The Missing Link: The correct link for the op-ed piece by South Dakota's
Senator Thune regarding his sponsorship of the Senate version of the
bill that would create a federal mandate for nationwide recognition of
all CCW permits or license is:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1300&dept_id=374730&newsid=17812561&PAG=461&rfi=9
---
National Park Service Rejects Petition: The National Park Service has
rejected the petition by the Virginia Citizens Defense League to alter
its rule barring possession of operable firearms in national parks if
their possession and carry would be legal in the surrounding state. VCDL
vows to take the fight directly to Congress (Unfortunately, as pointed
out a few days ago, an ultraliberal congressman from Tucson was just
appointed head of the subcommittee that oversees national parks.)
http://www.vcdl.org/pdf/NPS_Denial_of_VCDL_PRM.pdf
---
What's The Catch? D.C. Council member Marion Barry yesterday introduced
legislation that would suspend the District's 30-year ban on handguns,
providing gun owners a 90-day period to register weapons they would then
be allowed to legally own...Mr. Barry's proposal would increase the
penalties for possessing an unregistered weapon in the District from a
maximum of one year in prison and a $1,000 fine to 15 years in prison
and a $10,000 fine. A second offense could result in 30 years in prison
and a $20,000 fine, according to the bill. (The bill would also seem to
require documentation that the firearms had been acquired illegally.)
http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20070206-115722-3302r.htm
---
Utah Campus-Carry Compromise Unveiled: SB251, sponsored by Sen. Greg
Bell, R-Fruit Heights, would allow students to choose to room only with
students who do not have concealed weapons permits and let faculty
designate their offices as gun-free zones. The legislation comes as a
deal between university and legislative leaders after the Utah Supreme
Court struck down the University of Utah's gun ban as illegal in September.
http://www.desnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660193436,00.html
---
BATFE Investigates Bloomberg Sting Operation: Five months after the
Second Amendment Foundation called on U.S. Attorney General Alberto
Gonzales to investigate New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg for obstruction
of justice relating to Bloomberg's rogue "sting" operation against gun
retailers in five states, the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has confirmed in a letter that
an investigation is underway.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20070206/pl_usnw/saf_encouraged_by_atf_investigation_of_bloomberg_s_vigilante_sting
---
From AzCDL:
Thanks to YOUR activism, three AzCDL supported pro-rights bills sailed
through the Senate Judiciary committee on February 5, 2007.
SB 1250 -
http://www.azcdl.org/html/legislation.html#sb1250
Eliminates the fingerprint requirement for renewing concealed carry permits.
Passed by a 6-0 vote with one member not voting.
SB 1301 -
http://www.azcdl.org/html/legislation.html#sb1301
Redefines "open carry." Passed 4-1 (Senator Cheuvront) with 2 members
not voting. No one spoke out against SB 1301. The Arizona Chiefs of
Police (AzCOP) have stated a neutral position on SB 1301. Charles
Heller, AzCDL co-founder, Board Director and radio talk show host,
graphically demonstrated to the committee, with a plastic "red" gun, how
open carry can be deemed concealed carry.
The current law has two problems. First, open carry is limited in
statute to a belt holster, and the holster, NOT the weapon, must be
"wholly or partially visible." SB 1301 specifies that either the weapon
or the holster can be visible, and removes the "belt holster"
restriction. The second problem is the interpretation of the "wholly or
partially visible" language in ARS 13-3102.F by a 1994 Appellate court
decision that held it has to be obvious to ordinary observation that
you're carrying a weapon. SB 1301 replaces the "wholly or partially
visible" language and refers to "any portion" of a weapon or holster
being visible.
SB 1302 -
http://www.azcdl.org/html/legislation.html#sb1302
Clarifies that the intent of the Castle Doctrine bill that restored
"innocent until proven guilty" applied to all court cases pending on
April 24, 2006 when the bill was signed. It passed unanimously by 7-0.
The next major stop for these bills is the Senate floor. We'll keep you
up to date on their progress, and alert you when to contact your Senator
to vote for these bills.
These alerts are a project of the Arizona Citizens Defense League
(AzCDL), an all volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan grassroots
organization. Join today!
AzCDL - Protecting Your Freedom
http://www.azcdl.org/html/join_us_.html
Copyright � 2007 Arizona Citizens Defense League, Inc., all rights reserved.
