Press Ignores FBI Study On Cop-Killers: For more than two months, a
damning report on a five-year study by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation about how cop-killing criminals ignore gun laws and where
they get their guns has languished in the shadows, the Citizens
Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms revealed today. "The
public has a right to know the contents of this report, which was
revealed to the International Association of Chiefs of Police last
year," said CCRKBA Executive Director Joe Waldron. "According to the
Force Science News, research focused on 40 incidents involving assaults
or deadly attacks on police officers, in which all but one of the guns
involved had been obtained illegally, and none were obtained from gun
shows."
http://www.ccrkba.org/pub/rkba/press-releases/force.science.htm
The Force Science News Report: (For some reason, I did not receive this
issue via e-mail. Note that the report deals with several other issues,
including a preference for point shooting.)
http://www.forcesciencenews.com/home/detail.html?serial=62
---
From John Farnam:
International travel:
When traveling internationally, here are some things which, when you
have them with you, will make your trip infinitely more pleasant:
Washcloth. Washcloths are common only in the USA. If you're accustomed
to using one when taking a shower, better bring you own!
Electric plug converter. Being able to use your own electric shaver,
toothbrush, hair drier, et al is a great convenience and comfort.
Broad-spectrum, heavy-duty, oral antibiotic. When you get a G-I tract
fullof strange bugs from bad water or food, you need to get rid of them
right away, before they cost you five days of your vacation. Tell you
doctor whereyou're going, and he'll fix you up.
Diarrhea pills. Diarrhea is common among foreign travelers for any
number of reasons, and is leads to chronic dehydration and a host of
other unpleasantries. Seldom fatal, but it takes all the fun out of
your trip. Get rid of it!
Sunscreen. Amazing how hard sunscreen is to find! Be sure you bring
you own.
Cough-suppressant. A nagging, persistent cough can make a good, night's
sleep impossible. You won't be able to find cough-suppressant in the
middle of the night in BF-Egypt. Best to have it with you.
Sleeping pills. You may have difficulty falling asleep for any number
of reasons. Again, for one, I don't have time for this crap!
Chapstick. Difficult to find outside of the USA and critical when you
spend a lot of time outside. Bring it along!
The forgoing list is probably not complete, but it is what I consider
most important.
/John
---
From NRA-ILA:
13 Feb 07
NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 14, No. 7 02/16/07
States with updates this issue: Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut,
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri,
Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia.
CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, MAYOR RAY NAGIN ONCE AGAIN FOUND IN CONTEMPT OF COURT
District Court Judge to City Attorney: Conduct "wholly unprofessional"
NRA and law-abiding gun owners won yet another victory this week against
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and former police chief Warren Riley.
Judge Carl J. Barbier, presiding over the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Louisiana, granted NRA's motion for contempt against
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and Warren Riley for "failure to provide
initial disclosures and to compel answers to discovery" during NRA's
injunction against the City for their illegal gun confiscation of
law-abiding citizens following Hurricane Katrina in 2006.
"Once more, Mayor Ray Nagin and former police chief Warren Riley are
held accountable for considering themselves above the law," said NRA-ILA
Executive Director Chris W. Cox. "These men have had to be dragged,
kicking and screaming, every step of the way in this process to return
the lawfully owned firearms to their own citizens, and Judge Barbier
rightly found them in contempt of court for their complete lack of
respect for the rule of law."
Furthermore, Judge Barbier concluded the delaying tactics by the City's
attorney, Joseph Vincent DiRosa, Jr, were "wholly unprofessional and
shall not be condoned." Mr. DiRosa admitted in Court that he had "no
good reason" to explain his actions and has been ordered to pay partial
legal fees to NRA's attorneys for their wasted time and money.
"Ray Nagin, Warren Riley and their attorney refused to provide vital
information to the U.S. District Court for their unconstitutional acts
in their city's time of great need," concluded Cox. "On behalf of the
lawful gun owners of New Orleans, NRA is pleased with this outcome. We
thank Judge Barbier for his swift decision and we will continue to press
for the full return of all the confiscated firearms."
SECOND GRASSROOTS EVENT PLANNED FOR ST. LOUIS
In addition to the FREE Grassroots Workshop being held in conjunction
with NRA's Annual Meetings in St. Louis that we reported on last week,
the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division is holding an additional FREE event in
St. Louis.
