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.

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.

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

Long before Al Gore “created” the Internet, gun owners were busy perfecting grassroots networking. Today, gun owners have an almost unlimited number of ways to spread information crucial to our community. And, while the Internet is certainly an indispensible tool for protecting our rights, an unfortunate side effect has been the fast and easy spread of rumors.

Last week, 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 firearms 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 January 19, a federal judge in Chicago allowed NRA-supported plaintiffs to move ahead with a challenge to that city’s laws that ban anyone from possessing or carrying a handgun except in his or her home, and that ban possession or carriage of a long gun anywhere outside his or her home or place of business.

NRA will appeal yesterday’s decision by a federal court in Texas, which held that the Second Amendment doesn’t protect any right to keep or bear arms outside the home.

Yesterday, the state Senate Natural Resources and Environment Subcommittee passed Senate Joint Resolution 2001 by a 2 to 1 vote and it will now go before the full committee. This resolution, sponsored by state Senator Dick Dearden (D-34), would remove the Iowa Natural Resources Commission’s unnecessary regulation banning the use of traditional ammunition for dove hunting. Senators Dearden and Shawn Hamerlinck (R-42) voted for the resolution, while Senator Joe Bolkom (D-39) voted against it. Also yesterday, the state House Natural Resources Subcommittee passed the House companion resolution to SJR 2001 by a 3 to 2 vote. HJR 2001, sponsored by state Representative Clel Baudler (R-58) now goes to the full House Natural Resources committee. Representatives Clel Baudler, Mark Smith (D-43), Henry Rayhons (R-11) voted for the resolution, while Representatives Curtis Hansen (D-90) and Sharon Steckman (D-13) voted against it.

On Wednesday, January 25, the Senate Public Policy Committee will vote on Senate Bill 315, authored by state Senator Randy Head (R-18). SB 315 will streamline the licensing and reporting process for charity gaming events, such as Friends of NRA banquets, by: