No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.1/250 - Release Date: 2/3/2006

Guns And Road Rage: John Lott analyzes the recently published Hemenway
study, which alleges that people who carry firearms are more likely to
engage in road rage. Not surprisingly (a) the conclusion is not well
founded, (b) Hemenway won't share his actual data and (c) the greater
likelihood of liberals than conservatives to engage in road rage is
greater than the reported difference between those who carry firearms
and those who don't.

http://johnrlott.tripod.com/2006/02/research-on-guns-and-road-rage.html
---

Michigan CCW Instructor Charged In Road-Rage Incident: A Leighton
Township Fire Department lieutenant who teaches concealed weapons
classes is facing felony weapons charges after allegedly pulling a
weapon in a road-rage incident, state police said.

http://www.mlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1138897375276660.xml?grpress?NEOU&coll=6
---

Michigan Police Chief Opposes Gun Buybacks: Police Chief Gerald H. Cliff
advised Saginaw City Council members Monday against buying citizen's
guns to thwart violence, saying buybacks didn't get the types of
high-powered weapons used by gangs off the streets.

http://www.mlive.com/news/sanews/index.ssf?/base/news-1/113828895869870.xml&coll=9
---

Eleven Arrested For Lack Of FFL: Following a two-year undercover
investigation, eleven people have been arrested for repeatedly selling
firearms at northern Alabama flea markets without being licensed as dealers.

http://www.times-journal.com/report.lasso?WCD=5152
---

Who Can Pack In Chicago?: It turns out that while few do so, Chicago's
50 aldermen have the statutory right to carry firearms.

http://www.chicagodefender.com/page/local.cfm?ArticleID=3863
---

Lead Oscar, British Version: The family of a man fatally shot by police
in 2001 was granted permission in June 2005 to apply for a judicial
review on the grounds that the coroner's inquest was fatally flawed. The
shooting occurred after the man first took a hostage, pointing a
gun-shaped cigarette lighter at his head, then pointed the lighter at
armed officers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4671244.stm

Update - Family Loses Case In Court:

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-02-03T141805Z_01_L03775458_RTRUKOC_0_UK-BRITAIN-INQUEST-SHOOTING.xml
---

From Lubrinco's AEGIS e-journal:

3. Executive Protection -- Carrying costs

While we ourselves do not carry guns, the nature of that portion of our
business that deals with protective services in high-threat environments
means that some of the people who work for us must.

In truth, most people who carry guns at our behest will never need to
use them to protect themselves or our clients, because their job - our
job - is to try to make sure that we avoid situations where use of guns
is necessary. But it is equally true that if we fail in preventing this
from happening, and they are in a situation where they need to use a gun
to defend themselves and our clients, there will be no other emergency
safety tool that can be used in place of a gun.

While this is a necessity that cannot be avoided - our clients sometimes
work in dangerous places, where very bad people want to do very bad
things to them - one of the things of which we are always mindful is the
balance between the risks of carrying a gun and the risks of not
carrying a gun.

The risks involved in carrying a gun do not relate to gun accidents:
They are so rare that that they do not constitute a major concern in the
trade. Rather, the risks are legal and financial.

One of our people recently attended a training course in Massachusetts
on carrying a gun in that state. Since what happens in Boston is not
dissimilar to what happens in New York or Phoenix or Los Angeles, it was
interesting to note that the presenter felt if you shot someone, and the
shooting was justified, your legal defense is likely to cost you
hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is in line with the general
industry belief that the legal costs in a completely justified shooting
will be a minimum of $40,000, and could be up to half a million dollars.

We can't vouch for the accuracy of these figures, but we do accept that
if you are forced shoot and kill someone you are likely to end up
impoverished by the legal system. Even assuming you are not jailed, you
are also likely to end up divorced, jobless, and suffering a variety of
psychological ills.

The bottom line is that if you keep or carry a gun for protection, you
should be as mindful as are we of the potential costs involved. While we
have heard people casually say things like "Better to be judged by
twelve than carried by six," if there is any reasonable alternative to
taking the life of another person, you should exercise that alternative,
and avoid the whole issue.

