NRA-ILA GRASSROOTS ALERT
Vol. 18, No. 14 04/08/11
Congressmen Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) have introduced vital legislation that will enable millions of permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling outside their home states.
There are now only two states that have no clear legal way for individuals to carry concealed firearms for self-defense. Thirty-nine states have shall-issue permit systems that make it possible for any law-abiding person to obtain a permit, while most of the others have discretionary permit systems.
H.R. 822 would make a major step forward for gun owners’ rights by significantly expanding where those permits are recognized.
No News Here—Daley, Emanuel Oppose Right-to-Carry: In an unsurprising move, two of Chicago’s most prominent, and most anti-gun, politicians joined forces with a coalition of gun ban groups to oppose Right-to-Carry in Illinois. Illinois is one of only two remaining states that deny citizens the ability to carry firearms for self-defense.
Deadline Nears On BATFE Shotgun Ban Comments: As we reported on Jan. 28, May 1 is the deadline for public comments concerning a shotgun importation ban that has been proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. A working group within the BATFE has recommended that any shotgun (semi-automatic, pump-action or any other) that has any one of 10 specific features should be banned from importation, on the grounds that such shotguns are not “generally recognized as particularly suitable for a readily adaptable to sporting purposes.”
Government Shutdown And The Instant Check System: With the budget battle between the White House and congressional leaders threatening to shut down many federal government operations, the NRA has received many questions about whether a government shutdown would close access to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
The answer, according to NICS staff, is no. NICS is part of the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division, which is considered an essential law enforcement operation and will therefore continue to operate, although with a limited staff, during any shutdown.
More Evidence That Mexican Drug Cartel Guns Are Coming From Central... As we reported last week, evidence is mounting that many of the illegal firearms finding their way to Mexican drug cartels are originating not in the U.S., but rather from surplus military sources in Central America.
Plan To Attend Free Grassroots Workshop At NRA’s Upcoming Annual Me... In anticipation of a hectic legislative session at both the federal and state levels, and in order to lay the foundation for a successful campaign season in 2012, NRA-ILA will be hosting a FREE Grassroots Workshop on Friday, April 29, in conjunction with NRA’s Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh.
Panelists Announced For Special ILA Seminar! In addition to the FREE Grassroots Workshop being held in conjunction with this year’s Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh, the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division will be holding a special seminar.
ILA Dinner and Auction At Annual Meetings: The Institute for Legislative Action will hold its Fifth Annual Dinner and Auction in conjunction with the NRA Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday evening, April 29th.
The Fifth Annual NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction will allow you to show your continued support for NRA-ILA, and enjoy a great evening filled with good food, friends, and an excellent live and silent auction.
This year, the auction will be held at Heinz Field. Don’t miss your opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind firearms, original artwork, knives, hunts and wines. This is also a great chance to meet NRA officers and ILA staff.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact John Commerford, 703-267-1141 or visit www.nraila.org/ilaauction.
Another Way To Get Involved--Join NRA’s Facebook And Twitter Groups: Internet social networking has exploded in recent years, and websites such as Facebook and Twitter attract millions of users. This on-line community fosters a connection between its users, and allows distribution of user-generated content (like pictures, profiles, music, video, and text).
Grassroots News Minute Video: To view this week’s “Grassroots News Minute” video, please click here: 
STATE ROUNDUP (Please note the only items listed below are those that have had recent action. For other updates on state legislation, please go to the state legislation section at www.NRAILA.org, and check each week’s issue of the Grassroots Alert.)
For additional information, please click on the links provided.
ALASKA: No-Duty-to-Retreat Legislation Heads to House Floor
On April 4, House Bill 80 passed in the state House Finance Committee and now moves to the House floor. Please contact your state Representative and urge him or her to support HB 80.
ARKANSAS: 2011 Session of the Arkansas General Assembly Comes to a Close
This session, Senate Bill 115, emergency powers legislation, was signed into law by Governor Mike Beebe. Unfortunately, a number of NRA-backed bills failed to pass in this session including worker protection and open carry legislation.
