Daily Digest: Ringing Steel Edition

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley signed a bill into law today allowing concealed carry permit holders to carry their weapons into establishments that serve alcohol. The law still allows establishments to bar guns from their premises, if they so choose. The South Carolina chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is predictably having kittens over the new law, and vowing to ensure that SC businesses are fully informed of their right to prohibit firearms on their premises. There are specific sign requirements to make that happen, which MDAGSA also decried, saying “the state has made requirements for signs prohibiting firearms so complex, it has been difficult for businesses to meet these requirements.” Or maybe they just don’t want to. Read on . . .

In the latest example of the rule that “criminals don’t care about background checks,” police say a handgun used to shoot up a Hartford, Connecticut bar last Sunday night came from a shipment of guns hijacked by a Bridgeport man in 2012. This is the second handgun to be found in criminal hands from the 111-gun shipment that was stolen last year; the other was used in the stick-up of more than a half-dozen gas stations, fast food restaurants and convenience stores in the area. Police say more than 80 of the guns from that shipment are still unaccounted for. The man apprehended in the series of stick-ups said he bought the gun from a man who had several guns laid out for sale, all matching Smith & Wessons. At the time, Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch said, “This incident is a perfect example of why we need stronger gun laws in the United States. Loopholes need to be tightened up.” This idiot just doesn’t get it. Not a single existing law prevented any of that criminal activity from taking place, and he thinks adding more laws would miraculously change that.

The Ashland, Oregon City Council held an open forum on some proposed firearms ordinances recently, and a local citizen appeared to advocate that they were not, in fact, strong enough. It’s worth a watch.

I don’t hear too many readers talk about living in Pennsylvania, but if you do, here’s an alert to contact your representatives. House Bill 2011 was introduced Thursday by pro-gun Representative Mark Keller. If passed, HB 2011 would strengthen Pennsylvania’s firearms preemption laws to help ensure consistent laws throughout the state. Pennsylvania already has a preemption law on the books, but according to The Daily Caller, nearly fifty local governments have enacted gun control ordinances in violation of that preemption. Time to get on the phones. If you don’t know who your representative is, there’s a finder at the link above.

The Calguns Foundation is issuing a warning to gun owners throughout California in the wake of numerous reports of improper arrests and firearms seizures. Brandon Combs, executive director of Calguns, said, “Gun confiscation efforts pushed by Attorney General Kamala Harris have apparently led to unconstitutional arrests of regular, non-prohibited gun owners as well as the seizure of their firearms and ammunition.” The warning tells gun owners that “should you be contacted by law enforcement, be polite but prepared to exercise your rights. For instance, should a warrant be served upon you, do not physically resist the officers but do remain silent and contact your attorney as soon as possible. Do not consent to any search and remember that you are not required to volunteer information or open locked containers.” Calguns operates a Help Hotline for firearms-related legal issues. The Hotline can be reached at www.calgunsfoundation.org/hotline or (800) 556-2109.

Apparently the U.S. government gets tetchy when you infringe on their turf, e.g. smuggling guns and ammo into Mexico. Friday evening in Del Rio, Texas, two men from New Braunfels, TX were found guilty on multiple counts of smuggling ammunition from the U.S. into Mexico. Evidence showed that in late 2011 and early 2012, the brothers purchased more than 15,000 rounds of ammunition and 400 “assault rifle magazines” intended for transport into Mexico. In December 2011, USBP agents seized part of the ammunition along with 23 “assault rifles” near the Rio Grande river. Both men are in custody pending sentencing; each charge can carry penalties of up to 10 years and $250,000.

Kyle goes for some fun with his “Custom Fugly Mosin Nagant.” This is clearly still from the pack of videos shot when Richard Ryan was helping him out with the high-speed video, so it’s got some reasonably cool shots that way. Not up to RatedRR’s standards, of course, but then Richard’s gotta keep the good stuff for himself.