About once a month, Dave Kopel produces a free e-mail Newsletter containing short summaries and links to important new research and writing involving the Second Amendment and firearms policy. The newsletter also reports on Kopel's latest writing.
The content of this newsletter is produced by the Second Amendment Project at the Independence Institute, a think tank in Golden, Colorado. The newsletter is electronically distributed by the Second Amendment Foundation in Bellevue, Washington. Thus, the Second Amendment Foundation will be given your e-mail address.
Archive of past issues.
Dave Kopel's Second Amendment Project is based at the
Independence Institute, a free-market think tank in
Golden, Colorado.
http://www.independenceinstitute.org
1. New by Kopel and the Ind. Inst.: 59 Deceits in Fahrenheit 9/11; The Story of Winfield Scott Hancock-The hero of Gettysburg and the 6th President of the NRA; New Hungarian gun laws; Guns for "non-state actors."
2. Ronald Reagan: A Great Man Passes
3. Michael Moore: A Man Passes for Great
4. Culture: Book on America and Guns; Reality Channel Show; Armed Gays and Feminists
5. International: Australia, South African Law, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan
6. Terrorism: Self-defense in Iraq
7. History: Expense of Guns in Colonial America
8. Judicial Branch: Various Gun-related Judgments
9. State Legislatures: South Carolina Rationing, Utah University Ban
10. Carrying: Basketball Players, Ohio Signs
New by Kopel and Independence Institute
Fifty-nine Deceits in Fahrenheit 911.
http://www.davidkopel.com/Terror/Fiftysix-Deceits-in-Fahrenheit-911.htm
Dave's Preliminary version of an upcoming National Review Online Article was featured on the July 13 'Mike Rosen Show' on 850KOA, Denver, Colorado.
In their own words
Small Arms and Human Security Bulletin
June 2004, Page 6
http://www.hdcentre.org/datastore/Bul3-English.pdf
Does anything need to be done to control transfers to (and misuse of weapons by) non-state actors? Short Kopel essay in a collection of several articles on civilian firearms ownership. Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
Al Rantel Show
KABC Radio, Los Angeles
July 21. 9-10 p.m Mountain Time.
Topic: Michael Moore.
To Be Available on the Internet at:
http://www.kabc.com/showdj.asp?DJID=13652
The Hero of Gettysburg: Winfield Scott Hancock shot straight.
National Review Online
July 2, 2004
With Paul Gallant & Joanne D. Eisen
http://www.nationalreview.com/kopel/kopel.asp
Dave discourses on Winfield Scott Hancock--the "Hero of Gettysburg," the 1880 Democratic nominee for President, and the 8th President of the National Rifle Association.
Hungarian Weapons Law of May 2004.
June, 2004
http://www.davidkopel.com/2A/Foreign/Hungarian-Weapons-Law.htm
Here is Dave's English translation and explanation of the legislations, plus Hungarian text.
2. Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan: The Gun Owner's Champion
By Ronald W. Reagan
Guns and Ammo Online
July 13, 2004
http://www.gunsandammomag.com/classics/reagan_1007/
A reprint of the late Ex-President's strong 1975 affirmation of the right to bear arms in self-defense.
Reagan Pulled Gun On Mugger To Save Woman
WorldNetDaily.com
June 9, 2004
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38860
Reagan Was Hero To Iowa Woman: Nursing Student Rescued From Mugger
TheIowaChannel.com
June 7, 2004
http://www.theiowachannel.com/politics/3392082/detail.html
As a young Iowa sportscaster, 'the Gipper' confronted a would-be robber with a .45 revolver and rescued the intended victim.
3. Michael Moore
Michael Moore Is A Big Fat Stupid White Man
By David T. Hardy & Jason Clarke
Regan Books, 2004
http://www.mooreexposed.com/book.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060763957/
wwwmooreexpos-20/104-2784298-5859941?creative=125581&camp=2321&link_code=as1
Great new book! #9 on the New York Times best-seller list!
Unfairenheit 9/11: The lies of Michael Moore.
Christopher Hitchens
Slate
June 21, 2004
http://slate.msn.com/id/2102723/
"To describe this film as dishonest and demagogic would almost be to promote those terms to the level of respectability."
