BATFE Revises Policies on Firearms “Transfers”
In a recent ruling regarding the “transfer” of firearms, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATFE) has reversed policies that have been in place for more than 40 years.
In the ruling, BATFE declared that a temporary shipment of a firearm by a federal firearms licensee to a non-employee for business reasons (such as a manufacturer's shipment to a gun writer or engineering consultant for a technical evaluation), will now be considered a “transfer” and require completion of a Form 4473 and background check.
This reverses a ruling issued in 1969, right after the passage of the Gun Control Act, although BATFE provided no explanation of the need for the change. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, BATFE hasn’t been able to name a single case in which a gun temporarily shipped under the old rule has been used in crime.
NRA-PVF Endorsement Policy: We are rapidly approaching the time when NRA’s Political Action Committee the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) will begin issuing endorsements in elections across the country.
The UN Arms Trade Treaty Rumor: We continue to receive numerous inquiries regarding UN international treaties, and their impact on our Second Amendment rights. The latest rumor making its way around the Internet claims that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton actually signed a UN small arms treaty.
Seeking Nominations For 2009 NRA-ILA Volunteer Awards: The NRA-ILA “Jay M. Littlefield Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award” is an annual honor that recognizes an NRA member who demonstrates exceptionally meritorious activism in defense of our Second Amendment rights. Similarly, the “NRA-ILA Volunteer Organization of the Year Award” is bestowed upon a group that has gone above and beyond in defending and promoting our rights over the past year.
Voter Registration Alert: With the 2010 elections rapidly approaching, gun owners have a tremendous opportunity to elect officials who will support our Second Amendment rights. This will not be possible, however, unless you make your voice heard by voting, and encouraging your family, friends, and fellow gun owners to do the same. Therefore, it is critical that gun owners in these states are registered to vote for the November elections, and for the upcoming primary elections.
Join Noted Author Stephen Halbrook for Book Reception: In 2008 the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its landmark ruling on the Second Amendment’s individual right to “keep and bear arms” in Heller v. District of Columbia. But the question remains whether the States and their political subdivisions must recognize this right.
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.)
CALIFORNIA: Long Gun Registration One Step Closer to Law On Thursday, June 3, the California Assembly passed Assembly Bill 1810 and Assembly Bill 2223. Both bills now join Assembly Bill 1934 in the Senate. AB1810 would establish a registration system, similar to the one currently in place for handguns, for all newly-acquired long guns. AB2223 would outlaw the use of lead shot when shooting or hunting in state-run wildlife management areas. Simply put, AB1934 is a blatant attack on the self-defense rights of law-abiding Californians and would outlaw the open carrying of a handgun for self-defense. These bills are very serious threats to the rights of California’s law-abiding gun owners and must be defeated. Please contact your State Senator NOW and urge them to oppose AB1810, AB2223, and AB1934. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
Tuesday, June 8 is Primary Election Day! Tuesday, June 8 is Primary Election Day in the Golden State. For candidate ratings and endorsements, please call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) or visit www.NRAPVF.org. For more information about voting in California, please click here. Remember to Vote Freedom First on Tuesday, June 8!
GEORGIA: Two Pro-Gun Bills Awaiting the Governor’s Consideration Two important pro-gun bills (Senate Bill 291 and Senate Bill 308) have passed the General Assembly and are now on Governor Sonny Perdue’s (R) desk awaiting his consideration. SB291 would allow a person lawfully licensed to carry a firearm to do so 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 carry laws so a 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 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.
ILLINOIS: Anti-Gun Attacks Continue in Springfield! While the Illinois General Assembly tries to complete its business, anti-gun extremists are putting on a desperate push to pass attacks on our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. As mentioned previously, House Bill 5849 and House Bill 5480, both sponsored by State Representative Harry Osterman (D-14), are still 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, and many parts for those guns, 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 HB5480, HB5751, and HB5849! Please click here for contact information.
Will County Considering Opening New Hunting LandsThe Will County Board of Commissioners is considering opening up forest preserve land within the county to public hunting opportunities. The deer population in the forest preserves needs to be managed to maintain balance and sustainability, and one option under consideration is public hunting. Please take a moment to contact members of the Will County Board of Commissioners and urge them to support public hunting in the forest preserves in Will County as a means to manage the deer population. To find contact information for County Board Members, please go to http://www.willcountyboard.com/yourcountyboard.htm, and then click on the link for the Board Member you wish to contact.
