NM Gov. Bill Richardson signs improved concealed carry law

By Dave Kavanaugh Journal Staff Writer RATON— In the midst of several bill-signing ceremonies around the state, Gov. Bill Richardson chose the National Rifle Association's Whittington Center as the backdrop to add his signature to legislation allowing more New Mexicans to legally carry concealed handguns. House Bill 641 lowers the minimum age for concealed-carry permits to 21 from 25, extends the license term to four years from two and allows for a waiver of license fees for law enforcement personnel and retirees. Additionally, the legislation, approved by lawmakers during the recent session, removes the requirement that reciprocity be extended only to states with "substantially similar" laws. "This is a crime-reduction measure," Richardson said of House Bill 641, which was sponsored by Rep. John Heaton, D-Eddy. "This is going to deter criminals and provide our law-abiding citizens with more means for protecting themselves." In 2003, New Mexico passed laws that provide a process through which its citizens can be permitted to carry concealed handguns. According to the Governor's Office, 34 other states also have approved similar measures. Richardson, joined by Rep. Hector Balderas, D-Wagon Mound, and a cadre of Raton and Colfax County officials for Wednesday's bill signing, said the Whittington Center was an ideal choice for the ceremony. "I wanted to do it here in Raton," he said, hailing what he called "hunting, firearms and great Western tradition— a great facility with great tradition." House Bill 641, Richardson said, makes New Mexico a leader in protecting the Second Amendment right to bear arms. "I'm thrilled, tickled to death," said Steve Aikens, a Clovis resident who lobbied for the bill. "We wanted two things— reciprocity and lowering the (minimum) age to a reasonable age, recognizing adults as adults." Jenny Garcia, elected Colfax County's Democratic Party chairman March 24, perhaps symbolizes the bipartisan appeal the law drew in spite of how the issue of gun rights is typically associated with conservatives. "I'm happy with the bill," she said. "My father was very active and involved with the NRA. I wish he could be here for this, but he passed away." In the Raton area, the NRA's presence has more than a nominal impact, another reason for bipartisan support in this corner of the state. According to Whittington Center representatives, the number of visitors to the center and shooting range has swelled to 159,600 a year. Then-Gov. Bruce King was in office when the center was drawn to New Mexico in 1973. Copyright 2005 Albuquerque Journal Commercial reprint permission. Want to use this article? Click here for options! (PRC# 3.4676.334683)

You know, New Mexico can be such a paradox, I've spent some years there so it's not hearsay I'm spouting. They have a great common-sense carry law (for handguns I'm talking about) in your vehicle. You may carry one for protection--period. Here in my home state of Texas, for years we've danced around an almost impossible law that has so many hoops to jump through that the bottom line is that you're probably gonna get in trouble, depending on the officer.

One of the provisions is that you may have a handgun in your vehicle "WHILE TRAVELING". They NEVER DEFINED TRAVELING in a clear cut common-sense way! There's conflicting case law on that very issue. One court decided that traveling is going across several counties WITH THE INTENT of staying the night. How does one define that intent?? What is the proof or evidence? Suitcases? Underwear in the back seat (oops, that might be weird...)? No, definitely a law that needs to be repealed and rewritten.

Our CCH license law is okay as far as that goes.

Kudos for New Mexico for doing it right, again.

downright spooky!

Gov. Signs Gun-Permit Bill in Raton

By Dave Kavanaugh
Journal Staff Writer

    RATON— In the midst of several bill-signing ceremonies around the state, Gov. Bill Richardson chose the National Rifle Association's Whittington Center as the backdrop to add his signature to legislation allowing more New Mexicans to legally carry concealed handguns.

    House Bill 641 lowers the minimum age for concealed-carry permits to 21 from 25, extends the license term to four years from two and allows for a waiver of license fees for law enforcement personnel and retirees. Additionally, the legislation, approved by lawmakers during the recent session, removes the requirement that reciprocity be extended only to states with "substantially similar" laws.

    "This is a crime-reduction measure," Richardson said of House Bill 641, which was sponsored by Rep. John Heaton, D-Eddy. "This is going to deter criminals and provide our law-abiding citizens with more means for protecting themselves."

