February 29, 2012
Yesterday, the Arizona House of Representatives voted 42 to 14 to send House Bill 2728 to the state Senate for its consideration. This NRA-backed pro-hunting legislation, introduced by state Representative David Gowan (R-30), now awaits committee assignment in the Senate. Please contact your state Senator TODAY and encourage him or her to support this important pro-hunting legislation.
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February 29, 2012
Yesterday, the Senate voted 49 to 0 to pass HB 1279 with the “hunting with suppressors” language included. It was then sent back to the state House for a concurrence vote in conference committee. However, due to new rules adopted by the House of Representatives for this legislative session, if a bill does not get a hearing in a House committee, it cannot be accepted into another House bill.
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February 29, 2012
Tomorrow, Legislative Resolution 40CA will receive its final reading on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature. This much-needed constitutional amendment would provide truly meaningful protections against anti-hunting activists who seek to ban all hunting in America, enshrining hunting and fishing in the Nebraska Constitution.
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February 28, 2012
Gun owners in the Mountain State should be pleased to know that pro-hunting and pro-gun legislation is making its way through the West Virginia Legislature. Yesterday, Senate Bill 149 passed in the Senate Finance Committee and will have its third and final reading tomorrow on the Senate floor. Additionally, Senate Bill 478, which passed unanimously in the state Senate last week, is scheduled to be heard in the state House Natural Resources Committee this Thursday at 9:15 a.m. in Government Organization Room 215-E.
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February 28, 2012
Last week, the NRA-backed legislation legalizing the use of suppressors for hunting was amended into another bill, due to a missed deadline by the House Public Policy Committee. However, the “hunting with suppressors” language from this bill is still alive and making its way through the Indiana General Assembly, thanks to the efforts of state Representative Sean Eberhart (R-57) and state Senators Ryan Mishler (R-9) and Travis Holdman (R-19). These legislators worked together to add the language from SB 243 to Representative Eberhart’s Natural Resources Omnibus bill, House Bill 1279.
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February 27, 2012
NRA-backed Senate Bill 1743 passed in the state Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee today by a 10 to 1 vote. Known as the “Landowner’s Hunting Freedom Act," SB 1743 is authored by state Senator Steve Russell (R-45) and would allow Oklahoma landowners and their guests to use lawfully-possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms for hunting. This legislation will now be sent to the Senate floor for consideration, and could be voted on any time in the coming weeks. Your NRA-ILA will continue to update you as this bill progresses through the legislative process.
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February 27, 2012
Recently, the NRA notified you about the opportunity to submit public comments online in support of this administrative rule change that would positively impact hunting in the Lone Star State. In addition to voicing your opinion on the hunting regulation proposals electronically by clicking here (and scrolling down to "Lawful Means,") you now also have the opportunity to weigh-in on this debate by personally attending one of the public meetings being held across the state seeking comment on the department's hunting regulation proposals.
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February 22, 2012
Today, the state Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 478 by a 33 to 0 vote. This legislation would create an apprentice hunting license that is available to West Virginia residents and non-residents. This apprentice hunting legislation now goes to the House of Delegates for its consideration.
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February 20, 2012
NRA-backed Senate Bill 1743, authored by state Senator Steve Russell (R-45), would allow Oklahomans to use lawfully-possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms for hunting. SB 1743, the “Landowner’s Hunting Freedom Act," provides for the legalized use of suppressors for landowners and their guests.
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February 17, 2012
After passing in the Indiana Senate with overwhelming bi-partisan support, NRA-backed Senate Bill 243 now awaits it’s hearing in the House Public Policy Committee. A hearing could be set as early as Wednesday, February 22.
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February 16, 2012
On February 10, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission approved an NRA-backed program that encourages youth participation in hunting, trapping and fishing. Although this program contains unnecessary and vague language requiring mentored hunters to “stay at arm’s length” of an adult mentor, Michigan’s Mentored Youth Hunting Program is a significant step in the right direction. As has been proven in other states, mentored hunting programs are an essential tool for recruiting the next generation of hunters.
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February 15, 2012
Today, the state House Natural Resources Subcommittee tabled Senate Bill 464 for the rest of this current legislative session. SB 464, sponsored by state Senator Ralph Northam (D-6), would have allowed hunting on private land and public waterways on Sundays.
