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Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.11/264 - Release Date: 2/17/2006 Free Parking Draws Ohio CHL Applicants: Lake County ranks fourth in the state in issuance of CHL's but the sheriff says that he is drawing many applicants from neighboring counties because his facility is more user-friendly. http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/lake/114016876374770.xml&coll=2 --- List Member Comments On Elitist Denials Of CCW: James Wenger (no relation) comments on the parallel elitism of Hawaii and Chicago officials in denying private citizens the right to carry. http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?e7db0d87-c3a7-48d1-92a3-406f2de017f1 --- Anti-Confiscation Bill Clears Arizona Senate Committee: A bill to ban confiscation of privately owned firearms during declared emergencies has cleared the Senate Government Committee and advances to the full senate. http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/116289 --- S&W Lands Another Afghan Pistol Contract: S&W has announced that it has landed a $15 million contract to furnish 9mm pistols to the Afghanistan National Police. (While the model is not cited, my recollection is that the previous contracts have been for Sigmas.) http://www.masslive.com/business/republican/index.ssf?/base/business-0/1140165654251720.xml&coll=1 --- Interesting Words From Jeff Cooper: "The continued sales triumph of the Glock pistols demonstrates the virtues of skillful marketing. The Glock pistol is okay. It is generally reliable, it is comparatively inexpensive, and it is available in respectable calibers. Above all, its after-market service is superior. The great part of its sales comes from police departments where maintenance and quick service are of primary importance. It may not be the best choice for the private pistolero, but such people are not in the majority. For those who feel that only the police establishment should be interested in sidearms - which includes all of the socialist states of Europe - this is a major advantage. "We must face the fact that the pistol is an emergency device. Very few people - even the most adventurous - run into a need to shoot to save their lives. Statistically, there is no real need to shoot a pistol, only to have a pistol, since the mere possession of a sound firearm is nearly always enough to stop a fight. However, one's state of mind dominates the scene here. The man who is carrying a pistol and is fully aware of his ability to use it well, can solve the problem. A higher degree of practical marksmanship is an essential tool to the proper combat mind-set. If you know that you have the upper hand, you almost always do have it." - Jeff Cooper's Commentaries, Vol. 14, No. 2 --- From AZ DPS CWPU: HB 2074 will be voted on Monday, Feb 20th in the Senate Judiciary Committee beginning at 1:30 p.m.. This bill will eliminate the two-hour renewal training requirement. The vast majority of you have expressed strong disapproval of this bill while only a few have supported it. While this bill will not affect the CWPU, many of you have stated you believe it will reduce firearms proficiency levels of permit holders throughout the state and further jeopardize public safety. Others argue that the training it is a waste of time and only benefits instructors charging a fee. My opinion as a police firearms instructor (for those who care) is some training is better than no training. Regardless of how you feel, if you want to have an influence over the outcome of this proposed legislation, call or write these senators (and your own) and let them know what you think. The DPS is opposing this bill. HB 2584 will also be voted on. This bill eliminates the initial 8-hr training requirement for persons who hold a certificate of firearms proficiency pursuant to ARS 13-3112.X (LEOSA). I'm not sure where the legislators are going with this as anyone with a certificate will still have to meet the qualifications for a CCW permit, which are a bit different than those for a certificate. Most anyone who has a certificate will qualify for the exception to initial CCW training anyway so this seems unnecessary. The DPS is neutral on this bill. These and other bills I am tracking may be found here: http://www.azdps.gov/ccw/whatsnew.asp Agendas can be obtained via the Internet at http://www.azleg.state.az.us/CommitteeAgendas.asp Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter, by contacting the Senate Secretary's Office, (602) 926-4231 (voice). Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. ARIZONA STATE SENATE Forty-seventh Legislature - Second Regular Session MEETING NOTICE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY DATE Monday, February 20, 2006 TIM 1:30 PM ROOM SHR1 SENATORS: Aguirre Harper Martin, Vice-Chairman Brotherton Jarrett Huppenthal, Chairman Gould Miranda Bills Short Title Subject of Strike Everything Amendment * HB2064 ____ eminent domain; fees and costs(Gray C, Burges, Pearce, et al) HB2074 ____ concealed weapons; training requirement; renewal(Gray C, Nelson, Pearce, et al) ** HB2110 ____ epinephrine; administration by good Samaritans(Quelland) * HB2491 ____ statewide voter database; access(Knaperek) ** HB2581 ____ class 6 felonies; reclassification(Farnsworth, Barnes, Pearce, et al) ** HB2584 ____ concealed weapons; firearms safety training(Pearce: Biggs, Boone, et al) * HCR2003 ____ takings; public use; jury determination(Gray C, Burges, Pearce) * Pending Introduction, First Reading and Committee Assignment ** Pending Committee Assignment Many of you have expressed your appreciation of my efforts over the last few years and I am quite speechless over the volume of your positive comments - thank you all for your very kind and thoughtful words. Please know however, I'm not gone yet and I expect to be around for a couple more months at least. Even then, I will probably still be around in an advisory capacity. Many of you have also expressed