Archive for February, 2009
The Montana Firearms Freedom Act is bill that would exempt firearms and firearm accessories manufactured and retained in the state from all federal gun control laws.
Citing the 2nd, 9th, and 10th Amendments, House Bill 246 clearly explains that the federal government has no authority to regulate intrastate commerce in Montana. If passed, the Montana Firearms Freedom Act would eliminate the application of any federal laws on “a personal firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in Montana and that remains within the borders of Montana.” Read More→
Oregon Legislature Moves to Enhance CCW Holder Privacy
Posted by: | CommentsIn Oregon, records of who has been issued a concealed weapon permit are generally available under public records. However, past abuses by the media and others have prompted some Oregon sheriff’s and lawmakers to push for a change in the law, providing a level of privacy and security for permit holders.
House Bill 2727, backed by 45 legislators, would prohibit the public release of concealed weapon permit holder information, except by court order or for criminal justice purposes. This bill has about half of the legislators, both Democrats and Republicans, signed on as co-sponsors.
Oregon residents: contact your state legislators and let them know they need to support this bill. Also, visit the Oregon Firearms Federation for statewide efforts to protect your Second Amendment rights!
Bi-Partisan Push for Concealed Carry in Illinois
Posted by: | CommentsIllinois is one of only two states that prohibits all manner of concealed carry of firearms by citizens. But there is legislation moving through the Illinois General Assembly to change that.
House Bills 245 and 462 would allow Illinois residents to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm outside of their home. HB 245 would have the Illinois State Police issue the permits, while HB 462 would place the task with the county sheriff.
Both bills were approved 11-1 in committee and sent to the floor of the General Assembly. Both bills had the support of Democrats and Republicans alike in committee. Rep. Julie Hamos, a Democrat, was the lone voice against self-defense and personal liberty.
Illinois is notorious for its anti-gun laws, but most of that comes from the politically powerful in Chicago. Outside of Chicago, most folks in Illinois are pretty sane. In fact, a lot of people would like to see concealed carry be legalized. Don’t believe me? Steve Chapman wrote a opinion piece for the Chicago Tribune encouraging the state to legalize concealed carry. The Illinois Sheriff’s Association is on-board too.
If you live in Illinois, please contact your representatives in the General Assembly. Let them know that these bills are important to you, and that you will be watching how they vote.
Also, consider joining the Illinois State Rifle Association. The ISRA is your state-wide voice on Second Amendment issues.
The city of Los Angeles has a long history of failing to protect its citizens. Continuing in this tradition, Los Angeles moves again to take more rights away from the law abiding citizens.
In December, I wrote about new anti-gun legislation being proposed by the Los Angeles city council, and that no one took the time to show up and speak out against the new proposals. The ordinance later passed bringing the following new rules to the law abiding citizens of L.A.:
- a ban on the sale of .50 ammunition
- a requirement that anyone selling any ammunition be licensed by the city
- a ban on mail-order and Internet sales of ammunition
- an inventory of all firearms held by a dealer must be forwarded to the LAPD twice each year
- prohibition on “secret compartments” for guns in vehicles (i.e. a gun lock box)
- allows landlords to evict tenants who are convicted of illegally possessing a firearm or ammunition
While California looks to release “tens of thousands” of convicts from prison because they cannot afford to keep them, the city of L.A. continues its march on the liberties of its law abiding citizens. L.A. is now proposing new anti-gun legislation that would make it illegal for a citizen to possess a firearm or ammunition if they were convicted of an enumerated misdemeanor offense.
It has long been held that misdemeanor offenses do not disbar an U.S. citizen from exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights. Over the years, however, this has been chipped away. The most notable example is the misdemeanor domestic violence conviction disability passed by the U.S. Congress in the 1990’s. This, however, is even more egregious, as a mere city is now disbarring the rights of a free citizen from the exercise of his or her Second Amendment rights.
Let me be clear: the war on gun rights and all freedoms is on. This battle is in Los Angeles. The next battle will be in your town. Please get involved! The prior rights grab in December was unanimously approved, and no voices of opposition were present. Do not let the current attack go unchallenged.
Contact the Los Angeles city council. Join the NRA. Join the Second Amendment Foundation and Gun Owners of America. Write letters to the newspapers. GET INVOLVED!
