Monday, May 27, 2002 3:00 AM EDT
By David Bernard

A culmination of the school district's "Operation Recognition" program, the ceremony awarded diplomas to honorably discharged veterans who left high school prior to graduation in order to serve in the U.S. armed forces between 1940 and 1946.

Held the week before Memorial Day, the federal holiday remembering American soldiers who sacrificed their lives, the Tuesday ceremony also took place as graduation season begins, recognizing those who deferred normal life for the good of their country.

"I was very proud, and I appreciate it," said Mario Calvarese, 78, of New Garden. "I didn't expect it, you know, when I applied (for the recognition). I was really tickled and surprised."

Calvarese, who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and became a quartermaster in the infantry and artillery divisions, returned to Kennett Square in 1945 to become a mushroom farmer.

The ceremony recognized five veterans who served in the Navy, four from the Army, two each from the Army Air Forces and Marines and one former Merchant Marine.

Kennett Consolidated Superintendent Rudolph F. Karkosak announced the veteran graduates at the ceremony, and Kennett High School Principal James Calhoun and school board President Catherine Townsend also played roles in presenting their diplomas.

"Of course, I don't need it now. I'm retired," Calvarese said of his diploma. "But, now I can go get a really good job."

Leedom R. Smith, 75, of West Grove, said one of his three daughters had encouraged him to apply to the "Operation Recognition" program after reading about it in the newspaper.

"I never thought about anything like this happening," said Smith, who served in the Navy's South Pacific operations from 1944 to 1946.

His wife, daughters and sons-in-law joined him at his long-delayed graduation. "They wanted to come, they really wanted me to go through with it," he said. "So I did."

Members of the Kennett High School student council interviewed each of the veterans in the weeks before the graduation, and the high school's show choir performed patriotic music for the event.

"I hope the young people came to realize what the veterans did," said Nicholas V. Angelucci, 74, now of Hockessin, Del. "People gave their lives for the freedoms of this country."

Rodger F. Bailey, 75, of Chadds Ford, agreed. "It must have been a good experience for them," he said. "I think they got a pretty good history lesson out of it."

Angelucci followed his father into the service, joining the Army Air Forces in 1946 and taking aerial photographs over Korea. When he returned to Chester County, he became a tailor.

He said that he knew most of the other veterans at the ceremony, having been in smaller classes with them before they left for the service. "Everybody knew everybody back in those days," he said.

Bailey was one of 14 children in his family, seven of whom served in the war. Two of his sisters were nurses overseas, and a brother died in Europe.

"My thoughts were with him, the night of the ceremony," Bailey said.

Trained as a tank driver and radio operator in the Army, Bailey said he spends "about 90 percent" of his time woodworking these days.

"It was a very good honor after 57 years to even be thought about," he said. "It was a great feeling to get the diploma."

Bailey said he was surprised by the size of the event. "The audience was pretty big for a bunch of old-timers," he said. "And the nice thing was, when it was over, to get congratulations from your children, your grandchildren, your wife.

"It was an emotional experience," he added. "The thought that people still care about World War II vets."

In addition to Calvarese, Smith, Angelucci and Bailey, the following veterans were also recognized at the Kennett High School ceremony:

Richard F. Boyd, Joseph H. Day, Mark R. Fidanza, Manly J. Hendrickson, Robert J. Hopkins, Thomas Allen Kelly, Vernon Charles Ruoss, John Albert Sharp, William R. Wells and Warren R. Yarnall.

Illegal and injured

Bill could create an incentive to hire illegal immigrants

HR 495 IH

To authorize additional resources to identify and eliminate illicit sources of firearms smuggled into Mexico for use by violent drug trafficking organizations, and for other purposes.

January 14, 2009

Mr. RODRIGUEZ (for himself, Mr. TEAGUE, Mr. ENGEL, and Mr. REYES) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

To authorize additional resources to identify and eliminate illicit sources of firearms smuggled into Mexico for use by violent drug trafficking organizations, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Southwest Border Violence Reduction Act of 2009’.

SEC. 2. PROJECT GUNRUNNER.

(a) In General- The Attorney General shall dedicate and expand the resources provided for the Project Gunrunner initiative of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals involved in the trafficking of firearms across the international border between the United States and Mexico.

(b) Activities- In carrying out this section, the Attorney General shall--

(1) assign additional agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to the area of the United States adjacent to the international border between the United States and Mexico to support the expansion of Project Gunrunner teams;

(2) establish not fewer than 1 Project Gunrunner team in each State along the international border between the United States and Mexico; and

(3) coordinate with the heads of other relevant Federal law enforcement agencies and State and local law enforcement agencies to address firearms trafficking in a comprehensive manner.

(c) Additional Staff- The Attorney General may hire Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agents for, and otherwise expend additional resources needed to adequately support, Project Gunrunner.

(d) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011 to carry out this section.

SEC. 3. ENHANCED INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION.

(a) In General- The Attorney General, in cooperation with the Secretary of State, shall--

(1) assign agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to the United States mission in Mexico, to work with Mexican law enforcement agencies in conducting investigations relating to firearms trafficking and other criminal enterprises;

(2) provide the equipment and technological resources necessary to support investigations and to trace firearms recovered in Mexico; and

(3) support the training of Mexican law enforcement officers in serial number restoration techniques, canine explosive detection, and antitrafficking tactics.

(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated $9,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011 to carry out this section




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To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain firearms in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, and for other purposes.

January 9, 2009

Mr. REHBERG introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain firearms in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Veterans’ Heritage Firearms Act of 2009’.

SEC. 2. AMNESTY PERIOD FOR VETERANS TO REGISTER QUALIFYING FIREARMS.

(a) Registration- Subject to such regulations as the Attorney General may prescribe, the applicable veteran or a member of the family of such a veteran, who owns and possesses a qualifying firearm, may register the firearm in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (described in section 5841 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) during the amnesty period.

(b) Qualifying Firearm-

(1) IN GENERAL- For purposes of this section, the term ‘qualifying firearm’ means any firearm which was acquired--

(A) before October 31, 1968; and

(B) by a veteran, while the veteran was a member of the Armed Forces and was stationed outside the continental United States.

