New York: Arsenal of gun control bills

If Gov. Cuomo’s appetite for more gun control is serious, there’s no shortage of bills on the menu.From microstamping shell casings and banning assault weapons, to toughening penalties for lax storage, teaching anti gun violence in schools and providing tax credits for the purchase of gun safety equipment, lawmakers are pushing more than a dozen measures to beef up New York’s already tough gun control laws.

New York: Gun owners and shooters shuffle off to Albany

Ideally, responsible, law abiding gun owners and shooters should be good.Numbers of hunting related shooting incidents have plummeted through the 60 years of hunter safety education in New York State. Statewide conceal carry permits issued in other states have shown the accountability of pistol owners and a reduction in crimes committed.Nonetheless, anti gun groups and powerful individuals continue to appeal to legislators to enact increasingly restrictive gun ownership laws. Added to the mix are complex political issues, vicissitudes of budgeting and influence gathering and a host of insider activity that makes Albany a brokerage house for outdoors interests and concerns.

Hawaii: NRA Instructor Liability Bill Granted Hearing

As reported two weeks ago, House Bill 679 passed in the state House Public Safety and Military Affairs (PBM) Committee with no amendments.  Thanks to the overwhelming support by NRA members, HB 679 has been scheduled for a hearing in the state House Judiciary Committee this Thursday, March 1, at 2:00 p.m. in House Conference Room 325 of the State Capitol.

Pennsylvania: Firearms Preemption Enhancement Bill Postponed until March

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has again postponed its second consideration of the NRA-backed House Bill 1523 – this time until the week of March 12.  House Bill 1523, sponsored by state Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-12), would strengthen Pennsylvania’s firearms preemption law to further ensure firearm and ammunition laws are uniform throughout the state.  

Oregon: CHL Confidentiality Bill Needs Your Immediate Help!

Yesterday, NRA-supported House Bill 4045 passed in the state House of Representatives by a 44 to 14 vote.  HB 4045 has been forwarded to the Oregon Senate, but has not yet been assigned to a committee.  Sponsored by state Representative Kim Thatcher (R-25), HB 4045 would provide for the confidentiality of Concealed Handgun License holders’ personal information.

Michigan Moves in the Right Direction with NRA-Backed Youth Mentored Hunting Program

On February 10, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission approved an NRA-backed program that encourages youth participation in hunting, trapping and fishing.  Although this program contains unnecessary and vague language requiring mentored hunters to “stay at arm’s length” of an adult mentor, Michigan’s Mentored Youth Hunting Program is a significant step in the right direction.  As has been proven in other states, mentored hunting programs are an essential tool for recruiting the next generation of hunters.

New Mexico: Senate Bill 26 Passes House and is Sent to Governor Martinez for Her Signature!

Senate Bill 26, sponsored by state Senator Bill Payne (R-ABQ) and carried in the House during the last few critical days of session by state Representative Bill Rehm (R-ABQ), passed in the state House by an overwhelming 61 to 6 vote the night before the Legislature adjourned sine die today.  This bill is now on its way to Governor Susana Martinez for her signature.  Thank you to everyone who made calls and sent e-mails to your legislators for NRA-supported bills this session!

West Virginia: NICS Exemption Bill Passes Senate Committee Unanimously

Yesterday, the state Senate Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 353 unanimously by a voice vote!  Thank you to all of the Judiciary members who voted to expedite the firearm purchasing process for concealed carry permit holders in the Mountain State.

Obama’s fast and furious spin

President Obama is using his budget to advance an anti gun agenda just before the election. One particularly sneaky provision buried deep within his submission to Congress Monday would, if enacted, allow the mistakes of the “Fast and Furious” gun walking scandal to be repeated

Miller: Next steps for D.C. gun rights

The D.C. City Council is working on legislation this month that could ease some of the gun restrictions in the nation’s capital.While my ultimate goal is to end D.C.’s firearms registration law, I understand the limitations of dealing with a liberal council. My hope is that my personal experience as documented in the “Emily Gets Her Gun” series will help make the current registration process easier for other residents.