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Landmark Gun Ban Case Heard By Supreme Court

Friday, March 21, 2008

On March 18, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in District of Columbia v. Heller, a case the Court has stated is "limited to the following question: Whether Washington, D.C.'s bans [on handguns, on having guns in operable condition in the home and on carrying guns within the home] violate the Second Amendment rights of individuals who are not affiliated with any state-regulated militia, but who wish to keep handguns and other firearms for private use in their homes."

Most in the Supreme Court chamber seemed to agree that the Second Amendment protects an individual right. The issues that were most in contention included the meaning of the words "keep" and "bear," and whether the amendment protects the possession of arms only during militia service or also for self-defense; whether a total ban on handguns is a "reasonable" regulation of firearms; whether restrictions on the right to arms should be subject to "strict scrutiny," or legislatures or courts should be able to decide what is "reasonable;" and what kinds of regulations would be "reasonable" under the Second Amendment.

As expected, Dellinger emphasized the amendment's reference to the militia, and downplayed its operative clause, which commands that the "right of the people shall not be infringed." Because the militia are mentioned in the amendment, Dellinger insisted, individuals have a right to possess arms only while serving in a militia. To bolster that argument, he tried to write "keep" out of the amendment, presumably because "keep" means "in a private citizen's home."

Keep and/or bear?

Justice David Souter asked, "[if] 'keep' should be read as, in effect, an independent guarantee, then what is served by the phrase 'and bear?'" He then answered his own question, saying "it sounds to me as though 'keep and bear' forms one phrase rather than two." Justice John Paul Stevens was more direct. "It's one right to keep and bear, not two rights, to keep and to bear." (The Brady Campaign began pushing this new theory just last year.)

Solicitor General Paul D. Clement strongly disagreed, however, and three justices asked questions supporting that point. Chief Justice John Roberts asked, if the Framers had meant to protect a militia right, "Why would they say 'the right of the people?' Why wouldn't they say 'state militias have the right to keep arms?'" Justice Anthony Kennedy added, "the amendment says we reaffirm the right to have a militia, we've established it, but in addition, there is a right to bear arms. . . . [T]here's a general right to bear arms quite without reference to the militia either way."

Early on, Justice Antonin Scalia asked, "why isn't it perfectly plausible, indeed reasonable, to assume that since the framers knew that the way militias were destroyed by tyrants in the past was not by passing a law against militias, but by taking away the people's weapons -- that was the way militias were destroyed." He added, "The two clauses go together beautifully: Since we need a militia, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Later, Justice Scalia noted, "It's not at all uncommon for a legislative provision or a constitutional provision to go further than is necessary for the principal purpose involved. The principal purpose here is the militia, but the second clause goes beyond the militia and says the right of the people to keep and bear arms."

Clement agreed. "A number of state courts that have interpreted [state constitutional right to arms provisions] have distinguished between the two rights and looked at them differently," he said. "And, obviously, the term 'keep' is a word that I think is something of an embarrassment for an effort to try to imbue every term in the operative text with an exclusively military connotation because that is not one that really has an exclusive military connotation." Clement later added, "it's worth emphasizing that the framers knew exactly how to condition a right on militia service, because they did it with respect to the grand jury clause, and they didn't do it with respect to the Second Amendment."

Self-Defense

Justice Stevens questioned whether the Second Amendment protects the right of self-defense, because most state constitutions in 1789 did not expressly mention self-defense in their provisions protecting the right to arms. And Justice Souter asked, "is there any evidence that the anti-Federalist objections to the Constitution that ultimately resulted in the Second Amendment were premised on any failure to recognize an individual right of self-defense or hunting?"

On the other hand, Justice Kennedy repeatedly suggested that the Framers intended the Second Amendment to protect the ability of settlers in the wilderness to defend themselves, and asked about self-defense in homes today.

Justice Scalia added, "[the English jurist] Blackstone thought [self-defense] was important. He thought the right of self-defense was inherent, and the framers were devoted to Blackstone. Joseph Story, the first commentator on the Constitution and a member of this Court, thought it was a personal guarantee."

Justice Samuel Alito asked, "If the amendment is intended at least, in part to protect the right to self-defense in the home, how could the District code provision survive under any standard of review where they totally ban the possession of the type of weapon that's most commonly used for self-defense?"

