Iowa Range Protection/Preemption Law Introduced in Legislature

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House Study Bill 615 has been introduced in Iowa. The bill prevents local governments from making the improvement or construction of shooting ranges more onerous than existing state law.

Section 1. NEW SECTION . 335.26 Shooting ranges. In approving the improvement of property acquired to establish, use, and maintain a new shooting range or in approving a substantial change to an existing shooting range pursuant to section 657.9, subsection 1, the county zoning commission, or if there is not a county zoning commission, the county board of supervisors, shall not require a person seeking approval to comply with any conditions relating to the establishment, use, or maintenance of the shooting range that are more stringent than those imposed by state law.

The bill applies these standards to city zoning as well.

 Shooting ranges have been attacked by those desiring an unarmed population, in many states. The right to keep and bear arms is severely infringed upon if it is extremely difficult to find a place to shoot, teach others to shoot, and to maintain shooting skills. One of the most popular ways to attack the right to arms is to close down shooting ranges, often using the power of local zoning and local governments. As the population increases, the need for shooting ranges has increased and the pressure to shut down shooting ranges has increased as well.

If the right to keep and bear arms is highly valued, innovative ways to provide for safe shooting ranges can and will be found. Shooting ranges for long range rifle practice are found all over the small country of Switzerland. The ranges have an excellent safety record.

In Illinois, the 7th Circuit Court of appeals has ruled access to shooting ranges is protected under the Second Amendment. The two rulings are known as Ezell I and Ezell II. From Ezell II:

Addressing the “scope” question in Ezell I, we rejected the City’s argument that range training is categorically unprotected by the Second Amendment. We held that the core individual right of armed defense—as recognized in Heller and incorporated against the states in McDonald—includes a corresponding right to acquire and maintain proficiency in firearm use through target practice at a range.651 F.3d at 704. We explained that the core right to possess firearms for protection “wouldn’t mean much without the training and practice that make it effective.” Id.

What was seen in Ezell II, is some cities are determined to infringe on Second Amendment rights.  In Ezell II, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals struck down more attempts to do so by Chicago.

House Study Bill 615 in Iowa would prevent local governments from attacking Second Amendment rights of access to firing ranges. Only infringements by the State government would have to be guarded against.

The state preemption statute currently protects firearms from local ordinances, regulations, or limitations which would otherwise be lawful under state law.

The proposed reform would add protections for firearms modification, firearms attachments, or other weapons, to the protections for firearms. Here is the wording of the proposed new preemption:

2. A political subdivision of the state shall not enact an ordinance regulating the ownership, possession, legal transfer, lawful transportation, modification, registration, or licensing of firearms , firearms attachments, or other weapons when the ownership, possession, transfer, or transportation , or modification is otherwise lawful under the laws of this state. An ordinance regulating firearms , firearms attachments, or other weapons in violation of this section existing on or after April 5, 1990, is void.

 The law is designed to prevent a hodgepodge of local laws which would infringe on the right to arms. Nearly every state has a form of preemption statute for this purpose. HSB 615 strengthens Iowa's law considerably. Notably, it includes all weapons in the law, not just firearms.

The Second Amendment includes all arms, not just firearms.

Republicans hold majorities in both the Senate (32 of 50 senators) and the House of Representatives (54 of 100 representatives). Republican Kim Reynolds is the first female govenor of Iowa.

It remains to be seen if the Republican majority will support HSB 615.


©2020 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

Gun Watch

Followup NC: Shooting of Leonard Evan Loehr was in Self Defense

Leonard Evan Loehr, 42, was found dead at a home on Skyland Drive after a reported self-defense shooting Jan. 9, according to previous News Herald articles.

Sheriff Steve Whisenant told The News Herald in January that Loehr and another man, who was at the home to help him move, had gotten into a struggle for a shotgun in the house when the man pulled his own gun and shot Loehr.

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IL: Chicago Man Shot, Wounded by Liquor Store Security Guard

The man, 28, got into an argument with the guard about 11:30 p.m. inside Madison Food, Wine and Spirits, 3900 W. Madison St., Chicago police said. When the argument turned physical, the guard shot him in the leg and back.
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IN: Gunfight, Armed Samaritan Wounds Armed Robbery Suspect

That’s when a man wearing a mask apparently walked up to the car, pulled out a handgun, and tried to rob them at gunpoint.

