LEGISLATIVE NEWS

Columbia Fish and Game Association

H.R. 822 -- National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act -- Heading to House Floor; Contact your Representative Now!

                              Friday, October 28, 2011

As we've been reporting week in and week out, H.R. 822 -- the "National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011" is very good legislation for gun owners. The time is past due to dispel the alarmist rhetoric about the bill, and to set the record straight.
Most of the misguided, unfounded, and incorrect characterizations circulating lately regarding H.R. 822 have come from the anti-gun groups and media. However, a small number of vocal and supposedly "pro-gun" groups continue to report falsehoods, despite clear evidence to refute their assertions. Though they claim to be on the side of America's gun owners and the Second Amendment, their stance on this measure proves otherwise.
One group claimed H.R. 822 would include anti-gun amendments that would create "disastrous federally mandated infringements on our rights."
But, as we recently reported, the House Judiciary has already considered amendments to H.R. 822, and all anti-gun amendments offered that would weaken or gut the legislation were defeated.
The same group warns of "a 'study' to control firearm sales over the internet," and decries a "review" process that they claim will provide "a perfect opportunity for more changes." In reality, there was no amendment to study firearm sales over the internet. Period. And the "review" they speak of has nothing to do with adding new anti-gun provisions. The amendment referred to only requires a study of the law's effects, and that study would take place after the law is in effect.
Another group is trying to insinuate that anti-gunners in Congress will support the bill in order to limit our gun rights. In evaluating this ludicrous accusation, please consider that H.R. 822 has not just 245 cosponsors, but 245 pro-gun cosponsors. And -- just as telling -- none of the stalwart anti-gun representatives have signed on. In addition, well known anti-gun groups, including the Brady Campaign and Mayors Against Illegal Guns, have made killing H.R. 822 their top legislative priority. There is no hidden anti-gun counter-plot going on here.
Opponents of the legislation also claim that it tramples on each "states' rights." But states don't have rights, only powers. And while many anti-gun lawmakers who've long pushed national gun bans, national bans on private gun sales, national waiting periods and other federal restrictions have suddenly become born-again advocates of "states' rights" to oppose this bill, several provisions of the Constitution give Congress the authority to enact interstate carry. Congress also has the power to protect the rights of citizens, nationwide, under the 14^th Amendment (please see related article from a recent Grassroots Alert).
Again, and for the record:
H.R. 822 is a GOOD bill and is GOOD for gun owners. The bill ENHANCES Americans' right to self-defense by enabling millions of permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling outside their home states.
There is currently only one remaining state (Illinois) that has no clear legal way for individuals to carry concealed firearms for self-defense outside the home. H.R. 822 would require states to recognize each others' lawfully-issued carry permits, just as they recognize driver's licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards.
H.R. 822 DOES NOT:
Create a federal licensing or registration system;
Establish a minimum federal standard for the carry permit;
Involve the federal bureaucracy in setting standards for carry permit;
Destroy permitless carry systems such as those in Arizona, Alaska, Vermont and Wyoming.
H.R. 822 is headed to the House floor. Please IMMEDIATELY contact your member of Congress and urge him or her to support the earliest possible consideration of H.R. 822.
You can find contact information for your U.S. Representative by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org. You may also contact your Representative by phone at (202) 225-3121. Additionally, you may CLICK HERE TO EMAIL YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
Again, H.R. 822 is a good bill for gun owners. Don't listen to false claims. Read the bill yourself and READ OUR FACT SHEET to get more facts.
To listen to an NRANews interview about H.R. 822 with the bill's sponsor Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), please click here.
To listen to an NRANews interview about H.R. 822 with NRA-ILA Director of Research and Information John Frazer, please click here.
To read an op-ed piece about H.R. 822 by NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox, please click here.

Copyright 2011, National Rifle Association of America, Institute for Legislative Action.
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Pennsylvania Governor Signs NRA-Backed Castle Doctrine into Law

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Fairfax, Va. - Governor Tom Corbett has signed Pennsylvania Castle Doctrine legislation into law. This common-sense measure permits law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their home and any place where they have a legal right to be. It also protects individuals from civil lawsuits by an attacker or attacker’s family when force is used.

“Gov. Corbett and Pennsylvania lawmakers know that law-abiding citizens must have the right to protect themselves when criminals attack without fear of being second-guessed by an overzealous prosecutor,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director, National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action. “Crime victims don’t have the luxury of time when confronted by a criminal and must be able to count on the law being on their side. This new law accomplishes that by removing any mandate of forcible retreat.”

The NRA has led the nationwide movement to pass Castle Doctrine legislation, beginning with Florida in 2005. Pennsylvania is the 27th state to adopt this important measure with overwhelming bipartisan support. House Bill 40, sponsored by Rep. Scott Perry (R-92), passed by a 164 to 37 margin. Richard Alloway, II (R-33), sponsored the companion bill to HB 40, Senate Bill 273, which passed 43-4.

