NFOA MEMBERS FORUM
General Categories => Laws and Legislation => Topic started by: JimP on December 11, 2007, 10:56:25 PM
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State Sen. Ashford has proposed new Gun Legislation: www.kmtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7477366
Tell him what you think Here: bashford@leg.ne.gov
Then go here and find YOUR State Senator's e-mail: http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/web/public/senators/bios
Tell Him or Her what you think.
Remember: Polite. Keep Mr. Logic on our side,and leave the Emo-rants to the Antis.....
This is something only YOU can do for our cause. You can only do what you can do..... do not fail to do that.
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and once you get that done, send a note to the folks that bankroll this guy's campaigns, the Nebraska Republican Party. I groused about how this was supposed to be the Party of Reagan, King of deregulation. This was supposed to be the party of Limited Government and Personal Responsibility........ what were getting is ever expanding .gov, endless nanny statism, unchecked illegal immigration...... no wonder they got their a$$es handed to them last time around......
send your thoughts here: info@negop.org
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Thanks for the links JimP
It is EXTREMELY important that we make our voices heard. Talking about it here on a pro gun forum is fine, but it really doesn't do a whole lot to further our cause. We HAVE to voice our opinions to people like Sen. Ashford to have much chance of making a difference.
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I'll be sending him and the NE Gop a note.
I think this is only the beginning of new gun legislation. The politicos know now is the time to act while they can get the sympathy from the general public after the shooting. We need to stop Ashford now so it will send a message to the other senators.
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10Q, Engineer.
Spread the word. Post those links elswhere. I put it on 2 boards, If each of us put it on two other boards..... I've done this and ccwne...... let's make that happen.
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Folks, this just went from bad to worse. We ALL need to take action NOW. I don't care if you're busy. I don't care if you have lunch plans, I don't care if your favorite show is on tonight, I don't care. Stop what you are doing and start writing and/or calling your representatives. Contact dip**** Ashford and all the other mush for brains senators that advanced this bill. People, I can't say it any clearer, THESE PEOPLE ARE COMING FOR YOUR GUNS. Maybe not all in one fell swoop, but they want them ALL. If you are reading this post, then you should be sending a letter or making a phone call, or both.
Measure targeting assault weapons sent to the floor
BY LESLIE REED
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
LINCOLN - A heavily rewritten gun-control bill takes aim at assault weapons and, if approved by the Legislature, could lead to the banning of certain firearms in Nebraska.
As amended by the Judiciary Committee, Legislative Bill 958 would create a seven-member law enforcement commission to develop a list of guns deemed "inherently dangerous."
The Legislature would vote on whether to ban the weapons for sale or resale in Nebraska. The commission would be required to update the list every two years.
The committee sent the amended bill to the full Legislature on a 6-0 vote Wednesday.
All of the bill's original provisions were stripped out. Those provisions required that all guns be sold with a gun lock or trigger lock, that the loss or theft of a gun be reported to authorities within 48 hours and that people convicted of gun felonies go to prison for at least five years.
State Sen. Brad Ashford, sponsor of the bill and amendment, said he decided this week that the original provisions would do little to prevent another incident like the Von Maur shootings at Omaha's Westroads Mall.
After briefly considering requiring permits to purchase any firearm, whether handgun or long gun, he decided to focus on what he called "military-style" weapons.
"The assault weapons are the problem," he said. "There are some guns that are so inherently dangerous - they have no purpose for hunting. Those are the weapons we need to consider taking off the street."
A representative of the National Rifle Association expressed concern about the amended bill.
"If they want to systematically take away guns every two years, that sounds terrible," said Jordan Austin, government liaison for the group.
Eight people were killed in December at the Von Maur department store by a disturbed 19-year-old man armed with a semiautomatic rifle. The shooter killed himself.
Ashford proposes a governor-appointed commission of representatives from the State Patrol, the City of Omaha and a city other than Omaha; the governor, the attorney general and the Judiciary Committee chairman or their designees; and a firearms retailer.
The panel would define assault weapons, using criteria specified in the bill, and identify a list of weapons that meet those characteristics to be presented to the Legislature.