Dellinger back-pedaled from D.C.'s longstanding position that its laws prohibit self-defense, claiming that the city supports citizens using functional firearms for defense. That claim inspired a vigorous challenge by Heller's lawyer, Alan Gura. Solicitor General Clement sought to offer a solution to the problem, suggesting that D.C. should expressly "allow for a relatively robust self-defense exception to the trigger lock provision."

Chief Justice Roberts, however, scoffed at the idea that a citizen awakened by an intruder in the middle of the night could "turn on the lamp ... pick up [his] reading glasses," and disengage a trigger lock."

A ban is "reasonable?"

Perhaps the most animated exchange of the day was between Chief Justice Roberts and Dellinger, over whether a handgun ban is "reasonable."

Dellinger argued that states with constitutional protections on the right to keep and bear arms all allow reasonable regulations, but was flatly contradicted by Chief Justice Roberts, who asked him to explain what is reasonable about a total ban on possession?

Rest assured that we will continue to follow the developments in this case closely, leading to the Court's expected decision in June.

 

Debating Their Position On Guns:  Speaking of "the most anti-gun candidate," lately it's becoming more and more difficult to keep track of which candidate is most deserving of that title.

As Democratic Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama squared off at the Democratic debate in Philadelphia this week, moderator Charlie Gibson, from ABC News, opened debate on the gun issue by stating, "Both of you, in the past, have supported strong gun control measures. But now when I listen to you on the campaign, I hear you emphasizing that you believe in an individual's right to bear arms.  Both of you were strong advocates for licensing of guns. Both of you were strong advocates for the registration of guns."  (Sound familiar?)  "Why don't you emphasize that now, Senator Clinton?" 

Wal-Mart To Create Gun Buyer Database:  Recently, Wal-Mart joined New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a gathering of Bloomberg's anti-gun group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, to announce a series of changes to the way in which Wal-Mart handles firearm transactions. At the press event, J.P. Suarez, chief compliance officer for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said: "The costs are, we think, part of what it takes to be responsible." Suarez also added, "This is not a signal that we're getting out of firearms." 

ILA Dinner and Auction At Annual Meetings:  The Institute for Legislative Action will hold its Second Annual Dinner and Auction in conjunction with the NRA Annual Meetings in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday evening, May 16th.

Stop BATFE Abuses -- Urge Your Congressman To Cosponsor H.R. 4900:  Continuing concern about the treatment of firearm dealers by BATFE has caused members of the U.S. House of Representatives--with NRA-ILA's full support--to push for new and improved reform legislation.  That push has taken the form of H.R. 4900 -- the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act."

 


You can call your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121 and your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121 or enter your Zip code and follow the link to e-mail your Legislators.

     

A LOOK AT THE STATES

ALABAMA:  Right-to-Carry Reform Legislation Passed House!  House Bill 700, the "Handgun Permit Confidentiality" legislation, passed the House on Wednesday, April 16 by a vote of 75 to 0 with two State Representatives absent and not voting.  HB700 would restrict public access to the records of concealed handgun permit holders and prohibit their publication. HB700 is currently in the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. It is imperative that you contact your State Senators in support of HB700 today! Your State Senator can be reached at (334) 242-7800. To identify your State Senator, or for more contact information, please click here.

ARIZONA:  Important Self-Defense Bills Move to Senate Floor!  As we reported last week, three pro-gun bills (House Bill 2359, House Bill 2629, and House Bill 2630) are pending consideration in the Senate. HB 2389 would allow a person to carry a firearm in a vehicle so long as it is kept in a locked compartment.  HB 2629 clarifies how and when a firearm may be displayed for defensive purposes.  Finally, HB 2630 would reduce the penalty for carrying a concealed "weapon" without a concealed carry permit to a petty offense.  All three of these bills are now headed to the Senate floor, but have not been given a hearing date at this time.  Please contact your State Senator and urge him or her to support these important self-defense measures when they come before the Senate for a vote.  To find your State Senator please click here. 

