The Legion

There will be a USPSA match at Memphis Sports Shooting Association this Saturday. Walk through at 9:30am. $10 Members $12 Non-Members

http://www.kltv.com/story/31277295/gun-maker-seeks-dismissal-of-lawsuit-over-newtown-shooting     BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) - Lawyers for the company that made the rifle used to kill 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School are expected to ask a Connecticut judge to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit filed by families of some of the massacre victims. Freedom Group, the Madison, North Carolina, parent company of AR-15 maker Bushmaster Firearms, is arguing that it is protected by a 2005 federal law that shields gun manufacturers from most lawsuits over criminal use of their products. Lawyers for the plaintiffs, who include the families of nine children and adults who died and a teacher who survived, say the lawsuit is permitted under an exception to the federal law that allows litigation against companies that know, or should know, that their weapons are likely to be used in a way that risks injury to others. The victims' attorneys say the lawsuit appears to be the first of its kind against a manufacturer to claim that exception. Bridgeport Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis is set to hear arguments Monday afternoon on Freedom Group's motion to dismiss. "No lawsuit will ever bring back any of the 26 innocent lives that were stolen or bring peace to the families that will never recover from this," said Nicole Hockley, a plaintiff whose son, Dylan, was killed. "But gun companies must be held accountable for marketing and selling the AR-15, a killing machine designed only for military use, to violence-prone young men. "We're bringing this lawsuit to save other families from having to live with the nightmare that we do every single day," she said. State police say the 20-year-old gunman, Adam Lanza, killed his victims with a Bushmaster XM15-E2S rifle, a model of the AR-15, on Dec. 14, 2012. Lanza killed his mother, Nancy Lanza, at their Newtown home before going to the school a few miles away, and then killed himself as police arrived. Nancy Lanza legally bought the rifle, state police said. The plaintiffs' lawyers, Joshua Koskoff, Alinor Sterling and Katherine Mesner-Hage, argue in the lawsuit that the Bushmaster rifle used in the shooting is too dangerous to sell to the general public. The families are seeking unspecified monetary damages and other potential court actions. Freedom Group denies the allegations. Lawyers for the company argue that Congress passed the 2005 law, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, to protect gun makers from lawsuits over the criminal use of firearms, after determining the lawsuits were an abuse of the legal system. Debate over the law has resurfaced in this year's presidential campaign. Hillary Clinton has criticized fellow Democrat Bernie Sanders' support of the 2005 law when it passed. Sanders is now backing a bill to repeal the law.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/02/08/arcane-nj-law-prevents-retired-cops-from-carrying-concealed-weapon.html?intcmp=hpbt3     Published February 08, 2016 FoxNews.com New Jersey’s arcane gun law is preventing some retired cops from getting a permit to carry a concealed weapon, according to a published report. That’s because the law makes no provisions for retired public university police officers to get one, the Newark Star-Ledger reports. “There seems to be discrepancy in whether [state] university police are viewed as working for a state agency,” attorney Thomas Roughneen told the paper. He represents John Kotchkowski, 55, and Robert Dunsmuir, 48, two retired University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey police sergeants who were denied right-to-carry permits. A judge last month refused to grant Kotchkowski a permit on appeal. Dunsmuir’s appeal will be heard next month. “It’s made me feel like my whole career was a sham, like they’re saying I wasn’t a real cop,” Kotchkowski told the paper Thursday. He lost his appeal even though other retired campus cops have won theirs, the paper reported. Kotchkowski and Dunsmuir both contend they worked for a state agency and thus should be granted a conceal carry permit. But the wording of the law doesn’t make that so clear, according to the New Jersey State Police, which oversees the permit process. “How are UMDNJ police not a state law enforcement agency?" Roughneen asked, according to the Star-Ledger. “By that logic, that makes the entire Rutgers police force -- which is one of the largest in the state -- ineligible. And that flies in the face of the intent of the law, which is to increase public safety.” The law was enacted in 1997 after the murder of a police chief who was killed when he tried to thwart the Newark carjacking of an elderly couple, the paper reported. One of the officers involved in the pursuit of the killers in that case was Kotchkowski. He and Dunsmuir worked on a stolen car task force with cops from Newark and the city of Elizabeth while on the job. “Carjackings. Armed robberies, Domestics,” Kotchkowski told the paper. “We did everything city cops did.”

