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Brian McCombie

California Anti-Ammunition Bill Moves Forward

“Los Angeles assemblyman Kevin De Leon's Assembly Bill 962, a…bill that would drastically restrict ammunition sales, require thumb-printing when purchasing ammunition and ban all mail-order sales, is still moving through the California legislature,” The Daily Bulletin reported. AB 962 passed out of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety last week, and moved to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, where it could be heard as soon as this week.

According to the National Rifle Association, “AB962 would make it a crime to privately transfer more than 50 rounds of ammunition per month, even between family and friends, unless you are registered as a ‘handgun ammunition vendor’ in the Department of Justice’s database. Ammunition retailers would have to be licensed and store ammunition in such a manner that it would be inaccessible to purchasers. The bill would also require purchasers submit to fingerprinting, which would be submitted to the Department of Justice.”

The NRA urged all California gun owners to contact their Assembly members, especially those serving on the Appropriations Committee, “and respectfully urge them to oppose AB962.”

SOURCES: NRA CA ammo bill, 4/22/09

CA ammo bill, Daily Bulletin 4/24/09:

https://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_12216821

 

Ohio: Proposed Anti-Gun Regulations for County Workers Softened

In Summit County, Ohio, home to the city of Dayton, county officials have proposed regulations to prohibit county employees from having access to firearms while on the job. But after criticism that some of the proposals violated Second Amendment rights, “The county no longer will seek to prohibit employees from carrying a legal firearm or handgun in their personal vehicles when they are working˜a move that effectively would have barred workers from having a weapon while commuting to and from work,” the Columbus Dispatch reported.

Said Jason Dodson, chief of staff for County Executive Russ Pry, “It was never our intent to limit that right.”

Originally, a proposed county ban against employees having firearms in county vehicles was extended to include personal vehicles. “County Councilwoman Gloria Rodgers, who raised doubts about the [larger] proposal∑said she appreciated the proposed change but still doesn't see the need for the legislation.”

“We should let people have their constitutional rights,” Rodgers told the Dispatch. She noted that county workers have faced dangerous situations in the past, and should have the ability to protect themselves.

U.S. Supremes to New York City: No!

Ending nine years of litigation, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear New York City's request to continue a lawsuit that tried to hold firearms manufacturers responsible for the criminal misuse of firearms. Among the gun makers in the suit were Beretta USA Corp., Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., Colt's Manufacturing Co. LLC, Sturm, Ruger & Co. and Glock GmbH.

A key issue here was a federal law, the Protection of the Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which banned most lawsuits against firearm manufacturers.

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), “The city's lawsuit was originally filed in 2000 by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and was continued by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. After the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act was passed by Congress in 2005, a federal judge threw out the New York lawsuit. Then in April of 2008, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that decision, saying the new law was constitutional. New York's final recourse was to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court,” and that has failed.

“We are very pleased by today's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to not review lower appellate court rulings that dismissed cases based on the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act,” said Steve Sanetti, NSSF president. “These baseless lawsuits against responsible, law-abiding companies are the type that Congress intended to prevent by passing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.”

Arkansas: Concealed Carry Privacy Bill Passes House, Goes To Senate

By a vote of 98 to 1, the Arkansas State House passed House Bill 1623 last week, proposed legislation to protect the identities of concealed carry holders. That bill was authored by Representative Randy Stewart (D-23), a former Olympic shooter and a concealed-carry course instructor.

According to the National Rifle Association, “This legislation was drafted in response to the invasion of Right to Carry permit holders’ privacy when a list of permittees was published online, and it will make private the personal information of all Right to Cary permit holders. HB 1623 allows for the list to be accessed only by law enforcement agencies for the purpose of assisting with a criminal investigation or prosecution, or for determining the validity of, or eligibility for, a license.”

The website for the Arkansas Times published the list.

“We’re not trying to pit the Second Amendment against the First Amendment, but I think in this time they’re kind of converging,” Stewart told the Associated Press. “And we need to do some protection for the people, the law-abiding citizens, who have gone to the trouble to (take) the class, the background check, pay $144.25 for the license. We need to protect their rights also.”

