BLOOMBERG CALLS FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE
Anti-gun New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) is at it again. A recent New York Post article detailed how, at a breakfast sponsored by Ladies Home Journal, he took a swipe at the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) for its support of the Tiahrt Amendment, which prohibits the disclosure of confidential firearm trace data except in the course of a bona fide criminal investigation. “It is one fringe organization,” charged Bloomberg.
MEEHAN-SHAYS AMENDMENT DEFEATED! For the second time this year, legislation infringing on American citizens’ First Amendment rights was defeated in the U.S. Congress. On May 1, anti-gunRepresentatives Martin Meehan (D-Mass.) and Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) introduced H.R. 2093, legislation restricting grassroots lobbying. The “Meehan-Shays amendment” would have defined communications by organizations such as NRA, that were written with the intent of mobilizing citizens to contact Congress as “lobbying,” subjecting those efforts to onerous registration and reporting requirements for the first time in American history. In the past Congress has specifically exempted grassroots mobilizing from the definition of “lobbying.” Meehan offered H.R. 2093 as an amendment to H.R. 2316 (the “Honest Leadership and Open Government Act”) at the House Judiciary Committee markup yesterday and it was defeated on a voice vote with only one of his colleagues speaking in its favor.
S. 376 MOVES OUT OF COMMITTEE: We are happy to report that, this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to report S. 376 favorably, without any of the many anti-gun amendments Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) had threatened to propose. The bill is now available for consideration by the full Senate.
Please contact your U.S. Senators and ask them to cosponsor and support S. 376. And please encourage your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to do the same! You can reach your U.S. Senators at 202-224-3121.
STATE ROUNDUP (please click to see any updates on states not listed below.)
ALABAMA: Alabama: Emergency Powers Bills Need Your Help Today! Senate Bill 370 and House Bill 598 would prohibit any government agency from confiscating or regulating the sale and possession of firearms by law-abiding citizens during a state of emergency. With just a few short weeks remaining the Alabama Legislature’s session, it’s important that your State Legislator hear from you today. Please contact members of the State Senate at (334) 242-7800 and urge them to support SB 370 and members of the State House at (334) 242-7600 and ask them to support HB 598.
ARIZONA (1): Help Improve the Southeast Regional Park Shooting Range! Please help continue improvements at the Southeast Regional Park Shooting Range. Written comments to the Chairman of the Pima County Parks Bond Committee can be submitted no later than Thursday, May 31, 2007. Please urge the Chairman to support full and uninterrupted funding for the Southeast Regional Park Shooting Range. For more information as to where to mail your comments, please click here.
ARIZONA (2): BLM to Take Public Comment on Its Proposal to Ban All Recreational Shooting in the Ironwood Forest National Monument! The BLM is recommending that Ironwood Forest National Monument closed to all recreational shooting. BLM will be taking public comment on its proposal to ban recreational shooting at a public meeting this Saturday, May 19. Please click here for details.
COLORADO: Colorado Governor Signs Bill Attacking Right-to-Carry! Governor Bill Ritter (D) has signed Senate Bill 34. SB34, non-resident concealed handgun carry permits will no longer be honored if the permit holder is not a resident of the state that issued the permit. For example, a Florida permit issued to a non-resident will no longer be recognized in Colorado. Please contact Governor Ritter at (303) 866-2471 to express your disappointment and let him know you will remember this when he runs for re-election.
CONNECTICUT: “Lost and Stolen” Legislation Stopped For The Time Being! The “Lost and Stolen” legislation was not brought up for a vote, which will kill the bill now. Unfortunately, it usually shows up later as an amendment on another bill. SB 903, would make it a crime to fail to report the lost or theft of a firearm within 72 hours of when you “discover or should have discovered” it missing. Please keep checking www.NRAILA.org for updates on this anti-gun issue.
DELAWARE: Delaware Emergency Powers Bill Heads to House Floor! House Bill 175 would protect our Second Amendment rights by prohibiting any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful sale, possession, transfer, transport and carry of firearms, during a state of emergency. Please contact your State Representative at (302) 744-4087 and ask him or her to defend your Second Amendment rights by supporting HB175.
