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echo3mike

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  1. Senate committee rejects assault weapons bill

    Legislation to ban sale of semiautomatic guns dies with 6-5 vote

    By Michael Dresser

    Sun Staff

    Originally published April 2, 2004, 1:21 PM EST

    A Senate committee killed a proposal to ban assault weapons today, ending all possibility that the General Assembly will put a gun control bill on Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich's desk this year.

    The 6-5 vote against the bill in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee came as no surprise because Sen. John A. Giannetti Jr., who represented the swing vote on the panel, announced his intent to vote no weeks ago.

    The Prince George's Democrat delivered on his promise today, joining the committee's three Republicans and two conservative Democrats in opposing the bill sponsored by Sen. Robert J. Garagiola.

    Before defeating the bill, the committee rejected an attempt by Garagiola to amend the bill to narrow the ban to a list of 19 semiautomatic weapons covered by the current federal ban, which expires in September.

    The Montgomery County Democrat argued that Maryland should at least continue a ban on such currently prohibited weapons as Israel's Uzi and Russia's AK-47.

    "If we don't support this amendment today, this is really our last opportunity," Garagiola said.

    But Giannetti said Ehrlich had told him he would veto the bill even with the amendment.

    Early in the legislative session, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller had stated his intention to put such legislation on the governor's desk to force him to decide whether to cast a potentially unpopular veto.

    Voting for the bill were Garagiola, committee Chairman Brian E. Frosh and Sens. Jennie Forehand of Montgomery County, Ralph Hughes of Baltimore and Leo Green of Prince George's County. All are Democrats.

    Voting no were Giannetti, Democratic Sens. Philip C. Jimeno of Anne Arundel County and James Brochin of Baltimore County, and Republican Sens. Alex X. Mooney of Frederick County, Nancy Jacobs of Harford County and Larry E. Haines of Carroll County.

    Copyright © 2004, The Baltimore Sun

  2. From NRA ILA

    On Tuesday, March 16th, the Maryland House Judiciary Committee will be considering a package of gun bills, both pro-gun and anti-gun. Please make plans to attend the hearings on March 16th at 1:00 p.m. in the Judiciary Committee Room of the Lowe House Office Building, 84 College Avenue in Annapolis. If you can not attend the hearings, please be sure to contact your State Delegate and let your voice be heard. You can find contact information for your legislators by using the "Write Your Reps" feature found at NRA ILA or by calling the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at 1-800-392-8683.

    Among the bills being considered are:

    HB 251 & HB 410, which would repeal the current law requiring that all handguns undergo “ballistic fingerprinting” before they could be sold;

    HB 414 & HB 652, which would repeal the prohibition against a dealer selling or transferring specified handguns unless the handguns are equipped with an integrated mechanical safety device, a law which has resulted in a de facto handgun ban;

    HB 859, the Citizens’ Protection Act of 2004, which would make considerable improvements to the state’s current discriminatory concealed carry permit system -- changes which would allow all trained law-abiding citizens to obtain a permit to carry a firearm concealed for personal protection; and

    HB 1298, the Maryland Assault Weapons Ban of 2004, which proposes to BAN the possession of so-called "assault weapons" in Maryland. This onerous bill defines an "assault weapon" as any semi-automatic firearm which possesses even ONE cosmetic feature that is deemed unacceptable by the bill’s sponsors. The bill also bans "copycat guns"- anything the state thinks resembles an "assault weapon". In addition, the bill mandates registration of any such firearms that are already in private hands by a certain date.

    Please be sure to call your delegate today and let your voice be heard!

    S.

  3. Advocates reload on assault weapons ban

    http://www.gazette.net/200411/montg...e/205882-1.html

    by Steven T. Dennis

    Staff Writer

    March 10, 2004

    ANNAPOLIS -- In "The Princess Bride," friends of the tortured Westley turn to Miracle Max to bring him back to life.

    "Your friend here is only mostly dead," Max says. "There's a big difference between mostly dead and all dead."

    The chief sponsors of legislation to ban assault weapons are hoping that with a little parliamentary magic, they can breathe new life into their mostly dead legislation. But the question is whether the Senate's version of Miracle Max -- President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. -- will go along with their resuscitation operation.

    "It's going to come down to what the man with the red hair wants," said gun rights advocate and ban opponent Jim Purtilo in a reference to Miller (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach.

    Sen. John A. Giannetti Jr. (D-Dist. 21) of Laurel appeared to doom the bill by announcing that he would cast the deciding vote against it in committee, but backers are considering a variety of strategies to get the bill before the full Senate.

    "This is far, far from over," said Sen. Robert J. Garagiola (D-Dist. 15) of Germantown, thumbing the Senate rule book as he plotted strategy with the House sponsor, Del. Neil F. Quinter (D-Dist. 13) of Columbia.