The bill moved onto the Arkansas Senate for consideration.

‘Made In Montana’ May Trigger A Federal Lawsuit

Under a proposed law currently being debated in the Montana Legislature, “firearms, weapons components and ammunition made in Montana and kept in Montana would be exempt from federal regulation, potentially releasing some Montanans from national gun registration and licensing laws,” The Missoulian reported. “The legislation could also free gun purchasers in the state from background checks.”

“Firearms are inextricably linked to the history and culture of Montana, and I'd like to support that,” said Republican Rep. Joel Boniek, the bill's sponsor. “But I want to point out that the issue here is not about firearms. It's about state rights.”

Those rights could very well be reviewed in a federal court of law, as the “Made in Montana” bill was “intentionally drafted to draw the feds into court,” over the issues of mandatory gun background checks and various licensing requirements. At the same time, argued the bill’s proponents, the measure could jump-start a thriving firearms industry in the Big Sky State.

The Montana House has passed the bill, and the Senate is expected to do likewise.

Tennessee: A Number Of Pro-Gun Bills In Play

Tennessee gun owners will be the winners if a series of pro-gun bills are passed by the state legislature this session.

“Tennessee legislators have filed a rash of new bills to allow guns in state and local parks, restaurants serving alcohol and even schools, and [bills] also limiting public access to lists of gun-carry permit holders,” the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported. “Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, R-Collierville, who is sponsoring two of the gun bills…believes the measures stand a much better chance of passing this year as a result of the new GOP majority in the legislature.”

In past sessions, House committees controlled by Democrats have killed various pro-gun bills.

“There is also a renewed push this year on bills to make confidential the identities of gun-carry permit holders at the state Department of Safety, the licensing agency, and to make it a crime for anyone, including media organizations, to publish identities of anyone with the permits,” the Commercial Appeal noted.

Indeed, the Commercial Appeal itself launched a website with a searchable database of Tennessee concealed-carry permit holders, arguing the information was a public record. Senator Norris said that the newspaper’s database, “has added to the concern by a number of people who fear for their safety—either those who have permits and may be identified as having weapons in their homes, and those who by exclusion are not identified and now feel susceptible to those who may look to see who are not permitted. And I share those concerns.”

Seeking a “F.A.I.R.” Deal For Firearms and Ammunition Importers and Exporters

The F.A.I.R. Trade Group was formed several years ago to protect the interests of the Firearms and Ammunition Import and Export community. A 501c(6) organization, F.A.I.R. Trade is operated entirely on membership dues. F.A.I.R. Trade works with many U.S. government agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (BATFE), the Department of State, and the U.S. Customs Service, as well as Congress, on issues of concern to the industry.

As a F.A.I.R. Trade press release explained, “International commerce in legal sporting firearms and ammunition is legitimate commerce that should not be diminished by controls imposed by international regulatory initiatives such as those undertaken by the United Nations. It is important that our industry has a voice in the national and international forum.”

Among F.A.I.R. Trade accomplishments, since 2005, are: “Securing the development of an Industry/State Department working group to re-examine current firearms export policy; Developing legislation and securing the support of the Industry, White House, Department of Justice and Congressional advocates to correct the determination of [Department of Justice] that certain barrels, frames and receivers are not importable; Restricting BATFE from making any changes to the current Curio and Relic list; Intervening at BATFE and securing a longer grace period before the cessation of imports of certain barrels, frames and receivers.”

For more information, visit the F.A.I.R. Trade website at: https://www.fairtradegroup.org/mainpage.htm

Texas Campus Carry Bills Will be “Hotly Debated”

In the 2009 legislative session, Texas politicians will have the chance to debate at least two bills of interest to state gun owners. Expect some legislative fireworks.

As the Express-News reported, “Lawmakers are drafting bills˜one to authorize the ability to carry a gun on campus and another to allow licensed handgun owners to openly carry their weapons˜that likely will be the most hotly debated among several pieces of gun-related legislation to be considered this session.”