IDAHO: BLM Proposes Shooting Ban in Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA) in Idaho! The BLM has proposed to close 41,000 acres of public land in the Birds of Prey (NCA) to recreational shooting. Thanks to the hard work of Congressman Bill Sali's office, the BLM appears to be reconsidering its plans. NRA is extremely pleased with the commitment shown by the Congressman and his staff to protect Idaho’s sportsmen. While we are hopeful that BLM will re-evaluate its proposal, NRA members and gun owners in the Boise area need to monitor the issue to ensure local BLM managers follow the direction of their state director.
ILLINOIS: Illinois Bill Seeks to Ban Commonly Used Magazines and Rifles! Senate Bill 1007, introduced by former gun-ban lobbyist and current Senator, Dan Kotowski (D-33), is headed to the House, which could take it up at any time. SB 1007, which bans the manufacture, possession, delivery, sale, and purchase of standard capacity ammunition magazines capable of holding more than ten (10) cartridges. This bill is worded so broadly that it would also ban certain firearms, such as some Henry rifles, which have attached tubular magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition. It is critical that you call your State Representative at (217) 782-8223 immediately and urge him or her to oppose SB 1007.
INDIANA: Indianapolis-Marion County, Indiana City-County Council to Take-Up Firearms Discharge Ban! The Rules and Public Policy Committee of the Indianapolis-Marion City-County Council will consider Proposal 174, a city/county-wide discharge ordinance, at its May 22 meeting. Please make plans to attend the Rules and Public Policy Committee hearing on Tuesday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 260 of the City-County Building, 50 North Alabama Street, Indianapolis. For contact information on the Rules and Public Policy committee, please click here.
IOWA: Final Hearing By LeClaire City Council To Discuss Custom Gunsmith and Firearms Shop Moving Into The Area! Les Baer Custom, Inc. is no longer welcome in Illinois and has decided to move across the Mississippi river to LeClaire, Iowa. Unfortunately, gun ban advocates are working against the company in LeClaire too. Please call the Mayor and City Council and urge them to support Les Baer Custom Inc.'s move to LeClaire. For contact information for the Mayor and City Council, please click here.
KANSAS: Update on Greensburg, Kansas! Last week we reported that we were investigating reports of firearm confiscations in Greenburg, KS following the deadly tornado that ravaged the town. After investigating complaints, there was no evidence of any illegal gun confiscations or seizures. However, there were firearms recovered by law enforcement that are now in the process of being returned. Gun owners whose firearms were recovered by area law enforcement may claim them at the “gun trailer”, located east of Davis Park on the north side of U.S. 54. The trailer is open from 10:00am until 4:00pm Monday through Friday until all firearms are returned.
LOUISIANA: Attention Louisiana Hunters: Help Protect the Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge! A conservation plan addressing the uses of the Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge has been made available by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To ensure that our nation's wildlife refuges remain open to hunting, the hunting community, particularly those who hunt on wildlife refuges, must submit comments for the public record. Comments will be accepted until May 21 and should be sent to: Central Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 401 Island Road, Marksville, LA 71351. A copy of the plan is available at: http://southeast.fws.gov/planning/ .
MICHIGAN: “No-Net-Loss” Bill Heading to House Floor in Michigan! House Bill 4597, “No-Net Loss” legislation that will ensure that today's total acreage of public lands open to public hunting will not be reduced, is headed to the Michigan House floor for a vote. Please contact your State Representative at (517) 373-6339 and respectfully ask him or her to support HB 4597.
MISSOURI (1): Critical Missouri Wildlife Bill Awaiting Governor’s Action! House Bill 327 would preserve important wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities for future generations. Please call Governor Blunt today at (573) 751-3222 and strongly encourage him to preserve and protect Missouri’s proud and time-honored hunting heritage by signing HB327 into law.
MISSOURI (2): Two Missouri Pro-Gun Bills Heading to Governor! Senate Bill 62 and Senate Bill 225, two much-needed pro-gun measure, are on their way to the desk of Governor Matt Blunt (R). Please contact Governor Blunt at (573) 751-1588 and respectfully urge him to sign these bills.
