Self-Defense Bills Advance In Tennessee: Law-abiding citizens will be able to use deadly force in self-defense in more places under legislation that unanimously passed the state Senate Thursday and is on its way to becoming law...Another bill involving the use of weapons also got the nod this week. That bill would prevent the governor or any local official from confiscating weapons or restricting their sale or transportation during a state of emergency or disaster. http://www.dicksonherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/NEWS02/70503057 --- Texas Bill Would Increase Reports To NICS: ...But, despite a widely held and erroneous belief to the contrary, Texas - like many other states - does not supply any mental health information about its residents to the federal agency that performs those checks. State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, is making another attempt to change that. A bill he introduced last month - before the mass shootings at Virginia Tech reignited the debate over the availability of guns - would require Texas to hand over the names of residents ordered by courts to be committed to hospitals for inpatient mental health care. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4770277.html --- Baltimore Mayor Mimics NYC: Mayor Sheila Dixon, who says the city's fight against violence must emphasize the elimination of illegal guns, is proposing a gun-offender registry and a police gun unit to get weapons off the streets. Mrs. Dixon, a Democrat, announced her plans Wednesday while standing among roughly 300 sawed-off shotguns, revolvers and semiautomatic handguns seized in the past month. http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20070503-104132-5605r.htm --- And In Chicago...: The Chicago Police Department and the Illinois State Police have teamed up to make good on Mayor Daley's pledge that, if it were up to him, nobody would have a gun. Daley and his elite "CAGE" unit are apparently taking advantage of gun privacy loopholes to pinpoint certain individuals for inclusion in the confiscation program. http://www.kc3.com/news/chicago_confiscation.htm --- Meanwhile, In Mogadishu...: A former warlord who has long lived by his gun was sworn in as mayor of Mogadishu on Friday and immediately ordered residents of the Somali capital to get rid of their weapons. But Mayor Mohamed Dheere offered no clear details on how that could be accomplished in a city awash in Kalashnikov rifles, machine guns and hand grenades. Previous efforts to get residents to give up their weapons have been unsuccessful. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070504/ap_on_re_af/somalia --- On The Other Hand, In Texas...: Just when Gov. Rick Perry looked increasingly like a Bush-lite homeboy, out he comes with an amazing proposal that will make him the guv hero-of-the-year with the National Rifle Association: Texans with concealed-handgun permits should be allowed to carry their pistolas everywhere...But having a permit is more trouble than it's worth. My employer forbids firearms on the premises. There are highly discouraging signs regarding weaponry at the library and City Hall, plus all kinds of no-nos involving bringing a heater to honky-tonks, schools, courthouses, churches, hospitals and athletic events... http://www.star-telegram.com/275/story/89464.html --- Is Webb Just A Federalist? The nation needs to look harder at mental health policy issues in the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings last month, Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., said today. Webb, a gun-rights supporter who has a concealed weapons permit, said he did not see the need for any change in federal gun-control laws at this time...Webb congratulated Gov. Timothy M. Kaine for signing an emergency executive order this week to require that information such as the gunman's court order be included on a state database and shared with federal law-enforcement agencies. http://www.timesdispatch.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-05-02-0133.html --- LaPierre vs. Lautenberg: The New York Times praises it as anti-terrorism legislation, but what they're not telling you is that Senator Frank Lautenberg's bill would strip away the fundamental American right of due process... not to mention the Second Amendment...His legislation would give the Justice Department the full power to put anyone they "suspect" of being involved in terrorism on a secret watch list and deny them the right to purchase a firearm. http://www.nranews.com/blogarticle.aspx?blogPostId=212 --- Wisconsin Pizza-Man Fights CCW Charge: Pizza-delivery man Andres Vegas, who shot two people in seven months who were trying to rob him during deliveries, says the concealed-carry criminal charge against him ought to be tossed out for infringing on his constitutional rights. In a motion filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court this week, lawyers for Vegas - he is fighting a misdemeanor charge for carrying a concealed weapon - contended that the state's concealed-weapons statute can't fairly be used against him because his job with Mona Lisa Pizza takes him places where he needs the gun for security. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=600547&format=print --- No Charges In Gun vs. Dog Incident: Des Moines police declined to file charges against a man who pulled a gun on a neighbor's dog. Eric Wilson, 36, of Des Moines, complained to police that a man pulled a gun and pointed it at his rottweiler about 2 p.m. Wednesday... http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/NEWS/70503003/1001/NEWS --- Iowa Residents Debate Moves By Illinois Gunmakers: Proposed anti-gun legislation in Illinois has brought controversy to the Iowa side of the border over what types of businesses cities should recruit in the name of economic development. The Illinois law, which appears headed toward passage, would make it illegal for Les Baer to run his gun factory near Rock Island, Ill., where he and his 14 employees produce high-caliber pistols and assault rifles. So Baer looked for room in Le Claire, just over the Mississippi River, to set up shop. http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/NEWS/705030391/-1/ENT05 --- Tangentially Related: For those who think it's likely that it will make more sense to vote for the Republican presidential candidate next year, Peggy Noonan shares some impressions of last night's debate: "...For the first time, as I watched, I thought: Fred Thompson shouldn't take forever to get in. History moves." http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110010023 Does Thompson Have Another Strategy?: http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/5/4/72527.shtml?s=ic http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=20553 --- From JPFO: If you haven't seen this passionate and insightful video blog by comedian Jackie Mason, watch it NOW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwjJRkB1nrA . In less than seven minutes, Jackie wipes out the myth of "safety" so often propagated by gun-prohibitionists, using many of the arguments as JPFO. http://www.jpfo.org/alert20070501.htm Yesterday we alerted our readers about the injunction issued to Red's Trading Post allowing them to continue operation despite the ATF's efforts to shut them down . We have more information on the specifics of the injunction that we found very revealing...According to the article, some of the issues Judge Lodge had with the BATFE included double-counting violations, and hiding the fact that although violations were found during investigations in 2000 and 2005, additional investigations in 2001 and 2007 revealed NO violations! http://www.jpfo.org/alert20070503.htm From AzCDL: SB 1132 would create the Homeland Security Force (HSF) and the Homeland Security Committee, along with rules and procedures to govern the HSF. It appropriates $10,000 from the state General Fund in FY 2007-2008 to the Governor for administration of the HSF. SB 1132 passed the Senate's Final Read by a vote of 18-11-1 and was sent to the Governor on May 2nd. It passed the House on April 23rd by a vote of 34-21-5. SB 1166 passed the Senate's Final read on May 2nd by a near unanimous vote of 29-0-1. It should be sent to Governor shortly. SB 1166 is the reincarnation of SB 1302, which attempted to make it clear that the legislature intended to apply the 2006 "Castle Doctrine/Burden of Proof" legislation to all cases pending at the time it was signed. On March 20th, SB 1302 was vetoed by the Governor, despite strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. You can view the Governor's veto letter by going here: http://azgovernor.gov/dms/upload/NR_030207_SB1302VetoLetter.pdf On April 4th, a "Strike Everything" amendment was added to SB 1166 in the House Appropriations committee that substituted the language from SB 1302, as well as modifications intended to address the concerns stated in the Governor's veto letter. The text of the new bill is here: http://tinyurl.com/3y7wuj . The House voted to pass SB 1166 by a vote of 32-23-5 on April 23rd. Please take the time to contact Governor Napolitano and urge her to sign SB 1132 and SB 1166. When you go to the Governor's website http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp you will find a fill-in-the-blanks form to register your opinion. For "subject", scroll down and select "Legislation." For "topic", fill in SB 1132 or SB 1166. It is best to register your opinion separately for each bill. In the "message/comment" area, leave your comments. You can also fax her a note using this number: 602-542-1381, or you can mail it to her at the following address: The Honorable Janet Napolitano Governor of Arizona 1700 West Washington Phoenix, Arizona 85007 Her email address is azgov@az.gov You can call her office toll free using this number: 1-800-253-0883 These alerts are a project of the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), an all volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization. Join today! AzCDL - Protecting Your Freedom http://www.azcdl.org/html/join_us_.html Copyright © 2007 Arizona Citizens Defense League, Inc., all rights reserved. PLEASE CIRCULATE WIDELY! House Minority Whip Steve Gallardo has been misleading the public about SB 1629, and the mainstream media is helping him do it. SB 1629, which reduces the penalty for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit for otherwise law-abiding citizens, passed the House May 1, 2007 by a vote of 37-18-5. SB 1629 cleared the full Senate on March 8th by a vote of 20-8-2. Because it was amended in the House, it must go back to the Senate for concurrence and a Final Read and vote before being sent to the Governor. As amended by the House, SB 1629 reclassifies carrying a concealed weapon without a permit as a petty offense, unless the violation occurs in the commission or attempted commission of: 1. A "serious offense or violent crime" in which case the CCW offense is a class 6 felony, or 2. Any other felony, in which case it's a class 1 misdemeanor. In a nutshell, if you're a bad guy carrying a concealed weapon, penalties have been stiffened. If you're an otherwise law-abiding