Senate Hearing Promotes Anti-American Watchlist Bills
Since September 11, 2001, it's been clear that terrorists who hate America will exploit our weaknesses in order to destroy us. This week, Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.), Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) and New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg exploited Americans' fear of terrorism to push their latest anti-gun proposal, and in doing so showed that they're willing to destroy other parts of the Constitution, to choke its Second Amendment.
On Tuesday, as chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, Lieberman held a hearing to give Lautenberg and King the opportunity to promote their bills S.1317 and H.R.2159, to prohibit the possession of firearms by people on the FBI's "terrorist watchlist," and Lautenberg's S. 2820, to maintain records of approved instant background check transactions for a minimum of 180 days. The watchlist bills further propose that a person seeking relief in court from these new restrictions would be prevented from examining and challenging "evidence" against him, and that the judge deciding whether the person had been watchlisted for good reason be limited to summaries and redacted versions of such "evidence."
McCain, Tester, Childers, and Souder Introduce Bills to Reform D.C.'s Gun Laws: Last week, Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Reps. Travis Childers (D-Miss.) and Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.), introduced the "Second Amendment Enforcement Act." The Senate and House bills (S. 3265, with 14 Senate cosponsors and H.R. 5162, with 64 House co-sponsors, respectively) would eliminate several of the District's most restrictive gun control laws passed in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller.
CSU System Board Rescinds Resolution on Weapons Control Policies: Last month, we reported on a Colorado chapter of Students for Concealed Carry filing suit against Colorado State University (CSU). The suit was in response to CSU's Board of Governors banning concealed carry in February, despite an overwhelming majority vote of support for gun rights by the CSU Student Senate and support from local Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden. CSU had allowed carry for several years before the change in policy earlier this year.
Last Call To Register For Charlotte Grassroots Workshop! This is the last call to register for the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division's FREEGrassroots Workshop being held next week at NRA's Annual Meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina. This Workshop has been a regular part of NRA's Annual Meetings for more than a decade.
Special NRA-ILA Seminar Planned For Charlotte! In addition to the FREE Grassroots Workshop being held in conjunction with this year's Annual Meetings, the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division is holding a FREE "In Their Own Words" Special Seminar.
Trigger The Vote Chairman, Chuck Norris, Coming To Charlotte! Chuck Norris, legendary action star and the Honorary Chairman of our "Trigger the Vote" voter registration campaign, is coming to the NRA Annual Meeting in Charlotte next month. He will be a featured speaker at the Friday Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum. Chuck and his wife Gena will be Guests of Honor at the NRA-ILA Friday Dinner Auction, and they will also host a book-signing in the Exhibit Hall on Saturday. Click here to see a brief interview with Chuck about his new book, and plan to see him in Charlotte! NRA-ILA will be conducting an on-site voter registration drive at the Annual Meetings as well.
ILA Dinner and Auction At Annual Meetings: The Institute for Legislative Action will hold its Fourth Annual Dinner and Auction in conjunction with the NRA Annual Meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday evening, May 14th.
Get Your Copy of Stephen Halbrook's Freedmen, the Fourteenth Amendment, and the Right to Bear Arms, 1866-1876: Does the Second Amendment apply to the states? The Supreme Court will soon decide that critical question. As that historic day approaches, there's no better time for all Americans to learn more about this issue.
Grassroots News Minute Video: To view this week's "Grassroots News Minute" video, please click here:
STATE ROUNDUP (Please note the only items listed below are those that have had recent action. For other updates on state legislation, please go to the state legislation section at www.NRAILA.org, and check each week's issue of the Grassroots Alert.)
ARIZONA: NRA-Backed Bill Advances to the Governor's Desk On Thursday, April 29, House Bill 2629 passed its final reading by a vote of 55 to 2, with three votes counted as absent. The bill now moves to Governor Jan Brewer's (R) desk for her consideration. HB 2629, as amended, was added after we learned that Mojave County was registering guns when someone would check their firearm at a government building. These government buildings were recording owner information and serial numbers of firearms. HB 2629 will make the current actions of Mohave County, and any other violating county, illegal. If, after the passage of this law, they continue to illegally register guns, it will allow a private citizen to bring suit against the county. Please contact Governor Brewer and respectfully urge her to sign HB 2629 into law. You can contact the Governor by phone, at (602) 542-4331; or you can click here to e-mail her.