On Monday February 5, 2007, the House Homeland Security and Property
Rights committee spent many hours debating HB 2286, the bill that would
reclassify gun owners as domestic terrorists. In the end, the bill
failed by a 3-7 vote. More importantly, it "Failed on Reconsideration",
which means a second committee vote was held that sealed the fate of HB
2286. Unless the language gets added as an amendment to another bill,
HB 2286 is no longer an issue during this legislative session.
Unfortunately, because of all the debate on HB 2286, two pro-rights
bills, HB 2458 & HCR 2024, which were on the agenda, were not heard.
Information on all these bills can be found at:
http://www.azcdl.org/html/legislation.html
HB 2458 & HCR 2024 are virtually identical except that HCR 2024 is a
legislative referendum that would submit a proposed constitutional
amendment to the voters for approval. Both bills prohibit the Governor
or Adjutant General from confiscating lawfully held firearms or
ammunition during a state of emergency. We are informed that should be
on next Monday's (2/12) Homeland Security and Property Rights committee
agenda.
We will keep you up to date on HB 2458, HCR 2024, and other important
legislation via these Alerts and our website:
http://www.azcdl.org/html/news.html
These alerts are a project of the Arizona Citizens Defense League
(AzCDL), an all volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan grassroots
organization. Join today!
AzCDL - Protecting Your Freedom
http://www.azcdl.org/html/join_us_.html
Copyright � 2007 Arizona Citizens Defense League, Inc., all rights reserved.
---
From NRA-ILA:
NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 14, No. 5 02/02/07
States with updates this issue: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut,
Hawaii, Indiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania,
Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
MORE TOOLS TO COMBAT ANTI-GUN MAYORS
In recent issues of the Grassroots Alert, we have been documenting
anti-gun New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's coalition efforts to
impose New York City-style gun laws across the nation. In addition to
compiling an updated listing of the mayors that sign on to Bloomberg's
efforts, NRA-ILA has added a new tool for you to fight against this
blatantly anti-gun coalition.
By visiting www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=2533 not
only will you find the list of mayors who are cahoots with Bloomberg,
but also some sample letters for you to send to your mayor. One letter
urges those mayors who have joined the anti-gun coalition, to remove
themselves. The other sample letter encourages those mayors who have so
far resisted pressure to join, to remain resolute. In addition to the
sample letters, we have also posted a link to our "Tips for
Communicating with Your Elected Officials" page that will provide you
additional guidance when contacting your mayors.
Please visit www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=2533 today
to take action yourself, and share this link with your family, friends,
and fellow firearm owners and encourage them to do the same!
FOREST SERVICE PLAN NEEDS CRUCIAL INPUT FROM SPORTSMEN
The Pike and San Isabel National Forests in Colorado are developing a
management plan to shape the kinds of uses allowed in these Forests for
the next 15 years. Public meetings are scheduled in February to give
the public an opportunity to state how they want the Forests to be
managed. The last time the management plan was updated was in 1984, so
it is likely that the new plan will incorporate some significant
changes. It is vital that sportsmen and women participate in the
process to ensure access and opportunities for hunting and recreational
shooting.
In its announcement, the Forest Service said that the principal issues
will be recreation, ranching, oil and gas development, logging, forest
thinning, and off-road vehicle use. The meetings will be from 5:30 to
9:00 p.m., in the following locations:
February 14 -Westcliffe, Ranchera's Roost Cafe & Bowling Alley, 25 Main
Street
February 15 - Pueblo, El Pueblo Museum, 302 N. Santa Fe Avenue
February 21 - Fairplay, Fairplay Fairbarn, 880 Bogue Street
For more information on this issue, including contact information,
please visit
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/.
HUNTING ON TWO REFUGES COULD BE
AFFECTED BY MANAGEMENT CHANGES
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its intention to prepare
management plans for the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, W.V.,
and the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, Maine. Both refuges allow
hunting, so it is important that hunters get involved in these planning
processes. The Service is inviting the public to express its views on
how the refuges should be managed in order to identify the key issues
and develop goals and objectives for managing refuge resources and
visitor activities, such as hunting. For Canaan Valley you may contact
the refuge by phone at (304) 866-3858 and by website at
www.fws.gov/canaanvalley. For Moosehorn the number is (207) 454-7161
and the website is www.fws.gov/northeast/moosehorn.
