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Firearm Preemption Laws

Gun control supporters demand that state legislatures impose a wide variety of gun control restrictions within their borders. However, they hypocritically cry foul when legislatures use their power to limit gun control. Frustrated at their inability to convince state legislatures to adopt the restrictive firearm laws they propose, gun control supporters say that local jurisdictions should be able to adopt those restrictions independently.

Aside from gun control supporters’ hypocrisy, there are multiple arguments against local restrictions on basic firearm rights. Historically, some local jurisdictions have imposed clearly unconstitutional restrictions on gun ownership—the District of Columbia’s and Chicago’s since-overturned handgun bans being two recent examples. It also creates confusion when laws vary widely within a state, potentially placing otherwise law-abiding citizens at risk of violating an ordinance of which they were not previously aware, as they travel within their states, and more so when they travel outside their state of residence.

As a result, almost all states today have a law prohibiting local jurisdictions from imposing gun control restrictions that are more severe than state law.

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Thursday, November 1, 2012

Kentucky: Lawrence County Officials Hope to Strip Your Right to Carry in the Courts

On Monday, October 26, Lawrence County officials voted 4-0 during a fiscal court hearing in favor of filing ...

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Pennsylvania: Time is Running Out for Important Firearms Preemption Legislation to Pass This Year

With only a handful of days left before the Pennsylvania General Assembly adjourns for the year, legislation that ...

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Friday, April 6, 2012

H.R. 4269: Protecting Lawful Transportation of Firearms

An important provision of federal law, intended to protect the right of law-abiding gun owners to transport firearms ...

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Iowa Update: House Democrats Refuse to Consider Pro-Gun Bills, Leave Capitol

Three bills important to gun owners in the Hawkeye State were expected to receive consideration today on the ...

News  

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Pennsylvania: Municipalities may be forced to rescind 'missing gun' reporting laws

The House Judiciary Committee voted 19-4 this month to approve a bill that would, in effect, penalize municipalities ...

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Thursday, February 16, 2012

NRA applauds Pa. bill that would allow it to sue over local gun control laws

A bill fast tracking through the General Assembly aims to send a tough message to local governments in ...

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Thursday, February 9, 2012

Pennsylvania: Rules on reporting stolen guns could soon cost cities some money

State lawmakers are poised to advance a bill that could financially punish cities that require the timely reporting ...

Friday, February 3, 2012

Pennsylvania: Firearms Preemption Bill Scheduled to be Heard this Monday

The state House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on a critical firearm bill on Monday, February 6. ...

Friday, January 20, 2012

Vote Expected Tuesday on Two Pro-Gun Bills in Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee

On Tuesday, January 24, the state House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a vote on two very important firearm ...

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Friday, January 13, 2012

Florida: Miami Beach repeals gun control laws

Miami Beach commissioners repealed the city's laws restricting the sale, discharge and possession of firearms on Wednesday to ...

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NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.