Ashford said it's possible that the commission would recommend that no guns be banned, but the approach would give law enforcement and other weapons professionals an opportunity to "take a crack at the issue."
"Nebraska has many avid hunters and sportsmen," the Omaha lawmaker said. "We have the expertise and knowledge to set these kinds of standards, and we should set the standards."
The bill describes the general characteristics of an assault weapon this way:
? A semiautomatic center-fire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine, with any one of the following: a pistol grip protruding conspicuously beneath the weapon's action; a thumbhole stock; a folding or telescoping stock; a grenade launcher or flare launcher; a flash suppressor; or a forward pistol grip.
? A semiautomatic center-fire rifle with a fixed magazine with capacity for more than 10 rounds.
? A semiautomatic center-fire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.
Antique or collectible weapons with their firing pins removed would not be considered assault weapons.
Austin objected to these definitions, saying "assault weapon" is a scare-tactic term that has little real meaning.
He said a semiautomatic rifle is no different from a semiautomatic handgun; both fire one bullet for each trigger pull.
The rifle, however, has cosmetic features to make it seem more dangerous, Austin said.
"If they can justify taking away the long gun, they can justify taking away the short gun," he said.
Voting with Ashford to advance the bill were Sens. DiAnna Schimek and Amanda McGill, both of Lincoln, Vickie McDonald of St. Paul, and Ernie Chambers and Steve Lathrop, both of Omaha. Sens. Dwite Pedersen and Pete Pirsch, both of Omaha, abstained.
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A much as I want to, I can not take any time off of work today, but I can make some free time tonight. If there is anyone that can take the time to start putting together the wording for a one page flyer briefly explaining to people why an "assault" rifle is not what they think it is and what Ashford is trying to do and why they need to get involved etc etc, I will donate the paper and the ink and whatever time it takes to add to it and will print off as many copies as I can and spend as many hours as I can spreading these things everywhere I can think of. I don't know if it will do any good, but I'll stick a flyer in every bar, restraunt, convenience store, and every public display board I can find, and will hit as many parking lots and side streets as I can sticking them on windshields.
Is there anyone that will help me with this?
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Well, I wrote to whoever was appropriate in this matter. I stopped just short of calling Ashford a pinko commie and threatening civil war. I truly hope that common sense prevails in this situation. Everyone MUST take action in this situation!
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If this keeps up, I am deathly afraid that my government will end up on the business end of my duty as a soldier to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies foreign and domestic". No matter how much arguing goes on, the Constitution still states that the rights of the individual shall not be infringed. The second amendment is not just describing the National Guard or the Army.
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Senator Pankonin,
Senator Ashford's lb958 fails the most basic test for any law: it does not
solve any of the problems it is supposed to. Sen. Ashford came up with this
bill "in response to the von Maur tragedy". NOTHING in this bill will prevent a
determined homicidal nut from getting ahold of any weaponry he wants, if he
wants it bad enough. The proposed ban on "assault weapons" would not work, as
MARIJAUNA IS BANNED, yet nut that committed the von Maur atrocity used it
regularly. Had the gun he used had a trigger lock on it, a pair of vice grips,
a drill and 10 minutes would have defeated that. I, myself, have most of my
guns locked in a gunsafe, but given 30 minutes and an angle grinder, a thief
could clean that out.
This bill is an emotionally driven attempt "to do something" in the wake of von
Maur. Senator Ashford admitted as much at the judiciary hearing I attended
recently, when he asked "Are we supposed to do NOTHING?" So we adopt this law,
and when it happens again, we make the law stricter, ignoring the fact that
nuts and criminals IGNORE THE LAW, however strict or lenient it may be?
My answer is this: These nutcases target places that they KNOW that they will
be the only ones with a gun. They don't shoot up court houses, or police
stations. They go to places like Churches and Shopping malls. Eliminate the gun
free zones (all of them at once) or make places that do not allow the licensed
CHP holders to defend themselves assume liability for those they require to be
disarmed. Look at it logically: There will always be nuts. You cannot prevent
them from getting a weapon. What you can do is put some doubt in their mind
that they will be able to kill innocent people until they get tired of doing
so. My answer would not be popular with the Judiciary Comittee, as it expands
individual liberty instead of the State's power.