CALIFORNIA:  News on Pending Second Amendment-Related Bills in California! On Tuesday, April 15, numerous bills affecting our Second Amendment rights were considered by the California Legislature.  Assembly Bill 2235, passed out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee.  AB2235 would forbid the sale of handguns other than "owner-authorized (or "smart") handguns" -- that is, handguns with a permanent, programmable biometric feature that renders the firearm useless unless activated by the authorized user.   For an informative article about smart guns and the New Jersey law this bill is based on, please click here. Assembly Bill 2948, was approved by the Assembly Business and Professions Committee and now is en route to the Assembly floor for deliberation.  AB2948 would ban the sale of firearms and ammunition on the property or inside the buildings that comprise the Cow Palace.  While these threats to our rights have made it to the Assembly floor, one attack of anti-freedom forces was thwarted.  Assembly Bill 2566, failed to pass in the Assembly Public Safety Committee.  AB2566 would have repealed statewide preemption statutes and allowed cities, counties, and other such localities to enact their own forms of restrictive regulation on handguns.  Please contact your State Assembly Member and respectfully urge him or her to oppose AB2235 and AB2948 when it comes before them for a vote.  Contact information can be found by clicking here. 

Management of Public Lands Under Review in California:  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is beginning to revise the Caliente Resource Management Plan (RMP) that guides the management of approximately 600,000 acres of public land within Kings, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Ventura, and western Kern counties.  Hunting and recreational shooting are allowed on these lands.  The current RMP was completed in 1997.  A copy is available for reference at: www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield/Programs/planning/rmpcontents.html</ A>.  The public is invited to submit ideas on how these public lands should be managed and used into the future.  Comments may be submitted via email by sending them to: cacalrmp@ca.blm.gov, or by mailing them to:  RMP Revision, Bureau of Land Management, 3801 Pegasus Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93308.  Comments will be accepted through May 5.  In order to assure that sportsmen's interests are anchored in this planning process, it is important that hunters and recreational shooters take the time to submit comments. 

COLORADO:   Hunting Ban Being Discussed in Colorado!  The Colorado Wildlife Commission will meet to discuss a complete ban on prairie dog hunting in the state of Colorado on May 1-2.  While radical anti-hunting/animal rights groups are targeting prairie dog hunting as cruel, it is a traditional sporting activity and necessary management tool, especially for ranching interests in the state.  The Colorado Wildlife Commission will be meeting at the Holiday Inn on 755 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506 on May 1 and May 2 starting each morning at 8:30am.  Please attend these meetings and voice your support of all hunting in Colorado.  It is critical that sportsmen show that the radical anti-hunting lobby is in the minority by significantly out-numbering them at the meeting.  If you are unable to attend, please call the Colorado Wildlife Commission at (303) 297-1192 and inform them that you are strongly opposed to any attempt to ban prairie dog hunting in Colorado.

DELAWARE:  "Landowner Liability Protection Act" Heads to Committee!  This week, House Bill 341, "Landowner Liability Protection Act," was assigned to the House Housing & Community Affairs Committee and could be considered as early as next week. HB 341, would ensure that landowners who allow public hunting access incur no liability for property damage or personal injuries caused by hunters -- regardless of whether the damage occurs on or off the landowner's property.  Please contact the members of the House Housing & Community Affairs Committee TODAY and urge them to support this crucial piece of legislation.  To find contact information for the committee members click here.

FLORIDA:  Florida Governor Charlie Crist Signs House Bill 503! On Tuesday, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed important NRA backed legislation into law.  House Bill 503 will protect the existing rights of law-abiding gun owners. HB503 preserves the self-defense rights of law-abiding men and women as they travel in their cars to and from their daily activities. "Customers and workers should not have to choose between protecting themselves or following the political policies of an anti-gun business," said NRA Past President Marion P. Hammer. "The right to protect oneself must be maintained no matter where you park your car." This legislation protects the rights of gun owners to possess a firearm in any private motor vehicle in a parking lot, and prevents businesses from searching private vehicles of customers or employees.

