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Kansas Pastor Knocks Church-CCW Ban: "History shows us that when
shootings take place in a church, it is by people that come off the
street and start shooting. If this law stands, then it will make it
illegal for 'religious' people to defend themselves."
http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2006/04/concealed_gun_l.html
Related Article:
http://www.saljournal.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/7529/format/html/displaystory.html
---
Rule Two, Rule Three Reminder: A grand jury in New Mexico has refused to
indict a father who unintentionally shot and killed his own drug-crazed
son. When his father stuck a .250-caliber rifle out the broken window to
try to scare his son, Gary Trujillo grabbed the barrel and put it to his
head; the father's finger was on the trigger at the time. (Rule Two:
Don't let the muzzle cross anything you're not prepared to shoot. Rule
Three: Keep your finger out of the trigger guard, up on the frame, until
your sights are on the target and you're prepared to fire.)
http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/42006.html
Ditto:
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/123813
---
From John Farnam:
4 Apr 06
We completed an Urban Rifle/Shotgun Program last weekend in IL. Here
are excellent comments from one of my observant instructors:
"With regard to the ubiquitous AR-15, when you insert a magazine, SMACK
it in, and then GIVE IT A TUG to make sure it's seated. I lost count of
students who, upon mounting their rifles, were astonished to see that
their magazine had just fallen to the ground, instantly providing them
with a single-shot rifle! Sure, we chuckle when it happens in
training, but you'll see who's laughing during your next fight.
AR-15s have to be kept CLEAN. Fail to clean your rifle at the end of
the day, and you're virtually guaranteed malfunctions during day two.
We had three (of twelve) go down on day two, due solely to poor maintenance.
Pull your AR-15's bolt apart regularly and check the extractor spring to
be sure it is not broken. While you're there, check the extractor claw
itself to be sure it is also in tact. These are fragile parts, and they
break more often than most other parts on the AR-15 system.
Get a D-Ring on your extractor spring, if you don't already have one
there. Cheap insurance!
Another AR-15 had the buffer-keeper spring (and pin) pop out, seizing
the rifle completely. A workbench, gunsmith, stock wrench, and twenty
minutes were all required to get it running once more. The lesson there
is: ALWAYS carry a pistol any time you're carrying a longarm. Be
prepared to go on fighting when you primary weapon goes south.
How soon we forget, when shooting around and over cover, that there is a
2-1/2" sight-to-bore-line span. Muzzle masking is a big issue, and even
experienced shooters often carelessly forget about it when shooting from
behind cover. The slightest contact made by your bullet with the
cover/concealment you're using will send your bullet way off target.
When optics are mounted on top of the carrying handle, the problem is
exacerbated.
Charge '30-round' AR-15 magazines with 28 rounds. Charge'20-round'
magazines with eighteen. There needs to be a full, one-half inch of
free depression on the top round. When there is not, remove the top
round and do the test again. Overcharged magazines lead to a vexatious
condition called 'bolt-override,' which seizes up the entire rifle.
It's a high price to pay for 'one extra round!'
Shut your AR-15's dust cover before slinging! Seal the receiver at
every opportunity. The AR-15 needs all the help it can get!
Take an extra moment when loading your AR-15 to smack the forward assist
with the heel of your strong-side hand. It's on there. Use it!
For all rifles:
Those 'tactical slings' sure are comfy and sexy, but have you tried
switching to the support-side shoulder while entangled in one? Have you
attempted to climb out of it and then switch hands with any species of
efficiency? You will have to, and fast, in order to shoot around the
left sides of things. In our course, a full, twenty percent of shooting
was from the support-side shoulder.
Slick, nylon slings are not recommended. I watched eight students
struggle all weekend with slippery slings continually sliding off of
their shoulders. Cotton slings are better, because they cling."
Comment: There is nothing like an intense course to truly test gear,
technique, and personal attitude. Gear that works "just fine" during
occasional, casual, purely recreational plinking often goes south in
short order during rough, heavy use. That is why you need to bring you
gear and yourself to a genuine, carnassial course and wring it, and
yourself, out. It will quickly become obvious to you what works and
what doesn't!