Gun control has never been about guns. It is about control. I have serious
doubts that thousands of gun owners in Nebraska will stand for some Blue Ribbon
Panel in Lincoln telling them which guns they can have in their closet, gun
cabinet, or safe. I also doubt that such a panel would pass Constitutional
muster (Art. I-1, in particular.)
Sincerely,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You know, England's wonderful gun laws began with a ban on military style semi-automatic rifles, after a mass shooting (Hungerford). Gun owners of other types of guns were assured that THEIR guns were safe. Then handguns were banned (after the Dublane Massacre). "Your hunting guns are safe." Then repeating shotguns were dis-allowed. Then storage regulations were tightened. More regulations and red tape added, until as it stands today, there are virtually no law abiding gun owners left.
Tell your gun owning friends, whether or not they have or even LIKE AK-47s, that this gun control measure is NOT about guns. It is about CONTROL. Once they have "assault weapons", they won't rest. Next will be some other subset of firearms owners...... a piece at a time until we have NOTHING. Have you written/e-mailed your Senator? Have you called 2 friends to get them to do the same? Why are you still reading this? GET CRACKIN'!
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Jay, can you move the links in the top post here to the "Information Arsenal"? I can't think of any more important information at the moment.
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How many e-mails/letters have you sent? Phone calls?
Myself, 2 full page e-mails, 1 to a non-gun person (she's big on individual rights).
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Sorry, I was sick as a dog last night and didn't get everything finished that I wanted to. If I get a chance to take a lunch today, I'll get the links moved.
I was going to post some sample letters and such after work last night, but I was moving pretty slowly and thought that e-mails and phone calls were more important at the time.
I have e-mailed senators, called and e-mailed potential allies, started a list of contacts that I intend to get ahold of this weekend, posted responses on several non-gun forums, and spoken with several people in person about this. I have started the wording for a brief flier and mass e-mail which I hope to finish up tonight. I am still not feeling 100%, but I'm making progress. I hope to make a full out blitz on this this weekend.
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Tomorrow morning at 7AM there is an Outdoor show on KFAB. I'll try to call in on that.
I e-mailed Ashford...... I was as civil as I could be. It took me 3 drafts to tone it down...... I did the best I could, but it still sounded hostile.
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We're on our way out the door for a little open carry window shopping today. Hopefully we can strike up some good conversations about Ashford and his piece of crap bill.
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Any word on how this is going? I am pretty scared since they passed that smoking ban so easily. So much for local control being important. :P
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The thing that kills me is that "local control" does not matter in the case of smoking, but statewide pre-emption of local laws (not to mention INTERSTATE reciprocity) cannot happen out of concern for "local control". Mr. Logic is absent, somewhere in there....
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LB 958 is on the agenda for Tuesday march 4th.
Call and write your Senators some more!
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Well after much typing i think I made my voice heard on this issue. This bill scares the crap out of me.
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This bill scares the crap out of me
As well it should. It is Socialism. We have seen this monster show up, disarm populations of democratic nation, and then proceed to kill them in the millions. All in the name of Public Safety.
If you saw a creature show up at several houses down the street, convince the homeowner to divest himself of all his firearms, and then proceed to drag family members into the backyard and kill them, would you not be alarmed? This critter has already convinced our nearest relative (England) who lives across the street, to get rid of his guns. Now he is nosing around here, telling us that we have no use for "assault weapons", and they are "to inherently dangerous" for us to own........
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Hey, after a week of misery, I can sit at the computer this morning long enough to type something without having to stop mid sentence to run to the bathroom! ;D Uggh, I hate being sick!
Jim is right, this monster is not an imaginary one hiding in our closets or under our beds. It is as real as you and I, and it has an appetite for our rights. When I was a kid, I was afraid of monsters and preferred to hide under the covers when confronted with one.
Guess what, I'm not a kid anymore, and there will be no more hiding under the sheets.
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Lets all keep our fingers crossed. Does anyone know where the Gov stands on this bill??
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He's ex military and generally pretty level headed, but after the vote on the smoking ban, I'm starting to wonder.... ???
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Word from the floor is that this bill is not heavily supported and the senators are feeling the heat from the gunnies.