CALIFORNIA: Bill to Outlaw Open Carry in California to be Considered on Wednesday, May 12 On Wednesday, May 12, the Assembly Appropriations Committee will consider Assembly Bill 1934. AB1934 is a blatant attack on the self-defense rights of law-abiding Californians. Simply put, this legislation would outlaw the open carrying of a handgun for self-defense. Please contact the members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee TODAY and strongly voice your opposition to AB1934. Contact information can be found here. Also, please contact your Assembly Member in opposition to this bill. Their contact information can be found here.
Long Gun Registration Bill Still Pending Consideration On Wednesday, April 28, the Assembly Appropriations Committee met to consider Assembly Bill 1810 and Assembly Bill 2223. AB1810 was placed into the suspense file due to financial costs and will be reconsidered in the near future. Please continue checking your e-mail and www.NRAILA.org for any updates on AB1810. AB1810 would establish a registration system, similar to the one currently in place for handguns, for all newly-acquired long guns. AB2223 would ban the use of lead shot in state wildlife management areas. AB2223 was re-scheduled for next week. Please contact the members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and Assembly members and strongly voice your opposition to AB1810 and AB2223. Contact information can be found here. Assembly contact information can be found here.
Faced with NRA/CRPA Foundation Lawsuit, Berkley Repeals Ban on Possession of Certain Semi-Automatic Rifles In response to a pre-litigation demand letter sent by lawyers for the NRA and CRPA Foundation, on Tuesday, May 4, 2010, the Berkeley City Council voted unanimously to repeal that city's ban on the possession of certain semiautomatic rifles, which had remained "on the books" as Municipal Code Section 13.47 despite being obviously preempted by state law. The repeal confirms that, contrary to the gun ban lobby's claims, there are limits to what restrictions cities can place on firearms, and that Fiscal has preemptive effect throughout California. The repeal demand letter and staff report can be read at ww.calgunlaws.com. The repeal efforts were funded by the NRA / CRPAF Legal Action Project (LAP). To contribute to the NRA / CRPAF Legal Action Project (LAP) and support Second Amendment cases that directly benefit California gun owners, visit www.crpafoundation.com.
COLORADO: Sportsmen Are Being Pushed from the Denver Area's Last Remaining Training Ground for Hunting Dogs! Significant acreage in Chatfield State Park and Cherry Creek Park near Denver was originally designated for training hunting dogs, making these parks vital assets to the sporting dog community for many years. Colorado sportsmen and women are now being pushed out of these hunting dog-training areas with plans to convert them to dog parks that would prohibit most training activities. The hunting dog community has protected these parks for many years, and has tried to leave as little impact on the natural environment as possible in order to ensure it mimics actual hunting terrain. Chatfield State Park has a comment form with three alternatives listed. Alternative B provides the best protection for the sporting dog community, which segments approximately 24.5 acres for training out of 75 total acres. Please go to the following link and submit comments in support of Alternative B: http://parks.state.co.us/dogtraining/Pages/DogTrainingAreas.aspx. It would also be appropriate to convey your displeasure with the general plan to significantly reduce the area for hunting dog training. Cherry Creek Park also has three alternatives, but none of the alternatives provide adequate protection for sporting dog training. Please go to the following link and voice your concern over the exclusion of training areas for hunting dogs: http://parks.state.co.us/dogtraining/Pages/DogTrainingAreas.aspx. Your voice is essential to protect Colorado's great sporting dog heritage! A proper place to train hunting dogs is becoming harder to come by around the country and the remaining land must be preserved. Don't allow this blatantly anti-hunting action by the Colorado State Parks Board to stand without a fight!
