113th Congress

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Open Letter From The NRA-ILA To The US Senate

April 11, 2013 by 1 Comment

Chris Cox of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action released an open letter to the Senate. In it he states that the NRA is “unequivocally opposed” to S. 649. He states that the NRA will oppose any and all attempts to extend background checks, to limit firearms and magazines, or to criminalize private transfers and/or sales. He specifically includes the proposals from Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey issued today.

Dear Senator,

I am writing regarding the National Rifle Association’s position on several firearms-related proposals under consideration in the Senate.

S. 649, the “Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013”, introduced on March 21, contains a number of provisions that would unfairly infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners. This legislation would criminalize the private transfer of firearms by honest citizens, requiring friends, neighbors and many family members to get government permission to exercise a fundamental right or face prosecution. The NRA is unequivocally opposed to S. 649.

In addition, the NRA will oppose any amendments offered to S. 649 that restrict fundamental Second Amendment freedoms; including, but not limited to, proposals that would ban commonly and lawfully owned firearms and magazines or criminalize the private transfer of firearms through an expansion of background checks. This includes the misguided “compromise” proposal drafted by Senators Joe Manchin, Pat Toomey and Chuck Schumer. As we have noted previously, expanding background checks, at gun shows or elsewhere, will not reduce violent crime or keep our kids safe in their schools. Given the importance of these issues, votes on all anti-gun amendments or proposals will be considered in NRA’s future candidate evaluations.

Rather than focus its efforts on restricting the rights of America’s 100 million law-abiding gun owners, there are things Congress can do to fix our broken mental health system; increase prosecutions of violent criminals; and make our schools safer. During consideration of S. 649, should one or more amendments be offered that adequately address these important issues while protecting the fundamental rights of law-abiding gun owners, the NRA will offer our enthusiastic support and consider those votes in our future candidate evaluations as well.

We hope the Senate will replace the current provisions of S. 649 with language that is properly focused on addressing mental health inadequacies; prosecuting violent criminals; and keeping our kids safe in their schools. Should it fail to do so, the NRA will make an exception to our standard policy of not “scoring” procedural votes and strongly oppose a cloture motion to move to final passage of S. 649.

Should you have any questions on these issues, please do not hesitate to contact me at (202) 651-2560.

Sincerely,

Chris W. Cox

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The Next Round Of Federal Firearms Legislation

March 7, 2013 by

Since my last update, there have been three House bills dealing with firearms-related topics introduced and two in the Senate. The House bills probably aren’t going anywhere but the two Senate bills have the ability to gain some traction especially since they are the product of negotiations between Democrats and Republicans.

House

HR 848 – Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA)
Armed Prohibited Persons Act of 2013
To direct the Attorney General to make grants to States to develop systems to retrieve firearms from armed prohibited persons.
Co-Sponsors:

Rep. Speier, Jackie (D-CA)
Referred to the House Judiciary Committee

HR 955 – Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL)
Hadiya Pendleton and Nyasia Pryear-Yard Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2013
To increase public safety by punishing and deterring firearms trafficking.
Co-Sponsors:
Rep. Kaptur, Marcy (D-OH)
Referred to the House Judiciary Committee

HR 965 – Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
To prohibit the possession or transfer of junk guns, also known as Saturday Night Specials.
Referred to the House Judiciary Committee

Senate

S. 443 – Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2013
To increase public safety by punishing and deterring firearms trafficking.
Co-Sponsors:
Sen Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Sen Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Sen Durbin, Richard [D-IL]
Sen Franken, Al [D-MN]
Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Sen King, Angus S. Jr. [I-ME]
Sen Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Sen Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee

S. 480 – Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
The NICS Reporting Improvement Act of 2013
A bill to improve the effectiveness of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System by clarifying reporting requirements related to adjudications of mental incompetency, and for other purposes.
Co-Sponsors:
Sen Begich, Mark [D-AK]
Sen Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Sen Heller, Dean [R-NV]
Sen Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee
(The text of this bill is not yet available. However, from the press release put out by Sen. Graham, it seeks to clarify when a person loses his or her right to firearms due to mental illness. They do stress it has to come from an adjudicative body.)