Which is good.
But we can't let up know. As Jay wisely recommends, keep it polite and civil. Let the antis be the raging emo-heads.
As for the Guv, he's pretty good on gun issues. A friend who used to be the press sec has tried to assure me the Guv is on our side.
But we cannot depend on the pols. We need to act and act now.
If any of you get a response from a senator, please let me know. I have a scorecard up at The Shack and want to keep it fresh. There are a few friendlies on the floor looking to we the gunnies for their intel.
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I saw this at Lady Tamara's today, and it reminded me of the Judiciary Comittee Hearings, where in answer to all our complaints about the bill, the Comittee basically said "Do you suggest we do NOTHING?"....... My answer is : "No, I suggest you get out of the way and stop hindering those who would take care of their own security." Tam quotes Henry David Thoreau:
"I'll leave you with a quote from noted hardcore conservative thinker, Hank Thoreau: "
"Yet this government never of itself furthered any enterprise, but by the alacrity with which it got out of its way. It does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate. The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way. For government is an expedient, by which men would fain succeed in letting one another alone; and, as has been said, when it is most expedient, the governed are most let alone by it. Trade and commerce, if they were not made of india-rubber, would never manage to bounce over obstacles which legislators are continually putting in their way; and if one were to judge these men wholly by the effects of their actions and not partly by their intentions, they would deserve to be classed and punished with those mischievous persons who put obstructions on the railroads.""
Ashford's intentions may well be GOOD intentions. That said, I'll remind you to take a gander at the paving material specifications of the Road to Hell................. the effects of this bill are not a GOOD THING, regardless of the intentions.
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There is another new revision to Ashfords bill.
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yep, check out the latest over at Joe's Crabby Shack
http://joemerchant24.blogspot.com/
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The danger with the latest amendment (AM2235) is that the bill looks more acceptable. Basically, it's a return to the original bill just using an already established (and anti-gun) panel.
But, it's an anti-crime bill now. Who wants to vote against an anti-crime bill?
Word from the floor is that there is still little support, but this bill is a little more palatable to the neutrals.
In other words... Don't hesitate to make your voice heard. Call, write, or e-mail today.
There is a chance this is debated today... tomorrow almost certainly. DON'T WAIT!!
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Changes made, again, First round approval, NRA apparently drops opposition, Assford comes out looking like a hero, it is taking every ounce of strength I have right now to not say what I want to say. I want to study this a bit more to make sure I know what I am talking about before I blow up publicly, but my first impression is that we all just got thrown under the bus.
Why in the hell do we keep compromising ourselves right into oblivion?
What happens when the NICS is "down"?
Why do we want the government tracking our purchases?
I must be missing something, but for the life of me I can't figure out why dropping the purchase permit in exchange for having to complete an NICS check on every purchase was such a big deal to the NRA?
I am really confused here, folks. Really worried, and really confused.
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Well, I've pretty much made up my mind now that this is BAD news. We had a decisive victory in our sights and at the end of the day today we walked away with a LOSS. **** the NRA for once again ****ting on us and basically allowing this to happen. The suspension of the purchase permit in exchange for a NICS check is a BAD move, and unbelievably that change was the whole bargaining chip that the NRA said would move them to cease opposition to Assford's bill. We need to take action NOW, folks. Take the morning off tomorrow if you have to and contact your reps. Don't give Asshat this victory! I'll leave you with some questions I posed over at Joe's...
Why do we keep compromising ourselves into the ground? Why do we want to have to rely on a computer system run by and monitored by our government to be able to purchase a firearm? Why is that any better than a once every three years purchase permit? Why do we negotiate with the biggest enemy of law abiding firearm owners in the state when we very well may have had enough support to flat out knock his bill on its ass and send a definitive message to him and anyone else thinking about trying a similar stunt that we are FINISHED giving away our rights? Why does the NRA want to give in and make this knothead look like a hero in front of all of Nebraska by letting him take credit for "finding common ground"? Do you really believe Assford really gives a flying crap about my rights? About YOUR rights? Why do we want to send the message that firearms ARE part of the problem and we as gun owners need the crime commission to look at gun violence? When are we going to say "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!" and start fighting to win back our rights that we have let get widdled away instead of continuing to make unnecessary compromises with people whos ultimate goal is the complete elimination of legally owned firearms in our country? How can we ever expect to win this war when we are content with battles that end in draws because our mentality is that at least it was not a defeat?