IDPA will run 6 stages and some will shoot a second gun.   USPSA will run 6 or 7 stages and sometimes a second gun with shoot.   3-Gun will run 4-5 stages at the Action Pistol course and stages at the 200-300 range

http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/31135445/university-of-memphis-students-push-for-gun-carrying-on-campus     MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - A University of Memphis student organization is pushing to see a campus carry law that allows students with state issued gun permits to carry concealed weapons on campus.  In addition, the NRA arrived Wednesday to help educate interested students.   "We believe that students and faculty that are owners of state issued permits should be able to conceal carry on campus," Stuart Dedmon, a member of the U of M Students for Concealed Carry, said. A representative from the National Rifle Association spoke with students at the university about the NRA and their second amendment rights. Students at the event also received a NRA hat and a free year's membership to the NRA. Everyone at the event said they came for more information, but most also want to carry a gun on campus. "People are being robbed walking down the street going to the store or their car. I think it would be safe," Nicholas Mackey, student, said. Student Gilmanur-Rashid, from Bangladesh, said regular citizens cannot carry guns in his country but he would like to carry one on the U of M campus. "I would like to carry one for our safety, especially at night. It's very risky," Rashid said. In a statement, the University of Memphis chief of police said he and U of M officials oppose guns on campus unless it is highly trained public safety personnel like police. Students like Ben Furman share that belief. "I don't think anything good can come from it. We already have police officers for protection. Yeah, it's not a good idea," Furman said. University of Memphis student Destiny Denton also agrees with Furman and officials that guns should not be allowed. "I don't think they should be allowed to carry them. This is a learning institution and it detracts from the learning environment," Denton said. The State of Tennessee prohibits firearms on campuses. Students for Concealed carry would like to change that by lobbying to get bills passed in the legislature.

