March 22, 2013
Last March, in a victory for Maryland gun owners, a federal judge ruled in the case of Woollard v. Sheridanthat a key provision of the state’s gun laws was unconstitutional. Judge Benson Everett Legg declared that Maryland's requirement for a "good and substantial reason" to obtain a concealed-carry permit violates the Second Amendment protection of the right to keep and bear arms.
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March 21, 2013
House Bill 1503, the Firearm Retailer Protection Bill, passed in the Senate today by a unanimous 35-0 vote. This legislation, introduced by state Representative Justin Harris (R-81), would protect lawful firearm retailers from illegal gun sting operations such as those orchestrated by billionaire New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Anti-gun extremist Bloomberg has sent hired agents into other states to attempt deceptive illegal firearm purchases in an effort to blame federally licensed firearm retailers for gun crime in New York City and around the country. Eighteen states have enacted similar statutes.
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March 21, 2013
The final meeting of the Public Safety and Security Committee for this legislative session was held today and no new gun control measures were discussed. Earlier this week, this committee met to consider several gun control measures.
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March 21, 2013
House Bill 2162, introduced by state Representative Eddie Armstrong (D-37), seeks to allow the destruction of any firearms that have been seized by law enforcement in Arkansas. Current law stipulates that all unclaimed seized property, with only minor exceptions, be sold at public auction. HB 2162 would not only allow for seized firearms to be destroyed (currently not part of the exceptions), but would also allow only Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders or another law enforcement agency to acquire any firearms that are not destroyed but allowed to be sold. HB 2162 passed in of the House Judiciary Committee yesterday, and could be considered on the House floor as early as Monday, March 25.
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March 21, 2013
Yesterday, Senate Bill 308, introduced by state Senator Sean Bennett (R-38), was set for Special Order for today. A critical self-defense reform that would remove the prohibition on a Concealed Weapon Permit (CWP) holder carrying a concealed firearm into a restaurant licensed to serve alcohol. This critical step removes one of the major procedural obstacles to passage of this bill and will allow for it to be debated on the Senate floor. While debate started today, a vote was not taken. The discussion will continue when the Senate returns from its two-week break on April 9.
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March 21, 2013
The House Committee on Judiciary Subcommittee A heard House Bill 17 yesterday. HB 17, introduced by state Representative Justin Burr (R-67), seeks to remove the prohibition on Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) holders carrying a concealed firearm into any establishment licensed to serve alcohol. In addition, this legislation would make information regarding permittees -- including those who have acquired a permit to purchase a handgun -- accessible only to law enforcement. Unfortunately, this Committee amended HB 17 to remove the Restaurant Carry provisions and then passed this bill with the CHP confidentiality provisions. HB 17 remains a pro-gun bill that NRA strongly supports, and it could be considered on the House floor any day.
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March 21, 2013
House Bill 2265, sponsored by state Representative Michael Zalewski (D-23), would jeopardize the future of concealed carry in Illinois by imposing severe penalties such as three-year jail sentences for small regulatory violations. HB 2265 is gaining traction in the state House and a vote on it could occur within the next 24 hours. Your action is needed immediately!
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March 21, 2013
This Saturday, March 23, Hicklenlooper will be hosting a public event at the CMU-University Center Ballroom in Grand Junction beginning at 11:00 am.
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March 21, 2013
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton (DFL) will be hosting two town hall meetings next week: one in Moorhead and the other in St. Cloud. After the Governor’s public comments (see news article here), it is very important to attend and express your opposition to banning and criminalizing the private transfers of firearms between certain family members, friends and hunting buddies.
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March 21, 2013
Several pro-gun measures that would improve Nevada firearm laws will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, March 25 at 9:00 a.m. Please contact Committee members using the information provided below and urge them to support Senate Bills 226, 137 and 223.
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March 21, 2013
On Tuesday, Senate Bill 108, legislation to keep confidential all information on those residents who possess a Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit (HCP), was scheduled to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee, but was postponed until next week’s Committee hearing. This privacy protection legislation recently passed in the Tennessee House of Representatives by a bipartisan 84 to 10 vote.
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March 21, 2013
A list of the major gun bills that we are currently dealing on for the 2013 Florida legislative session can be found here. This list is only a partial list of bills -- there are many more that we must track and monitor.
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March 20, 2013
Today, the Arizona Senate Public Safety Committee approved two NRA-backed pro-gun reforms. House Bill 2455, which received a "Do Pass" recommendation with a 4 -1 vote, would prohibit the destruction of seized or surrendered firearms. House Bill 2326, recommended "Do Pass" with a 5-1 vote, would protect gun owner privacy. Please contact members of the Senate Public Safety Committee and thank them for their support. Since both HB 2455 and HB 2326 will now be sent to the Senate floor for consideration, please contact your state Senator today and urge him or her to vote for these important measures.