4. Culture
Shooters: Myths And Realities Of America's Gun Cultures
By Abigail A. Kohn
The Oxford University Press
June, 2004
http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Law/CriminologyCriminalLaw/~~/
cGY9MTMwJnByPTEwJnNzPWF1dGhvciZzZj1
hbGwmdmlldz11c2Emc2Q9YXNjJmNpPTAxOTUxNTA1MTE=
Why do Americans so love their guns? Broadly speaking, what exactly is the appeal of the gun? In this important work, Abigail Kohn immerses herself in the world of 'shooters.' While academics continue to convince each other of their brilliant rationality in condemning guns and gun owners, Abby Kohn takes a courageous step to 'the other side,' beginning a discourse in which the massive appeal of guns can finally start to be appreciated.
Crime Strike
The Reality Channel
Airing on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays
http://www.realitytvchannel.com/detail.php?Program=Crime%20Strike
This new show on the Reality Channel follows the efforts of victim
of
crimes who felt the need to take the law into their own hands to
defend
themselves against violent crime. Each episode features civilian
crime-fighters faced with life or death decisions, law enforcement
agencies finding ways to uphold the peace more effectively and
useful
crime prevention tips from police officers.
'No Gays With Guns,' Parade Organizers Say
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com
July 2, 2004
http://www.cnsnews.com/Culture/Archive/200407/CUL20040702b.html
A pro-Second Amendment group calls it ironic that organizers of a Columbus, Ohio, "Gay Pride" parade tried to keep gun-carrying homosexuals from taking part in the event.
Teen Girls Learn About Guns, Too
By Marcela Rojas
The Journal News: New York
May 26, 2004
http://www.thejournalnews.com/newsroom/052604/a01gunside2.html
Competitive and recreational sport shooting among teens - particularly girls - is increasing in popularity these days.
New Women's Firearms Site
Feminists 4 Firearms
http://www.feminists4firearms.com/
A militant feminist offers her views on feminist thought and firearms ownership and advocacy.
Some Recommended Weblogs:
http://www.kimdutoit.com/dr/weblog.php
http://www.claytoncramer.com/weblog/blogger.html
http://geekwitha45.blogspot.com/
5. International
Australia:
Police Union Wants Semi-Automatic Guns
Ninemsn.Com
July 12, 2004
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=4312
Australian police claim that the criminals outgun them, anti-gun activists object to their desired weapons.
Brazil:
Brazil Gets New Gun Law
By Carmen Gentile
UPI International
7/2/2004
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040702-070033-3758r
The Brazilian government published the final draft of its new gun law intended to curb one of the world's highest murder rates.
Haiti:
Haitians Asked To Exchange Guns For Soccer Tickets
The U.N. Wire
July 1, 2004
http://www.unwire.org/UNWire/20040701/449_25457.asp
The Brazilian soccer team will head to Haiti to play a match against the island nation on Aug. 18, when spectators will have to exchange their weapons for entry tickets.
Russia: Self-Defense Gets a Little Easier
By Carl Schreck
The Moscow Times (Russia)
May 27, 2004
http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2004/05/27/014.html
On Dec. 16, a significant addition to Article 37 of the Criminal Code came into effect that effectively justifies any means of self-defense necessary in surprise attacks.
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Says Foreigners Can Carry Guns
Thu 24 June, 2004
Reuters.Uk
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=535338§ion=news
The Saudi government is offering foreigners the right to carry arms for self-defense.
South Africa:
Court Shoots Down New Gun Law Fears
By Estelle Ellis
The Star (Johannesburg, South Africa)
July 1, 2004
http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=129&fArticleId=2133947
An 11th-hour bid by the gun, hunting and security industries to stop the draconian Firearms Control Act from coming into operation today has been rejected by the Pretoria High Court. The court charged the plaintiffs legal fees for bringing a suit about the new law.
Registered gun owners to bite the bullet
By Sheena Adams
The Pretoria News (South Africa)
June 30, 2004
http://www.pretorianews.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=665&fArticleId=2132572
The South African government is going ahead with stringent new firearm laws because it believes registered owners are partly responsible for the reported loss of nearly 8,000 guns this year.
Gun Law Deprives SA Citizens Of Basic Rights
Letter to the Editor
The Mercury (Durban, South Africa)
July 2, 2004
http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=299&fArticleId=2135658
"At best the new Act is a violation of the rights of the SA people. It is a deliberate and tyrannical attempt by government to deprive SA citizens basic rights such as the right to property and the right to self-defence."