/John
(So many points here! Not all knowledgeable people agree on the D-ring.
My book includes an excellent illustration by Jeff Cahill illustrating
what these folks call "muzzle masking." There are those who feel that if
a round has not seated properly in an M16/M4/AR-15, it is dirty or bent
and that the user is better served by ejecting and replacing it than by
wedging it in place with the "forward assist" device. My own
home-defense carbine is fitted with a single-point tactical sling,
specifically because it allows an easy transition from shoulder to
shoulder; since my carbine has an adjustable, telescoping stock, the
single-point sling is mounted with TangoDown's PR-4 Single-Point Sling
Mount, which makes the transition even easier. The single-point Giles
Sling is made of nylon webbing, whose slick surface is not a deficit in
this application.)
5 Apr 06
Carry comments from a Federal Agent and friend:
"Not all us feds have hammered our pistols into computer keyboards, at
least not yet. Out of eight in our office, three of us carry regularly.
The other five only carry when they 'know' that they are going to be
encountering danger. My comment that it is indeed fortunate that they
are able to plan future gunfights with such stunning accuracy is mostly
wasted sarcasm.
The notion that you will not carry your weapon and simply be a 'good
witness' is a cynical abdication of a moral and legal pact you have
entered into with our civilization.
Unfortunately, grasseaters sometimes become cops, and they don't
change. What they do get is promoted, but that is a story for a
different time!"
Comment: I don't know how bad it is going to have to get to wake some
people up!
/John
(The one time I have had to draw on a hostile adversary involved a
robbery of a computer store that was patronized by a large number of the
detectives with whom I volunteered at the time. My options were severely
limited when the Chinese owner of the store, realizing that he was being
robbed, pointed at me and said. "He's a cop!" After the incident I
attempted to explain to him the folly of that move and told him that
many of his LASD customers don't carry when they're not on duty. He
responded that they do because he had seen some of the guns. I countered
that some may but even then many of them are not carrying where they can
actually draw the guns. His response was, "Yeah, how did you get your
gun out so quickly?")
6 Apr 06
Tactical lessons, from a friend in WA:
"Our extensive Force-On-Force drills have revealed:
Students naturally locked onto the single threat that initially grabbed
their attention. When so doing, they stopped monitoring the
environment. As a result, several were stabbed in the back by attackers
they never saw, and several others inadvertently shot bystanders of
which they were unaware.
Conversely, there is a time to stand and fight! Trying to shoot, move,
talk, and scan simultaneously will result in none of those things being
done well. Effective fighting requires intensified concentration on a
single act. When focus is divided, coordinated effort is compromised.
To reconcile the foregoing, we must practice concentrating for short
periods, then drawing back and taking everything in. Alternately
concentrating and diffusing is a secret to victory!
A strong, alert, imposing, upright, independent bearing is another
secret to victory! The best way to win a fight is via personal
reputation. Attackers invariably seek out the weak, preoccupied,
self-consumed, disorganized. Never wait. Never hesitate. Always call
their bluff!"
The "feet in cement" syndrome proved a pernicious assassin! There is no
point in drawing a pistol while standing still! Why would anyone want
to do that? Combining abrupt, lateral movement with simultaneous pistol
presentation confronts attackers with a confusing, challenging, and
toxic target. Same applies when mounting rifles and shotguns.
Pistol draws (presentations) were sloppy, with lots of support hands
carelessly panned by muzzles. Amateur Hour! But, easily fixed.
Verbal commands were too long, too convoluted, too watery. As a result,
they were muddled, incomprehensible, garbled, only rarely understood.
Short "tape-loops" need to be selected and then practiced with the same
intensity as shooting skills. A strong, clear, understandable voice is
a always strong ally. Never mumble!
Available cover was often left unused. When one doesn't regularly
practice locating, seeking, and using cover, there is little chance he
will make any use of it in a real gunfight.
More than one student was forcibly disarmed by close-in attackers when
they carelessly allowed their brandished pistols to get too far away
from their bodies, particularly when pistols were held with only one
hand. Inserting your pistol into 'where angels fear to tread' will
quickly result in a successful disarm. When threats are close, (1) keep
your pistol close to your body, and keep both hands on it, and (2)
always carry a concealed, back-up pistol and practice transitioning to
it without hesitation.