CALIFORNIA: Anti-Gun Bills Scheduled to be Heard in the State Assembly and Senate Public Safety Committees on April 12
On April 12, the state Senate and Assembly Public Safety committees are scheduled to hear three anti-guns bills. Senate Bill 124 would ban virtually all handgun and rifle ammunition and cartridges, Assembly Bill 144 would ban open carry and Assembly Bill 809 would require long gun registration. Please contact members of the Senate and Assembly committees and urge them to oppose SB 124, AB 144 and AB 809.
COLORADO: Natural Resources Merger Bill Passes Senate Committee
On March 31, the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee passed Senate Bill 208, which would combine State Parks and the Division of Wildlife under the Department of Natural Resources. The NRA has remained neutral on this legislation, but brought forth detailed concerns about this merger in a letter sent to lawmakers on the committee.
CONNECTICUT: Update on Two Firearm-Related Bills Heard by the Joint Committee on Judiciary
The Joint Committee on Judiciary held a hearing on Senate Bill 1094 and Senate Bill 1210 on March 23, and has until April 15 to take action on these bills. SB 1094 would ban firearm magazines that accept more than ten rounds of ammunition, while SB 1210 is a self-defense reform bill. Please contact members of this committee and urge them to support SB 1210 and oppose SB 1094.
FLORIDA: Restore Rights to Concealed Weapons License Holders
On April 12, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear Senate Bill 234. This bill would allow concealed weapons license holders to carry openly and store a firearm in a vehicle anywhere the vehicle is lawfully parked, as well as conform Florida’s firearms purchase law with federal law. Please contact members of this committee and urge them to support SB 234.
Stop Local Governments from Violating State Law
On April 7, House Bill 45 passed in the House Judiciary Committee. HB 45 would provide penalties for government officials, local governments and agencies that violate the state firearms preemption law.
Update: Stop Government and Privacy Violations
On April 4, Senate Bill 402 (provide penalties for government officials, local governments and agencies that violate state firearms preemption law) passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee. A hearing on Senate Bill 432 (make doctors practice medicine and not gun bans) will be rescheduled in this committee. Companion bill, House Bill 155, passed in the House Health & Human Services Committee on April 5.
GEORGIA: General Assembly Goes on Recess – Two Pro-Gun Bills Awaiting House Committee Action
On March 31, the Georgia General Assembly recessed and will reconvene this Monday, April 11. Senate Bill 26, emergency powers legislation, is scheduled to be heard in the state House Judiciary Committee on April 11. Senate Bill 98, which would expand the Right-to-Carry in public venues, is currently awaiting action in the state House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee and could also be heard as early as April 11.
IOWA: Ban on Lead Shot Proposed by Natural Resources Commission
Iowa’s Natural Resources Commission has announced its intent to ban hunters’ use of lead shot on numerous state and federal wildlife areas across Iowa, except for use for turkey and deer hunting. Written comments are being accepted until April 27, so please e-mail Dale Garner, Wildlife Bureau Chief, and express your opposition to this proposed ban.
KANSAS: Two NRA-Backed Bills Signed into Law as the 2011 Legislative Session Adjourns in Topeka!
Governor Sam Brownback signed into law House Bill 2013 on March 25, and Senate Bill 152 on March 31. HB 2013 enables residents of Kansas to purchase long guns in non-contiguous states and residents of non-contiguous states to purchase long guns in Kansas. SB 152 allows persons licensed to carry a concealed firearm to lawfully carry their firearm while hunting. Please contact Governor Brownback and thank him for signing HB 2013 and SB 152 into law.
MONTANA: Permitless Carry Bill to be Voted on by Full House and Senate
On April 7, House Bill 271 passed out of the Conference Committee and anti-gun Senate amendments were stripped out of the bill. The current language simply says that the prohibition on concealed carry does not apply to “a person who is eligible to possess a handgun under state or federal law.” Please contact your state Representative and state Senator and urge them to support House Bill 271.
NEVADA: State Senator Vows to Scuttle Nevada Campus Protection Act
State Senator Michael Schneider, the lone dissenting vote against Senate Bill 231, is actively working to undermine this critical self-defense measure. SB 231 passed in the Senate Government Affairs Committee on March 24 and is awaiting its second reading in the state Senate. Please ask your state Senator to support SB 231 and let him or her know that any procedural vote will be counted by the NRA.