While that was happening, another man with the group walked out of the store and saw what was unfolding. He pulled out a gun and exchanged fire with the robbery suspect.
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PA: Coyote Attacks Men and Dog, is Shot by Resident

A coyote displaying "erratic behavior" by attacking two men and a dog in Newberry Township this week was killed Tuesday by a resident, according to a Pennsylvania Game Commission warden.
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Wyoming 2020 Bill Would Eliminate most "Gun Free Zones"

In Wyoming, Second Amendment supporters have been working to repeal "gun free zones" for years.

Bill SF0088 in Wyoming would eliminate most "gun free zones" in the state in 2020. Here are the relevant portions of the bill:

(b)  Persons lawfully carrying concealed weapons in Wyoming under W.S. 6‑8‑104(a)(ii) through (iv) may carry a concealed weapon in the following places:

(i)  Any meeting of a governmental entity;

(ii)  Any meeting of the legislature or a committee thereof.

(c)  Persons lawfully carrying concealed weapons in Wyoming under W.S. 6‑8‑104(a)(ii) or (iii) may carry a concealed weapon in the following places:

(i)  Any public school, public college or university or professional athletic event, except as provided in W.S. 21‑3‑132;

(ii)  Any public elementary or secondary school facility, except as provided in W.S. 21‑3‑132;

(iii)  Any public college or university facility.

W.S. 21-3-132  generally prohibits the carry of firearms in K-12 schools, unless the school board allows the practice.

The bill is sponsored by Senator(s) Bouchard, Biteman, James and Steinmetz and Representative(s) Blackburn, Clem, Edwards, Gray, Jennings, Laursen, Piiparinen, Salazar, Styvar and Tass.

In 2019, the legislation was popular. From the Gillettenewsrecord.com:

The bill, Senate File 75, proposes to not only repeal most gun free zones across the state but would allow for the carry of concealed weapons anywhere in the state for permit holders. The bill would also clarify that only the Wyoming Legislature may regulate firearms, weapons and ammunition, therefore overriding local ordinances.

The most significant aspect of the bill might be its level of support. Nearly half of the Senate – 13 members – have signed on as co-sponsors, as well as 23 members of the 60-person House.

Senate Bill 75 was defeated in the committee in 2019, on a three to two vote. From wyomingnews.com:

After SF 75 failed, Bouchard said the arguments against this and other attempts to repeal gun-free zones always predicted terrible ramifications.

“It’s all the same arguments every time we have any kind of gun bill,” Bouchard said.

“The sky was going to fall, danger’s happening. It’s all the same argument, and it’s emotional. They’re not looking at the reality.”

In 2019, Senators Reynolds John Kost (Republican, Disrict 19 ), Michael Von Flatern (Republican, District 24 ), and Lilsa Anselmi-Dalton (Democrat, District 12 ), were the three votes in the Judiciary Committee which defeated the bill.


While a majority of Republican legislators seem willing to sign on to support the elimination of "gun free zones", the Republican leadership, especially in the Senate, seems dedicated to defeating the bill in committee.

This pattern has been observed in many states, as the right to bear arms has been slowly and incrementally been restored over much of the United States.
 
Senator Anthony Bouchard has been actively working to restore Second Amendment rights in Wyoming for many years.  In 2020, SF0088 is one of his chosen vehicles for restoring those rights.

Wyoming is a Constitutional Carry state. Blood has not been running in the streets as the right to bear arms has been restored.

The elimination of "gun free zones in Wyoming would set an example for the rest of the United States.


©2020 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

Gun Watch

NC: 77-Year-Old Coin Shop Owner Wounded while Driving off Robbery Suspects

Just before 4:30 p.m., two armed men stormed the store. According to a 911 call, the pair both wore masks.

Police confirm Siems fired back at the thieves.
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OH: Did Armed Victim Prevail in Domestic Ambush?

The preliminary investigation indicates that a man with a gun approached a vehicle as it pulled into the driveway of the home was shot in an exchange of gunfire by the male homeowner who was in that vehicle.

The male homeowner was a passenger in the vehicle and has a CCW permit, the sheriff said.

The ex-wife of the homeowner drove up to the scene soon after the first shooting. She was armed with a gun and was killed in an exchange of gunfire with the male homeowner, Fischer said.
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TX: Domestic Defense? Husband who Attacked Wife Found Dead

The woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the incident.

The medical examiner has ordered an autopsy on the man who was killed.

