The National Rifle Association Strongly Opposes the Nomination of Andrew Traver to Head BATFE, Calls on President Obama to withdraw the nomination
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Statement from Chris W. Cox, executive director, NRA Institute for Legislative Action
The National Rifle Association of America strongly opposes President Obama's nomination of Andrew Traver as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). Traver has been deeply aligned with gun control advocates and anti-gun activities. This makes him the wrong choice to lead an enforcement agency that has almost exclusive oversight and control over the firearms industry, its retailers and consumers. Further, an important nomination such as BATFE director should not be made as a "recess appointment," in order to circumvent consent by the American people through their duly-elected U.S. Senators.
Traver served as an advisor to the International Association for Chiefs of Police's (IACP) "Gun Violence Reduction Project," a "partnership" with the Joyce Foundation. Both IACP and the Joyce Foundation are names synonymous with promoting a variety of gun control schemes at the federal and state levels. Most of the individuals involved in this project were prominent gun control activists and lobbyists.
The IACP report, generated with Traver's help, called on Congress to ban thousands of commonly owned firearms by misrepresenting them as “assault weapons,” as well as calling for bans on .50 caliber rifles and widely used types of ammunition. The report also suggests that Congress should regulate gun shows out of existence and should repeal the privacy protections of the Tiahrt Amendment -- all efforts strongly opposed by the NRA and its members.
Traver also participated in an extremely deceptive NBC Chicago report (http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Assault-Weapons-Surge-in-City-69620227.html) in which he referred to "the growing frequency of gang members and drug dealers using heavy caliber military-type weapons" and described them as if they were machine guns: "Pull the trigger and you can mow people down." Traver and his agents provided the reporter with a fully automatic AK-47, with which she was unable to hit the target. He then said that stray bullets are "one of the main problems with having stuff like this available to the gangs."
As the Agent-in-Charge of Chicago’s BATFE office, Traver knows that fully automatic firearms are not available through normal retail channels -- the opposite of what was implied in the report.
An agency involved in the regulation of a fundamental, individual right guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution should not be led by an individual with a demonstrated hostility to that freedom. For that reason, the NRA strongly opposes Andrew Traver to head the BATFE and urges President Obama to withdraw this ill-advised nomination.
--NRA--
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
NRA Weighs In On Andrew Traver
This was sent out this morning by the NRA-ILA:
Brady Center on Andrew Traver
This was released yesterday by the gun control lobby aka the Brady Center:
Brady Center Applauds Obama Administration Nomination of ATF DirectorI wonder when we will be hearing from Andy Traver's old friends Kristen Rand and Tom Diaz of the Violence Policy Center or are they planning to keep that on the "down low."
Nov 16, 2010
Washington, D.C. - The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence today applauded the Obama Administration’s announcement that a director has been nominated to oversee the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). If confirmed, Andrew Traver - currently Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the ATF- would be the agency’s first full-fledged director since 2006.
“We are pleased that President Obama is moving forward with a nominee to lead the ATF. This long-needed appointment is welcome news,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Center.
In August, the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence issued a report calling on President Obama to name a director to the nation’s top law enforcement agency.
“Three months ago, we urged the President to fill this crucial position,” said Helmke. “This job was left vacant at a time when thousands of Americans were being shot, illegal gun trafficking from here was fueling violence in Mexico, and extremists were turning to guns to wage terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, the director-less ATF had been weakened by understaffing and a serious lack of modern crime-fighting tools.”
If confirmed, Traver would be taking over an agency that is “under siege” by the gun lobby and its allies in Congress. The National Rifle Association and the gun industry are supporting legislation - the misnamed ATF “Reform and Firearms Modernization” Act - that would dramatically weaken ATF’s ability to even further shut down corrupt gun dealers and stop gun traffickers.
“Past ATF directors have been crucial advocates for strong law enforcement authority to combat gun trafficking and gun violence. They have spoken publicly, testified before Congress, and advocated within their Administrations about the need for strong gun laws,” continued Helmke. “If Mr. Traver is confirmed, we are hopeful that he will be a strong voice for the strengthening and effective enforcement of our gun laws.”
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. on Andrew Traver
Yesterday, the office of Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) released this:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEIn terms of gun control support, Jackson was a co-sponsor of HR 1312 -Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2005. This bill was Rep. Carolyn McCarthy's effort to reinstate the Clinton assault weapons (sic) ban which had expired in 2004. This bill died in committee.
