can't say I'm shocked. I'd also guarantee that the vast majority of the "gun rights" trolls posting in these Comments sections are from outside the district too.

Lance and Skibitsky are going to have a hard time getting re-elected unless they get w/ the program.

Support for common-sense gun laws (along w/ the mental health aspect) are the only thing I'm basing my vote on next time each of these gentlemen come up for re-election. They both received my vote last time - I'll be paying close attention to these issues to see if they'll be keeping it.

Interesting, we as legal gun owners are demonized in the media, our children indoctrinated in the schools to say that we are evil. Pleaseee, First, I highly DOUBT anybody said anything to the effect of I hope you are raped. I smell semantics here to try to sell your story. And if your going to tell the story, at least tell the FACTS. This protest was being held and organized by moveon.org, a far leftwing organization. and the exact comment was to embarrass them. Not the NJ residents for action.

Amazing how FACTS can go along way..

They will have no problem getting re-elected! Just because a small group of gun haters are trying to force their agendas down our throat and telling us what's common sense when it's common sense to them to kill an unborn child in their hypocritical eyes.

What's the matter? Your uptight little group didn't think there would be any opposition to your nonsense?

@ML...Congratulations on a successful declaration of ignorance and irresponsibility. How about a persuasive argument and less hallow threats.

Mr Matthew ,
DO NOT COMMENT ON THINGS YOU DO NOT KNOW ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WERE NOT THERE. HOW DARE YOU!! We DO NOT LIE . That comment was made .
NO ONE IS DEMONIZING GUN OWNERS. THAT IS A MANIFESTATION OF YOUR PARANOID FANTASY
THESE RANTS AND RAVES BY SOME OF THE COMMENTS SUCH AS YOURS ONLY SERVE TO CONFIRM THE BELIEF THAT BECAUSE GUNS KILL THEY NEED TO BE REGULATED.!
Clearly , they can get into the hands of someone who can mass murder.
And as far as all the claims that a federal ban on excessive weapons and excessive ammunition is UNCONSTITUTIONAL, then why wasn't ONE case brought before the Supreme Court when there was a federal ban and why aren't there any cases now being brought against the state of New Jersey that it's unconstitutional? You know why? BECAUSE YOU WOULD LOSE!
THE NRA HAS PLENTY OF LAWYERS AND I'M SURE THIS GROUP IN NEW JERSEY HAS LAWYERS TO BRING IT BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT.
YOU NEED TO PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS AND CHALLENGE IT IN SUPREME COURT
BUT NONE OF YOUR LAWYERS WILL BECAUSE THEY WOULD LOSE AND THEN THERE WOULD GO THE BIG LIE THAT ALL OF YOU FEED INTO .

@Keith
I haven't been on this forum very long but if you want to read some of my more "thoughtful pieces", go back and read some of my other posts I guess. No need to cover the same ground again. Besides, it didn't really take me very long to realize that I'm not going to find much thoughtful dialogue in these Comments sections.

But as far as your assertion of my irresponsibility: we wouldn't even be having this mindless internet flame war if a "responsible gun owner" was smart enough to know that arming and training a seriously troubled young man how to shoot might just be a bad idea. Everybody's a "responsible gun owner" until they do something stupid, and become "irresponsible". But then, it's too late.

Nobody's realistically trying to ban guns. But if some additional measures are able to slow down the devastating consequences of stupidity, I'm ok w/ that.

Are you my councilman, btw?

ML, no ones realistiically trying to ban guns? However, if specific laws that are being introduced passed the few rifles we DO own will become illegal.. My beretta I bought that came with a 14 round magazine will be illegal.. and my Wife who is a veteran and most likely on the terrorist watch list because she was in the service DURING THE WAR.. will not be able to own a firearm.. YOU DO READ SOME OF THIS STUFF RIGHT?

http://captiongenerator.com/2548/Move-on-finds-out-about-NJ2AS

Correction -/this was our protest. We did coordinate it with MoveOn. However, the only way someone would know about it from MoveOn is if they purposely infiltrated move on just to get inside information as events are only emailed to private MoveOn members.
Hmmmm .... --
-