The open carry bill will generate some talk. Yet, “Of the two issues, the ability to carry a concealed gun on campus is expected to evoke more emotion. Discussion over guns on college campuses burst on the national scene two years ago, sparked by the fatal shootings of 32 students at Virginia Tech. Since then, 17 states have introduced legislation to allow students and faculty to pack heat on campus. None has passed.”

Texas State Sen. Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio) was drafting a bill allowing concealed carry on campuses. He told the Express-News his bill was a “safety protection bill” for college students and faculty.

“I don't want to wake up one morning and hear on the news that some madman went on a Texas campus and picked off Texas students like sitting ducks,” Wentworth said.

“A [Texas] House interim study conducted by the Law Enforcement Committee˜which noted that only 11 U.S. universities allow concealed guns on campus˜recommended passage of such a measure. The committee's chairman, Rep. Joe Driver, has also said he's going to author a campus gun bill of his own.”

Serious Delays in Receiving Illinois Firearm Identity Cards

Recently, the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) received dozens of phone calls from firearm owners who are waiting a month or more to have applications for Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) cards processed by the Illinois State Police.

According to ISRA, “Under Illinois law, persons wishing to purchase or possess firearms and/or ammunition must hold a valid FOID card. To obtain a FOID card, one must complete an official application form and submit the form along with a recent photo and the required fee to the Illinois State Police for processing. Once issued, a FOID card is valid for 10 years. Upon expiration, the application process must be repeated. Persons who possess firearms or ammunition without holding a valid FOID card are subject to arrest and felony prosecution.”

Illinois law requires that, within 30 days of the application date, the State Police must either issue a FOID or provide written notification as to why an application was turned down. “ISRA representatives were told by State Police officials that inadequate staffing and funding were to blame for the slowdown in application processing. Those same officials were unable to say when, if ever, the situation would improve.”

“This is a very serious situation,” said ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson. “By failing to process FOID renewals in a timely manner, the Illinois State Police are, in effect, denying the applicant's right to own firearms. Without a valid FOID, an otherwise law-abiding citizen cannot hunt, go to the target range, or even continue to own their lawfully-acquired firearms.”

California Gun Show Case Goes To Appeals Court

Gun show promoters Russell and Sallie Nordyke, of Willows, California, operate the gun show company TS Trade Shows. They began presenting gun shows at California’s Alameda County fair in 1991. But in 1999, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors passed a bill banning firearm possession on county property—which effectively nixed the Nordyke’s gun shows, too.

Recently, the Nordyke’s were in court, asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn past rulings which upheld the county’s no guns position.

As CBS5, in San Francisco reported, “The Nordykes sued the county in federal court in San Francisco in 1999…The case has already been to the California Supreme Court, which ruled in 2002 that the county measure was not pre-empted by state law…In 2003, the 9th Circuit said the ban didn't violate the Second Amendment, because, according to the court, the amendment protected only a collective state right and not an individual right to bear arms.”

But that last ruling came before last year’s Heller case, “in which the U.S. Supreme Court said…that the Second Amendment applies to individuals. The ruling…struck down a Washington, D.C., ban on handgun possession. The Nordykes say the Heller decision means the Alameda County law should also be overturned.”

Said the Nordyke’s attorney Donald Kilmer, “We are asking to be allowed to hold the traditionally law-abiding gun shows held in the country fair for 10 years.”

Wyoming Bill Would Notify Gun Owners of Rights

Editor's Note: This article was originally posted with the headline “Wyoming Bill Would Limit Gun Rights.” The headline has been changed to reflect the nature of the article. Gun Digest apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.

Wyoming lawmakers will consider a bill that could have some major implications for state gun owners and their gun rights. According to the Casper Star-Tribune, “A bill drafted for the upcoming legislative session would require judges to inform defendants that a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction would cost them their gun rights. The bill would also classify misdemeanor domestic violence as a serious offense requiring defendants to have lawyers.”

The bill's main sponsor is State Senator Cale Case (R-Lander), who told the Star-Tribune, “To be honest, I think there might be some push-back from the courts to this idea that you can have a lawyer assigned for misdemeanor case, because they don't normally do that.”