CONNECTICUT: Hunting Reforms Pass in Connecticut! On Tuesday, May 4, before the legislature adjourned at midnight, the Connecticut State House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 207, as amended by the State Senate. This bill would establish a credit for those who purchased a hunting or fishing license, permit or tag between October 1, 2009 and April 14, 2010 at the unjustified price increase imposed this year. This credit would be applied to any such license, permit or tag purchased by an individual on or after October 1, 2010, and help provide restitution to the affected sportsmen. This bill also allows Connecticut residents, who hold a valid Connecticut permit-to-carry, to hunt deer on privately-owned land, using a handgun, specifically, revolvers or single shot pistols, from November 1 to December 31. SB 207 now heads to the desk of Governor Jodi Rell (R) for her consideration. Please call Governor Rell and urge her to support Senate Bill 207. Governor Rell can be reached at 860-566-4840 and [email protected]
GEORGIA: Two Pro-Gun Bills Heading to the Governor!Two important pro-gun bills (Senate Bill 291 and Senate Bill 308) have both successfully passed and will now head to Governor Sonny Perdue's (R) desk for his consideration. SB291 would allow a person lawfully licensed to carry a firearm the right to carry in all non-secure areas of airports, as well as while dropping off or picking up passengers at an airport. Also included in the bill is a provision that would make the license renewal process much easier. Instead of the licensee having to remember to renew, the probate court will be required to send out renewal notices 90 days before expiration. SB308 would reform Georgia's concealed carry laws so that the concealed carry license would enable the person to carry any handgun or knife, openly or concealed. SB 308 would also allow Georgia Firearm License holders to carry in more places by repealing the broad and vague "public gathering ban." Please continue to contact Governor Perdue today by phone at (404) 656-1776 or via e-mail by clicking here and respectfully urge him to sign SB291 and SB308. Also, please e-mail State Senator David Shafer (R-48) at [email protected] and State Senator Mitch Seabaugh (R-28) at [email protected] and thank them for all their efforts with these important bills.
HAWAII: Emergency Powers Bill Pending Governor's Consideration! On Friday, April 16, the Hawaii Senate voted 21-0 to pass Senate Bill 358. The bill in now pending consideration by Governor Linda Lingle (R). SB358 would prohibit the seizure of firearms or ammunition during a government-invoked state of emergency as a result of a disaster. SB358 languished last year when it was introduced, and was propelled forward after the February tsunami warning when the members of the Legislature were deluged with calls from NRA members and gun owners worried that their guns might be confiscated, similar to the post-Hurricane Katrina incidents. Please contact the Governor TODAY and respectfully urge her to sign SB358 into law. Governor Lingle can be reached by phone at 808-586-0034.
ILLINOIS: Anti-Gun Attacks Continue in Illinois! While the Illinois General Assembly tries to complete its business this week, anti-gun extremists are putting on a desperate push to pass attacks on our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. As mentioned last week, House Bill 5849 and House Bill 5480, both sponsored by State Representative Harry Osterman (D-14), are expected to be debated on the floor, along with the amendments previously discussed. Another bill that is likely to be brought up is House Bill 5751, introduced by State Representative Edward Acevedo (D-2), which would ban countless semi-automatic handguns, rifles, and shotguns, many parts for the same, as well as .50 caliber rifles and ammunition. Time is rapidly running out for this year's legislative session, and anti-gun extremists will stop at nothing to try to force through any attack on the Second Amendment that they can! Please continue to contact your State Representative and urge him or her to oppose HB 5480, HB 5751, and HB 5849! Please click here for contact information.
KANSAS: Right-to-Carry Reform Moves to Governor's Desk On Thursday, May 6, Senate Bill 306 successfully passed out of the House and Senate by votes of 103 to 15, and 37 to 2, respectively. The bill now heads to Governor Mark Parkinson's (D) desk for his consideration. NRA has been working closely with the Kansas State Rifle Association (KSRA) and the Attorney General's office to clean up and streamline the state's concealed carry statute. As written, the bill would remove many redundant and burdensome provisions of the statute, allowing for a much smoother issuing and renewal process. SB306 would also lower the initial application and renewal fee.
Please contact Governor Parkinson and respectfully urge him to sign SB 306. Governor Parkinson can be reached at 785-296-3232 or to send him an e-mail, please click here. Also, please thank your legislators for their hard work and support for this bill. To contact your legislator please click here.
Kansas State Rifle Association Annual Meeting to be Held June 12-13! On Saturday, June 12, and Sunday, June 13, the Kansas State Rifle Association (KSRA) will hold its annual meeting at the Grand Prairie Hotel and Convention Center in Hutchinson. Current KSRA members and Second Amendment supporters are all welcome to attend this two-day event in support of our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. The event will kick-off on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and will include the election of officers and speeches from congressional candidates. In the evening, there will be a $25 per plate KSRA PAC fundraiser dinner with additional speakers, including Congressman Todd Tiahrt and former NRA President John Sigler. Sunday's activities will take place at the Central Kansas Gun Club of Reno County and include a Cowboy Action Shooting exhibition and high power rifle, pistol and shotgun open shoots. These are just a few of the festivities planned for the weekend. For a complete itinerary and registration form please click here. Special note: all those registered before May 15 will automatically be eligible for a prize drawing to be held Saturday morning.
