Broadcaster Press 3 February 14, 2017 www.broadcasteronline.com SD’s Gun Laws: Effective, Appropriate And Minimal By Gov. Dennis Daugaard able to handle a gun. Most importantly, we understand that law-abiding individuals should be able to defend themselves. As a lifetime member of the NRA, I support the right to bear arms. I own a rifle, a pistol, and more than one shotgun. I am happy to be governor of a state that still respects that right and I am proud of our current gun laws. South Dakotans do not need a permit to purchase a firearm in our state. The firearm requirements we have in state law are few and reasonable. One such requirement is that if you want to carry a concealed pistol – under your coat, for example – you must obtain a permit. You pay $10 and undergo a background check. The background check is a safety measure to identify applicants who may not be eligible to carry a concealed weapon because they have a criminal record or a history of mental instability. Barring those few exceptions, it’s easy and cheap, and it usually takes only a few days Gun control measures have been gaining ground in some places around the nation in recent years. In the more urban areas of the country and along the coasts, people are more wary, and perhaps fearful, of guns. That may be why some states pass very restrictive gun laws. For instance, in New Jersey a citizen cannot even own a handgun, rifle or shotgun without a permit or Firearms Purchaser Identification Card. In some states, obtaining a concealed carry permit can take months. In Maryland and California, an individual has to prove a need to be granted a concealed carry permit. South Dakota is a state that respects the Second Amendment. A great many of our citizens own pistols, rifles and shotguns. Here, guns are as common as saddles and pickups. Many of us grew up hunting or on farms or ranches where we needed to be to receive a permit. My friend Matt said he spent five minutes at the sheriff’s window, paid his $10 and three days later had his permit. There are a number of bills being considered this legislative session that would alter our state’s common sense gun laws. A couple of those bills are deceptively labeled as “constitutional carry” bills. House Bill 1072, for example, would eliminate the permit requirement in order to carry a concealed weapon. Under this bill, the vetting process would be removed. Individuals with a proven history of violence or substance abuse and those who have been identified as a danger to the public or to themselves could not be restricted from carrying a firearm. If this bill becomes law, it will create confusion for law enforcement who will still seek to ascertain whether an individual is lawfully concealing a weapon. Innocent citizens could be detained by law enforcement and subjected to time-consuming criminal and mental health background checks. I am proud of South Dakota’s traditions and pro-Second Amendment track record. Just as I do not support gun control measures, I cannot support bad legislation which would lead to a whole host of unintended consequences. The laws we currently have in place are effective, appropriate and minimal. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was an ardent defender of constitutional rights and a staunch conservative. In one of his last opinions, Scalia referenced concealed permits. He stated unequivocally that "like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited," and he affirmed that concealed weapons permit laws are not an affront to our Second Amendment rights. On this issue, I’m with Justice Scalia. Obstruction in the Senate Does More Harm Than Good Buying or selling, BANK on the Classifieds By Sen. Mike Rounds Since even before President Donald Trump took office in January, the Senate has been attempting to work through the confirmation process for his Cabinet secretary nominees so we can get to work on the important policy issues to get our country moving in the right direction again. Filling the Cabinet is critically important for the executive branch to function effectively. In addition to their advisory duties, Cabinet members lead their respective departments, create policies that guide each unit and manage programs within their respective departments. I take very seriously the Senate's role in providing To place your classified ad, call the 'advise and consent' to the president's Cabinet selections. However, as a former governor, I generally believe that a chief executive has the right to choose his or her Cabinet and that nominees should be allowed an up-or-down vote. The Senate’s job is to assure each candidate is qualified to assume the offices for which they are nominated. 201 W Cherry Vermillion, SD • Phone:(605) 624-4429 • Fax:(605) 624-2696 The idea of a Cabinet dates back to our first president, George Washington, who had a group of four advisors who assisted him in fulfilling his duties as president. President Trump’s nominees have unfortunately undergone the slowest Cabinet confirmation process since President Washington took office. If you have monitored the news recently, you’ll note that confirming President Trump’s nominees has been a slow-moving process, as Senate Democrats continue to do all they can to slow their confirmations, regardless of their By Sen. Mike Rounds experience or qualifications for the jobs they have been nominated to fill. I understand that some Senate Democrats Since even before President Donald Trump took office in may have differing policy objectives than some nominees, January, the Senate has been attempting to work through but rather than voicing those concerns, they have slowed the confirmation process for his Cabinet secretary nomidown the entire confirmation process for nearly all nominees so we can get to work on the important policy issues to get our country moving in the right direction again. Filling the Cabinet is critically important for the executive Support the Clay County branch to function effectively. In addition to their advisory 4-H Program by duties, Cabinet members lead their respective departpurchasing delicious, ments, create policies that guide each unit and manage high-quality fruit. programs within their respective departments. Contact Colleen at the I take very seriously the Senate's role in providing Clay County Extension 'advise and consent' to the president's Cabinet selections. Office at 605-677-7111 However, as a former governor, I generally believe that a to place an order. Fruit chief executive has the right to choose his or her Cabinet orders will be taken until and that nominees should be allowed an up-or-down vote. February 22. The Senate’s job is to assure each candidate is qualified to (delivery around March 16) assume the offices for which they are nominated. The idea of a Cabinet dates back to our first president, George Washington, who had a group of four advisors who assisted him in fulfilling his duties as president. President Trump’s nominees have unfortunately undergone the slowest Cabinet confirmation process since President Washington took office. If you have monitored the news recently, you’ll note that confirming President Trump’s nominees has been a slow-moving process, as Senate Democrats continue to do all they can to slow