Constitutional Carry thoughts

Utah Constitution:
Article I, Section 6. [Right to bear arms.]
The individual right of the people to keep and bear arms for security and defense of self, family, others, property, or the state, as well as for other lawful purposes shall not be infringed; but nothing herein shall prevent the Legislature from defining the lawful use of arms.

Utah is an open carry state, with very few exceptions. One is if you are going to hide that you are carrying a gun you need a background check. Most people I have spoken to, and there are exceptions, like our Utah concealed carry permit system. As someone torn on the issue, I included a question about constitutional carry on the questionnaire I sent out the beginning of this year's session. Most residents in my area responded that they like the concealed carry permit for those that want to conceal that they are carrying.

I do believe we need to fix the problem about the U of U and others hassling an open carry. A bill to help solve that was amended and died this last session. I spoke on the floor of the house to promote passage of the bill, quoting the Utah Constitution as to why the bill should pass, and mentioning that I knew one of those killed at Trolley Square. I voted against weakening the bill, and voted for passage, hoping there would be a way to make the bill better, or that it would improve what we have now. The Representative running against me this fall voted opposite from me on both cases.

http://le.utah.gov/~2012/status/hbillsta/hb0049s03.htm

Update: The new proposed bill is at: 
http://le.utah.gov/~2013/bills/hbillint/HB0268.htm


In any version of any of the first  proposed "2nd Amendments", (below) tell me where it says that you have a right to conceal that you are armed with a handgun? You have a better defined right of protection under the Utah State constitution. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution#Conflict_and_compromise_in_Congress_produce_the_Bill_of_Rights 



What we got was this,US Constitution Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

I have asked Legislative Research to verify that the current Utah Concealed Firearm Permit is constitutional under both the US and the Utah Constitution. If I lose that argument, I will change my stand. [they came back and said our CFP and Utah Constitution were fine OK, based on the last couple of SCOTUS rulings]

And for those that do not believe there should be any limits or permits for any weapon, arm, or armament, consider this list:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armaments#Classification 

Do you really think the founders planned on your neighbor having a satellite deployed nuclear missile device with launching app for their Iphone?

On the other hand, a simple semi-automatic rifle or hand gun does require that you pull the trigger each time you wish to shoot. They should not be banned, nor called assault weapons. 

Mark Crockett for Salt Lake County Mayor

I like and respect Ben McAdams, but I do believe that Mark Crockett has the plan and skills to do what I would like to see to help the County. I was impressed with the answers Mark had during the debates and the election thus far.

I am glad there are two good choices for Salt Lake County Mayor and if Ben loses, I hope I still get to work with Senator McAdams. He was elected for four years and has two more. I still need to win this fall. And yes, I do believe you can like and respect someone even if you don't agree with them all the time.

July 4th 1776

In April of 1775 the fighting had started, including Paul Revere's ride and the Battles of Lexington and Concord. It wasn't until 1781 when the fighting ended and 1783 when the peace treaty was signed.

So why celebrate July 4th, 1776 as Independence Day?

The Declaration of Independence was a declaration adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. The vote was a passed by the Continental Congress 12, 0, 1, a couple of days before.

The Declaration starts with these statements:

"In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, ...."


The reasons for the declaration are then carefully stated and it concludes with this:


"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

It is for this reason we celebrate the 4th of July. A new flag with white stars in blue with red and white stripes would be designed in 1777. The Constitution would be adopted in 1787. We should not forget the declaration of independence from July 4th, 1776 and those that risked all to create this country. Many have fought for, and do still fight for these truths and freedoms.

May we all continue to do so is my hope.

Video Link:
http://youtu.be/nrvpZxMfKaU





The Text of the Declaration:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html

Endorsements update

Mitt Romney for US President (from July 2011)
http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2011/07/mitt.html

John Dougall for Utah State Auditor (from March 2012)
http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2012/03/john-dougall-for-utah-state-auditor.html

Mia Love for the Fourth Congressional District from Utah (April 2012)
http://www.fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2012/04/mia-love-for-fourth-congressional.html

Mark Crockett for Salt Lake County Mayor (July 2012)
http://fredcox4utah.blogspot.com/2012/07/mark-crockett-for-salt-lake-county.html

Dan Liljenquist or Senator Orrin Hatch

Last Utah General Legislative Session for 2011, I remember seeing bill after bill sponsored by Sen. Dan Liljenquist pass the house. I was amazed at the respect he and the bills had. I was amazed at how both republicans and democrats voted for them.

For example, his 2011 SB 180 Medicaid Reform bill passed both houses with no votes against it from either party and was signed by the Governor.

With at least 7 bills, both the house and senate, both republicans and democrats all voted for the reforms Senator Dan Liljenquist proposed. In all, 9 of his bills were signed by the Governor.

We need that in Washington DC. These are the same areas that are bankrupting our nation. Again, we need Dan Liljenquist in Washington DC. Yes, we have a US Senator with 35 years of seniority, but remember that in 2011, Senator Dan Liljenquist was still in his first 4 year term. He did it without seniority.

Fires Do we really need more laws or just more common sense

Do we really need more laws, or just more common sense?

Last year Utah Legislature voted for the new "cake" fireworks because they go up hot but come down cool. They have a stable base so they don't fall over. They were backed by several fire marshals.

Last year we had fires started by illegal fireworks. One in Ogden started a bush fire and one in South Jordan took out a garage and burned two people. The fire for Red Butte canyon was a campfire.

So the question: Why do people in Utah still buy and use the illegal fireworks?

Don't blame the new "cake" fireworks. I am not aware of any caused by them.

This year the legislature decreased the time fireworks could be used, to save dog owners and people working nights some grief. People were not to be setting them off at 3am based on local noise ordinances, but that wasn't enough, so the hours of use were added.

Also, target shooting with traditional copper/lead bullets doesn't spark.

Shooting exploding targets or non-traditional rounds do spark.

Shooting old TV's during a fire danger is just plain dumb.

Again, Do we really need more laws, or just more common sense?

There are two incumbents in this race that will face each other in November

Over a year ago, my friend, State House District 32 Representative Ron Bigelow accepted the invitation from Governor Herbert to be the State Budget Director. I was honored to run and was selected to be the nominee and then was appointed by the Governor to fill Rep. Bigelow’s term. I have been honored to represent State House District 32 for 2011 and will continue to work hard doing so for 2012. I just completed my second General Legislative Session.

I believe we need to stand up and be heard, or watch our Constitutional Rights disappear. I have been heard, standing up defending good bills, amending or substituting bills to make them better, or standing up in opposition against bills that I believed should not pass.

For 2013, a new House District 30 will represent much of West Valley City, and during the 2012 General Election it will be determined who will represent this new District 30 beginning in 2013. The New District 30 includes most of District 32, part of 29 and some of 33.

There are two incumbents in this race that will face each other in November. I am one of them and I ask for your support.

If you plan on a donation to my campaign, the deadline for donations for the next filing is Today, June 14th.

https://rally.org/UThouseRepFredCoxCampaign/donate/

Obviously Donations after today would still be appreciated. They can be mailed to Fred C. Cox, Campaign Fund, 4466 Early Duke St., West Valley City, UT 84120-5723

Fred C. Cox, Representing Utah State House District 32 and running to represent the new District 30

http://www.fredcox4utah.com/