Colorado Citizen Ron Wedow killed a large dog that was attacking a doe, after the dog had killed her fawn.  As Meyers points out in the article, Wedow was justified in the shooting by Colorado State Statute 33-3-106.  Quoting from the statute: “Nothing in this section shall make it unlawful to… kill, or otherwise dispose of…dogs without a permit in situations when it is necessary… to prevent them from inflicting death or injury to big game…”  (Here.)  Click on Colorado Revised Statutes and look up the number.  (Not legal advice-just reading the law.)

The plot thickened when a Douglas County Animal Control Officer later cited Wedow for cruelty to animals.  When advised by the State Department of Wildlife that it was legal for Wedow to shoot the offending canine, Douglas County Officials stood what seems to be their shaky ground.

Research on the Douglas County Website indicates that animal control in the county is done through a contract between the Sheriff’s Office and the Pikes Peak Humane Society.  Please call Douglas County Offices at 303-660-7400 and Animal Control at  303-660-7529 and ask them to abide by state law.

The county website is here.  Apparently you have to log in to comment.  They may only accept on-line comments from county residents. 

As far as I can tell, we are still living under the rule of law. Bureaucrats, no matter how tender hearted and well meaning, can not legally trump state statutes with local regulations.

Lest you think this issue is not significant, Wedow estimates his legal bills to be in the ballpark of $15,000 and it ain’t over yet.  Eternal vigilance!

Def Mech

Hunters and fishers are easy targets for fee increases, since they buy licenses for their activities.  Owners of larger boats, off road vehicles, and snowmobilers pay the search and rescue fees with their registrations.  State Park users, who buy Habitat Stamps, ”contribute” to the fund.  Hunters and fishers also automatically “contribute” to the Habitat Stamp Fund, since a Habitat Stamp comes with the hunting or fishing license.  (That’s another story.)

Hikers, backpackers,bird watchers, nature photographers, trail bikers, skiers, canoe users, kayak users and other unlicensed/unregistered,  non-consumptive outdoor folk benefit from search and rescue services and maintenance of wildlife habitat, but aren’t easily charged for their share of the costs, as long as they don’t use state parks.  Of course, non-consumptive users can voluntarily buy a Habitat Stamp and a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue(CORSAR) Card.  According to information provided at the last meeting of the Sportsman’s Caucus at the State Legislature, the voluntary response of non-consumptive users has been somewhat underwhelming, at least with regard to the Habitat Stamp.

Non-consumptive users and environmental groups are pushing for a larger voice in how public lands are administered in Colorado.  I believe ways need to be found to insure that they pay their fair share of the costs.  This process could be a proverbial double-edged sword, since getting the non-consumptive users to be “patriotic” and pay their way would probably involve more bureaucrats, red tape, and government control.  Imagine getting a license to take a hike along a green space trail close to your home. 

In the Orwellian world of the Left’s apparent determination to regulate everything, state hiking permits may not be far off.  I understand that reservations are already required in many national park campgrounds.  You already pay to drive into Colorado state parks.

In other news, Colorado’s Democrat Governor Ritter has apparently been forestalled, so far, in his drive to tax firearms’ background checks to the tune of an extra $15.00 above the current $10.00 fee.  The current fee goes to the dealer performing the check.

The $10.00 fee was part of a compromise struck as part of the passage of Amendment 22 that requires background checks at Colorado gun shows.  I believe any fee increase would be an extraordinary example of bad faith on the part of state government.

In addition to the bad faith issue, I believe that any tax on the exercise of a constitutional right is illegal.  The Supreme Court struck down poll taxes.  Someday, hopefully, the Court will strike down fees for background checks, if not the background checks, themselves. 

SB 170, the bill that grants in-state tuition to illegal aliens who graduate high school and “promise” to try to become citizens sailed through the Senate Education Committee this week on a party line vote.  It will go to the floor of the Senate without going through the Appropriations Committee.  (Go figure!)  As a Second Amendment advocate, I am concerned about this bill, because I see it as a blatant attempt by the Democrat Party to pander to illegal aliens and enroll them as citizens in a new voting bloc for, you guessed it, the Democrat Party.

Stay alert!  Eternal vigilance…

Def Mech

The Second Amendment Foundation issued a press release yesterday reflecting the nomination of the Clinton Administration official.  You remember Janet Reno:  “Assault Weapons” Ban, Waco, Ruby Ridge.  Her lieutenant’s appointment as Attorney General is a pretty clear indication of the real intentions of “The Chosen One.”