their confirmations, regardless of their experience or qualifications for the jobs they have been nominated to fill. I understand that some Senate Democrats may have differing policy objectives than some nominees, but rather than voicing those concerns, they have slowed Grain Bin Dealer down the entire confirmation process for nearly all nominees, with very few exceptions. Historically, the Senate has worked with an incoming administration to fill their Cabinet picks. In fact, every incoming president from James Garfield in 1881 to Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 had all of his Cabinet officials confirmed on day one of their presidencies. By this point in his first term, President Obama had all of his Cabinet secretaries confirmed. As we all know, elections have consequences. I understand that some of my colleagues were not pleased IRRIGATION SALES & SERVICE with, nor expected, the result of our recent election, but Irrigation PVC, Wire Installed, Well Drilling it’s time to put aside political gamesmanship and work Domestic & Irrigation Pump Installation together on behalf of the American people we all serve in Congress. WATERLINE & ELECTRIC TRENCHING This historic obstruction prevents Congress from Tree & Concrete Removal, Site Clearing, working on issues important to many Americans, such as & Ditch Trenching regulatory reform, tax reform, repairing Obamacare and ALL TYPES OF DIRT WORK - FREE ESTIMATES fixing the VA to make it better for our veterans. These are Bobcats • Crane • Dozers • Excavators • Grader issues that drove millions of Americans to the ballot box Grain Trailer • Scrapers • Side Dumps • Trenchers in November in support of President Trump, and issues Vermillion, SD (605)670-9567 that I have pledged to work on throughout my time in the Hartington, NE (402)254-2568 Senate. I am ready and willing to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to accomplish these goals. AdditionLicensed in SD, NE & IA ally, when federal agencies do not have leadership in place, policy decisions important to citizens are delayed in Save their delivery. up to The Senate is historically known for its decorum. Though individual senators may disagree with one another on policy, comity reigns in this body. I’d like to think that all of us share * similar principles, especially when it comes to a peaceful *Call Ethan or Jamie transition of power. We will all benefit by finalizing the For Complete Details president’s nominees in a Serving Yankton, Vermillion timely manner so we can get and Surrounding Areas includes utility to work on the issues that & manufacturing will have a positive impact rebates on the lives of all Americans. 920 Broadway, Yankton • 605-665-9461 • www.larrysheatingandcooling.com Obstruction in the Senate Does More Harm Than Good 2017 4-H FRUIT SALE 2100 $ On A Qualifying Home Comfort System and Have Up To 10 Years To Pay For It! HEATING & COOLING nees, with very few exceptions. Historically, the Senate has worked with an incoming administration to fill their Cabinet picks. In fact, every incoming president from James Garfield in 1881 to Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 had all of his Cabinet officials confirmed on day one of their presidencies. By this point in his first term, President Obama had all of his Cabinet secretaries confirmed. As we all know, elections have consequences. I understand that some of my colleagues were not pleased with, nor expected, the result of our recent election, but it’s time to put aside political gamesmanship and work together on behalf of the American people we all serve in Congress. This historic obstruction prevents Congress from working on issues important to many Americans, such as regulatory reform, tax reform, repairing Obamacare and fixing the VA to make it better for our veterans. These are issues that drove millions of Americans to the ballot box in November in support of President Trump, and issues that I have pledged to work on throughout my time in the Senate. I am ready and willing to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to accomplish these goals. Additionally, when federal agencies do not have leadership in place, policy decisions important to citizens are delayed in their delivery. The Senate is historically known for its decorum. Though individual senators may disagree with one another on policy, comity reigns in this body. I’d like to think that all of us share similar principles, especially when it comes to a peaceful transition of power. We will all benefit by finalizing the president’s nominees in a timely manner so we can get to work on the issues that will have a positive impact on the lives of all Americans. The family of Helen Bernard request a Card shower to celebrate her 85th Birthday Cards may be sent to: 125 S Walker, room #150 Vermillion, SD 57069 Thank You Our hearts are full of gratitude as we say thank you to our friends, neighbors and family for your thoughts, prayers, calls, cards, visits, and other support during Marion’s brief illness and passing. Your kindness and generosity are appreciated more than you know. This wonderful father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend will be remembered for his love, joy, kindness, goodness and faithfulness . . . seeds he planted in all of us. Let us also remember that “The shell remains, but the NUT is gone”! Galen & Heidi Kryger and family Becky & Lars Aga and family Leona Kryger and family Tuesday, February 21st 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall 816 E Clark Street, Vermillion, SD. Serving: Soup, breads, crackers, dessert, coffee, water & milk A free meal for the whole community - Stone Soup - Three soldiers trudged down a road in a strange country. Tired. Hungry. Ahead of them they saw the lights of a village. "Maybe we will find a bite to eat here." But the peasants of that place feared strangers. "Here come three soldiers. Soldiers are always hungry. But we have little enough for ourselves." And they hurried to hide their food. The soldiers stopped. "Could you spare a bit of food for three hungry soldiers?" The people had no food to give away. They all had good reasons. Then the first soldier called out, "Good people! You have no food. Well then, we'll have to make stone soup. First we'll need a large iron pot. And now, water to fill it and a fire to heat it. And now, if you please, three round smooth stones." The peasants' eyes grew round as they watched the soldiers drop the stones into the pot. "Any soup needs salt and pepper," said the soldiers, as they began to stir. Children ran to fetch salt and pepper. "Stones like these generally make good soup. But oh, if there were carrots, it would be much better." A woman came back with her apron full of carrots. "A good stone soup should have cabbages from the cupboard. Another came with cabbages from the cupboard. "If only we had a bit of beef and a few potatoes, this soup would be good enough for a rich man's table." A rich man's soup - - and all from a few stones. At last, the soup was ready. "All of you shall taste," the soldiers said, "but first a table must be set." Such a soup! How good it smelled! Never had there been such a feast. Never had they tasted such soup. And fancy, made from stones!