@Matther/Devilsfan and the others, I had the pleasure of having one of the nasty NJ2AS members actually say to me while spitting how he can't wait for the day I'm in the middle of the street getting raped and have no way to protect myself. I looked him in the face and reminded him that I live here in Westfield, Nj, not some other country where this kind of atrocity can actually take place. What precipitated his disgusting comment was after I read his sign, which said something to the effect of "I have the right to own a gun", I asked him, Why are you here? I said we are a group who supports the 2A., while I may not agree with it, our purpose to have a unity rally wasn't to protest the 2A. Nasty NJ2ASS then yelled at me that he has the right to protect his wife if she is raped in his home, so I asked why he needs so many bullets, and he said something irrational to the effect that it may not be just one, but now up to 3 intruders. Then he couldn't help himself and had to loudly say, while spitting, his lovely rape comment to me. A great moment for the NJ2ASS group. So now we're up against people who tell us WE'RE crazy, Newtown is not the norm, yet NJ2AS members are operating under the belief that on the rare chance not just 1 intruder enters their home, but now 3 intruders enter they need to be heavily armed. Really?? CUCKOO, CUCKOO. oh and Devilsfan we are a peaceful and calm group of activists, far from uptight, clearly NJ2ASS members are a bit tightly wound

@Keith, bet you're happy to have such upstanding people like the NJ2AS as your supportive constituents. No wonder the republican party is being called "the Stupid Party"
@ML thanks for your support, you should come to one of our meetings and please send a letter to Lance on this matter

The "Keith" who is posting on this and other stories is not Councilman Keith Loughlin. Comments made about Mr. Loughlin have been deleted.

oh, come on. Speechless. It absolutely is. His comment history and subject matter leave little doubt.
Did he email you asking you to delete this because it's "slanderous" just like "Keith" did here amidst some desent in a thread generally in praise of the Westfield council:

http://westfield.patch.com/articles/westfield-resident-thanks-town-council-for-spending#comments
(5th post)

Or here where "Keith" agrees w/ your censorship approvingly after poorly-placed insults between him and the local Fire Department union?:
http://westfield.patch.com/articles/runner-who-collapsed-at-hangover-5k-passes-away#comments
(4th from the bottom)

Odd that this same "Keith" also fluffs Skibitsky in this thread on his announcement that he's seeking the rare third term:

http://westfield.patch.com/articles/westfield-s-skibitsky-to-seek-third-term-as-mayor#comments
(6th post)

But what really adds intrigue is the blurb taken from the end of this Patch article:
"Please stop by Bagel Chateau Saturday, February 16 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. to sign my petition for election."

Ironically, @KeithLoughlin on Twitter "tweeted" the following on Feb 7th (the date the above article was published) and again on Feb 14th:

"Keith Loughlin‏@KeithLoughlin

Please stop by Bagel Chateau Saturday, February 16 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. to sign Mayor Skibitsky's petition for election. #WestfieldNJ"

(not done yet)

http://westfield.patch.com/articles/resident-questions-council-on-authority-of-crossing-guards#comments
(2nd post)

Here, "Keith" reacts to a Patch article critical of the town's crossing guards by alluding to the idea that this "citizen investigative reporter" might just be a pedophile. Besides the blatant "slander" in his tone, it's worth noting that the councilman in question, per his Patch profile, holds these responsibilities (which I assume includes crossing guards):

•Vice Chairman of the Public Safety, Parking and Transportation Committee and member of the Public Works Committee.

Along the same lines, "Keith" also harbors some strange animosity toward speed bumps here:

http://westfield.patch.com/articles/fire-department-rescue-squad-respond-to-w-broad-street-accident#comments
(4th post)

To "Keiths" credit, he also has a lot of posts supporting other volunteers in local government and services. Which I obviously agree with, but fits the profile of the "alleged" pretty well.

Do I need to go on or can we stop insulting my intelligence? I'm learning a lot about the integrity of my local government here, I guess it's up to you what my "takeaway" regarding the integrity of the Patch and it's editing will be.

why do I feel like I woke up today in China?