Case has heard from constituents, more than once, who were unaware that their right to own firearms was forfeited with a guilty plea in a misdemeanor domestic violence case, thanks to a 1996 federal law.

“They don't know that [a conviction means the loss of their gun rights] when they commit the crime, I'll tell you that,” Case said. “But usually they learn about it as they go through the process. It seems like a minor thing to ask, that they be informed.”

Chicago Wins a Round in Handgun Ban Lawsuit

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has suffered a setback in its attempt to end the City of Chicago’s ban on handguns. But the fight is far from over.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Washington, D.C., handgun ban in Heller v District of Columbia. That handgun ban was very similar to the one currently in force in Chicago. So soon after the Supreme Court’s decision, “The National Rifle Association then challenged Chicago's ban,” the Chicago Tribune reported, by filing a lawsuit in Illinois.

Recently, though, “U.S. District Judge Milton Shadur rejected the gun rights group's effort to extend the D.C. ruling to Chicago and Oak Park. Shadur concluded this month that the Supreme Court decision did not give him the authority to take such action.”

“The NRA immediately appealed Shadur's decision, and [NRA] attorney Stephen Halbrook said the group is confident it will prevail in a higher court.”

Private Cars Now Public Spaces

Gun owners in Oregon were recently dealt a defeat, when an Oregon Appeals Court ruled that a vehicle constitutes a “public place.” Meaning, the possession of a loaded firearm in said vehicle could be considered a crime, if that locality has a ban on open loaded carry.

According to the Oregon Firearms Federation (OFF), the ruling came from a case where a Portland police officer arrested a person with an unconcealed handgun in his car. As an OFF press release noted,

“It has always been our position that open carry in a vehicle was clearly protected by Oregon law. ORS 166.250 clearly states that except for [concealed handgun holders], it is concealed carry in a vehicle that is prohibited.”

OFF added, “Oregon's preemption law was created specifically to prevent a person from inadvertently breaking the law as he moved around the state. This ruling is a major setback for gun rights in Oregon and puts many people at risk simply by crossing into a town or city that has onerous and unposted rules. OFF is considering what further legal action can be taken, and in the meantime warns gun owners to be very careful when traveling in Oregon.”

Dairy Staters Like Their Handguns

Media outlets around the nation reported a surge in firearm sales due to Senator Barack Obama’s presidential victory. Wisconsin, though, seemed to be the sales winner, as retail handgun buys here jumped up 82%, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

“Most of the early November background checks took place after the Nov. 4 presidential election, a sign that gun owners anticipate new restrictions with Democrats taking control of the federal government,” the Journal Sentinel noted.

“Calls for background checks that are required for the purchase of handguns have flooded the state agency. In the first 13 days of the month, 2,642 background checks were requested. During the same 13 days last November, the number was 1,453, state Justice Department spokesman Bill Cosh said.”

Ammunition was on the minds of gun owners, too.

“I went out and stocked up on ammo,” said Kyle Troeger of Muskego. “I bought 20 cases of rifle ammunition.”

The New Obama Administration: Big Trouble for Gun Owners

Barack Obama Could Bring a Gun Control Storm
Many gun owners had, at the least, an uneasy feeling when Illinois Senator Barack Obama (D) won the presidential election on November 4, 2008.

“Uneasy” because, even though Obama made numerous claims of support for the Second Amendment, the jury was and is definitely out as to what President-elect Obama may eventually offer up in the way of gun rights support — or gun control.

Making the situation potentially even worse, Democrats control both houses of Congress, and their ranks include some of the top anti-gunners in American politics, like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ).  Any anti-gun legislation, originating from either the White House or Congress, would therefore have a relatively easy time being approved.

“If you look at the voting record of the president-elect and vice president-elect [Delaware Senator Joe Biden], you'll see that they have voted for and supported draconian gun control measures again and again,” said Andrew Arulanandam, a spokesman for the National Rifle Association (NRA), in the St. Petersburg Times.  “I think hunters and gun owners see a perfect storm coming for the gun-control lobby to exploit.”

