The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Politics & RKBA => Topic started by: ericire12 on April 29, 2009, 09:57:00 AM
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http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20090428/NEWS01/904280322
Bill Limits Gun Regulation
By ROY MAYNARD
Editorial Page Editor
A bill by state Rep. Leo Berman exempting Texas-made firearms, gun accessories and ammunition sold within the state from federal regulation and law -- including registration -- was heard in a House committee on Monday.
The bill also provides for the Texas Attorney General's office to defend Texans who run afoul of the federal government because of this law.
Berman, a Tyler Republican who has pushed several "states' rights" measures this legislative session, said his bill would affect more than 300 manufacturers in the state.
"Under the 9th and 10th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, states have responsibility for regulating intrastate commerce," Berman said. "The federal government has no role."
Worse, he said, the federal government would like to increase regulations.
"With the appointment of Eric Holder as U.S. attorney general, we have the most anti-Second Amendment attorney general in the history of the nation," Berman said. "What we're saying with this is there are some guns not subject to federal regulation. We have guns and gun accessories and ammunition here that are not subject to their regulation."
Berman said the bill has the support of the National Rifle Association and the Texas State Rifle Association. Contacted on Monday, the Texas State Rifle Association's Alice Tripp did not comment.
Berman said his bill could also spark economic development.
"This gun bill will invite new industry into Texas, that will take advantage of intra-state commerce," Berman said. "We're talking about gun manufacturers, gun accessory manufacturers, and ammunition reloaders."
Montana passed a similar bill earlier this month, and a court challenge is expected when the law goes into effect in October.
"It's a gun bill, but it's another way of demonstrating the sovereignty of the state of Montana," said Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat.
Opponents there warn the law could result in gun purchases with no criminal background checks.
Tyler attorney and gun rights advocate Sean Healy said Berman's effort is commendable.
"I applaud Leo's effort to put the federal government in its place," Healy said. "Americans have been conditioned for decades to accept Washington's meddling in their lives. We have grown complacent, and we accept most new restrictions without batting an eye. As a result, Washington has gotten used to doing whatever it wants."
That applies to sweeping federal regulation of firearms, he added.
"I think Leo is right about the Constitution," he said. "The founders intended for the federal government to have the powers specifically given to it in the Constitution, and the states and the people to keep the power to do everything else."
Still, the bill could end up putting the state on a collision course with the federal courts.
"The only problem I see with Leo's bill is the provisions requiring the state to pay for its citizens to fight the federal government," Healy said. "That could cost the taxpayers a lot of money fighting a losing battle."
Berman's bill was left pending in committee, as is usual following committee hearings. It could be voted on as soon as next week.
On Wednesday, another House committee will hear a bill by Berman that would place an 8 percent surcharge on all money wired by illegal immigrants to Mexico and Central and South America. Berman said the bill would generate $480 million yearly. The revenue would be earmarked for hospitals, which he says bear the burden of providing health care for uninsured illegal immigrants and for border security.
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I certainly would love to see more of these.
-Bidah
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AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA...sweet...sweet freedom. But it will take much more of these to reverse a corrupt and oppressive federal government. And don't anyone come in here hating on Texas. Hopefully this is just a start.
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If I said "no" to some govenment move on my freedom I would go to jail.
If the state of Texas said "no" what could Obamanation do?
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b346/long762range/independencepaleale.jpg)
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If I said "no" to some govenment move on my freedom I would go to jail.
If the state of Texas said "no" what could Obamanation do?
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b346/long762range/independencepaleale.jpg)
all he really has to do is cut all federal funding to the state, I mean every thing. The people of tx would be beating down thier reps doors to get it back. Federal funding is every where.
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all he really has to do is cut all federal funding to the state, I mean every thing. The people of tx would be beating down thier reps doors to get it back. Federal funding is every where.
Then the State residents can send their Fed tax dollars to the State instead ... a win - win in my mind!
Don't get mired in the small things. This is a big picture move, and every punitive reaction has a counter action to go with it. It is the message that is important.
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Largist Oil producer is THE STATE wrong again TAB. Secede & Attack MEXICO NOW , ask for forgivness and aid from the USA later. If we must support them we must Govern them also. MEXICO CITY certinly does'nt care about the rest of their people telling any & alll the best way to get out with the comic book on how to cross the border. Take over the drug biz to pay for it.
ATTACK MEXICO NOW. CONTROL THE BORDER NOW. Just Saying. ;D
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you do realize that just about every goverment angentcy gets money from the federal goverment. Trust me, when every goverment takes a 10-50% pay cut over night, the people will not stand for it.
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They went on TV and called us cowards nothing happened could they be right?
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They went on TV and called us cowards nothing happened could they be right?
if we had any balls in washington ( other then hillrays) as soon as the gonver said tx wanted to leave, they would have called him on it publicly.
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It's not about States. States are gutless, and as TAB says they have been bought off.
The "will of the people" be damned, the majority is, in the words of a wise man, an ass.
It is time for those of us who respect the REPUBLIC, who value the dream of LIBERTY that is preserved in the Constitution , to say NO.
No Tyrant, Dictator, or council of an elite has ever been able to permanently deprive a people of their freedom, while they may kill individuals, no army or police force, no invader or oppressor has ever been able to kill the IDEA of freedom.
I can not speak for you, but I WILL have my freedom, in this world.
Or I shall have it in the next.
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I can not speak for you, but I WILL have my freedom, in this world.
Or I shall have it in the next.
Victory or Death...for freedom lies in both.
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Victory or Death...for freedom lies in both.
They can only kill me, they can NEVER defeat me.
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In the words of a small Texas town long ago... When asked to give up a "firearm" (in this case it was only a cannon ;)), they responded with "Come and take it!".
And that's will be my response too when asked to give up my freedoms. Just come and take it, if you dare.