GEORGIA:   Georgia's Most Important Right-to-Carry Reform Bill in Over 20 Years Needs Your Help! On Friday, April 4, House Bill 89, was sent to Governor Perdue for his consideration but has not yet been signed into law.  This critical Right-to-Carry Reform legislation will strengthen Georgia's current laws by allowing licensed carry permit holders to possess a firearm in any private motor vehicle, while on any publicly accessible parking lot.  It would also prohibit gun dealer entrapment schemes; allow concealed carry permit holders to carry in State Parks, recreational areas, wildlife management areas, and public transportation: create a stricter time limit for various stages of the concealed carry license application process, and allow concealed carry permit holders to carry in restaurants. Unfortunately, gun control groups and opponents in the business community are urging the governor to veto the bill.  Governor Perdue needs to hear from you.  Let him know that legislation reinforcing the Second Amendment, like HB 89, is exactly what law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen want in Georgia.  Please continue to contact Governor Sonny Perdue and respectfully urge him to sign HB 89 into law.  Contact information for Governor Perdue can be found here. 

ILLINOIS:   Anti-Gun Bills Fail to Receive Votes in Illinois!  Earlier this week, thanks to the many phone calls and emails made by the pro-gun community, House Bill 758 failed to pass out of the House.  HB758 would have created a ban on the private transfer of firearms.  Also this week, House Bill 4357, was not brought up for a floor vote likely due to the lack of support in the House.  HB4357 would ban countless semi-automatic handguns, rifles, and shotguns, as well as .50 cal. rifles and ammunition.  Thank you to all of the Second Amendment supporters in Illinois who made their voice heard this week!  There are still several anti-gun bills that could come up for a vote at anytime, so please keep checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates.  To view a complete list of legislation that we are watching, please click here.

IOWA:  "Shall-Issue" Legislation Still Pending Action!  House File 2092 has been assigned a new bill number, House File 2613.  Like HF2092, HF2613 would change Iowa's concealed handgun law to make Iowa a "shall-issue" state.  Under HF2613, law-abiding persons 21 years of age or older would be eligible for a permit to carry a concealed handgun if they pass a training and marksmanship course.  Training would not be required for renewal of the permit to carry a firearm.  HF2613 is waiting to be placed on the House calendar.  Please contact your State Legislator TODAY and urge them to place House File 2613 on the State House calendar.  Contact information can be found by clicking here.

Mason City Mayor Supports Your Right-to-Carry!  Last week we reported that Mason City Mayor Roger Bang came out in support of your Second Amendment rights by promising to veto any anti-gun ordinance that came to his desk.  This was in response to a threat from the Mason City Council, which is trying to ban law-abiding permit holders from carrying concealed firearms in public buildings.  Thanks to the efforts of the pro-gun community and Mayor Bang's veto threat, the ordinance to ban the carrying of firearms in public buildings was never brought to the table. Please contact the office of the Mayor today at 641-421-3600 and thank him for defending your right to self-defense.   

KENTUCKY:  Gun Rights Left Unprotected in Kentucky!  On Tuesday, April 15, the Kentucky State General Assembly adjourned its 2008 Regular Session, without passing a critical self-defense reform measure.  Despite 63 co-sponsors, House Bill 114, was held up in the State House Judiciary by Chairwoman State Representative Kathy W. Stein (D-75).  Unfortunately, the House Leadership refused to help or sign on to this important self-defense legislation.  HB114 would have required that universities, colleges, and postsecondary institutions comply with current law allowing law-abiding citizens to keep firearms in their locked vehicles on university property.  Thank you for contacting your State Legislators this session in support of HB114 and please continue to check www.NRAILA.org and your email for updates throughout the year. 

LOUISIANA:  Senate Committee to Consider NRA-Backed Motorists' Protection Act!  On Thursday, April 24, the Senate Transportation, Highways & Public Works Committee will consider Senate Bill 51, the NRA-backed "Motorists' Protection Act".  SB 51 would clarify that current state law allowing Louisianans the right to protect themselves, and to possess lawfully owned firearms in their private motor vehicles, would supercede policies adopted by business owners or employers prohibiting the transportation or storage of guns in cars and trucks parked in their parking lots.  Similar legislation has already passed in Mississippi, Georgia and Florida, and now your help is needed to pass it in Louisiana!  Please contact the members of the Senate Transportation, Highways & Public Works Committee, and urge them to support this important measure.  To contact the members of the committee, please click here.

MAINE:  Governor Baldacci Signs No-Net-Loss Legislation Into Law!  Last week, Governor John Baldacci (D) signed into law Legislative Document 648, Maine's "No-Net-Loss" legislation.  LD 648 will require that if a parcel of state land open to public hunting is closed to hunting, the same number of acres of state land must be opened to hunting elsewhere.  This new law guarantees that future generations will have the same public hunting opportunities that are enjoyed today by specifying that there will never be less land open to hunting than what was available on January 1, 2008.

MASSACHUSETTS:  Emergency Powers Bill Heads to Senate Floor!  S.1401,  "An Act Prohibiting the Confiscation of Lawfully Owned Firearms During a State of Emergency," has been released favorably by the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and will now head to the Massachusetts Senate floor for consideration.  S.1401 would protect our Second Amendment rights by prohibiting any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful sale, possession, transfer, transport and carry of firearms during a state of emergency. Please contact your State Senator today at (617) 722-1455 and urge their support for S.1401.  You can find your State Senator and his or her contact information by clicking here. 

MICHIGAN:  Registration Reform Heads to Senate!  House Bill 4490 passed the House on Wednesday April 16, by a vote of 98 to 10.  HB4490 would repeal the required "safety inspection" for newly obtained handguns.  HB 4490 would also require law enforcement agencies to destroy "safety inspection" records on file.  Current Michigan law requires anyone who comes into possession of a pistol to take it to the police or sheriff's department for a safety inspection.  The requirement of a safety inspection is a burdensome waste of time for law-abiding gun owners and HB4490 will end that inconvenience. HB4490 will now head to the Senate were it could be taken up in the near future.  Please contact your State Senator and urge him or her to support this necessary piece of legislation.  To contact your State Senator click here.

MINNESOTA:  Lead Shot Ban Removed From Omnibus Bill!  Earlier this week the Senate Omnibus Game and Fish Bill, was successfully amended to remove a lead ban that would have been detrimental to hunters and sportsman alike. Senate File 3385 originally contained a provision that would ban the use of lead shot for hunting small game on public lands in Minnesota.  Lead alternatives are expensive and have reduced capabilities, and only increase wounding rates of game animals.  There has also been no science-based evidence that lead shot has been a problem in Minnesota.  Thanks to the efforts to all those members you called their State Senators and helped remove this unneeded lead ban.

MISSISSIPPI:   Mississippi Governor Signs NRA Backed Right-to-Carry Reform Legislation! This week, Governor Haley Barbour signed Senate Bill 2411, an NRA-supported right-to-carry reform measure sponsored by State Senator Eric Powell (D).  SB 2411extends the term of right-to-carry permits from 4 to 5 years and reduces permit renewal fees for senior citizens by 50 percent (from $50 to $25).  The bill also calls for an interim report on the feasibility of (1) allowing Mississippians to apply to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for carry permits by mail; and (2) reducing the time frame within which DPS must act on carry permit applications.  Such a report will help NRA-ILA lay the groundwork for further improvements to Mississippi's Right-to-Carry law in the future.  Please take a moment to contact the bill sponsor and thank him for his efforts at epowell@senate.ms.gov.

MISSOURI:  "Gun Rights Rally" Comes to Missouri!  On Tuesday, April 29, the annual "Gun Rights Rally" will be held in the capitol, 1st floor rotunda in Jefferson City, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Please don't miss this opportunity to join with fellow NRA members and other law-abiding Missouri firearm owners as we continue our efforts to protect and further enhance our Right to Keep and Bear Arms! Together we have made great strides in the ongoing battle to protect our freedoms, but there is still a lot of work to be done. You can help assist in this effort by participating in the rally on April 29.  Transportation has been arranged from both the Kansas City and St. Louis areas. For more information and complete rally details, please visit www.missouricarry.com/news2.htm.

NEW YORK:   Youth Mentor Hunting Program Passes New York State Senate!  On Tuesday, April 8, the New York State Senate passed Senate Bill 1284, the Youth Mentor Hunting Program.  S1284 creates a youth hunting mentor program, allowing individuals ages 14 and older to hunt with a licensed mentor, age 21 or older.  Assembly Bill 733A, the companion measure to S1284, still needs our support.  AB733A will allow individuals ages 14 and older to hunt with a licensed mentor.  Both of these measures are important in further securing the right to hunt in New York. Please call your State Assembly Member today at (518) 455-4100 and urge him or her to support Assembly Bill 733A.  To find your Assembly Member, please click here. 