We put to rest, at least to my satisfaction, the familiar 'When I draw,
I will always shoot' nonsense. The decision to shoot needs to be
distinct, and separate, from the presentation. When the two are
inexorably linked, unintentional shootings are inevitable in any dynamic
environment. We saw it!
Students fired until the threat either ran away or collapsed. That's
good! However, those carrying revolvers and single-column, autoloading
pistols, take note. Have a plan for when they run out before the fight
is over, because there is little doubt that they will!"
Comment: Spot-on, my friend!
/John
(After trigger control, the biggest problems I have with the majority of
my students are (a) getting them to enunciate the brief commands in
separate, distinct syllables and (b) getting them actually to look as
they perform the 360-degree scans. I disagree with the advice to keep
both hands on the handgun in the "retention" or "protected-gun"
positions. You will much more likely need the non-gun hand to deflect
blows, operate a flashlight, open doors, etc. I prefer drawing the
handgun back alongside the ribcage, where it is not vulnerable to being
grabbed.)
From NRA-ILA:
NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 13, No. 14 04/07/06
States with updates this issue: Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho,
Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, New York, South Carolina, and Texas.
RIGHT-TO-CARRY NOW LAW IN NEBRASKA!
On April 5, Governor Dave Heineman (R) signed Legislative Bill 454 into
law, making Right-to-Carry the law of the land in Nebraska!
"It took over a decade to bring Right-to-Carry to the good citizens of
Nebraska, but those years of hard work have paid off tremendously,"
declared NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. "I want to thank
Governor Dave Heineman, and Senator Jeanne Combs (R-32), for their
support and their efforts in giving Nebraskans the right to protect
themselves and their loved ones. Senator Combs' dedication and
persistence was vital in ensuring passage of this measure through the
state legislature."
LB 454 passed with bi-partisan support, as Nebraska senators voted 33-12
in favor of the measure. The bill allows law-abiding Nebraskans who
undergo a background check and apply for a permit to carry a concealed
firearm for self-protection.
Two weeks ago, legislators in neighboring Kansas overrode Governor
Sebelius' (D) veto to bring Right-to-Carry to that state as well. Now,
of all the 50 states, only Wisconsin and Illinois flatly refuse to
recognize the right of law-abiding citizens to carry concealed firearms
for self-protection against criminal attack.
"Once again, on behalf of our NRA members in Nebraska, I want to thank
all the legislators who voted to bring Right-to-Carry to their state,"
concluded Cox. "And as always, we appreciate the commitment and
participation of our members in Nebraska for their part in making it
happen."
To view this legislation use the "Bills" feature at the following link
http://alisdb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/ACASLogin.asp
GOVERNOR RILEY SIGNS ALABAMA "CASTLE DOCTRINE" INTO LAW!
On April 4, Alabama Governor Bob Riley (R) signed NRA-backed "Castle
Doctrine" bill SB 283 into law. Senator Larry Means (D-10), and
Representative Albert Hall (D-22), sponsored the self-defense bill.
With overwhelming support, SB 283 passed the Alabama House by a vote of
82 to 9, and the Alabama State Senate by a vote of 30 to 2.
ILA's Chris W. Cox, stated, "We thank Governor Riley for signing this
vital legislation into law for the people of Alabama. Law-abiding
citizens now have the choice to defend themselves and their families in
the face of attack without fear of criminal prosecution and civil
litigation."
The "Castle Doctrine" bill removes the "duty to retreat" if an
individual is attacked in his or her home, vehicle, place of business,
or any other place he or she has a legal right to be. This legislation
also states that victims may use necessary force to defend themselves
against the attacker.
"I would like to thank the bill's sponsors, Senator Means and
Representative Hall, and the Alabama State Senators and State
Representatives who supported this bill. As always, we also thank all
the NRA members and lawful gun owners who contacted their
representatives and urged them to support this vital self-defense
measure," concluded Cox.