We hope you will also be able to join us Saturday, April 14 for the
inaugural session of "In Their Own Words." This first-of-its-kind panel
will afford NRA members the opportunity to hear directly from their
fellow NRA members on effective grassroots activism. The panel will
feature some of NRA-ILA's most active volunteers in the nation, who will
talk about their personal efforts to advance our mutual causes in their
local communities. The session will conclude with a question and answer
period to allow audience participation.
Don't miss this opportunity to hear these present-day patriots talk
about their personal experiences working in the pro-gun rights
grassroots movement, and learn effective means of protecting and
promoting the Second Amendment in your own community. There is no
registration required and, as with the Friday Workshop, admission is FREE
Here are the details for each event:
NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop-FREE!
Friday, April 13, 2007, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
(Registration and free continental breakfast from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
in the Majestic Ballroom E )
Renaissance Grand Hotel St. Louis
Majestic Ballroom E (Level Two)
800 Washington Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 621-9600
To register on-line, pleas visit
www.nraam.org/seminars/grassroots.asp. You may also call NRA-ILA at
(800) 392-VOTE (8683).
"In Their Own Words"-FREE!
Saturday, April 14, 2007, 2:00 p.m.
Room 242, America's Center
701 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 342-5042
No registration required
We hope to see you in St. Louis!
FEDS CONSIDER REMOVING WOLVES FROM ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
The federal government is holding hearings to obtain public comments
regarding the delisting of Rocky Mountain wolves from the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). It is critical that sportsmen attend the hearings in
order to counter the emotional claims of anti-hunting forces, who seem
to believe that a species' listing should be permanent. Of course, the
success of the ESA comes when a species, like the wolf, is delisted
because its numbers recover after once being dangerously low.
Wolves have their place within the ecosystem. But, as with other
species, sportsmen must be allowed to appropriately manage their
numbers. Delisting will allow state game officials to provide for
regulated hunting and trapping. Without this, wolves will continue to
take an unacceptably high toll on elk, moose, and deer populations.
Six open house meetings in different states are scheduled on the
proposed delisting (all six public hearings will be held from 6:00 -
8:00 p.m.):
Cheyenne, WY: February 27, 2007, at Holiday Inn Cheyenne, 204 West Fox
Farm Road.
Salt Lake City, UT: February 28, 2007, at Plaza Hotel, 122 West South
Temple.
Helena, MT: March 1, 2007, at Jorgenson's Inn & Suites, 1714 11th Avenue.
Boise, ID: March 6, 2007, at Boise Convention Center on the Grove, 850
Front Street.
Pendleton, OR: March 7, 2007, at Pendleton Red Lion Inn, 304 S.E. Nye
Street.
Spokane Valley, WA: March 8, 2007, at Oxford Inns & Suites, 15015 East
Indiana Avenue.
Anyone wishing to make an oral statement for the record is encouraged to
provide a written copy of his or her statement and present it at the
hearing. In the event there is a large attendance, the time allotted
for oral statements may be limited. Speakers can only sign up at the
open houses and hearings. Oral and written statements receive equal
consideration. There are no limits on the length of written comments
submitted.
If you have any questions concerning the public hearings, please contact
Sharon Rose (303) 236-4580. Persons needing reasonable accommodations
in order to attend and participate in the public hearings in Boise, ID;
Pendleton, OR; or Spokane, WA, should contact Joan Jewett at (503)
231-6211; or, for hearings in Cheyenne, WY; Salt Lake City, UT; or
Helena, MT, Sharon Rose at (303) 236-4580. If needed, please call as
soon as possible in order to allow sufficient time to process requests.
Also, please call no later than one week before the hearing date.
Please attend the hearings in your area and let your voice be heard!
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 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 to 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. The success of each year's NRA
Annual Meeting depends 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].
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 have been scheduled this month 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 final meeting is scheduled for
February 22, in Fairplay, CO, from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. The meeting will be
held at the Alma Town Hall, 59 E. Buckskin Road.