Anti-Gun Bills Head to State Senate in New York! This week, several anti-gun bills were passed out of the House and now head to the Senate AB 6525A would create new requirements and liability for gun dealers. AB 9819A, would seek to ban the sale of semi-automatic handguns not equipped with so-called "microstamping" technology.  AB 7331 works to expand the ban on so-called "assault weapons."  AB 3451 would expand the ballistic imaging program.  AB 2772 would ban .50 caliber firearms.  AB 829 would require "childproof" firearms.  AB 76 would require mandatory storage.  AB 3447 works to ban frangible ammunition.  Please contact your State Senator today at (518) 455-2800 and respectfully urge him or her to vote "NO" on these NRA-opposed measures.  To find your State Senator, click here. 

Hunting Under Discussion in the Management Plan for Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge:  Staff of the Iroquois NWR, a 10,000-acre refuge between Buffalo and Rochester, is launching the first stage in the process of developing a 15-year management plan for the refuge.  The first stage is to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider.  The public is invited to comment until April 30, 2008.  It is important for the refuge staff to hear from hunters because the refuge is open to waterfowl, big game, small game, and turkey hunting.  We want to ensure that those hunting opportunities are inlcuded and enhanced in the new management plan.  Comments can be sent to northeastplanning@fws.gov.  Include "Iroquois NWR CCP/EA" in the subject line.  Information about public meetings to be held can be found at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/iroquois.  You may also call Thomas Roster, Project Leader, at (585) 948-5445.

NORTH CAROLINA:  Wesley Chapel Hunging Hearing Put Off for Future Date!  After being rescheduled twice, the Wesley Chapel town council has again pushed a hearing back on a proposed ordinance dealing hunting in Wesley Chapel.  This proposed ordinance would severely restrict our Second Amendment and hunting rights by restricting the discharge of firearms within 450ft of any dwelling, building, or field containing livestock; effectively preventing the discharge of any firearm in most areas of Wesley Chapel.  While the ordinance includes certain exemptions, it is unnecessary, as truly reckless behavior is already considered illegal or otherwise already adequately regulated under state law.  While a date has not been set for the hearing, we will keep you informed of the any updates.  Please keep checking your email and www.NRAILA.org. 

OHIO:  Ohio's "Castle Doctrine" Legislation Passes Out of Senate! On Wednesday, April 16, Senate Bill 184, Ohio's "Castle Doctrine" bill passed out of the State Senate unanimously.  SB 184 now heads to the Ohio House for consideration.  SB 184 would help restore the fundamental right of self-defense.  This legislation would restore the right of individuals to respond with force in defense of their lives and family, and immunize the victim from civil lawsuits by criminals or the criminal's family.  Please contact your State Senator TODAY and thank them for voting for this important piece of legislation. To contact your State Senator please click here. 

PENNSYLVANIA:  NRA Wins Restraining Order Against Philadelphia!  In the first round of the latest battle over Pennsylvania's firearm preemption law, the National Rifle Association (NRA) was handed a victory over the City of Philadelphia, as a Philadelphia County court granted NRA's motion for a temporary restraining order against the city's newest gun control regulations. A hearing in the permanent injunction is schedule for April 28. 

Lower Chichester Township to Discuss Illegal Firearm Registration!  On Monday, April 21, the Board of Commissioners of the Lower Chichester Township will hold a public meeting to discuss a proposed ordinance that would require that all parties involved in the sale or lease of any property to disclose on an "application" whether there are or presumably will be any firearms, handguns, rifles, shotguns, ammunition, and gunpowder present prior to the sale or lease of any property.  The "application" would then be required to be sent to law enforcement where the report would includes the type and number of firearms, and the type and amount of any ammunition or gunpowder. Any violation of the ordinance would be subject to a penalty.  This ordinance is in direct violation of Pennsylvania's state preemption law, and a violation of your right to privacy. Please make plans to attend this meeting and have your voice heard!  For location and time details please click here. 