citizen, it's a petty offense. But, that's not what Rep. Gallardo and his buddies in the mainstream press have been reporting: >From Doug Ramsey at KTAR (5/2/07) ... "State lawmakers came close to legalizing concealed weapons for everyone." >From Howard Fischer at the East Valley Tribune and Arizona Star (4/26/07)... "All Arizonans would be able to carry concealed weapons without fear of being jailed under the terms of legislation given preliminary House approval Wednesday." The implication is that CRIMINALS can carry concealed weapons with impunity, even though SB 1629 says different. We need to set Rep. Gallardo, and the mainstream media, straight about SB 1629. Rep. Gallardo's office email address is sgallardo@azleg.gov. His office phone is 602-926-3392, fax is 602-417-3013. Please send Rep. Gallardo a polite note asking him to tell the truth about SB 1629 when communicating to the media. Below is a sample cut-and-paste message you may use or modify: Subject: SB 1629 Rep. Gallardo I am very disappointed to hear that you have been telling the media that SB 1629 would permit all Arizonans to be able to carry concealed weapons without fear of being jailed. This implies that criminals can carry concealed weapons with impunity. You know that that is not true. Under SB 1629, if you are committing or attempting to commit a "serious offense or violent crime" it is a class 6 felony to carry a concealed weapon. For any other felony, it is still a class 1 misdemeanor. The penalty is only reduced for otherwise law-abiding citizens. Over 98% of Arizona citizens do not have concealed weapons permits, largely because the Arizona Constitution protects the right to "open carry." Unfortunately, because of a pair of 1994 Appellate Court decisions, there is no clear, objective standard in statue that law-abiding citizens can rely on to determine if we are breaking the law. SB 1629 only reduces the penalty for otherwise law-abiding citizens attempting to comply with a statue clouded by court decisions. However it INCREASES the penalty for criminals carrying concealed without a permit. It even adds the "attempted commission" language to the law to assist law enforcement in arresting those criminals who are intent on committing a crime while carrying a weapon. Rep. Gallardo, stop spreading mistruths about SB 1629 and tell the media the truth - that SB 1629 is a crime control measure that stiffens the penalty for criminals carrying concealed weapons. Many of your fellow Democrats support SB 1629. The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) supports SB 1629. I urge you to stand with those who want to get tough on crime and support SB 1629. Sincerely, Your name Address City, State zip-code In addition to contacting Rep. Gallardo, we urge you to write letters to every media outlet you know (newspapers, radio, cable and television) and tell them the truth about SB 1629. Below is a cut-and-paste letter you may use or modify: Dear Editor: Why is Arizona House Minority Whip Steve Gallardo misleading the public about Senate Bill 1629, and why are you helping him do it? ARS 13-3102.A.1 & 2 are the sections of Arizona law that say it's a crime to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. SB 1629 would make a violation of those sections a petty offense, unless the violation is committed in the commission or attempted commission of a felony. If that felony is a "serious or violent crime", this bill actually increases the current penalty, from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony. A violation committed in connection with any other felony remains a class 1 misdemeanor. In short, the only people who would get a petty offense for a concealed weapons violation are people who are doing nothing else wrong other than simply carrying a gun. Over 98% of Arizona citizens do not have concealed weapons permits, largely because the Arizona Constitution protects the right to "open carry." Unfortunately, because of a pair of 1994 Appellate Court decisions, there is no clear objective standard in statue that law-abiding citizens can rely on to determine if we are breaking the law. SB 1629 only reduces the penalty for otherwise law-abiding citizens attempting to comply with a statue clouded by court decisions. However it INCREASES the penalty for criminals carrying concealed without a permit. It even adds the "attempted commission" language to the law to assist law enforcement in arresting those criminals who are intent on committing a crime while carrying a weapon. Please stop spreading mistruths about SB 1629 and tell the truth - that SB 1629 is a crime control measure that stiffens the penalty for criminals carrying concealed weapons. SB 1629 has solid bipartisan support in the legislature. The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) supports SB 1629. I urge you to stand with those who want to get tough on crime and support SB 1629. Sincerely, Your name Address City, State zip-code telephone number We will keep you informed on the progress of SB 1629 and other important legislation. Information on this and other bills can be found at the AzCDL website: http://www.azcdl.org/html/legislation.html These alerts are a project of the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), an all volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization. Join today! AzCDL - Protecting Your Freedom http://www.azcdl.org/html/join_us_.html Copyright © 2007 Arizona Citizens Defense League, Inc., all rights reserved. -- Stephen P. Wenger Firearm safety - It's a matter for education, not legislation. http://www.spw-duf.info .