(2) PRESUMPTION OF VALIDITY- In the absence of clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, the Attorney General shall accept as true and accurate any affidavit, document, or other evidence submitted by an individual to establish that a firearm meets the requirements of paragraph (1).

(c) Hearings- If the Attorney General determines that an individual may not register a firearm under subsection (a) during the amnesty period, the Attorney General, on the request of such individual, shall--

(1) provide the individual any evidence on which the Attorney General’s decision is based; and

(2) promptly hold a hearing to review the determination.

(d) Limited Immunity-

(1) CRIMINAL LIABILITY UNDER TITLE 18- An individual who registers a firearm under subsection (a) of this section--

(A) shall be treated, for purposes of subsections (a)(3) and (o) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, as having lawfully acquired and possessed the firearm before the date of the enactment of chapter 44 of such title and of each provision of that chapter; and

(B) shall not be liable for any violation of that chapter which--

(i) is based solely on the ownership, possession, transportation, importation, or alteration of the firearm by the individual; and

(ii) occurred before or concurrent with the registration.

(2) CRIMINAL LIABILITY UNDER INTERNAL REVENUE CODE- Except as provided in paragraph (3), an individual who registers a firearm under subsection (a) shall not be liable for a violation of chapter 53 or 75 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to the firearm which occurred before or concurrent with the registration.

(3) TRANSFER TAX LIABILITY- Paragraph (2) shall not affect the liability of any individual for any transfer tax imposed under section 5811 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(4) ATTEMPTS TO REGISTER- In the case of an applicable veteran or a member of such a veteran’s family who attempts to register a qualifying firearm in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record at a time other than during the amnesty period, paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) shall apply with respect to the individual if the individual surrenders the firearm to a law enforcement agency not later than 30 days after notification by the Attorney General of potential criminal liability for continued possession of the firearm.

(e) Forfeiture- A firearm registered under subsection (a) shall not be subject to seizure or forfeiture under chapter 53 or 75 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, for a violation of any such chapter with respect to the firearm which occurred before or concurrent with the registration.

(f) Notice; Forms; Mailbox Rule-

(1) NOTICE OF AMNESTY PERIOD- The Attorney General shall provide clear printed notices providing information regarding the amnesty period and registering a firearm during the period. To the extent feasible, the Attorney General shall ensure that the notices are posted in post offices, law enforcement buildings, buildings of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and businesses of licensed firearms dealers.

(2) FORMS- The Attorney General shall make available any forms necessary for registering a firearm in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. To the extent feasible, the Attorney General shall make such forms available in the locations referred to in paragraph (1) and through the website for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

(3) MAILBOX RULE- For purposes of this section, the Attorney General shall treat any form that is postmarked during the amnesty period as received during the amnesty period.

(g) Definitions- In this section:

(1) AMNESTY PERIOD- The term ‘amnesty period’ means the 90-day period beginning on the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2) FIREARM- The term ‘firearm’ has the meaning given the term in section 5845 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, except that the term does not include--

(A) any device described in subsection (f)(1) of such section; or

(B) any combination of parts--

(i) designed or intended for use in converting any device into a device described in subparagraph (A); or

(ii) from which a device described in subparagraph (A) may be readily assembled.

(3) APPLICABLE VETERAN- The term ‘applicable veteran’ means, with respect to a firearm, the veteran referred to in subsection (b)(1) with respect to the firearm.

(4) VETERAN- The term ‘veteran’ has the meaning given such term in section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code.

(5) FAMILY-

(A) IN GENERAL- The term ‘family’ means, with respect to a veteran, any grandparent of the veteran or of any spouse of the veteran, any lineal descendant of any such grandparent, and any spouse of any such lineal descendant.

(B) SPECIAL RULES- For purposes of subparagraph (A):

(i) A spouse of an individual who is legally separated from the individual under a decree of divorce or separate maintenance shall be treated as the spouse of the individual.

(ii) Individuals related by the half blood or by legal adoption shall be treated as if they are related by the whole blood.

(6) CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES- The term ‘continental United States’ means the several States and the District of Columbia, but does not include Alaska or Hawaii.

SEC. 3. TRANSFER OF FIREARMS TO MUSEUMS.

(a) Transfer of Forfeited Firearms to Museums-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General shall transfer each firearm which has been forfeited to the United States to the first qualified museum that submits a request for the firearm in such form and manner as the Attorney General may specify.

(2) DESTRUCTION OF FORFEITED FIREARMS PROHIBITED- The Attorney General shall not destroy any firearm which has been forfeited to the United States until the end of the 5-year period beginning on the date of the forfeiture.

(3) CATALOGUE OF FIREARMS- With respect to each firearm that is available to be transferred to a museum under paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall, not later than 60 days after the forfeiture of the firearm, publish information which identifies the firearm (including a picture) on the web page of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The information shall be available to the public without cost and without restriction.

(4) REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS- Any firearm transferred under paragraph (1) to a qualified museum shall be registered to the transferee in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (described in section 5841 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).

(5) FIREARM- In this subsection, the term ‘firearm’ means any firearm (as defined in section 2(g)(2) of this Act) which is treated as a curio or relic under chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code.

(6) QUALIFIED MUSEUM- In this subsection, the term ‘qualified museum’ means--

(A) any museum owned or operated by a unit of Federal, State, or local government; and

(B) any museum which--

(i) is open to the public;

(ii) is incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under applicable State law;

(iii) may possess a firearm in the collection of the museum under the laws of the State in which the collection is displayed;

(iv) holds a license under chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, as a collector of curios or relics; and

(v) certifies to the Attorney General that--

(I) the museum is not engaged in the trade or business of buying or selling firearms;

(II) with respect to the transfer of any firearm under paragraph (1), the museum is not requesting the transfer of the firearm for purpose of sale; and

(III) the museum shall, not later than 90 days after the museum ceases operations, file an application pursuant to chapter 53 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to transfer any machinegun transferred to the museum under paragraph (1) to an entity or person who may lawfully possess the machinegun under section 922(o) of title 18, United States Code, or abandon the machinegun to Federal, State, or local law enforcement authorities.

(b) Transfer of Machineguns to Museums- Section 922(o)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘or’ at the end;

(2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); and

(3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:

‘(B) a transfer to or by, or possession by, a museum that is open to the public and incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under applicable State law; or’.

 

 

 

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To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a national standard in accordance with which nonresidents of a State may carry concealed firearms in the State.

January 6, 2009

Mr. STEARNS (for himself and Mr. BOUCHER) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a national standard in accordance with which nonresidents of a State may carry concealed firearms in the State.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009’.

SEC. 2. NATIONAL STANDARD FOR THE CARRYING OF CERTAIN CONCEALED FIREARMS BY NONRESIDENTS.

(a) In General- Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 926C the following:

‘Sec. 926D. National standard for the carrying of certain concealed firearms by nonresidents

‘(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the law of any State or political subdivision thereof, a person who is not prohibited by Federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm and is carrying a valid license or permit which is issued by a State and which permits the person to carry a concealed firearm (other than a machinegun or destructive device) may carry in another State a concealed firearm (other than a machinegun or destructive device) that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, subject to subsection (b).

‘(b)(1) If such other State issues licenses or permits to carry concealed firearms, the person may carry a concealed firearm in the State under the same restrictions which apply to the carrying of a concealed firearm by a person to whom the State has issued such a license or permit.

‘(2) If such other State does not issue licenses or permits to carry concealed firearms, the person may not, in the State, carry a concealed firearm in a police station, in a public detention facility, in a courthouse, in a public polling place, at a meeting of a State, county, or municipal governing body, in a school, at a professional or school athletic event not related to firearms, in a portion of an establishment licensed by the State to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, or inside the sterile or passenger area of an airport, except to the extent expressly permitted by State law.’.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections for such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 926C the following:

‘926D. National standard for the carrying of certain concealed firearms by nonresidents.’.



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To protect the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms in defense of self, family, or home, and to provide for the enforcement of such right.

January 6, 2009

Mr. BARTLETT introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

To protect the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms in defense of self, family, or home, and to provide for the enforcement of such right.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Citizens’ Self-Defense Act of 2009’.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds the following:

(1) Police cannot protect, and are not legally liable for failing to protect, individual citizens, as evidenced by the following:

(A) The courts have consistently ruled that the police do not have an obligation to protect individuals, only the public in general. For example, in Warren v. District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, 444 A.2d 1 (D.C. App. 1981), the court stated: ‘[C]ourts have without exception concluded that when a municipality or other governmental entity undertakes to furnish police services, it assumes a duty only to the public at large and not to individual members of the community.’.

(B) Former Florida Attorney General Jim Smith told Florida legislators that police responded to only 200,000 of 700,000 calls for help to Dade County authorities.

(C) The United States Department of Justice found that, in 1989, there were 168,881 crimes of violence for which police had not responded within 1 hour.

(2) Citizens frequently must use firearms to defend themselves, as evidenced by the following:

(A) Every year, more than 2,400,000 people in the United States use a gun to defend themselves against criminals--or more than 6,500 people a day. This means that, each year, firearms are used 60 times more often to protect the lives of honest citizens than to take lives.

(B) Of the 2,400,000 self-defense cases, more than 192,000 are by women defending themselves against sexual abuse.

(C) Of the 2,400,000 times citizens use their guns to defend themselves every year, 92 percent merely brandish their gun or fire a warning shot to scare off their attackers. Less than 8 percent of the time, does a citizen kill or wound his or her attacker.

(3) Law-abiding citizens, seeking only to provide for their families’ defense, are routinely prosecuted for brandishing or using a firearm in self-defense. For example:

(A) In 1986, Don Bennett of Oak Park, Illinois, was shot at by 2 men who had just stolen $1,200 in cash and jewelry from his suburban Chicago service station. The police arrested Bennett for violating Oak Park’s handgun ban. The police never caught the actual criminals.

(B) Ronald Biggs, a resident of Goldsboro, North Carolina, was arrested for shooting an intruder in 1990. Four men broke into Biggs’ residence one night, ransacked the home and then assaulted him with a baseball bat. When Biggs attempted to escape through the back door, the group chased him and Biggs turned and shot one of the assailants in the stomach. Biggs was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon--a felony. His assailants were charged with misdemeanors.

(C) Don Campbell of Port Huron, Michigan, was arrested, jailed, and criminally charged after he shot a criminal assailant in 1991. The thief had broken into Campbell’s store and attacked him. The prosecutor plea-bargained with the assailant and planned to use him to testify against Campbell for felonious use of a firearm. Only after intense community pressure did the prosecutor finally drop the charges.

(4) The courts have granted immunity from prosecution to police officers who use firearms in the line of duty. Similarly, law-abiding citizens who use firearms to protect themselves, their families, and their homes against violent felons should not be subject to lawsuits by the violent felons who sought to victimize them.

SEC. 3. RIGHT TO OBTAIN FIREARMS FOR SECURITY, AND TO USE FIREARMS IN DEFENSE OF SELF, FAMILY, OR HOME; ENFORCEMENT.

(a) Reaffirmation of Right- A person not prohibited from receiving a firearm by Section 922(g) of title 18, United States Code, shall have the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms--

(1) in defense of self or family against a reasonably perceived threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury;

(2) in defense of self or family in the course of the commission by another person of a violent felony against the person or a member of the person’s family; and

(3) in defense of the person’s home in the course of the commission of a felony by another person.

(b) Firearm Defined- As used in subsection (a), the term ‘firearm’ means--

(1) a shotgun (as defined in section 921(a)(5) of title 18, United States Code);

(2) a rifle (as defined in section 921(a)(7) of title 18, United States Code); or

(3) a handgun (as defined in section 10 of Public Law 99-408).

(c) Enforcement of Right-

(1) IN GENERAL- A person whose right under subsection (a) is violated in any manner may bring an action in any United States district court against the United States, any State, or any person for damages, injunctive relief, and such other relief as the court deems appropriate.

(2) AUTHORITY TO AWARD A REASONABLE ATTORNEY’S FEE- In an action brought under paragraph (1), the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing plaintiff a reasonable attorney’s fee as part of the costs.