    Quinter said they are looking at "a Chinese menu" of options.

    Garagiola introduced two bills Monday that opponents see as clear attempts to bypass the Judicial Proceedings Committee. One bill would ban assault weapons in polling places and likely be assigned to the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee; a second would impose a 10 percent "user fee" sales tax on assault weapons and would go to the Budget and Taxation Committee.

    Either bill could be amended on the floor to include the assault weapons ban, though Garagiola would not say that.

    "We're considering all of our options," he said with a smile.

    Among the other possible maneuvers are petitioning the bill to the Senate floor and appending the ban to Miller's bill designed to help Maryland handgun manufacturer Beretta meet the state's trigger lock requirement.

    In an interview Tuesday, Miller was not enthusiastic about using the unorthodox parliamentary maneuvers.

    "I don't like going through the back door when you should go through the front door," he said, adding that he is not looking for a protracted battle on the Senate floor.

    "We have enough divisive issues we're dealing with this session," he said, adding that he wants to "avoid as much acrimony as possible."

    Miller said the Senate is going to have to vote on tax bills and other important measures in the final weeks of the 90-day session, which ends next month.

    "If the bill dies, it's not the end of the world," he said.

    Quinter also hopes to push a ban through the House in an effort to turn up the heat on the Senate. Both Quinter and Garagiola have given up efforts to expand the federal ban to include so-called copycat weapons such as the Bushmaster rifle used in the 2002 sniper rampage. Instead, they are trying to extend the federal assault weapons ban that will expire in September.

    Garagiola noted that President George W. Bush ® and U.S. Attorney General John D. Ashcroft support maintaining the assault weapons ban but have been thwarted by congressional Republicans.

    Garagiola said he has commitments from 26 senators to vote for a continuation of the federal ban and predicted he would have the 29 votes needed to end a certain filibuster, provided he can get the bill to the Senate floor.

    Petitioning the bill to the floor requires just 24 votes -- a simple majority in the 47-member Senate -- but is frowned upon by Senate leadership because it weakens the hierarchical committee structure that is a key instrument of their power.

    Miller has said "the juice isn't worth the squeeze" to use such a maneuver, last used to pass the trigger lock bill in 2000.

    Senate Judicial Proceedings Chairman Brian E. Frosh (D-Dist. 16) of Bethesda supports the ban, but not an attempt to petition a bill to the floor. Frosh also said that he is not enamored of the Beretta bill either but has not given up hope of working something out.

    Giannetti opposed the ban after a personal lobbying effort by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. ® to kill it.

    Ehrlich spokesman Paul E. Schurick reiterated Tuesday that the governor opposes the bill and wants it dead. "We're committed," he said.

    Purtilo, publisher of the newsletter Tripwire, said opponents of the ban will treat Garagiola's new bills as if they are the assault weapons ban lest they morph into it on the Senate floor. Pushing through a ban would result in a backlash against conservative Democrats in difficult districts, he argued.

    "Miller has to decide which people he wants to sacrifice," Purtilo said.

    Staff Writer Thomas Dennison contributed to this report.

    Fellow 2A Marylanders,

    Mike Hough, from Sen. Mooney's office and Jared from Don Dwyer's office asked me to get an estimate of who plans to testify next week. On Tuesday, March 16th at 1:00, we have the House hearings, including the House AWB, and on Wednesday, March 17th, we have the Senate hearing, which includes the SB 1-37, "shall issue."

    Most of us will be hard pressed to attend both. Mike mentioned Sen. Mooney would like to have at least a dozen or so show up in support of his shall issue bill. Alex and his co-sponsors certainly deserve our support. Jared mentioned Del. Dwyer would like as many as we can get to bury the gun ban, and I'd like to bury it too. I'm going to try to do both, but it won't be easy. I don't know what else to say, other than do whatever you can. On Feb. 10th, 200 gun owners made a statement, and the legislature took notice, particularly swing voters like Brochin and Gianetti.

    I'd like to bury this gun ban for good, but I can guarantee you we'll see gun control introduced next year too. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

    Please contact myself, Mike, or Jared. Thanks.

    Mike Hough, 410.841.3575 Michaeljhough@aol.com

    Jared, 410.841.3298 Don_Dwyer@house.state.md.us

    Steve Dirlik

    Montgomery County Republican Central Committee, District 18

    10219 Day Ave

    Silver Spring, MD. 20910-1043

    301.962.1780

    dirlik@earthlink.net

  4. The Flanking Movement;

    SB 288 isn't quite dead yet... even though Senator Giannetti has indicated he won't vote for the bill, Senator Miller has indicated he might bring the billl to the floor through a seldom used loophole. This is how we got the Gun Safety Act of 2000... the one that requires all new handguns sold in Maryland to have an internal trigger lock.

