NRA Will Appeal Texas Concealed Handgun Case
NRA will appeal yesterday’s decision by a federal court in Texas, which held that the Second Amendment doesn’t protect any right to keep or bear arms outside the home.
The decision, handed down by U.S. District Judge Sam Cummings of the Northern District of Texas, came in the case of Jennings v. McCraw, in which a group of law-abiding 18- to 20-year old adults challenged the state law prohibiting issuance of concealed handgun licenses to persons under 21, who are treated as adults for virtually every other purpose under the law. (NRA is also a party on behalf of its members in this age group.) Judge Cummings ruled that it was unnecessary to address the state’s discrimination against young adults because “the right to carry a handgun outside of the home … seems to be beyond the scope of the core Second Amendment concern articulated in Heller [v. District of Columbia].”
Unfortunately, this is only the most recent of several court decisions that have misread Heller in that way. Heller, of course, only directly addressed gun possession in the home, for a very simple reason: The plaintiffs in that case only challenged Washington, D.C.’s limits on possession in the home, rather than its restrictions on carrying firearms outside the home.
Chicago: Challenge to Ban on Guns Outside the Home Goes Forward: On January 19, a federal judge in Chicago allowed NRA-supported plaintiffs to move ahead with a challenge to that city’s laws that ban anyone from possessing or carrying a handgun except in his or her home, and that ban possession or carriage of a long gun anywhere outside his or her home or place of business.
Congressional Action Needed to Stop Obama/Holder Gun Registration Scheme: Last week, 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 have already filed an appeal—but while we await the outcome, your help is urgently needed in seeking congressional action to end this illegal policy.
Rumor Alert: The Vehicle Gun Theft “Epidemic”: Long before Al Gore “created” the Internet, gun owners were busy perfecting grassroots networking. Today, gun owners have an almost unlimited number of ways to spread information crucial to our community. And, while the Internet is certainly an indispensible tool for protecting our rights, an unfortunate side effect has been the fast and easy spread of rumors.
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: 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.)
For additional information, please click on the links provided.
GEORGIA: Bill Introduced to Further Regulate Georgia Right-to-Carry
On January 13, state Representative Roger Bruce (D-64) introduced legislation that would undermine Georgia's Right-to-Carry law. House Bill 735 would amend the current concealed carry law by mandating a firearms safety training course within one year of application for Georgia Firearm Permit. HB 735 has been referred to the state House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee for further consideration.
HAWAII: 2012 Hawaii Legislative Session Convenes
The Hawaii Legislature convened on Wednesday, January 18. There are several bills that have been carried over from the 2011 legislative session, as well as some newly introduced gun-related measures. We will be updating you on the status of these bills as it changes and providing you with information needed to take action as the session progresses.
ILLINOIS: Oak Park Considering More 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 restrictions on where, how and to whom firearms are sold, and how they are stored.
IOWA: Resolutions Protecting Traditional Ammunition to be Heard in State Senate and House Committees
On January 19, the state Senate Natural Resources and Environment Subcommittee passed Senate Joint Resolution 2001 by a 2 to 1 vote and it will now go before the full committee. This resolution would remove the Iowa Natural Resources Commission’s unnecessary regulation banning the use of traditional ammunition for dove hunting. Also on January 19, the state House Natural Resources Subcommittee passed the House companion resolution to SJR 2001 by a 3 to 2 vote.
NORTH CAROLINA: Forsyth County Board to Vote on Local Park Carry Restrictions
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners is considering an ordinance to address the local park carry provisions of House Bill 650, as previously reported here. You may recall that, HB 650 removes the absolute authority of local governments when it comes to deciding if Right-to-Carry (RTC) permit holders may lawfully carry their firearms into parks under the control of these local governments. This new law, which went into effect on December 1, 2011, allows localities to impose some restrictions on carrying in certain parks by permittees. However, the new law does not in any way mandate adoption of these permissible restrictions.
PENNSYLVANIA: Penn Township to Consider Discharge Ordinance
Recently, the Penn Township Board of Supervisors announced its interest in forming a citizen subcommittee to explore the enactment of a firearm discharge ordinance in the community. For more information on this important firearm issue, please read the Lancaster Online article, Penn explores firearms law, by Beth Anne Heesen.
TEXAS: Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to Consider Rule Change to Allow Hunting with Suppressors
At its next meeting on Wednesday, January 25, the Regulations Committee of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will present proposed amendments to the 2012-2013 Statewide Hunting Proclamation. It will seek permission for them to be published in the Texas Register for public comment. These amendments include a regulatory change that would expand the use of lawfully-possessed suppressors on firearms while hunting non-nuisance species. This common sense reform will help prevent hearing loss and mitigate noise complaints against sportsmen in the Lone Star State.
VIRGINIA: Sunday Hunting Legislation Passes Senate Committee!
Yesterday, the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee considered four similar Sunday hunting bills. The committee rolled these four bills into Senate Bill 464 and then passed it by an 11 to 4 vote. This legislation will now be sent to the full state Senate for its consideration.
Hearing on Castle Doctrine Self-Defense Bills Postponed!
Although scheduled for January 18, the Criminal Law Subcommittee of the House Courts of Justice Committee postponed its hearing for four “Castle Doctrine” bills. At this time these bills are expected to be considered next week. "Castle Doctrine” establishes the presumption that an individual who forcibly enters one’s home, business or occupied motor vehicle is there to cause death or great bodily harm, and allows force, including deadly force, against that person.
WASHINGTON: Washington Shooting Range Protection Bill Needs Your Help!
On January 12, 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.
