From Alan Korwin:
Gun Law Update Jan 20, 2007
From Alan Korwin, Author
The Gun Owner's Guide Series
Gun Laws of America
Supreme Court Gun Cases
While the news media gushed about Democrats passing six bills in a mere
100 hours (without committee hearings, floor debate, markup or rules),
they failed to mention the party introduced 658 resolutions for new laws
they plan to enact.
Four new gun laws proposed:
"The NICS Improvement Act," H.R. 297. NICS is the national firearms
background checks for the public required by the Brady law.
"The Child Gun Safety and Gun Access Prevention Act of 2007," H.R.256.
"The Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2007," H.R. 96.
A toy gun ban, H.R. 428, involving the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
Though the bills have been introduced and are presumably written and
ready to go, the party has posted no information on them at this time.
I'll be watching closely and will circulate details when they become
available. Tell your friends to sign on to these reports if they want
early news of the attack on gun rights now being planned. Send an email
to alan@gunlaws.com, and indicate if you're in Arizona for special local
updates too.
The unethical travesty of focusing attention on six bills, while
introducing hundreds of others, will be addressed in an upcoming Page
Nine report from The Uninvited Ombudsman. Sign up for that the same way
as above.
The previous and poorly named gun-show loophole act, sponsored by Sen.
John McCain, was designed to close down gun shows completely. That bill
was thoroughly examined at gunlaws.com:
http://www.gunlaws.com/GunShows/index.htm
Under the original draft, currently legal gun shows are outlawed without
prior federal permission. Gun show promoters must agree to warrantless
searches in order to operate, and may be arrested if private citizens
talk at the show about gun sales they wish to complete away from the
show. The right to assemble peaceably at a gun show or even plan for
one, carries stiff prison terms unless federal licenses are issued in
advance. I am not making this up.
Massive new bureaucracy is created because all shows and their
exhibitors must be registered 30 days before the show, then again 72
hours before the show, and again five days after the show. That's in
addition to registering anyone who walks in, plus "any other
information" the Secretary of the Treasury decides, by regulation, is
necessary on vendors, attendees, and the show itself.
Critics pointed out that none of this deals with the criminals, or
background checks, and the rest of that bill just gets worse.
See the 658 bills your House of Representatives introduced and that the
lamestream media failed to tell you about here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/multicongress/multicongress.html, by clicking
"110" and "All" and "House Bills Only."
-----------------------
Brand new 2007 "Traveler's Guide to the Gun Laws of the 50 States" now
available! Just came out -- 18 states have changes plus updates to the
front and back sections, reciprocity lists, more, still only $12.95 plus
S&H.
http://www.gunlaws.com/travel.htm
"Knife Laws of the 50 States!" Perfect for everyone who carries a self
defense blade, just released, we've got it in stock.
http://www.gunlaws.com/KnifeLawsof50States.htm
We've got novels! Great reading about gun rights and freedom you will
not find in the mainstream. Truly excellent stuff, take a look:
http://www.gunlaws.com/books7novels.htm
Gun Laws of America
http://www.gunlaws.com/gloa.htm
---
From NRA-ILA:
NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 14, No. 3 01/19/07
States with updates this issue: Hawaii, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, New
Mexico, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
BENNETT-MCCONNELL AMENDMENT PASSES SENATE!
NRA-ILA Grassroots Activism Protected
The U.S. Senate has voted 55-43 to accept an amendment to S.A. 3, the
"Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act", removing an onerous
proposal that would have drastically limited the First Amendment rights
of Americans in the political process. Offered by Sens. Robert Bennett
(R-Utah) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the amendment removed Section 220
that would have forced ordinary citizens to register with the federal
government as "lobbyists," with all the attendant restrictions, costs,
and penalties.
"The First Amendment protects an unqualified 'right of the people to
petition the Government for a redress of grievances.' That is a sacred
right of the American people." said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W.
Cox. " Sec. 220 would have, for the first time in American history,
severely regulated and restricted 'the voluntary efforts of members of
the general public to communicate their own views on an issue to Federal
officials.'
"On behalf of 4 million NRA members and tens of millions of gun owners,
hunters, and sportsmen across the country, I want to thank Senators
Robert Bennett and Mitch McConnell for their leadership in preserving
political free speech for all," concluded Cox. "We are also grateful to
the 53 other senators who voted for the Bennett-McConnell Amendment."
