Eric Holder just said what he intends in regards to gun laws.

[Manedwolf]

And he's freaking CLUELESS. Cop-killer bullets? WHAT?

Today's first confirmation hearing. No definitive answers, but at least we know where he stands. He doesn't like them. And he "hasn't contemplated" an AWB (ha), but thinks an AWB would be okay with Heller. Yay. This as the attorney general.

COBURN: Since we only have five minutes, I want to go back to guns just for a minute. Do you have any plans to issue regulations or seek a change in the concealed carry laws of the states or have a federal regulation that might impact those?

HOLDER: That has not been something that I have discussed with anybody in the administration. It's nothing that I've contemplated.

COBURN: It's nothing you're contemplating.

And I understand President-elect Obama does have an opinion on "assault weapons," quote, "assault weapons." Can you tell me what your plans are and how you view that and whether or not you think that may or not be reinstituted?

HOLDER: Yes.

I think you had asked me earlier about the regulations that I thought might still exist, post-Heller. And I had mentioned, I think, closing the gun show loophole, the banning of cop-killer bullets and I also think that making the assault weapons ban permanent would be something that would be permitted under Heller, and I also think would be good for my law enforcement perspective.

COBURN: OK. Thank you.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/us/politics/16text-holder.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

And a bit more. Weasel weasel squirm here. I am so glad Coburn was asking questions.

COBURN: Thank you.

And then my last question about guns. Promise, I'll never ask you another one in the committee hearing. And all I want is a yes or no, because I think people need to hear where you're going on this. There's some uneasiness among the second amendment crowd in this country, and what I'm trying to do is clarify that.

Will you commit to protect and preserve the rights of those 40 states that have a -right-to-carry law by opposing legislation that would encroach upon those rights?

HOLDER: In the opposing state legislation? I'm not...

COBURN: No, opposing federal legislation that would encroach upon those rights.

Let me say it again.

HOLDER: Yes, I understand the question. I'm just not sure how -- what the appropriate role would be for the federal government in the situation that you described. I don't...

COBURN: Well, if we're passing a law, that's obviously going to do that as the supreme enforcer of the law in this land. As the head law enforcer, it should be upon you to challenge that and accord when it, obviously, is going to violate the Heller decision.

So, what I'm asking you is to specifically state that if we pass something that violates these state laws, in other words, are going to limit these state laws, take away second amendment rights as being defined by the Heller decision, will you in fact intercede on the basis of that Heller decision to defend the rights of the state to have carry laws?

HOLDER: Well, I wouldn't support any law that violated the dictates of Heller.

Now, I don't know -- the question you asked is hypothetical. It's hard to answer hypotheticals without having all of the facts. But I will state, as I said, I think earlier, Heller is the law of the land. It has to be taken into account with regard to any legislation that might be considered.

COBURN: Well, let me just pin you down just a little bit closer so I can get comfortable.

HOLDER: OK.

COBURN: Do you believe the states presently have the right to establish carry laws in the states?

HOLDER: I think...

COBURN: Either concealed carry, or not concealed carry law.

HOLDER: Without agreeing or disagreeing with them, I think states do have those rights.

COBURN: Yes, the states do have. Will you work to protect that the states will continue to have that right?

HOLDER: Senator, yes, I guess -- I mean, in favor...

COBURN: You're making my second amendment crowd really nervous. They want to hear you say, "Yes, they have that right and they ought to be able to maintain that right." That's what they want to hear you say.

HOLDER: And I guess what I'm saying to that same crowd is that I have no intention -- this administration has no intention of doing anything that would affect a states regulation of firearms, who can carry a firearm, under what circumstances. There is nothing that we have discussed, nothing that is in planning, nothing that I can imagine that we're going to be doing in that regard, so.

LEAHY: Well, if the Senator yields to me.

COBURN: I'd be happy to.

LEAHY: Just to ask for a clarification. The State of Vermont has very simple laws on guns. During hunting season, deer hunting season, and your semi-automatic are restricted to a certain number of rounds to give the deer a chance.

We post signs outside the limits, city limits of Montpelier, our state capital, saying that if you're going to hunt deer inside the city limits of Montpelier like for example, crossing the Statehouse Lawn or something, you are limited to shotguns. That's the only place you are.

Anybody, unless they are a felon are allowed to carry a loaded concealed weapon above the certain age without a permit. Nobody does. We like the fact that we can. The vast majority of us in Vermont like myself, own numerous firearms.

Do I understand you to say you're not going to be on a crusade to have the federal government come in and override the laws of the State of Vermont?

HOLDER: That would be true. I've made and I express...

LEAHY: They are a lot less restricted than laws of Senator Coburn's state.

HOLDER: Maybe I've not expressed this well, but this is not an agenda item. It's not a focus. It's not an expectation that I have for this administration. I'm not sure how I can say it any plainer than that.

There are things that we want to do with regard to crime prevention and to reduce crime. But the concern that you have raised is not on any of the menu items that I have seen or could imagine.

COBURN: Thank you for your answers. It's not the one I wanted to hear, but thank you for the answer.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

Well, that's certainly comforting.

 :|

[makattak]

Wow, who expected them to be honest?

He won't say, "no" all he will say is, "Well, we're not planning that right now...."

Oh yeah, so glad the democrats learned their lesson from 1994.

So glad that the new administration will be so involved in the economy that they can't possibly have guns on the agenda.

So glad many gun owners are willing to shoot themselves in the foot and vote for a man because he said "Change!!!"

Where's that pukey smiley?

[Manedwolf]

Oh, he said it twice, apparently.

Coburn: Heller. I believe SCOTUS got it right.  Tell me where you sit today and with that thought what you would do with that.