(While it should not be taken flippantly, there is a reason that the
expression "Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six" has been
a part of American folk wisdom for such a long time. There may be
individuals who can conclude that their families would be better served
by their loss, as opposed to the loss of the kids' college funds,
retirement savings, etc. On the other hand, even gunshot wounds are not
always fatal. One could just as easily end up spending all those funds
for medical care, long-term care, etc., in the aftermath of a violent
criminal attack.)
---

From NRA-ILA:

NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 13, No. 5 02/03/06

WISCONSIN PPA UPDATE:
FIGHT TO OVERRIDE VETO FAILS BY TWO VOTES

For the third time in four years, the law-abiding citizens of Wisconsin
have been denied the same essential right to self-defense enjoyed by the
citizens of 38 other states, including neighboring states  Minnesota and
Michigan.  On Tuesday, January 31, the State Assembly, by a vote of
64-34, failed to override Governor Jim Doyle's (D) veto of Senate Bill
403, the "Personal Protection Act" (PPA).  The vote was two short of the
66 required for an override.

Casting numerous votes in support of the PPA in the past,
Representatives John Steinbrink (D-65) and Terry Van Akkeren (D-26) put
partisan politics above your right to self-defense by voting to sustain
the Governor's veto.  It is regrettable these Representatives do not
trust law-abiding citizens in Wisconsin to carry a firearm for personal
protection.

The fight, however, is far from over.  NRA and other proponents of the
"Personal Protection Act" will not stop until violent criminals are
forced to think twice before deciding to attack their victims.  The
momentum behind the PPA will continue to build until Wisconsin joins the
vast majority of states by enacting Right-to-Carry.

You need to be a part of this continuing effort by actively supporting
those legislators who supported your rights by voting for the PPA.
Become a volunteer on their campaigns and let them know the reason for
your involvement.  Conversely, you must spread the word regarding those
elected officials who do not trust law-abiding citizens with the right
to self-defense or, perhaps worse, those who betray their long-held
belief in defending "people's liberty."

Thank you to all of the members who were present for Tuesday's Assembly
vote and to those who contacted their Legislators over the past few
months.  If your Legislators voted in favor of the override, please be
sure to thank them for their support.  If they voted against the
override please be sure to let them know as a constituent, you will
remember their vote at election time in November.  To see how your
Legislator voted please visit
www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/votes/av0462.pdf.  You can contact your
State Representative and Senator at (800) 362-9472.

Also, please be sure to visit  www.NRAILA.org to find contact
information for your NRA-ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC) so you
may contact him to begin working on the campaign of those who support
Right-to-Carry.

NATIONAL RIGHT-TO-CARRY BILL INTRODUCED

U.S. Representative Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) recently introduced H.R.
4547--a national Right-to-Carry (RTC) reciprocity bill that would
provide national reciprocity for state carry licensees.  The bill would
allow any person with a valid carry permit or license issued by a state
to carry a concealed firearm in any other state if they meet certain
criteria.  The bill would not create a federal licensing system; it
would simply require the states to recognize each others' carry permits,
just as they recognize drivers' licenses.

For more information on the bill, please visit
www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?ID=189.

Please be sure to contact your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121,
and urge him or her to cosponsor and support H.R. 4547!

HOUSE GOP LEADERSHIP REMAINS SOLIDLY PRO-GUN

Yesterday, House Republicans met to elect some new leaders for the
chamber.  And not surprisingly, the elections maintained the House GOP
leadership's pro-gun support.

Newly-elected House Majority Leader, Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), has
long been a champion of the Second Amendment, consistently earning "A"
ratings from NRA's Political Victory Fund.  The other new member to the
leadership team, Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.), who won the contest for
Republican Policy Committee Chairman, is also a stalwart defender of the
rights of law-abiding gun owners.

NRA-ILA "MIX N' MINGLES"

How often do you get the opportunity to mix n' mingle with NRA-ILA
Headquarters staff and fellow NRA members in your area, to earn FREE NRA
items, and to assist with the efforts of candidates seeking office in
your area?  Well, in preparation for the 2006 elections, you will have
the opportunity to do just that.

This election year, NRA-ILA will be hosting FREE NRA-ILA Mix N' Mingles
across the country.  These events will provide NRA members with training
on what they can do locally to propel candidates to victory this
election season. The meetings also provide attendees the opportunity to
meet and socialize with lawmakers, candidates, their staffs, NRA-ILA
Headquarters staff, and fellow area NRA members--and to earn FREE NRA
fraternal items like hats, pocketknives, buttons, etc.  Mix N' Mingles,
including materials, food, beverages, and NRA items are FREE!

The first-ever Mix N' Mingle is scheduled for:

-San Antonio, TX--2/25/06

NRA members who have access to the Internet can go to
www.nraila.org/workshops/ to reserve their seats on-line.  To forward
the Mix N' Mingle invitation to fellow NRA members, including a personal
message from you, please go to www.nraila.org/ecard/?ID=1.  NRA members
are encouraged to check this website address frequently to see if any
upcoming Mix N' Mingles are scheduled in their area.  NRA members may
also contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683)
for details and to reserve their seats.

CPAC 2006

NRA Members are invited to attend CPAC 2006--the 33rd Annual
Conservative Political Action Conference--February 9-11, 2006.  The
conference will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.,
just a short trip from the White House, the Washington Monument, the
Smithsonian, National Archives, and the hundreds of other monuments,
memorials, and museums in our nation's capital.  CPAC is the nation's
premier annual gathering of conservative leaders, celebrities, elected
officials, and grassroots activists.

CPAC will offer an agenda packed with political headliners including
Vice President Dick Cheney, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton,
Senators George Allen and Rick Santorum, Representative Mike Pence,
syndicated columnist George Will, Ann Coulter, Newt Gingrich, NRA
Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, NRA President Sandra S. Froman,
and many others as they discuss important issues of the day.  CPAC is
co-sponsored by NRA and more than 60 leading conservative organizations.

For additional information, or to register for the conference, please
call (703) 836-8602, or visit CPAC online at www.cpac.org.

D.C. PERSONAL PROTECTION ACT--A TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY

As we continue to note, one of NRA-ILA's top legislative priorities in
Congress continues to be the passage of S. 1082 and H.R. 1288--the
Senate and House versions of the "District of Columbia Personal
Protection Act."  This legislation seeks to restore the
constitutionally-guaranteed Second Amendment rights of the residents of
the District of Columbia.

The need for this corrective legislation is obvious.  Since 1977, the
District has banned the possession of all handguns not acquired and
registered before that year.  D.C. law also prohibits keeping an
assembled rifle or shotgun in the home, effectively outlawing the use of
firearms for lawful self-defense.  And despite these Draconian gun
control laws, Washington, D.C., consistently has one of the highest
homicide rates in the nation.

Please be sure to contact your U.S. Senators and Representative and ask
them to cosponsor and support S. 1082 and H.R. 1288.

For a list of Senate cosponsors, please visit
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN01082:@@@P.

For a list of House cosponsors, please visit
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR01288:@@@P.

You can call your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121, or your U.S.
Representative at (202) 225-3121.

A LOOK AT THE STATES

(****For all of the action items below, you can find contact information
for your legislators by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at
www.NRAILA.org.  As always, thank you for your support.****)

ALABAMA
Next week, the Alabama state Senate will be considering a bill of great
importance to gun owners. SB 283, the "Castle Doctrine" sponsored by
Senator Larry Means (D-10), removes the "duty to retreat" when a citizen
is faced with attack in a place that he or she has a right to be.  SB
283 would ensure that an individual whose home was being broken into had
no duty to retreat before using necessary force.  Please call your
Senator and respectfully urge him or her to support SB 283  when it
comes before the Senate next week for a vote!  You can reach you Senator
at  (334) 242-7800.  Please be sure to make this important call today!

GEORGIA
The Georgia House of Representatives will be considering HB 998
("Georgia's Self Defense Act"), sponsored by Representative Tom Graves
(R-12), as early as next week. This bill would protect the rights of all
Georgians who carry firearms in their vehicles for protection and other
lawful purposes, thereby stopping businesses from controlling what
private property you have in your personal vehicle.  HB 998 passed out
of the House Public Safety Committee this week.  Please be sure to call
your Representative today at 404-656-0305 and voice your support of HB
998.  Let your voice be heard on this critical piece of legislation!

HAWAII
A coalition of law enforcement groups has proposed the language written
in SB 2579--a ban on the sale and possession of .50 caliber rifles and
ammunition.  As you know, these rifles are used for sporting purposes,
but have been demonized in the press and by anti-gun groups looking for
the next gun control scheme.  SB 2579 is an outright ban that, if
signed, will take effect immediately.  Owners of the affected firearms
would have to remove the firearm from the state, surrender it to law
enforcement, or have it destroyed.  It is vital that NRA members and
friends in the pro-gun community call their state legislators at (808)
587-0666 and ask them to oppose this proposed gun ban.

ILLINOIS
The legislative session is heating up, and there are some
firearm-related bills of which the pro-gun community needs to be aware.
The first, HB 2414, introduced by Representative Edward Acevedo (D-2),
is the bill on which we have previously reported that seeks to ban
certain semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, as well as .50 caliber
rifles.  Anti-gun extremists, led by Governor Blagojevich (D) and
Chicago Mayor Daley (D), continue to pressure lawmakers to support this
attack on the Second Amendment, as well as look for ways to "water down"
the bill to make it more palatable to wavering legislators.  Another
anti-gun bill, HB 4694, introduced by Representative Deborah Graham
(D-78), is a mandatory storage bill that would require law-abiding gun
owners to store firearms in a manner that would leave them useless for
personal protection, or face criminal charges.  One provision of this
legislation goes so far as to state that firearms be "unloaded an
disassembled and placed in a securely locked box or container."
Finally, HB 4693, introduced by Representative Deborah Graham (D-78),
would create an unnecessary bureaucratic redundancy by requiring all
federally licensed firearm dealers that sell handguns to also be
licensed by the State of Illinois.  Furthermore, this legislation could
allow reckless lawsuits to be filed against dealers licensed to sell
handguns, in spite of the NRA-backed federal law enacted last year that
specifically prohibits such frivolous suits designed to drive dealers
out of existence not by winning the cases, but by saddling the dealers
with huge legal fees as they defend their lawful businesses.  Please
continue to contact your legislators and urge them to oppose HB 2414,
and also urge them to oppose HB 4694 and HB 4693.  As for pro-gun
legislation, HB 4529, introduced by Representative John Bradley (D-117),
would allow FOID card applicants to sue the Illinois Department of State
Police if that agency failst o act on applications within the 30-day
time period mandated by law.  This legislation was introduced in
response to recent reports that FOID card applications and renewals were
taking as long as 50 days to be processed.  Please contact your
legislators and urge them to support HB 4529.  State Senators can be
reached at (217) 782-5715 and State Representatives can be reached at
(217) 782-8223.

INDIANA
The Indiana House passed two critically important pro-gun measures this
week:  HB 1028, sponsored by Rep. Eric Koch (R-65), prohibits employers
from enforcing policies that ban employees from lawfully possessing
firearms in locked vehicles on employers' property and also codifies in
state code that there is no duty to retreat from an attacker, further
enhancing your right to self-defense. HB 1028 was passed with
overwhelmingly bi-partisan support by a vote of 82-18.  Also this week,
HB 1176, sponsored by Rep. Troy Woodruff (R-64), passed by a vote of
78-21. HB 1176 allows for Right-to-Carry permits to be renewed online,
as well as to allow for carry permit applicants to apply for a
"lifetime" carry permit, should he or she choose to do so. If passed by
the Indiana Senate, HB 1176 would provide law-abiding, qualified,
Hoosiers the option of obtaining either a permit valid for four years,
or a permit valid for the lifetime of the licensee. We are grateful to
Rp. Koch and Rep. Woodruff for their leadership on these bills, and to
all the House Members who voted in support of these pro-gun advances.
Please be sure to call your Senator and urge him or her to support HB
1028 and HB 1176!  You can reach your Senator at (317) 232-9400.

KANSAS
Help make Right-to-Carry a reality in Kansas!  Senate Bill 418, "The
Personal and Family Protection Act," will be voted on by the Senate
Federal & State Affairs Committee on Tuesday, February 6, at 10:30 a.m.
Please start contacting your Senator at (785) 296-2456 and ask him or
her to support passage of this important legislation without
amendments.  House Bill 2577, the "Stand and Defend Act" will be voted
on by the House Federal & State Affairs Committee on Thursday, February
9, at 1:30 p.m.  This important legislation allows a person to use
justifiable force when the fear of bodily harm is present.  Please start
contacting your Representative at (785) 296-1153 and ask him or her to
support your right to protect yourself and your loved ones!

KENTUCKY
Sponsored by Representative Carolyn Belcher (D-72) HB 290, the "Gun
Owner Protection Act," will be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on
Wednesday, February 8.  This critical legislation ensures the names of
concealed firearm license holders are not released to the public.  It
prohibits employers from enacting or enforcing policies that keep
employees from storing lawfully-owned firearms in their vehicles while
at work.  HB 290 also prohibits government officials from regulating
lawful firearms ownership during a state of emergency.  An amendment
will be proposed allowing concealed firearm license holders to use their
license to satisfy the NICS requirement when purchasing firearms from a
licensed dealer.  HB 236 will also be heard in the House Judiciary
Committee.  Sponsored by Representative J.R. Gray (D-6), this bill
enacts the "Castle Doctrine" in Kentucky.  Please call your State
Representative and ask him or her to supportour Right to Keep and Bear
Arms by voting for HB 290 and HB 236.  Sponsored by Senator Katie Kratz
Stine (R-24) SB 12, the "School Posting Bill," will be heard in the
Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, February 9.  This bill prohibits
the prosecution of gun owners who unknowingly wander onto property owned
by a public or private school if it is not properly posted pursuant to
current law.  Current law requires the posting of school property.
However, if a school ignores this legal requirement, gun owners may
still be prosecuted for a felony offense when possessing a firearm on
the property.  This is unacceptable and must be rectified.  Please
contact your State Senator and ask him or her to support SB 12 in order
to protect gun owners from being convicted for a felony offense.  All
members of the Kentucky General Assembly can be reached at (502) 564-8100.

MISSOURI
On Monday, February 6, the Senate Judiciary & Civil and Criminal
Jurisprudence Committee will hear SB 571, sponsored by Sen. John
Cauthorn (R-18). SB 571 provides that Missourians do not have a duty to
retreat, and may use whatever force necessary to defend themselves,
their family, and their property from an attacker. Monday's committee
hearing begins at 7:00 p.m., so please be sure to contact the following
committee members and urge them to protect your right to self-defense by
supporting SB 571:  Sen. Matt Bartle (R-8) (Chairman), (573) 751-1464;
Sen. Rob Mayer (R-25) (Vice-Chair), (573) 751-3859; Sen. Bill Alter
(R-22) (573) 751-1492; Sen. Jason Crowell (R-27) (573) 751-2459; Sen.
Jack Goodman (R-29) (573) 751-2234; Sen. Chris Koster (R-31) (573)
751-1430; and Sen. Victor Callahan (D-11) (573) 751-3074.  In addition,
special elections will be held for two open State House seats on
Tuesday, February 7.  NRA Members who reside in State House District93
or State House District 105, should call NRA-ILA Grassroots at (800)
392-VOTE (8683) for more information.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
A public hearing will be held on HB 1354, "Castle Doctrine" legislation,
in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday,
February 7, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 204 of the Legislative Office
Building.  Sponsored by Representative Howard C. Dickinson (R-Carroll
01), HB 1354 simply says if a criminal breaks into your home, your
occupied vehicle, or your place of business, you may presume he is there
to do bodily harm, and therefore, you may use necessary force against
him.  The bill removes the "duty to retreat" if you are attacked in any
place you have a legal right to be and it provides protection from
criminal prosecution and civil litigation for those who defend
themselves from criminal attack.  Please attend Tuesday's hearing in
support of HB 1354.  If you are unable to attend, please call your State
Representative at (603) 271-2111 and ask him or her to support HB 1354.

NEW MEXICO
During the 30-day budget session of the New Mexico Legislature, NRA-ILA
and the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association have been working to
secure money for improvements to Shooting Range State Park in
Albuquerque, which will host the NRA National Police Shooting
Championships starting in September of 2006.  Because this is a
public-use facility, the shooting sports community will benefit from any
improvements to it for years to come.  Please call or e-mail the
following members of the Albuquerque delegation to thank them for
requesting money specifically dedicated for this project:  Senator Joe
Carraro (R-23) (505) 986-4387, [email protected]; Senator Shannon
Robinson  (D-17) (505) 986-4856, [email protected]; Senator
Kent Cravens (R-21) (505) 986-4391, [email protected]; Senator
John Ran (R-10) (505) 986-4373, [email protected]; Senator James
Taylor (D-14) (505) 986-4862, [email protected]; Senator Bill
Payne (R-20) (505) 986-4276, [email protected]; Representative
Tom Anderson (R-29) (505) 986-4452, [email protected]; Representative
Justine Fox-Young (R-30) (505) 986-4226, [email protected];
Representative Jimmie Hall (R-28) (505) 986-4215, [email protected];
Representative Larry Larranaga (R-27) (505) 986) 4215), Representative
Kathy McCoy (R-22) (505) 986-4214, [email protected]; Representative Al
Park (D-26) (505) 986-4234; Representative Bill Rehm (R-31) (505)
986-4453, [email protected]; and Representative Eric Youngberg (R-23)
(505 986-4226, [email protected].  Please also call Governor Bill
Richardson's (D) office to thank him for his strong financial support
for this project.   The Governor can be reached at 505-476-2200.

NEW YORK
Flanked by anti-gun Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano, Assembly
Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-64) held yet another press conference this
week calling for Senate action on his gun control package.  As Silver
seems to be keeping the pressure on, it is critical that your State
Senator hear from you!  Senators can be reached at (518) 455-2800.  A
listing and descriptions of the bills included in the Assembly's package
can be found on our website at www.nraila.org/CurrentLegislation.

SOUTH DAKOTA
House Bill 1134 ("A Citizens Right to Self-Defense"), modeled after
Florida's "Castle Doctrine," successfully passed the House and is
expected to be voted on this coming week by the Senate Judiciary
committee.  HB 1134 removes the "duty to retreat" if you are attacked in
a place you have a legal right to be.  Please call your Senator at (605)
773-3851 and ask him or her to support HB 1134.  Remind them that you
are a constituent and you rely on him or her to have your voice heard.

TEXAS
On Tuesday, February 14, an important run-off election will be held for
the open seat in State House District 48.  Early voting will take place
February 6-10, at the following locations:  Travis County Airport
Boulevard Offices; Randall's @ Research; Randall's @ Westlake Hills;
Northwest Rural Community Center; Howson Branch Public Library.  Please
call NRA-ILA Grassroots at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) for more information or
visit www.traviscountyelections.org.