LOUISIANA: Two Pro-Gun Bills Continue to Advance! Two bills that would exempt concealed carry permit holders from the ban on carrying within 1,000 foot "Gun Free School Zones" have passed their respective chambers. Senate Bill 81 will now be taken up by the House Criminal Justice Committee in the near future. While its companion bill, House Bill 556, will be considered by Senate Judiciary Committee B. These bills would not affect the possession on school property but would only allow permit holders to continue to exercise their right on public property not controlled directly by the school. Please contact the members of the House Criminal Justice and Senate Judiciary B Committees Today. Respectfully urge them to support SB81 and HB556. Contact information for the committee members is listed here.
Bill to Allow Louisianans to Carry Firearms in State Parks Rescheduled! A new federal law took effect February 22 allowing possession and carrying of firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges, in accordance with state law. However, because the new federal law does not preempt any state ban, this important change cannot take effect in Louisiana until state law is changed to allow the possession of firearms in state parks. The original hearing scheduled for May 6 has been moved to Thursday, May 13, where the Senate Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 534. State Senator Troy Hebert (I-22) introduced this bill which would allow possession and transportation of any lawfully-owned firearm in state parks, state historic sites, state preservation areas and other areas controlled by the Office of State Parks. This important change would benefit Louisiana gun owners when they visit both state and federal lands in Louisiana. Please continue to contact the members of the Senate Natural Resources Committee and respectfully ask them to support SB 534. Contact information can be found here.
MINNESOTA: Anti-Gun Legislators Trying to Remove Pro-Gun Amendment from Trauma Care Bill! When Senate File 2866 was originally introduced, it contained a potential backdoor registration scheme that would have empowered the Commissioner of Health or any trauma hospital to collect and store a patient's firearm ownership and carry permit information, creating a de facto gun registration system. Coming to the aid of law-abiding gun owners, pro-gun State Representative Mary Holberg (R-36A) offered an amendment to Senate File 2866 which would prevent the Commissioner of Health or any trauma hospital from creating such a registry. On April 8, this amendment was adopted with broad bi-partisan support in the House by a vote of 92 to 38. But now, anti-gun legislators are attempting to remove Representative Holberg's amendment in conference committee. Please contact the conferees and leadership members and urge them to support State Representative Holberg's amendment and to OPPOSE the firearm registration scheme. For contact information, please click here.
NEVADA: Three States Added to Handgun Carry Recognition in Nevada! In a meeting of the Nevada Sheriff's and Chief's Association on Thursday, May 6, it was announced that three states (New Mexico, North Carolina, and Rhode Island) would be added to the list of states where carry permits would be recognized in Nevada. These states now join Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The additions bring the number of state permits recognized to 13. Annually, the Nevada Department of Public Safety conducts a review of the permitting state's policies regarding the issues on concealed carry permits and determines whether or not that state qualifies in accordance with the Nevada Revised Statutes. Holders of valid permits from these states are allowed to carry a concealed weapon while in the state of Nevada. The permit must be in the possession at all times while carrying a firearm.
NEW YORK: Micro-Stamping on the Move in New York! Micro-stamping legislation, Assembly Bill 6468C, sponsored by State Assemblywomen Michelle Schimel (D-16), advanced to its 3rd reading in the New York State Assembly. The Senate version of the bill is Senate Bill 6005, sponsored by State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31). Both A6468C and S6005 require that semiautomatic pistols manufactured or delivered to any licensed dealer in the state of New York be capable of micro-stamping ammunition and establish fines for violations of this requirement. Micro-stamping is an unproven technology that would require unique identifying information from the firearm, including the make, model, and serial number to be etched into the firing pin and breech face in such a manner that those identifiers are imprinted on the cartridge case upon firing. The technology can easily be defeated with common household tools, has no public safety value, and adds substantially to the cost of the firearm. If passed, the availability of semi-automatic handguns in New York could be in jeopardy, as manufacturers simply may choose not to build or sell firearms for purchase in the state, which, of course is the goal of this legislation. This activity comes just days after the anti-gunners in New York held their annual anti-gun lobby day in Albany. This also means that lawmakers could be gearing up to pass their whole anti-gun agenda. It is imperative that you contact your lawmakers and ask their position on A6468C and S6005 and request that they oppose the laundry list of anti-gun bills currently pending in the Assembly. State Assembly Members can be reached by phone at (518) 455-4100. To find your Assembly Member, please click here.