For more information, please visit
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/psicc/
FUTURE OF RECREATIONAL SHOOTING ON THE ARAPAHOE AND ROOSEVELT NATIONAL
FORESTS UNDER REVIEW
The Boulder Ranger District of the Araphoe and Roosevelt National
Forests is conducting a planning process to determine how recreational
shooting, dispersed camping, and campfires will be managed in the
future. Issues concerning these activities have been developed based
upon public input through written comments or at one of the public
meetings held last May. The District Ranger has now scheduled three
public meetings to talk about solutions to the issues. The meetings are
as follows:
February 24 - Boulder; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; New Vista High School,
700 20th Street
February 28 - Boulder; 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Platt Middle School; 6096
Baseline Road
March 3 - Longmont; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; Longmont High School; 1040
Sunset Street
Comments may be sent to
[email protected]. For more information you may
call the District Ranger's office at (303) 541-2500, or go to the
website at: www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/projects/ea-projects/brd/ufc/index.shtml
PROPOSED LEAD BAN IN CALIFORNIA
When it meets on March 2, the California Fish and Game Commission will
consider amending the state's hunting regulations for 2007-2010 to ban
or limit the use of lead ammunition for hunting in the range of the
California condor. The Department of Fish and Game suggested three
alternatives to the Commission: ban the use of lead ammunition for big
game hunting; ban the use of lead ammunition statewide; or offer hunters
incentives to voluntarily use non-lead ammunition.
Comments can be sent to the Commission by mail at: 1416 Ninth Street,
P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090, or by contacting the
Commission through its website at www.fgc.ca.gov
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: Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut,
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri,
Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota,
Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia.
ARIZONA
A number of NRA-supported measures are moving through the Legislature at
a good clip. Among them are: SB 1250, sponsored by State Senator Chuck
Gray (R-19), that would remove the fingerprint requirement to renew a
Right-to-Carry permit; SB 1251, also championed by Senator C. Gray,
which strengthens the weapons storage requirements in public buildings;
SB 1258, sponsored by State Senator Jay Tibshraney (R-21); HB 2458,
authored by State Representative Russell Pearce (R-18), the companion
Emergency Powers legislation; SB 1629 sponsored by State Senator Karen
Johnson (R-18); and HB 2469 by Representative Pearce, which reclassifies
carrying a concealed weapon without a permit as a petty offense as long
as a crime is not being committed. Please continue to call your State
Legislators and request their support for these measures. The House
main number is (602) 926-4221, and the Senate main number is (602)
926-3559. Also, The Apache Junction City Council will be conducting a
public hearing and vote on their proposal to define the city's weapons
disposal policy on Tuesday, February 20, at 7:00 p.m., in the Apache
Junction (AJ) Municipal Court, 300 E. Superstition Blvd. NRA brought
you the news last year that the AJ Police Chief disposed of thousands of
firearms held in the evidence room that could have been sold back to the
community or used for trade for much needed equipment. This was allowed
because there had been no policy related to the disposal of confiscated
firearms. Now that the City Council has worked to form a policy, it is
vital that NRA members show up at the hearing to voice their support.
Please either attend the meeting or call your Councilmember as soon as
possible. Councilmember contact information can be found at
www.ajcity.net/mayor_council/mayorcouncil.htm.
ARKANSAS
Senate Journal Resolution 7, introduced by Senator Steve Faris (D-27),
would recognize hunting and fishing as a constitutional right, forever
protected from the growing threat posed by the well-funded animal
"rights" extremists whose ultimate objective is to end all hunting. The
Senate and House Committees on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs
will soon hear this important piece of legislation. Membership rosters
for the Senate committee can be found by visiting
www.arkleg.state.ar.us/scripts/ablr/committees/arcommittee3afm.asp?ccode=500&user=M
and for the House can be found at
www.arkleg.state.ar.us/scripts/ablr/committees/arcommittee3afm.asp?ccode=900&user=M
Please contact the members of these committees and respectfully urge
them to co-sponsor SJR7. Arkansas State Senators can be reached at
(501) 682-2902, and State Representatives at (501) 682-6211.