SCHOOL SHOWS ANTI-GUN COLORS
Joshua Enos, of Denmark, Maine, is a member of the American Trap
Association (ATA), and has been a member since he was 13. Joshua is
graduating from his high school (the Fryeburg Academy, in Fryeburg,
Maine) this year, and had submitted to his high school a picture of him
with his shotgun--unloaded, broken, and draped over his shoulders. The
school refused to use this photo, because it showed a firearm in it.
Joshua's father asked if he could be in the Alternative Sports section
of the yearbook. The answer was: "no" with a gun, but "yes" with his
trophies. His father then took a picture of Joshua with some of his
trophies, but the school is now refusing to use this photo because the
trophies have guns on them!
To make your views known on this issue, please contact the school via
Headmaster Dan Lee, at (207) 935-2001, extension 116, 745 Main St.,
Fryeburg, ME 04037.
ILLINOIS GUN OWNERS LOBBY DAY 2007
Please join your fellow Illinois gun owners for the annual Illinois Gun
Owners Lobby Day (IGOLD) on March 14, 2007, in Springfield! This is
your opportunity to lobby your lawmakers directly and make a positive
impact for all Illinois gun owners.
Participants will meet in the auditorium of the Howlett Building at
12:30 p.m., for registration and a legislative briefing before
proceeding to the Capitol Building. That evening, a reception will be
held at the Illinois State Library Auditorium from 5:30-7:30 p.m., for
both gun owners and state lawmakers. IGOLD will have buses available to
transport participants to Springfield from various locations throughout
Illinois.
For more information on IGOLD 2007, to sign-up online, or for more
information on scheduled bus routes, please visit
http://igold.isra.org.
2007 YOUTH EDUCATION SUMMIT
The National Rifle Association's Youth Education Summit (YES) program is
gearing up to host another active week for students who want to learn
about the U.S. government. The YES program will host a group of
outstanding high school sophomores and juniors from across the United
States for a weeklong educational experience in Washington, D.C. This
year's program will take place July 9 - 15. The deadline for
applications is set for March 1, 2007.
The Youth Education Summit is a seven-day event designed to encourage
America's youth to become active and knowledgeable U.S. citizens. YES
is an intensive educational experience that allows students to learn the
significance of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, to develop an
understanding of the federal government, and see the importance of
active participation in civic affairs--all while in the nation's capital.
Activities on this year's schedule include:
� Informative tours, and independent time, at historic sites and
monuments in and around Washington, D.C.
� Traversing an obstacle course at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va.
� Guest speakers and research time at NRA Headquarters and the National
Firearms Museum.
� Competitive debates with other high school students from across the
nation.
In addition to the week in Washington, D.C., YES participants compete
for $30,000 in college scholarships. Since the program's inception in
1996, over $140,000 in scholarships have been awarded.
The March 1, deadline is quickly approaching. High school sophomores
and juniors interested in participating in the NRA's Youth Education
Summit program need to have their applications postmarked by the deadline.
For additional information, and to download an application for the 2007
Youth Education Summit, please visit www.nrafoundation.org/yes or call
(800) 672-3888, ext. 1353.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN ST. LOUIS!
Once again the NRA is seeking volunteers to help at the 2007 NRA Annual
Meeting in St. Louis, April 11-15. To a large degree, the success of
each year's NRA Annual Meeting is dependent on the contributions of our
volunteers. And you can be a part of that successful effort this year!
A number of volunteers are needed to help with set-up on Wednesday and
Thursday, April 11 and 12, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During the
actual exhibit and meetings, Friday through Sunday, volunteers will work
in the NRA Store, Membership Services, and the Airgun Range, as well as
a number of other venues.
To volunteer, or for more information, please visit any of NRA's web
sites or the Annual Meeting site (www.nraam.org), or contact NRA Field
Rep Gregg Pearre at (573) 761-5466, or Dennis Eggers, South Central
Region Director, at (270) 522-0909. Their respective e-mail addresses
are:
[email protected] and
[email protected].
A LOOK AT THE STATES
(***For all of the action items below, you can find contact information
for your legislators by visiting www.NRAILA.org, clicking the "Take
Action" icon, and then clicking the "Write Your Representatives" icon.
