Federal Court Upholds Obama/Holder Gun Registration Scheme; Congressional Action Needed
Moments before this alert was to go out, a federal district court in Washington, D.C. issued a ruling upholding an Obama administration policy that requires federally licensed firearms retailers in states bordering Mexico to report multiple sales of semi-automatic rifles. The case was brought by two NRA-backed firearms retailers and by the National Shooting Sports Foundation acting on behalf of its affected members. Plaintiffs plan to appeal immediately—but in the meantime, your help is urgently needed in seeking congressional action to end this illegal policy.
Devised by Attorney General Eric Holder’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the plan requires all of the 8,700 firearm dealers in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to report all sales of two or more semi-automatic rifles within five consecutive business days, if the rifles are larger than .22 caliber and use detachable magazines. (The plaintiffs in the case pointed out that this was about 20 times more dealers than had been subject to any similar “demand letter” before, but in today's decision the court nonetheless found the new requirement “limited in scope.”)
It is imperative that you contact your U.S. Senators and ask them to cosponsor and support S. 570. You can find contact information for your elected officials by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org, or you can call your U.S. senators at (202) 224-3121.
Gun Control Activists Fire Squib Loads: On Monday, Josh Horwitz of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence—previously known as the National Coalition to Ban Handguns— penned an item for the very left-leaning Huffington Post website, deriding media reporters for writing articles that say gun sales are booming.
Second Amendment Weekend at Cabela’s in Dundee, MI: Join NRA-ILA Headquarters staff February 10-11th, 2012, for a weekend of important grassroots education for gun owners. 2012 is undoubtedly the most critical election year ever for our Second Amendment rights and we must redouble our efforts to guarantee victory on Election Day. Please make plans to attend NRA-ILA’s FREE Grassroots Workshop and NRA University to learn what you can do to become a better activist in the fight to protect and promote the Second Amendment!
Grassroots News Minute Video:
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.)
For additional information, please click on the links provided.
CALIFORNIA: Update on Firearm-Related Bills Heard in Senate Committee
On January 10, the state Senate Public Safety Committee was expected to vote on two pro-gun bills, SB 313 and SB 404, and one anti-gun resolution, SJR 10. SB 313 failed to be reported by committee by a 2 to 4 vote and SB 404 was withdrawn by the author and was not heard by the committee. Unfortunately, SJR 10 did pass in this committee and is expected to be considered on the state Senate floor soon.
COLORADO:Two Pro-Gun Bills Introduced in the Legislature
On January 11, two pro-gun bills were introduced, House Bill 1064 and House Bill 1048. HB 1064 would protect your Second Amendment during a declared state of emergency. HB 1048 would eliminate the duplicative state-run Colorado Bureau of Investigation InstaCheck system for the purchase of firearms. Both NRA-backed bills were assigned to the state House Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
ILLINOIS:Oak Park Considering Additional Firearm Regulations
The Village of Oak Park is holding a community forum on Tuesday, January 24, to hear public comments relating to the imposition of additional local restrictions on the sale and possession of firearms. This forum will be hosted by the Board of Health, and the views expressed will be communicated to the Village Board as it considers enacting additional restrictions on where, how and to whom firearms are sold, and how they are stored.
IOWA:The NRA Pursuing Continued Success in Iowa’s 2012 Legislative Session!
On January 9, Iowa’s 84th General Assembly convened and the NRA, with support from the Iowa Firearms Coalition, Iowa Rifle and Pistol Association, Iowa Sportsman’s Federation, and other pro-gun activists, will pursue continued success with a pro-gun reform agenda to make Iowa a leading pro-Second Amendment state. Some of the NRA’s legislative goals include an Iowa Right to Keep and Bear Arms State Constitutional Amendment, shall-issue reform, and firearms preemption reform.
MARYLAND:2012 Maryland Legislative Session is Now Underway!
On January 11, the 430th legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly convened. As always, the NRA goal in Annapolis is to continue to fight any attack against your Second Amendment rights and to help pass positive reforms. An example of one such pro-gun reform is House Bill 45. This legislation would remove the burden of proof and alter the law so that anyone who applies for a concealed carry permit would automatically be presumed to have “good and substantial reason.”
NEBRASKA: Concealed Carry Permit Bill to be Heard in Committee on January 19
NRA-backed Legislative Bill 807 is scheduled to be heard in the Judiciary Committee on Thursday, January 19. LB 807 would clarify that only individuals who have been criminally convicted of a drug- or firearm-related crime would be disqualified from receiving a Nebraska concealed carry permit.
NEVADA: BATFE Denies Request Concerning NICS Exemption
On January 6, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) informed the Nevada Sheriffs’ and Chiefs’ Association that they would not be grandfathering concealed carry weapons (CCW) permit holders whose permits were either granted or renewed on or before July 1, 2011, from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for firearm purchases.
Sheriffs’ and Chiefs’ Association Hosting Fourth Annual CCW Forum
The Nevada Sheriffs’ and Chiefs’ Association will be hosting its annual Concealed Carry Weapons forum in Las Vegas on Tuesday, January 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Grant Sawyer Government Building (room 4401) located on 555 East Washington Avenue in Las Vegas. Your participation is key to the continued success of Nevada’s Right-to-Carry process, so please attend this important forum.
NEW HAMPSHIRE:Pro-Gun Legislation Passes in State House
Despite fierce opposition from Governor John Lynch, House Bill 334 and House Bill 536 passed in the state House of Representatives and is now in the state Senate for its consideration. HB 334 would strengthen current statewide firearms preemption by further prohibiting local governments or state agencies from enacting ordinances or regulations for the use of firearms. HB 536 would repeal the existing law that requires a person to have a concealed firearm license in order to carry concealed.
NEW MEXICO:Pro-Second Amendment Bills Pre-Filed for Short Session!
The Legislature convenes on Tuesday, January 17, for its thirty-day session. State Senator Bill Payne and State Representative Bill Rehm have introduced, respectively, Senate Bill 26 and House Bill 32 -- bills repealing Section 30-7-9 of the New Mexico Criminal Code that limits the purchase of rifles and shotguns by New Mexico residents to their home state and contiguous states. Repeal of this law would eliminate this restrictive language and enable residents of New Mexico to purchase long guns in non-contiguous states and residents of non-contiguous states to purchase long guns in New Mexico.
VIRGINIA:2012 General Assembly Session Convened on January 11!
On January 11, the Virginia General Assembly convened its 2012 legislative session and NRA members can expect an active session with many bills relating to our Second Amendment rights. The range of pro-gun/pro-hunting bills to be considered this year is quite extensive, ranging from legislation to allow Sunday Hunting, to the repeal of the one-gun-a-month/gun rationing statute.
WASHINGTON: Washington Shooting Range Protection Bill Needs Your Help!
Yesterday, House Bill 1508, a vital shooting range protection bill 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. Please contact your state Representative today and respectfully urge him or her to support House Bill 1508. You can reach your state Representative at the toll-free legislative hotline by dialing (800) 562-6000. To determine who is your state Representative, please click here. If your state Representative is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and his or her “Yes” vote will be instrumental in ensuring the passage of this bill. Please call AND e-mail your state Representative TODAY and respectfully urge him or her to support HB 1508. You can also leave your state Representative a short message on the toll-free, legislative hotline, by dialing (800) 562-6000.