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Newest Gun-Related Legislation In Congress (Updated)

February 26, 2013 by 2 Comments

I have been remiss in updating the list of newly introduced legislation dealing with firearms and firearm ownership. Below are the bills that have been introduced in the House of Representatives since February 5th and the Senate since January 31st. They include both pro-gun rights bills and others that would seek to trample on the Second Amendment.

House of Representatives

HR 538 – Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)
PLEA Act
To protect the Nation’s law enforcement officers by banning the
Five-seveN Pistol and 5.7 x 28mm SS190, SS192, SS195LF, SS196, and SS197
cartridges, testing handguns and ammunition for capability to penetrate
body armor, and prohibiting the manufacture, importation, sale, or
purchase of such handguns or ammunition by civilians.
Referred to House Judiciary Committee

HR 575 – Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX)
Second Amendment Protection Act of 2013
To express the sense of the Congress that the United States should not
adopt any treaty that poses a threat to national sovereignty or abridges
any rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution, such as the
right to keep and bear arms, and to withhold funding from the United
Nations unless the President certifies that the United Nations has not
taken action to restrict, attempt to restrict, or otherwise adversely
infringe upon the rights of individuals in the United States to keep and
bear arms, or abridge any of the other constitutionally protected
rights of citizens of the United States.
Referred to House Foreign Affairs Committee

HR 577 – Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX)
Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act
To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the conditions under
which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent
for certain purposes.
Referred to House Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

HR 578 – Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN)
Co-sponsors:
Rep Brady, Kevin [R-TX] – 2/14/2013
Rep Bucshon, Larry [R-IN] – 2/12/2013
Rep Griffin, Tim [R-AR] – 2/14/2013
Rep Hartzler, Vicky [R-MO] – 2/12/2013
Rep Jordan, Jim [R-OH] – 2/14/2013
Rep LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA] – 2/14/2013
Rep Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK] – 2/13/2013
Rep Meadows, Mark [R-NC] – 2/14/2013
Rep Palazzo, Steven M. [R-MS] – 2/13/2013
Rep Stockman, Steve [R-TX] – 2/12/2013
Rep Thornberry, Mac [R-TX] – 2/12/2013
Rep Walberg, Tim [R-MI] – 2/14/2013
Rep Wilson, Joe [R-SC] – 2/14/2013
Respecting States’ Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2013
To allow reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms.
Referred to House Judiciary Committee

HR 602 – Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL)
Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act
To amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the conditions under
which certain persons may be treated as adjudicated mentally incompetent
for certain purposes.
Referred to House Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

HR 619 – Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)
Keep Kids Safe Act of 2013 
To amend title 18, United States Code, to place limitations on the
possession, sale, and other disposition of a firearm by persons
convicted of misdemeanor sex offenses against children.
Referred to House Judiciary Committee

HR 661 – Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
Co-sponsors:
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT]
– 2/13/2013

Rep Farr, Sam [D-CA]
– 2/13/2013

Rep Fattah, Chaka [D-PA]
– 2/13/2013

Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [D-AZ]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Holt, Rush [D-NJ]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Honda, Michael M. [D-CA]
– 2/13/2013

Rep Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY]
– 2/13/2013

Rep McCollum, Betty [D-MN]
– 2/13/2013

Rep Moran, James P. [D-VA]
– 2/13/2013

Rep Pingree, Chellie [D-ME]
– 2/13/2013

Rep Price, David E. [D-NC]
– 2/13/2013

Rep Quigley, Mike [D-IL]
– 2/13/2013

Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA]
– 2/13/2013

Rep Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
– 2/13/2013

Rep Serrano, Jose E. [D-NY]
– 2/13/2013
Tiahrt Restrictions Repeal Act  
To repeal certain impediments to the administration of the firearms laws.
Referred to House Judiciary Committee

