KSDK TV is reporting that the NRA will come to St. Louis in 2007. I'm sure the people of St. Louis will enjoy the $20 million dollars in revenue that was chased out of Columbus by the political grandstanding of Mayor Michael Coleman and Councilmen Michael Mentel.

From the story:

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt released a statement saying, "This is great news. Missourians believe in protecting the Second Amendment. I am delighted that the National Rifle Association has selected St. Louis as the host city for their 136th Annual Meetings and Exhibits. This major national event will bring a significant economic boon for hotels, restaurants, and other merchants. NRA members will experience the superior hospitality of the fine folks of the 'Show-Me' state. I look forward to welcoming the 60,000 plus NRA members and their families to the magnificent city of St. Louis."

The news this week on the deaths of a number of Ohio Marines brings home exactly how much all of us owe to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. These young soldiers gave their lives to allow others to have the freedoms we all hold dear.

Buckeye Firearms Association would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of these Marines. These soldiers shared a love of freedom that shows clearly why America is unique among nations.

Details on some of the soldiers

More Heros the Media won't Report

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that starting Aug. 11, "assault weapons" owners will have 90 days to register their guns or risk being charged with a crime. Owners must register guns Columbus law now classifies as assault weapons, but city officials say they won’t make them trek to an office to do it.

From the story:

Some city officials had proposed requiring all assaultweapons owners to register in person.

But Public Safety officials determined this week that owners of the weapons can complete a one-page form, notarize it and mail it in, said Assistant Safety Director Barb Seckler.

"It should be pretty painless," said city licensing officer Ralph Jones, who helped design the process. "That’s it, no fee."

Firearm owners have until Nov. 9 to register. If they prefer, they can register in person at 750 Piedmont Rd., where notaries are available. City officials are asking residents to come with the firearm’s make, model and serial number, but not the weapon.

Do they honestly believe people who use these firearms (which they typically don't even legally possess) to harm others and commit crimes are preparing right now to jump through these ridiculous hoops? What exactly do they think the definition of a criminal is, anyways?

The story raises an even more ridiculous notion:

Although the ban is aimed at Columbus residents, anyone who owns one of these firearms and thinks they might move to Columbus should register as well, city guidelines say.

That’s because the registration is a one-time event. If someone moves to the city after Nov. 9 and owns one of these weapons, it will be illegal for them to keep the weapon in their home unless it’s registered.

Brent Greer, secretary of the People’s Rights Organization, told the Dispatch that making the process easier shouldn’t put gun owners at ease.

"Many who register don’t understand they are giving up their rights because they can’t give it or sell it to someone else," Greer said. "And criminals, the very people this ordinance was supposedly aimed at, won’t register their gun."

Furthermore, the story notes, the onus is on the resident to know whether the gun meets the city’s definition of an assault weapon. Not that a criminal will care either way...

Click on the Read More..." link below for another excellent letter to the Dispatch editor about this ridiculous ban.