Police have not yet released the identity of the victim and has not said who, if anyone, is facing charges.
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WV: Armed Victim Stops Carjacking

The events began when they received a call that a man was beating on vehicles on Georgia Street, police said. Shortly after, police received calls about a carjacking in the same area and a woman, identified as Barbara Steele, 77, of Charleston, found dead in her home. The attempted carjacking that followed at Tennessee Avenue and Lee Street West was thwarted by the victim, who pulled a gun on the suspect, according to police.
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NC: Armed Victim, Armed Samaritan, Police, Stop Crime Spree

Image screenshot from WCNC video


An armed victim, armed Samaritans, and the police all worked together to arrest young, violent, criminal suspects and stop a crime spree in Charlotte, N.C.

The details of the events are recorded in the reporting of WCNC, but they take some careful reading to untangle.

It probably started on January 29th. That is when the car the criminals used in their crime spree was reported stolen. We do not know the precise time the offenders stole the white Toyota Camry they used in their crimes.

Early in the morning of 4 February, 2020, at about 4:30 a.m.,  two suspects tried to break into a vehicle at Otter Creek Drive.  The husband of the woman who owned the car told police two suspects had fired shots at him as they drove away in a white Toyota Camry.

About 20 minutes later, it is believed the same suspects attempted an armed robbery/carjacking at Clems Branch Drive. A masked suspect threatened a driver. This victim was armed. He fired at the suspect who ran from the scene. The white Toyota Camry drove off.

A white Toyota Camry was spotted by the police moments later. The driver refused to pull over. The pursuit led to Bevington Place, where the driver crashed the white Toyota Camry into a tree. It appears to have been totaled. The police arrested the driver at the scene. At this point the police found the white Toyota Camry had been stolen.

Roughly an hour and a half later, the police responded to a call of a shooting just off Lancaster Highway, on Meyers Mill Lane. A 17-year-old had reportedly attempted to steal a car from a woman. The woman's had surrendered the keys when the woman's husband came out and started to wrestle with the subject, who was armed.

Neighbors heard the commotion and surrounded the armed suspect. Some of the neighbors were armed.  (The transcript says "a neighbor". The video says "neighbors".) One armed Samaritan ordered the suspect to drop the gun. When the suspect refused, the neighbor shot him. The wounded suspect was transported to the hospital.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Captain Wagner was reported to state he believed all the crimes were connected.

The first suspect arrested was an adult teen who was already a convicted felon.

It is highly likely this was not the first violent felony the 17-year-old second suspect was involved in.

There were many victims of these violent criminals. Remember the owner of the white Toyota Camry. They have lost their vehicle, and face many hours of difficulties in recovering some of what they have lost.

This is not the first time I have read of criminals being confronted by more than one armed member of the public during a crime spree.

As more and more people have and carry firearms for defense, it is understandable that criminals find themselves on the wrong end of a firearm more often. It is reasonable to believe this would result in a falling crime rate, at least for violent crimes.

Professor John Lott's work shows a statistical correlation between increased numbers of people with carry permits, and a decrease in violent crimes.

©2020 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

Gun Watch

AK: Gunfight, Armed Woman Homeowner Wounds Man who Shot at her Home

Troopers reported a call from Willow homeowner Sherry MacDougal that a suspect, she identified as 51-year-old Shawn Burke, had shown up at her residence with a rifle and shot at her home.

AST was told that the homeowner had shot Burke in the shoulder after the incident. He left the scene after being wounded.
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IN: Grant County Deputies Investigate Shooting Death of Suspected Intruder

GAS CITY, Ind. (WISH) — A man at a home in a rural part of Grant County told police he shot and killed an intruder Monday afternoon, the sheriff’s department says.
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GA: Off Duty Officer Joins Gunfight at 1:30 a.m. near Harlem Nights Ultralounge

Police say an off-duty sergeant working security near the Harlem Nights Ultralounge saw people in two cars shooting at each other with high-powered rifles and handguns around 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

The sergeant shot at the suspects when they refused to drop their weapons.

Police say three people were shot and one of the people shot died on the scene.
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Kel Tec, 50 rd .22 magizine, P17, and Integrally Suppressed Sub 2000 at Shot Show

 


At the Kel-Tec booth at the shot show, I talked to Kel-Tec lead design engineer Toby Obermeit and engineer Ryan Williams.

One of the first things I saw was the new extension magazine for the CP33. It holds 50 rounds of .22 LR. It was mentioned last year as a coming product, and should be available this summer.