HR 720 – Rep. Peter King (R-NY)
Co-sponsors:
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Cicilline, David N. [D-RI]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Farr, Sam [D-CA]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Grimm, Michael G. [R-NY]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Himes, James A. [D-CT]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Holt, Rush [D-NJ]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Israel, Steve [D-NY]
– 2/14/2013

Rep McGovern, James P. [D-MA]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Moran, James P. [D-VA]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Pierluisi, Pedro R. [D-PR]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Quigley, Mike [D-IL]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-NY]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Waxman, Henry A. [D-CA]
– 2/14/2013
To increase public safety by permitting the Attorney General to deny the
transfer of a firearm or the issuance of firearms or explosives
licenses to a known or suspected dangerous terrorist.
Referred to House Judiciary Committee

HR 722 – Rep. Peter King (R-NY)
Co-sponsors:
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [D-NY]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Farr, Sam [D-CA]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Moran, James P. [D-VA]
– 2/14/2013

Rep Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY]
– 2/14/2013
To combat illegal gun trafficking, and for other purposes. 
Referred to House Judiciary Committee

HR 793 – Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA)
Co-sponsors:
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [D-NY] – 2/15/2013
Rep Cardenas, Tony [D-CA] – 2/15/2013
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [D-MO] – 2/15/2013
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT] – 2/15/2013
Rep Edwards, Donna F. [D-MD] – 2/15/2013
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [D-AZ] – 2/15/2013
Rep Hahn, Janice [D-CA] – 2/15/2013
Rep Lee, Barbara [D-CA] – 2/15/2013
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY] – 2/15/2013
Rep Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA] – 2/15/2013
Rep McGovern, James P. [D-MA] – 2/15/2013
Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA] – 2/15/2013
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC] – 2/15/2013
Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ] – 2/15/2013
Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA] – 2/15/2013
Rep Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL] – 2/15/2013
Rep Sires, Albio [D-NJ] – 2/15/2013
Rep Vargas, Juan [D-CA] – 2/15/2013
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose an excise tax on
concealable firearms and to require the Attorney General to establish a
firearms buyback grant program. 


Referred to House Judiciary Committee and to House Ways and Means Committee

Senate

S 261 – Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Co-sponsors:
Sen Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
– 2/7/2013

Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
– 2/7/2013

Sen Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
– 2/7/2013

Sen Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
– 2/7/2013

Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
– 2/7/2013
No Firearms for Foreign Felons Act of 2013  
To establish and clarify that Congress does not authorize persons
convicted of dangerous crimes in foreign courts to freely possess
firearms in the United States.
Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee

UPDATE: Here is one more to add to the list from Chuck Schumer. Interestingly enough, his office hasn’t released any sort of press release on the bill. Given that the most dangerous place in DC figuratively is between Chuck Schumer and a TV camera, this is remarkable.

S 374 – Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY)
A bill to ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from
buying a firearm are listed in the national instant criminal background
check system and require a background check for every firearm sale.
Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee

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Firearms Policy Coalition Has An Easy Way To Comment

February 7, 2013 by 2 Comments

The Firearms Policy Coalition has set up a page that lists each firearms-related bill that has been introduced into either the House or the Senate in the 113th Congress. It gives a brief summary of the bill and whether they support or oppose the bill.

You are probably saying to yourself, “So, you’ve been doing something similar”. Yes but their page contains a link for each bill that allows you to send a comment on that particular bill to your Congressman and Senators. If, for example, you just want to send a comment that says, “I oppose S.150” you can do that. However, if you want to personalize your message – and you should do that – it lets you do that.

In addition to sending a message to Congress, the link also tallies your response with other respondents for the website PopVox. For example on the aforementioned S.150 – Assault Weapons (sic) Ban of 2013 – PopVox shows 97% of respondents oppose the bill.

I am all for easy if it looks like it can be effective. Given that you can personalize the message, I think this can be effective.