SUPPORT HR 5092--
"THE BATFE MODERNIZATION AND REFORM ACT OF 2006"
On April 5, the leaders of the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee
on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security--Representatives Howard Coble
(R-N.C.), and Bobby Scott (D-Va.)--joined forces to introduce H.R. 5092,
the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE)
Modernization and Reform Act of 2006." This bipartisan bill is a
critical first step toward finally reforming BATFE.
First and foremost, H.R. 5092 totally revises the system of
administrative penalties for licensed dealers, manufacturers and
importers of firearms. Today, for most violations, BATFE can only give
an FFL holder a warning, or totally revoke the license. This bill would
allow fines or license suspensions for less serious violations, while
allowing license revocation for the kind of serious violations that
would block an investigation or put guns in the hands of criminals.
H.R. 5092 also clarifies the standard for violations-allowing penalties
for intentional, purposeful violations of the law, but not for simple
paperwork mistakes. Congress thought it had fixed this problem in 1986
when it passed the Firearms Owners' Protection Act, but the government
has ignored that law-and has even argued in court that the 1986 changes
were "without practical significance."
The bill also improves the process by which BATFE imposes these
penalties, notably by allowing FFLs to appeal BATFE penalties to a
neutral administrative law judge, rather than to an employee of BATFE
itself.
H.R. 5092 would change BATFE's enforcement operations in several ways,
from requiring the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice
to review of BATFE gun show enforcement operations, to demanding that
the Bureau establish clear investigative guidelines. Finally, the bill
would focus BATFE's efforts on violations of firearms, explosives,
arson, alcohol and tobacco laws, rather than non-jurisdictional areas.
Please be sure to contact your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121,
and urge him or her to cosponsor and support H.R. 5092, the "Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Modernization and Reform Act
of 2006!"
SENATOR VITTER INTRODUCES S. 2599--THE SENATE VERSION OF
THE "DISASTER RECOVERY PERSONAL PROTECTION ACT OF 2006"
On April 7, U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-La.) introduced S. 2599--the
Senate companion bill to H.R. 5013, the "Disaster Recovery Personal
Protection Act of 2006" introduced on March 28, by U.S. Congressman
Bobby Jindal (R-La.). This NRA-supported bill would amend federal
emergency statute laws to prohibit local authorities from confiscating
lawfully owned firearms during times of disaster.
Thirty three states have "emergency powers" laws that give the
government permission to suspend or limit gun sales, and to prohibit or
restrict citizens from transporting or carrying firearms--something
NRA-ILA is working to change. In some states, authorities can seize
guns outright from citizens who have committed no crime--and who would
then be defenseless against disorder.
Please be sure to contact your U.S. Senators and your U.S.
Representative, and urge them to cosponsor and support S. 2599, and H.R.
5013, respectively, the "Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act of
2006!" You can reach your Senators at (202) 224-3121 and your
Representative at (202) 225-3121.
SUPPORT H.R. 5005,
THE "FIREARMS CORRECTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS ACT"
Representative Lamar Smith (R-Tex.) recently introduced H.R. 5005, the
"Firearms Corrections and Improvements Act," which would make a variety
of technical changes to federal firearm laws. The bill would roll back
unnecessary restrictions, correct errors, and codify longstanding
congressional policies in the arena of firearms laws.
Among its provisions, H.R. 5005 would: permanently ban taxes or "user
fees" on background checks by the federal instant check system--fees
that Congress has prohibited in annual appropriations riders since 1998;
permanently ban creation of a centralized electronic index of dealers'
records--a threat to gun owners' privacy that Congress has barred
through appropriations riders for a decade; codify limits on disclosure
of trace records--which Congress has already limited through a series of
appropriations riders over the past few years, out of concern for gun
owners' privacy and the confidentiality of law enforcement records; and
repeal of obsolete language from the Brady Act's "interim" waiting
period provisions, that expired in 1998.
Please be sure to contact your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121,
and urge him or her to cosponsor and support H.R. 5005, the "Firearms
Corrections and Improvements Act!"
PLAN TO ATTEND FREE MILWAUKEE GRASSROOTS WORKSHOP!