    The Direct Assault:

    HB 1298 is the same bill except from the house side. Same firearm restrictions, THE SAME REGISTRATION OF SAID FIREARMS , just a better chance of this one getting to the floor; the bill has 70 sponsors, 9 of which are on the Judiciary Committee.*

    This upcoming week, we need to get back in the trenches...more calls, more e-mails. This POS and several others (including HB 859 , SHALL ISSUE CCW status for Marylanders) are scheduled to be heard on 16 Mar 04. Anyone who can get to Annapolis is encouraged to attend the hearings. Will post info when it's available.

    The members of the House Judiciary Committee:

    Carmen Amedori ® - 3371

    carmen_amedori@house.state.md.us

    Curtis Anderson (D)* - 3291

    curt_anderson@house.state.md.us

    Jill P. Carter (D) * - 3283

    jill_carter@house.state.md.us

    Katleen Dumais (D) * - 3052

    kathleen_dumais@house.state.md.us

    Donald Dwyer ®... on our side - 3047

    don_dwyer@house.state.md.us

    Ana Sol Gutierrez (D) * - 3181

    ana_gutierrez@house.state.md.us

    W. Louis Hennessy ® - 3247

    louis_hennessy@house.state.md.us

    Kevin Kelly (D) (No e-mail available)

    Susan C. Lee (D) * - 3019

    susan_lee@house.state.md.us

    Susan McComas ® - 3289

    susan_mccomas@house.state.md.us

    Herb McMillan ® - 3439

    herb_mcmillan@house.state.md.us

    Pauline H. Menes (D) * - 3114

    pauline_menes@house.state.md.us

    Anthony O'Donnell ® - 3314

    anthony_odonnell@house.state.md.us

    Carol Petzold (D) * - 3001

    carrol_petzold@house.state.md.us

    Neil F. Quinter (D) * - 3246

    neil_quinter@house.state.md.us

    Christopher Shank ® - 3447

    christopher_shank@house.state.md.us

    Luiz Simmons (D) * - 3037

    luiz_simmons@house.state.md.us

    Theodore Sophocleus (D) - 3233

    ted_sophocleus@house.state.md.us

    Robert Zirkin (D) * - 3342

    bobby_zirkin@house.state.md.us

    Have at them, guys!

    S.

    (All phone numbers in Annapolis are (410) 841- XXXX )

  5. Update: From Sen. Nancy Jacobs

    15 Feb 04

    Just a quick update as to what is going on with SB 288, the Assault Weapons Ban.  The bill was scheduled to be voted on yesterday, however it was held at the request of the sponsor.  This is good news for our side, since it means that they thought they had the votes when they scheduled it, but they didn't by the time it came up for a vote.  Undoubtedly, your activism played a role in this bill being held for now.  It could still be voted on at any time, but we've definitely slowed its progress.  I'll keep you posted as to what is going on.

    Thank you for your support of the Second Amendment.

    Nancy

    S.

  6. Last I heard (about 1830), the vote was 5 to 5 out of 11 members. Better than this A.M., but it means this might drag out for a bit longer. It also means getting more calls and e-mails out so we can kill this in committee, before it reaches the floor. Don't be afraid to repeat your calls... volume speaks louder than content in The Free State.

    Here is a link to those who are the members of the committee.

    http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdma...l/msa02795.html

    Judicial Proceedings Committee

    Brian E. Frosh ,Chair (410) 841-3124, (301) 858-3124

    brian_frosh@senate.state.md.us

    Leo E. Green ,Vice-Chair (410) 841-3631, (301) 858-3631

    leo_green@senate.state.md.us

    James Brochin (410) 841-3648, (301) 858-3648

    jim_brochin@senate.state.md.us

    Jennie M. Forehand (410) 841-3134, (301) 858-3134

    jennie_forehand@senate.state.md.us

    Robert J. Garagiola (410) 841-3169, (301) 858-3169

    rob_garagiola@senate.state.md.us

    John A. Giannetti, Jr. (410) 841-3141, (301) 858-3141

    john_giannetti@senate.state.md.us

    Larry E. Haines (410) 841-3683, (301) 858-3683

    larry_haines@senate.state.md.us

    Ralph M. Hughes (410) 841-3656, (301) 858-3656

    ralph_hughes@senate.state.md.us

    Nancy Jacobs (410) 841-3158, (301) 858-3158

    nancy_jacobs@senate.state.md.us

    Philip C. Jimeno (410) 841-3658, (301) 858-3658

    philip_jimeno@senate.state.md.us

    Alex X. Mooney (410) 841-3575, (301) 858-3575

    alex_mooney@senate.state.md.us

    If we kill this POS from a HUGE liberal state now, the VPC/Brady bunch won't have a leg to stand on when the Federal Ban comes around for review.