your concern over the hiring and selection of the new coordinator positions - I assure you, we will endeavor to select the best candidates available. Our new boss, Rene Wilson, is very excited to be supervising this section and she has my complete confidence in her ability to manage this unit and make fair and impartial decisions. Many of you have also voiced concern over the CCW Unit going all civilian with no sworn personnel anymore. Personally, I don't believe you will see any difference in the level of service or capabilities of this unit, particularly once the program coordinators come on board and are trained up. While all regime changes can be volatile, I expect in this case, you will see little difference. Please support the unit and give them a chance. Regards, Detective Russ Hamilton AZ DPS Concealed Weapon Permit Unit (602) 256-6280 (602) 223-2708 (800) 256-6280 (In Arizona only) (602) 223-2928 Fax --- From NRA-ILA: HOUSE HEARS CONCERNS ABOUT RICHMOND GUN SHOW On Wednesday, February 15, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security heard testimony from individuals affected by heavy-handed enforcement tactics of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) at a gun show in Richmond, Virginia last August. According to the gun show organizer, Annette Gelles of Showmasters, dozens of BATFE and local law enforcement officers intrusively questioned dealers and customers, tried to discourage people from buying guns, and stopped show attendees on the roads after they left. In some cases, customers' lawfully purchased guns were confiscated, and returned only when the customers visited BATFE's office for more questioning. In other cases, local police officers visited gun buyers' homes to conduct "residency checks"-intrusive questioning of family members and even neighbors. One show visitor, James Lalime, a private citizen who sometimes works for a dealer at the local gun shows, testified that he was interrogated by BATFE and other law enforcement personnel who accused him of dealing in firearms without a license. John White, a show exhibitor, licensed dealer, and former police officer, testified that he appreciates law enforcement officials' efforts to prevent illegal sales, but that enforcement activities went too far-especially in focusing on buyers who were women or members of minority groups. Suzanne McComas, an investigator for NRA-ILA, also testified and provided sworn affidavits from individuals who were singled out for BATFE attention, apparently on the basis of race or sex. The subcommittee members were upset with what they heard. Subcommittee Chairman Howard Coble (R-NC) questioned whether the operations were "a proper allocation of resources," and suggested that "49 law enforcement officers could have found a better way to curb criminal activity in the Richmond area." Over the next few months, the same subcommittee expects to hold additional oversight hearings on this and other BATFE activities, including both citizen witnesses and BATFE officials. Watch the Grassroots Alert for more details as they're available. If you missed Wednesday's hearing, you can view it in its entirety at http://judiciary.house.gov/oversight.aspx?ID=214 NATIONAL RIGHT-TO-CARRY RECIPROCITY BILL INTRODUCED U.S. Representative Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) recently introduced H.R. 4547-a national Right-to-Carry (RTC) reciprocity bill that would provide national reciprocity for state carry licensees. The bill would allow any person with a valid carry permit or license issued by a state to carry a concealed firearm in any other state if they meet certain criteria. The bill would not create a federal licensing system; it would simply require the states to recognize each other's carry permits, just as they recognize drivers' licenses. For more information on the bill, please visit www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?ID=189. Please be sure to contact your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121, and urge him or her to cosponsor and support H.R. 4547! DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY Good news! Once again, you have chance to own a piece of political history, straight from the closely fought 2004 presidential campaign! Due to the high demand for the "That Dog Don't Hunt" banner described in last week's Grassroots Alert, another banner is being offered on E-Bay. This distinctive NRA banner, measuring eight feet long and four feet high, crisscrossed the battleground states in the final weeks of the contest, and was a significant part of NRA's 2004 election strategy. Displayed at NRA rallies and gun shows, the banner sent a simple but effective message: Despite his attempt to pander to sportsmen, John Kerry has a 20-year record of hostility toward the Second Amendment. These NRA rallies were crucial in turning out enough voters to give President Bush victories in pivotal battleground states such as Ohio and West Virginia. The banner is in very good condition and¾whether sought after by a gun owner, political memorabilia collector, or someone hoping to educate others on truly effective political communications¾represents a valuable piece of political history. NRA-ILA Executive Director and NRA Political Victory Fund chairman Chris W. Cox has signed the banner. The auction ends February 25. If you'd like to own this banner, please visit http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:11&item=7744848145 and place your bid. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN MILWAUKEE! Once again NRA is seeking volunteers to help at the 2006 NRA Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, May 17-21. To a large degree, the success of each year's NRA Annual Meeting is dependent on the contributions of our volunteers. And you can be a part of that successful effort this year! A number of volunteers are needed to help with set-up on Wednesday and Thursday, May 17 and 18, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During the actual exhibit and meetings Friday and Saturday, volunteers will work in the NRA Store, at our Membership Services Booth and at the Airgun Range. There are a number of additional volunteer opportunities as well. To volunteer or for more information, visit any of NRA's web sites or the Annual Meeting site (www.nraam.org), or contact NRA Field Representative, Scott Taetsch, at (262) 392-2716, or Dennis Eggers, Central Region Director, at (270) 522-0909. Their respective e-mail addresses are: STaetsch@nrahq.org and DEggers@nrahq.org. D.C. PERSONAL PROTECTION ACT-A TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY As we continue to note, one of NRA-ILA's top legislative priorities in Congress continues to be the passage of S. 1082 and H.R. 1288-the Senate and House versions of the "District of Columbia Personal Protection Act." This legislation seeks to restore the constitutionally-guaranteed Second Amendment rights of the residents of the District of Columbia. The need for this corrective legislation is obvious. Since 1977, the District has banned the possession of all handguns not acquired and registered before that year. D.C. law also prohibits keeping an assembled rifle or shotgun in the home, effectively outlawing the use of firearms for lawful self-defense. And despite these Draconian gun control laws, Washington, D.C., consistently has one of the highest murder rates in the nation. Please be sure to contact your U.S. Senators and Representative and ask them to cosponsor and support S. 1082 and H.R. 1288. For a list of Senate cosponsors, please visit http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN01082:@@@P. For a list of House cosponsors, please visit http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR01288:@@@P. You can call your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121, or your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121. A LOOK AT THE STATES (***For all of the action items below, you can find contact information for your legislators by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org. As always, thank you for your support.***) States with updates this issue (click state to be routed directly to story): Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, New York, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming. ARIZONA SB 1425, "Emergency Powers Protection" sponsored by Senator Dean Martin (R-6), passed the Senate Government Committee by a vote of 5-2. Please contact your State Senator and ask him or her to support SB 1425, as it is headed to the Senate Floor. HB 2076, "Government Storage Clarification," sponsored by Representative Chuck Gray (R-19), passed the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 6-3. This legislation will compel state and local governments to comply with the 2000 statutory requirement to store firearms for citizens when they prohibit firearm possession on their property. Many government entities have refused to comply with this requirement. Please contact both your State Representatives and encourage them to pass HB 2076. SB 1145, the "Castle Doctrine," sponsored by Senator Timothy Bee (R-30), passed the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vte of 7-1. Most importantly, the amendment to return the "Burden of Proof" in state self-defense cases was adopted. This amendment corrects the current "guilty-until-you-prove-your-innocence" standard in state self-defense cases. Arizona is one of only two states in the country that places the burden of proof in self-defense cases on the citizen instead of the state. This is simply wrong and must be corrected this year before more abuses occur! Please contact your State Senator and ask him or her to support SB 1145 with the "Burden of Proof" Amendment, on the Senate Floor. Members of the Arizona State Legislature can be reached by calling (602) 926-4221, for the State House, or (602) 926-3559, for the State Senate. HB 2074, "Elimination of CCW Permit Refresher Training," sponsored by Representative Chuck Gray (R-19), will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Mod ay at 1:30 p.m. Please contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and ask them to support HB 2074. To find contact information, please visit: www.arizonasenate.org/pages/judiciary.htm IDAHO State Representative Bill Sali (R-21) and State Senator Gerry Sweet (R-20) are sponsoring several pieces of NRA-supported legislation: SB 1401, which amends existing emergency powers law to provide that no restrictions shall be imposed on lawful uses of firearms or ammunition during a state of emergency. Please contact the members of the Senate State Affairs committee and ask them to vote in support of SB 1401 when it comes up for a full hearing. SB 1402 will amend existing law to revise provisions applicable to the issuance of a license to carry concealed firearms. Please contact members of the Senate Judiciary and Rules committee and ask them to vote in support of SB 1402 when it comes up for a full hearing. HB 686 adds to existing law an exemption from sales tax for certain fees and membership dues related to nonprofit hunting r shooting sports organizations. Please contact members of the House Revenue and Taxation committee and ask them to vote in support of HB 686 when it comes up for a full hearing. You can find contact information for all Senate and House Committees at: http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/howtocontactlegislators.htm. To contact State Legislators in support of all NRA-backed measures, please call (208) 332-1000, or toll free at (800) 626-0471, for people outside the Boise area. ILLINOIS Anti-gun legislation continues to pose a threat in the General Assembly. Both HB 4693, a handgun dealer licensing bill, and HB 4694, a mandatory storage bill, passed out of the Human Services Committee and are awaiting action by the full House of Representatives. Anti-gun legislators continue their frantic attempts to build up