CONNECTICUT
Proposed one-gun-a-month legislation, Senate Bill 938, sponsored by
State Senators Martin Looney (D-11) and Toni Harp (D-10), was heard on
Thursday, February 15 and has been "raised" as a committee bill. SB938
will now be given legislative language and a final committee vote will
be held as late as Thursday, March 8, to decide whether or not it should
head to the floor. A vote must be made by that date, as it is the
bill-reporting deadline for the Public Safety Committee. Please contact
the members of the Public Safety Committee immediately and respectfully
urge them to oppose SB938. Please visit
www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=2625 for a list of committee
members. You can reach your State Representatives at (860) 240-0400,
and your State Senators at (860) 240-0500.
GEORGIA
The Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee passed pro-gun Senate Bill 43 by
an overwhelming 8 to 2 vote. This important legislation is now heading
to the full Senate for a vote, which could occur any day. SB 43 would
prohibit employers from prohibiting employees from lawfully possessing
firearms in locked motor vehicles. This important legislation is facing
strong opposition. The pro-gun community needs to contact State
Senators today and urge them to vote "YES" on SB 43! The general phone
number for the State Senate is (404) 656-5030. Please visit
www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=2619 for more information and to
contact important State Officials and urge them to support SB 43!
ILLINOIS
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.
INDIANA
Please continue to contact your State Representative and strongly urge
him or her to support NRA-backed House Bill 1011, the "Indiana Disaster
Recovery Protection Act," sponsored by Representative Eric Koch (R-65)!
Your ability to defend yourself and your loved ones depends on the
passage of this critically important legislation. HB1011 would prohibit
any government agency from suspending your Second Amendment freedoms
during a declared emergency or disaster. Please be sure to share this
information with your family, friends, and fellow Second Amendment
supporters and have them contact their respective State
Representatives. Please call your State Representative TODAY at
(317)-232-9600 and respectfully urge him or her to support and vote for
HB 1011!
KENTUCKY
The City of Murray's Public Safety Committee held a hearing yesterday
regarding a ban on the discharge of firearms, air guns, and bows. The
Committee decided to table the issue until a later date. Since this
issue is not completely dead, your City Councilmember still needs to
hear from you! The City Council can be reached by phone at (270)
762-0350, or by e-mail at
[email protected]. Please strongly
urge them to oppose this anti-gun ordinance!
MARYLAND
Senate Bill 43, "Assault Weapon Ban of 2007," sponsored by Senator
Michael Lenett (D-19), will be heard by the Senate Judicial Proceedings
Committee on Tuesday, February 27, at 1:00 p.m. SB43 would designate
specified firearms, including many semi-automatics, as "assault
weapons;" prohibit persons from transporting possessing, selling,
offering to sell, transferring, or receiving a specified "assault
weapon(s)"; and require the Handgun Roster Board to compile and maintain
a roster of prohibited specified "assault weapons." Please mark your
calendar for Tuesday, February 27, at 1:00 p.m. The hearing will be
held in the Senate Judicial Proceeding Committee Room, which is located
on the second floor of the Miller Senate Office Building, 11 Bladen
Street, Annapolis. If you are unable to attend, please call all the
members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee TODAY and urge them
to OPPOSE Senate Bill 43. Please visit
www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=2622 for contact information for
the Judicial Proceeding Committee.
MINNESOTA
House File 498, "Castle Doctrine" legislation sponsored by State
Representative Tony Cornish (R-24B), would allow a person to use deadly
force in and outside of a home or vehicle, and removes the duty to
retreat when outside of the home. This legislation also provides
immunity when someone is justified in using deadly force. The House
Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee, which currently has the bill,
may not even hear it because of anti-gun members. Please contact your
State Representative at (651) 296-2146 and respectfully ask him or her
to ensure House File 498 goes before the House Public Safety and Civil
Justice Committee. Senate File 446, sponsored by State Senator Pat
Pariseau (R-36), is the companion legislation to House File 498. This
legislation is facing the same opposition as its companion--including
not being heard by the committee. Please contact your State Senator at
(651) 296-0504 and respectfully ask him or her to ensure the Senate
Judiciary Committee hold hearings on Senate File 446 to allow
law-abiding citizens to protect themselves.
MISSOURI
House Bill 669, The "Missouri Disaster Recovery Protection Act,"
sponsored by Representative David Pearce (R-121), could be heard as
early as next week. This critically important bill would prohibit any
government agency from restricting your Second Amendment freedoms during
an emergency or disaster. Please contact your State Representative at
(573) 751-3659 and strongly urge him or her to protect your right of
self-defense by supporting and voting for HB669!