IOWA: Join NRA for Iowa Carry’s Annual Membership Meeting Iowa Carry will be holding its annual General Membership Meeting on Saturday, June 19 at the Brownells Big Springs Shooting Complex located at 4945 Highway 146 in Searsboro. The day-long event will include training courses that will satisfy the requirements for Iowa’s new “shall-issue” law, firearm demonstrations, range activities, and a gun raffle. Additionally, U.S. Senator Charles Grassley (R) and Iowa State Senator Dennis Black (D-21) — both strong supporters of Iowans’ firearm rights — will speak to attendees. For more information on the event, please visit the Iowa Carry website at http://www.iowacarry.org.
KANSAS: 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 U.S. Representative Jerry Moran (R) 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.
LOUISIANA: State Park Carry Bill Passes House Committee On Thursday, June 3, the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee passed Senate Bill 534 by a vote of 11 to 2. This bill would allow the people of Louisiana to benefit from a recently passed federal law that allows the carrying and possession of firearms in national parks and national wildlife refuges in accordance with applicable state carry laws. SB 534 will now be considered by the full House of Representatives. SB534, introduced by State Senator Troy Hebert (I-22), would allow for possession and transportation of otherwise lawfully-possessed firearms in Louisiana’s state parks, historic sites, preservation areas, wildlife refuges, and wildlife management areas. In addition, it would allow gun-owners to carry a firearm for self-defense in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges located in Louisiana. Please contact your State Representative TODAY and respectfully urge him or her to SUPPORT SB534. To contact your State Representative please click here.
MARYLAND: Attorney General Gansler Issues Opinion on .22 Caliber Rifles Maryland’s Office of Attorney General issued a favorable opinion Monday, May 24, defining what constitutes a “copy” of a so called “assault weapon.” These firearms are subject to Maryland’s “regulated firearm” law. The issue at hand was whether .22 caliber rimfire rifles that may cosmetically resemble any firearms defined as “assault weapons” in the Annotated Code of Maryland, Public Safety Article § 5-101, should be regulated under that section as “copies” of the listed center-fire models. According to the opinion, a copy must be similar “in its internal components and function to the designated weapon” and “cosmetic similarity to an enumerated assault weapon alone would not bring a weapon within the regulated firearms law.” The opinion also states that the Maryland State Police will make the initial decision as to whether the gun’s internal parts make it a “copy” of an “assault weapon.”This is a victory for Maryland’s law-abiding citizens who use these common rifles for competition, sport shooting and home defense. You can read the opinion in full by clicking here.
MICHIGAN: Legislation to Repeal “Permit-to-Purchase” to be Heard on Tuesday, June 8 On Tuesday, June 8, the Michigan House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee will consider two bills, House Bill 5972 and House Bill 5973, that would eliminate the unnecessary and burdensome requirement of obtaining a permit-to-purchase a handgun. Please contact the committee members and respectfully ask them to support HB5972 and HB5973. Contact information can be found here.
MISSOURI: Pro-Gun Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk! On Friday, May 14, House Bill 1692 passed out of the Missouri General Assembly with the Senate’s adopted amendments. The bill now heads to Governor Jay Nixon’s (D) desk for his consideration. HB1692, sponsored by State Representative Jason Smith (R-150), contains numerous pro-gun provisions, such as expanding Missouri’s “Castle Doctrine” protections to any property boundaries one leases or owns; capping the sheriff fee at $10 for permit holders who change address; and clarifying the language, “intoxicated with a firearm” so that a person cannot be charged with a felony if they lawfully possess firearms in their home while intoxicated. This provision also extends to self-defense. Please contact Governor Nixon and respectfully urge him to sign HB1692. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
MONTANA: Tuesday, June 8 is Primary Election Day! Tuesday, June 8 is Primary Election Day in Montana. For candidate ratings and endorsements, please call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) or visit www.NRAPVF.org. For more information about voting in Montana, please click here. Remember to Vote Freedom First on Tuesday, June 8!
NEVADA: Be Sure to Vote Freedom First on Tuesday, June 8! Nevada’s Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 8. Please call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) or visit www.NRAPVF.org for candidate ratings and endorsements. For more information about voting in Nevada, please click here. Vote Freedom First!
NEW YORK: Senate Committee to Vote on Micro-Stamping Bill Next Week! Senate Bill 6005, micro-stamping legislation sponsored by State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31), has been placed on the calendar of the Senate Codes Committee for Tuesday, June 8. Now that S6005 is on the Codes Committee calendar, it is only one step away from a potential vote on the Senate Floor. The companion bill, Assembly Bill 6468C, sponsored by State Assemblywomen Michelle Schimel (D-16), has already passed the Assembly. 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. It is imperative that you contact members of the New York State Senate and respectfully ask that they protect our Second Amendment rights by opposing S6005. Your State Senator can be contacted through the Senate switchboard at (518) 455-2800. To find your State Senator, please click here.