Gun Sales Soar in Anticipation of Gun Bans

Fearing that storm, many Americans apparently took the most basic action to secure their rights:  they started buying up guns!

According to the New York Times, “Sales of handguns, rifles and ammunition have surged in the last week [before the election], according to gun store owners around the nation who describe a wave of buyers concerned that an Obama administration will curtail their right to bear arms.”

“He’s a gun-snatcher,” Jim Pruett, owner of Jim Pruett’s Guns and Ammo in northwest Houston, told the New York Times, while his gun shop was packed with shoppers.

Gun Sales Soar As Gun Owners Fear Coming Gun Bans “A spot check by reporters in four other states easily found Mr. Pruett’s comments echoed from both sides of the counter,” the New York Times continued.  “David Nelson, a co-owner of Montana Ordnance & Supply in Missoula, Mont., said his buyers were ‘awake and aware and see a dangerous trend’…In Colorado, would-be gun buyers set a one-day record [on the]…Saturday [just before the election] with the highest number of background check requests in a 24-hour period, according to figures from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).”

“We’re not really sure who is promoting the concept that a change in federal administrations might affect firearms possession rights,” said [CBI] spokesman, Lance Clem, “but we do know that it’s increased business considerably.”

Media outlets from around the nation reported a flurry of gun sales immediately following  Obama’s victory.  Most gun shop owners and their customers cited the fear that an Obama Administration would promote and pass numerous anti-gun laws.

Bob Warren, owner of the Skyway Skeet and Trap Club, in St. Petersburg, Florida, spoke for many when he told the St. Petersburg Times, “We're not sure what he's [Obama] got planned, but we don't think he's got our best interests at heart.”

“This sounds like an Obama effect,” said Gary Kleck, a professor at Florida State University's College of Criminology and Criminal Justice.  Kleck pointed out that the current spike in gun sales paralleled a similar gun-buying rush just before Bill Clinton's 1994 crime bill, which included the so-called “Assault Weapons Ban.”

Gun Groups Slam Obama's Anti-Gun Record

As an election round-up by the Gun Owners Of America (GOA) noted, “Obama ran a campaign high on rhetoric and short on specifics. The President-elect claims he will govern from the middle, but the question for gun owners is which Obama will show up at the White House — the ‘centrist’ from the campaign trail, or the radical anti-Second Amendment extremist who supports gun bans, waiting periods for firearm purchases, one gun a month restrictions, and more?”

One of President-elect Obama’s first decisions was a huge concern to gun owners:  making Rahm Emanuel, a Democratic U.S. Congressman from Illinois’ 5th District, his White House chief of staff.

According to the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA):  “Emanuel was ‘point man’ on gun ban efforts for the Clinton Administration.”

“Mr. Obama, whose history on gun rights is abysmal, appears to be considering his party’s most extremist gun control advocates for key positions in his administration,” CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb said.  “That is not a sign of goodwill toward gun owners or their rights. It’s a red flare warning of high winds and rough weather looming on the political horizon.”

Gun Rights Organizations Blast Obama's Record; Warn of Gun Control Threat The NRA agreed. In a post-election summary, the NRA noted, “We know the people Obama will appoint to his cabinet and to other federal offices will be almost universally anti-gun. Obama’s selection of Rahm Emanuel as his chief of staff is a perfect example of the hostility the Obama White House will have for gun owners’ rights.”

The NRA continued, “The threats to our rights under Barack Obama are real. If we are going to protect those rights, we have to start work now, preparing for legislative, executive and regulatory assaults at every level of government. Some will be open attacks, such as reintroduction of the Clinton gun ban. Others will be stealthier, such as unleashing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to harass even more gun dealers and force them out of business. Regardless of how they attack our rights, we will have to respond.”

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) noted another disturbing situation.  “President-elect Obama's Web site had posted his administration's agenda for curtailing the Second Amendment rights of law abiding Americans, thereby validating the concerns of gun owners, sportsmen and firearms enthusiasts all across the country. Curiously, the Obama-Biden gun control agenda was taken down from the Web site after just two days.”

That agenda may well be the blue-print for future federal legislation.