Taiwan:
Cabinet reviewing draft amendments to tighten gun law
By Ko Shu-ling
The Taipei Times (Taiwan)
July 9, 2004
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2004/07/09/2003178238
The Cabinet is considering pressing for tighter gun-control regulations following violent incidents such as the March 19 shooting of President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu.
Thailand:
Thai gun shops offer discounts to teachers
By Nopporn Wong-Anan
Reuters.UK
June 16,2004
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=530581§ion=news
Gun shops in Bangkok are offering discounts to teachers in Thailand'stroubled Muslim south where a spate of almost daily attacks show no signs of abating despite government promises to restore peace.
Trinidad:
'Give Every Man A Gun'
By Prior Beharry
Trinidad and Tobago Express
Wednesday, June 9th 2004
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_politics?id=25708878
Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has called for every man in the country to have a gun to protect his rights, liberty and property since the Government has failed to do so.
United Kingdom:
Beckett is angered by plans to control shotguns
By Charles Clover
News.telegraph.co.uk
May 7, 2004
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/07/05/ngun05.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/07/05/ixportal.html
Proposals published by the British Home Office in May 2004 would impose the same controls on legal owners of shotguns as apply to holders of high-velocity rifles, infuriating Margaret Beckett, the Environment Secretary.
United Nations:
Turtle Bay's Latest Cover-up: The U.N. investigates itself--again
By Claudia Rosett
June 16, 2004
Opinion Journal of WSJ.com
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/cRosett/?id=110005220
Cover-Up Culture: When will the real Oil-for-Food investigations
begin?
By Claudia Rosett
National Review Online
May 26, 2004
http://www.nationalreview.com/rosett/rosett200405262134.asp
The U.N. makes a travesty of obedience to its own regulations even as it continues to endeavor to impose new ones on sovereign nations.
Anti-Slavery Advocates Protest Annan's Inaction
By Hana R. Alberts And Timothy J. Mcginn
The Harvard Crimson Online
June 10, 2004
http://www.thecrimson.com/today/article502904.html
In a demonstration at Cambridge Common, nearly 150 people-including several who appeared to be alums or Harvard-affiliated-turned out to protest what they called Annan's failure to take action against slavery and genocide in Sudan. There are other priorities, vide infra.
Negotiations On Small Arms Tracing Ends First Session
By Jim Wurst
The U.N. Wire
June 28, 2004
http://www.unwire.org/UNWire/20040628/449_25324.asp
The first round of negotiations on developing an international system for tracing small arms ended Friday with what the chairman of the working group, Ambassador Anton Thalmann of Switzerland, called "focused" and "positive" deliberations on a means of controlling the flow of weapons into the black market.
Week of Action Against Small Arms 1 - 10 July 2004
Press Release
The International Action Network on Small Arms
July, 2004
http://www.iansa.org/action/week_of_action.htm
"Non-governmental organizations in 30 countries are participating in the fourth annual coordinated Week of Action Against Small Arms to draw attention to the human toll of small arms proliferation and misuse, and to demand governments enact policies that put their citizens' security first."
International Gun Destruction Day Marked Across The World
Press Release
Amnesty International
July 9, 2004
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGACT300142004
"There is now one gun for every ten people on the planet. On average 800,000 guns are destroyed every year, but the scale of the problem of unregulated guns remains enormous - for every one gun that is destroyed another ten new guns are created."
6. Terrorism
Gun Control Harming U.S. Troops
By Jon E. Dougherty
Newsmax.com
May 25, 2004
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/5/24/171144.shtml
"Is it possible for bad domestic law to be a detriment to our fighting forces overseas - even to the point of getting some soldiers killed? Absolutely, say veterans, who want lawmakers to fix the problem ASAP."
Pentagon's Civilian Employees Arm Themselves In Iraq: Defense
Department Stalls On Decision To Provide Arms
By Brock N. Meeks
MSNBC.com
May 24, 2004
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5053518/
"Some civilian military employees in Iraq are arming themselves, owing to a rising frustration with the military's difficulty sorting through its own policies, MSNBC.com has learned."
The Ambulances-For-Terrorists Scandal
By Michelle Malkin
Townhall.com
June 2, 2004
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/mm20040602.shtml
"The United Nations and Red Cross have been providing cover for terrorists - literally."
