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NM Gov. Bill Richardson signs improved concealed carry law
The Albuquerque Journal | Dave Kavanaugh

Posted on 04/07/2005 3:34:54 PM PDT by petca-tim

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. Copyright 2005 Albuquerque Journal Commercial reprint permission. Want to use this article? Click here for options! (PRC# 3.4676.334683)


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; US: New Mexico
KEYWORDS: bang; banglist; billrichardson; ccw; clintonoid; concealedcarry; fauxconservative; hillarysrunningmate; richardson; thumbsucker; triangulation
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Imagine that: a Democrat sponsored the bill and Bill Richardson (ex UN delegate and Clinton appointee) signed it. Is hell freezing over yet? I think he is pondering a bid for the 2008 elections.
1 posted on 04/07/2005 3:34:55 PM PDT by petca-tim
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To: petca-tim

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


2 posted on 04/07/2005 3:37:03 PM PDT by stevem
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To: petca-tim

The pendalum has swung back and its about darned time!


3 posted on 04/07/2005 3:37:46 PM PDT by loboinok (Gun Control is hitting what you aim at!)
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To: petca-tim

---yep---too bad Richardson is just a re-warmed Clintonoid cover-up artist--he's right on this issue--


4 posted on 04/07/2005 3:38:52 PM PDT by rellimpank (urban dwellers don' t understand the cultural deprivation of not being raised on a farm)
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To: petca-tim

bump


5 posted on 04/07/2005 3:42:30 PM PDT by pigsmith
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To: petca-tim

Well, there goes his Move-on support. He must not have gotten the memo from Soros. He got Howie's note about the guns, Hillary got the ones about God, now who gets the one about the Confederate flag and the pick-em-up trucks??


6 posted on 04/07/2005 3:51:46 PM PDT by digger48
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To: rellimpank

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.


7 posted on 04/07/2005 3:58:17 PM PDT by brushcop
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To: petca-tim

"improved", from which point of view? I'm suspicious already.


8 posted on 04/07/2005 3:59:03 PM PDT by canalabamian (Diversity is not our strength...UNITY is.)
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To: petca-tim

I think you are right. I believe he cut taxes in his state too.


9 posted on 04/07/2005 4:02:15 PM PDT by I got the rope
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To: loboinok; squidcakes; brushcop; CedarDave; Darksheare; Southack; glock rocks; King Prout; ...
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.

10 posted on 04/07/2005 4:03:43 PM PDT by Do not dub me shapka broham
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To: petca-tim

"Is hell freezing over yet? I think he is pondering a bid for the 2008 elections."

I think that your second guess is exactly correct. BR is striking a pose as a New Democrat.


11 posted on 04/07/2005 4:06:33 PM PDT by iowamark
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To: Do not dub me shapka broham; B4Ranch; Eaker; Squantos; Joe Brower
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."

12 posted on 04/07/2005 4:13:38 PM PDT by glock rocks (Support Free Republic - become a monthly donor - Remember, only you can prevent fundraisers)
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To: glock rocks

So Yellowstones Volcano is going off tonight ?.........:o)

ALmost the end of the world when rats sign such into law....


13 posted on 04/07/2005 4:21:14 PM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: stevem
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.

14 posted on 04/07/2005 4:50:22 PM PDT by Common Tator
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To: petca-tim

I wanna move to New Mexico!


15 posted on 04/07/2005 4:50:56 PM PDT by no more apples (May Pope John Paul II be joyfully hiking around heaven while basking in God's love.)
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To: Do not dub me shapka broham
My prediction is that by 2008 their platform will have either been substantially altered, or scrapped altogether, as it concerns this issue.

---I think you may be right but I still won't believe them---

16 posted on 04/07/2005 4:51:39 PM PDT by rellimpank (urban dwellers don' t understand the cultural deprivation of not being raised on a farm)
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To: petca-tim
One other interesting point about New Mexico, that the media would rather not report, is that New Mexico has the highest percentage of Hispanics in the country (much higher than California) - approaching 50% of its population - I think (Bill Richardson being one, despite his name). Yet they are incredibly evenly split when it comes to voting at the presidential level. In 2000, Gore squeaked by (using some, how do you say, less than up and up methods), and in 2004 Bush won by a relatively small amount. But the bottom line is, at least for the Dems, that the New Mexico Hispanics just don't behave properly.
17 posted on 04/07/2005 5:02:29 PM PDT by BobL
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To: petca-tim
I think he is pondering a bid for the 2008 elections.

The though that this greaseball would ever inhabit the Oval Office after facilitating a job monica makes me ill.

18 posted on 04/07/2005 5:05:22 PM PDT by mombonn (¡Viva Bush/Cheney!)
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To: Do not dub me shapka broham
"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.

19 posted on 04/07/2005 5:09:58 PM PDT by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
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To: I got the rope

You're right, he has cut taxes. In many ways he's much
closer to conservatism than many RINOS.


20 posted on 04/07/2005 5:33:13 PM PDT by T.L.Sink (stopew)
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