NEW YORK — Facebook and Instagram are banning private gun sales on its platforms. On Friday, Facebook — which bought Instagram in 2012 — said it is updating its policies to reflect this. Facebook, which has 1.59 billion monthly users, already prohibited people from using its site to sell marijuana, pharmaceuticals and illegal drugs. “Over the last two years, more and more people have been using Facebook to discover products and to buy and sell things to one another,” Monika Bickert, Facebook’s head of product policy said in an email statement. The company specified that it is hoping to crack down on the peer to peer sales of weapons on Facebook. It said that licensed firearm retailers will still be able to post about their goods and services on Facebook, with transactions of sales taking place off of Facebook. Facebook said that it has systems in place to detect private gun sales and that it will remove content that violates its new policy.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/virginia-concealed-carry-reversal-catches-gun-control-advocates-by-surprise/ar-BBoSQLR     The relationship between Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) and gun control groups is quickly souring after critics say he caved to pressure from the National Rifle Association. Virginia will now recognize concealed carry permits from dozens of other states with what critics say are weaker gun laws than the commonwealth. The move, announced by McAuliffe on Friday, represents a sharp departure from the state’s decision shortly before Christmas to block many out-of-state gun owners from carrying in Virginia. McAuliffe hailed the deal as a bipartisan compromise. “This bipartisan deal to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and people who cannot pass background checks will save lives,” McAuliffe said Friday in a statement. “Give and take is essential to every negotiation, but the balance of this deal changes Virginia law permanently in ways that will keep guns away from people who would use them for harm.” The National Rifle Association (NRA) was able to beat down the Virginia measure that would’ve restricted what it sees as law-abiding gun owners from carrying in its own backyard. The group's headquarters are in Fairfax, Va. The NRA did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but the group’s top lobbyist, Chris Cox, told The Washington Post it "commends leaders in the commonwealth for moving forward on a bipartisan package that will benefit Virginia citizens.” The move comes as a shocking betrayal for gun control advocates. McAuliffe has touted his “F-rating” from the NRA, but Everytown for Gun Safety accused the governor of “caving to the gun lobby’s demands.” “Terry McAuliffe has been a good friend and strong ally to those of us in the gun violence prevention movement in Virginia,” said Lori Haas, director of the Virginia chapter of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.  “Unfortunately, this deal with the NRA and pro-gun politicians is a mistake that, on the whole, would do far more harm than good,” she added. Last year, McAuliffe campaigned for stronger gun laws alongside Andy Parker, a Virginia resident whose daughter, Alison, was shot and killed on live television while broadcasting the news. "Many of us have spoken with you at rallies,” Andy Parker and other gun violence victims wrote Friday in a letter to McAuliffe. "We’ve backed you in your election for governor. You’ve comforted us and our families in some of our darkest moments. You have been a true friend to each of us and your support has meant so much to us. Over time, we've come to see you as a true champion of our ideals. A courageous fighter who stood up to the callousness of a gun lobby that for too long exerted undue influence over our political process here in Virginia. "This isn't the first time that we've been disappointed in a Virginia politician, but when you campaigned on this issue, [we thought] you were different,” the letter continued. In December, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring (D) announced the commonwealth was severing ties with 25 states that had weaker gun laws. The concealed carry permits they issued would no longer be recognized in Virginia. Herring feared that dangerous people who would not pass a background check in Virginia could obtain firearms in states with weaker gun laws and bring them into the commonwealth. Those states included Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The ban was scheduled to take effect Feb. 1. "I have recommended the state police terminate the reciprocity agreements with 25 states whose laws are not adequate to prevent issuance of a concealed handgun permit to individuals that Virginia would disqualify,” Herring said in a statement. At the time, McAuliffe threw his support behind the decision. But a pressure campaign from Republicans in the state assembly and the gun lobby ensued. McAuliffe agreed Friday to reverse the concealed carry decision in exchange for concessions from Republicans. While Virginia must now allow gun owners from other states to carry in the commonwealth, state police will be instructed to confiscate firearms from people convicted of domestic abuse and will expand voluntary background checks. Despite these concessions, gun control advocates say it is a bad deal that will endanger the public. The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence called it a “mistake” that would allow people from other states who have been convicted of stalking, assault, sexual offenses, drunkenness, and people who are dangerously mentally ill to bring carry guns in Virginia. The group scoffed at the “optional" background check provision McAuliffe negotiated in the deal that "would not require a single private seller in the commonwealth” to comply.

You need to place this in the Firearms Classified area.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/01/25/critics-blast-massachusetts-citys-new-essay-rule-for-gun-carry-applicants.html     Published January 25, 2016 FoxNews.com Critics are blasting a Massachusetts city’s new law that they claim requires residents applying for a license to carry handguns to write “an essay” and pay upwards of $1,100 for training. The new laws take effect this week in Lowell, a city of 110,000 that lies 35 miles north of Boston. Pushed by Police Superintendent William Taylor and passed by the City Council, they require applicants for unrestricted handgun licenses to state in writing why they should receive such a license. Taylor, who was unavailable for comment on Monday, has sole discretion for approving or denying the applications. “It is absurd that people should have to write an essay to the town to explain why they should be able to exercise their constitutional rights,” said Jim Wallace, executive director of Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts. “We already have a very strict set of gun laws in the state, but this is way over the top.” “It is absurd that people should have to write an essay to the town to explain why they should be able to exercise their Constitutional rights.” - Jim Wallace, Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts. State law sets guidelines and requirements, but gives local chiefs of police broad discretion in implementation. While other cities and towns in Massachusetts have tough licensing regulations, Lowell’s new requirements, which also include taking a gun safety course over and above one already required by the state, prompted complaints at a public hearing last week. "I will never write an essay to get my rights as an American citizen," resident Dan Gannon told the City Council. The new policy was prompted in part by a year-old federal lawsuit brought by Commonwealth Second Amendment, a Bay State gun-rights group. Attorney David Jensen said the suit stems from Lowell’s history of denying qualified applicants permits to carry handguns without what the plaintiffs consider a legitimate rationale.