(3) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS- An action may not be brought under paragraph (1) after the 5-year period that begins with the date the violation described in paragraph (1) is discovered.

To provide for the implementation of a system of licensing for purchasers of certain firearms and for a record of sale system for those firearms, and for other purposes.

January 6, 2009

Mr. RUSH introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

To provide for the implementation of a system of licensing for purchasers of certain firearms and for a record of sale system for those firearms, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as ‘Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009’.

(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.

Sec. 3. Definitions.

TITLE I--LICENSING

Sec. 101. Licensing requirement.

Sec. 102. Application requirements.

Sec. 103. Issuance of license.

Sec. 104. Renewal of license.

Sec. 105. Revocation of license.

TITLE II--RECORD OF SALE OR TRANSFER

Sec. 201. Sale or transfer requirements for qualifying firearms.

Sec. 202. Firearm records.

TITLE III--ADDITIONAL PROHIBITIONS

Sec. 301. Universal background check requirement.

Sec. 302. Failure to maintain or permit inspection of records.

Sec. 303. Failure to report loss or theft of firearm.

Sec. 304. Failure to provide notice of change of address.

Sec. 305. Child access prevention.

TITLE IV--ENFORCEMENT

Sec. 401. Criminal penalties.

Sec. 402. Regulations.

Sec. 403. Inspections.

Sec. 404. Orders.

Sec. 405. Injunctive enforcement.

TITLE V--FIREARM INJURY INFORMATION AND RESEARCH

Sec. 501. Duties of the Attorney General.

TITLE VI--EFFECT ON STATE LAW

Sec. 601. Effect on State law.

Sec. 602. Certification of State firearm licensing systems and State firearm record of sale systems.

TITLE VII--RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAW

Sec. 701. Subordination to Arms Export Control Act.

TITLE VIII--INAPPLICABILITY

Sec. 801. Inapplicability to governmental authorities.

TITLE IX--EFFECTIVE DATE

Sec. 901. Effective date of amendments.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) Findings- Congress finds that--

(1) the manufacture, distribution, and importation of firearms is inherently commercial in nature;

(2) firearms regularly move in interstate commerce;

(3) to the extent that firearms trafficking is intrastate in nature, it arises out of and is substantially connected with a commercial transaction, which, when viewed in the aggregate, substantially affects interstate commerce;

(4) because the intrastate and interstate trafficking of firearms are so commingled, full regulation of interstate commerce requires the incidental regulation of intrastate commerce;

(5) gun violence in the United States is associated with the majority of homicides, over half the suicides, and two-thirds of non-fatal violent injuries; and

(6) on the afternoon of May 10, 2007, Blair Holt, a junior at Julian High School in Chicago, was killed on a public bus riding home from school when he used his body to shield a girl who was in the line of fire after a young man boarded the bus and started shooting.

(b) Sense of the Congress- It is the sense of the Congress that--

(1) firearms trafficking is prevalent and widespread in and among the States, and it is usually impossible to distinguish between intrastate trafficking and interstate trafficking; and

(2) it is in the national interest and within the role of the Federal Government to ensure that the regulation of firearms is uniform among the States, that law enforcement can quickly and effectively trace firearms used in crime, and that firearms owners know how to use and safely store their firearms.

(c) Purposes- The purposes of this Act and the amendments made by this Act are--

(1) to protect the public against the unreasonable risk of injury and death associated with the unrecorded sale or transfer of qualifying firearms to criminals and youth;

(2) to ensure that owners of qualifying firearms are knowledgeable in the safe use, handling, and storage of those firearms;

(3) to restrict the availability of qualifying firearms to criminals, youth, and other persons prohibited by Federal law from receiving firearms; and

(4) to facilitate the tracing of qualifying firearms used in crime by Federal and State law enforcement agencies.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

(a) In General- In this Act:

(1) FIREARM; LICENSED DEALER; LICENSED MANUFACTURER; STATE- The terms ‘firearm’, ‘licensed dealer’, ‘licensed manufacturer’, and ‘State’ have the meanings given those terms in section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code.

(2) QUALIFYING FIREARM- The term ‘qualifying firearm’ has the meaning given the term in section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Amendment to Title 18, United States Code- Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘(36) The term ‘qualifying firearm’--

‘(A) means--

‘(i) any handgun; or

‘(ii) any semiautomatic firearm that can accept any detachable ammunition feeding device; and

‘(B) does not include any antique.’.

TITLE I--LICENSING

SEC. 101. LICENSING REQUIREMENT.

Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘(aa) Firearm Licensing Requirement-

‘(1) IN GENERAL- It shall be unlawful for any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to possess a qualifying firearm on or after the applicable date, unless that person has been issued a firearm license--

‘(A) under title I of Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009, which license has not been invalidated or revoked under that title; or

‘(B) pursuant to a State firearm licensing and record of sale system certified under section 602 of Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009, which license has not been invalidated or revoked under State law.

‘(2) APPLICABLE DATE- In this subsection, the term ‘applicable date’ means--

‘(A) with respect to a qualifying firearm that is acquired by the person before the date of the enactment of Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009, 2 years after such date of enactment; and

‘(B) with respect to a qualifying firearm that is acquired by the person on or after the date of the enactment of Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009, 1 year after such date of enactment.’.

SEC. 102. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.

(a) In General- In order to be issued a firearm license under this title, an individual shall submit to the Attorney General (in accordance with the regulations promulgated under subsection (b)) an application, which shall include--

(1) a current, passport-sized photograph of the applicant that provides a clear, accurate likeness of the applicant;

(2) the name, address, and date and place of birth of the applicant;

(3) any other name that the applicant has ever used or by which the applicant has ever been known;

(4) a clear thumb print of the applicant, which shall be made when, and in the presence of the entity to whom, the application is submitted;

(5) with respect to each category of person prohibited by Federal law, or by the law of the State of residence of the applicant, from obtaining a firearm, a statement that the individual is not a person prohibited from obtaining a firearm;

(6) a certification by the applicant that the applicant will keep any firearm owned by the applicant safely stored and out of the possession of persons who have not attained 18 years of age;

(7) a certificate attesting to the completion at the time of application of a written firearms examination, which shall test the knowledge and ability of the applicant regarding--

(A) the safe storage of firearms, particularly in the vicinity of persons who have not attained 18 years of age;

(B) the safe handling of firearms;

(C) the use of firearms in the home and the risks associated with such use;

(D) the legal responsibilities of firearms owners, including Federal, State, and local laws relating to requirements for the possession and storage of firearms, and relating to reporting requirements with respect to firearms; and

(E) any other subjects, as the Attorney General determines to be appropriate;

(8) an authorization by the applicant to release to the Attorney General or an authorized representative of the Attorney General any mental health records pertaining to the applicant;

(9) the date on which the application was submitted; and

(10) the signature of the applicant.

