Drawing a line in the sand

[Lady Di]

Pennsylvania gun owners need to send this guy into retirement. Anyone who does not uphold and defend the constitution is not fit for public office. He should be impeached for violating his oath of office.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20071118_Rendell_puts_gun_divide_to_the_test.html

[Bill of Rights]

Agreed. Especially since the PA constitution specifies that the right of the people to bear arms in their own defense "shall not be questioned."

I suppose he could say he's not questioning it, he's just legislating it.http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd198/St-Michael/bang.gif

<sigh>

Blessings,
M

[Lady Di]

The Governor takes the same oath of office as do all members of the General Assembly and all judicial, state, and county officers. The wording of that oath is as follows:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm*) that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity."

Throw the bum out!!!!

[junglebob]

Agreed. Especially since the PA constitution specifies that the right of the people to bear arms in their own defense "shall not be questioned."

I suppose he could say he's not questioning it, he's just legislating it.http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd198/St-Michael/bang.gif

<sigh>

Blessings,
M

I like that Pa constitution "shall not be questioned" Now the question is what part of "shall not be questioned" doesn't he understand. Since the last constitutional convention in Illinois ours has said - the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, subject to police powers. So there is the wimpy Illinois second amendment. However we do have 60 counties in Illinois out of 102 that have adopted the resolution that says that all legislation that violates the second amendment is null and void.

Maybe at the next constitutional convention "shall not be questioned' can be added and subject to police powers dropped.

[Bill of Rights]

What force does that resolution carry, JB? Does it count as a referendum such that the various reps would have to acknowledge as if they themselves had voted for it, or is it just so much wasted paper and effort?

Blessings,
M

[junglebob]

What force does that resolution carry, JB? Does it count as a referendum such that the various reps would have to acknowledge as if they themselves had voted for it, or is it just so much wasted paper and effort?

Blessings,
M

The 2A resolution was in reaction to 50 caliber and "assault weapon" ban legislation that was introduced by Chicago area politicians in the general assembly, that would have prohibited ownership and also manufacturing of certain weapons. Last year AWB legislation was introduced but there was no manufacturing ban. They antis argued that the manufacturers could still sell to the other 49 states and Illinois law enforcement. Violence Policy Center says we have more "assault weapon" manufacturers than any other state. Our manufacturers include DS Arms, Eagle Arms, Rock River Arms, and Springfield Armory. I believe Les Baer has move to Ohio. Total firearms manufacturing sales is $150 milliion.

As to whether the resolution is just a waste of paper. I guess it may be like the U.S. Constitution, we have rights enumerated there, especially the second ammendment that are getting trampled on. The resolution mentions proposed legislation that would ban certain firearms and that the U.S. Constitution gives us the right to keep and bear arms. I guess it comes down to what the states attorneys in the counties will do. If their county adopted the resolution will they prosecute a case of someone owning an "assault weapon" if such a law was to pass. I don't imagine we'll get Vermont style carry upheld by the states attornies in the 60 counties that adopted the resolution. It would be nice though, most counties in southern Illinois have adopted it. Now Cook, Lake and DuPage counties n the northeast corner don't hold your breath.

[Bill of Rights]

My apologies. It seems I came across much more derisively thatn I intended. In my comment about it being "just so much wasted paper and effort", I was, similarly to the comment about it being a referendum to be respected as if the legislators had themselves voted for it, speaking to extremes. I know that in all likelihood, neither of those is the situation, but what I wanted to know is if the voice of the people carries any weight and force in Springfield, the titular seat of government for your state, or in Chicago, the apparent true source of your laws.

To be clear, for your legislators and those who actually put them in office (excluding the graveyard vote), I hold naught but contempt, however I do hold respect for the citizens who vote for freedom in your state and every state.

I regret that I didn't write that with greater clarity.

Blessings,
M