March 12, 2008 6:29 PM
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Aaaaand speaking of Joe's...
I need all of you to pop over to The Shack and post your answer to this question:
Would you be willing to keep the purchase permit system if it meant the end for LB958?
There are several lawmakers watching that post. If we can assure them that A LOT OF US disagree with the National Rat-Bastard Association, we can maybe get back the five votes that promised to kill LB958.
I think the confusion of the last minute flip-flop on LB958 by Mr. Jordon Austin of the NRA, may have caused the switch.
Anyway, don't reply here, as the politicos are watching the IMPORTANT QUESTION post at The Shack.
Thanks for your answer, Jay. I was unclear on your position.... :)
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The thing to keep in mind is that the Nebraska Legislature is a UNICAMERAL . There is only one body, a "senate" apportioned based on population, the only one of its kind- even Maine realized it was a BAD THING. Also, these people are only in session a very short time. Things happen very fast, if at all. Note the sneaky underhanded way CCW got banned from Universities last fall.....this Gun Crime Commission would be a de-facto anti-gun platform that would generate legislation EVERY two years. It would not be subject to term limits as the Antis on the Judiciary Committee ARE. We couldn't even vote them out of office if they pissed us off, as they are POLITICAL APPOINTEES! If we get an anti for a Governor (We've had Democrats as Governor, Ashford is a Republican, hell it COULD happen!) then you would have an assault weapons bill, sure as shootin'.
I replied here, Joe's, ccwne, Snowflakes in Hell, ............. spread the word: Kill the Bill.
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Just bringing this old thread back up to remind everyone of Assford's tactics.
Trying to "do something" that doesn't really do anything to fix the original problem.
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He's back at it... I just heard on KETV that he wants to introduce storage legislation that would penalize the parent if the child took a gun and committed a criminal act... I'm not sure on everything said I just heard it in passing while I was doing something else... He needs to be out and out soon...
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I found this on the LJS site...
http://journalstar.com/news/unicameral/article_da1e976c-d2af-5c34-8ac6-c0e79617f212.html (http://journalstar.com/news/unicameral/article_da1e976c-d2af-5c34-8ac6-c0e79617f212.html)
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I found this on the LJS site...
http://journalstar.com/news/unicameral/article_da1e976c-d2af-5c34-8ac6-c0e79617f212.html (http://journalstar.com/news/unicameral/article_da1e976c-d2af-5c34-8ac6-c0e79617f212.html)
"It's easy ... to get those guns secured," said Ashford, chairman of the Judiciary Committee. "It's adult responsibility. I'm all for gun training and the right to carry a concealed weapon ...
"I'm all for gun training and the right to carry a concealed weapon...."
Horsefeathers. Your voting record says different, Asshford. What your voting record says to me is that it is the Government's job to DO SOMETHING every time something happens. Why you are a Republican and seem to think More Government is the answer to every problem is my question to you, Sir! The Republican Party says it is the Party of Reagan: How is your voting record supporting a platform of Limited Government and Personal Responsibility?
Singing to the choir here....... how bout all the choir members here, regardless of political party affiliation, email the Nebraska Republican Party and point this RINO out?
From the Nebrasaka Republican Party Constitution:
The NEBRASKA REPUBLICAN PARTY emphasizes its belief in personal responsibility and limited government interference in the lives of our citizens.
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You can't fix crazy, and charging somebody else for the actions of another ( crazy) person won't stop the bloodshed.
All this law will do is add expense and liability to owning a gun. Ashford knows this, but that suits him just fine: it fits in with his voting record. Watch what he DOES, not what he SAYS. What he does is attempt to expand the size of Government, and attempt to discourage the excercise of the 2nd Amendment. Smaller Government and Personal Responsibility my fuzzy butt!
Email the GOP at info@negop.org
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Question: Is it not already a (federal?) law that you can't supply a handgun gun to a minor?