support for HB 2414, which seeks to ban certain semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, as well as .50 cal. rifles. The latest attempt, Amendment 7, indicates how poorly worded this bill is, as well as how confused anti-gun lawmakers are when it comes to firearms. Proponents of HB 2414 felt this new language was necessary in order to exempt air rifles from the scope of the bill. Please continue to contact representatives and urge them to oppose HB 2414, HB 4693, and HB 4694. For more details on these bills, please refer to previous Grassroots Alerts). On the pro-gun side, please keep contacting representatives and urge them to support HB 4529, sponsored by Representative John E. Bradley (D-117), which would allow FOID card applicants to sue the Illinois State Police if that agency fails to act on applications within the 30-day time period mandated by state law. While there are other anti-gun and pro-gun bills that have been introduced¾including SB 2963, Senator Bill Brady's (R-44) pro-gun reform that seeks to repeal the FOID card system¾most remain bogged down and relatively inactive. Please contact your State Legislators and ask them to support HB 4529. State Senators can be reached at (217) 782-5715 and State Representatives can be reached at (217) 782-8223. KENTUCKY After defeating amendments proposed by anti-gun legislators, HB 290, the "Gun Owner Protection Act," sponsored by Representative Robert Damron (D-39), passed the full House by a vote of 89-7. This critical legislation ensures the names of concealed firearm license holders are not released to the public. It allows law-abiding citizens to keep lawfully-transported firearms locked in their personal vehicles while parked on company property. HB 290 also prohibits government officials from regulating lawful firearm ownership during a state of emergency. An NRA-backed amendment was adopted allowing concealed firearm license holders to use their license as a substitute for the background check on gun purchases, as it is done in 19 other states. This important legislation now moves to the Senate. Please contact your State Senators and ask them to support HB 290,the "Gun Owner Protection Act." HB 236, "Castle Doctrine" legislation, sponsored by Representative J.R. Gray (D-6), is scheduled for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 22. Please contact your State Representative and ask him or her to support HB 236, as introduced. At least two anti-gun amendments are being proposed that are intended to defeat this important self-defense legislation. SB 12, "School Property Posting" legislation, sponsored by Senator Katie Kratz Stein (R-24), should receive a full Senate vote next week. This bill prohibits the prosecution of gun owners who unknowingly wander onto property owned by a public or private school if it is not properly posted pursuant to current law, which requires the posting of school property. However, if a school ignores this legal requirement, gun owners may still be prosecuted for a felony offense when possessing a firearm o the property. Please contact your Senator and ask him or her to vote to support SB 12 and oppose all amendments. All members of the Kentucky General Assembly can be reached at (502) 564-8100. NEW YORK Special elections will be held on Tuesday, February 28. Voter turnout is expected to be low, and NRA members are encouraged to head to the polls and vote for those candidates who support our Second Amendment rights. For NRA-PVF endorsement information, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683). Further information will be posted soon to the NRA-PVF website at www.NRAPVF.org. Be sure to "Vote Freedom First!" on Tuesday, February 28! SOUTH DAKOTA HB 1134,"Citizens Right to Self-Defense" legislation sponsored by Alan Hanks (R-32), was signed by Governor Mike Rounds (R) Friday, February 17. This important legislation removes the "duty to retreat" when a citizen is faced with attack in a place that he or she has a right to be. This ensures that an individual whose home is being broken into has no duty to retreat before using deadly force. TEXAS Texas will hold primary elections on Tuesday, March 7. NRA members are encouraged to head to the polls and vote for those candidates who support our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Please be sure to encourage your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to do the same. You can vote early between February 21-March 3. For a list of early voting locations in your area, please contact your county election official. Please visit www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/index.shtml for county election official contact information. For NRA-PVF endorsement information, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (883). Further information will be posted soon to the NRA-PVF website at www.NRAPVF.org. Be sure to "Vote Freedom First!" on Tuesday, March 7! WYOMING NRA supported legislation, HB 46, the "No Duty to Retreat/Castle Doctrine" measure sponsored by Representative Steve Watt (R-17), and HB 78, the Alaska-style concealed carry reform measure sponsored by Representative Becket Hinckley (R-41), needs your support to pass the Senate. Anti-gun legislators and the Brady Campaign have targeted these bills for defeat in the Senate. Due to the short length of the Budget Session, it is vital that gun-owners contact their Senators, most notably Senate President Grant Larson (R-17) and Majority Floor Leader John Schiffer (R-22). Both are instrumental in determining if these measures will receive the two-thirds vote needed to pass the Senate. Please contact all members of the Senate in support of HB 46 and HB 78. You can call the Voter Hotline at (866) 996-8683. (Cheyenne residents call (307) 777-8683), or e-mail your legislator via the Wyoming Legislative website at: http://legisweb.state.wy.us .) -- Stephen P. Wenger Firearm safety - It's a matter for education, not legislation. http://www.spw-duf.info .