The NRA-ILA Grassroots Division will host its FREE Grassroots Workshop
in conjunction with NRA's Annual Meetings in Milwaukee. This Workshop
has been a regular part of NRA's Annual Meetings for a decade. At this
event, you will hear from NRA officers, NRA staff, and your fellow NRA
members on what you can do in your own community to ensure victory for
the Second Amendment in this year's elections.
We will also discuss how you can work with your local Election Volunteer
Coordinator (EVC). Your EVC is a local NRA member who is working with
the various pro-gun campaigns in his area to provide critically-needed
volunteer support for a variety of activities, including: phone banks,
precinct walks, literature drops, voter registration drives, Get Out The
Vote & Election Day activities, etc. EVCs also promote NRA-ILA's
legislative agenda at the federal and state levels.
With the 2006 campaign season in full swing, it is critical that we
start implementing our grassroots battle plan to ensure we are ready to
meet these electoral challenges head on as Election Day 2006
approaches. Rest assured, the anti-gunners are already doubling their
efforts to ensure the defeat of pro-Second Amendment candidates in
critical elections across the country, so we must ensure we are prepared
to defeat their efforts at every turn.
Workshop details are:
NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop-FREE!
Friday, May 19, 2006, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
(Registration & free continental breakfast-8:00 - 9:00 a.m.)
Hilton Milwaukee City Center
Crystal Ballroom
509 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53203
To reserve your seat, or for more information, please call NRA-ILA at
(800) 392-VOTE (8683). You may also register on-line at
www.nraam.org/seminars/grassroots.asp. We hope to see you in Milwaukee
on Friday, May 19!
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 community, 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 and their staffs, NRA-ILA
Headquarters staff, and fellow area NRA members--and to earn FREE NRA
fraternal items such as hats, pocketknives, buttons, etc. Mix N'
Mingles, including materials, food, beverages, and NRA items, are FREE!
Mix N' Mingle events are scheduled for:
- Eau Claire, WI -- 05/23/06
- Ashland, WI -- 05/24/06
NRA members who have access to the Internet can go to
www.nraila.org/workshops/ to reserve their seats on-line. 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.
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.***)
States with updates this issue: Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho,
Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, New York, South Carolina, and Texas.
ARIZONA
The Arizona Department of Game and Fish is hosting an area meeting to
discuss locations for a new shooting range in Northern Arizona. Your
presence is needed to help show support this new local shooting range.
This meeting will be held Saturday, April 15, from 10:00 a.m., to 2:00
p.m., at the Northern Arizona University du Bois Center located at 306
E. Pine Knoll Drive, Flagstaff, 86011. Please mark you calendar for
this date! For more information please contact: Mark Meyer at (480)
967-1343 or via e-mail at
[email protected]. More meetings will be
scheduled in the future, so please keep checking the NRA-ILA website for
updates. After working closely with NRA leadership in Arizona, State
Representative Pamela Gorman (R-6) has withdrawn her amendment,
regarding state operated shooting ranges, from SB 1291. We here at NRA
realize we have a strong ally in Representative Gorman, who will work t
protect Arizona ranges and your Second Amendment rights. Please take a
moment to send Representative Gorman a note thanking her for working
with the NRA to resolve this issue and encourage her to continue to work
with us to protect Arizona's gun owners and sportsmen. State
Representative Gorman's e-mail address is
[email protected].
CONNECTICUT
As we have been reporting, the anti-gun crowd has redoubled their
efforts to pass last year's proposal to make it a crime to fail to
report the loss or theft of a firearm within 72 hours from when you
"knew or should have known" of the theft. This year's version is
outrageous! H.B. 5818, now includes language that would subject gun
owners to criminal investigation and jeopardy of prosecution even if
they report the theft because a court will now be given the ability to
decide whether the firearm was stored in such a manner that provided
"substantial and unjustifiable risk" that it would be stolen. Even
worse, if the police recover the firearm before the gun owner has
discovered it missing and made the report, it will be considered
automatic evidence of guilt of violation of this proposed law, as well
as guilt of an illegal transfer. Conviction of the "illegal transfer,"
which is a felony, would permanently end your right to own a firearm!
