http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JdjRwC0JsE&list=UUfR6kiQaeJLkxUyPaeouZTw&index=1Information about the standard cap bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H0242.0.html&session=ls88
I am starting another running commentary post dedicated to the 6:00PM magazine hearing. Apologies for the poor texting mobile posts.
I am the guy in the white three button shirt, third from the wall on my right, second row.
6 antis to about 170 pro gun persons in the main room.
It hasn't started yet but an iron range Democrat said he was against every anti gun bill. Loud applause. He said he could not stay for the hearing. He said it was not a right vs left issue.
The anti gun rabbi called an opponent a doush.
6:02 starting.
HF-307 would make unelected chiefs the people who handle permits for carry not elected sheriff's. The chiefs organisation is neutral on the issue. (Anti gun person's claim I am not sure if it is true)
Some cities would have to hire more staff.
The anti lady is for chiefs issuing, gambuchi so. Says they are more pro safety and we have more local control over them.
The pro gun guy is strongly against the bill. Talks of past abuses and threats by chiefs (which they did go through with) of stopping permits for political reasons by appointed chiefs.
Would go from 87 sheriff's to 600 chiefs.
Chiefs openly said in 1996 they would refuse to obey the law, and they did. This is part of why sheriffs handle permits now.
One rep says chiefs are more local, our guy professor Olson is debating that.
One pro gun rep noted that neither chiefs nor sheriff's care, and that this is coming from elsewhere.
This should be streamed live from somewhere, but I can't find it now. YouTube will have it soon.
Moving on to the mag limit bill. HR242
There will be many people testifying.
Heather leader of an anti group is going first. She had a picture of a tactical guy with a beta c mag AR-15.
Says mass shootings are on the rise. She comes from a hunting family.
Each side gets 30 minutes. Then the public goes.
Big lie: no civilian has ever needed more than six rounds. The guy she is speaking for who didn't show up is really laying it on thick.
Said police don't need more than 5 rounds.
Someone spoke of a mass shooting that used two 15 round magazines.
Reading Scalia's comments on Heller.
6:58) Some one who owns six guns doesn't like the NRA and Its tone with the politics, and how militant it is, and the focus on self defence, and misses the 70s gun safety. Thinks most gun owners are anti gun.
Tom Goldstein: movie shooting, said a friend died in a shooting.
Says that registration does not lead to confiscation (which is ironic because this bill would confiscate magazines.)
7:08 anti gun side done. Puts up sandy hook victim photos. Says this state is the only one where anything is happening. (Obvious lie re NY.)
A rep is ripping them a new one. Asking if cops want to give up high caps, answer no. Chiefs of Police organisation is not anti AR-15 or standard cap mags.
This phone and auto correct is kicking my rear.
The fact correction by rep phase of this hearing is just awesome. The anti gun side's few arguments are being cut up.
A rep commented on how the bills author was not present. And on how so many "clips" are out there.
Female rep asks about cost to comply, brings up poor people. Anti person says mags are cheap to buy or modify. Much laughter from the audience.
7:22 some citizens who testified for the bill left the room.
NRA guy speaks. Nice guy BTW, I talked to him between hearings. He does well.
Shooting sport guy spoke. Said they need standard cap mags.
Sheriff deputy spoke, says he needs high caps, carries 3, 13 round mags on job despite backup. Needs his AR-15. Said converting to 10 round mags would be expensive and that normal people need standard cap mags.
Another gun guy up, says effectiveness of gun laws is impossible.
Professor Olson is up: referring to an analysis
I just noticed that channel 11 left the room.
Olson talks about asset forfeiture. Mentions what anti gun lady said.
Mentions a shooting, 5 hits bad guy lived. Says Heller protects magazines. Police need and use high cap and AR-15.
7:49) Now it is the public's turn to comment.
One military guy says high caps needed for fights, but mass shootings take minutes.
7:58) guy says this bill (auto correct keeps trying top say bull) would never survive court challenge.
8:07) the other media camera guy left.
Various sport shooters are speaking.
8:10) Virginia Tech had 13, 10 round mags and lots of time. Bad guys pick their encounter, good guys can't carry 13 mags.
8:22) a lady gave a great speech.
8:24) some guy I is talking about an invasion of Alaska. Not making us look good.
8:29) anti gun lady is leaving, as are the rest of the antis
8:36PM / 2:34 YouTube Video) Awesome speech about high capacity gangs and how funny this bill is when you replace the word "magazine" with "gang member." Worth a watch.
8:52) I am very tempted to mention 3d printers.
9:31) Never mind I won't have time.
I didn't have time to blog and write a speech at the same time. So I failed to mention a few good ones.
I will think this through and likely let someone from MN GOCRA present it.
The anti gun lady came back around 9:00PM.
9:45 an anti gun lady is speaking. Nothing specific, wants them to basically "do
something." Says non gun owners are the majority.
9:50 a lady did a great job, called out the anti gun lady's use of victims photo.
9:51 another good job by an older gentlemen.
Phone battery almost dead.
10:03 last speaker.
10:05 Few legislators spoke, will make some fixes when I get home. And correct and add names tomorrow.
We were the second biggest group in memory, and were thanked for our politeness by the anti gun reps.
