Arthur Schofield (Your Views, Jan. 29) questions my thinking on Second Amendment guarantees in the Bill of Rights. He suggests that restoring the basic applications of the Second Amendment that Oklahomans enjoyed until only the last few decades will invite problems. His assertion plays to the oft used excuse that the free exercise of our most essential right as Americans will only create lawlessness and blood in the street scenarios. This doesn’t square with the facts. I’ve lived in several states with open carry laws. None of Schofield’s assertions hold up in those states. Further, we heard these same arguments during the debate about our concealed carry laws. They never happened. Law abiding Oklahomans will surprise Schofield about how law abiding they are, just as they’ve shown in the past 15 years with our concealed carry and other gun laws. Sadly, Schofield then resorts to the opinion that it doesn’t meet his desires and that it makes people nervous.

Gun rights advocates are poised to win a marquee victory in the Virginia General Assembly, perhaps as early as today, with the potential repeal of the state’s one handgun a month limit. Overturning Virginia’s two decade old restriction on pistol purchases has long been a high priority of gun enthusiasts, and the repeal effort has grabbed the spotlight in an Assembly session widely seen as the most gun friendly in years.

A group of Central Illinois lawmakers is calling for a bipartisan coalition of downstate legislators to unite in support of job creation and in opposition to gun control laws, state Rep. Chapin Rose said at a Thursday news conference in Decatur. State Reps. Adam Brown of Decatur and Bill Mitchell of Forsyth joined the Mahomet Republican near the Law Enforcement Center on Franklin Street to discuss the coalition and recent legislation they said “bans hunting” in Illinois. Rose cited House Bills 1294, 1599 and 1855. According to versions of the bills posted on the General Assembly’s website, they ban the manufacture, sale or transportation of weapons that include semiautomatic firearms that accept a detachable magazine. It also bans possessing attachments such as pistol grips, thumb hole stocks or muzzle shrouds.

87-year-old Jack Goodwin was listening to a Lakers game on the radio in his home in Los Angeles, Calif. when he heard a suspicious noise. Goodwin retrieved a 9mm handgun he keeps by the bed, went to investigate and found a pair burglars attempting to break in. After the criminals smashed a window, Goodwin fired, striking one and causing both to flee. The wounded burglar did not get far; police found him in Goodwin’s backyard.
The intruders picked the wrong house, as Goodwin is a World War II veteran who served on Okinawa.  When interviewed by local media, Goodwin’s daughter Vernita described him as a “true soldier,” but hoped he would move out of the city. Goodwin has other ideas, stating, “I’m going to stay as long as I want to… When I leave it won’t be because they ran me away.”

Bills saying it is all right to use deadly force against intruders in your home, including one from Del. Richard P. “Dickie” Bell, R-Staunton, are moving easily through the General Assembly.

On January 31, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed House Bill 1508, originally a solid shooting range protection bill, and House Bill 2471, a background check reform bill.

This Monday, February 6, the Virginia Senate is expected to cast its final vote on Senate Bill 323, legislation which would repeal the archaic prohibition of purchasing more than one handgun per month.  This vote is expected to be very close so it is important that you continue to contact your state Senator and urge him or her to vote for this legislation on Monday.

On Wednesday, February 8, three NRA-opposed bills will be heard in the state Senate Judiciary Committee in Hearing Room 343 of the State Capitol, at 1:00 p.m.