7. History
How Expensive Were Guns in the Colonial Period?
By Clayton W. Cramer
Clayton Cramer's BLOG
May 29, 2004
http://www.claytoncramer.com/weblog
/2004_05_23_archive.html#1085874186049735
"Guns in Plymouth therefore had an average value of about twenty-eight pounds of bread, or the equivalent of fourteen to sixteen modern loaves."
Weapons of Mass Instruction: In Louisville, Ky., More Than Just
Another Gun Museum
By Mark Yost
The Opinion Journal of WSJ.com
June 16, 2004
http://www.opinionjournal.com/la/?id=110005222
Paul Gerrard, Spokesman, Frazier Historical Arms Museum: "We have four goals, to not just display firearms, but to explain them in terms of technology, exploration, artistry and conflict."
8. Judicial Branch
IL: Improper gun charge costs DuPage County $50,000
Rob Olmstead
6/4/2004
Daily Herald (Chicago, Illinois)
http://www.2ndamendment.com/Miscellaneous/News/20040604-04.htm
DuPage County paid $50,000 to a Schaumburg resident who was jailed for a night in 2002 for carrying a handgun he felt he was legally transporting.
Gun Settlement Sets Troubling Standard
C.J. Williams, Chief Justice
Supreme Court of Rhode Island
June 11, 2004
http://www.courts.state.ri.us/supreme/pdf-files/01-161.pdf
RI Court Upholds Restrictions on Concealed Carry
By Susan Jones
CNS.com
June 11, 2004
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=%5CCulture%5Carchive%5C200406%5CCUL20040611b.html
Rhode Island refused to grant review of a concealed carry application on the grounds that no such review was provided for in the law. Dave's work on the Rhode Island constitution is cited.
Gun Settlement Sets Troubling Standard
Editorial
June 25, 2004
The Henderson Dispatch (West Virginia)
http://www.hendersondispatch.com/articles/2004/06/25/news/opinion/opin01.txt
A West Virginia pawnshop has agreed to an out-of-court settlement to pay $1 million to a pair of New Jersey policemen who were shot with a gun sold by the store.
Federal Courts:
Gun groups fight rifle ban in court
By Tamara Grippi
The Oakland Tribune
July 7, 2004
http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82~1726~2194603,00.html
"Gun-rights supporters filed legal papers in federal court seeking
to block Contra Costa
County from enforcing its ban on the sale of .50-caliber rifles."
======================
9. State Legislatures
Michigan:
Gun Curbs Would Hurt Sportsmen More Than Criminals
By Eric Sharp
Detroit Free Press
July 1, 2004
http://www.freep.com/sports/outdoors/eric1e_20040701.htm
"If the gun laws we have on the books don't keep criminals from committing gun crimes, why would another unenforceable law make any difference?"
South Carolina:
Gun Regulations Relaxed
By WALLACE McBride
The Index-Journal (The Lakelands, South Carolina)
May 26, 2004
http://www.indexjournal.com/news/20040526a_n.html
South Carolina's gun rationing scheme is defunct.
Utah:
Legislature Orders University To Lift Guns Ban
June Kronholz
The Arizona Republic
May 31, 2004
http://www.2ndamendment.com/Miscellaneous/News/20040601-08.htm
"For decades, the University of Utah has prohibited its students and employees from carrying firearms on campus. But this year, the Utah Legislature passed a law requiring the university to lift the ban.
=======================
10. Carrying
'No Guns' Signs Come Down in Ohio
By Susan Jones
Crosswalk.com
June 11, 2004
http://www.crosswalk.com/news/1267689.html
"Signs reading "no guns allowed" are coming down in some Ohio stores and restaurants."
NBA Players Arm Themselves
By Suzette Hackney
Detroit Free Press
June 10, 2004
http://www.freep.com/sports/pistons/ssider10_20040610.htm
"As personal safety becomes more of a concern for NBA players, a growing number of them, including some Pistons, consider carrying concealed weapons."
Pizza Man Saved By Gun, But Fired For Packin' Heat
WorldNetDaily.com
June 1, 2004
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38726
Prosecutors call it 'clear case of self-defense,' but Pizza Hut nonetheless fired a driver who used a firearm to preserve his life during a robbery attempt.
Al Qaeda delenda est! Ut Libertas regnat!