Hunting Under Discussion in the Management Plan for Erie National Wildlife Refuge:  Staff of the Erie NWR, an 8,800-acre refuge 35 miles south of Lake Erie in northwestern PA, is launching the first stage in the process of developing a 15-year management plan for the refuge.  The first stage is to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider.  The public is invited to comment until April 30, 2008.  It is important for the refuge staff to hear from hunters because the refuge is open to waterfowl, big game, small game, and turkey hunting.  We want to ensure that those hunting opportunities are included and enhanced in the new management plan.  Comments can be sent to northeastplanning@fws.gov.  Include "Erie NWR CCP/EA" in the subject line.  Information about public meetings to be held can be found at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/erie.  You may also call Thomas Roster, Project Leader, at (585) 948-5445. 

RHODE ISLAND:  Microstamping Legislation to be Considered in Rhode Island!  The Rhode Island House Committee on Judiciary will consider microstamping legislation next week on Thursday, April 24.  House Bill 7834 would ban the sale of semi-automatic handguns not equipped with so-called "microstamping" technology.  Microstamping is an unproven technology that would require identifying marks to be etched into the firing pin and breech face of a firearm in such a manner that these marks are transferred to the cartridge case upon firing.  The technology can easily be defeated with common household tools, has no public safety value, and will add substantially to the cost of the firearm.  H7834 will be heard Thursday, April 24 in Room 205 of the State House.  It will be considered at the Rise of the House, whenever business for the day ends, usually between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Please plan to attend the hearing and show your opposition to this ill-conceived legislation.  If you are unable to attend, please contact the members of the House Committee on Judiciary here, and respectfully urge them to oppose H7834. 

Fee Increase to be Discussed in House Committee!  On Thursday, May 1, the Rhode Island House Finance Committee will consider House Bill 7247.  H7247 will implement a steep increase (over 50%) in fees for resident pistol permit holders.  Out-of-state permit holders would also see a sharp increase in fees with this bill, as well as a decrease in the length of permit duration from four years to one year.     H7247 will be heard Thursday, May 1 at 1:00pm in the Trainor Hearing Room, Room 35 of the State House.  Please attend the hearing and show your opposition to this ill-conceived legislation.  If you are unable to attend, please contact the members of the House Finance Committee and respectfully urge them to oppose H7247.  For committee member contact information please click here. 

SOUTH CAROLINA:  Governor Signs Important Right-to-Carry Reform Bill!   This week, Governor Mark Sanford (R) signed H 3528.  H3528 will restrict the release of personal information regarding the holder of a valid concealed weapons permit, allowing release only to law enforcement to aid in an official investigation, or to comply with a subpoena or court order.  Please contact Governor Sanford TODAY at (803) 734-2100, and thank him for protecting your Second Amendment right! 

While this is a big boost for the pro-gun community, we still need to keep a close eye on one bill that still remains to be voted on.  The "ammunition encoding/serialization" bill, S 1259 is still in the Senate Judiciary Committee.  South Carolina's pro-gun community needs to continue contacting the members of the committee and urge them to oppose this outrageous attack on our Second Amendment rights.    For committee member contact information please click here. 

VIRGINIA:  Future of Hunting in Northern Virginia to be Discussed at Meeting!  On Tuesday, April 22, officials from the National Parks Service and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will host a meeting to discuss the future of hunting in Northern Virginia's Dyke Marsh area. Anti-sportsmen groups and local anti-gun politicians have been very vocal in their efforts seeking to ban lawful hunting in Dyke Marsh. Please make every effort to join your fellow hunters and sportsmen at this important meeting and show your support for Virginia's rich hunting heritage! The meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 22, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Belle View Elementary School, 6701 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, 22307. Please be sure to share this information with your family, friends and fellow sportsmen. 

WASHINGTON:  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Border Field Office, is seeking public comments on a proposal affecting recreational shooting on the Fishtrap Lake Recreation Area.  The area is located 30 miles southwest of Spokane near the town of Sprague along the border of Spokane and Lincoln Counties.  A scoping notice, which provides background information and outlines the preliminary issues and alternatives identified by BLM, can be found at www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane/plans.  BLM is seeking public comments on this proposal until May 6, 2008.  Comments can be submitted via e-mail to Scott_Pavey@blm.gov, or via postal mail to BLM Border Field Office, ATTN: Scott Pavey, 1103 N. Fancher Road, Spokane Valley, Washington, 99212-1275.  If you have any questions you can contact BLM at (509) 536-1200.


 

 

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