As always, thank you for your support.***)
States with updates this issue: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut,
Hawaii, Indiana, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania,
Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
ARKANSAS
The Arkansas State House Judiciary Committee hearing for House Bill 1027
has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 6 at 10:00 A.M. in room 149.
HB1027, the "Castle Doctrine" self-defense bill, simply states that if a
criminal breaks into your home, your occupied vehicle or your place of
business, you do not have a "duty to retreat." The bill also provides
protection from criminal prosecution and civil litigation for those who
defend themselves from criminal attack. Please take the time to attend
the hearing and show your support. There will be a rally at 9:30 A.M.
in the State Capitol Rotunda. If you are unable to attend, please
contact the committee members today and respectfully urge them to
protect your right to self-defense by voting in favor of HB1027. Please
use the following link to find members of the House Judiciary
Committee: www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=2563. Please keep
checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for future updates on this vital
piece of legislation in Arkansas!
COLORADO
On Wednesday, January 31, HB 1011 sponsored by State Representative Cory
Gardner (R-63) passed the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 6-5.
The bill now heads to the State House floor for a vote. HB1011, the
"Castle Doctrine" self-defense bill, simply states that if a criminal
breaks into your home or your place of business, you do not have a "duty
to retreat." The bill also provides protection from criminal prosecution
for those who defend themselves from criminal attack. Please contact
your State Representative today at (303) 866-2904, or if outside of
Denver, at (800) 811-7647 and respectfully urge them to support HB1011.
CONNECTICUT
We Need Your Help! Lawmakers in Hartford are considering legislation
that will have dramatic consequences for Connecticut's law-abiding gun
owners. The anti-gun crowd has doubled their efforts to pass some of
2006's failed proposals and new 2007 anti-gun proposals. The Judiciary
and Public Safety and Security Committees need to hear from you! The
Judiciary Committee can be reached at (860) 240-0530 and the Public
Safety and Security Committee can be reached at (860) 240-0570. These
committees have been assigned many anti-gun proposals, to include the
recurring and defeated "lost and stolen firearms," the "ballistic
fingerprinting" program (also known as Ballistic Registration), one
gun-a-month, and permit to purchase ammunition proposals. If you have
not contacted your legislators, please do so TODAY! The Public Safety
and Security Committee HAS SCHEDULED A PUBLIC HEARING on all the
proposals listed below for Tuesday, February 6 at 11 am in the
Legislative Office Building, Room 2E. For a complete list of bills
before the committee, please click here:
www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=2550. Please keep checking your
email for updates and changes on this crucial hearing! In the meantime,
start calling members of the Public Safety and Security Committee
today! Members of the Public Safety and Security Committee can be
reached at (860) 240-0570 or at the following link:
www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/MemberList.asp?comm_code=PS&doc_type=, and urge
them to "oppose" any anti-gun proposals! Remember, urge committee
members to "oppose" all anti-gun proposals! Again, please keep checking
your email for updates! The general phone number for the House of
Representatives is (860) 240-0400 and for the Senate is (860) 240-0500.
HAWAII
House Bill 248 sponsored by State Representative Ken Ito (D-48), a
measure that would repeal Hawaii's magazine ban, will be heard in the
House Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee on Thursday, February
8th. This bill would permit the owner of a pistol to use any ammunition
magazine authorized for use with the pistol by the manufacturer. It
repeals the prohibition on magazines with a capacity in excess of ten
rounds. Please contact the members of the committee to voice your
support. Committee members and their contact information can be found
at the legislative website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov or by calling
586-6400. Thank you!