I shoot CZ's in the IDPA/USPSA production divisions.  I also am not sure if it is legal or not, but I would not do it.  You may have an AD plus it will cost you some stage time to do it safety.  The CZ's I shoot come from CZ custom and Automatic Accuracy.  My DA trigger pull is a very smooth 7.5 lbs.  I would do some dry firing practice at home and practice shooting small steel targets at 10-15 yard distances to perfect your control of the trigger pull.

I like Crossbreed Holsters or Blade-Tech.

Thanks

I went to the website but could not find any registration information on the match.  Is there a registration form anywhere?

You made a great purchase.  My Sig P226 Legion is becoming one of my favorite handguns.  I am trying to get my hands on a P229 Legion.  Enjoy your new Sig Legion P226.

I plan on being there.  Looking forward to it.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/01/15/growing-number-police-chiefs-sheriffs-join-call-to-arms.html?intcmp=hpbt2   Published January 15, 2016 FoxNews.com It's Florida Sheriff Grady Judd's duty to protect the citizens of Polk County -- but he figures it's their job, too. One of a growing number of rural and big-city law enforcement officials who openly encourages responsible gun ownership, Judd believes guns allow citizens to defend themselves when police cannot. “If you are foolish enough to break into someone’s home, you can expect to be shot in Polk County,” Judd said in a statement after a homeowner shot a would-be home invader earlier this month. “It’s more important to have a gun in your hand than a cop on the phone." Such full-throated embrace of the Second Amendment as a crime-fighting tool isn't confined to red states like Florida. “I want as many law-abiding citizens to arm themselves in this county as we can get." - Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke One California police chief is backing teachers in his district packing heat. Detroit Police Chief James Craig has been a leader in urging his community to arm itself. A Maryland sheriff is working with the state’s general assembly to try to make it easier for citizens to obtain handgun permits. In the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence’s most recent ranking of states with the strongest gun laws, California (1), Maryland (4) and Michigan (15) ranked near the top of the pack. Some gun rights advocates say terror attacks at home and abroad have contributed to a change in attitudes about gun ownership among community members and authorities, even in locales historically hostile towards the Second Amendment. “That has helped play into it, and there’s no doubt the active shooter scenario has, too,” said Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation. “You’re seeing people say, ‘How do you respond?’”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yClzzvWUoG4

