As Arizona state officials open their own probe into Operation Fast and Furious, the head of the House panel investigating the gunrunning scandal is crying foul over a key player’s move Tuesday to assert his Fifth Amendment right to refuse to answer questions.

The number of people licensed to own guns in Illinois jumped by more than 78,500 last year, possibly fueled by a belief the state was poised to legalize the concealed carry of weapons.
According to figures provided by the Illinois State Police, nearly 1.4 million people had firearm owner’s identification cards as of Jan. 1, compared to slightly more than 1.3 million the year before.

Spartanburg County Council’s lone Democrat wants Sheriff Chuck Wright to stop encouraging residents to obtain concealed weapons permits. Councilman Michael Brown says his constituents believe the statements promote an environment of lawlessness in the community.

On January 23, NRA-backed legislation that would prohibit employers from preventing employees from lawfully storing firearms in their locked personal vehicles was formally introduced in the state House of Representatives.  Introduced by House Speaker Val Rausch (R-4) and sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Russell Olsen (R-8), House Bill 1132 will address a long standing issue for South Dakotans.

Yesterday, the state House Public Safety Subcommittee passed HF 573 by a 2 to 1 vote.  This important “stand your ground” self-defense legislation will now be heard by the full House Public Safety Committee as early as tomorrow.  State Representatives Clel Baulder (R-58) and Matt Windschitl (R-56) voted to pass HF 573, while Representative Rick Olson (D-68) voted against it.  Also, Senate Joint Resolution 2001 passed in the state Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee by a 9 to 3 vote.   In the meantime, House Joint Resolution 2001, House companion of SJR 2001, is expected to be voted on tomorrow in the state House Natural Resources Committee. 

As Arizona state officials open their own probe into Operation Fast and Furious, the head of the House panel investigating the gunrunning scandal is crying foul over a key player’s move Tuesday to assert his Fifth Amendment right to refuse to answer questions.

The 2012 Session of the Tennessee General Assembly is underway.  On January 25, Senate Bill 3002 and Senate Bill 2992 were introduced by state Senator Mike Faulk (R-4).  These NRA-drafted bills would prevent employers from discriminating and enforcing policies against the storage of lawfully-owned firearms in employees’ locked private motor vehicles parked at work.  

Yesterday, the state House Public Safety Subcommittee passed HF 573 by a 2 to 1 vote.  This important “stand your ground” self-defense legislation will now be heard by the full House Public Safety Committee as early as tomorrow.  State Representatives Clel Baulder (R-58) and Matt Windschitl (R-56) voted to pass HF 573, while Representative Rick Olson (D-68) voted against it.  Also, Senate Joint Resolution 2001 passed in the state Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee by a 9 to 3 vote.  In the meantime, House Joint Resolution 2001, House companion of SJR 2001, is expected to be voted on tomorrow in the state House Natural Resources Committee. 

In our alert last year, we reported about the new Discover Pass that is now required when accessing certain public lands in Washington by motor vehicle.  House Bill 2217, sponsored by state Representatives Christopher Hurst (D-31), Cathy Dahlquist (R-31) and Dan Kristiansen (R-39), would make necessary improvements to the taxing Discover Pass.

Today, NRA-backed Senate Bill 243 passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 7 to 1 vote!  This bill will now head to the full Senate for a floor vote.  Currently, Indiana law permits use of suppressors for all shooting activities except for the taking of game.  Enactment of SB 243 would ensure that hunting is treated the same way as other shooting activities with respect to the use of suppressors, and allow hunters to reap the many benefits suppressor use provides.