This whole story is a much to do about nothing. Obviously whom ever wrote it is a liar and should have they're head examined to be sure all of it's contents did not fall out between now and they're last check-up from the neck up. Guns do not kill people and neither do the many thousand of rounds of ammunition that are legally obtained in NJ everyday. These supposed "common sense" gun laws are anything but common sense. They seek only to further diminish the rights of everyday law abiding citizens and make criminals out of those that choose to exercise they're god given right to self-defense and defense against a tyrannical government. Those of you who would seek to abolish the second amendment little by little, as you have for many years in NJ should look to history, both past and present for what will inevitably happen here in NJ if these un-commen sense gun grabber laws are passed. I implore you to do the right thing and search deep within the depths of your seemingly small brains for some sort of honestly good answer to how any of these proposed bills would have or will do anything to stop the next Newtown.

Comment history is a gold mine.

The "Keith" vs this Kasko guy is hilarious. I had no idea there was a "Kaski guy" nor that there was so much local drama related to these town council meetings.

Keith's additional "Dislikes":
1) the town being challenged on the placement of traffic lights
2) The Office Bar and Grille
this was a curious one until I realized it's just a stone's throw from the "evil" Westfield Fire Department. I guess this is Keith's version of "Starving the beast" - by sabotaging their primary food source.

Keith - if you close the fire station, my toddler son will literally be in tears. He loves those guys. We take special trips by there pretty often just so he can look in, wave at them and check out their trucks/gear. You would ruin the poor kid's whole year - I'm being totally serious.

You're like the boogeyman in my kid's life. I'm actually getting a little uncomfortable thinking about just how accurate that is (on several levels).

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know where the majority of gun-related deaths occur every day. Most are not in our suburban schools, movie theaters, and high-rise office suites. No, most are in the streets of our most violent cities and in areas where there are specific commonalities, no matter where you go in this country.

What are those commonalities? The districts and neighborhoods where most of the nation's murders happen are plagued by broken homes, third- and fourth-generation welfare families, high unemployment, low literacy rates, rampant drug abuse, and limited opportunities for kids to spend their time constructively. Most have been under democratic control for years and years. Here's a list of some of the nation's most violent cities. Note the highest and many of the others have the most strict gun control laws. Apparently the criminals don't follow those laws. Why will they follow new ones? If they will murder, why do they care about 10 round vs 15 or 17 round pistol magazines? So if they are caught with a 17 round magazine in commission of a gun crime with an illegal gun, what does that do, keep them in jail longer because it is more than ten rounds? Come on. It does not dissuade them from committing the more serious crime. Makes no sense.

Continued
Total Homicides (2011)
Detroit 346
St. Louis 113
Oakland 110
Memphis 147
Baltimore 195
New Orleans 199
Chicago 435
Washington, D.C. 109
Philadelphia 324
Los Angeles 298

In these ten cities alone, 2,276 Americans were tragically killed last year. These aren't just numbers, these are real people with real families. And their lives are no less important than the lives of those lost in mass shootings that the mainstream media rushes to cover — and that gun control advocates use to further their goal of restricting gun rights of responsible gun owners.

The majority of those 2,276 people that have been the victims of gun violence in our most dangerous cities were not murdered by those carrying legally-obtained firearms.

How then do we stop gun violence? Certainly not doing what you are doing. You are directing your efforts in the wrong place with the "protest" and tired anti-gun talking points.

Karen,
I saw your post from last night by the way, at least before councilman Ahmadinejad here tried to nationalize the Patch. I absolutely support your cause. I'll check out your site when I have a chance. I'm a little skeptical of the impact of a petition, but I'll sign it, sure. Although, if our local leaders hold such low esteem for the right to vote, I doubt they'll give much thought to a petition. But regardless, I commend your efforts in taking the lead on this locally.

It really is amazing though, isn't it? I guess I should be more angry that somebody I voted for actually said that to me, but I can't help but laugh at the stupidity of it all.

I mean, I honestly voted for this guy, He represents my ward. I vote at Wilson school (had to vote at Franklin this year I think because of Sandy). Hilarious.