Your State Senator can be contacted through the Senate switchboard at (518) 455-2800. To find your State Senator, please click here. Also, please e-mail NRA-ILA's State & Local Affairs Division at state&[email protected] and let us know what response you are getting from your lawmakers concerning A6468C and S6005.
OREGON:State Police to Hold Meeting to Assess Background Check Fees The Oregon State Police (OSP) will be holding a series of regional meetings to review fees charged for services provided by the agency's Identification Services Section, which include background checks on firearm purchasers within the state. In many states, the FBI conducts background checks on gun buyers through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) at no charge and, by law, they may not maintain data on lawful purchasers. In Oregon, the law mandates that the buyer must pay $10 for this service, and the OSP maintains records on individuals cleared for purchases. NRA-ILA strongly opposes any fee hike, as well as the continued registration of legal firearm purchasers. NRA members are encouraged to attend the nearest meeting and voice their objections to increasing the gun tax on lawful gun buyers. (Because this is a widespread review of all OSP services, fingerprint processing of Concealed Handgun License applicants may also be examined.) Please click on the following link for information about meeting dates, times and locations: http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/ID/docs/Regional_Meeting_Schedule.pdf
TENNESSEE: Restaurant Carry Passes in Tennessee! On Wednesday, May 5, the Tennessee State House moved to adopt Senate Bill 3012 in replace of House Bill 3125, by a vote of 66 to 31. The State House had to first table an anti-gun amendment attached to HB 3125, before they were able to substitute and conform to SB 3012. This anti-gun amendment, authored by State Representative Harry Tindell (D-3), would have required the owner of an establishment that serves alcohol to post based on a percentage of their food sales. This qualifier would have thus created a standard of vagueness within the law for the restaurant owners when determining whether or not the establishment was subject to the mandatory posting in the first place. This bill also faced a last ditch effort made by State Representative Joe McCord (R-8) to attach the Tindell amendment to the House version of the bill. This would have forced a conference committee between the House and the Senate, which ultimately would have defeated the bill. Sponsored by State Senator Doug Jackson (D-25) and by State Representative Curry Todd (R-95), SB3012 will enable a person who has a valid Right-to-Carry permit to carry a firearm for self-defense in restaurants where alcohol may be served, as long as the permit holder is not consuming alcohol or is not otherwise prohibited by posting provisions. Alcohol consumption would be prohibited and violation would result in the loss of a permit for three years. SB3012 also clearly defines posting provisions. This legislation was filed in response to a court ruling last November. The previously enacted law was held to be unconstitutionally vague because of a perceived ambiguity over the state's definition of restaurants. SB3012 will fix any ambiguity. SB3012 will now head to the desk of Governor Phil Bredesen (D) for consideration. Please contact Governor Bredesen and urge him to sign SB3012. He can be reached by phone at (615) 741-2001 or by e-mail at [email protected].
VERMONT: Mentored Hunting Bill Heads to Governor's Desk! On Friday, April 30, the Vermont State House of Representatives voted to concur on House Bill 243. The bill now heads to the desk of Governor Jim Douglas (R) for his consideration. H. 243, introduced by State Representative Steve Adams (R-Windsor 4), would establish a mentored hunting license that would allow prospective hunters to try their hand at hunting before completing a hunter education course. Apprentice hunters would have to be directly supervised in the field by a mentor who is at least 21 years-old and who holds a valid hunting license. Experience in more than two-dozen other states with these laws shows that this kind of mentored hunting program is exceptionally safe and will bring many new hunters into the field. There is no reason to believe that the citizens of Vermont will prove to be the exception to this outstanding track record. Hunter recruitment is critical to the long-term preservation of our hunting heritage. Hunter numbers are declining and radical anti-hunting organizations like the Humane Society of the United States are doing everything they can to keep people from hunting. Please contact Governor Douglas and respectfully ask that he sign H. 243 into law. The Governor can be reached by phone at (802) 828-3333 and click here to send e-mail.
