Domestic Violence in PA - Lose your right to bear arms

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Gun control is a hard sell in this state, where hunting is a deeply ingrained tradition. But thanks to an unusual political partnership, judges are getting new powers to disarm domestic violence defendants.

A law set to take effect in May will allow courts to force people accused of domestic violence under protection-from-abuse orders to give up all their guns.

Most states have similar statutes, but it's a big change for Pennsylvania, where the Legislature has long been a champion of gun owners' rights. For nearly 30 years, courts have been able to force domestic-violence defendants to surrender only those weapons they have used or threatened to use against a victim.

In 2002, that meant police had to return the 9 mm handgun Michael H. Bechtel had surrendered after a domestic harassment incident, even though his estranged wife had obtained a protection-from-abuse order against him.

That August, about four months after getting the gun back, Mr. Bechtel used it to kill Raienhna P. Bechtel, 22, their 3-year-old son, Jacob, and two other adults in the woman's home at the time. He pleaded guilty and is serving four life terms in prison.

If the new law had been in place, the killings "may never have happened," said Ms. Bechtel's mother, Joan Starr.

"He probably might have come after her with his hands [instead]. She might have had an opportunity to fight back," Ms. Starr said.

The new law, which was signed last month, resulted from a rare meeting of minds among lobbyists for abuse victims, police and gun owners in a largely rural state with gun laws that have earned a D-plus from a major gun-control group.
"If you are law-abiding and you have never threatened anyone with a gun, you don't have to worry about this law," said Rep. Katie True, a Lancaster County Republican and NRA member who sponsored the bill.

The legislation is aligned with a provision of federal law that prohibits anyone subject to a restraining order or convicted of a domestic-violence crime from owning firearms, said Jill Morris, public policy director for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

"If you take one [gun] away, you've got to take them all away," Ms. Morris said.
The law also doubles the maximum time limit on protective orders to three years.
It will allow judges to order defendants in protection-from-abuse cases to turn over their guns and other weapons to a sheriff or approved third party – such as a friend or relative – within 24 hours of issuing a restraining order. A weapons surrender would be mandatory if a defendant violates a protection order.

The law includes a unique system to ensure third parties are held accountable if they return a weapon before the order is lifted, said Amy Sousa, policy specialist for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. They will have to get a free safekeeping permit from a county sheriff, and they could be charged with a misdemeanor if they return a weapon without court approval.

Kathy and Mike Dyabelko of Lebanon say that provision could have prevented the 2001 death of their daughter.

Police say an ex-boyfriend killed Stacy Dyabelko, 25, and himself with a gun he had been ordered to give up but that a friend had eventually returned to him.
The Dyabelkos were invited to the Capitol by Gov. Ed Rendell for a private bill-signing ceremony Nov. 10.

"It was very bittersweet," Ms. Dyabelko said. "I do believe that if she had survived, this is what she would have wanted. She didn't want to see him die. She was not ready to die."


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NOTE: as a supporter of "the right to bear arms" and the NRA, I think this
new law is not a bad idea. Some people are just not meant to own weapons, even
though, when they get stupid enough to kill another person, they're beyond help
anyway and sadly, they don't realize the strength they have even without a weapon.
It's unfortunate that some of these domestic violence offenders feel like they
need to try and control and intimidate others.

Aztec Oil & Gas Issues Update on Progress in Pennsylvania Drilling Program

Aztec Oil & Gas Issues Update on Progress in Pennsylvania Drilling ProgramAztec Oil & Gas, Inc. has been informed by the operator of its drilling project in Pennsylvania that a number of additional wells have been successfully drilled. Aztec previously announced in late October that it has taken a minority working interest in a program to drill up to 40 natural gas wells located in Cambria, Clearfield and Potter counties in Pennsylvania.As previously announced, drilling of the first well has already been completed. It is now awaiting a pipeline connection. In addition, the Company is hereby announcing that the Pennsylvania Well # 2 has been spudded and the drilling was completed and casing set on October 23, 2005. The well is expected to produce natural gas from three regionally producing reservoirs. The well has been logged, and completed, and is now awaiting a pipeline connection.

Full story here:

Pennsylvania Launches IflyPA.com

to Promote Flying out of Commonwealth Airports
Monday November 14, 11:00 am ET
Site Helps Travelers Shop with Intelligence when Booking Air Travel


HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced a consumer website to help air travelers compare in-state fares with out-of-state fares, along with other costs associated with traveling to an out-of-state airport.

The website offers air travel facts, cost comparison scenarios and direct links to Pennsylvania's 15 scheduled-service airports.

IflyPA.com spread its wings at the new Harrisburg International Airport terminal with the help of representatives of Pennsylvania's airports and other airline industry professionals, including a number of the 210,000 front-line employees directly affected by increases and decreases in air travel.

"This new website is a smart-shopper's guide for air travelers," said Governor Edward G. Rendell. "Many air travelers never consider additional cost factors like gas and parking when comparing fares at out-of-state airports. This site will give travelers the information they need to know for checking whether they are really getting a better deal outside the state-we think they will find our airports are competitive."

Research indicates that many Pennsylvanians are actually paying more to fly out of out-of-state airports after calculating factors like mileage, gas, parking fees and other travel costs in addition to factors like convenience and travel time. Some travelers actually spend $100 or more in many cases.

"The average Pennsylvania airfare has dropped 26 percent since 2000, one of the largest airfare declines of any state," said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E., who launched the website. "For the first time since 1992, Pennsylvania is below the national airfare average. That's great news for Pennsylvania air travelers, airlines, airports and the people employed in the air travel industry."

Biehler added that in terms of airfares alone, Pennsylvania residents are spending $270 million each year to fly from out-of-state airports.

IflyPA.com is supported by an aggressive statewide advertising and public relations campaign. For more information, visit http://www.IflyPA.com.

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us.


CONTACT:
Kate Philips
717-783-1116

Kirk Wilson (PennDOT)
717-783-8800


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