Presenting the Shooter’s Log weekly wrap up of the major news and trending stories that affect gun owners from July 6 to July 11, 2015. Starting this week, the Shooter’s Log will present a weekly wrap up of all the latest high-powered headlines, news stories recent product announcements, industry press releases and the most important and popular stories related to our Second Amendment rights.
Not every news story makes it on the Shooter’s Log—we simply just don’t have enough time. However, there are many stories we do not report on that need our attention. That is why we have gathered what is trending on Facebook, Twitter and the most-trusted sources from the around the web to bring you the low-down of all the hottest news that happened this week.
New Hampshire Gov. Caves to Moms Demand Action
New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan caved to Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America pressure when she vetoed Senate Bill 116, a Constitutional Carry bill, on Monday. The bill eliminating the need to issue permits for concealed carry passed the Senate by a margin in February and later the House by a vote of 212-150. Gov. Hassan stated, “New Hampshire’s current concealed carry permitting law has worked well for nearly a century—safeguarding the Second Amendment rights of our citizens while helping to keep the Granite State one of the safest states in the nation.” Since the bill barely passed, it is unlikely the House and Senate will be able to override the veto.
Major Victory for Maine Gun Owners
After adding an amendment to Legislative Document 652 last month to satisfy Maine Governor Paul LePage, the Constitutional Carry bill was finally signed on Wednesday. LD 652 had bipartisan support in both the House and Senate and eliminates mandatory licensing to carry a concealed handgun in Maine for anyone over 21 who is not banned from owning a firearm, as well as any member of the military 18 years or older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit or license. Republican Representative Matthew Pouliot said, “It’s a law that you can carry a gun now, openly. Why should covering that with a jacket make you a criminal?” Constitutional Carry in Maine will began 90 days after the House and Senate adjourn.
Priest Sues Cook County Villages—Claims Gun Stores Violate Civil Rights
In a press conference on Tuesday, Catholic priest Michael Pfleger announced a lawsuit against three Cook County, Illinois villages—Lincolnwood, Lyons and Riverdale—for violating the civil rights of its citizens because those three suburbs allow gun stores to operate in its communities, allegedly making the community unsafe. During the announcement, Rev. Pfleger said, “Families and our children have a right to safety. They have a right to live. They have a right to walk to school, to play outside, to sit on their porch and not be afraid of being shot or killed.” You can read the entire lawsuit here.
Whataburger Official: “Open Carry is Prohibited”
In June, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill allowing Texans who have a concealed carry license to open carry if they choose beginning January 1, 2016. Most businesses have remained mum over the issue as Texas sorts out the signage businesses will have the option to hang if they ban open carry. But that hasn’t stopped a few Texas establishments from taking a stand. This week, Whataburger reiterated its ban on open carry. Preston Atkinson, Whataburger president said, “”Whataburger supports customers’ Second Amendment rights and we respect your group’s position, but we haven’t allowed the open carry of firearms in our restaurants for a long time.” Waffle House and Chuck-E-Cheese are also banning open carry in its restaurants.
Submittal of Records of “Mentally Incompetent” Now Required in Oklahoma
Federal law states that those deemed “mentally incompetent” are not allowed to own a firearm. However, it is not mandated for the states to submit those records to the FBI. A new law in Oklahoma, instituted on Wednesday, now requires the state to submit its records of people found “mentally incompetent” and those who have been involuntarily committed to the FBI so those records can be entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The author of the new law, Senator Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City) said, “If you allow people who are adjudicated mentally incompetent to buy a firearm, it undermines the liberty for the rest of Oklahomans.” The law includes a provision that those who are on the “mentally incompetent” and involuntarily committed list can petition to have their gun rights reinstated by changing the status of their mental health records.
Has Colt Defense LLC. Found a Buyer? Morongo Band of Mission Indians Express Interest
It has been big news that Colt Defense, LLC starting filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in June. However, a band of Mission Indians from California just might save the company. Reuters and the Wall Street Journal are reporting that an attorney for the Native American tribe, Drew Ryce told the news agency “Colt is an iconic business and we’re sort of intensely interested in helping a business like that. We’ve been raised with Colt side arms. We know the products very well.” The Morongo Band of Mission Indians would be a minority bidder if there were to bid on government and military contracts, which would give “Colt a leg up.” Colt has yet to make a statement in regards to the group’s interest.
Background Checks for Gun Sales Hits Record Number in June
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) reports that the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) hit record numbers in June. Though not entirely indicative of actual firearm sales, 886,825 background checks were performed in June. This is the highest number in any June in the history of the system, up 10% from June 2014.