While this was no doubt a victory for NRA, gun owners, and freedom,
enemies of the First and Second Amendments are alive and well in the
110th Congress, and no doubt will continue to assault our rights. Our
thanks to all of you who contacted your U.S. Senators on this most
important issue.
To see how your Senators voted, please visit
www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00017.
IDAHO MAYOR WITHDRAWS FROM BLOOMBERG'S "COALITION"
Idaho Falls, Idaho, Mayor Jared Fuhriman has disassociated himself with
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's "Mayors Against Illegal Guns"
coalition.
Mayor Fuhriman joined the controversial coalition in October after being
contacted by Bloomberg's office, but recently backed out due to pressure
from constituents and his concerns over an "agenda" within the coalition
that seems to seek to prevent anyone, even law-abiding citizens, from
carrying a firearm.
In an interview with local station KDIK Channel 3, Fuhriman said, "I
found there's probably a little more of an agenda coming from Mayor
Bloomberg's office than I anticipated. So as I looked into it, I could
see there was a conflict with the NRA and some of the beliefs we have
here in Idaho."
Shortly after signing onto Bloomberg's coalition, Fuhriman and city
council members began receiving calls and letters of complaint from
concerned constituents. "There was just a real uprising. They
interpreted it as it was taking guns away from people who use them to
hunt. There were some people who were ready to string him up," said
City Council president Ida Hardcastle.
A complete list of Mayors who have joined Bloomberg's anti-gun coalition
may be found at
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=2533. If your
Mayor is on this list, please contact him or her to voice your
opposition and ask that he or she reconsider his or her position.
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.
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. Seven public meetings are scheduled in January and
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:
January 30 - Denver, Clements Community Center, 1580 Yarrow Street
January 31 - Colorado Springs, La Foret Conference Center, 6145 Shoup Road
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
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: Hawaii, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, New
Mexico, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
HAWAII
The Hawaii Legislature reconvened for the 2007 session on Wednesday,
January 17, and we are monitoring closely what legislation is
introduced. Working with our state affiliate, the Hawaii Rifle
Association, we are working to address any gun control legislation that
may get introduced in the state legislature, as indications are that the
anti-gunners are emboldened in their crusade to further restrict our
rights due to Washington State's heavy anti-gun agenda. On the pro-gun
side, State Representative Ken Ito (D-48) will be bringing back a
revised version of his magazine ban repeal from last session, that would
legalize all factory magazines, regardless of capacity. NRA-supported
freshman State Senator Mike Gabbard (R-19) will sponsor similar
legislation in the Senate. Also on the agenda will be two hunting
measures providing for a three-day non-resident hunting license and a
waiver of the hunter education requirement, but only for fully guided
hunts on private hunting preserves (introduced by State Senator Norman
Sakamoto (D-15) and State Representative Bob Herkes (D-5)). It's vital
that we keep on top of these and other measures since things move fast
during the session!
INDIANA
With the General Assembly session underway, it is critically important
that you contact your State Senator and State Representative regarding
the firearm-related bills that are pending in Indianapolis. As expected,
rabid gun-ban advocate Representative David Orentlicher (D-86) is
sponsoring two measures, House Bill 1089 and House Bill 1090 that seek
radical change in Indiana's firearms statutes. If enacted, 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 criminals out of otherwise law-abiding gun
owners. In addition to that affront to honest citizens, Representative
Orentlicher's HB1090 seeks to end gun shows as we know them by defining
a firearm 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. Representative Orentlicher goes even
farther to assault the Second Amendment by including language in HB1090
that prohibits the purchase of more than one handgun during any 30-day
period! Thankfully, the news is not all bad for gun owners in the
Hoosier State as there are also several pro-gun measures which seek to
further protect our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Representative Eric
Koch (R-65) has filed NRA-supported House Bill 1011, the "Indiana
Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act," for the 2007 General
Assembly session. In filing HB1011, State Representative Koch seeks to
ensure that law-abiding firearm owners in the Hoosier State 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 posses sion, transfer, sale, transportation,
storage, display or use of firearms or ammunition during a disaster
emergency, an energy emergency, or a local disaster emergency." Also,
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 in most public parking areas. Please contact your State
Representative at (317)-232-9600 and strongly urge them to oppose both
HB1089 and HB1090, and to support and vote for HB1011 and HB1118.