An Obamanista caller today on Peter Boyle’s Denver radio talk show, voiced a willingness to bet Conservatives that he, the caller, would still have his shotgun and his pistol at the end of a four-year Obama Administration.  It could happen.  In 2012, he could be paying a five-hundred percent tax on ammunition.  The caller could be keeping his registered weapons unloaded, locked up, and disassembled, so that they are useless to him for self-defense.  He could be driving two hundred miles to buy ammunition, since there may be no gun stores within five miles of a park or a school.  He probably won’t be attending gun shows, because there probably won’t be any gun shows.  He may not need ammunition, because PETA may have banned hunting.  Rifle, pistol, and shotgun ranges may all be closed, because of “environmental concerns” over lead contamination or noise issues.  Don’t even think about concealed carry!  If our intrepid caller seals the handgun barrel with lead, he may be able to use his pistol as a paperweight.

The crowning irony regarding this morning’s caller to the Peter Boyles’ Show, is that the caller may not be able to report on the air about the results of his gamble with his Second Amendment rights.  If Democrats succeed in killing talk radio with the “Fairness Doctrine,” we may never hear from our bold Obama supporter again.

On the other hand, if over 80 million gun owners rise as one and say, not “No,” but “Hell No!” we may be able to save at least some of the legacy of freedom passed down to us by the many brave American men and women who fought and died for liberty.  An assault upon the rights of any gun owner is an attack upon us all.  A “Fairness Doctrine” raid against the First Amendment strikes at the very heart of our constitutional republic.

If you don’t speak out now, you will lose your First and Second Amendment rights.  Ask yourself this question every day.  What is the Left planning that is so terrible that they fear free speech and armed resistance?

The friend of the tyrant is merely his last victim.

Def Mech

In my opinion, that is like saying that Adolf Hitler supported religious freedom for Jews. Let’s take a look at the Second Amendment supported by Obama.

Obama originally endorsed and later denied support for a ban on handguns. His denial is somewhat tainted by the fact that his handwriting was found on the candidate survey form containing his endorsement for a ban. Wow! There’s support for you.

Obama’s version of the Second Amendment would allow the banning of semi-automatic firearms, which make up at least half the guns in America. That’s support!

Obama would allow cities like Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., to maintain bans on the right of citizens to defend themselves with firearms. Oh, sure, Barack “Call me if you need me” Obama would “allow” D.C. residents to keep non-semi-auto firearms unloaded and disassembled at home. All you have to do in case of a home invasion is request a time out, while you put your gun together and load it. Shouldn’t be any problem getting a violent felon to give you five minutes, or so. N’est pas?

Obama seems to like it when you use a foreign language. It helps to differentiate you from those “bitter, clingy,” stupid gun owners that he ridicules, when he doesn’t think anyone but Liberal Elitists are listening.  (Do you know that BHO sat on the Board of the incredibly anti-gun rights Joyce Foundation?)

The current medieval state of Washington, D.C. gun law should increase business for psychics with regard to thralls interested in self-defense, since you would need to consult a seer, brujo, or other professional on a regular basis, so you would know when to expect a home invader. Suppose psychics have a lobby?

Obama would ban most hunting ammunition, because it has the capability to penetrate most police body armor. Hunters, don’t assume your precious bolt and lever actions are safe! Your telescopic sight makes Old Betsy a “sniper rifle.” Remember the anti-hunting crowd supports BHO, along with the Communist Party and a Mid-East terrorist organization, but that’s another story.

Obama voted to virtually wipe out gun stores by prohibiting them from operating within five miles of a park or school. Now that’s real support for the rights of the people!

Obama is “on record” as opposing laws that allow government-qualified citizens to carry concealed weapons for self-defense. So much for the “bear arms” part of the Second Amendment.

Obama voted to allow predatory lawsuits against the firearms industry over criminal misuse of a legal, non-defective product. Following this logic, you could sue Ford, if you or a relative were the victim of a hit and run. Astounding support of the Second Amendment!

Obama supports gun owner licensing and gun registration. The problem here is that BHO’s liberal allies have first registered, then confiscated firearms in such diverse places as Britain, Australia, New York City, and California. More real support for the right to self-defense against crime and tyranny!

Obama is trying to suppress the official voice of the NRA’s four-million members by threatening media outlets in Pennsylvania, if they run ads showing his real position on gun issues. Seems like he doesn’t like the First Amendment any better than he likes the Second.

Hyup! Hyup! Obama’s Second Amendment sure don’t look like my Second Amendment. I guess that’s ’cause he’s so sopistikated, and all. You know, he went to Harvard. That’s one o’ them big, fancy colleges back East, don’t you know? Obama just wants the U.S. to look like most of the rest of this here planet, where a man named Madison said the rulers are “afraid to trust the people with arms.” I’m not sure what he meant by that. No foolin’. Whew! Glad I got that out of my system.