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Federal Firearms Legislation Introduced In The Past Week

February 7, 2013 by 2 Comments

Three new firearms related bills have been introduced since the middle of last week in Congress. Two deal with gun trafficking and one is actually a decent bill dealing with amnesty for NFA war trophies.

HR 449 – Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL)
To provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family
members can register certain firearms in the National Firearms
Registration and Transfer Record, and for other purposes.
Referred to House Judiciary Committee, House Ways and Means Committee, and House Veterans Affairs Committee.

HR 452 – Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
Co-Sponsors:
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD] – 2/4/2013
Rep Meehan, Patrick [R-PA] – 2/4/2013
Rep Rigell, E. Scott [R-VA] – 2/4/2013
To prevent gun trafficking. 
Referred to House Judiciary Committee.

S 179 – Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Co-Sponsor:
Sen Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL] – 1/30/2013
To prevent gun trafficking.
Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee

Unless I am greatly mistaken, HR 452 and S 179 will be a reprise of legislation proposed by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) in the last session of Congress. The purpose of that bill was to deflect attention from Attorney General Eric Holder, the Department of Justice, and BATFE over Project Gunwalker. This time I think it is a cynical attempt to say there is bi-partisan support for gun control.

Reading the press release from Rep. Maloney on HR 452 one can’t help but notice that all the supporters of the bill that she lists are known gun control backers.

Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Association of
Prosecuting Attorneys, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Police
Foundation, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement
Executives, the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement
Administrators, the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department, the
Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, the Baltimore Police Department,
Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, and the Petersburg Bureau of
Police. Also in attendance were representatives from the U.S. Conference
of Mayors, the American Bar Association, CeaseFirePA, the Violence
Policy Center, and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.

CSGV and VPC? They are the enemies of gun rights. They have always been and always will be opposed to our gun rights. If they are in support of legislation dealing with firearms, it is prima facie suspect.

Sebastian has more on this bill here and suggests we keep our eye on it. I agree. I also think this falls under the rubric of what Michael Bane called flypaper laws in a blog post today. They are a trap for gun owners and are meant to trip us up one way or another.

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Sen. Harry Reid’s S.2

February 4, 2013 by 4 Comments

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced S. 2 – Sandy Hook Elementary School Violence Prevention Act of 2013 – on January 22nd. The bill is a Potemkin Village of a bill: it is a facade with nothing behind it. That is nothing behind it – yet.

And therein likes its danger. The bill as it is written now consists solely of a list of items that “express the sense of the Senate”. The co-sponsors of the bill are the usual Democrats who favor more gun control. I fear that this bill will be used as the aggregator for all the gun control proposals that Reid believes he can get passed. These will come as amendments to the bill and given that it is Reid’s bill, he’ll control the debate and the amendments.

The text of the bill is below:

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 2
To reduce violence and protect the citizens of the United States.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 22 (legislative day, January 3), 2013
Mr. REID (for himself, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. SCHATZ, Mr. BROWN, Mr. COONS, Ms. HIRONO, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mrs. BOXER, Mr. MURPHY, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. LEVIN, and Mr. ROCKEFELLER) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL
To reduce violence and protect the citizens of the United States.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Sandy Hook Elementary School Violence Reduction Act’.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF THE SENATE.

It is the sense of the Senate that Congress should–

(1) support the efforts of the President of the United States to reduce violence in the United States;
(2) promote common-sense proposals for preventing gun violence;
(3) provide law enforcement officers with the tools necessary to combat violent crime and protect communities, and protect themselves;
(4) ensure children can attend school free from the threat of violence;
(5) support States and local districts to ensure schools have the safe and successful learning conditions in which all students can excel;
(6) provide tools for identifying individuals that pose a threat to themselves or others, so they can receive appropriate assistance;
(7) keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of criminals and individuals who are not lawfully authorized to possess them;
(8) promote information-sharing that will facilitate the early identification of threats to public safety;
(9) mitigate the effects of violence by promoting preparedness;
(10) provide training for educational professionals, health providers, and others to recognize indicators of the potential for violent behavior;
(11) examine whether there is a connection between violent media and violent behavior;
(12) enable the collection, study, and publication of relevant research; and
(13) expand access to mental health services, with a focus on children and young adults.