NEW YORK: The New York State Rifle and Pistol Association (NYSRPA) will be holding its 2007 Annual Members Meeting on June 9, at the Wallkill Rod & Gun Club, in conjunction with their annual chicken bake. The event is open to the public and all are welcome. NRA President John Sigler will give the keynote address. Tickets for the chicken bake are $10 each and must be purchased in advance by June 1. To purchase tickets call the NYSRPA office at 518-272-2654 or 800-469-7772. For more information contact the NYSRPA office or visit their website at: http://www.nysrpa.org/
NORTH CAROLINA (1): Anti-Gun Bill Moving Through North Carolina Legislature! House Bill 1287, seeks to create a new statewide database to which sheriffs would report all individuals who have been denied a permit to purchase a pistol. It has passed the House and now moves to the Senate. Please contact your State Senator today and respectfully urge him or her to oppose HB1287.
NORTH CAROLINA (2): North Carolina “Gun Owner Victimization Act” Heads to House Floor! The North Carolina House Judiciary I Committee passed House Bill 1847, a bill that would require law-abiding gun owners to report the loss or theft of a firearm to police or face criminal prosecution. This bill would treat anyone who has had a firearm stolen as a common criminal if he or she fails to report the theft within 48 hours of when the crime victim “knew or reasonably should have known of the theft or loss.” The bill now heads to the floor of the House. HB 1847 is a main legislative objective of the anti-gun North Carolinians Against Gun Violence (NCGV), and must be defeated. While the NRA was not permitted to speak against the bill while it was in committee, our case can still be heard and it can still be defeated if you contact your State Representatives at (919) 733-4111 and urge them to oppose it.
RHODE ISLAND (1): Rhode Island Legislation Targeting Semi-Automatics! Firearm microstamping legislation has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. HB 6343 would require that identifying marks, including the make, model, and serial number of the firearm be etched into the firing pin and breech face of a firearm so that these identifying marks are transferred to the cartridge case upon firing. Please call the House Judiciary Committee and urge them to oppose HB 6343. For contact information for the House Judiciary Committee, please click here.
RHODE ISLAND (2): Rhode Island State Senate Seeking “Microstamping” Bill! Microstamping legislation was introduced and could soon be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee. S 1012 would require that identifying marks, including the make, model, and serial number of the firearm be etched into the firing pin and breech face of a firearm so that these identifying marks are transferred to the cartridge case upon firing. Please call the Senate Judiciary Committee and urge them to oppose S 1012. For contact information for the Senate Judiciary Committee, please click here.
TENNESSEE (1): Tennessee Governor Signs “Emergency Powers” Legislation! Senate Bill 1597 will protect our Second Amendment rights during a state of emergency by prohibiting any government agency from regulating the lawful sale, possession, transfer, transport and carry of firearms, such as occurred following Hurricane Katrina. Please take a moment today to contact Governor Bredesen at (615) 741-2001 and thank him for defending your Second Amendment rights by signing SB1597 into law.
TENNESSEE (2): Pro-Gun Bills Pushing Forward in Tennessee House! House Bill 132 and House Bill 2184, two important pieces of Right-to-Carry reform legislation, have passed out of the Judiciary Committee. HB 132 now heads to the House Finance, Ways & Means Committee and HB 2184 has been referred to the House Committee on Calendar and Rules. Please call the House Finance, Ways & Means Committee at (615) 741-1326 and urge them to support HB 132 and call the House Committee on Calendar and Rules at (615) 741-7016 and urge them to support HB 2184.
TEXAS:Texas Right-to-Carry Confidentiality Bill Heads to Governor Perry! House Bill 991, the Concealed Handgun License confidentiality (CHL) bill sponsored by State Representative Patrick Rose (D-Dripping Springs) and State Senator Bob Deuell (R-Greenville), now goes to Governor Rick Perry (R) for his expected signature. Please take a moment to send a note of thanks: Senator Bob Deuell, Senator Robert Duncan, Representative Patrick Rose, and Representative Joe Driver. Thank you for all your calls and emails in support HB 991, which ensured strong, bi-partisan support of the measure in both the House and the Senate. For contact information on the above State Legislators, please click here.