Also, two "Castle Doctrine" bills, House Bill 189, sponsored by
Representative Kenny Jones (R-117), and House Bill 60, sponsored by
Representative Marilyn Ruestman (R-131), have been rolled into one bill
and are now heading to the House floor! HB189 establishes that
law-abiding Missourians do not have a duty to retreat and may defend
themselves and their families from criminal attack without fear of
criminal prosecution or civil liability.
House Bill 462, sponsored by Representative Brian Munzlinger (R-1), and
House Bill 669, sponsored by Representative David Pearce (R-121), will
likely be heard next week in the House Special Committee on General
Laws. HB462, the House companion bill to Senate Bill 457, sponsored by
Senator Chuck Purgason (R-33), would repeal Missouri's outdated,
redundant, and ill-conceived handgun permit statute. HB669, the House
companion bill to Senate Bill 257, sponsored by Senator Kevin Engler
(R-3), would establish the "Missouri Disaster Recovery Protection Act"
and prohibit government agencies from suspending your Second Amendment
rights during an emergency or disaster. Please contact your State
Representative at (573) 751-3659 and strongly urge him or her to support
and vote for the important bills listed above.
Finally, in addition to hearing the aforementioned SB457 and SB257,
earlier this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee also considered two
"Castle Doctrine" bills, Senate Bill 41 (Purgason), and Senate Bill 62,
sponsored by Senator Jack Goodman (R-62). All four bills were strongly
supported with testimony from a throng of citizens and were well
received by the committee. Please continue to contact your State
Senator at (573)-751-3824 and urge him or her to support NRA-backed
proposals SB 41 and SB 62.
MONTANA
House Bill 340, sponsored by State Representative Jack Wells (D-69), an
NRA-supported broad-based self-defense bill that provides a number of
specific protections for law-abiding citizens, passed the House on
Second Reading on February 15, on a 57-43 vote. From here, HB 340 moves
on to Third Reading, where the full House votes to move the bill to the
Senate. It is vital that NRA members contact their State
Representatives and urge them to give this important bill their full
support. You can reach your legislators by calling the House Message
Center at (406) 444-4800.
NEVADA
NRA is asking its members in the Silver State to contact their
legislators to urge them to co-author Senator John Lee's (D-Clark, No.
1) SB92. This bill seeks to remove the exemption for Clark County from
the state firearm 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 John Lee head to Carson City with as much steam for this bill as
we can provide! Please contact your State Assembly member at (775)
684-8555 and your State Senator at (775) 684-1400 in support of this
measure.
Also, in a direct assault on Nevada's Right-to-Carry permit holders, the
Nevada Chiefs and Sheriffs Association has sponsored a bill before the
2007 Legislature that would double the maximum fee an issuing authority
can charge, not only for first time permit applicants, but for permit
renewals as well. Assembly Bill 21, which will be soon be scheduled for
a hearing in the Assembly Judiciary Committee, will raise the current
maximum processing application fee from its current $60.00 to $125.00,
bringing the average cost of obtaining a permit, with training
requirements included, to $300 - $400! This would create an environment
where Nevada's most financially vulnerable, such as single mothers and
fathers, or seniors on a fixed income, cannot afford the most basic
right of self-defense. It is vital that NRA members, whether permit
holders or not, contact their local Sheriffs and members of the Assembly
Judiciary Committee to politely voice their concern. Please use the
following link for a list of the members of the Judiciary Committee and
their contact information: www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=2592
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Senate Bill 44, sponsored by Senator Peter Burling (D-5), and
Representatives Lee Hammond (D-Graf 11) and John Tholl (R-Coos 2), seeks
to change the concealed carry licensing statute to make it easier for
the issuing authority to deny a license. Further, the bill raises the
standard by which attorney fees may be awarded in a lawsuit against an
issuing authority for a violation of the licensing law to "gross
negligence or malice," and removes the personal liability of the issuing
officer. This legislation opens the door for more license-issuance
problems in New Hampshire. This legislation is a solution looking for a
problem! If you have encountered difficulty in applying for a license,
please contact the NRA state affiliate, Gun Owners of New Hampshire
http://www.gonh.org/, so that we can continue to document existing
problems and identify patterns. The hearing for SB44 has been scheduled
for March 15, at 3:00 p.m., in State House Room 103. Please call your
state Senator today at (603) 271-2111 and urge him or her to oppose
Senate Bill 44.