Legislation to Expand Hunting Opportunities Awaiting Consideration in Albany Assembly Bill 924 and Senate Bill 6793, bills authorizing Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to promulgate rules for the use of crossbows for hunting in the Empire State, are pending consideration in the Assembly and Senate Environmental Conservation Committees, respectively. The aggressive expansion of hunting opportunities by DEC is needed at a time when hunter retention and recruitment rates are declining at unsustainable rates. For every 100 hunters who permanently quit hunting in New York, only 55 replace them. If this trend is allowed to persist, our hunting heritage will be placed in serious jeopardy. This legislation is one significant step forward in the effort to reverse this decline. Please take time today to contact your lawmakers and ask that they support A924 and S6793. 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.
OHIO: Time Running Out for Two Important Ohio Pro-Gun Bills! As we previously reported, the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 239 and Senate Bill 247. These bills are now before the House of Representatives for consideration. Unfortunately, this is probably the last week of legislative session before the summer recess and time is running out to pass these important bills. To learn more about these bills and how to take action, please click here.
PENNSLYVANIA: Castle Doctrine Passes out of Judiciary Committee On Tuesday, May 25, the House Judiciary Committee successfully passed House Bill 40, Castle Doctrine legislation, which now heads to the House floor for consideration. HB40 would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their homes and any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. It would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker’s family. The committee also defeated three anti-gun bills (HB1043, HB1044 and HB1045). Please contact your State Representative and respectfully urge him or her to support House Bill 40 when it comes up on the floor. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
Join State Representative Tim Krieger for his 2010 Sportsmen’s Event on Saturday, June 12! On Saturday, June 12, join pro-gun State Representative Tim Krieger for a day celebrating our Second Amendment freedoms and outdoor heritage. Don’t miss the exhibits, information booths, and seminars on subjects like archery, fishing, firearms, muzzle loading, turkey calling, wild game cooking and more. This free, family-oriented event will be held on Saturday, June 12 from noon until 5:00 p.m. at the Police Rod and Gun Club located at 153 Bigem Road in New Alexandria. For more information, please call 724-834-6400. This is a great opportunity to spend time with fellow NRA members and show your support for Representative Krieger.
RHODE ISLAND: Warren Town Council to Consider Anti-Gun, Anti-Hunting Proposal The Warren Town Council will meet on Tuesday, June 8 to hear a proposed ordinance that has the potential to outlaw hunting and the possession of firearms in conservation areas. The meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the Warren Town Hall, located at 514 Main Street in Warren. The proposed ordinance would amend Chapter 14, Article 4 of the Town of Warren Code of Ordinances, relating to Passive Recreation Sites. Please attend the Warren Town Council meeting and voice your opposition to this proposed ordinance, which has the potential to outlaw hunting and limit where you can lawfully carry a firearm and your right to protect yourself and your family. Also, please contact members of the Warren Town Council and respectfully ask that they oppose this proposed amendment. Contact information can be found here.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Tuesday, June 8 is Primary Election Day! Tuesday, June 8 is Primary Election Day in South Carolina. For candidate ratings and endorsements, please call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) or visit www.NRAPVF.org. For more information about voting in South Carolina, please click here. Remember to Vote Freedom First on Tuesday, June 8!
SOUTH DAKOTA: Vote Freedom First on Tuesday, June 8! South Dakota’s Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 8. Please call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) or visit www.NRAPVF.org for candidate ratings and endorsements. For more information about voting in South Dakota, please click here. Vote Freedom First on Tuesday, June 8!
TENNESSEE: Williamson County Commissioners to Consider Resolution to Ban Handguns in Parks On Monday, June 14, the Williamson County Commissioners will vote on Resolution 6-10-11. This resolution will prohibit handguns in county parks, recreation areas and other similar public places owned or operated by Williamson County. Last year’s ban on firearms in parks expired June 1. Resolution 6-10-11 would continue this ban indefinitely. The Williamson County Commission will meet Monday, June 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Williamson County Administrative Office Complex at 1320 West Main Street in Franklin. The public will be able to speak in front of the Commission, so if you intend to attend this meeting, be sure to arrive early and sign up to speak. There will only be a limited amount of time for public input at the meeting. Please contact the Williamson County Commissioners and urge them to OPPOSE Resolution 6-10-11. Contact information for the Commissioners can be found here. You may also contact Mayor Rogers Anderson at (615) 790-5700.