Congressional Power-Shift Equally Disturbing

Concerning Congress, some substantial losses for the Second Amendment occurred.  According to GOA, “many [Congressional] seats that flipped parties also went from strong pro-gun to strong anti-gun.”  In the Senate, GOA noted that four seats in particular went from Republican to Democrat, and an “A” rating by GOA to newly elected lawmakers with a past “F” rating.

As GOA noted, in Colorado, “The retirement of A-rated Senator Wayne Allard set up a battle between anti-gun Rep. Mark Udall and pro-gun former Rep. Bob Schaffer. This is one of three senate seats that flipped from A to F.”  New Hampshire was another example, where “Pro-gun Senator John Sununu was defeated by F-rated former governor Jeanne Shaheen…”  In New Mexico, “Long-time Senator Pete Domenici, who was D-rated and usually voted against gun owners, was replaced by F-rated Congressman Tom Udall. Udall defeated A-rated Representative Steve Pearce, making this a big loss for gun owners.”

North Carolina was another state where gun rights took a beating.  “Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole ran as a pro-gun control candidate for president in 2000. Since being elected to the Senate from the Tar Heel state, however, Mrs. Dole compiled a good pro-gun record. Dole's defeat at the hands of F-rated anti-gunner Kay Hagan is a dramatic flip for gun rights.”

“In the battle for the U.S. House of Representatives, gun owners also were hit hard,” GOA continued.  “Of the 18 incumbents who were defeated, 15 were pro-gun (only two were replaced by a pro-gunner). Of particular disappointment to gun owners were the losses of Republican representatives Marilyn Musgrave (CO-4), Tom Feeney (FL-24), Bill Sali (ID-1), and Tim Walberg (MI-7). These representatives were among the most ardent Second Amendment supporters.”

Not that the 2008 elections were all bad news for gun owners.

Amidst Bleak Picture, Minor Gains

As GOA noted, “In the 32 open House seats, the results were mixed. Thirteen seats went to A-rated candidates, while six went to F-rated anti-gunners. Nine new congressmen are ‘Not Rated,’ meaning they have no record and refused to fill out a GOA questionnaire. Four new members fall somewhere in the middle, leaning toward a pro-gun position but no guarantees.”

According to Ashley Varner, NRA spokesperson, the NRA’s Political Victory Fund endorsed 23 candidates for 2008 U.S. Senate races.  Of these, the NRA-endorsed candidate won in at least 14 races, with the outcome still uncertain, at press time, in Alaska, Georgia, Minnesota and Oregon.  Three of these pro-gun Senate freshmen include Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Johanns (R-NE) and Mark Warner (D-VA).

Varner added, “Of the 248 candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives endorsed by the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund, the NRA-endorsed candidate won in at least 216 of these races, with the outcome still uncertain in six races.”

The pro-gun and pro-hunting U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) took some comfort in state races.  “Preliminary results show that out of eleven gubernatorial races, only one changed political parties,” a USSA release noted.  “This indicates a remarkable level of stability at the state government level. In a nutshell, for many day-to-day issues confronting sportsmen, the outcome of the election doesn’t appear to radically change things.”

In the larger sense, too, it must be remembered that gun control as an issue—as a way for politicians to make some political hay and grab some votes—has certainly been discredited.  As the NRA noted,

“The gun control lobby must be distressed that many Democratic gains occurred only because the party has run so far from the gun control issue. While they fondly look back to how actively Bill Clinton campaigned for gun control in 1992 and 1996, they also remember the lesson that gun owners taught an anti-gun Congress in 1994, Al Gore in 2000, and John Kerry in 2004. This was a lesson taught by the National Rifle Association that has changed the politics of our issue across the country.”

Gun owners will find out how well this “lesson” was learned, and if our politicians will need to re-learn it well before in the next election cycle, the 2010 Congressional races, and will make their feelings known.

Related Stories:

Lobbyist Exposes Obama's True Views on Guns
2008 Elections: The Senator from Illinois

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The 2008 Elections Part IV: State and Local Issues

While federal laws surely do impact Second Amendment rights, including our ability to buy, sell, and own firearms, state and local issues are of no less importance.  In the recent Supreme Court ruling on Heller, for example, the Second Amendment as an individual right was affirmed. Yet, the justices also noted that lawmakers on all levels could place numerous restrictions on firearms and their ownership.