MISSOURI
State Representative Brian Munzlinger (R-1) has introduced NRA-supported
House Bill 462, a measure that would repeal Missouri's outdated and
duplicative permit to acquire a handgun (PTA) law. Missouri is among a
minority of states that still maintains a permitting system for handgun
purchases and transfers. HB462 would remove this unnecessary burden for
law-abiding gun owners and relieve them from this intrusion into their
privacy. While this bill has not yet been referred to committee, it is
very important that you contact your State Representative at (573)
751-3659 and strongly encourage him or her to support and co-sponsor
HB462. Additionally, please continue to contact your State Senator at
(573)-751-3824 and urge him or her to support, and vote in favor of, two
NRA-supported measures: Senate Bill 225, the "Hunting Heritage
Protection Area Act," introduced by Senator Bill Stouffer (R-21); and
Senate Bill 257, the "Missouri Disaster Recovery Act," introduced by
Senator Kevin Engler (R-3).
NEVADA
Nevada's 2007 Legislative Session begins Monday, February 5, and prior
to the start of session, NRA is asking its members to contact their
legislators and ask them to 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 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 support for this bill as we can provide! Please contact
your State Assemblymember at (775) 684-8555 and your State Senator at
(775) 684-1400 in support of this measure.
NEW MEXICO
The Legislature convened this week for its regular 60-day session.
Several pro-Second Amendment measures have already been filed: Senate
Bill 39, by State Senator Shannon Robinson (D-Albuquerque), and House
Bill 163, by State Representative John Heaton (D-Carlsbad)--NRA-backed
"Castle Doctrine"/self-defense statute reform legislation; and Senate
Bill 111 by State Senator Stuart Ingle (R-Portales), Senate Bill 167 by
State Senator William Sharer (R-Farmington), and Senate Bill 168 by
State Senator Steven Neville (R-Aztec)--NRA-supported bills which would
allow Concealed Handgun Licensees to protect themselves in
establishments that sell alcohol for off-premises consumption. Please
contact your State Senator at (505) 986-4714 and State Representatives
(505) 986-4751 and urge them to support these important measures!
Contact information for your state lawmakers can be found at
http://legis.state.nm.us/lcs/legislatorsearch.asp
VIRGINIA
Pro-gun champion Delegate Bill Janis (R-56) has introduced several
NRA-supported measures currently awaiting committee hearings in the
Virginia House of Delegates. Among these bills are: House Bill 1626,
Virginia "Castle Doctrine" legislation; House Bill 2593, a bill that, if
passed, would authorize a Judge of the Commonwealth to carry a concealed
firearm without obtaining a permit; and House Bill 3109, a proposal that
would limit the areas in which a locality could restrict hunting or the
discharge of firearms. Please contact your Delegate at (804) 698-1500
and urge him or her to support the above-mentioned bills. As reported
earlier in this week, Senate Bill 827, a bill to abolish gun shows,
sponsored by Sen. Jeannemarie Devlolites Davis (R-34), was scheduled for
a hearing in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee on Wednesday.
However, the bill was "held over" and is now scheduled for a hearing on
Monday, January 21, at 9:00 a.m. Please continue to call your State
Senator at (804)-698-7410, particularly if he or she serves on the
Senate Courts of Justice Committee, and strongly urge him or her to
oppose SB827. Finally, another anti-gun measure, House Bill 2173
sponsored by Delegate Mamye BaCote (D-95), that would have gutted
Virginia's preemption statute by allowing localities to regulate lawful
possession of firearms in public libraries, was soundly defeated in a
Militia, Police and Public Safety sub-committee. Our thanks to Chairman
Tommy Wright (R-61) and fellow pro-gun sub-committee members Delegates
Morgan Griffith (R-8), Dave Nutter (R-7),and Scott Lingamfelter (R-31)
for protecting the integrity of Virginia's preemption statutes!
WASHINGTON
SB 5197 is a measure that would prohibit non-licensed individuals from
buying, selling, or trading firearms from their private collections at
gun shows. Your State Senator needs to hear from NRA members on the
importance of beating back this restrictive and unnecessary piece of
legislation. Please call your State Senator at (800) 562-6000 and ask
that he or she vote against SB 5197 when it comes up for a vote.
WYOMING
Senate File 50, sponsored by State Senator Cale Case (R-25), is an
NRA-supported measure that modifies laws pertaining to game violations
and authorizes bow hunters to carry a hand gun for self-defense against
predatory wildlife. It has passed out of the Senate Travel, Recreation,
Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee and is on its way to the
Senate for a floor vote. Please call your State Senator at (307)
777-7711 and ask him or her to vote "YES" on 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