What developing stories are you closely following? Tell us in the comment section. If you have a news story you would like to share, send us a link at content@cheaperthandirt.com.
It absolutely disgusts me when heads of companies or politicians publicly release such BS doublespeak and actually convince themselves we bought into it. They are actually spineless cowards lacking in character when they proclaim they’ve accommodated both sides of an issue.
Simply put, despite the U.S. Constitution and now the State of Texas allowing open carry, the president of Whataburger still refuses it in his stores. So regardless of his public claims to support the Second Amendment, his prohibitive policy desperately screams instead, “No we don’t support the Second Amendment and to prove it we will prevent your group from exercising your rights at our doors.”
I don’t patronize businesses that forbid firearms . However I think at this time open carry in public is not a good idea even if it is legal ,too many nervous norvices . Also though I have heard of only one case of someone grabbing or trying to grab the sidearm of a legal carrier .Open carry may bring on more of this!! Lotta nut jobs out there!
Peace and Freedom.
I live in Mississippi where Open Carry has been legal for some years now. I suspect your fears of novice over reaction or being disarmed are overstated. We haven’t had any dilemma with this. I have Open Carried in Wal_Mart, restaurants, burger joints and so forth without problem. I now have an Enhanced Conceal Carry.
I can see Three’s point, actually. I live in Virginia where it’s not at all uncommon to see open carrying Wal Maert (BTW, I respect Wal Mart for their support of the 2nd A.).
But it’s not that way everywhere. if you tried that in one of the Nazi states the cops would probably shoot you.
Never fail to take the opportunity to inform owners & citizens that businesses which ban firearms from their property are forming a special duty to protect customers from harm.
Apparently this burger place is only banning open carry at this time.
Reacting to the transportation service Uber’s recent announce banning their drivers and passengers from carrying firearms in Uber vehicles; I sent an email to Uber cancelling my account because of their new policy. I will not patronize any establishment or business where customers 2nd Amendment rights are not recognized & respected.
Agreed.
Of course, concealed carry means just that . . concealed. If you’re doing it right, they don’t know you have it. The most any private property can do if you if they discover you are carrying is ask you to leave. If you don’t then you are trespassing.
But I do agree that I will not patronize an anti-Second Amendment establishment as a violated of the Constitution and my civil rights. I also notified Uber that i will no longer be using their services and there are LOT’s of places to get a burger.
I also told Uber the same thing. I will not patronize any business that does not allow second amendment rights.
COLT—-
Every thing comes full circle ? The gun that tamed the west owned by native Americans! Remember they are Americans not a foreign company. This is GOOD!
They are a California band. Will the BS California laws screw this up?If only they could bring some of the work to Morongo . Next door to the casino!
I think some time back the courts ruled that land owned by a tribe became tribal land –not fully governed by state law. Gun laws? Might be wrong.
Ole and Grumpy, I certainly hope you are correct! This ‘Ole Woman” would certainly hate to see an icon such as Colt fall by the wayside. I own a couple of them myself. Great weapons. If the government can bail out the banking scams, why can’t they give a hand to this American legend? Just a thought……IMO Have a blessed day.
Pat–I posted on this that it would be great if Colt would re issue a True Colt made 1851 or 60! Most of the Black powder guys on line would gladly sell other guns to get just one! This would not save the company but would get them a lot of gun press. I’m in SoCal-Marongo is not far-factory outlet ? Na. This is the far left coast. Blessings back at ya.
I agree with Old and Grumpy and I glad to hear you own some Colt firearms. Aside from being a union shop I have nothing at all against Colt (I own 1 too) and I don’t want to see them go out of business. I do however have a very strong aversion to government bail outs even for American legends like Colt and/or GM.
And besides it’s not a realistic expectation that the government even would bail them out, Operation Choke Point is a deliberate attempt by federal regulators to pressure banks to sever or avoid business relationships with legitimate industries that are considered “politically objectionable”. Politically objectionable means firearms and ammunition sales and manufacturing by the way.
The state has no jurisdiction on the reservation! Before you travel if you carry a gun you had better contact the chief of that indian nation. Some will let you carry concealed and some will not. Also this is why they can casinos on their reservation but there illegal in that state. They are governed by the federal government and themselves.
@ Old&Grumpy.
Indian Reservations, are Semi-Independent Nations. But, DON’T carry Sovereignty Status, there STILL Bound by Constitutional Laws. A State, within a State, within a State. Independent of Local State Law’s, but Not Federal…