NRA ILA

News stories and press releases on the oral arguments before the Supreme Court in the McDonald v. City of Chicago case.

Yesterday, March 10, House File 2960, was defeated in the Crime Victims/Criminal Records Sub-Committee by a vote of 5-3. Anti-gun State Representative Michael Paymar (DFL-64B) will undoubtedly continue to seek additional ways to push his “Gun Show” legislation, despite strong opposition from his colleagues and firearm supporters across Minnesota. State Representative Michael Paymar claims he knows what is best for NRA members. Please let him know that as a resident of Minnesota and an NRA member, you are against his unfounded attacks on gun shows.

On Tuesday, March 9, during a City Council work session, City attorney Kyle Smith and Police Chief Ron Miller proposed banning the open carrying of firearms in Topeka. In 2007, the city council repealed its ban on the open carry of firearms, so it’s unclear why these officials have now proposed reinstituting such an ordinance. Since then, there have been no instances of unlawfulness or violence regarding open carry. The claims and "what ifs" stated by the opponents are unfounded and not supported by any research or facts. They are simply using scare tactics to push more stringent gun restrictions on the citizens of Topeka.

On Tuesday, March 16, the Emeryville City Council will consider a proposed ordinance that would severely restrict the sales of firearms and ammunition within city limits.

The Environment Committee will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 116 tomorrow, Friday, March 12. This bill would allow the hunting of deer with a handgun under certain circumstances.

This week, Governor Bill Richardson (D) signed Senate Bill 40, NRA-backed legislation sponsored by State Senator George Munoz (D-4) and State Representative John Heaton (D-55), which allows concealed handgun licensees to protect themselves in restaurants licensed to serve beer and wine. The new law will be effective on July 1.

Senate Bill 530 by Senator Thad Altman (R) has been scheduled to be heard on the Senate floor Tuesday, March 16, 2010. SB-530 is a bill to STOP Florida adoption agencies from forcing potential adoptive parents to register their firearms with the agency as a condition of adoption. Further, it will stop agencies from forcing these parents to follow gun control regulations regarding storage of firearms and ammunition created by the agency.This outrageous behavior has been going on too long and it is time to stop it once and for all.Senator Altman's bill will stop this gun registration and regulation.You must act quickly. URGENT! The Senate Must Hear From You!PLEASE IMMEDIATELY EMAIL Members of the Florida Senate

The National Rifle Association has a higher mean approval rating among likely voters than Barack Obama. This and other fascinating facts emerged from the Democracy Corps/Third Way national security survey released this week.

Maryland politicians should be focusing on the state's budget crisis. Instead, some lawmakers are wasting the remaining days of the legislative session to pass more gun control laws. These efforts to limit freedom should be shot down.

If you want to have a nice, relaxing cup of coffee in a safe environment, try Starbucks. The coffee shop chain, generally known for environmentalist chic, is probably one of the safest places to hang out these days for a reason that doesn't fit its image Starbucks is letting customers openly carry guns in its stores. Americans thus can enjoy their rights and wash them down with a Frappuccino.

A new attempt to let handgun permit holders take their weapons into establishments selling alcohol easily cleared its first legislative hurdle Wednesday over objections from a group representing restaurants. The bill (HB3125) is intended to remove objections to a law approved last year that was subsequently struck down by a Nashville judge as too vague. Sponsor Rep. Curry Todd, R Collierville, makes it clear that guns are allowed in all establishments serving alcohol unless every entrance is posted by the owner with a sign prohibiting them.

A proposal to require background checks on all persons buying firearms at gun shows in Minnesota failed to clear its first hurdle Wednesday before a House committee. The House Crime Victims and Criminal Records panel defeated the proposal by a 5 to 3 vote, leaving the legislation's future in doubt.

If Cleveland had its way, every gun in the city would have to be registered, no one would carry a weapon openly and popular semi-autos would be banned. All three of those rules, however -- and there are others the city would like to impose -- run contrary to an Ohio gun law that took effect three years ago establishing one set of firearm rules for everyone from Lake Erie down to the Ohio River.

In a case that drew attention from the Gun Owners Action League and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, the Supreme Judicial Court yesterday upheld a state law requiring trigger locks on guns kept in people's homes.

Borough officials have shelved a gun policy that got some people up in arms. Albion Borough Council voted 6 to 1 during a study session on Tuesday night to rescind a policy, adopted on Jan. 28, which barred people from carrying firearms onto some borough property.

On Wednesday, March 10, the Virginia State Senate passed the four pro-gun bills (HB109, HB505, HB885, and HB1191) which will now head to Governor Bob McDonnell (R) for his consideration.

On Wednesday, March 10, thanks to pro-gun State Representative Jeff Duncan (R-15), House Bill 4220 was recalled from the House Ways and Means Committee, and placed on the calendar for a floor vote tomorrow, March 11. This bill, introduced by State Representative Mike Pitts (R-14), would permanently establish the tax holiday on firearms sales on the weekend following Thanksgiving, which is known as the Second Amendment Weekend. Please contact your State Representative and urge him or her to support H. 4220. Contact information can be found by clicking here. The South Carolina State House cancelled most post-adjournment committee meetings, including the House Judiciary General Laws Sub-Committee. After being previously removed from the calendar, House Bill 3994 is still in search of a hearing date and needs your help.

On Wednesday, March 10 the House Judiciary Criminal Practice Sub-Committee passed House Bill 3125 by a vote of 4-2. This legislation will now be heard by the House Judiciary Committee.

As session continues in Phoenix, numerous NRA-supported bills continue to move forward. Legislation that has seen recent action, at various stages, include Arizona’s Right to Hunt and Fish constitutional amendment (HCR 2008), advances in concealed carry reform (HB 2347, SB 1102), and preemption reform (HB 2543).