In respnse to the large number of phone calls that are coming in from
legitimate gun owners, Connecticut Against Gun Violence has put out
desperate pleas to the anti-gun crowd asking them to write, e-mail and
call lawmakers in an effort to drown out your voice! If you have not
contacted your legislators yet, we urge you to do so today! The Public
Safety and Security Committee could consider HB 5818 as early as next
week. The Public Safety and Security Committee can be reached at (860)
240-0570. For more information on the Public Safety and Security
Committee please visit www.cga.ct.gov/ps/.
DELAWARE
The Delaware House of Representatives may be voting as early as Tuesday
on H.B. 359, sponsored by Representative Deborah Hudson (R-12), the
NRA-backed "shall-issue" Right-to-Carry bill. This bill would allow
law-abiding citizens that fulfilled the requirements for a concealed
weapons permit to be granted a permit without discrimination. Your
State Representative needs to hear from you! Please take the time to
call or e-mail your State Representative TODAY and respectfully urge him
or her to support HB 359 when it comes before them for consideration.
The future of Right-to-Carry in Delaware depends on it!
IDAHO
Thanks to the efforts of NRA members across the State of Idaho who sent
thousands of e-mails and made countless phone calls to State lawmakers,
four important bills have become law in the state and a fifth is on the
way. Senator Gerry Sweet (R-20) and Representative Bill Sali (R-21)
co-sponsored three NRA-supported bills: House Bill 686 will protect
non-profit shooting ranges and gun clubs from having taxes imposed on
their range fees and membership dues; Senate Bill 1401, "Emergency
Powers" legislation, will prevent government officials from imposing
restrictions on the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transport,
storage, display or use of firearms and ammunition during a disaster
emergency; and Senate Bill 1428, "Right-to-Carry" reform legislation,
that extends the concealed weapon license from four to five years and,
like driver's licenses, requires renewal notices be sent out prior to
license expiration. This bill also provides an exemption from the
cocealed weapon license requirement for a person who possesses a
concealed weapon while on property he or she owns or leases. Senator
Skip Brandt (R-8) proposed House Bill 608, legislation that creates an
NRA motor vehicle license plate. This bill has also become law, so look
to sign up for a special NRA license plate in the near future. The
fifth bill, Senate Bill 1441, is "Castle Doctrine" legislation that
would provide immunity from civil action for anyone who has used lawful
force in self-defense. Under SB 1441, if a criminal attacks a victim
and the victim successfully defends him or herself and, in the process,
injures or kills the criminal, then neither the criminal nor the
criminal's family can obtain a judgment against the victim for damages.
This bill, carried by Senators Mel Richardson (R-32) and Joyce
Broadsword (R-2), has passed both the Senate and House and is headed to
the Governor's desk.
ILLINOIS
Thanks to the efforts of those who contacted their State Representative,
H.B. 4853 passed the House with an NRA-supported amendment that excludes
ammunition. The House concurred on this legislation with the Senate
offered and NRA-supported amendment overwhelmingly by voting 115 to 1.
Without this important amendment, H.B. 4853 as originally passed by the
House could have been used to target ammunition manufacturers,
distributors, users, and owners of property where firearms are lawfully
discharged. This legislation will now head to the Governor's desk.