    Just food for thought.

    S.

  7. Marylanders: it's not too late to voice your opinion. Call tonight. Call again on Tuesday morning or just before 1:00pm. Give Particular Attention to Senators James Brochin and John Giannetti, and to Chairman Brian Frosh.

    Judicial Proceedings Committee

    Brian E. Frosh ,Chair (410) 841-3124, (301) 858-3124

    Leo E. Green ,Vice-Chair (410) 841-3631, (301) 858-3631

    James Brochin (410) 841-3648, (301) 858-3648

    Jennie M. Forehand (410) 841-3134, (301) 858-3134

    Robert J. Garagiola (410) 841-3169, (301) 858-3169

    John A. Giannetti, Jr. (410) 841-3141, (301) 858-3141

    Larry E. Haines (410) 841-3683, (301) 858-3683

    Ralph M. Hughes (410) 841-3656, (301) 858-3656

    Nancy Jacobs (410) 841-3158, (301) 858-3158

    Philip C. Jimeno (410) 841-3658, (301) 858-3658

    Alex X. Mooney (410) 841-3575, (301) 858-3575

    S.

  8. If you reside in the PRM, saddle up ASAFP. Our elected offal are pushing this POS through hard and fast.

    Here's a link to THR's forum thread with the bill at the top.

    This bill would also give them the ability to ban firearms both new and retroactively, mandetory registration of firearms included in the bill, including some shotguns and handguns.

    Get the e-mails out this weekend, and follow up on the phone Monday. Judicial Proceedings Committee is set for 10 Feb 04 at 1300. If you can make it to Annapolis, please be there.

    S

  9. I'm still in shock that I'm able to crank out so much ammo.... after reloading my first few 500 rd batches on a single stage, this seems like warp speed. I can't imagine how much of an improvement the roller handle would be... just one more thing to find out!

    Made out like a bandit... my father picked up the tab for the press as a birthday present, (~$315 through BE.. sweeet), so my only out of pocket expense was the emergency dash to the local Dillon dealer for the strong mounts ($36). Had the dies and components on hand.

    And the table looks like that once in a while! Thanks again for the bank of info here.

    S.

    (as in soon-to-be-less-suckful)

  10. Just want to say THANKS for the great deals on Dillon products, Bri!

    Dillon%202.jpg

    .45ACP

    Meister 200gr SWC

    ~4.6gr WST

    WLP

    Mixed Brass

    Done here:

    Loading%20Bench%202.jpg

    I'd also like to thank my father for a GREAT, AWESOME, WICKED COOL birthday present, my wife for tolerating my "hobby", Bubba the Tacti-kitty for not being interested in what's on the bench, the peanut gallery here for their depth of knowledge and wisdom, and Ann Coulter for...well...being Ann Coulter!

    Now I gotta go load up the "less photogenic" brass and go burn these bad boys up (in my continuing effort to NOT SUCK)!

    S.

    (A 40 year old who uses "wicked cool" in a sentence... something ain't right about that!)

  11. Right there with ya' mano. But look on the bright side... it's awfully quiet (all that Zen "stillness of a winter morning" stuff) so gathering your thoughts is MUCH easier... I get to the paper before wife cuts the coupons... and on my days off, I can GO BACK TO BED!

    Scott

  12. At the shorter ranges and/or smaller angles, it's not that important. For your scenario, a 400 yd slope range and an ele difference of 250 ft / 83.33 yds equals a horizontal range of 391yds. Even if both the slope range and elevation were doubled, the horizontal range would be close to the slope range...The angle must be extreme (>25 degrees or so) for it to have any impact on sight adjustments and POI.

    I've heard most of the explainations trying to account for the condition and I really couldn't give a rats FFA about why it happens. The "big dogs" have bigger sheepskins than I do and more time and money to figure this out... and it's still irrelevent.

    What's important here is knowing how to shoot the condition, how to hit the target. Personally I'll wait until a solid, concrete series of data sets is collected before I pin my belief system into a single hypothesis, and pay more attention to things like windage and temp than the rare extreme angle shot.

    FWIW,

    Scott

  13. I posted a thread on The High Road about angle fire. For most shooting it's not as much of a factor as wind, temp and baro pressure. Only when the distances and/or the angle are extreme does the need for correction occur. The most effective sight correction method at any range / angle is

    Slope range scope adjustment (in MOA) X (cos slope angle) = corrected scope adjustment (in MOA).

    Another post has Sierra's latest offering about angle fire.

    Hope this helps.

    Scott

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