Action Needed on Several Pro-Gun Bills in Nevada
Many pro-gun measures, including bills to streamline the CCW permit process, to keep the identity of CCW permit holders confidential, to allow residents of non-contiguous states to purchase long guns in Nevada, to ensure there is no-duty-to-retreat if the person using deadly force is not the original aggressor, and to issue a license plate in support of the Second Amendment, are working their way through the legislative process. Please contact your state legislators and urge them to support these pro-gun bills.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Castle Doctrine Bill to be Heard in House Committee on April 12
On April 12 the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee is scheduled to hear SB 88, an important self-defense bill. Please contact members of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and urge them to support SB 88.
NEW YORK: Two Anti-Gun Bills to be Heard in Assembly and Senate Committees
On April 11, the Assembly Committee on Codes will consider anti-gun Assembly Bill 1157, which would require semi-automatic firearms to be capable of micro-stamping before they could be sold in New York. On April 12, the Senate Committee on Codes will hear Senate Bill 1003A, which would require the judge in a criminal or family court proceeding, upon issuance of an order of protection, to inquire as to the ownership of a firearm by the defendant or respondent. Please contact members of the Assembly and Senate Committee on Codes and urge them to oppose A1157 and S1003A, respectfully.
NORTH DAKOTA: NICS Improvement Implementation Legislation Passes State Senate
On April 4, House Bill 1269 unanimously passed in the state Senate and now goes back to the state House for consideration of its Senate amendments. This bill would implement requirements set forth in the Federal NICS Improvement Amendment Act of 2007 by granting persons who have lost their firearm rights because of a mental health commitment or adjudication the right to petition to have them restored. Please contact your state Representative and ask him or her to support HB 1269.
Employee Protection Bill Awaiting Approval of Governor
On March 30, the state Senate passed House Bill 1438, which would allow employees to lawfully store their firearms in locked personal vehicles on publicly-accessible parking lots without fear of being fired. This bill is now awaiting action by the Governor. Please contact Governor Dalrymple and respectfully urge him to sign HB 1438 into law.
OKLAHOMA: Parking Lot/Employee Protection Expansion Bill Passes Hurdle in Senate Committee
On April 6, House Bill 1652 passed in the Senate Public Safety Committee and will now be heard by the full Senate. HB 1652 would allow concealed carry permit holders to lock their firearms in their vehicles on technology center campuses, as well as parking lots for governmental entities and professional sporting events. Please contact your state Senator and urge him or her to support HB 1652.
OREGON: Concealed Handgun License Confidentiality Bill Awaiting Committee Action
House Bill 2787A has been referred to the state Senate Judiciary Committee after passing in the state House. HB 2787A would prohibit a public body from releasing personal information that identifies the holder of or applicant for a Concealed Handgun License. Please contact members of the state Senate Judiciary Committee, as well as Senate President Peter Courtney, and ask that they take up HB 2787A without delay.
RHODE ISLAND: Anti-Gun Bill Hearing Postponed
House Bill 5671, which was scheduled for consideration by the state House Judiciary Committee, has been postponed at the request of the bill sponsor. Under H. 5671, a minor could be prosecuted for simply possessing a firearm or ammunition, whether intentionally or otherwise. Please contact your state Representative and urge him or her to oppose H. 5671.
TENNESSEE: Pro-Gun Bill Signed into Law by Governor Haslam
On March 31, Governor Bill Haslam signed Senate Bill 519 into law. SB 519, which took immediate effect, recognizes that any employer permitting a person to legally carry a firearm on the employer's property does not constitute an “occupational safety and health hazard” to the employees.
WASHINGTON: Legislation to Legalize the Use of Firearm Suppressors on the Governor’s Desk
House Bill 1016 passed in the state Senate on March 29 and has been sent to Governor Chris Gregoire for her consideration. HB 1016 legalizes the use of suppressors, as long as the suppressor is possessed in accordance with federal law.
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