisions were clearly a 5-4 outcome from essentially the same justices (Scalia, Roberts, Kennedy, Thomas & Alito FOR - Stevens, Souter (replaced by Sotomayor), Ginsburg & Breyer AGAINST). While some may think this coincidental, they would be in the far left field of analysis.

    So - Elections have consequences. And an electorate that undervalues the ballot box gets the results of Virginia. It took 15 years before the US Supreme Court began (with Scalia in 2008) to reign in the most egregious violations of the 2nd Amendment. Many are holding their breaths waiting for it to follow up after the McDonald ruling (2010) with an even greater delineation of the valid Constitutional actions protected by the 2nd Amendment.

    But Virginia is a warning to all that think that would put an end to the issue. Past Supreme Court Justice J.P. Stevens, and others, have asserted the need to change the Constitution, including the wording and intent of the 2nd Amendment. Unless those who value the US Constitution, and specifically those who value the 2nd Amendment, find a way to convince more people to get out and vote for representatives in government who also value the current US Constitution, with 2nd Amendment Rights, who are willing to fight for ALL the Rights recognized in the US Constitution, then Virginia is a bellwether to the future for all of us.

    Pennsylvania and Virginia are similarly populated, as urban & rural, with diverging values. When those in power believe they can impose on all others, their own perspectives, regardless of the Constitution, only social upheaval can follow. Removing firearms is the first successful step to tyranny! The Founders knew this. Every person in Pennsylvania who supports the 2nd Amendment should be looking with wide eyes at the quick turn-around that can occur, as demonstrated in Virginia, when those in power are dedicated to leveraging their Hoplophobic fears to move forward against THE PEOPLE. In Pennsylvania, we have already had our warning in the current governor and his expressed attitudes.

    As a law-abiding public, having seen the destruction of the Civil War, WWI, WWII, etc., it is important to actually VOTE people into local, state and federal offices who will promote the Rights of the people - over seeking for power or money or ego-stroking.

    Elections Have Consequences. Character Matters. But do not sacrifice the current Good for the eternally pursued Perfect. Move forward in the right direction even if currently only in inches.

    Fight now while the battle can be won at the ballot box. The alternative is frightful.

    ...
    Last edited by ImminentDanger; January 16th, 2020 at 11:34 PM.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: 1994-2019 - 25 Years To Virginia

    The Promotion Of Fear

    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-...185-story.html

    Ford, Carter, Reagan Push for Gun Ban
    By WILLIAM J. EATON - May 5, 1994
    LA TIMES STAFF WRITER - WASHINGTON

    Three former presidents endorsed legislation Wednesday to ban the future manufacture, sale and possession of combat-style assault weapons as a closely divided House neared a showdown today on the hotly controversial issue.

    Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan sent a letter to all House members expressing their support for the measure, effectively joining President Clinton in urging approval of the ban.

    Together, the four make a formidable lobby, stretching across a broad ideological spectrum and giving political cover to wavering House members.

    As pressures intensified Wednesday, several lawmakers who had never voted against the National Rifle Assn., the leading opponent of the ban, announced that they would support the measure.

    Yet, while momentum was clearly with supporters of the bill, congressional aides continued to predict late Wednesday that it would be narrowly defeated--and proponents acknowledged that they were about five votes short of victory.

    “It’s going to be neck and neck,” said Rep. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), chief sponsor of the bill. “This is going to be some horse race.”

    With Clinton continuing his campaign on behalf of the ban, law enforcement officers joined with Atty. Gen. Janet Reno and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), author of a Senate-passed ban on assault weapons, to urge approval.

    “I beg the undecided members of the House--give this bill a chance,” Feinstein said in an emotional speech here. “I can’t really share with you the fear I feel if this does not get a positive vote.”

    In their letter, the three former presidents said: “This is a matter of vital importance to the public safety. . . . Although assault weapons account for less than 1% of the guns in circulation, they account for nearly 10% of the guns traced to crime. . . .

    “While we recognize that assault-weapon legislation will not stop all assault-weapon crime, statistics prove that we can dry up the supply of these guns, making them less accessible to criminals.

