The number of gun permits issued in NSW has almost doubled in the past five years, sparking calls for restrictions on how many guns people can acquire.
Figures from the NSW firearms registry show 111,792 permits to acquire a firearm were issued in 2009 and 2010. That was 29,427 more than for the previous two year period. In 2005 and 2006, there were 65,997 permits issued.

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.

The Illinois State Rifle Association appears to be trying to stir up a firestorm ahead of an Oak Park gun forum next week. The gun group emailed, tweeted and posted on its Facebook page an “urgent alert,” asking supporters to show up for the Jan. 24 focus group at village hall. In it, the rifle association says the “gun grabbers” in Oak Park are trying to “launch a whole new attack on your right to keep and bear arms,” starting next week.

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.

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.