REP. METCALFE AND OTHER LEGISLATORS & SUPPORTERS JOIN IN RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS RALLY
4-24-07
By Eric A. Failing, PLS
 
Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) was joined today by 26 other legislators, gun owners groups and sportsmen groups to advocate for pro-gun legislation.
 
According to Rep. Metcalfe, today's Second Annual Pro Second Amendment Rally is being held to ensure that the second amendment to the U.S. Constitution is second to none. He stressed the fact that so many legislators present from both sides of the aisle is indicative of the fact that this issue is so important.
 
Rep. Metcalfe explained he has introduced House Bill 1161 to address the issue of gun registries. He explained that the PA State Police has been keeping a registry of people who purchase handguns instead of destroying this information after 72 hours as the law requires. Rep. Metcalfe asked, "Shouldn't the Executive Branch of the Government which is charged with enforcing the law also abide by it?" Rep. Metcalfe went on to lament that a court case filed over this issue held that the police were not in violation of the law because the information they retained only amounted to a "partial registry" and not a "full registry." According to Rep. Metcalfe, it is this type of judicial activism that needs to stop and he believes his bill will send a clear message about what the people really want to happen.
 
Rep. Metcalfe also explained that he has introduced House Bill 1160 as a way to allow for domestic abuse victims to be able to receive an emergency permit to carry a firearm. He stressed that "lives are saved when law abiding citizens are given every means to defend themselves." Rep. Metcalfe went on to state that statistics show that states with the largest increases in gun ownership also witness the largest decrease in violent crimes.
 
Rep. Metcalfe said that government is not our master but our servant and that government must work to protect our liberties.
 
Rep. Russ Fairchild (R-Union) opined that the second amendment is one of our most closely held freedoms and our laws need to reflect this. He said he will be introducing legislation to clarify provisions in the law to allow people that have a concealed weapon permit to be able to carry them in state parks. He also stated that as Chairman of the largest Republican caucus, the Central PA Republican Caucus, he is happy to state that they are unanimous in their opposition of House Bill 760 which would require gun registrations.
 
Kim Stolfer, from Firearm Owners Against Crime, stated that everyone is here to reaffirm that they have the right to bear arms and will not allow it to be taken.
 
Rep. Jesse White (D-Washington) stressed that the overwhelming majority of gun owners are not criminals or mad men and should not be treated as such. He said he plans to introduce legislation that will address the issue of someone who is "red flagged" on a background check while attempting to purchase a firearm from having to shoulder the burden of proving they are not a criminal. According to Rep. White, the legislation will shift this burden to the courts to produce documentation of the person's conviction or reason why they should not have a firearm.
 
Harry Schneider, Legislative Chairman for the PA Sportsmen Association, called on everyone to support the legislators at the rally. He then expressed concern over current laws that prevent security guards from using lethal force to guard property. According to Schneider, this means that if terrorists were trying to steal materials in order to harm people, security guards would have to block their escape with their bodies rather than being able to use their guns.
 
Melody Zullinger, Executive Director of the PA Federation of Sportsmen Clubs, expressed support for the package of bills she referred to as a 21st century gun owner's bill of rights. She stressed that criminals do not obey laws that are already on the books and wondered why individuals believe that they would obey new gun laws.
 
Zullinger continued, stating that prosecutors need to stop plea bargaining cases, which has transformed our legal system into a "catch and release" one.
 
Rep. Dick Stevenson (R-Mercer) announced he is introducing House Bill 1029 which states that if a person already has a concealed weapon permit then they would not have to undergo background checks every time they buy a gun. He argued that authorities have already conducted an extensive background check on these individuals and their records are closely scrutinized while they have their permit. Rep. Stevenson also lamented that the current background check system is overburdened and this would help to alleviate some of these problems.
 
Rep. Marc Gergely (D-Allegheny) thanked everyone for attending and encouraged them to continue to be professional in their discussions with the legislature. He said the bills mentioned today would not be the only ones that are introduced this session to protect gun owner rights.
 
Larry Pratt, Executive Director for Gun Owners of America, stated it is nice to see how bipartisan this effort is in PA considering how partisan Congress is right now. He stressed that the Constitution states that the people are in charge and not the government. He worried that gun control measures are a way that the government is using to take power and rights away from the people.
 
Rep. Metcalfe closed the rally by thanking everyone in attendance and for all the legislators that have provided their support on these issues.

As I'm sure you've all heard, following Tuesday's press conference, 2 attendees unrolled a banner on the Rotunda steps that was inappropriate & offensive.  Unfortunately, this became the lead story for the entire event.  Below are 2 press releases in reference to the banner.  PFSC made the following statement in reference to what happened:
 
After Tuesday's Pro 2nd Amendment Press Conference, two men unrolled and held up a sign that was reprehensible and inappropriate.  These men were asked to remove the sign as soon as it was seen by the organizers of the event.
 