(b) Regulations Governing Submission- The Attorney General shall promulgate regulations specifying procedures for the submission of applications to the Attorney General under this section, which regulations shall--

(1) provide for submission of the application through a licensed dealer or an office or agency of the Federal Government designated by the Attorney General;

(2) require the applicant to provide a valid identification document (as defined in section 1028(d)(2) of title 18, United States Code) of the applicant, containing a photograph of the applicant, to the licensed dealer or to the office or agency of the Federal Government, as applicable, at the time of submission of the application to that dealer, office, or agency; and

(3) require that a completed application be forwarded to the Attorney General not later than 48 hours after the application is submitted to the licensed dealer or office or agency of the Federal Government, as applicable.

(c) Fees-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Attorney General shall charge and collect from each applicant for a license under this title a fee in an amount determined in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2) FEE AMOUNT- The amount of the fee collected under this subsection shall be not less than the amount determined by the Attorney General to be necessary to ensure that the total amount of all fees collected under this subsection during a fiscal year is sufficient to cover the costs of carrying out this title during that fiscal year, except that such amount shall not exceed $25.

SEC. 103. ISSUANCE OF LICENSE.

(a) In General- The Attorney General shall issue a firearm license to an applicant who has submitted an application that meets the requirements of section 102 of this Act, if the Attorney General ascertains that the individual is not prohibited by subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, from receiving a firearm.

(b) Effect of Issuance to Prohibited Person- A firearm license issued under this section shall be null and void if issued to a person who is prohibited by subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, from receiving a firearm.

(c) Form of License- A firearm license issued under this section shall be in the form of a tamper-resistant card, and shall include--

(1) the photograph of the licensed individual submitted with the application;

(2) the address of the licensed individual;

(3) the date of birth of the licensed individual;

(4) a license number, unique to each licensed individual;

(5) the expiration date of the license, which shall be the date that is 5 years after the initial anniversary of the date of birth of the licensed individual following the date on which the license is issued (or in the case of a license renewal, following the date on which the license is renewed under section 104);

(6) the signature of the licensed individual provided on the application, or a facsimile of the application; and

(7) centered at the top of the license, capitalized, and in boldface type, the following:

‘FIREARM LICENSE--NOT VALID FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE’.

SEC. 104. RENEWAL OF LICENSE.

(a) Application for Renewal-

(1) IN GENERAL- In order to renew a firearm license issued under this title, not later than 30 days before the expiration date of the license, the licensed individual shall submit to the Attorney General (in accordance with the regulations promulgated under paragraph (3)), in a form approved by the Attorney General, an application for renewal of the license.

(2) CONTENTS- An application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include--

(A) a current, passport-sized photograph of the applicant that provides a clear, accurate likeness of the applicant;

(B) current proof of identity of the licensed individual; and

(C) the address of the licensed individual.

(3) REGULATIONS GOVERNING SUBMISSION- The Attorney General shall promulgate regulations specifying procedures for the submission of applications under this subsection.

(b) Issuance of Renewed License- Upon approval of an application submitted under subsection (a) of this section, the Attorney General shall issue a renewed license, which shall meet the requirements of section 103(c), except that the license shall include the current photograph and address of the licensed individual, as provided in the application submitted under this section, and the expiration date of the renewed license, as provided in section 103(c)(5).

SEC. 105. REVOCATION OF LICENSE.

(a) In General- If an individual to whom a license has been issued under this title subsequently becomes a person who is prohibited by subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, from receiving a firearm--

(1) the license is revoked; and

(2) the individual shall promptly return the license to the Attorney General.

(b) Administrative Action- Upon receipt by the Attorney General of notice that an individual to whom a license has been issued under this title has become a person described in subsection (a), the Attorney General shall ensure that the individual promptly returns the license to the Attorney General.

TITLE II--RECORD OF SALE OR TRANSFER

SEC. 201. SALE OR TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFYING FIREARMS.

Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 101 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘(bb) Unauthorized Sale or Transfer of a Qualifying Firearm- It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, deliver, or otherwise transfer a qualifying firearm to, or for, any person who is not a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, or to receive a qualifying firearm from a person who is not a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, unless, at the time and place of the transfer or receipt--

‘(1) the transferee presents to a licensed dealer a valid firearm license issued to the transferee--

‘(A) under title I of Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009; or

‘(B) pursuant to a State firearm licensing and record of sale system certified under section 602 of Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009 established by the State in which the transfer or receipt occurs;

‘(2) the licensed dealer contacts the Attorney General or the head of the State agency that administers the certified system described in paragraph (1)(B), as applicable, and receives notice that the transferee has been issued a firearm license described in paragraph (1) and that the license remains valid; and

‘(3) the licensed dealer records on a document (which, in the case of a sale, shall be the sales receipt) a tracking authorization number provided by the Attorney General or the head of the State agency, as applicable, as evidence that the licensed dealer has verified the validity of the license.’.

SEC. 202. FIREARM RECORDS.

(a) Submission of Sale or Transfer Reports- Not later than 14 days after the date on which the transfer of qualifying firearm is processed by a licensed dealer under section 922(bb) of title 18, United States Code (as added by section 201 of this Act), the licensed dealer shall submit to the Attorney General (or, in the case of a licensed dealer located in a State that has a State firearm licensing and record of sale system certified under section 602 of this Act, to the head of the State agency that administers that system) a report of that transfer, which shall include information relating to--

(1) the manufacturer of the firearm;

(2) the model name or number of the firearm;

(3) the serial number of the firearm;

(4) the date on which the firearm was received by the transferee;

(5) the number of a valid firearm license issued to the transferee under title I of this Act; and

(6) the name and address of the individual who transferred the firearm to the transferee.