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February 15, 2012
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) is seeking public comment on a proposed rule change allowing the use of suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms for the hunting of game species. Currently, Texas law permits the use of lawfully-possessed suppressors for all other shooting activities, including the taking of nuisance species. Enactment of this rule change would ensure that hunting is treated the same way as other shooting activities with respect to the use of suppressors, and allow all hunters to reap the many benefits suppressor use provides.
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February 14, 2012
The West Virginia House of Delegates had five pro-gun/pro-hunting bills introduced in the past week. The following bills are companion bills that have already been introduced in the West Virginia Senate; House Bill 4495, House Bill 4501, House Bill 4502, House Bill 4505 and House Bill 4507.
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February 14, 2012
The battle over a potential lead shot ban for dove hunting continues to rage in Des Moines. This issue is far bigger than many Second Amendment supporters in the Hawkeye state realize. This is not an attack on just the newly-established dove season, but a direct attack on both hunters and shooters.
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February 14, 2012
Tomorrow morning, after the full House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee will consider legislation to allow hunting on private land and public waterways on Sundays. Senate Bill 464, sponsored by state Senator Ralph Northam (D-6), previously passed in the state Senate by a bipartisan 29 to 11 vote on January 26.
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February 14, 2012
As previously reported, Senate Bill 144 was to be heard in the state Senate Natural Resources Committee tomorrow, February 15. SB 144 will not be considered during this hearing, but will be scheduled for a later hearing date.
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February 13, 2012
Today, House Bill 2457 passed in the state House Energy and Natural Resources Committee by an 8 to 0 vote with a “do pass” recommendation. This important bill now goes to the House floor for a vote.
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February 13, 2012
This Wednesday, February 15, West Virginia Senate committees are expected to consider two NRA-backed bills. The state Senate Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to hear a pro-hunting bill, Senate Bill 144. On the same day, the state Senate Judiciary Committee will consider Senate Bill 353.
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February 8, 2012
Today, the state Senate Natural Resources Committee passed Senate Bill 478, which would create an apprentice hunting license that is available to West Virginia residents and non-residents. Two amendments were added in committee, the first being that the legislation, if passed, would take effect in 2013. The second amendment would make it so that hunters who have purchased a regular (non-apprentice) hunting license previously, either in West Virginia or another state, would not be eligible to purchase the West Virginia apprentice hunting license.
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February 7, 2012
Tomorrow, the state Senate Natural Resources Committee will consider Senate Bill 478, legislation which would create an apprentice hunting license for residents and non-residents of West Virginia. This hearing will take place at 1:00 p.m. in Room 208W of the State Capitol.
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February 3, 2012
Arizona House Bill 2728, NRA-backed pro-hunting legislation introduced earlier this week by state Representative David Gowan (R-30), is scheduled to be heard by the House Committee on Military Affairs and Public Safety on Wednesday, February 8th. Enactment of HB 2728 would allow hunters in Arizona to use lawfully-possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms for hunting. This bill needs your support! Please contact committee members and request their support of this pro-hunting legislation.
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January 31, 2012
Today, state Representative David Gowan (R-30) introduced House Bill 2728, NRA-backed pro-hunting legislation. Enactment of this bill would allow hunters in Arizona to use lawfully-possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms for hunting.
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January 31, 2012
Today, NRA-backed Senate Bill 243 passed its second reading in the Indiana Senate by a voice vote, after adoption of an amendment that clarifies misdemeanor charges for unlawful hunting with a suppressor. This bill now faces a final vote tomorrow, for passage in the Senate.
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January 31, 2012
Today, NRA-backed Senate Bill 301 passed in the Georgia Senate by a 48-5 vote. This legislation now goes to the state House of Representatives for its consideration.
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January 30, 2012
After the historic passage of Senate Bill 464 in the Virginia Senate last week by an overwhelming, bipartisan 29 to 11 vote, Sunday hunting legislation now faces a decidedly tougher challenge in the House of Delegates. Assigned to the Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, House Bill 921 will first be considered by the Natural Recourses Subcommittee on the evening of Wednesday, February 1.
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January 27, 2012
Yesterday, the state House Natural Resources Committee passed House Joint Resolution 2001 by a 17 to 4 vote. HJR 2001, which is the House companion of Senate Joint Resolution 2001, is now headed to the House floor for consideration. SJR 2001 and HJR 2001 would rescind the Iowa Natural Resources Commission’s unjustified and dangerous regulation banning the use of traditional ammunition for dove hunting.