This is why I usually stay out of politics. Sleaze and misrepresentation at every turn - would rather spend the time w/ my family than these folks. Sandy Hook hit too close to home for me though so I have to poke my head out on this issue.

@LKB,
Time-permitting I'll do what I can to attend a meeting. I have two little ones at home, and my wife and I both work, so it can get a little hectic. And I did send Lance a letter actually (email to his office) - like a month or so ago. It was long, from the heart and all. I got a prompt auto-reply thanking me for contacting his office, he'd read it and get back to me, etc. but I never heard back.

ML-while neither you nor I can prove or disprove whether those comments are written by Councilman Loughlin or one of the many other "Keiths" within this and surrounding communities, I am taking Mr. Loughlin at his word as I would do with any Patch user who makes a similar assertion.

As much as we appreciate and encourage lively discussion on the site, we ask users to refrain from personal attacks but rather focus on the topic at hand.

As far as censorship is concerned, I don't consider asking a reader to submit a letter to the editor as falling in that category.

Elizabeth,
Fair enough and I respect the conundrum you're in here. It is what it is.

Funny that the real Keith Loughlin was so readily available w/ his denial, yet the Patch's "Keith" went MIA just as quickly. But I digress.

Perhaps in your next conversation w/ the councilman, you could invite him to this forum to defend his honor and clear up the confusion w/ a public denial. Maybe we could even all have a good laugh at the ridiculously similar profiles of the councilman and this other "Keith" fellow. It also seems that since Mayor Skibitsky, Councilman Fera and even Leonard Lance use this same forum to communicate w/ their constituents, a "connected", young, Twitter guy like Councilman Loughlin is really missing out on an opportunity to engage his constituents on this social-media platform.

In any event, thank you for the job you do (and putting up w/ all the nonsense). Thanks as well for leaving my "investigative pieces" from this morning up so the readers can decide for themselves.

Just curious how is any group showing up to counter your protest deemed to "embarrass" you? Is this any different than protesters from two sides of any issue showing up at the same location? Do you really think everyone is going to sit back and do nothing while you go about your attempts to convince politicians the entire state/country thinks the same as you?

http://westfield.patch.com/articles/nj-residents-for-action-urges-community-to-contact-elected-leaders#comment_6393881 Karen you also mentioned NJ2AS may have had members present not from your town...according comments on the link your members hail from other towns....Lance's office didnt give your meeting the response you sought so again you go off, Yes there are definitely some people who should not own firearms! Starting to think maybe your resistance to firearm ownership stems from your own persona

Dear HL ,
Those EXACT words were said on their website .
They used the sane EXACT words-- " lets try to embarrass them " on their website the next day as they planned another crash
That is where the EXACT language came from -- Their own website . Ofcourse you would have known that if you read the article which was 100% FACT

And ML -- thank you for your thoughtful comments
I understand the time issue
Please keep following us and write letters to the Leader , alternative press etc . The Congressman's office reads Everything

It's much more effective than writing to him -- although that's important as well . Lance should be called out on his votes
ML -- are you aware of HR822 that Lance voted for to allow gun owners from other states to bring guns into NJ -- essentially breaking NJ LAW? if not , I'll tell you about it.
I'm sure he hoped that would go under the radar

No HL -- it doesn't stem from my own persona . It stems from 20 Firsf graders executed point blank in their classrooms
It stems from knowing we need to speak out and do something
And you are EXACTLY right . We are NOT satisfied with our Congressman . That's why we are expressing our outrage utilizing my first amendment rights . And we will CONTINUE to do so . That's called Democracy

And by the way -- HL -- the polls don't lie .
70% of New Jersey supports federal ban on high magazine clips ,
69 % support ban on assault weapons
95 % support universal background checks
Quinnipiac

Those are the FACTS . Sorry you don't like them , but clearly YOU Are the minority

.

These residents are trying to do something good for our children and for our society. I am deeply religious , firmly believe in Christ and know that Christ would never have approved of all the weapons that many seem so obsessed to own.
Christ stood up and spoke out for others -- with courage - as these brave citizens are doing.
I applaud the work that NJ Residents For Action is doing for our community and I know that the mean spirited comments from others is not what this community represents. I also know that it is not the sentiment of this community either. I see and hear all our congregates saying the same thing that these courageous residents are saying-- and our pastor. Because all of us in our church feel exactly as these wonderful citizens.
I wish you all blessings.

yes you are right Karen the words in the article make it a fact....seriously I'd love to speak to you face to face, maybe you can teach me something I am unaware of that would bring me over to your way of thinking.... maybe I will show up at one of your protests or meetings

Karen stick to your version of fact---- Woman to woman, I am still curios how would you defend yourself in a life threatening situation? You've keep skirting the question....

lastly Karen how do any of the pending bills do anything to specifically address mental health issues or criminal activity, or the safety of your children or mine? They dont, and they wont! Wouldnt your time be better spent working on ways to improve the real issues at hand, If care about the children as you say....then its time for you and your group to take a serious look at what your goals are and ask yourselves how we these accomplish those goals---- get off the defensive and do some real honest thinking and maybe educate yourself a little on things you know nothing about ---- calm down and breathe--- laws made on emotion are never good laws

Karen, why do you think that 1st Amendment applies to your group but doesn't equally apply to those who disagree with you? I disagree with what your group advocates, but you have a Constitutional right to say it, so I support your right to do so. There is nothing in our political system that says one can only protest in their congressional district. Why do you not support the right of others who disagree with you from expressing their opinions, as is THEIR Constitutional right to do so?That suggests to me that you don't respect the Bill of Rights, which makes me think that your real agenda goes far beyond what is stated and ultimately threatens my 2nd Amendment rights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=489DKFhhLAs&feature=share NJ Common Sense Legislation.........

Concerned citizen ,

A transfer of any firearm should be monitored with background checks .
You seem to object to the fact that you couldn't give your gun to a "family " member without a background check .
Background checks sound pretty reasonable to me and they would help to minimize the possibility that a deadly weapon could fall into the hands of the wrong person --instead of keeping it in the hands of a responsible gun owner like yourself .

So if you grandmother wanted to give grandpa's 150 year old rifle he got from his grandpa who used it in the War between the States she would have to make sure you had a background check? Is that right?

First, as President of the New Jersey Second Amendment Society (NJ2AS) I would like to address the author of this Patch article directly. The NJ2AS is a state-wide organization as the name NEW JERSEY would imply. President Obama is based in Washington D.C. I think it is fair to say that if the President can organize anti-rights protests all over the country, the NJ2AS most certainly has an interest in countering with a PRO-rights demonstration here in our own state.

Second, just because I assert that one of YOUR protesters shouted at our members, "I hope you shoot your babies with your guns",

A.) doesn't mean that it was actually said, and B.) doesn't mean that your organization supports such a despicable wish (at least I would hope not).

Frank Jack Fiamingo

In fact, the next to the last thing the members of the NJ2AS want is for *ANYONE* to be assaulted. The last thing we want is for ourselves, our families or our INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY to be assaulted. We support the right of EVERY individual to protect their LIFE, LOVE and LIBERTY by whatever means necessary to accomplish the job, INCLUDING the carrying of a defensive handgun.

In the hands of a free citizen of the United States who has never committed a violent crime or been adjudicated mentally incompetent, NONE of the rights protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights should be considered a threat to anyone. That goes against all reason. The Constitution was intended to PROTECT the INDIVIDUAL rights of the people, NOT to suppress them. Only the criminal and the criminally insane should be denied their otherwise inalienable rights.

Frank Jack Fiamingo

We deprived NO ONE their First Amendment rights by showing up to counter your protest. You said what you came to say and we came to demonstrate our reverence for LIFE, LOVE and LIBERTY. It is not our fault that your numbers were so much lower than ours. I believe that is a reflection of the fact that MOST people realize that the suppression of rights is a BAD thing. They realize that you don't reduce violence by restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens. Instead, it makes more sense to concentrate our efforts on eliminating or reducing crime and insanity. However, since the government appears to be completely ineffective at achieving those goals, it makes PERFECT sense for us to protect our own lives, loved ones and LIBERTY.