Seriously, Folks, in Obama’s Orwellian world, “The truth is lies.” “Freedom is slavery” and “Big Brother is watching you.”

As for the NRA life member supporting Obama: as an NRA member, I would be more than happy to contribute to any effort to buy back his membership, along with the one held by Michael Moore. Moore may not be a member any longer, since he no longer needs that credential to worm his way into an interview with Heston under false colors. Yet another story!

Obama may support a Second Amendment, but it is not the one in my Bill of Rights. The Liberal Democrats believe gun owners and Second Amendment supporters are bitter, clingy, and stupid. I believe that any gun owner who votes Democrat this year, or fails to vote GOP to stop Barack Hussein Obama, helps make the Liberals’ case.

You have one day (Monday) to register to vote in the General Election. Campaign and vote Republican or learn to live like the residents of the most crime-ridden cities in this country. Campaign and vote Republican or learn to live like a British subject. Remember! The British Olympic Pistol Team can not practice in their own country, because the Liberals passed “reasonable” gun laws.

Def Mech

This was an election year, not a good time to stir up Second Amendment advocates. If the Democrats win big this fall, next year will be a bad time for the rights of gun owners.

The loss of Senators Ward and Hagadorn will be felt by proponents of freedom in Colorado. Senators Weins and McElhany will also be missed. Representative Ray Rose is leaving the House, another sad loss for the friends of freedom.

We knew that this would be a dangerous year in the legislature, because of the Democrat majority in both houses and an anti-gun rights Governor. On balance, we did not have a bad session. The majority party, probably mindful of previous painful experiences with gun control, did not push an expected semi-automatic weapons ban or a ban on .50 caliber weapons.

Several good gun bills were killed. Among them:
HB 1066 (Gardner, C., and Harvey) This bill would have protected persons using legal deadly force against intruders in a business setting.

SB 115(Brophy and Stephens) This bill would have permitted a lawsuit in the case of an honest citizen who was injured or killed as the result of criminal activity in a “gun free” zone, i.e., a “criminal safe free fire zone,” where concealed carry was not allowed.

Several significant anti-gun/anti-hunting bills were killed through the lobbying efforts of pro-gun rights groups, notably the Firearms Coalition of Colorado. This organization has the only full-time Second Amendment lobbyist at the State Capitol.

Bad bills, which were killed, include:
HB 1096 (Stafford) This bill would have banned hunting in “enclosed” areas, even if the fenced area were hundreds or thousands of acres.

HB 1190 (Kerr, J., and Taylor) This bill concerning CBI background check hours at gun shows was pulled by the sponsor, when it became apparent that the Democrat majority might hijack the bill and use it to kill gun shows in Colorado.

SB 49 (Wendels) This “safe storage” bill would have made you liable if a 16-17 year-old teenager stole and misused your “unsecured” weapon. I believe bills like this are used by anti-gun politicians to reduce the value of firearms for self-defense, thereby making some gun owners more likely to give up their guns.

One bill that everyone pretty much agreed on was HB 1200 (Soper and Tochtrop). This bill banned computer assisted remote hunting in Colorado. Remote hunting would have allowed someone at a computer terminal in Guam to shoot an animal in this state by pushing a key or clicking a mouse.

For me, the above bills were the most significant ones of the session. Hats off to the GOP Legislators who helped to preserve our rights and to Democrat Senators Tochtrop, Hagadorn, Isgar, and Tapia who supported their constituents’
rights across party lines.

Def Mech

The shooting ban hearing was dominated by farmers and ranchers who fight constant battles against prairie dogs that ruin crop land and cripple horses, cattle, and other range animals. The issue is not settled. Look for the Humane Society, the WildEarth Guardians, and other anti-hunting/anti-gun rights groups to pursue the matter in court or with ballot initiatives. These folks will do anything they can to end hunting, fishing, and legal firearms ownership. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.

Def Mech

The Habitat Stamp money pays for wildlife easements on private land and outright purchases of other parcels to provide winter range and migration routes for Colorado animals. The program also allows some access for hunters and fishers to recreation areas, usually on state-owned property.

The board set up to adminster the fund is made up of a combination of hunters, fishers, and “non-consuptive” users. The “non-consumptive” users have much more than a 2% representation on the board.

Senator Tochtrop, a long-time friend of hunters, fishers, and gun owners, expressed her disappointment at the low level of participation in the program by the conservationists and nature lovers who do not hunt and fish. She urged them to “step up to the plate” and pay their fair share to support game and non-game animals in Colorado.

I agree. If these folks are going to have a say about how the money is spent, they need to pay their part of the freight. If gun owners and hunters don’t monitor this situation, we could have the “non-consumptive” users calling the tune for this program, while we pay the piper.

Def Mech