Rep. Jackson Congratulates Chicago's Andrew Tarver on Nomination to Head Federal
Agency
Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. issued the following statement on the nomination of Mr. Andrew Traver, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATFE), to be the Bureau's national director:
"I'm very pleased that Mr. Andrew Traver has been nominated to be Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives at the Department of Justice. I have worked with Mr. Traver over the years and he has served the Chicago Field Division of the ATFE with great distinction. In addition, Mr. Traver has served in key ATFE roles at national headquarters in Washington, DC, and in the San Francisco, New Orleans and Philadelphia Field Divisions. I've seen his outstanding work firsthand, and know he will bring extraordinary experience, energy and expertise as Director. I am hopeful that the Senate will confirm Mr. Traver's nomination tothis vital post as soon as possible."
Why We Care About Who Sits On The Supreme Court
I had a post yesterday which featured a letter from one of my home state U.S. Senators, Kay Hagan (D-NC). The letter to me was in response to emails and letters I had sent opposing the confirmation of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court. I was, and still am, incensed that it took four months since Kagan was confirmed and probably six months or more since I first wrote to get a response. This is, of course, in an era of modern communications totally unacceptable.
A reader sent me a comment on my post on Hagan's letter saying, "With all the crap going wrong in America today, why would you get so worked up over a Supreme Court Appointment? Relative to jobs, the economy, our deficits, our nation being screwed by its bankers ... the make up of the Supreme Court is background noise."
The reason to get "worked up" over a Supreme Court appointment is simple. The Justices on the Supreme Court, through their decisions, have affected virtually all aspects of life in America. With a Court that is divided 5 to 4, one new Justice can change the whole complexion of the law for generations to come.
Without Justice Souter being replaced by Justice Alito, the Second Amendment would not be an individual right in fact and law. We would have lost the Heller decision. Without that win we would never have even had a McDonald decision.
If you don't think the Supreme Court impacts every aspect of American life, let me give you some examples.
Until Brown v. Board of Education, separate but equal was still legal.
Until Heart of Atlanta v. United States, blacks could still be denied service in a restaurant or hotel due to the color of their skin.
Until Griswold v. Connecticut, you could be prosecuted for using birth control in many states.
Until Roe v. Wade, abortion was generally outlawed.
Until Gray v. Sanders, one man, one vote was not the law of the land.
Until Lawrence v. Texas, gays (and straights as well) could be prosecuted for engaging in consensual sex acts.
Justice Kagan is 50 years old and has a lifetime appointment. Justice John Paul Stevens whom she replaced retired at age 90. She may very well be on the Court for the next 20, 30, or even 40 years.
THAT is why it is important.
With regard to the letter from Hagan, any elected official who doesn't respond to a constituent's concerns within a reasonable period of time is treating him or her with disrespect.
The late Senator Jesse Helms, love him or hate him, was well known for responding to constituent concerns very quickly. Liddy Dole, who was defeated by Kay Hagan, did a decent job at responding to my letters, calls, or emails. Even the philandering John Edwards wasn't too slow in his response. I have been appalled from the start by how lightly Kay Hagan treats responding to constituent letters and emails sharing their concerns.
With modern computers and software, not to mention their franking privilege (or free postage), there simply is no excuse for it to take months to receive a reply from a Senator or Congressman. The form letter or email with canned talking points is better than waiting months and months for any response. It is a matter of simple courtesy and respect for the people of their state or district as well as an acknowledgment of their concerns.
A reader sent me a comment on my post on Hagan's letter saying, "With all the crap going wrong in America today, why would you get so worked up over a Supreme Court Appointment? Relative to jobs, the economy, our deficits, our nation being screwed by its bankers ... the make up of the Supreme Court is background noise."
The reason to get "worked up" over a Supreme Court appointment is simple. The Justices on the Supreme Court, through their decisions, have affected virtually all aspects of life in America. With a Court that is divided 5 to 4, one new Justice can change the whole complexion of the law for generations to come.
Without Justice Souter being replaced by Justice Alito, the Second Amendment would not be an individual right in fact and law. We would have lost the Heller decision. Without that win we would never have even had a McDonald decision.
If you don't think the Supreme Court impacts every aspect of American life, let me give you some examples.
Until Brown v. Board of Education, separate but equal was still legal.
Until Heart of Atlanta v. United States, blacks could still be denied service in a restaurant or hotel due to the color of their skin.
Until Griswold v. Connecticut, you could be prosecuted for using birth control in many states.
Until Roe v. Wade, abortion was generally outlawed.
Until Gray v. Sanders, one man, one vote was not the law of the land.
Until Lawrence v. Texas, gays (and straights as well) could be prosecuted for engaging in consensual sex acts.
Justice Kagan is 50 years old and has a lifetime appointment. Justice John Paul Stevens whom she replaced retired at age 90. She may very well be on the Court for the next 20, 30, or even 40 years.
THAT is why it is important.
With regard to the letter from Hagan, any elected official who doesn't respond to a constituent's concerns within a reasonable period of time is treating him or her with disrespect.