The CP33 has been an enormous success story. They are very  popular; they have a reputation for both accuracy, reliability, and a good trigger. The CP33 only weighs 24 ounces with a 5.5 inch barrel and comes with two 33 round magazines. There are already a couple of aftermarket pistol braces available for the CP33.

I asked Toby about the P17, Kel-Tec's extremely light, .22 pocket gun that comes with three 16 round magazines. It had some teething problems. Videos on the net showed it to repeatedly fail to fire and function.

Toby said they had some early problems with a bad batch of stamped parts and springs. When asked about the requirement to use only high-velocity ammunition, he said the pistols will shoot both high velocity and standard velocity ammunition.

P17 pistols is are making their way through the distribution chain to the general public.  Kel-Tec fans will be reporting how well the part and spring corrections are working in the next few months.

The concept has a great deal of promise. With a fixed barrel, there is good reason to believe the pistol capable of excellent accuracy.  It is in direct competition with the Taurus TX22, the Glock 44, and perhaps the Ruger SR22.

It is the lightest and smallest of the group, weighing only 14 ounces loaded, with a 16 round magazine.  The TX22 has shown a 16 round magazine and polymer frame can work in a .22.  The P17 has the lowest manufacturer's suggested retail price of $199. Kel-Tec has always been an leader in finding ways to use technology to produce innovative and inexpensive products.

It is not difficult to produce good products, if price is not an object. It is the epitome of engineering excellence to make an effective product at an affordable price.

If the P17 overcomes the initial poor press, it will be very popular. 
The P17 I shot at the Industry Day at the Range functioned fine for the few rounds I put through it.

The integrally suppressed Sub 2000 is another Kel-Tec innovation. This is the first suppressed system Kel-Tec has produced. The folding pistol caliber carbine uses a 4.1 inch rifled barrel, giving the same ballistic performance as a Glock 19. The suppressor/barrel overall length is a bit over 16 inches.

The initial offering uses Glock magazines. Without sights, it weighs a little over 5 pounds, and folds to a package which will fit in most brief cases.

Ryan Williams, KelTec Engineer, shows off the integrally suppressed Sub 2000

A suppressed carbine is an excellent choice for home defense. The short length of the Sub 2000 makes it harder for an opponent to perform an effective disarm, and easier to maneuver indoors. The suppressor means indoor shots will not blind or deafen the shooter.  Optical sights and/or a laser can assist in practical accuracy under difficult conditions. Ryan Williams told me that adding an optical sight and laser to one of the suppressed Sub 2000 carbines brought the overall weight to 5.7 pounds.

Ryan Williams explained his wife would be able to use the integrally suppressed Sub 2000 without any problems. It is expected to be available at about $1000, not including the $200 National Firearms Act tax stamp. It should be out this summer.


©2020 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

Gun Watch

OH: Armed Homeowner holds Armed Burglary Suspect for Police

He also called the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office immediately, and reported the break-in at his West Salem home. The pistol Phillips grabbed became important a little while later, when he saw a man in a black coat trying to get back into his garage.

“I pulled my weapon up, told him to stop and to get on the ground,” he said. “I held him at gunpoint until the cops got there.”

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TX: Store Owner Shoots 1 of 2 Suspected Burglars

The owner of a used auto parts store shot one of two burglary suspects he caught breaking into his business early Monday morning, police say.

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TN: Gunfight, Bounty Hunters and Fugitive, no one Wounded

The two men told police they went inside the laundromat and saw McGuire, then stepped outside to talk briefly and make sure they had their handcuffs. However, according to the report, McGuire walked outside, pulled a pistol from his waistband and aimed it at one of the bounty hunters.

Rector told police he drew his firearm and shot at McGuire, who then ran away, firing his weapon. Schneider said he pulled his firearm and tried to open fire but his ammunition was not loaded properly.

A woman at the scene told police she saw McGuire draw a pistol and point it at the two bounty hunters. The case has since been turned over to the KPD detective division.
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IL: 20-Year-Old Held at Gunpoint by Homeowner near Lake Centralia

A 20-year-old Salem man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into a home early Sunday morning near Lake Centralia and being held at gunpoint by one of the occupants until a Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived.

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GA: Gunfight, Masked Robber Runs off with Register

When the masked man pulled the register from the front counter, the store manager went back to the front of the store with a gun, the release says.

The manager and the masked man shot at each other and then the robber ran away with the register. He was last seen running to the back parking lot, according to the release.

The manager was not hurt, but it is unknown if the robber was injured.
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