INDIANA
It is critically important that you contact your State Senator and State
Representative regarding the firearms-related bills that are pending in
Indianapolis. Senate Bill 18, introduced by Second Amendment advocate,
State Senator Brent Steele (R-44), has passed out of the Senate Public
Policy Committee and is headed to the Senate floor. This bill will
eliminate the requirement for FFLs to provide the State Police with a
copy of federal form 4473 for handgun transactions. State Representative
Mike Murphy (R-90) has introduced House Bill 1200, legislation that
mirrors SB18. As expected, rabid gun-ban advocate State Representative
David Orentlicher (D-86) is sponsoring two measures, House Bill 1089 and
House Bill 1090 that seek to radically change Indiana's firearms
statutes. HB1089 would gut Indiana's firearm preemption statute and
provide Marion County with the authority to establish its own
regulations regarding the sale, transport, transfer and carrying of
firearms, thus creating a patchwork of laws that could make a criminal
out of otherwise law-abiding gun owners. Orentlicher's HB1090 seeks to
end gun shows as we know them by defining a firearms dealer as any
person who exhibits, sells, rents, exchanges, or transfers at least one
firearm at a gun show. Further, a gun show would be defined as an event
at which at least 50 firearms are offered for sale, rent, exchange or
transfer. HB1090 would also prohibit the purchase of more than one
handgun during any 30-day period! The good news is that State
Representative Eric Koch (R-65) has filed NRA-supported House Bill 1011,
the "Indiana Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act." Koch seeks to
ensure that law-abiding firearm owners will not be stripped of their
Right to Keep and Bear Arms during a declared state of emergency or
disaster. Specifically, this proposal states that, "The state, a
political subdivision, or any other person may not prohibit or restrict
the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transportation, storage, display
or use of firearms or ammunition during a disaster emergency, an energy
emergency, or a local disaster emergency." Also, State Representative
Jerry Denbo (D-62) has introduced NRA-supported House Bill 1118 that
will allow law-abiding gun owners to store a firearm in a locked vehicle
located in most public parking areas. Please contact your State Senator
at (317)-232-9400 and State Representative at (317)-232-9600 and
strongly urge them to oppose both HB1089 and HB1090, and to support and
vote for SB18, HB1200, HB1011 and HB1118.
MONTANA
On Wednesday, January 31, the Senate Judiciary Committee will be taking
up Senate Bill 309, the NRA-supported "Emergency Powers" measure,
designed to prohibit police from confiscating lawfully possessed
firearms in Montana during a declared state of emergency. It is vital
that NRA members contact committee members to encourage their support.
You can call the Legislative Call Center at (406) 444-4800 or leave an
online message at the Electronic Message prompt at www.leg.mt.gov.
Please use the following link to find who is a member of the Senate
Judiciary Committee: www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=2564.
NEVADA
Nevada's 2007 Legislative Session begins Monday, February 5, and prior
to the start of session, the NRA is asking its members in the Silver
State to contact their legislators asking them to jump on board and
co-author Senator John Lee's (D- Clark, No. 1) BDR-45 when it is
assigned a bill number. This bill seeks to remove the exemption for
Clark County from the state firearms preemption law, passed in 1989,
which prohibits cities and counties from regulating firearms. This
would eliminate, among other local laws, the handgun registration
ordinance currently in effect in Clark County and restore continuity for
law-abiding Nevadans traveling county to county with their firearms. It
is vital that Senator Lee head to Carson City with as much steam for
this bill as we can provide! Please contact your State Assemblymember
at (775) 684-8555 and your State Senator at (775) 684-1400.
NEW MEXICO
On Tuesday, January 30, the Senate Public Affairs Committee reported out
SB 111 by State Senator Stuart Ingle (R-Portales) and SB 168 by State
Senator Steven Neville (R-Aztec), NRA-backed legislation allowing
Concealed Handgun Licensees to protect themselves in establishments that
sell alcohol for off-premises consumption. Please use the following
link to get contact information to thank the following committee members
who supported these bills: www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=2565
The bills now move to the Senate Judiciary Committee for
consideration. Please begin contacting the following committee members
and urging them to support SB 111 and SB 168. We will report to you
when a hearing has been scheduled on these measures. Please use the
following link to find members of the Senate Judiciary Committee:
www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=2565. Also on Tuesday, the
House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee could not break a tie vote on
three separate attempts on HB 163, NRA-backed "Castle Doctrine"
legislation sponsored by State Representative John Heaton (D-Carlsbad).
The committee may reconsider the vote on the measure at its next hearing
on Thursday, February 1 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 315 of the State Capitol.
Members of the committee and how they voted on Tuesday are listed
below. Please use the following link to contact our supporters and
thank them, and please also contact opponents of the measure and urge
them to reconsider their position on this important issue:
www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=2565. Please keep checking your
email and www.NRAILA.org for future updates on these vital pieces of
legislation in New Mexico! To find further contact information or help
identifying your legislators please visit:
www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=2565.