The late Senator Jesse Helms, love him or hate him, was well known for responding to constituent concerns very quickly. Liddy Dole, who was defeated by Kay Hagan, did a decent job at responding to my letters, calls, or emails. Even the philandering John Edwards wasn't too slow in his response. I have been appalled from the start by how lightly Kay Hagan treats responding to constituent letters and emails sharing their concerns.
With modern computers and software, not to mention their franking privilege (or free postage), there simply is no excuse for it to take months to receive a reply from a Senator or Congressman. The form letter or email with canned talking points is better than waiting months and months for any response. It is a matter of simple courtesy and respect for the people of their state or district as well as an acknowledgment of their concerns.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
TSA Meets Gadsden Flag
Leave it to the Iowahawk to come up with the best response to the TSA's new "enhanced" pat down procedures. If you aren't reading him on a regular basis, you are missing one of the best satirists on the Internet. Plus he likes cars. Real cars with real engines that make loud noise.
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| From the Iowahawk Blog |
USAMU and MGM Targets Sponsor Junior Action Shooters Camp
The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, GA and MGM Targets co-sponsored their 3rd Annual Action Shooting Camp for junior shooters in late October. This three-day shooting camp featured instructors from the USAMU Action Shooting Team including SGT Travis Tomasie, SPC Lee Dimaculangan, SPC Daniel Horner, PFC Shane Coley and PVT Tyler Payne.
The camp was open to any junior shooter who had competed in a USPSA, IDPA, Cowboy Action Shooting, or Steel Challenge match. The goal was to improve their shooting, gun handling, and movement skills in order to make them better competitors. Sixty juniors and an accompanying parent or guardian attended this three-day camp.
The camp was not free but the cost was quite reasonable. The cost including lodging and breakfast for all three days was $250. Much of the cost of the camp was paid for by USAMU and MGM Targets. MGM also provided scholarships as did the USPSA.
Junior shooter Jake Denno relates his experiences attending the camp at 3-Gun Nation. He points out that the shooters ranged from a 17-year old Grand Master to an 11-year old newbie.
I think this is a fantastic program which I hope will get more attention and support. Programs like this are grooming the next generation of competition shooters as well as future instructors and armed citizens. They anticipate having next year's camp around the same time in October.
H/T The Outdoor Wire
The camp was open to any junior shooter who had competed in a USPSA, IDPA, Cowboy Action Shooting, or Steel Challenge match. The goal was to improve their shooting, gun handling, and movement skills in order to make them better competitors. Sixty juniors and an accompanying parent or guardian attended this three-day camp.
The camp was not free but the cost was quite reasonable. The cost including lodging and breakfast for all three days was $250. Much of the cost of the camp was paid for by USAMU and MGM Targets. MGM also provided scholarships as did the USPSA.
Junior shooter Jake Denno relates his experiences attending the camp at 3-Gun Nation. He points out that the shooters ranged from a 17-year old Grand Master to an 11-year old newbie.
I think this is a fantastic program which I hope will get more attention and support. Programs like this are grooming the next generation of competition shooters as well as future instructors and armed citizens. They anticipate having next year's camp around the same time in October.
H/T The Outdoor Wire
Caleb's First Post for Cheaper Than Dirt's Shooters Log
Long-time gun blogger Caleb Giddings is now affiliated with Cheaper Than Dirt. Caleb was on the History Channel's Top Shot reality TV program this past year and just spent a few months in Washington State working for as a Field Director for the NRA. He will still have his blog at GunNuts Media in addition to the work he is doing for Cheaper Than Dirt.
In his first blog post for them he talks about the do's and don'ts of your first handgun training class. He goes into more than just hardware and ammunition in what you need to do to prepare for your first training course. Mainly he says you need to go in with an open mind and to realize that the purpose of your first course isn't to make you a High Speed, Low Drag Operator. Rather, it is "to make you more effective at using your concealed carry firearm if you ever find yourself in the middle of a defensive shooting."
Congratulations to Caleb on the new gig. And can he get fellow gun bloggers free ammo?
In his first blog post for them he talks about the do's and don'ts of your first handgun training class. He goes into more than just hardware and ammunition in what you need to do to prepare for your first training course. Mainly he says you need to go in with an open mind and to realize that the purpose of your first course isn't to make you a High Speed, Low Drag Operator. Rather, it is "to make you more effective at using your concealed carry firearm if you ever find yourself in the middle of a defensive shooting."
Congratulations to Caleb on the new gig. And can he get fellow gun bloggers free ammo?
FN SCAR Manual
The DOD issued manual for the SCAR-L, SCAR-H, and the SCAR Mk 13 Grenade Launcher is now online. It covers virtually everything you've ever wanted to know about the SCAR system in its 460 pages.
You can find it here thanks to Andrew of the Vuurwapen Blog.
You can find it here thanks to Andrew of the Vuurwapen Blog.
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