NEW MEXICO
This week, the Senate approved SB 111, by State Senator Stuart Ingle
(R-Portales), NRA-backed legislation to allow Concealed Handgun
Licensees to protect themselves in establishments that sell alcohol for
off-premises consumption. Also this week, the House Consumer & Public
Affairs Committee approved HB 588, by State Representative John Heaton
(D-Carlsbad), the House companion bill to SB 111. HB 588 now moves to
the House Business & Industry Committee for consideration. Please visit
NRA-ILA's website for a list of committee members you should contact and
urge support for HB 588.
NORTH DAKOTA
House Bill 1200, sponsored by State Representative Todd Porter (R-34),
would expand Private Land Open To Sportsmen (PLOTS) to allow youth
hunting. The bill passed the House Natural Resources Committee by a
vote of 11-2, and is being referred to the House Appropriations
Committee. HB1200 will allow the Director of the North Dakota Game and
Fish Department to lease private land for the purpose of opening that
land to hunters under the age of 18, as well as to create a youth
hunting grant program to encourage youth hunting. All hunters under 16
must be accompanied by a licensed adult hunter and the adult is allowed
to hunt. Also, the House passed House Bill 1319, the "Castle Doctrine"
bill, on a vote of 50-44. Sponsored by State Representative Todd Porter
(R-34), HB1319 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. HB1319 is awaiting a committee assignment in the Senate.
Please contact your State Representative and State Senator at
1-888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local) and respectfully urge
him or her to support House Bill 1200 to carry on the tradition of
hunting in North Dakota and to protect your right to self-defense by
voting "yes" on HB1319.
PENNSYLVANIA
The House Judiciary Committee considered House Bill 73, a proposal that
would ban pigeon shoots in the Commonwealth. Chairman Tom Caltagirone
(D-Berks), has referred this legislation to the Sub-Committee on Crime
and Corrections chaired by State Representative John Pallone (
D-Allegheny). It is likely that State Representative Pallone will be
scheduling this legislation for public hearing next month. We cannot
let this longstanding tradition disappear! Many of the animal "rights"
extremists who have protested these shoots are not residents of
Pennsylvania. Their tactics have hardly been laudable; rather they have
often been in violation of the law. Banning pigeon shoots would be a
first step in advancing their anti-hunting agenda, and they won't stop
there! Please continue to call your State Representative at (717)
787-2372, and urge him or her to stand against the pressures of animal
rights extremists and oppose House Bill 73!
UTAH
Despite losing in the Utah Supreme Court, the University of Utah is
still trying to stop concealed carry permit holders from carrying on
campus -- this time through the Utah Legislature. Senate Bill 251,
sponsored by Senator Gregory Bell (R-22), would provide that an
institution of higher education may enact a rule prohibiting concealed
firearms in specified faculty and staff offices at the institution. In
addition, it would authorize the institution to allow a dormitory
resident to have only roommates who are not licensed to carry a
concealed firearm. If institutions of higher education can be exempt
from Utah's current firearms uniformity law, who will try next to
discriminate against law-abiding gun owners? Please contact your State
Legislator today and urge him or her stand up for law-abiding gun owners
by OPPOSING SB 251. The general phone number for the State Senate is
(801) 538-1035, and the House of Representatives can be reached at (801)
538-1029. Keep checking your e-mail for future updates on what the Utah
Legislature is doing, or not doing, to protect our Second Amendment Rights!
VIRGINIA
On Tuesday, February 13, by a vote of 14-1, the Senate Local Government
Committee resoundingly approved House Bill 2547, sponsored by Delegate
Charles Carrico (R-5). This measure would clarify that, except for the
purposes of hunting, localities may not regulate the possession of
firearms on public roadways. Having already passed the House with
overwhelming, bi-partisan support, House Bill 2547 is now heading to the
Senate floor for consideration. Please contact your State Senator at
(804) 698-7410 immediately and urge him or her to support and vote for
House Bill 2547!
--
Stephen P. Wenger
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