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Another Good Letter From The AK Forum

February 4, 2013 by 1 Comment

The administrators at The AK Forum have really stepped up in providing good letters for communicating with Congress. Their 7th letter reminds elected officials that the police are not required to provide protection as established by the Court’s decision in Castle Rock v. Gonzales.


Dear (Elected Official),

I am writing to express my concerns with the recent efforts by the House and Senate to infringe upon my rights guaranteed under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Specifically, I want you to understand that I am legally responsible for my own defense.

We, as a society, expect someone else to defend and protect us. Isn’t it the job of the police officers to protect us? That which we fail to accept is that it is not. In fact, it is impossible for them to do so. On June 27, 2005, after hearing the case of Castle Rock v. Gonzales, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that individuals have no right to police protection under the federal Constitution, thus upholding what is known as public-duty doctrine. The police do not exist to protect individuals directly; they exist only to perform the general duties of deterring crime by general patrol and also to investigate after a crime has been committed to detect the perpetrator. They do not have the resources to provide individual protection to those threatened with criminal attack.

What this means is that I am the one legally responsible to defend and protect myself and my family. With the efforts of Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to strip Americans of defensive firearms, how will I be able to defend and protect myself and family? With brooms, mops, and feather dusters? I prefer the firearms that I have today that will give me the advantage required for me to meet my legal responsibility.

In summary, as a law-abiding American citizen I am deeply concerned and fearful of what our elected officials are trying to legislate in Congress. I recommend that all elected officials read and refresh their memory on the content of the U.S. Constitution, specifically the Bill of Rights. I encourage you to focus your legislative efforts on addressing the problems plaguing the mental health system, not the Second Amendment.

As my elected official, as a law-abiding citizen, I expect your support in protecting my Second Amendment rights. If you cannot support me, then I cannot support you in future elections and will seek another candidate that will fight for my rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.

Respectfully,

(YOUR NAME)

Here are a few links where you can find the names and addresses of your state’s US Senators and Representatives. First, by state, from the US Senate’s webpage.
Click on the senator’s name to be linked to their home page. From there
you can find their fax and phone numbers. Second, from the House’s webpage, you can find your Congressman by your ZIP Code. Likewise, you can get their fax and phone numbers from their home page. Finally, the NRA-ILA has a “write your
reps” address locator. It can be found here. Whichever way, write them, call them, AND fax them in both DC and one of their local offices.

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Firearms Legislation Introduced This Week In Congress

January 30, 2013 by 1 Comment

Three more bills affecting gun rights and shooting opportunities have been introduced since Monday. Two are anti-gun and come from well-known gun prohibitionists and the third is a bill that would protect hunting, shooting, and fishing on public lands. It is interesting to note that on Carolyn McCarthy’s HR 437 that 70% of the co-sponsors come from states that severely restrict gun rights.