“I am very gratified that Governor Corbett has signed this legislation into law, correcting the grievous error made by the previous administration in denying these long-sought protections to our citizens,” said Rep. Perry. “There are many people who have worked hard to get this legislation to this point, and I am grateful to my House and Senate colleagues and to the National Rifle Association for their support. The time has finally come to return common sense and good judgment to state government, and this legislation is a step in that direction. A criminal should never have an advantage over a citizen who abides by the rules of decent society, and today, we finally achieved the goal of returning the right of self-defense to the law-abiding.”

"Law-abiding gun owners should not have to fear prosecution for acting to prevent a violent crime," said Sen. Alloway, who introduced Castle Doctrine legislation that was approved by the Senate in March. "I am thankful that the General Assembly has taken action to protect responsible gun owners who respond when facing a serious threat from a criminal. I would also like to thank the NRA for their strong leadership and hard work on this effort as it moved through the legislative process.”

“On behalf of NRA members and all gun owners in Pennsylvania, I would like to thank Rep. Perry; Sen. Alloway; and Gov. Corbett for their leadership in helping make Castle Doctrine a reality for Pennsylvanians,” concluded Cox. “This Castle Doctrine bill places the law on the side of law-abiding gun owners who unfortunately become victims of crime – exactly where the law should be.”

Your Support is Needed to Save Pennsylvania’s Sporting Tradition!

Please Continue to Contact Your State Senator!

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Although expected to be considered this week, the Pennsylvania Senate did not vote on Senate Bill 626. However, there are indications that it will be considered next week. This legislation is an unjustified attack by “animal rights” extremists and simply put, Senate Bill 626 would criminalize and ban organized bird shoots in Pennsylvania.

Your legislators are claiming that they have not heard from you! Make no mistake, if they are not hearing from you, it means they are only hearing from extremists who want to destroy one of the Keystone State’s traditions. We need to make our voices heard.

Organized bird shooting is a traditional, international shooting sport widely practiced in over thirty-five states across the nation, not just in Pennsylvania as opponents falsely claim. For over a century, shoots have been held in Pennsylvania by law-abiding, ethical shooting enthusiasts, hunters, and sportsmen who would not tolerate an activity that would constitute cruelty to animals.

Radical national "animal rights" groups, led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), have organized and funded efforts in Pennsylvania and around the country to ban this longstanding traditional shooting sport. Make no mistake, this is not just about banning organized bird shoots, but banning all hunting species by species. Here are a few examples of HSUS activities:

* Led a 2006 ballot campaign to ban dove hunting in Michigan (contributing $1.6

million to the effort)

* Funded ballot initiative in 2004 to ban traditional bear hunting in Maine

* Successfully lobbied for the cancellation of the 2006 New Jersey black bear hunt

* Oppose hunting on National Wildlife Refuges

* Oppose state pheasant stocking programs in Pennsylvania and across the country

Please continue to contact your state Senator TODAY and urge him or her to protect Pennsylvania’s sporting traditions and OPPOSE SB 626. For help identifying your state Senator and their contact information, please click here.

Pennsylvania’s Longstanding Sporting Tradition Under Attack Again!

Please Contact Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee!

State Senator Patrick Browne (R-16) is again leading the charge for “animal rights” extremists in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 626, simply put, would criminalize and ban organized bird shoots in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately yesterday, Senate Bill 626 passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee by an 11 to 3 vote.

Senators voting correctly against SB 626:
Jeffrey Piccola (R-15)

John Rafferty (R-44)

Joseph Scarnati (R-25), ex-officio

Senators who voted for SB 626:

Richard Alloway (R-33)

Lisa Boscola (D-1)

Jane Earll (R-49)

Lawrence Farnese, Jr. (D-1)

John Gordner (R-27)

Stewart Greenleaf (R-12), Chairman

Vincent Hughes (D-7)

Daylin Leach (D-17), Minority Chairman

Jane Clare Orie (R-40)

Michael Stack (D-5)

Mary Jo White (R-21), Vice Chairman

Bird shooting is an historic and legitimate activity steeped in tradition with many participants throughout the Commonwealth and around the world. For over a century, shoots have been held in Pennsylvania by law-abiding, ethical shooting enthusiasts, hunters, and sportsmen who would not tolerate an activity that would constitute cruelty to animals.

National "animal rights" extremist groups, led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), have organized and funded efforts in Pennsylvania and around the country to ban this longstanding traditional shooting sport. Make no mistake; this isn't just about banning bird shooting, but banning all hunting species by species.

Please contact those members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who voted to pass SB 626 and let them know how disappointed you are that they supported the radical “animal rights” agenda. Contact information for the committee can be found here.

Also, please contact state Senator Browne and let him know of your opposition to this bill. He can be reached by e-mail at pbrowne@pasen.gov.

This alert is posted to www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=6699