Posted on 04/28/2010 8:55:59 AM PDT by Still Thinking
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Brad Henry on Tuesday vetoed a bill to exempt Oklahoma-made guns and ammunition from federal regulations, saying the measure would make it easier for criminals to obtain weapons and endanger citizens and law enforcement.
Similar to laws passed in at least four other states, the "Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act" states that firearms, gun accessories or ammunition produced in Oklahoma would not be subject to interstate commerce laws and federal regulations if the items remain in the state. The bill does not apply to certain large firearms and exploding ammunition.
"I'm a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and have earned an 'A' rating from the NRA, but this legislation does nothing to protect an individual's right to bear arms," Henry, a Democrat, said in a statement. "It abolishes commonsense regulations like background checks and gives criminals easy access to a wide array of weapons. This law would harm Oklahomans, not protect them."
State Sen. Randy Brogdon, a Republican candidate for governor who authored the bill, called Henry's argument "absurd" and vowed to attempt an override of the veto. That would take a three-quarters majority in both the House and Senate.
"What the governor fails to grasp is that for years, anti-Second Amendment politicians have been attempting to use federal regulation as a way to prevent any law-abiding citizen from owning firearms," said Brogdon, R-Owasso. "My legislation would have stopped further federal attempts to erode our constitutional right to protect ourselves and our families."
Henry, who is barred by term limits from seeking re-election, also said the bill was certain to draw a legal challenge and result in a losing court battle.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives prompted a court challenge in Montana, one of the first states to pass such a law, when it told all licensed gun dealers in the state last year that they were still bound by federal gun regulations. The Montana Shooting Sports Association and other pro-gun groups sued.
The U.S. Department of Justice has said in court filings that the Montana plaintiffs lack standing and that enactment of federal firearms laws are a valid exercise of congressional power to regulate commerce under the Constitution.
Probably looking to move to the Nazi, er National Socialist, er national stage.
Talking about types of legislation and override margins, I wonder why they even passed the emergency version, knowing they had a pantywaist Democrat for a governor. Their failure to override weakens them politically. Without being familiar with OK politics or the parties involved, it seems like it would have been smarter to go with the non-emergency version in the first place.
BTW, did you see the PBS special on guns last night? It wasn't as bad as you'd expect. They actually asked some reasonable questions to the open carry and gun-rights activists they talked to, and not just stuff like "when did you quit beating your wife". A reporter is SUPPOSED to be a little skeptical and make the guy defend his positions, and they weren't over the top, although they were occasionally overcome by their statist bias too much to hide or work around it. They were incredulous, for example, when they were talking to an advocate of flyers being armed. He said 9/11 would have turned out a lot better than it did if the passengers had been. It went back and forth a couple times, and the interviewer did the old trick of coming across doubtful and skeptical but not saying anything other than repeating the question in the form of "So you really think..." and trying to prod the interviewee into talking too much and sticking his foot in his mouth. People hate dead air and will keep talking as long as you let them. I was proud of the guy though. He made his point and shut up, which left the interviewer looking like a dork, because he was still trying to pull the skeptical thing, and the subject wasn't talking.
Now despite my description, overall the interviews with the pro-rights people and the accompanying voiceovers weren't as bad as you'd expect. Where I did find more bias was when they interviewed the gun-control activists, including Mayor Bloomingidiot. They lobbed softball questions, and accepted any lies, gross exaggerations, and "true" statements based upon tortured definitions of words as holy writ. Very unobjective. Much worse than the interviews with the pro-rights guys.
Wow. An "A" rating from the almighty NRA, and he grabs a line right out of the Brady Bunch handbook when the chips are down.
So how is it you all are electing Democrats in flyover paradise? Seriously, I don't want to hear another crack about "RINOs" in NJ or MA. Clean up your own backyard first.
Oh, and I be the NRA gives him another "A" next election cycle.
Wow. An "A" rating from the almighty NRA, and he grabs a line right out of the Brady Bunch handbook when the chips are down.
And he's full of crap anyway. The FFA's don't say "The state may not require background checks even if the state decides it's a good idea", but "Intrastate commerce is NONE of Congress' business, and they may not regulate it, including for example requiring NICS checks on firearms purchased and used intrastate."
I missed it but you make some keen observations. I gather salesmen, barristers and journalists amongst others receive similar training for dealing with a "mark". The really talented ones also have the instincts of predator. And unless one also has the instincts of a cat or has had some fairly intensive training of some kind to deal with these types, it's often a lop-sided affair. Going up against the better ones in any of these categories is akin to getting caught up in a spider web; the more you struggle, the worse it gets.
BTW, in case you missed it, the limp wristed anderson cooper put on a disgusting display when interviewing Col. Lakin and his attorney:
Once you learn the trick, not only are you immune to it yourself, you can use it on other people. When you’re negotiating something and someone makes their offer, don’t respond immediately. Then, in an instinct to prevent dead air, they’ll keep talking and often tip their hand to what their top/bottom dollar is.
I did miss it. I'll check out the video. Normally, I'd never watch Anderson Pooper but then again, normally I'd never watch a news program on PBS like that gun special, either. For some reason, it was actually the most interesting thing on last night, believe it or don't.
Unfortunately, Largent ran a very poor campaign, too.
Brogdon is the true conservative in the race, but Mary Fallin is the establishment, party choice and it looks as if she has it sown up. It disgusts me, but that’s the way it is. She can’t speak for more than 10 minutes without whining about how difficult it has been for her as a single mother (she’s married now). Blech, what a zero.
OTOH, the terms "demoncrat" and "prevaricating piece of communist excrement" are absolutely equal.
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