NEW YORK
County Executive Andy Spano has proposed changing the pistol license
authority in Westchester County from elected county judges to the
un-elected police commissioner and requiring all pistol license holders
to reapply for their licenses every five years, providing justification
as to why they still need them. A copy of the proposal is available at
http://www.co.westchester.ny.us/currentnews/2007pr/statelegpackage.htm.
Please contact your county legislators and State Representatives and let
them know you oppose Spano's plans. The deadline for them to act is
February 12. The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Legislators is
Monday, February 12, at 10:00 a.m., in the Legislative Chambers, 8th
floor of the Westchester County Office Building, 800 Michaelian Office
Building, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains. Please use the following
link for contact information www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=2556
PENNSYLVANIA
Mayor Tom McMahon of Reading is planning to meet with the president of
the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Paul Helmke, as well as law
enforcement officials and local residents, under the guise of addressing
the issue of crime on city streets. The meeting will be held Tuesday,
February 6 at 6:00 p.m. in the Schmidt Training & Technology Center at
Reading Area Community College. Mayor McMahon has joined the anti-gun
group led by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg by adding his name to
the list of participants as displayed on the coalition's website found
at www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org. Please remember to attend this
meeting and make your voice heard! If you are unable to attend, please
call (610) 655-6234 and let Mayor McMahon know that New York-style gun
control does not fit in Reading, Pennsylvania. Please keep checking
your email and www.NRAILA.org for future updates on this threat to the
Second Amendment in Pennsylvania!
TEXAS
This week, Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio) introduced SB 378, the
NRA-backed "Castle Doctrine"/self- defense law reform bill, with 27 of
his 31 Senate colleagues signed on as co-authors. This bill is the
Senate companion to HB 284 by Rep. Joe Driver (R-Garland), who has
gotten 100 of his 150 House colleagues to sign on as co-authors.
Special thanks to Sen. Wentworth and Rep. Driver for their efforts thus
far�we'll keep you posted as to when hearings are scheduled on these
bills! Also, several different versions of bills allowing Concealed
Handgun Licensees (CHLs) to transport and store handguns in locked
vehicles while parked on their employers' property have been filed in
the Texas House thus far: HB 220 by Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford), HB
511 by Rep. David Farabee (D-Wichita Falls) & HB 992 by Rep. Patrick
Rose (D-Dripping Springs). Please contact your State Representatives
and urge them to co-author these important measures. Contact
information for state lawmakers can be found at www.house.state.tx.us.
WASHINGTON
So far, three anti-gun measures have been introduced this legislative
session. SB 5197 and its House companion HB 1026 seek to restrict
private sales at gun shows. SB 5197 will be heard on Thursday, February
8, at 3:30 p.m., in the Washington State Senate Labor and Commerce
Committee, in the John A. Cherberg Building, Hearing Room #4. Washington
Ceasefire is planning to pack this hearing with supporters of the gun
show bill, so it's vital that we have a strong turnout as well! Please
make plans to attend this vital meeting and be sure to alert your
grassroots networks and fellow gun owners to attend the meeting this
coming Thursday! Attendees should plan on being at the Capitol by noon,
and please go see their legislators, even if they aren't on the Committee.
House Bill 1014, a perennial favorite in the Legislature, criminalizes
individuals who do not store their firearms in a locked container or use
a safety device.
Whether you can attend this hearing or not, please call your State
Senator at (800) 562-6000 and ask that they vote against these threats
to the Second Amendment when they come up for a vote.
WYOMING
Senate File 50, sponsored by State Senator Cale Case (R-25), the
NRA-supported measure that would modify the penalty for taking game with
a firearm during archery season, has passed in the Senate by a vote of
28-1. The bill now heads to the House where it faces a contentious
debate fueled by a handful of anti-gun bow hunters who feel that a
firearm in the hands of a bow hunter would encourage poaching. Not only
does this bill seek to punish the poacher, but in doing so, it frees up
bow hunters to choose firearms as their method of self-defense against
predatory wildlife. Such choice is currently restricted during archery
season. It is vital that NRA members contact the members of the House
Travel and Recreation Committee, because the bill will be referred as
early as next week. Please contact your State Representative at (307)
777-7852 and ask them to vote "YES" on this Senate File 50 when it comes
up for a vote.
--
Stephen P. Wenger
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