Holder: Post-Heller the options we have in terms of regulating firearms has been narrowed. It has not been eliminated, but reasonable restrictions are still possible. The Heller decision has to be factored in now. I don't think we should turn away from discussions about who has guns and how they should be used. I think that we're in a different world.

Coburn: Do you agree that outside of sporting use there's a right to own a gun?

Holder: [a little surprised by the question] Post-Heller definitely. I agree with Obama closing gun show loophole, banning sale of cop-killer bullets. Those are the things we need to focus on.

Coburn: As AG will you make a commitment to defending Heller?

Holder: Sure.

Coburn: Would you also do so if SCOTUS granted Cert for a case revisiting Heller.

What the hell does that mean? No more military ammo for us? What? Hollowpoints?

It's going to be a long four years.

[Nick1911]

Meh.

It's just a sound bite that makes him look good to people who don't know any better.

[elrod]

I feel so much better now.............

[thebaldguy]

I hate the phrase "Cop killer bullets".

Is there a special type of bullet that won't injure a law enforcement officer?

[Perd Hapley]

The State of Vermont has very simple laws on guns. During hunting season, deer hunting season, and your semi-automatic are restricted to a certain number of rounds to give the deer a chance.

[Manedwolf]

I hate the phrase "Cop killer bullets".

Is there a special type of bullet that won't injure a law enforcement officer?

Yes.

The ones that are in any gun carried by a law-abiding citizen.

[Nightfall]

He may be an idiot, but he's an idiot with power, and we're &%$#ed.

[Fjolnirsson]

Meh.

It's just a sound bite that makes him look good to people who don't know any better.

If there is anything I have learned from this last election, it is that the team with the best sound bites wins the game. Today's voters don't have the attention span for any serious discussion of policy or politics. "Hope and Change" is about the right speed, obviously.

[Lennyjoe]

Sounds to me like their version of a cop killer bullet is anything that can penetrate a level 4 vest without a trauma plate. I think we're in big trouble here.

[Tallpine]

Sounds to me like their version of a cop killer bullet is anything that can penetrate a level 4 vest without a trauma plate. I think we're in big trouble here.

Fifty caliber round ball ...?   

[Standing Wolf]

You're making my second amendment crowd really nervous.

I'm not nervous: I know the socialists are going to gut the Second Amendment.

[stevelyn]

He's an idiot. It's obvious he hasn't a clue of what he's talking about and is only repeating what he's read or been briefed on from Brady Talking Points for Dummies. 

[209]

Color me jaded, but I don't think anything he could say couldn't (and probably will be) be changed at a later date.  If he said, "The Administration will not create any new restrictive gun laws" and then did create some, he’d say his original comment was misconstrued or he regretfully made a mistatement.  It's a matter of not regarding a lie as a problem and, of course, they don't say they lied.  They say the current situation made us reevaluate....

The problem we often fail to recognize is that politicians lie.  Some more than others.  The bigger problem is that they don't even see it is a problem.

[longeyes]

It's no mystery what tyrants in waiting want to do given the opportunity.  Our job is just one thing: to stop them when they try.

***

They are worried about "cop-killer bullets."  We are worried about citizen-killing tyranny.  That's a gulf that will not be bridged.

[Waitone]

Why are we having a discussion of Holder's position on gun control?

The man is a politician. 
Never, ever believe a politician's word. 
Always believe a politician's actions.
His actions are consistently anti-second amendment.
Now that you know reality, go and make appropriate preparations.

It is clear to me the democrat brain trust has passed the word to just shut up about second amendment issues.

[slingshot]

His actions are consistently anti-second amendment.  Now that you know reality, go and make appropriate preparations.

That is my take on Holder.  With the stroke of the president's pen (Executiive Order), all "assault rifles" may be banned from importation into the US.  That is not a law.  I would not be surprised to see this happen.

[El Tejon]

They have been banned from import . . . since March of 1989.  Where have you been?  We are safe now.

[HankB]

Nothing he says, even if its under oath, can be actionable unless it can be proven that he knew it was untrue on the day that he said it. And then you'd have to have the AG pursue it.

Oops, that would be him. 

Congress will have to appoint a special prosecutor. Let's see, Democrat AG, Democrat Congress, allied media . . . sure.

So it really doesn't matter what he says today - he can make all sorts of excuses later for ANY 180-degree flip. All politicians know that, from both parties.

Remember this famous line? "READ MY LIPS - NO NEW TAXES!"

Didn't turn out to be true, did it?  :rolleyes:

[Wildalaska]

I'm glad I have 300 Colt ARs and 20 HK223s on order,  among other stuff :)

WildimfootsoreAlaska TM

[Matthew Carberry]

Went by Sportmans Warehouse last night.

The shelves of ammo and reloading supplies were bare and the "wall o' pistols" was mostly empty.

I'm taking a buddy shopping next week and it'll be interesting to see what's left on the shelves around town.

[Gewehr98]

I sent a buddy of mine out to Gander Mountain to bring me back a box or three of either Sierra .308" 168gr HPBTM, or the Hornady HPBTM equivalent. I wanted to make some more precision loads for my 700 PSS.

He came back with one box of Nosler 168gr Ballistic Tips. He apologized and said the shelves were basically empty. Not what I wanted, but I'll take 'em.    

[Manedwolf]

This is unusual. Might there be a supply bottleneck somewhere?

Because the shelves are still loaded here. Even wal-mart. Riley's had full stock yesterday, too, of reloading bullets as well.

I don't reload yet...but anyone know where would have a good price on Barnes bullets, the X-bullet .45 ACP 285 grain copper and other calibers as well? That's my favorite, it was on the Taurus rounds, now it's on Cor-Bon DPX, and if they ban hollowpoints as "cop killers"...I would like to have some put away for someone to reload for me.

I don't know anything about reloading!