February 5, 2013
Today, the House Public Safety, Finance and Policy Committee began three days of hearings on multiple dangerous anti-gun bills. They have already heard testimony on House Files 237 and 240, and will hear House Files 238, 239 and others this evening. Please review the summaries below of the most egregious of these serious threats to our Second Amendment rights in Minnesota. Government officials would do better to focus on issues that would rationally address existing crime problems and empower the law-abiding public to protect themselves and loved ones than to target an entire class of people because it is politically popular at the moment.
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February 5, 2013
Two NRA-backed bills of importance to Georgia gun owners, sportsmen and Second Amendment supporters, were introduced this week:
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February 5, 2013
Senate Bill 197, sponsored by state Senator Scott Boulanger (R-44), would establish an apprentice hunting certificate program that allows individuals of any age to learn the art of hunting while under the supervision of a mentor before completing a hunter education course. SB 197 is scheduled for its first hearing today in the Senate Fish and Game Committee at 3:00 p.m. in hearing room 303 in the Capitol. While no action will be taken today, it is still imperative that you contact members of the Senate Fish and Game Committee today and urge them to support and promote our hunting heritage by voting for SB 197.
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February 5, 2013
Today, the state House Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee voted 6 to 3 to repeal the state prohibition on hunting with sound suppressors (which are additionally regulated under federal law) while providing additional penalties for those who use them illegally. Representatives Dan Zwonitzer (R-43), Rita Campbell (R-34), and Stan Blake (D-39) voted against this bill. Last week, the state Senate voted 23 to 7 to pass Senate File 132, introduced by Senator Ogden Driskill (R-01). This bill is now eligible for a final vote of approval in the House, which could be held as early as tomorrow. This is your last chance to contact your state Representative and politely encourage his or her support of this common sense hunting reform measure.
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February 5, 2013
Yesterday, House Bill 1563 was reported unanimously by the House Natural Resources Committee. HB 1563 now goes to the full House of Representatives where it could be scheduled for consideration as early as tomorrow.
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February 5, 2013
House Bill 24, introduced by state Representative Mark Neuman (R-10), is important self-defense legislation. Under existing state law, there is no duty-to-retreat if a person is in their home, business, or on their own property. HB 24 would extend this to recognize the right to use force, including deadly force, for self-defense anywhere a person has a legal right to be.
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February 5, 2013
President Obama is saying that 70% of NRA members support "universal background checks." I assure you, that simply is not true! It appears he is citing a poll question from one of NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg's phony polls of people who "self-identify" as NRA members. People could easily have assumed that "all sellers" meant licensed dealers at gun shows. Clearly, that question is not about "universal background checks." Attached is an article explaining universal background checks.
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February 4, 2013
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners will hold a meeting tomorrow morning to consider a resolution urging the United States Congress and the Colorado General Assembly to uphold our Second Amendment rights. Click here to view a copy of this proposed resolution.
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February 4, 2013
The Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee will hear and consider the 2013 Safe Commute Act on Tuesday, February 5 at 3:30 p.m. in the Legislative Plaza Room 12. If enacted, the 2013 Safe Commute Act would recognize that hard-working Tennesseans’ right to self-defense does not end when they drive onto their employer’s property or into publicly accessible parking lots. Senate Bill 142, sponsored by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-4), would allow individuals with a valid handgun carry permit to transport and store a firearm or firearm ammunition in the permit holder’s privately-owned motor vehicle in public or private parking areas under certain conditions.
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February 4, 2013
Today, the Arkansas House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 71, the Church Protection Act, by an overwhelming bipartisan 85-8 vote. It now returns to the state Senate for a procedural vote, then will be sent to Governor Mike Beebe (D) for his expected signature. Governor Beebe has publicly stated he has no objection to the legislation.
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February 4, 2013
SB 69 has been re-scheduled and will now be heard this Thursday, February 7, in the Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs (PSM) Committee at 2:45 p.m. in conference room 224 of the Capitol.
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February 4, 2013
The Wyoming House of Representatives has passed two right to carry improvement bills. House Bill 103, introduced by state Representative Allen Jaggi (R-19), would strengthen the state’s authority over firearm laws while prohibiting counties from enacting their own ordinances in clear violation of the current state firearms preemption statute. House Bill 105, also introduced by Rep. Jaggi, would allow law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm in more locations. Both of these bills now await committee assignment in the Senate. Please contact Senate President Ross and politely request that he assign these important pro-gun bills to a favorable Senate committee. Please also contact your state Senator TODAY and urge him or her to support these pro-gun reforms.
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February 4, 2013
Senate Bill 1372, introduced on Thursday, January 31 and sponsored by Senator John Edwards (D-21), was defeated in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee by a 3-11 vote today. If passed and enacted into law, S.B. 1372 would have required the Department of State Police to be available to perform voluntary background checks for non-dealer sales at gun shows.