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March 20, 2013
Despite overwhelming opposition to his extreme gun control scheme contained in Senate Bill 281, Governor Martin O’Malley is desperately using arm-twisting politics and deceptive procedural maneuvers to try and ram through this deeply flawed legislation. Multiple amendments to Senate Bill 281 are to be considered SOON and could be supported by your state Delegate(s). It is important that you contact your state Delegate(s) TODAY and urge them to say NO to O’Malley’s political bullying and OPPOSE Senate Bill 281 and all anti-gun amendments.
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March 20, 2013
House Memorial 545 by Representative Neil Combee (R) has been scheduled for a hearing in the House Local and Federal Affairs Committee on Friday Morning, March 22, at 8:00am. HM-545 relating to Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a Memorial declaring to the President of the United States and the United States Congress, the intent of the Florida House to use all of its authority and power to protect the citizens of the State of Florida against any federal gun control measure that violates the right of the people of Florida to keep and bear arms.
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March 20, 2013
Anti-gun state Representative Michael Paymar’s (DFL-64B) stalled gun control package, House File 237, was tabled last night in the House Public Safety Committee without a roll call vote. While this bill itself might be dead for this legislative session, expect to see similar provisions offered as amendments on other legislation on the House floor in the coming weeks.
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March 20, 2013
We need your help to stop the assault on law-abiding gun owners in Dover! Your state Representative will soon be voting on House Bill 35, the latest of Governor Jack Markell’s gun control proposals that will criminalize private transfers of firearms between law-abiding citizens. HB 35 was heard today by the House Judiciary Committee where it received approval and is now eligible for a vote on the House floor. This bill was originally scheduled to be heard last week, but the overwhelming opposition to HB 35 by Delawareans prompted another hearing to be held today. It is very important that you keep contacting your state Representative. Your voice is making the difference, and you must keep fighting ALL attempts to deprive law-abiding gun owners of our rights.
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March 20, 2013
Today, Governor John Hickenlooper (D) sent a message to the citizens of Colorado that he cares more about pleasing New York City’s mayor than he does about the constitutional rights of Coloradoans when he signed into law the most sweeping anti-gun legislation in the history of the Centennial State. Despite overwhelming opposition to this legislation, and despite the rich hunting heritage and deep respect for the right to self-defense by all Coloradoans, Governor Hickenlooper proved that he is only interested in pleasing Mayor Bloomberg and playing New York City politics.
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March 20, 2013
Earlier this month, we reported that Charleston Mayor Danny Jones seems to be doing the bidding for anti-gun extremist New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg by actively opposing House Bill 2760 that overwhelmingly passed in the state House by a 94-4 vote on March 11. Do not fall victim to his misleading rhetoric. HB 2760 is an important pro-gun reform.
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March 20, 2013
Yesterday, Senate Bill 101 passed by voice vote in the state House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee but only after the removal of some important pro-gun provisions included in SB 101, as passed in the state Senate.
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March 20, 2013
House Bill 1282, sponsored by state Representative Joe Heilman (R-45), would allow hunters in North Dakota to use lawfully possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms while hunting. This legislation passed in the state House by a 90-2 vote on January 31 and in the state Senate by a 29-17 vote on March 18. HB 1282 will now go to Governor Jack Dalrymple (R) for his signature.
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March 20, 2013
House Bill 1819, an important reform to the Governor's Emergency Powers, passed in the state House of Representatives yesterday by a 78-9 vote. HB 1819, introduced by state Representative Charlotte Vining Douglas (R-75), would prohibit any Arkansas Governor from imposing restrictions on the transfer or transportation of lawfully possessed firearms during a declared State of Emergency. HB 1819 has been referred to the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs for its consideration.
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March 19, 2013
House Bill 35, the latest of Governor Jack Markell’s gun control proposals will be heard TOMORROW by the House Judiciary Committee. Originally scheduled to be heard last week, the overwhelming opposition to HB 35 at that time prompted another hearing tomorrow at 11:30 am in Legislative Hall. There will be a sign-up sheet for those who wish to testify and speaking time will be limited to two minutes per person. Please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee IMMEDIATELY and attend this hearing to speak against HB 35.
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March 19, 2013
An important pro-gun measure that would protect law-abiding gun owners in Idaho from any potential federal gun ban is on the move in the Idaho State Legislature. House Bill 219, introduced by the House State Affairs Committee, has already passed in the state House of Representatives by a 55 to 13 vote and is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate State Affairs Committee.
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March 19, 2013
Senate Bill 396 was introduced last night by anti-gun Senator Tick Segerblom (D-3), while another anti-gun measure, Assembly Bill 234, has been introduced by Assemblyman William Horne (D-34). Contact your state legislators IMMEDIATELY and urge them to oppose these assaults on your fundamental right to self-defense.