HR.437 – Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY)
Co-Sponsors:
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [D–NY-1] – 1/29/2013
Rep Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] – 1/29/2013
Rep Brady, Robert A. [D-PA-1] – 1/29/2013
Rep Carney, John C., Jr. [D-DE] – 1/29/2013
Rep Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-17] – 1/29/2013
Rep Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] – 1/29/2013
Rep Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] – 1/29/2013
Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-13] – 1/29/2013
Rep DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] – 1/29/2013
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3] – 1/29/2013
Rep Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-21] – 1/29/2013
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18] – 1/29/2013
Rep Esty, Elizabeth H. [D-CT-5] – 1/29/2013
Rep Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22] – 1/29/2013
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [D-AZ-3] – 1/29/2013
Rep Hahn, Janice [D-CA-44] – 1/29/2013
Rep Himes, James A. [D-CT-4] – 1/29/2013
Rep Holt, Rush [D-NJ-12] – 1/29/2013
Rep Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] – 1/29/2013
Rep Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] – 1/29/2013
Rep Larson, John B. [D-CT-1] – 1/29/2013
Rep Levin, Sander M. [D-MI-9] – 1/29/2013
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19] – 1/29/2013
Rep Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] – 1/29/2013
Rep Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17] – 1/29/2013
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12] – 1/29/2013
Rep Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-6] – 1/29/2013
Rep McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4] – 1/29/2013
Rep McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] – 1/29/2013
Rep Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5] – 1/29/2013
Rep Meng, Grace [D-NY-6] – 1/29/2013
Rep Miller, George [D-CA-11] – 1/29/2013
Rep Moran, James P. [D-VA-8] – 1/29/2013
Rep Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10] – 1/29/2013
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6] – 1/29/2013
Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9] – 1/29/2013
Rep Perlmutter, Ed [D-CO-7] – 1/29/2013
Rep Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5] – 1/29/2013
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] – 1/29/2013
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-28] – 1/29/2013
Rep Scott, Robert C. “Bobby” [D-VA-3] – 1/29/2013
Rep Serrano, Jose E. [D-NY-15] – 1/29/2013
Rep Sherman, Brad [D-CA-30] – 1/29/2013
Rep Sires, Albio [D-NJ-8] – 1/29/2013
Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-NY-25] – 1/29/2013
Rep Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14] – 1/29/2013
Rep Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-15] – 1/29/2013
Rep Takano, Mark [D-CA-41] – 1/29/2013
Rep Tierney, John F. [D-MA-6] – 1/29/2013
Rep Tsongas, Niki [D-MA-3] – 1/29/2013
Rep Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD-8] – 1/29/2013
To regulate assault weapons, to ensure that the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited, and for other purposes.
Referred to the House Judiciary Committee
(Since the text hasn’t been received yet, I am presuming that this bill is the House version of Feinstein’s S.150 – Assault Weapons Ban of 2013)

S.170 – Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Co-Sponsor:
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)
– 1/29/2013
A bill to recognize the heritage of recreational fishing, hunting, and
recreational shooting on Federal public land and ensure continued
opportunities for those activities. 


Referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

S.174 – Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Co-Sponsors:
Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] – 1/29/2013
Sen Murphy, Christopher S. [D-CT] – 1/29/2013
A bill to appropriately restrict sales of ammunition. 
 Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.

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The Next Round Of Congressional Legislation

January 28, 2013 by 1 Comment

Certain congressmen and senators have been busy introducing new legislation that may impact gun rights. A number of bills dealing with school safety have also been introduced and I’m including them in this list until such time as the text of the bill becomes available. Never forget that deceptively named bills can cause immense problems for gun owners.

House of Representatives

HR.359 – Rep. Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-VA)
Co-Sponsors:
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD] – 1/23/2013
Rep Wolf, Frank R. [R-VA] – 1/23/2013
To establish and operate a National Center for Campus Public Safety.
Referred to the House Judiciary Committee

HR.404 – Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
Rep Davis, Danny K. [D-IL] – 1/23/2013
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT] – 1/23/2013
Rep Lee, Barbara [D-CA] – 1/23/2013
Rep Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY] – 1/23/2013
Rep Moran, James P. [D-VA] – 1/23/2013
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC] – 1/23/2013
Rep Pierluisi, Pedro R. [D-PR] – 1/23/2013
Rep Sherman, Brad [D-CA] – 1/23/2013
Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-NY] – 1/23/2013
Rep Takano, Mark [D-CA] – 1/23/2013
To enhance criminal penalties for straw purchasers of firearms.
Referred to the House Judiciary Committee

HR.410 – Rep. Steve Stockman (R-CA)
Restore the Constitution Act of 2013 (To provide that any executive action infringing on the Second Amendment has no force or effect, and to prohibit the use of funds for certain purposes.
)
Referred to the House Judiciary Committee