That sign was in no way authorized or condoned by any person or group involved in coordinating Tuesday's event.  We apologize to Rep. Cruz and others for the offensive & disrespectful behavior of those two individuals.
PFSC
 
 
PA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS EXPRESSES ANGER OVER SIGN AT TODAY'S RALLY
4-24-07
By Rebecca Kann, PLS
 
PA Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Thaddeus Kirkland (D-Delaware) along with many members of the Caucus spoke out against a sign displayed earlier today in a right to bear arms rally held in the Main Capitol Rotunda. Chairman Kirkland said the sign read "Representative Cruz should be hung from the tree of liberty for treasonous acts against the Constitution." He said the Caucus considers this racism, hatred, bigotry and a terrorist threat against a human being. As Chairman of the PA Black Caucus, Chairman Kirkland said he intends to send a letter immediately to the PA State Police calling for an investigation into the creators of the sign. "There is a price to pay" when you make a terroristic threat, said Chairman Kirkland.
 
Rep. Jewell Williams (D-Philadelphia) said he is "appalled by the actions" of the group in the Rotunda today. "We will not pass any bills until this is resolved," he threatened.
 
Rep. Angel Cruz (D-Philadelphia) stated he respectfully heard the message of opposition to his legislation (HB 760) but said he cannot tolerate the threats that went along with today's rally.
 
The Caucus then answered questions from members of the press:
 
Can you elaborate on what you mean by shutting down legislation until this is resolved?
Rep. Williams: We envision speaking with House Leadership because this is a serious cultural issue for us. I hope Leadership will make a public statement in response to this situation.
 
What if Leadership doesn't do that?
Rep. Williams: We have over 26 members and our votes mean a lot around here.
Rep. Jim Roebuck (D-Philadelphia): Lynching is something that reached its high point after slavery and continued well into the 1960s and even beyond that.
 
Someone mentioned the sign was only a "figure of speech", what is your reaction to that comment?
Chairman Kirkland: In times like these, things need to be taken literally.
 
You want legislation to say threats against legislators won't be tolerated?
Chairman Kirkland: No, we're moving to have the PA State Police investigate what happened today.
 
You don't want the legislature to take action on this?
Rep. Williams: Yes, we want Leadership on both sides of the aisle to speak out about this. Many people may act upon a message such as this so we have to reduce any type of threat.
Rep. Ronald Waters (D-Philadelphia) added the country has responded to the comments of radio personality Don Imus and we need to respond to this kind of behavior as well.
 
Rep. Cruz, do you feel like you are a victim of a crime?
Absolutely
 
Was a police report filed with either the local or Capitol Police?
Rep. Cruz: Chairman Kirkland would like the PA State Police to investigate.
 
When will you file a report with the State Police?
Chairman Kirkland: We will put forth information to them in a letter today before we leave. PA is in the top five states with the highest number of hate groups. Something must be done about this.
 
Is it true citizens who attended the rally today had to relinquish their guns at the door?
Rep. Cruz: That's what I was told.
 
Who told you?
Rep. Cruz: I'm not at liberty to say. I am doing my own investigation.
 
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REP. WILLIAMS STEPS UP TO PLATE IN FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL GUN VIOLENCE
4-26-07
By Mike Howells, PLS
 
In a prelude to the main act of the House Judiciary Committee's public hearing on gun violence later in the day, Rep. Jewell Williams (D-Philadelphia) this morning spoke out against gun violence across the state, and expressed outrage at the racist banner unfurled at Tuesday's "right to bear arms" rally in the Capitol. "We must make a change in legislation," Rep. Williams asserted, "our duty as legislators is to protect our citizens and make the state a safer place for our children."
 
Regarding the banner, which called for Rep. Angel Cruz (D-Philadelphia) to be "hung from the tree of liberty for treasonous acts against the Constitution," Rep. Williams characterized the issue as one of race, and lamented that some individuals have chosen to resort to ad hominen attacks rather than debate the issues. He acknowledged receiving a death threat emailed to him earlier in the morning for his support of Rep. Cruz. A former Philadelphia police officer himself, Rep. Williams stated he has turned the email over to authorities who are investigating the matter, but revealed that in addition to continuing carrying his own handgun, he will also begin wearing a bulletproof vest while in Harrisburg.
 
Diane Edbril, Associate Director of Ceasefire PA, emphasized the statewide extent of gun violence in PA. "There is violence not only in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia," she explained, "but across the state, and throughout the Lehigh Valley." She reported that Philadelphia today experienced its 130th murder of the year, and pleaded "there must be something more we can do." Edbril spoke about the "appalling nature" of the people responsible for the threat against Rep. Cruz's life made at Tuesday's rally.
 
Mayor Rick Gray of Lancaster recounted the recent shootings of a seven year old caught in the crossfire of a shootout between rival gang members, and of a 19 year old teen shot trying to break up a fight, and urged the limitation of illegal gun proliferation onto the streets. Reading Mayor Thomas McMahon echoed Mayor Gray's sentiments, adding two police officers have been shot "on his watch." He remarked every part of the state is suffering from the problem, and asserted "only through collective action we can see change."
 
Rep. Williams hinted House Democrats have "a little more leverage than one might think", and will be using it to push various gun control bills through the legislative process. Acknowledging the "large number of allies" of looser gun control restrictions in the state legislature, Rep. Williams encouraged them to "have a conscience" and exercise their liberty to help people in the state to remain safe on the streets. He reported polling data from across the state is showing a broad preponderance of Pennsylvanians is concerned about the threat posed by illegal gun violence.
 
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