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January 26, 2012
Yesterday, NRA-backed Senate Bill 301 passed unanimously in the state Senate Natural Resources & the Environment Committee! This bill now goes to the Senate floor.
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January 26, 2012
Earlier today, in a victory for sportsmen throughout the Commonwealth, the Virginia Senate passed legislation to repeal the comprehensive ban on Sunday hunting by a 29 to 11 vote. This bipartisan action will now send Senate Bill 464 to the state House of Delegates for committee assignment and further consideration.
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January 25, 2012
Yesterday, the state House Public Safety Subcommittee passed HF 573 by a 2 to 1 vote. This important “stand your ground” self-defense legislation will now be heard by the full House Public Safety Committee as early as tomorrow. State Representatives Clel Baulder (R-58) and Matt Windschitl (R-56) voted to pass HF 573, while Representative Rick Olson (D-68) voted against it. Also, Senate Joint Resolution 2001 passed in the state Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee by a 9 to 3 vote. In the meantime, House Joint Resolution 2001, House companion of SJR 2001, is expected to be voted on tomorrow in the state House Natural Resources Committee.
FULL STORY
January 25, 2012
Today, NRA-backed Senate Bill 243 passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 7 to 1 vote! This bill will now head to the full Senate for a floor vote. Currently, Indiana law permits use of suppressors for all shooting activities except for the taking of game. Enactment of SB 243 would ensure that hunting is treated the same way as other shooting activities with respect to the use of suppressors, and allow hunters to reap the many benefits suppressor use provides.
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January 24, 2012
Tomorrow, January 25, the state Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee is scheduled to hear NRA-backed Senate Bill 301. This hearing will take place at 3:00 p.m. in Room 450 of the State Capitol.
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January 20, 2012
Yesterday in the General Assembly Building, the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee considered four similar Sunday hunting bills. The committee rolled these four bills into Senate Bill 464 and then passed it by a vote of 11 to 4. This legislation will now be sent to the full state Senate for its consideration.
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January 19, 2012
At its next meeting on Wednesday, January 25, the Regulations Committee of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will present proposed amendments to the 2012-2013 Statewide Hunting Proclamation. It will seek permission for them to be published in the Texas Register for public comment.
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January 13, 2012
Yesterday, House Bill 1508, a vital shooting range protection bill, introduced by state Representatives Dean Takko (D-19), Tim Probst (D-17), and Kevin Van De Wege (D-24), was heard in the House Judiciary Committee. Due to the short legislative session, this bill needs to be voted on soon, if it is going to pass this year.
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January 13, 2012
A Georgia Senate proposal would end the ban on silencers for hunting firearms.Senate Bill 301 is sponsored by Sen. John Bulloch, who says allowing hunters to use silencers would keep them from disturbing their neighbors. The Ochlocknee Republican says hunters would still have to have a federal permit to possess a silencer and argues this does not create an unfair advantage for hunters.
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January 12, 2012
On Tuesday, NRA-backed Senate Bill 301 introduced by state Senator John Bulloch (R-11), was referred to the state Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment. SB 301 would allow Georgians to use lawfully-possessed silencers (also referred to as suppressors) on firearms for hunting. There are many benefits to silencers/suppressors: (1) they increase accuracy, (2) make shooting more enjoyable by lessening felt recoil and reducing muzzle blast, (3) protect shooters’ hearing and (4) help reduce noise pollution.
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December 23, 2011
It was announced this week that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will publish a final rule removing gray wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin from the list of endangered and threatened species. This policy change will take effect thirty days after the rule is published in the Federal Register and that is expected to occur next week. This issue marks one more wildlife conservation success story funded, at least in part, by America’s hunters.
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December 16, 2011
Earlier today, Governor Tom Corbett signed legislation into law removing an antiquated law which required hunters and trappers to display their license on an outer garment. With the enactment of House Bill 735, hunters and trappers will no longer be required to display their license beginning on February 13. Since this legislation will not take effect for sixty days, it is important that hunters and trappers continue to respect the current law and continue to wear their license until then.
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December 14, 2011
Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to recommit Senate Bill 71 to the Gaming Oversight Committee by a 124 to 69 vote.
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