HR.427 – Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL)
Co-Sponsors:
Rep Chu, Judy [D-CA] – 1/25/2013
Rep Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL] – 1/25/2013
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [D-AZ] – 1/25/2013
Rep Lee, Barbara [D-CA] – 1/25/2013
Rep Moran, James P. [D-VA] – 1/25/2013
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC] – 1/25/2013
To prevent the illegal sale of firearms, and for other purposes.
Referred to the House Judiciary Committee

HR.431 – Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [D-NY] – 1/25/2013
Rep Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR] – 1/25/2013
Rep Cicilline, David N. [D-RI] – 1/25/2013
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY] – 1/25/2013
Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI] – 1/25/2013
Rep Ellison, Keith [D-MN] – 1/25/2013
Rep Farr, Sam [D-CA] – 1/25/2013
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [D-AZ] – 1/25/2013
Rep Holt, Rush [D-NJ] – 1/25/2013
Rep Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA] – 1/25/2013
Rep Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY] – 1/25/2013
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC] – 1/25/2013
Rep Pingree, Chellie [D-ME] – 1/25/2013
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL] – 1/25/2013
Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [D-PA] – 1/25/2013
Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [D-NY] – 1/25/2013
Rep Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] – 1/25/2013
To restore certain authorities of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to administer the firearms laws, and for other purposes.
Referred to the House Judiciary Committee

Senate

S.129 – Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
A bill to save money and reduce tragedies through prevention grants.
Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee

S.134 – Sen John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV)
Co-Sponsors:
Sen Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] – 1/24/2013
Sen Coburn, Tom [R-OK] – 1/24/2013
Sen Heller, Dean [D-NV] – 1/24/2013
Sen Johanns, Mike [R-NE] – 1/24/2013
A bill to arrange for the National Academy of Sciences to study the impact of violent video games and violent video programming on children.
Referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

S.145 – Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
A bill to amend title 32, United States Code, to authorize National Guard support for State and local efforts to keep schools safe from violence, and for other purposes.Referred to Senate Committee on Armed Services

S.146 – Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
A bill to enhance the safety of America’s schools.Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee

S.147 – Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
A bill to establish minimum standards for States that allow the carrying of concealed firearms.Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee

S.148 – Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
A bill to safeguard America’s schools by using community policing strategies to prevent school violence and improve student and school safety.Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee

S.150 – Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
See this post for more information on this bill.

Uncategorized

Another Example Of A Letter To Send

January 26, 2013 by 2 Comments

One of the administrators at The AK Forum, KrinkFreak,  has been posting a series of letters to send to Congress. The letter below is the sixth in the series. I look it as a comprehensive, everything and the kitchen sink, sort of letter. This is the sort of letter you might send if you want to hit all the bills. However, you could cut it apart and make it multiple letters by only referring to a couple of letters at a time.

Dear Elected Official,

I am writing to express my concerns with
the recent onslaught of Gun Control legislation introduced in the House
and Senate chambers. The legislation introduced by some lawmakers
seriously infringes on my rights guaranteed under the Second Amendment
of the U.S. Constitution. Specifically, I would like to address:

H.R.
21, NRA Members’ Gun Safety Act of 2013, Sponsor: Rep. James Moran,
D-VA. This would require background checks for every gun purchase,
require background checks on gun shop employees, bar those on the
terrorist watch list from buying firearms, require gun owners to report
to police when their guns are lost or stolen, and establish minimum
standards for concealed carry permits.
* This is nothing more than a
legislation “blitz” effort by the anti-gun legislators to sway public
opinion against law-abiding gunowners and to infringe upon the Second
Amendment. These requirements are already addressed in existing laws.
Enforce the existing laws, don’t waste time creating new ones.

H.R.
65, Child Gun Safety and Gun Access Prevention Act of 2013, Sponsor:
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas. This would raise the age of Handgun
Eligibility to 21 and prohibit youth from possessing semi-automatic
weapons.
* Handgun Eligibility is already 21 years of age. Also,
youths already cannot legally own/purchase semi-automatic weapons, etc.
when under the age of 18. Enforce the existing laws, don’t waste time
creating new ones.
H.R. 133, Citizens Protection Act, Sponsor:
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. This would repeal the Gun-Free School Zones
Act of 1990, which makes illegal the possession of a gun on school
grounds or within 1,000 feet of a school.
* This legislation is one
of the few coming out Congress that makes sense. Repealing this law
would allow school teachers and administrators the ability to legally
carry firearms to protect students from criminal and mentally ill
persons that want to harm our children.