    In 2003, New Mexico passed laws that provide a process through which its citizens can be permitted to carry concealed handguns. According to the Governor's Office, 34 other states also have approved similar measures.

    Richardson, joined by Rep. Hector Balderas, D-Wagon Mound, and a cadre of Raton and Colfax County officials for Wednesday's bill signing, said the Whittington Center was an ideal choice for the ceremony.

    "I wanted to do it here in Raton," he said, hailing what he called "hunting, firearms and great Western tradition— a great facility with great tradition."

    House Bill 641, Richardson said, makes New Mexico a leader in protecting the Second Amendment right to bear arms.

    "I'm thrilled, tickled to death," said Steve Aikens, a Clovis resident who lobbied for the bill. "We wanted two things— reciprocity and lowering the (minimum) age to a reasonable age, recognizing adults as adults."

    Jenny Garcia, elected Colfax County's Democratic Party chairman March 24, perhaps symbolizes the bipartisan appeal the law drew in spite of how the issue of gun rights is typically associated with conservatives.

    "I'm happy with the bill," she said. "My father was very active and involved with the NRA. I wish he could be here for this, but he passed away."

    In the Raton area, the NRA's presence has more than a nominal impact, another reason for bipartisan support in this corner of the state. According to Whittington Center representatives, the number of visitors to the center and shooting range has swelled to 159,600 a year. Then-Gov. Bruce King was in office when the center was drawn to New Mexico in 1973.

    Wednesday's gubernatorial visit also provided Richardson an opportunity to remark on his record this past legislative session.

    The governor promised he'd sign off on some 46 capital outlay projects totaling nearly $3.3 million for Colfax County. The projects are part of the $4 billion "pork" bill passed by the Legislature as the session wound to a close March 19. Among the Colfax projects that would be funded are $750,000 for development of an industrial park on the south end of Raton. That park would include a biomass plant, and Richardson noted that he is signing several biomass industry incentives.

    Raton Mayor Joe Apache said the plant is "paramount to our growth and a real shot in the arm."

    Recent Raton transplant Cathy Schultz said she was also happy to hear about the influx of capital outlay dollars.

    "The program I'm in— I don't want to name it— is getting funded, and that will bring in jobs to Colfax County," she said. "That's good. Seeing jobs come in is good for this area's economic development."

If Richardson ever again craves national office (or any part of one) he had better switch parties and right now.

No.. that is not true.

It has happened many times. For a period of time the number of people on each side of an issue approaches 50 percent. One party will be for the issue, the other major party will oppose it. Then as a majority of the voters make a majority of one side the party with less than a majority stop's campaigning on the issue. Then as the voters approach a 70 to 30 split politicians in the party on the losing side of the issue switch sides on the issue.

Over a period of time the issue ceases to be controversial. A large majority of both parties are on the same side of the issue.

You can tell you are on the winning side of an issue when members of the other party start to adopt your view.

The same thing is happening to the abortion issue. Democrat are mostly in the "Don't mention Abortion" stage. Soon some Democratic candidates will adopt the anti abortion position. Before long a large majority of both parties will condemn abortion.

Most Democratic Candidates don't understand it yet but they are on the wrong side of the kill handicapped people issue.

"Gun control is a political loser for the Democrats. They alienate millions of potential voters while not gaining any sizable constituency. My prediction is that by 2008 their platform will have either been substantially altered, or scrapped altogether, as it concerns this issue."

My prediction is that they simply lie, nationally.

They'll get a few pro-gun Democratic governors now and again such as former Alabama Democratic Governor Siegelman or NM Governor Richardson, and so the Dems will tell Heartlanders that they are pro-gun...meanwhile the rest of the Dems will tell the Coasters that they are pro-gun-control instead of pro-gun.

Using this bastardized form of triangulation, they'll be able to have both an avowed pro and anti-gunner on their 2008 Presidential Campaign Ticket.

To verify that they are willing to lie to use this strategy, simply check to see if any of the Democrats openly war over this issue. If they don't openly fight WITH EACH OTHER about it, then they are just gaming the Public.

Oh, and I also predict that the Dems will follow this same immoral strategy for their conflicting positions on abortion, too.

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