If so, isn't Asshford just making another feel good, DO SOMETHING! show after another tradgedy( Shocking, isn't it? :dink:).
Kids can't legally own a gun. The law he proposes won't apply to a gun that was stolen: if it was taken without permission, it was in fact stolen.
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My letter to the NE GOP:
It has come to my attention that Sen. Brad Ashford is once again feeling compelled to "DO SOMETHING!" in the wake of another shooting.
http://journalstar.com/news/unicameral/article_da1e976c-d2af-5c34-8ac6-c0e79617f212.html
This is nothing more than a feel good measure: it would not apply to stolen guns, and any gun taken without permission is a stolen gun. It is more useless clutter and does not square well with the NE Republican Party Constitution, which says,
" The NEBRASKA REPUBLICAN PARTY emphasizes its belief in personal responsibility and limited government interference in the lives of our citizens. "
Civil liability and existing laws (applied equitably) should do more than enough to encourage people to secure their firearms from someone who would not use it responsibly. You can not legislate common sense, yet here Sen. Ashford is at it again, piling on more laws in a vain attempt to "DO SOMETHING!" .....
I ask you: How does this promote Less Government? Personal responsibility? I would not vote for this guy if Steve Achepol or Tom White were running against him: I'm tired of choosing the lesser of two evils! You saw what happened when a RINO ran on a national level in '08. Keep supporting him at your peril.
Who's next?
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Horsefeathers. Your voting record says different, Asshford. What your voting record says to me is that it is the Government's job to DO SOMETHING every time something happens. Why you are a Republican and seem to think More Government is the answer to every problem is my question to you, Sir! The Republican Party says it is the Party of Reagan: How is your voting record supporting a platform of Limited Government and Personal Responsibility?
Well, JimP: Ashford was a Democrat just a few months before the election. He switched from Democrat to Republican I think sometime in the summer. This should explain why he does what he does. Switching parties has of course not changed his long held personal messed up worldview. Plus he ran unopposed this election so we are stuck with him for now.
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There are ust too many folks that vote according to the letter that follows the name: They see an "R" and figure this guy must be alright.
The way I see it, there are 2 things that need to be done:
1. Inform the people: tell your friends in his district. They need to know that the "R" after his name stands for "RINO".
2. Inform the NE Republican party that the tent is not that big, and if it IS, you don't want to be in it: Either the Republican Party's Constitution, or any Constitution means what it says, or it means nothing. Write them, and say so.
The fact that this is the best they have to offer does not speak well of them at all. Better to offer nothing than a wolf in sheep's clothing.
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The thing is, the people of Assford's district seem to be just pleased as punch of the work he is doing for them, otherwise someone would have made to effort to run against him last Nov.
The Dems see that he is a progressive liberal and could care less about the R behind his name.
The Repubs(fairly few in his district anyway) just seem to vote for him out of complacency and lack of other options.
Darn, couldn't find that darn H key again. Must be something wrong with this keyboard. :angel1:
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I live in District 20 and have voiced my opinions to him many times. Via email, snail mail, and even attended a public meeting with him where I brought LB430 and state preemption of firearm laws to his attention.
I also wrote in "Donald Duck" for my District 20 representative in the last election. He evidently didn't receive enough votes to be officially recorded.
Senator Ashford represents himself, not District 20.
>:D
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I hear ya. I didn't mean that ALL of the voters in Dist. 20 approve of him, though it seems to be that the majority do.
Unfortunately.
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I think the numbers suggest that the majority didn't care to even vote. But, you know how it is sometimes; people will vote for a name they recognize even though a lot of them couldn't tell you much about who they are voting for.
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So ..... how many of you have let the NE GOP know your feelings? Preaching to the choir is cathartic, but not really productive: Get Crackin' !
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Right now is not the time for NFOA members to try and make enemies with the Senator who holds the gate key to the Judiciary Committee. After the session, I think would be a great time to level a full out campaign with our members writing the NE GOP.
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Right now is not the time for NFOA members to try and make enemies with the Senator who holds the gate key to the Judiciary Committee. After the session, I think would be a great time to level a full out campaign with our members writing the NE GOP.
Agreed.
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ditto....