H.R. 321, Firearm Safety
and Public Health Research Act of 2013, Sponsor: Rep. Carolyn Maloney,
D-N.Y. This would amend the continuing resolution to add money for
research into gun violence.
* Will this taxpayer money be used to
research why video games depicting gun violence, blood, gore, etc. are
specifically targeted towards are children? Will this taxpayer money be
used to research why Hollywood glorifies gun violence, blood, gore,
etc. in the movies specifically targeted towards the American people?

H.R.
141, The Gun Show Loophole Closing Act, Sponsor: Rep. Carolyn McCarthy,
D-N.Y. This would require criminal background checks on all firearm
transactions at gun shows.
* Is the Federal Government going to
fund/provide free FBI NICS Background Checks for law-abiding citizens to
utilize when legally selling their firearm to another individual? Or
is this another example of the Federal Government forcing the America
people to purchase something as in the case of the Affordable Care Act?

H.R. 137, Fix Gun Checks Act of 2013, Sponsor: Rep. Carolyn
McCarthy, D-N.Y. This would require background checks for every gun
sale, make sure that those barred from buying firearms are listed in the
National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
* FBI NICS checks
are already required for the legal purchase of firearms at gun stores
that have Federal Firearms Licenses. Are you going to finally address
the issue of requiring the Mental Health Care agencies and law
enforcement agencies to identify persons with mental disorders, as well
as persons that are the subject of Protection Orders and convictions of
Domestic Violence to be identified in the NICS database? If so, I
applaud the effort.

S. 22, A Bill to Establish Background Checks
Procedures for Gun Shows, Sponsor: Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. This
would ensure that those who buy guns at gun shows undergo background
checks.
* Is the Federal Government going to fund/provide free FBI
NICS Background Checks for law-abiding citizens to utilize when legally
selling their firearm to another individual? Or is this another example
of the Federal Government forcing the America people to purchase
something as in the case of the Affordable Care Act?

S.150,
Assault Weapons Ban of 2013, Sponsor: Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-CA. This bill
would stop the sale, manufacture and importation of 158 specifically
named military-style firearms and ammunition magazines that hold more
than 10 rounds. It would also ban an additional group of assault weapons
that accept detachable ammunition magazines and have at least one
military characteristic.
* This is nothing more than an assault on
law-abiding American citizen’s right to own guns under the Second
Amendment. Senator Feinstein’s measure would exempt weapons used by
government officials, law enforcement and retired law enforcement
personnel. Is this a precursor to effectively disarming the American
people and paving the way for wholesale government tyranny?

In
summary, as a law-abiding American citizen I am deeply concerned and
fearful of what our elected officials are trying to legislate in
Congress. I recommend that all elected officials read and refresh their
memory on the content of the U.S. Constitution, specifically the Bill
of Rights. I encourage you to focus your legislative efforts on
addressing the problems plaguing the mental health system, not the
Second Amendment.

As my elected official, as a law-abiding
citizen, I expect your support in protecting my Second Amendment rights.
If you cannot support me, I cannot support you in future elections.

Respectfully,

YOUR NAME

Here are a couple of the links where you can find the names and addresses of your state’s US Senators. First, by state, from the US Senate’s webpage.
Click on the senator’s name to be linked to their home page. From there
you can find their fax numbers. Second, the NRA-ILA has a “write your
reps” address locator. It can be found here. Either way, write them, call them, AND fax them.

As I said, I will be posting more letters. I have a handful that have been sent to me by readers and I need to get those up. If you have a letter that you like, please send it to me at jpr9954 AT gmail DOT com.