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March 19, 2013
One of the most comprehensive violations of our Right to Keep and Bear Arms in recent memory has been reassigned to the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.
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March 19, 2013
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant (R) signed an important pro-hunting bill into law yesterday that will expand the opportunities for hunters to use crossbows in all hunting seasons – including archery.
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March 19, 2013
Right now in Annapolis, state legislators are considering amendments to Senate Bill 281, Governor Martin O’Malley’s deceptive and far-reaching attacks on your right to self-defense. Time is of the essence: a vote could occur at any time and the list of horrible anti-gun amendments is long. Call your state Delegate(s) immediately and urge them to stand strong and oppose SB 281, and all anti-gun amendments.
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March 19, 2013
NRA-backed Legislative Bill 392 is scheduled for a hearing by the Judiciary Committee this Thursday, March 21, at 1:30 p.m.
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March 19, 2013
Yesterday, House Bill 1503, the Firearm Retailer Protection Bill, was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee and could be heard any day.
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March 19, 2013
House Bill 76, a permitless carry bill sponsored by state Representative John Mathis (R-55), has been sent to Governor Gary Herbert (R) after passing in the state Senate by a 22-7 vote last week.
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March 19, 2013
This morning in the state House Public Safety Committee, anti-gun Representative Michael Paymar’s (DFL-64B) gun control package, House File 237, stalled for lack of support. The Committee vote that was originally scheduled for this morning has now been rescheduled for this evening at 7:00 pm, providing the anti-gun forces more time to ram this unpopular infringement on our rights through the legislative process.
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March 19, 2013
Under a bill proposed by Senator Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville), a person could not purchase any firearms ammunition without presenting a certificate showing that the would be purchaser had completed an Anger Management Course -- which must be renewed every ten years. Representative Perry Thurston (D-Ft. Lauderdale and also the House Minority Leader)filed the companion bill in the state House. That is but one of nearly fifty gun control bills filed by Florida Legislators -- all Democrats working to ban your freedom, your rights and your ability to defend yourself and your family.
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March 19, 2013
Wednesday morning, Governor Hickelooper is likely to sign a series of draconian bills that attack on your Second Amendment rights. These bills represent a large part of the wish list of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who, along with the Obama Administration, worked tirelessly to push through the Colorado legislature.
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March 19, 2013
Tomorrow at 3:30 pm, the state Senate Education Committee will hear Senate Bill 570. This legislation, as introduced, would allow K-12 school personnel to possess a firearm on school property if the person; has a handgun carry permit, is authorized by the school superintendent, has had 40 hours of basic school policing and uses frangible bullets.
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March 19, 2013
An important pro-gun reform that would prohibit taxpayer money from financing gun control campaigns in any manner has been scheduled for a vote tomorrow in the state House Committee on Elections. Senate Bill 45, introduced by the state Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, is a common sense reform that has already passed in the state Senate by a 32 to 8 vote. Please contact members of the House Committee on Elections and politely urge them to support this bill.
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March 18, 2013
Today the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission, established by Governor Dan Malloy (D) to develop “meaningful” proposals regarding public safety and mental health, released a report that offers their interim recommendations for legislative and policy changes. Given the report released today, it is clear that the true goal of this commission is to impose onerous gun control regulations on law-abiding gun owners in Connecticut.
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March 18, 2013
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton (DFL) will be hosting a town hall meeting this Wednesday (March 20) evening in Duluth. After the Governor’s public comments today (see news article here), it is very important to attend and express your opposition to banning and criminalizing the private transfers of firearms between certain family members, friends and hunting buddies. It is imperative that pro-freedom supporters attend this meeting and ask Governor Dayton why he supports this restrictive measure that will do nothing to stop criminal misuse of firearms or reduce violent crime.
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March 18, 2013
Senate Bill 69 passed in the House Public Safety Committee last Thursday by a 6 to 1 vote, and will be heard by the House Judiciary Committee TOMORROW, March 19 at 2:00 p.m. in House Conference Room 325 at the state Capitol. Introduced by state Senators Will Espero (D-19), Rosalyn Baker (D-6), Brickwood Galuteria (D-12) and Josh Green (D-3), SB 69 was originally a gun “buyback” bill, but has evolved into a firearm registration and background check bill.
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March 18, 2013
As previously reported by the NRA-ILA, House Speaker Mike Madigan continues to force votes on dozens of amendments filed on shell bills in an effort to build his own omnibus gun control bill. Due to Madigan’s trickery and forceful behavior, votes on these amendments have been too close for comfort. House Bills 1155 and 1156 are some of the bills being used as vehicles, and have recently had extreme anti-gun amendments filed on them.
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