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2016/01/13/hollywood-stars-follow-obamas-gun-control-script-tweeting-white-house-talking/?intcmp=hpbt1     By Hollie McKay Published January 13, 2016 | FoxNews.com LOS ANGELES –  Hollywood stars make their living delivering lines written by others, and on the subject of gun control many are quoting a script written by an unlikely source – the White House. An email sent last week to Tinseltown’s A-listers by Associate Director of Public Engagement at the White House Jesse Moore – titled “Artists & Entertainers Unite to #StopGunViolence” and addressed to “Family” – offered Twitter-ready talking points for showing support for President Obama’s gun control agenda.  FoxNews.com, which obtained a copy of the email, compared it to tweets sent by such stars as Ashton Kutcher, and found that the stars passed the thoughts on to adoring fans with little or no ad-libbing. “This seems an unprecedented abuse of White House influence to manipulate the public into believing celebrities genuinely supported the president,” said Dan Gainor, vice president of business and culture at the Media Research Institute. “Hollywood is just an extension of Obama's press office.” The email followed last Obama’s Jan. 5 announcement that he was issuing an executive order to require that anyone selling firearms get a license and conduct background checks, deploying more than 200 Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents and investigators to enforce existing laws and pushing $500 million in spending on mental health issues he says are related to gun violence. It is not known how many people the email went out to, but sources said it was received by several high-profile actors, directors, publicists, producers and writers. It offered cut-and-paste language to fit Twitter’s 140-character limit, as well as President Obama’s agenda. “Below you have:  short and long-term action steps, more info on POTUS’s actions, highlights from YOUR Tweets thus far (thank you!), and draft Tweets for you to build from if helpful,” the letter read. It went on to offer step-by-step guidance for powerful entertainment figures to use their clout in the service of Obama. “Make your voice heard on social media today using #StopGunViolence and see how many of your peers you can get to do the same,” it read. “I’ll make sure everyone here knows you have the President’s back. The White House’s Office of Public Engagement, which disseminated the informal instructions, bills itself as the “embodiment of the President’s goal of making government inclusive, transparent, accountable and responsible,” also provided “draft tweet language” that included a link to the White House gun control campaign. Examples included: @POTUS is taking new commonsense steps to help #StopGunViolence. @POTUS is taking steps to keep guns out of the wrong hands through background checks. FACT: Each year, more than 30,000 American lives are cut short by guns. It's time to #StopGunViolence. FACT: Guns now kill as many people as cars in almost half of the U.S. It's time to #StopGunViolence. @POTUS is strengthening our background check system. Among the stars who dutifully relayed the messages to their followers were Ashton Kutcher and Mark Ruffalo, who tweeted “@POTUS is taking steps to keep guns out of the wrong hands through background checks; and famed singer Andrea Bocelli, who tweeted  “FACT: Each year, more than 30,000 American lives are cut short by guns. It's time to #StopGunViolence” to his 207,000 followers. A White House representative told FoxNews.com that such communications are nothing new. “We involve creative types/athletes in just about every issue and this is one that so many people are passionate about,” said the spokesperson, who asked not to be named. “Yes, we want to meet people where they are so we ask celebs what issues they are interested in… All of this gets the message out further to a broad number of people which is always helpful.” Other stars, including Julianne Moore, Melissa Joan Hart, Kerry Washington and Janelle Monae were ready to go with the #StopGunViolence hashtag on the very day Obama announced his executive orders. Days later, some 100 Hollywood heavyweights including Bradley Cooper, Jessica Alba and Judd Apatow to Olivia Munn, Edward Norton, Will Ferrell and Olivia Wilde went even further by sending a joint letter addressed to the President – but more likely targeted at the people who buy movie tickets. “Thank you for beginning to end this national disgrace and show your fellow citizens and the rest of the world that the United States of America does indeed stand for the principles of which it was founded,” read the letter, which was sponsored by the Brady Campaign and Center to End Gun Violence. Celebrity and politics have long been intertwined, said Brown University Sociology Professor Hilary Levey Friedman. Given the immediacy of social media, it is understandable that the White House would want to sharpen the message. “To assure an accurate message is shared, politicos clearly want to be as detailed as possible when enlisting celebrities and their platforms,” she said, referring to the “draft language” guidelines. Still, such close coordination with the White House amounts to “Using allies to spoon feed and crowd-source radical political propaganda,” said Matthew Vadum, senior editor at the Capital Research Center. “In the Obama era, the entertainment industry has been openly complicit in administration plans to promote so-called health care reform, for example, gleefully parachuting pro-Obamacare propaganda into TV shows,” Vadum said. “As the president tries to unilaterally crack down on firearms, it's not like he needs to put a gun to Hollywood heads. Zombie-like, they'll repeat any words he stuffs into their mouths.” Not everyone in Hollywood only believes in carrying guns on set. Superstar tough guy Kurt Russell recently went on ABC’s “The View” and delivered an impassioned defense of the Second Amendment. “I think there is a very strong reason the Founding Fathers had for the Second Amendment, and that is that no government– no government ever– hasn’t had to fight its own people, and its own people hasn’t had to fight its own government,” Russell told the left-leaning hosts of the daytime show. Kelly Carlson, star of the FX show “Nip/Tuck,” said being told how to think and what to say by the White House is insulting. “It makes me sad to see good people being grossly exploited and manipulated, because of their lack of knowledge on the subject,” Carlson said. "If ANY elected official, from ANY political party sent me this mob-style propaganda letter, I'd very disrespectfully tell them to go to hell; I don't subscribe to coercion.” An outspoken gun owner, Carlson wondered why those who share her beliefs aren’t sought out to contribute to the debate. “If public safety was actually Obama’s desired outcome, he would also enlist some of the people who own a firearm,” Carlson said. “Why? Because neither side wants innocent people to get hurt by a person using one with ill intent.”