That means that state and local governments are, in many ways, where the actual, “on the ground” interpretations of the Second Amendment occur. And so we take a quick look at some of the state races of note, as well as states where gun rights look to be at stake, in 2008 and beyond.

For easy reference “pro” means a candidate with a pro-gun record, while “anti” refers to someone on the other side of the fence, as determined by groups like the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Gun Owners of America (GOA). “So-so” reflects a mixed record, while “??” means no records or statements have been found.

Governor Races:

Delaware: An Open Seat, where State Treasurer Jack Markell, D (anti) versus William “Bill” Lee, R, (pro).  Lee is a retired superior court judge, and a former officer in the Marine Corps, who fully supports the Supreme Court’s recent affirmation of the Second Amendment in Heller.

Indiana: Incumbent Mitch Daniels, R (pro) takes on former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson, D (anti). Thompson received a “D” in the past from the NRA, while Daniels has supported and signed pro-gun legislation more than once.

Missouri is an Open Seat, as incumbent Matt Blunt, R, is not running.  That has pitted state Attorney General Jay Nixon, D (anti) against Congressman Kenny Hulshof, R (pro).
Hulshof got an “A” grade from the NRA in the past, and signed the amicus brief in support of Heller.

Montana is one of those rare states where two pro-gun candidates are vying for the top office:  Incumbent Brian Schweitzer, D (pro) taking on State Senator Roy Brown, R (pro)

New Hampshire
has incumbent  John Lynch, D (anti), against State Senator Joseph D. Kenney, R (pro).  Kenny gets an “A” from Gun Owners of New Hampshire.

North Carolina is another Open Seat state.  Here, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, D (pro), and supported by the NRA, against Pat McCrory, R (??).

North Dakota incumbent John Hoeven, R (pro), who has signed a number of pro-gun and pro-hunting measures, against State Senator Tim Mathern, D (??).

Utah incumbent Jon Huntsman, R (pro), got an “A” from the NRA, versus Bob Springmeyer, D (??).

Vermont incumbent Jim Douglas, R (pro), with an “A” from the NRA, goes up against State Representative Gaye Symington, D (??).

Washington
State has incumbent Christine Gregoire, D (anti) vying with Dino Rossi, R (pro).  Of note, in 2004, Gregoire did not answer an NRA questionnaire on Second Amendment issues.  A businessman today, Rossi was a state Senator, and in 2004 received an “A” from the NRA.

West Virginia
is another win-win state for the Second Amendment, as incumbent Joe Manchin, D (pro) competes against Russ Weeks, R (pro)

States To Watch

California: Anti-gunners in the state houses keep going after ammunition, trying to pass bills to mandate expensive and unproven bullet serialization, plus ammo sales restrictions.  Moves afoot to expand bans on lead bullets, too.

Illinois: Cook County supervisors going after gun stores, while legislature mulls bullet serialization, banning high-capacity magazines, and more gun show regulations.  Governor and Chicago mayor both anti-gun.

New York: When’s New York City Mayor Bloomberg going to stop his attacks on gun shops and firearms industry?  Apparently, never.  Recent discussions in the state house about firearms microstamping, another unproven and very expensive technology.

Pennsylvania: Add one anti-gun governor plus one anti-gun mayor of Philadelphia, and you get: attempted “assault weapon” bans, one-per month handgun buy limits, and cities illegally trying to make a host of their own gun laws.  The NRA and others have Philly in court over many anti-gun regs the city has approved.

Washington State: Legislature keeps going after gun show “loophole.”  Meanwhile, Seattle mayor is definitely anti-handguns, and is trying to keep concealed carry permitees from carrying on city property.

To read Part 1 of this special election series, The Senator from Illinois, Click Here.
To read Part 2, McCain and Gun Owners, A Strained Relationship, Click Here.
To read Part 3, Key Federal Races, Click Here

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