LOUISIANA
On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary C Committee reported out S.B. 93, by
Senator Joe McPherson (D-29), NRA-backed legislation amending the
state's emergency powers act to prohibit the seizure and confiscation of
legally possessed firearms in the unfortunate event of another natural
disaster in the State of Louisiana. The full Senate could vote the bill
on as early as Monday afternoon. Please e-mail and call your State
Senators on Monday morning and urge them to support SB 93. Although an
official agenda had not been posted as when this Alert went to print, it
is expected the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee may
hold hearings on the House versions of measures to end New Orleans-style
gun confiscations during a state of emergency: H.B. 36 by
Representative Pete Schneider (R-90), H.B. 136 by Representative Troy
Hebert (D-49), H.B. 172 by Representative Danny Martiny (R-79), and HB
760 by Representative Steve Scalise (R-82). lease email and call the
members of the committee and urge them to support these measures. The
committee normally meets on Wednesday and Thursday mornings in Room 6 of
the State Capitol. To contact your state lawmakers, check the
committee's schedule, and agenda, or for a list of committee members,
please call the PULS line at (225) 342-2456 (from the Baton Rouge area)
or (800) 256-3793 (outside the Baton Rouge area) or visit
http://senate.legis.state.la.us/Senators,
http://house.louisiana.gov,
and
http://www.legis.state.la.us
MAINE
Representative Josh Tardy (R-Newport) is offering an important amendment
that adds two important provisions to L.D.1938, "An Act To Protect
Victims of Domestic Violence." The "Tardy Amendment" would do the
following: (1) Allow the court to order a person seeking a "protection
from abuse" order--who is proven to be in "bad faith"--to pay damages
and reasonable attorney's fees to the defendant and; (2) Makes law
enforcement officials responsible for damage to firearms resulting from
a lack of reasonable care, which are seized, surrendered or
relinquished. Presently, the possibility of "bad faith" orders within
the court system create a "shadow of doubt"--hurting the true victims of
domestic violence. This measure would help eliminate "bad faith" orders
from occurring, thus furthering validity for all legitimate "protection
from abuse" proceedings. Furthermore, relinquished firearms are often
damaged and sometimes never returned tothe owner after a "protection
from abuse" order is terminated. This amendment would correct that
problem. Similar language recently passed the Pennsylvania Legislature
and was supported by all stakeholders, including gun owners as well as
domestic violence organizations. This measure passed overwhelmingly
with bipartisan support. Please call your State Legislator today and
respectfully ask him or her to support the "Tardy Amendment!" Your
State Legislator can be contacted in Augusta at (800) 423-2900.
MICHIGAN
Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) signed two pro-gun bills, both sponsored
by Representative Rick Jones (R-71). H.B. 4643 addresses a problem with
concealed pistol licenses (CPL) being renewed in a timely fashion.
Apparently, the Detroit area was taking 9 to 10 months to renew
concealed pistol licenses! HB 4643 corrects the renewal process by
requiring a proper renewal to be completed within 60 days or the license
is extended for 180 days or until the permit is renewed. H.B. 4642
allows a licensed spouse to carry or transport another licensed spouse's
inspected pistol. A thank you goes out to Governor Granholm for signing
these two important Right-to-Carry reform bills into law.
NEW YORK
On April 9, members of the Assembly Health Committee are set to consider
A. 6608A, sponsored by Assemblywoman Ginny Fields (D-5), an
NRA-supported bill that would protect existing shooting ranges from new
noise ordinances and nuisance lawsuits aimed at shutting them down. A.
6608A provides that facilities must comply with noise ordinances in
place at the time of construction of the range. The Senate companion
bill to A 6608A, S. 3353A, is sponsored by Senator Dale Volker (R-59)
and could be voted on by the full Senate at any time. Please contact
your lawmakers today and urge them to support A. 6606A and S. 3353A.
The general phone number to the Senate is (518) 455-2800. The general
phone number for the Assembly is (518) 455-4100.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Thanks to phone calls from NRA members H. 4681, introduced by
Representative Mike Pitts (R-14), unanimously passed the House Judiciary
Committee's Constitutional Laws Subcommittee with an added amendment
that further strengthens the bill. H 4681 will now come before the full
Judiciary Committee. This legislation would remove the ability of local
governments to restrict the use, sale, or transportation of firearms
during a state of emergency, and would also prohibit South Carolina Law
Enforcement Division (SLED) from releasing the personal information of
Right-to-Carry (RTC) permit holders unless the request for the
information is part of an investigation by law enforcement. Please
contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and urge them to
support H 4681. A list of the members of the Judiciary Committee can be
found by going to www.scstatehuse.net/html-pages/housecommlst.html#jud
TEXAS
Primary runoff elections will be held on Tuesday, April 11. Please
check www.nrapvf.org to see whether a runoff election is being held in
your area and to see how the candidates measure up on issues of
importance to gun owners and sportsmen. Spread the word to your family,
friends, and co-workers about the primary runoff elections, because
every vote counts!
--
Stephen P. Wenger
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