http://wreg.com/2016/01/07/federally-listed-stolen-gun-released-in-public/   The link has a video from NewsChannel3 in Memphis.     MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A gun listed as stolen made it's way into the hands of an unsuspecting buyer. The Mid-South woman said she's a victim after she purchased the assault rifle legally but somehow it slipped through the cracks and she took it home. After having the gun for more than a week she was told to immediately take the firearm back to the pawn shop she picked it up from. On Thursday, the TBI confirmed to WREG the gun was listed in a federal database as being stolen. Now, the woman who purchased the gun, Israel Britt-Taylor, said she wants to warn other gun buyers and the community. "That's a serious weapon that's on the street man. This gun is no game. And in telling you that is a serious threat." From her home Thursday afternoon, Taylor showed WREG the AK-47 style handgun she bought online in December. She purchased it from Buds Gun Shop, a company out of Kentucky. The gun enthusiast said she is an avid shooter and purchased the gun not just for pleasure but protection. "I wanna protect my home right now because it's only me and mine, my kids you know--I'm gonna protect my home." When she bought the gun it was sent to Mid America Pawn off Park Avenue. They had a federal firearms license and could do the necessary checks so she could take it home. However there was a problem. After checking with the TBI the gun came back as stolen. Taylor thought she bought the gun brand new. "Straight out the box, not even the seal broken." A short time later the pawn shop owner said after talking again with a TBI supervisor things changed. The gun was good to go and Taylor could take it home. Taylor said she had the gun for more than a week but Wednesday she got a call,  this time MPD said the gun needed to be returned. "TBI says oh ya that gun is stolen--out of a warehouse," she explained. She said she was told the firearm needed to  be returned as soon as possible. WREG was there when she went back to the pawn shop Thursday, not too happy about what she called a dangerous mistake. "How many of these weapons are out here? Period. This a Draco--AK family. A serious gun." The TBI told WREG it put a hold on the gun on December 29 when it showed up as stolen. MPD was then supposed to go to the pawn shop and check it out to see if it matched the gun listed in their database. According to the TBI, the dealer resubmitted the information the next day, and included a typo which caused the gun to be released to Taylor. The TBI also said they didn't know the gun was released until Wednesday when they were alerted by MPD. As for the online company that initially sold the gun, Buds Gun Shop, they said they have no idea how it could be stolen. The pawn shop also believed there must have been some kind of clerical mix up with TBI.

I would like to know the answer to this question also. 

Gun Broker has several Fastback Carry Nightmare's in .357 Sig.

The new match schedule for 2016 will be as follows: 1st Saturday Steel Challenge 1st Sunday USPSA 2nd Saturday IDPA 3rd Saturday 3-Gun 4th Saturday USPSA 5th Saturday 3-Gun The big change is the 3rd Sunday USPSA match will be on the 4th Saturday and the second IDPA match has been removed. Matches start at 9:30am. You do not have to be a member to shot. $12 Non-Members, $10 Memphis