VIRGINIA
On Friday, February 3, the House Militia, Police and Public Safety
Committee passed two important pro-Second Amendment bills:  HB 162,
sponsored by Delegate Scott Lingamfelter (R-31), which prevents
law-abiding citizens from being subjected to an employer's policy
prohibiting lawfully-possessed firearms in a locked vehicle on the
employer's property; and HB 1265, sponsored by Delegate Bill Janis
(R-56), that prevents any government authority from suspending or
restricting your Right to Keep and Bear Arms during a declared state of
emergency. Both of these bills will be heading to the House floor next
week, so it is critical that you contact your Delegate and strongly
encourage him or her to support these measures on the House floor!
Additionally, on Thursday, February 2, a House Militia, Police, and
Public Safety Subcommittee passed a number of pro-gun measures that
could be heard by the full Committee as early as next Friday. Please
contact your Delegate nd urge him or her to support all of the following
bills: HB 704 (Del. Clarke Hogan (R-60)), prevents counties from
enacting any regulation regarding hunting or the discharge of firearms;
HB 1577 (Del. Ben Cline (R-24)), allows any person designated by the
issuing judge to sign a concealed handgun permit; HB 1578 (Del. Ben
Cline (R-24)), clarifies language regarding "personal knowledge" and
limits the disqualification relating to the likelihood of using a weapon
unlawfully or negligently; HB 1401 (Del. Charles Carrico (R-5)), removes
the option for a locality to require that an applicant for a concealed
handgun permit submit fingerprints as part of the application; HB 167
(Del. Scott Lingamfelter (R-31)), eliminates the need for Virginia
residents to renew a concealed handgun permit (lifetime permit); HB 769
(Del. Mark Sickles (D-43)), requires the Virginia Attorney General to
provide a website link to the Virginia State Supreme Court opinions
regarding deadly and lethal force, and that notification of suchi
nformation be contained on the application for a concealed handgun
permit. Also, on Thursday, the same subcommittee tabled (HB 1495), a
bill by Delegate Kristen Amundson (D-44) that would have extended the
prohibition against carrying firearms at schools to school board
meetings, regardless of whether the meeting is held on school property.
Special thanks to subcommittee Chairman Del. Tommy Wright (R-61) and
committee members Del. Morgan Griffith (R-8), Del. Scott Lingamfelter
(R-31), and Del. Dave Nutter (R-7) for their support and efforts on
these bills.  Finally, two more pro-gun bills will be heard in House
committees next week: HB 1531, sponsored by Del. Ward Armstrong (D-10),
would prohibit medical professionals from asking patients whether or not
they own firearms; and HB 879, sponsored by Del. Tom Gear (R-91), would
provide protection from civil and criminal action taken against an
individual who is acting in defense of themselves, their family, or
their property.  Please be sure to contac your Delegate and urge him or
her to support all of the above-referenced bills.  You can reach your
Delegate at (804) 698-1500.

WASHINGTON
SB 5343, a bill that would have prohibited non-licensed individuals from
buying, selling, or trading firearms from their private collections at
gun shows without conducting the exchange through a licensed firearm
dealer in Washington, was defeated Wednesday, February 1.  The Senate
Judiciary Committee cast 5 of their 8 votes in opposition to this
restrictive legislation.  Please call the committee members who voted
"No", to thank them for holding firm against this terrible legislation
(especially Senator Luke Esser  (R-48) and Senator Marilyn Rasmussen
(D-2)) at (800) 562-6000.  Those who voted "no" include:   Senator
Stephen Johnson, Ranking Minority Member (R-47); Senator Mike Carrell
(R-28); Senator Luke Esser (R-48); Senator Bob McCaslin (R-4); and
Senator Marilyn Rasmussen (D-2).  Those who voted "yes" include:
Senator Adam Kline, Chair (D-37); Senator Brian Weinstein, Vice Chair
(D-41); and Senator Pat Thibaudeau (D-43.   Senator James Hargrove
(D-24) was absent.  Thank you for your phone calls to legislators in
opposition of SB 5343.

WYOMING
In an effort to stop the NRA's "no duty to retreat" measure, the Brady
Campaign has declared Wyoming a battleground state in which to deny
law-abiding citizens their right to self-defense.  House Bill 46, as
introduced by Representatives Steve Watt (R-17) and Mick Powers (R-18),
would remove the "duty to retreat" if you are attacked in any place you
have a right to be.  You may stand your ground and fight back, meeting
force with force, including deadly force.  The Legislature is set to
convene on February 13, and, due to the Budget Session, will only meet
for 20 days.  Due to the short legislative session, it is vital that NRA
members contact their legislators and ask for their support of HB 46
immediately.  Remember, the Brady Campaign has already started with
their misinformation and smear tactics!  State Senators can be reached
by calling (307) 777-7711.  State Representatives can be reached at
(307) 777-7852.  You can also -mail your legislator on the state's
website at http://legisweb.state.wy.us.  To reach State Senate Members,
please visit http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2005/members/sen.htm.  For
State House Members, please visit
http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2005/members/rep.htm.

--
Stephen P. Wenger

Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.

http://www.spw-duf.info

You are viewing proxied material from pongonova.org. The copyright of proxied material belongs to its original authors. Any comments or complaints in relation to proxied material should be directed to the original authors of the content concerned. Please see the disclaimer for more details.