    “We urge you to listen to the American public and to the law enforcement community and support a ban on the further manufacture of these weapons.”

    Former President George Bush, an opponent of gun-control measures during his term in the White House, did not sign the letter.

    Today’s vote amounts to a directive to a Senate-House conference committee on whether to include the Senate-passed ban on assault weapons in a final version of the crime bill, which must be ratified by both chambers before being sent to the President.

    The House bill would ban the manufacture and transfer of 19 semiautomatic assault weapons, copycat models and others with more than one military-style feature such as a pistol grip or detachable, high-capacity clip. Such guns currently lawfully owned would be exempted. Another 650 models commonly used for hunting or target shooting would still be permitted.

    The last time the House voted on a bill to bar assault-style weapons--in late 1991--the measure was rejected, 247 to 177. Both sides agreed Wednesday that the outcome will be far closer this time.

    There were some surprising expressions of support for the ban Wednesday as the House approached a decision that could have an impact on the 1994 elections.

    For example, Rep. Ronald D. Coleman (D-Tex.) agreed to support the ban although he has never voted against an NRA position since coming to Congress in 1972. After Clinton telephoned him Wednesday, however, Coleman switched and said he will go along with the wishes of law enforcement officers in his district.

    “If it is a political offense that costs me my job to try to take Uzis out of the hands of schoolkids and make it harder for drug thugs and gangs to get the machine guns that wantonly kill our police officers and children, then so be it,” Coleman said in a statement.

    Similarly, Rep. Michael A. Andrews (D-Tex.), who said he voted against a proposed ban in 1991 because it was too vague, endorsed the current bill as drawn narrowly enough to protect the rights of hunters and sportsmen.

    “I have always believed in the old Texas saying that gun control means steady aim,” Andrews told reporters. “At the same time . . . I am convinced that if we limit the availability of military-style assault weapons, we will be taking a meaningful step toward improving the safety of our streets without trampling on our constitutional rights.”

    Andrews, a lifelong hunter, asked: “Who can, in good conscience, defend such weapons as appropriate for hunters or sportsmen? Anyone that needs a 20-round clip of high-velocity ammunition to fell a duck or deer needs to look into taking up golf.”

    Conversions like these have raised the hopes of supporters of the ban.

    “For the first time last night, I went to bed thinking that this was winnable,” Schumer said. “We are really gaining momentum.”

    Sen. Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.), sponsor of a previous assault-weapons ban that passed the Senate but died in the House, said police organizations will deserve the credit if the bill succeeds in the House this time around.

    “This is the time for the House to take the political risk and do the right thing,” DeConcini said. “There is political life if you vote against the NRA.”

    Plea From 3 Ex-Presidents

    The letter from three former presidents to the House:

    May 3, 1994

    To Members of the U.S. House of Representatives:

    We are writing to urge your support for a ban on the domestic manufacture of military-style assault weapons. This is a matter of vital importance to the public safety. Although assualt weapons account for less than 1% of the guns in circulation, they account for nearly 10% of the guns traced to crime.

    Every major law enforcement organization in America and dozens of leading labor, medical, religious, civil rights and civic groups support such a ban. Most importantly, poll after poll shows that the American public overwhelmingly support a ban on assault weapons. A 1993 CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll found that 77% of Americans support a ban on the manufacture, sale, and possession of semi-automatic assault guns, such as the AK-47.

    The 1989 import ban resulted in an impressive 40% drop in imported assault weapons traced to crime between 1989 and 1991, but the killing continues. Last year, a killer armed with two TEC9s killed eight people at a San Francisco law firm and wounded several others. During the past five years, more than 40 law enforcement officers have been killed or wounded in the line of duty by an assault weapon.

    While we recognize that assault weapon legislation will not stop all assault weapon crime, statistics prove that we can dry up the supply of these guns, making them less accessible to criminals. We urge you to listen to the American public and to the law enforcement community and support a ban on the further manufacture of these weapons.