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February 2, 2013
The proposed method in House Bill 77 has been changed, but the gun control advocates’ end-game remains the same: universal regulation of private firearms transfers. The newly-released committee substitute for HB 77 would make it a crime for a private individual to transfer his or her legally-owned firearm without going through a federal firearm licensed dealer (FFL) to conduct a background check on the transferee. Exceptions are made for only certain categories of individuals – family members, domestic partners, stepchildren, foster or adopted children, or persons who live in the same residence and maintain a single economic unit. However, the provisions in HB 77 would still apply to gun sales, gifts, loans, rentals or trades between friends, neighbors, co-workers or more-distant relatives. These restrictions would not apply to temporary transfers during hunting or target practice, but the possible breadth and scope of the legislation is endless.
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February 1, 2013
The North Carolina General Assembly convened this week and several pro-gun reforms have already been introduced.
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February 1, 2013
Following the recent victory for gun owners in Shepard v. Madigan as reported here, an NRA-backed shall-issue carry bill has been filed in the Illinois House of Representatives. This legislation will need your support this session to pass and be enacted into law.
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February 1, 2013
For three days next week, Governor Chris Christie’s newly-created task force will hold public hearings in Camden, Lincroft and Newark to discuss crime and violence issues in New Jersey. Governor Christie’s office issued a media advisory this week with details about the hearings, including dates and locations. NRA members are encouraged to attend and respectfully voice their opinions. It is important that this discussion focus on real problems like mental health and the societal issues that lead to violence.
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February 1, 2013
On January 11, the NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund voted to award Virginia Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter with the Carter-Knight Award. Delegate Lingamfelter is chairman of the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee. He was the chief patron of legislation last year that repealed Virginia’s gun rationing (one-gun-a-month) statute. In addition, Delegate Lingamfelter is the founder and co-chairman of the Virginia Legislative Sportsmen Caucus.
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February 1, 2013
Yesterday, Senate Bill 71, the Church Protection Act, was sent to the full House by the House Judiciary Committee with the recommendation that it pass. This important Right-to-Carry reform bill could be heard as early as Monday, February 4.
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January 31, 2013
Unfortunately, the rumors of more attempts at gun control in Washington have proven true. House Bill 1588, "universal background check" legislation, was introduced today by state Representative Jamie Pederson (D-43), Mike Hope (R-44) and 21 other state Representatives. This bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where Representative Jamie Pederson is the chairman and Representative Mike Hope is a key Republican on this committee.
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January 31, 2013
While proactive legislation to increase safety and security in the Centennial State is being ignored and cast aside, anti-gun legislators are continuing to push misguided measures that will disenfranchise law-abiding gun owners and have no effect on mitigating crime
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January 31, 2013
In an attempt to exploit the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy to further destroy the Second Amendment in the Golden State, anti-gun Democrats in the state Assembly have introduced several anti-gun bills that they will be working to bully through the California Legislature this year. These egregious bills will have no effect on crime. According to the Brady Campaign’s national ranking of state gun control laws, California is already THE “best” (most restrictive) state in the nation and has already banned pseudo "assault weapons." Please call AND e-mail your state Assemblyman TODAY and urge him or her to OPPOSE the following bills that were announced by the anti-gun Democratic Assembly.
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January 30, 2013
As previously reported here by NRA-ILA, on Tuesday, February 5, the Minnesota House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee will begin three days of hearings to consider sweeping restrictions on our right to keep and bear arms. The committee will be considering a ban on commonly owned semi-automatic firearms - including common hunting rifles - as well as imposition of magazine capacity restrictions, a ban on private transfers, and institution of a universal background check system. Your voice is desperately needed in Saint Paul to prevent tried and failed policies that will do nothing more than disarm honest law-abiding gun owners and infringe on our rights.
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January 30, 2013
As previously reported by the NRA-ILA in December, there is an effort underway in Nevada to ban the use of hounds while hunting black bear. The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners (NVBWC) will be once again hearing a petition to impose this ban at its meeting in Las Vegas this Friday, February 1, and it is likely that action will be taken on this issue. Their agenda and guidelines for public comment can be viewed here (petition details are under 5 and guidelines are under 14).
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January 30, 2013
NRA-ILA is pleased to report that an attempt to repeal newly-enacted protections for National Rifle Association instructors has failed. House Bill 426, introduced by Scott Saiki (D-26), sought to repeal statutory language enacted last year that protects NRA instructors from absolute liability while teaching the introductory pistol and revolver course that is necessary to purchase a firearm.
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January 30, 2013
On Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 145 by a 7-5 vote. This legislation, sponsored by state Senator Frederick Moore (R-20), is a much-needed reform which would make all information relating to concealed weapon permit (CWP) holders confidential. SB 145 now goes to the Senate floor. Please contact your state Senator TODAY and respectfully urge him or her to vote “yes” on SB 145.
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January 30, 2013
On Wednesday, February 6, the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will be hearing Senate Bill 281, and your voice is needed in Annapolis to prevent passage of this and other irresponsible and onerous legislation. This sweeping anti-gun legislation is riddled with tried and failed policies that avoid viable solutions to the actual causes of crime and only prevent the law-abiding from exercising their right to self-defense. For more information about Senate Bill 281, click here.
