In another sign that the Senate Courts of Justice Committee is out of touch with the common beliefs of the citizens of Virginia, a bill designed to codify the common law principle known as the â??Castle Doctrine,â?? was defeated by a vote of 9 to 6.
Gun-rights supporters had reason to cheer Tuesday after the Virginia General Assembly gave final approval to a bill allowing concealed weapons permit holders to enter restaurants that serve alcohol. Two other bills friendly to gun owners also won final approval.
Source: http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/InTheNews.aspx?ID=13491
The Environment Committee will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 8 at 10:30 A.M. in Room 1D of the Legislative Office Building (LOB) regarding Raised Senate Bill 207 and Raised Senate Bill 274.
REPORT ON ROUND 3 — SB-1158 Trust Fund by Senator Charlie Dean (R) Senate Bill 1158 by Senator Charlie Dean (R) was heard on the Senate floor yesterday afternoon (Tuesday March 2, 2010 — opening day of legislative session) for discussion, questions and for the hearing of any potential amendments. SB-1158 is a bill to STOP legislative raids to remove (confiscate) gun owner money from the Division of Licensing Trust Fund — that holds funding to administer the Concealed Weapons & Firearms Licensing program.Your emails to Senators were very effective (profuse thanks for your help). There were no attempts to amend or harm the bill. Under the rules, the bill will next be heard on third reading and final passage — hopefully today when the Senate comes back into session.REPORT ON ROUND 4 — HB-651 Trust Fund by Representative David Rivera (R) House Bill 651 by Representative David Rivera (R) was heard in the House Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development yesterday (Tuesday March 2, 2010 — opening day of legislative session). HB-651 is a bill to STOP legislative raids to remove (confiscate) gun owner money from the Division of Licensing Trust Fund — that holds funding to administer the Concealed Weapons & Firearms Licensing program.Once again your emails to Committee Members were very effective (many more thanks for your help). Some committee members commented to us about the outstanding quality and quantity of emails from NRA/USF members and supporters. There were no attempts to amend or harm the bill and no negative comments. After testimony and favorable questioning, the committee voted unanimously 16 to 0 to pass the bill out of committee.
On Monday, March 1, NRA-supported LB 817 successfully advanced in the Cornhusker State from General File to Select File. This bill would allow for a Nebraska concealed carry permit to also be used as an individualâ??s permit to purchase card. During the first round of debate, known as General File, two amendments were added to the bill. NRA was not opposed to either amendment.
As we reported, the House Judiciary General Laws Sub-Committee planned to consider House Bill 3994 today but it ran out of time. As of this morning, the bill had not been rescheduled.
Anti-gun State Representative Michael Paymar (DFL-64B) has once again introduced legislation that would severely regulate the sale of firearms at gun shows.
News stories and press releases on the oral arguments before the Supreme Court in the McDonald v. City of Chicago case.
Source: http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/InTheNews.aspx?ID=13492
A western Pennsylvania man has gone to court over a borough’s recent policy banning guns in some borough-owned buildings and on land containing wells feeding the public water system. Dan Galena, of East Springfield, has filed a private criminal complaint against the borough of Albion and local officials over the policy, which he says violates Pennsylvania’s constitution and state law barring local governments from regulating firearms.
Source: http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/InTheNews.aspx?ID=13488
Gun rights proponents in the Illinois Legislature began pushing several measures Tuesday to allow residents to carry concealed weapons, timing the moves with a U.S. Supreme Court challenge of Chicago’s long-standing gun ban."It is a very important day for gun owners today," state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, told the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee. The committee later voted to advance one of the bills.
Source: http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/InTheNews.aspx?ID=13489
Coffee chain Starbucks said Wednesday it’s sticking to its policy of letting customers carry guns where it’s legal and is asking not to be put in the middle of a larger gun-control debate.
Source: http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/InTheNews.aspx?ID=13490
On Wednesday, March 3, the House Civil Justice Committee will hold a hearing on House File 1396. This bill includes a provision that would allow a court that issues a domestic abuse protective order to prohibit the respondent from having any contact with a PET OR COMPANION ANIMAL OWNED, POSSESSED, OR KEPT by a party protected in the order. This new provision could have serious consequences for Minnesotans who exercise their right to keep and bear arms.
The House Resources and Conservation Committee approved House Bill 531aa 13 to 3. This important legislation, sponsored by Representative Judy Boyle (R-Midvale), would amend Idahoâ??s existing law to limit public access to Fish and Game records of issued tags. HB 531aa would also prohibit future harassment, intimidation and threats relating to the lawful taking and control of fish and wildlife. As the law currently stands any person or organization can contact Fish and Game and request the names of all people who have been issued tags and what type of hunting tag they have been issued.
On Thursday, March 4, the new â??specialâ?? Senate Sub-Committee created to handle all firearm related bills passed by the House of Delegates, will meet at 2 p.m. in the 4th Floor East Conference Room.
On Friday, February 26, House Bill 4521, "The Second Amendment Appreciation Act" was passed by an overwhelming bi-partisan majority in the West Virginia House of Delegates. This bill would allow for an annual sales tax exemption on all firearm purchases during the first weekend in October. HB 4521 now awaits action in the Senate Finance Committee.
With the end of last weekâ??s floor session, the Assembly Democrat Leadership missed yet another opportunity to schedule the Castle Doctrine bill, Assembly Bill 193, for a floor vote. A similar bill passed the Assembly unanimously on a voice vote in 2007, so there is a history of support in the Assembly. Wisconsin citizens’ right to self-defense should not be ignored for political reasons. AB 193 would help restore the basic right of self-defense that all Americans are entitled too. Under this bill, if a person used defensive force that was intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm, the court must presume that the person reasonably believed that the force was necessary. While the Wisconsin State Constitution already recognizes self-defense as a guaranteed right, this bill would further clarify it. We cannot let this bill languish! If AB 193 passes the Assembly, it will still need to go through the Senate committee process and receive time on the Senate floor. Please contact your State Representative today and respectfully urge him or her to schedule AB 193 for a vote. Contact information for your legislators can be found here.
On Wednesday, March 3, House Bill 3994 is scheduled to be heard before the House Judiciary General Laws Sub-committee. The hearing is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., in Room 516 of the Blatt Building in Columbia.
In the 2008 â??Hellerâ?? decision, the Supreme Court struck down Washington, D.C.â??s handgun ban and gunlock requirements. Unsurprisingly, gun control advocates predicted disaster. They were wrong. What actually happened in our nationâ??s capital after the Heller decision ought to be remembered tomorrow as the Supreme Court hears a similar constitutional challenge to the Chicago handgun ban.
Source: http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/InTheNews.aspx?ID=13486