    Sincerely,

    Gerald R. Ford
    Jimmy Carter
    Ronald Reagan



    Results in the Senate:

    Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 1152 to S.Amdt. 1151 to S. 1607 (Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1993)
    Vote Date: November 17, 1993, 10:10 AM
    https://www.senate.gov/legislative/L...n=1&vote=00375

    The overall vote was 56-Y to 43-N

    Pennsylvania:
    Specter (R-PA), Nay
    Wofford (D-PA), Yea

    Virginia:
    Robb (D-VA), Yea
    Warner (R-VA), Nay


    Results in the House:

    H.R. 4296 (103rd): Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act
    House Votes to Pass on May 5, 1994
    https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/103-1994/h156

    The overall vote was 216-Y- to 214-N


    Pennsylvania (9-Y / 12-N) (43%/57%)
    Yea PA 1st D Foglietta, Thomas
    Yea PA 2nd D Blackwell, Lucien
    Yea PA 3rd D Borski, Robert
    Yea PA 8th R Greenwood, Jim
    Yea PA 10th R McDade, Joseph
    Yea PA 13th D Margolies-Mezvinsky, Marjorie
    Yea PA 14th D Coyne, William
    Yea PA 15th D McHale, Paul
    Yea PA 21st R Ridge, Thomas
    Nay PA 4th D Klink, Ron
    Nay PA 5th R Clinger, William
    Nay PA 6th D Holden, Tim
    Nay PA 7th R Weldon, Curt
    Nay PA 9th R Shuster, Bud
    Nay PA 11th D Kanjorski, Paul
    Nay PA 12th D Murtha, John
    Nay PA 16th R Walker, Robert
    Nay PA 17th R Gekas, George
    Nay PA 18th R Santorum, Rick
    Nay PA 19th R Goodling, William
    Nay PA 20th D Murphy, Austin

    Virginia (4-Y / 7-N) (36%/64%)
    Yea VA 1st R Bateman, Herbert
    Yea VA 3rd D Scott, Bobby
    Yea VA 8th D Moran, Jim
    Yea VA 11th D Byrne, Leslie
    Nay VA 2nd D Pickett, Owen
    Nay VA 4th D Sisisky, Norman
    Nay VA 5th D Payne, Lewis
    Nay VA 6th R Goodlatte, Bob
    Nay VA 7th R Bliley, Tom
    Nay VA 9th D Boucher, Rick
    Nay VA 10th R Wolf, Frank
    ...
    Last edited by ImminentDanger; January 20th, 2020 at 07:46 AM.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: 1994-2019 - 25 Years To Virginia

    While the phrase has been mis-attributed over the decades, somebody said: "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it."

    Monday is gonna be showtime...
    - bamboomaster

  4. #4
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    Default Re: 1994-2019 - 25 Years To Virginia


    Then Came 2020!

    Remember this day when you vote.
    Pick those who truly support the Constitution,
    especially the 2nd Amendment!


    Remember that the Anti-American Left will always call for fairness,
    until they are in power - then they will do whatever they want.

    Remember this day, that the left will consistently call others by
    the names that apply to themselves - Nazis - Fascist - Intolerant.

    Remember that the left will always claim for themselves what they deny
    to others - the protection of free speech, right to assemble, etc.

    Remember this day, when you vote for those to represent you. Tell them they
    MUST use the power you have given them to ACTUALLY enact protections from
    the left, no matter what names they are called or what the media prints.

    Remember that the left will use fear and lies to paint 2A supporters as
    every horrible character rather than the law-abiding people they are.

    Remember this day. It demonstrates that the left will take away your
    rights whenever they believe they can do so.

    Remember that no matter how logical and reasonable the truth may be that
    the left will never be convinced to alter their assaults which are
    based on their own distorted rhetoric - They will never relent.

    Remember this day, when your neighbors talk about the good intentions
    of the left and their sensitivity and care for others - It's only a
    ploy to obtain the power to impose their will on others.


    Remember This Day!
    It must burn the truth into your brain!

    The left can never be trusted - They lie to your face.
    They must be prevented from having the power to
    destroy the Democratic Republic that the
    Founding Fathers bequeathed to us!