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January 30, 2013
Tuesday, the Mississippi House approved NRA-supported legislation that corrects vague and problematic language in Mississippi’s firearm carry laws by a 111-8 vote. House Bill 2, sponsored by state Representative Andy Gipson (R-Brandon), addresses a recent opinion by state Attorney General Jim Hood (D) that has caused confusion and concern among carry permit holders and Second Amendment advocates. According to this opinion, it is now unlawful for both regular and enhanced carry permit holders to carry holstered, partially-visible pistols on their person. Additionally, any permit holder who temporarily or accidentally displays their pistol -- when removing or adjusting a suit jacket or sport coat, for example -- would be violating the law.
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January 30, 2013
As you know, Attorney General Pam Bondi is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and has long been a friend of our organizations. As Attorney General, she has a responsibility to follow the Constitution and the law – a responsibility she takes seriously.
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January 29, 2013
The Wyoming House Judiciary Committee approved two pro-gun bills today: House Bill 103, introduced by state Representative Allen Jaggi (R-19), would strengthen the state’s authority over firearm laws while prohibiting local counties from enacting their own ordinances in clear violation of the current state firearms preemption statute, and House Bill 105, also introduced by Rep. Jaggi, would allow law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm in more locations. Both of these bills passed in committee by an 8 to 1 vote and are scheduled for a House floor vote tomorrow. Please contact your state Representative TODAY and urge him or her to support these pro-gun reforms.
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January 29, 2013
Senate Bill 69, introduced by state Senators Will Espero (D-19), Rosalyn Baker (D-6), Brickwood Galuteria (D-12) and Josh Green (D-3), would appropriate $100,000 to county police departments statewide to establish “gun buyback” programs. Such gun buyback schemes across the country have proven to be complete failures and a waste of taxpayer dollars. The average person who voluntarily surrenders a firearm to police is not a criminal and the firearms surrendered are not those misused by criminals.
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January 29, 2013
Senate Bill 71, the Church Protection Act, has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee and could be heard any day.
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January 29, 2013
Now that the 2013 session of the Missouri General Assembly has convened, your NRA-ILA has learned of some disturbing anti-gun bills that have been introduced. These bills are designed to infringe upon the rights of law-abiding citizens and would do nothing to address criminal activity.
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January 29, 2013
Last night, due to an 8-8 tie vote, the House Judiciary Committee failed to advance House Bill 77, state Representative Miguel Garcia's sweeping gun control bill to end almost all private firearm transfers in New Mexico. This fight is far from over because supporters of HB 77 are continuing to work on amending the bill in an attempt to move it forward as soon as possible! Please thank the eight committee members who stood with law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen and politely register your displeasure with those who did not.
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January 29, 2013
The 2013 session of the Tennessee General Assembly is off to a good start with several pro-gun bills being introduced. Even though last session ended on a sour note, your NRA-ILA is confident that we can take many legislative steps this year to further protect the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Tennesseans. The following pro-gun bills have been introduced
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January 29, 2013
A sincere thank you to the estimated 2000 concerned citizens who packed into the Legislative Office Building in Hartford yesterday for the “Gun Violence Prevention Working Group” public hearing. The hearing began at 10:00 a.m. and dedicated speakers waited all day, night and into the early morning to show Connecticut how much their Second Amendment freedoms mattered to them. At 2:45 a.m., the Task Force adjourned after all speakers testified—with many individuals waiting seventeen hours to have the chance to make their voice heard! Gun owners, sportsmen and supporters of the Second Amendment spoke with conviction that they oppose anti-gun legislation that turns law-abiding citizens into victims or criminals.
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January 28, 2013
House Public Safety Committee Chairman Michael Paymar, a long-time anti-gun advocate, plans to hold committee hearings on his gun control proposals beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 5 through Thursday, February 7 in State Office Building Room 10. At this time, none of his gun control legislation has been introduced. However, the NRA understands that Paymar’s gun control bills will likely be introduced later this week or early next week and include, at a minimum, the following attacks on our Second Amendment rights:
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January 28, 2013
Today, the Arkansas Senate passed Senate Bill 71 by a 28-4 vote with three senators not voting. This legislation, introduced by state Senator Bryan King (R-5), would remove the absolute prohibition on concealed carry permit holders from being able to defend themselves in any church or other place of worship. If SB 71 is passed and enacted into law, churches and other places of worship will be able to decide if permit holders will be allowed to carry concealed firearms on their property for self-defense.
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January 28, 2013
Three bills of interest to gun owners and sportsmen in the Cowboy State are moving through the state legislature in Cheyenne. The House Judiciary Committee will have a hearing tomorrow to consider two bills: House Bill 103, introduced by Representative Allen Jaggi (R-19), which would strengthen the state’s authority over firearm laws while prohibiting local counties from enacting their own ordinances in clear violation of the current state firearms preemption statute, and House Bill 105, also introduced by Rep. Jaggi, which would allow law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed firearm in more locations. Please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and your state Representative today and politely ask them to support HB 103 with Representative Jaggi’s amendment and HB 105 without any amendments.
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January 28, 2013
Late last week, the County Sheriffs of Colorado (CSOC) drew a line in the sand in defense of the Second Amendment, telling elected officials in the Centennial State that they will not support any of the proposed gun restrictions.
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