(b) Federal Record of Sale System- Not later than 9 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall establish and maintain a Federal record of sale system, which shall include the information included in each report submitted to the Attorney General under subsection (a).

(c) Elimination of Prohibition on Establishment of System of Registration- Section 926(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking the second sentence.

TITLE III--ADDITIONAL PROHIBITIONS

SEC. 301. UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT.

Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by sections 101 and 201 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘(cc) Universal Background Check Requirement-

‘(1) REQUIREMENT- Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to sell, deliver, or otherwise transfer a firearm to any person other than such a licensee, unless the transfer is processed through a licensed dealer in accordance with subsection (t).

‘(2) EXCEPTION- Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the infrequent transfer of a firearm by gift, bequest, intestate succession or other means by an individual to a parent, child, grandparent, or grandchild of the individual, or to any loan of a firearm for any lawful purpose for not more than 30 days between persons who are personally known to each other.’.

SEC. 302. FAILURE TO MAINTAIN OR PERMIT INSPECTION OF RECORDS.

Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by sections 101, 201, and 301 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘(dd) Failure To Maintain or Permit Inspection of Records- It shall be unlawful for a licensed manufacturer or a licensed dealer to fail to comply with section 202 of Blair Holt’s Handgun Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009, or to maintain such records or supply such information as the Attorney General may require in order to ascertain compliance with such Act and the regulations and orders issued under such Act.’.

SEC. 303. FAILURE TO REPORT LOSS OR THEFT OF FIREARM.

Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by sections 101, 201, 301, and 302 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘(ee) Failure To Report Loss or Theft of Firearm- It shall be unlawful for any person who owns a qualifying firearm to fail to report the loss or theft of the firearm to the Attorney General within 72 hours after the loss or theft is discovered.’.

SEC. 304. FAILURE TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS.

Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by sections 101, 201, 301, 302, and 303 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘(ff) Failure To Provide Notice of Change of Address- It shall be unlawful for any individual to whom a firearm license has been issued under title I of Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009 to fail to report to the Attorney General a change in the address of that individual within 60 days of that change of address.’.

SEC. 305. CHILD ACCESS PREVENTION.

Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by sections 101, 201, 301, 302, 303, and 304 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘(gg) Child Access Prevention-

‘(1) DEFINITION OF CHILD- In this subsection, the term ‘child’ means an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years.

‘(2) PROHIBITION AND PENALTIES- Except as provided in paragraph (3), it shall be unlawful for any person to keep a loaded firearm, or an unloaded firearm and ammunition for the firearm, any 1 of which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, within any premises that is under the custody or control of that person, if--

‘(A) that person--

‘(i) knows, or recklessly disregards the risk, that a child is capable of gaining access to the firearm; and

‘(ii) either--

‘(I) knows, or recklessly disregards the risk, that a child will use the firearm to cause the death of, or serious bodily injury (as defined in section 1365 of this title) to, the child or any other person; or

‘(II) knows, or reasonably should know, that possession of the firearm by a child is unlawful under Federal or State law; and

‘(B) a child uses the firearm and the use of that firearm causes the death of, or serious bodily injury to, the child or any other person.

‘(3) EXCEPTIONS- Paragraph (2) shall not apply if--

‘(A) at the time the child obtained access, the firearm was secured with a secure gun storage or safety device;

‘(B) the person is a peace officer, a member of the Armed Forces, or a member of the National Guard, and the child obtains the firearm during, or incidental to, the performance of the official duties of the person in that capacity;

‘(C) the child uses the firearm in a lawful act of self-defense or defense of 1 or more other persons; or

‘(D) the person has no reasonable expectation, based on objective facts and circumstances, that a child is likely to be present on the premises on which the firearm is kept.’.

TITLE IV--ENFORCEMENT

SEC. 401. CRIMINAL PENALTIES.

(a) Failure To Possess Firearm License; Failure To Comply With Qualifying Firearm Sale or Transfer Requirements; Failure To Maintain or Permit Inspection of Records- Section 924(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘(8) Whoever knowingly violates subsection (aa), (bb), or (dd) of section 922 shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.’.

(b) Failure To Comply With Universal Background Checks; Failure To Timely Report Loss or Theft of a Qualifying Firearm; Failure To Provide Notice of Change of Address- Section 924(a)(5) of such title is amended by striking ‘(s) or (t)’ and inserting ‘(t), (cc), (ee), or (ff)’.

(c) Child Access Prevention- Section 924(a) of such title, as amended by subsection (a) of this section, is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘(9) Whoever violates section 105(a)(2) of Blair Holt’s Handgun Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009, knowingly or having reason to believe that the person is prohibited by subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, from receiving a firearm, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

‘(10) Whoever violates section 922(gg) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.’.

SEC. 402. REGULATIONS.

(a) In General- The Attorney General shall issue regulations governing the licensing of possessors of qualifying firearms and the recorded sale of qualifying firearms, consistent with this Act and the amendments made by this Act, as the Attorney General determines to be reasonably necessary to reduce or prevent deaths or injuries resulting from qualifying firearms, and to assist law enforcement in the apprehension of owners or users of qualifying firearms used in criminal activity.

(b) Maximum Interval Between Issuance of Proposed and Final Regulation- Not later than 120 days after the date on which the Attorney General issues a proposed regulation under subsection (a) with respect to a matter, the Attorney General shall issue a final regulation with respect to the matter.

SEC. 403. INSPECTIONS.

In order to ascertain compliance with this Act, the amendments made by this Act, and the regulations and orders issued under this Act, the Attorney General may, during regular business hours, enter any place in which firearms or firearm products are manufactured, stored, or held, for distribution in commerce, and inspect those areas where the products are so manufactured, stored, or held.

SEC. 404. ORDERS.

The Attorney General may issue an order prohibiting the sale or transfer of any firearm that the Attorney General finds has been transferred or distributed in violation of this Act, an amendment made by this Act, or a regulation issued under this Act.

SEC. 405. INJUNCTIVE ENFORCEMENT.

The Attorney General may bring an action to restrain any violation of this Act or an amendment made by this Act in the district court of the United States for any district in which the violation has occurred, or in which the defendant is found or transacts business.

TITLE V--FIREARM INJURY INFORMATION AND RESEARCH

SEC. 501. DUTIES OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

(a) In General- The Attorney General shall--

(1) establish and maintain a firearm injury information clearinghouse to collect, investigate, analyze, and disseminate data and information relating to the causes and prevention of death and injury associated with firearms;

(2) conduct continuing studies and investigations of firearm-related deaths and injuries; and

(3) collect and maintain current production and sales figures for each licensed manufacturer.

(b) Availability of Information- Periodically, but not less frequently than annually, the Attorney General shall report to the Congress and make available to the public a report on the activities of the Attorney General under subsection (a).

TITLE VI--EFFECT ON STATE LAW

SEC. 601. EFFECT ON STATE LAW.

(a) In General- This Act and the amendments made by this Act may not be construed to preempt any provision of the law of any State or political subdivision of that State, or prevent a State or political subdivision of that State from enacting any provision of law regulating or prohibiting conduct with respect to firearms, except to the extent that the provision of law is inconsistent with any provision of this Act or an amendment made by this Act, and then only to the extent of the inconsistency.

(b) Rule of Interpretation- A provision of State law is not inconsistent with this Act or an amendment made by this Act if the provision imposes a regulation or prohibition of greater scope or a penalty of greater severity than a corresponding prohibition or penalty imposed by this Act or an amendment made by this Act.

SEC. 602. CERTIFICATION OF STATE FIREARM LICENSING SYSTEMS AND STATE FIREARM RECORD OF SALE SYSTEMS.

Upon a written request of the chief executive officer of a State, the Attorney General may certify--

(1) a firearm licensing system established by a State, if State law requires the system to satisfy the requirements applicable to the Federal firearm licensing system established under title I; or

(2) a firearm record of sale system established by a State, if State law requires the head of the State agency that administers the system to submit to the Federal firearm record of sale system established under section 202(b) a copy of each report submitted to the head of the agency under section 202(a), within 7 days after receipt of the report.

TITLE VII--RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAW

SEC. 701. SUBORDINATION TO ARMS EXPORT CONTROL ACT.

In the event of any conflict between any provision of this Act or an amendment made by this Act, and any provision of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751), the provision of the Arms Export Control Act shall control.

TITLE VIII--INAPPLICABILITY

SEC. 801. INAPPLICABILITY TO GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES.

This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall not apply to any department or agency of the United States, of a State, or of a political subdivision of a State, or to any official conduct of any officer or employee of such a department or agency.

TITLE IX--EFFECTIVE DATE

SEC. 901. EFFECTIVE DATE OF AMENDMENTS.

The amendments made by this Act shall take effect 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Specter Announces Support for Eric Holder

THIS IS THE BIGGEST CROCK OF B.S.
HERE WE GO TAKE THE GUNS AWAY AND LIVE IN FEAR THE REST OF YOUR LIF

Crime and Law Enforcement

• Support Local Law Enforcement: President Obama and Vice President Biden are committed to fully funding the COPS program to put 50,000 police officers on the street and help address police brutality and accountability issues in local communities. Obama and Biden also support efforts to encourage young people to enter the law enforcement profession, so that our local police departments are not understaffed because of a dearth of qualified applicants.
• Reduce Crime Recidivism by Providing Ex-Offender Supports: America is facing an incarceration and post-incarceration crisis in urban communities. Obama and Biden will create a prison-to-work incentive program, modeled on the successful Welfare-to-Work Partnership, and work to reform correctional systems to break down barriers for ex-offenders to find employment.
• End the Dangerous Cycle of Youth Violence: Obama and Biden support innovative local programs, like the CeaseFire program in Chicago, which implement a community-based strategy to prevent youth violence and have been proven effective.
• Address Gun Violence in Cities: Obama and Biden would repeal the Tiahrt Amendment, which restricts the ability of local law enforcement to access important gun trace information, and give police officers across the nation the tools they need to solve gun crimes and fight the illegal arms trade. Obama and Biden also favor commonsense measures that respect the Second Amendment rights of gun owners, while keeping guns away from children and from criminals. They support closing the gun show loophole and making guns in this country childproof. They also support making the expired federal Assault Weapons Ban permanent.

Police Investigate Shootings, Alderman: "Get Armed 
 
Last Edited: Tuesday, 02 Dec 2008, 7:37 PM CST 
Created: Tuesday, 02 Dec 2008, 4:44 PM CST 
 
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One Dead, One Injured In Officer-Involved Shooting

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Alderman Charles Quincy Troupe

Two Shootings In Downtown St. Louis

 ST. LOUIS -- A man is dead after a shooting in downtown St. Louis. Meanwhile, a potential suspect in that case is in stable condition after being shot by police. That man turned out to be unarmed.

   It began Monday evening when 27-year-old Terryl Morgan of Madison, Ill., was shot and killed near the Edward Jones Dome.

   Witnesses provided a description of the suspect, and not long after the shooting officers saw a man matching that description.

   The man was ordered to stop and told to remove his hands from his pockets. Police say he put a hand inside his coat. Two officers, fearing for their safety, shot the 45-year-old man.

   Police are uncertain if that man was involved in the first shooting. The officers who shot him are on administrative leave pending the investigation.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

St. Louis Alderman Calls On Residents To Get Armed

By CHERYL WITTENAUER

Associated Press Writer

ST. LOUIS  -- A St. Louis alderman who says he is frustrated with police response to crime in his neighborhood is calling on residents to arm themselves to protect their lives and property.

   Alderman Charles Quincy Troupe said Tuesday he is telling his north St. Louis constituents to acquire guns and learn how to use them.

   He said that "God-fearing, law-abiding citizens and homeowners" are being preyed upon by criminals, and that police are ineffective, outnumbered, or don't care.

   Troupe, 72, and a former state representative, said many people don't realize they have a constitutional right to bear arms which they can use to fend off an intruder. He supports Missouri's "conceal and carry" weapons law and is recruiting residents to take the required weapons safety course. Troupe said the wrong people own guns.

