The Bear Facts

Bangor, Maine, cannot help but get into the news, it seems. The latest in a long string of events that would drive most visitors out of Maine, has been the shooting of a black bear in one of the city's parks.
That is not what might drive people away, however. It was the reaction to the bear's shooting by a Maine game warden.
Letters to the editor decried the treatment the bear received, despite a careful explanation by wildlife department officials as to why use of a tranquilizer gun was not practical to subdue the animal.

Don’t Believe Obama!

The presidential primary season is finally over, and it is now time for gun owners to take a careful look at just where apparent nominee Barack Obama stands on issues related to the Second Amendment. During the primaries, Obama tried to hide behind vague statements of support for “sportsmen” or unfounded claims of general support for the right to keep and bear arms.

But his real record, based on votes taken, political associations, and long standing positions, shows that Barack Obama is a serious threat to Second Amendment liberties. Don’t listen to his campaign rhetoric! Look instead to what he has said and done during his entire political career.
FACT: Barack Obama voted to allow reckless lawsuits designed to bankrupt the firearms industry.
FACT: Barack Obama wants to re-impose the failed and discredited Clinton Gun Ban.
FACT: Barack Obama voted to ban almost all rifle ammunition commonly used for hunting and sport shooting.
FACT: Barack Obama has endorsed a complete ban on handgun ownership.
FACT: Barack Obama supports local gun bans in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and other cities.
FACT: Barack Obama voted to uphold local gun bans and the criminal prosecution of people who use firearms in self-defense.
FACT: Barack Obama supports gun owner licensing and gun registration.
FACT: Barack Obama refused to sign a friend-of-the-court Brief in support of individual Second Amendment rights in the Heller case.
FACT: Barack Obama opposes Right to Carry laws.
FACT: Barack Obama was a member of the Board of Directors of the Joyce Foundation, the leading source of funds for anti-gun organizations and “research.”
FACT: Barack Obama supported a proposal to ban gun stores within 5 miles of a school or park, which would eliminate almost every gun store in America.
FACT: Barack Obama voted not to notify gun owners when the state of Illinois did records searches on them.
FACT: Barack Obama voted against a measure to lower the Firearms Owners Identification card age minimum from 21 to 18, a measure designed to assist young people in the military.
FACT: Barack Obama favors a ban on standard capacity magazines.
FACT: Barack Obama supports mandatory micro-stamping.
FACT: Barack Obama supports mandatory waiting periods.
FACT: Barack Obama supports repeal of the Tiahrt Amendment, which prohibits information on gun traces collected by the BATFE from being used in reckless lawsuits against firearm dealers and manufacturers.
FACT: Barack Obama supports one-gun-a-month sales restrictions.
FACT: Barack Obama supports a ban on inexpensive handguns.
FACT: Barack Obama supports a ban on the resale of police issued firearms, even if the money is going to police departments for replacement equipment.
FACT: Barack Obama supports mandatory firearm training requirements for all gun owners and a ban on gun ownership for persons under the age of 21.

Chicago Mayor Pushes for More Gun Laws

Change in legislature boosts prospects for new controls

Associated Press

CHICAGO - Mayor Richard Daley and other elected officials renewed their call for stricter gun laws Wednesday, saying Democratic control of the General Assembly could lead to passage of legislation that has foundered in the past.




One measure would ban assault weapons, while another would limit handgun purchases to one a month and a third would require licensing for handgun dealers.

Daley is calling the measures "commonsense" gun legislation. He said firearms were used in 80 percent of the homicides committed in Chicago last year.

Chicago police confiscated 12,235 guns in 2006, authorities said.

"Every time we seize an illegal gun, we reduce the probability that someone will be killed, injured or unfortunately robbed at gunpoint," Daley said.

State Rep. Edward Acevedo pledged his continued support for the assault weapons ban, which would include .50-caliber rifles.

"These weapons are made for war. These weapons do not belong on the street," the Chicago Democrat said. "These weapons were made for mass destruction."

State Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said the recent Democratic takeover of the General Assembly will mean change.

"There's been a change in attitudes down in Springfield, which is very positive," Cullerton said. "The NRA in the past has kind of owned the place. Now there's a crack in their armor."

Richard Pearson, executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association, said the state already has some of the toughest gun laws in the country and passing more laws will not deter criminals from obtaining firearms.

"No one wants criminals to have firearms," Pearson said. "And when you ban them, you just make it profitable for them to obtain weapons."

Pearson acknowledged, however, that Democratic control of both the state House and Senate could result in passage of some gun control measures.

"The gun lobby is going to have to work a lot harder," he said.