Today, the Virginia Senate passed Senate Bill 245 by a decisive 34 to 5 vote.  Sponsored by state Senator Mark Obenshain (R-26), SB 245 would update Virginia’s Emergency Powers statute by adding lawful carrying and transportation of firearms to the list of actions that cannot be prohibited during a declaration of emergency.  This legislation will now be sent to the House of Delegates for consideration.

Yesterday, the state House Natural Resources Committee passed House Joint Resolution 2001 by a 17 to 4 vote.  HJR 2001, which is the House companion of Senate Joint Resolution 2001, is now headed to the House floor for consideration.  SJR 2001 and HJR 2001 would rescind the Iowa Natural Resources Commission’s unjustified and dangerous regulation banning the use of traditional ammunition for dove hunting. 

Yesterday, the state House Natural Resources Committee passed House Joint Resolution 2001 by a 17 to 4 vote.  HJR 2001, which is the House companion of Senate Joint Resolution 2001, is now headed to the House floor for consideration.  SJR 2001 and HJR 2001 would rescind the Iowa Natural Resources Commission’s unjustified and dangerous regulation banning the use of traditional ammunition for dove hunting. 

Recently, a federal district court in Washington, D.C. issued a ruling upholding an Obama administration policy that requires federally licensed firearms retailers in states bordering Mexico to report multiple sales of semi-automatic rifles.  The case was brought by two NRA-backed firearm retailers and by the National Shooting Sports Foundation acting on behalf of its affected members.  Plaintiffs have already filed an appeal—but while we await the outcome, your help is urgently needed in seeking congressional action to end this illegal policy.

On Wednesday, the Senate Public Policy Committee passed Senate Bill 315, authored by state Senator Randy Head (R-18), by a 9 to 1 vote.  This bill will come up for a vote in the Senate as early as Monday.  SB 315 will streamline the licensing and reporting process for charity gaming events, such as Friends of NRA banquets, by…

On Monday, January 30, the District of Columbia City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Bill 19-614, the Firearms Amendment Act of 2011.  This hearing will be held at 11:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber of the John A. Wilson Building.

In a move that stunned members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the chief of the criminal division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona has cited his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination and refused to testify.

Yesterday, state Senator Don Balfour (R-9) introduced NRA-backed legislation, Senate Bill 350.  SB 350 would require local and state police authorities to return seized firearms, not currently being held as evidence in a criminal investigation, to the lawful owner if able.

Yesterday, the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1 worked through a slate of gun-related legislation and unanimously passed five pro-gun bills:  House Bill 20, House Bill 22, House Bill 26, House Bill 375 and House Bill 940. This subcommittee also failed to report the two anti-gun bills: House Bill 364 and House Bill 458.

On Monday, January 30, the New Jersey Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee is scheduled to consider Assembly Bill 588 and Assembly Bill 1013.  The hearing will be held at 2:00 p.m. in Committee Room 16, 4th Floor, State House Annex in Trenton.