I currently only have one .40 cal. and it is a S&W M&P Pro 5'.  I have owned a Glock 22, 23, and 27 in the past and may purchase another Glock .40 in the near future.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/12/30/va-lawmaker-wants-to-defund-gov-mcauliffes-armed-guards-over-gun-dispute.html?intcmp=hpbt4     Published December 30, 2015 FoxNews.com A Virginia state senator has thrown down the gauntlet with Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe in a brewing battle over gun rights -- pushing to defund the governor’s armed bodyguards unless he revokes an order that banned firearms in most state buildings.  “It’s easy for someone who is surrounded by armed state policemen to tell someone else they can’t carry a weapon to protect themselves,” Republican state Sen. Charles W. Carrico Sr. told FoxNews.com. “It’s just equal treatment, that’s all I’m saying.” McAuliffe signed Executive Order 50 in October that says “open carry of firearms shall be prohibited in offices occupied by executive branch agencies, unless held by law enforcement, authorized security, or military personnel authorized to carry firearms in accordance with their duties.” He also called for new regulations to extend that to concealed weapons.  In response, Carrico drafted a budget amendment that would strip the funding for the governor’s armed protection unit. Republican lawmakers, including Carrico, also are working on legislation that would counteract a separate decision from the state's attorney general.  Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced last week that the state would no longer recognize concealed carry permits from 25 states. He claimed those states had looser rules, and called the decision a “common-sense step” to make Virginia safer, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.  The GOP legislation being drafted would require Virginia to recognize concealed carry permits from all states. “I’m not a seasoned politician, I’m just an individual who cares about my constituents,” Carrico said. "I spent 15 years as a state trooper protecting their rights, and I am very concerned about the liberal left going after these constitutional rights and it concerns me that we have people who are in the position Governor McAuliffe is in, and using his executive powers to take those away.” McAuliffe’s office responded sharply to Carrico’s move, calling it a “reactionary temper tantrum.” “Reactionary temper tantrums may play well on right-wing blogs, but they don’t make anyone safer,” McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy told FoxNews.com. “Governor McAuliffe has worked with local, state and federal law enforcement officials to keep guns out of dangerous hands by better enforcing Virginia gun’s safety laws, a common refrain of gun advocates.” Coy went on to say that Carrico’s attitude is an example of the lack of willingness from Republicans to work with the governor on issues related to gun safety. “As a gun owner himself, the governor is ready to work with the General Assembly on common sense steps like universal background checks. Unfortunately, Mr. Carrico’s quote is a good representation of the interest he and his colleagues have shown in productive work on this serious issue so far,” Coy said. Carrico, however, remained unmoved. “I may not have a lot of power, but I'm going to use the power I have to protect constitutional rights of individuals in my district. These are the people I represent, the 230,000 I represent, I’m going to fight for them regardless if you’re President Obama or Governor McAuliffe. The one thing they’ll tell you is I’m not afraid to fight.”

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/12/28/texas-gears-up-for-new-open-carry-handgun-law.html?intcmp=hpbt3     Published December 28, 2015 The Wall Street Journal DALLAS –  The owners of Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen are old hands at confronting the typical challenges of a burgeoning restaurant business—hiring, competition, even developing a “gluten guide.” But recently the Tex-Mex chain has been facing an unusual dilemma: whether to allow customers to openly display their guns while munching fajitas. Come Jan. 1, licensed firearms owners in Texas will be able to openly carry a handgun in most places. A law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this year will make Texas the most populous state in the U.S. to allow the practice, known as “open carry.” Existing Texas law requires licensed gun owners to conceal their handguns so they aren’t in plain view. The new law will allow them to carry handguns openly, in belt or shoulder holsters. But private businesses and other establishments have the right to ban open carry under the law, and many have been wrestling with how to proceed. “We’re primarily a family environment in terms of our restaurant. And so we decided it’s probably best not to allow open carry,” said Al Flores, counsel for Gringo’s, which has 14 restaurants, mainly in the Houston area and surrounding counties. “We just felt that knowing our customers, allowing someone to walk in openly carrying a weapon, it would make them feel a little uncomfortable.” Flores said the restaurant chain will post signs in English and Spanish, warning customers about the prohibition. A concealed gun would still be permitted at Gringo’s. Others have taken a different tack. First Baptist Church of Arlington, near Dallas, which typically sees some 2,500 worshipers each Sunday, will allow open carry. Senior Pastor Dennis Wiles said the church came to its decision after discussing the matter with its legal team—in addition to congregants, including police officers who already carry concealed guns. “We decided it was best to allow responsible people to do this if they choose,” Mr. Wiles said. “We will probably assess the situation in a couple of months to see how it goes. When it comes to a church, I don’t think we’re going to see that much difference.”