    (And watch your back - Not all others who claim support for the 2A really mean it, either.)
    ...
    Last edited by ImminentDanger; January 20th, 2020 at 08:04 AM.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: 1994-2019 - 25 Years To Virginia

    Quote Originally Posted by ImminentDanger View Post

    Then Came 2020!

    Remember this day when you vote.
    Pick those who truly support the Constitution,
    especially the 2nd Amendment!


    Remember that the Anti-American Left will always call for fairness,
    until they are in power - then they will do whatever they want.

    Remember this day, that the left will consistently call others by
    the names that apply to themselves - Nazis - Fascist - Intolerant.

    Remember that the left will always claim for themselves what they deny
    to others - the protection of free speech, right to assemble, etc.

    Remember this day, when you vote for those to represent you. Tell them they
    MUST use the power you have given them to ACTUALLY enact protections from
    the left, no matter what names they are called or what the media prints.

    Remember that the left will use fear and lies to paint 2A supporters as
    every horrible character rather than the law-abiding people they are.

    Remember this day. It demonstrates that the left will take away your
    rights whenever they believe they can do so.

    Remember that no matter how logical and reasonable the truth may be that
    the left will never be convinced to alter their assaults which are
    based on their own distorted rhetoric - They will never relent.

    Remember this day, when your neighbors talk about the good intentions
    of the left and their sensitivity and care for others - It's only a
    ploy to obtain the power to impose their will on others.


    Remember This Day!
    It must burn the truth into your brain!

    The left can never be trusted - They lie to your face.
    They must be prevented from having the power to
    destroy the Democratic Republic that the
    Founding Fathers bequeathed to us!


    (And watch your back - Not all others who claim support for the 2A really mean it, either.)
    ...
    Do you know who wrote that?

  6. #6
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    Default Re: 1994-2019 - 25 Years To Virginia

    Quote Originally Posted by BobFromBucks View Post
    Do you know who wrote that?
    Well - It was me... ???

    ...

  7. #7
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    Default Re: 1994-2019 - 25 Years To Virginia

    I for one am still shocked that Clinton's Midnight Basketball did not stop inner city violence/s

    Great thinkers with big ideas those leftists/s
    The USA is now a banana republic. Only without the bananas....or the Republic.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: 1994-2019 - 25 Years To Virginia

    Maybe they should have a gun trade-back program...

    Give out a basketball for every gun turned in ...

    Yea - That should work - We know those criminals with guns are really just good people waiting for an opportunity - to give them up...

    Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha !

    ...

  9. #9
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    Default Re: 1994-2019 - 25 Years To Virginia

    The Aftermath:

    22,000 patriots gathered peacefully at Richmond, VA, to protest the violation of their Constitutional Rights and to lobby their representatives to honor their oaths of office. But at this stage, it did no good, relative to the leftist Democrat's agenda.


    https://granitegrok.com/blog/2020/01...irginia-lesson
    "And what happened makes no difference to the Leftists in their legislature. They have the majority and they aren’t planning on wasting it."

    https://wtop.com/virginia/2020/01/vi...-despite-rally
    "The day after a massive gathering of gun-rights activists at the Virginia Capitol, the state Senate on Tuesday advanced legislation that would allow authorities to take guns away from people deemed dangerous to themselves or others."

    Without any protections to gun owners to present a defense, a judge can strip said owner of their firearms on the opinionated accusation of 'concerned friends or family' or that of some authority figure.

    The core of the current problem, related to gun control, is the lack of respect for the 2nd Amendment and the US Constitution in general. The Founding Fathers created a REPUBLIC, not a democracy. The leftist Democrats promote the idea that our God-given Rights must submit to their democratically voted subversions. Despite the fact that the Nazi regime came to power when democratically elected Hitler ignored the existing constitution, the Democrats have been successful at selling the idea of Majority Rule to the American public.

    While the anti-gun leftists are, by actual numbers in the entire population, a vocal minority, they are still grabbing and exercising power throughout the land -- Virginia being the latest example.


