An online campaign in support of a former U.S. Marine — arrested for attempting to security check his pistol while visiting the Empire State Building — is bringing new attention and a fair amount of scrutiny to one of the nation’s toughest gun control laws. Ryan Jerome, 28, was charged with criminal possession of his .45 caliber Ruger while visiting the famous New York landmark during a September vacation with his girlfriend. Jerome has a license to carry the weapon from his home state of Indiana, but New Yorks state gun laws do not recognize out of state permits.

On January 19, Legislative Bill 807 was heard by the Judiciary Committee.  Introduced by state Senator Scott Lautenbaugh (18), this legislation would amend and clarify the current concealed carry permit disqualifications and help expedite the application process.

In Illinois, the Family and Personal Protection Act that would allow gun owners to carry loaded firearms — either openly or concealed — in a vehicle and into certain public places came up six votes shy in the Illinois House last year. Anti gun lawmakers from the Chicago area provided most of the opposition. But the debate is not over: State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D Harrisburg, expects to bring the bill back for another vote this year.

Later today (January 23), the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee is scheduled to hear Senate Bill 245. 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. If this legislation passes in the committee, it will then be sent to the state Senate for consideration.

This Wednesday, January 25, the state Senate is expected to consider Senate Bill 464, legislation that would remove the prohibition on Sunday hunting in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This legislation passed in the state Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee by an 11 to 4 vote last week.

On Tuesday, January 24, the state House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a vote on two very important firearm bills.

During the opening week of West Virginia’s 2012 legislative session, Delegate John Doyle (D-57) introduced House Bill 2229, legislation which would limit the number of handguns that law-abiding individuals would be able purchase in West Virginia. This “gun rationing” bill has been sent to the state House Judiciary Committee for further consideration.

Legislative Bill 804, backed by the National Rifle Association, is scheduled to be heard in the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, January 25 at 1:30 p.m., in Room 1113 of the Nebraska Capitol. This legislation would help strengthen the state Castle Doctrine law as it exists today.

On Wednesday, January 25, NRA-backed Senate Bill 243 will be heard in the state Senate Judiciary Committee. SB 243, authored by state Senators Ron Grooms (R-46), Travis Holdman (R-19) and John Waterman (R-39), would allow Hoosiers to use lawfully-possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms for hunting. 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.

Due to inclement weather, the state Senate Transportation Committee hearing for Senate Bill 6123 has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 26, at 3:30 pm.  This hearing will be held in Senate Hearing Room 1 of the J.A. Cherberg Building in Olympia.