   "We bought the homes, we're paying the taxes and the police and the emergency personnel's salaries," he said. "Why in the hell can't we get relief from criminals? Why do they have all the power, and we don't and we're paying the damn bills?"

   He said people are being killed on the impoverished north side, and homes are being broken into and dismantled by scavengers who steal gutters and downspouts, and that school dropouts are robbing people and snatching purses.

   Troupe said when he and residents approached the district police commander last year, he said "there was nothing he could do to protect us and the community ... that he didn't have the manpower, he couldn't do it."

   St. Louis Police Chief Dan Isom wrote Tuesday in a department blog that guns are not the solution to the city's challenging homicide problem. Citizens arming themselves will lead to more danger, not less, he said.

   Neighborhood watch groups, and the hard work of helping to eradicate poverty and other social ills are better crime-prevention tools, he said.

   So far this year, St. Louis has had 157 homicides, 33 more than last year at this time.

   "My position is simply the police are overtaxed, they are a reactionary force and we need a proactive solution to the problems of our community and our children," Troupe said.

   "We haven't addressed children on the front end; now we've got problems on the back end."

   University of Missouri-St. Louis criminologist Richard Rosenfeld, who is a visiting professor this fall at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, said Troupe's idea is an understandable response to the spike in homicide in the city, but it's not likely to be effective. More guns, he said, only compound crime problems in communities already awash with guns.

   "Much of the problem is free and easy access to guns," Rosenfeld said. "This hope that by putting guns in the right hands will have an influence on criminals is a false hope. There's no evidence for that."

   Mayor Francis Slay wrote in his blog Tuesday that some of the most violent crimes in Troupe's First Ward are committed with guns stolen from law-abiding citizens.

   He said Troupe could do more good urging constituents to cooperate with investigating police officers, lending support for activities for children, and lobbying legislators to increase funding for jobs training and economic development.

   Fellow Alderman Lyda Krewson called Troupe's idea a "whacky and ineffective response."

   "Most of us are really not equipped to handle the seriousness and responsibility of walking around with a gun," she said. "The end result is more guns on the street."

   Krewson, whose husband was shot and killed in front of their home in the tony Central West End neighborhood in 1995, said she doesn't mean to diminish the problem of crime.

   She said having a gun "would not have changed the outcome of that evening. I personally don't think guns are the answer to this."

   The Rev. F. James Clark of Shalom Church in suburban Florissant, who organized an anti-crime march this summer that drew tens of thousands to the streets of St. Louis, said it doesn't make sense to "join up with what you've been fighting."

   He said it sounds like Troupe "is frustrated, looking for an answer, just like the rest of us."

Sincerely,

Arlen Specter

Ten Guidelines

1. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
.

2. The flag is never allowed to touch the ground or the floor.

3. When hung over a sidewalk on a rope extending from a building to a pole, the
    union stars are always away from the building.

4. When vertically hung over the center of the street, the flag always has the union
    stars to the north in an east/west street, and to the east in a north/ south street.

5. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the
    highest point of the group when a number of flags of states or localities or
    tenants of societies are grouped an displayed from staffs.

6. The flag should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up in folds but always
    allowed to fall free.

7. The flag should be displayed at halfstaff until noon on Memorial Day then raised
    to the top of the staff.

8. Never fly the flag upside down except as a signal of distress in instances of
   extreme danger to life or property.

9. The flag is never flown in inclement weather except when using an all weather
    flag.

10. The flag can be flown every day from sunrise to sunset and at night if
       illuminated properly.

Flag Display Days

New  Year's Day
 January 1st
 
Inauguration Day
 January 20th
 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
 3rd Monday in January
 
Lincoln's Birthday
 February 12th
 
Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day)
 3rd Monday in February
 
Easter Sunday
 Variable
 
Mother's Day
 2nd Sunday in May
 
Peace Officers Memorial Day
(half-staff until sunset)
 May 15th
 
Armed Forces Day
 3rd Saturday in May
 
Memorial Day
(half-staff until noon)
 Last Monday in May
 
Flag Day
 June 14th
 
Independence Day
 July 4th
 
National Korean War Armistice Day
(half-staff until sunset)
 July 27th
 
Labor Day
 1st Monday in September
 
Patriot Day
(half-staff until sunset)
 September 11th
 
POW /MIA Recognition Day
 3rd Friday in September
 
Constitution Day (Citizenship Day)
 September 17th
 
Columbus Day
 2nd Monday in October
 
Navy Day
 October 27th
 
Veterans Day
 November 11th
 
Thanksgiving Day
 4th Thursday in November
 
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half-staff until sunset)
 December 7th
 
Christmas Day
 December 25th

and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the
birthdays of states (date of admission); and on state holidays.

Information outlined above is part of the Federal Flag Code or enacted by Federal legislation.

Fly your POW /MlA flag with your American flag on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW /MlA Recognition Day and Veterans Day

June 8, 2008

Michael S. Ruoss

PA Right to Bear Arms

129 Starr Rd.

Avondale, PA  19311

Michael,

I wanted to thank you for taking the time and effort to put your website together.  My mantra on the air is that the only way we will see a positive change in our government is when a sufficient number of Americans awaken and become involved in the political process.  Congratulations for doing just that.

When one person contacts a representative, or starts a protest, or like you, erects a website, it often seems like it doesn’t matter.  To a great extent, it’s a thankless, unattractive proposition.  That’s why so few people do it.  But the paradigm changes when one person becomes many.  Then it’s a voice congress can not ignore. No special interest lobbiest can begin to counter the will of millions of Americans, awakened and involved. Issues threatening our way of life will come up again and again, and only time will tell if our citizens have what it takes to remain active, but the bottom line is it all starts with one person—that person who refuses to see they are insignficant or their task is insurmountable. Someone willing to spread the word no matter how discouraging a situation appears.  Someone just like you.

Thank you for fighting for our second amendment rights.  Nothing is constitutionally more important.  When it comes to the Bill of Rights, without the second amendment we can’t hope to preserve the other nine.   You’re on the right side of Freedom Michael, and I thank you for caring enough to be involved.

Rollye James