That is the message that the NJ2AS is spreading throughout New Jersey. Love and protect your family while preserving your LIBERTY to do so from attack by those who fail to understand its importance. We plan to counter *EVERY* protest held in *ANY* part of New Jersey with an enthusiastic crowd of Liberty-minded, law-abiding members and supporters. As our numbers grow, we will drown out anyone who believe that the Constitution no longer applies to the people of the United States. it is *OUR* Constitution. It was written SOLELY to protect the INDIVIDUAL rights of the people in a government *OF* the people, *BY* the people, *FOR* the people. Until you understand that, we will continue to show up in larger and larger numbers.

Frank Jack Fiamingo

Mr. Flamingo .....
We're you there at the protest ? No. So do not comment on what your group did or didn't do , said or didn't say because you weren't there .
As far as the Second Amendment and the banning of military assault weapons - banning these excessive weapons is not unconstitutional .
Have you read the legal opinion written by Scalia in the Heller decision ? It specifically states that the right to bear arms is NOT UNLIMITED . In other words , limits and restrictions may be applied and will still fall within protecting one!s second amendment rights . It also specifically states that " Weapons used in the military such as M-16 MAY BE BANNED .
So why are you accusing those who are in favor of limiting excessive weapons and excessive ammunition , trying to strip you of your Second Amendment rights ?
It has no basis in the law or in fact .
I'd love to hear your response

Wow, Frank, looks to me like you're well put definition of what the 2nd Amendment really is, along with the historically accurate reason why it remains logical to keep it that way, was too much for Karen. Keep up the good work. Not a member of your group yet but you just might have a new member after reading this thread. And I do live in district 7. You are welcome here if I have any say as a resident.

im sorry Karen isn't interested in our rights only the agenda of moveon.org.

Have you seen this?

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/05/10/anti-gun-dems-shocking-hot-mic-comments-confiscate-confiscate-confiscate/

There is something that I would ask the readers to please consider. This is the true story of two young women (I will call them Jane and Joan for purposes of this post).

Jane had an order of protection against her abusive ex-boyfriend. He threatened to kill her. Sometime between 3 and 4 in the morning, he broke into her apartment, brutally beat her, sexually assaulted her and when she grabbed a marble bookend that had fallen to the floor during the struggle, and struck him in the head as hard as she could, he strangled her to death and left her lifeless body in the middle of the room.

Joan also had an order of protection against her abusive ex-boyfriend. He had previously beaten her so badly that she had to have facial reconstruction. Very early one morning, he broke into her apartment. Joan was able to reach for her .45 caliber pistol and she shot him three times in the chest. The EMT carried his lifeless body out to the ambulance.

First I want you to consider which of these scenarios you would prefer. Second, you need to understand that one of these situations happened in Texas where the proper use of a firearm is accepted and encouraged. The other happened in New Jersey. I will let you consider which was which.

Frank Jack Fiamingo
President - NJ2AS
NOW IS THE TIME!!!

You see, guns are not the problem. Criminals are the problem. Any bill that encroaches on the legitimate right of the people to keep and bear arms while doing absolutely nothing to prevent criminals from obtaining and MIS-using guns is not good legislation it is a GUN OWNERSHIP RIGHTS VIOLATION according to our OWN U.S. Constitution.

Frank Jack Fiamingo
President - NJ2AS
www.nj2as.com
NOW IS THE TIME

I hear you Frank, and totally agree.I'm actually in the process of getting my FID and pistol permit, which of course I've been waiting for since January.and I have heard that disgusting recording of these so called politicians regarding confiscation. They clearly have an agenda and refuse to understand the words "shall not be infringed".

And to Karen and to the rest of your left wing buddies...and you on the left say they is no tyrrany...look at what Obama's IRS was doing...This is why the 2nd Amendment is a right and law!!

Law-abiding gun owners have been saying for years that after they attack your right to keep and bear arms, they will come after your right to free speech, and eventually the rest of your rights. The question is now that you see it happening, will you listen?