    From 2016: The Fantasy of Peace & Safety!
    Quote Originally Posted by ImminentDanger View Post
    For those who value Freedom, most of the suggested crime prevention measures are nothing more than misguided efforts, or intended means, of assaulting our Rights. Whether it's assurances that the great society is working and crime is less than ever (with gerrymandered statistics), or assurances that self-protection is unnecessary when we have a large police force (who responds in minutes when seconds count), or the assurances that guns kill more innocents than bad guys (like innocent 14-year-old drug dealers), the real message is 'give up your Rights' because we have everything under control. That is the real ultimate goal: for these folks to have EVERYTHING UNDER THEIR CONTROL. It reminds me of the Peace and Safety that freedom-less citizens know from the old USSR and current communist / socialist / dictatorial countries - the kind of safety that evaporates if you disagree with the government.
    The leftist Democrats are power grabbing and any excuse they can use to unsettle the populace, any lie that can find a crevice to do it's dirty work, will be used to create chaos, followed by promises that their agenda is reasonable and will bring peace and safety. The lies fly as thick as devastating locust, eating away at every American value. In their quest for power, and absolute power, they are willing to destroy everything that made America the brightest beacon of Freedom in the entire world.

    One thing that is being done to confront this lack of respect is the installation of Constitution-loving judges at the highest levels of the judiciary. If young judges can be installed, who have a deep respect for the Constitution, they can affirm that the government MUST RESPECT the Individual Rights recognized by the Constitution, including those mentioned in the Second Amendment. By this means, the power grabbing, anti-American, leftists Democrats can be thwarted in their attempts to become masters over the populace.

    This anti-American, leftist minority can, and must be, defeated in their grab for power by a ground swell of right-minded, America-loving, patriots to stand up and defeat them. It is not too late to do that at the polls, but it is going to take a concerted effort to wake up a huge majority of the other 40% of America with a message of dire need for patriots.

    As in Virginia, it's no use crying over spilled milk, because the leftists ARE NOT going to be listening. Their goal is to RULE, NOT REPRESENT! They intend to be the ELITE OLIGARCHS, NOT PUBLIC SERVANTS! They intend to RULE BY FIAT, not by the US Constitution.

    There is no need for violence - The goal can be accomplished without that. Where they have already garnered power, we may need to tolerate some injustices for a short time, until the voting troops can be assembled. But the voting goal must be kept clearly in view at all times, from the lowest level of local government to the highest level of state government and also with our federal representation. Every level of our government should be honoring our Constitution, just as THEIR OATH OF OFFICE demands of them.

    Every current patriot must wake up another patriot that has been sleeping or inattentive or too lazy. Now is the time to step up and work together to take back the American Dream before it is too late for voting to accomplish that goal. Now is the time to save the nation that has been bequeathed to us; the country where the Constitutionally-protected, Individual Freedoms, allow us to pursue our own Life, Liberty and Happiness without the shackles of leftist overlords.

    ...
    Last edited by ImminentDanger; January 23rd, 2020 at 08:38 AM.

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    Default Re: 1994-2019 - 25 Years To Virginia

    VA lawmakers pass 7 new gun control bills in 90 minutes
    https://americanmilitarynews.com/202...in-90-minutes/

    In total, seven new gun control bills passed in the Virginia House of Delegates, the Wall Street Journal reported.

    Democratic lawmakers, exercising their newly won legislative majorities, pushed through all seven measures in under 90 minutes. The votes came just over a week after an estimated 22,000 gun rights activists protested in Richmond in opposition to the newly proposed gun laws.

    =======================================

    Remember that no matter how logical and reasonable the truth may be that
    the left will never be convinced to alter their assaults which are
    based on their own distorted rhetoric - They will never relent.


    Pennsylvanians Must Be Prepared!

    Every vote counts from your most local elections right
    to the Federal Senators, Reps & President !
    Don't dismiss your responsibilities
    to keep America Free!

    ...
    Last edited by ImminentDanger; February 7th, 2020 at 09:43 AM.

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