gun talk state legislative update april as william o douglas noted if a powerful sponsor is lacking individual liberty withers in spite of glowing opinions and resounding constitutional phrases the legislative scorecard outlined below resulted from subcommittee committee and floor action many important victories however come from coordinating with legislators to ensure anti gun anti hunting legislation is either amended favorably rejected or never voted these quiet victories are no less impressive in protecting our fundamental civil liberties guaranteed by the second amendment to the u s constitution arizona sb nra supported legislation concerning minors in criminal possession of firearms passed the house is currently awaiting action by the governor arkansas hb firearms preemption legislation was signed by the governor making this the forty first state to pass preemption preemption had passed twice in previous sessions only to be vetoed by then gov bill clinton hb mandatory storage of firearms amended and then killed in committee colorado sb mandating the storage of firearms with a trigger lock killed in committee sb prohibiting the sale of certain semi auto firearms was killed in committee sb so called colorado handgun violence prevention act including a provision for a day waiting period killed in committee connecticut substitute bill no imposing a tax on all firearms ammunition and archery equipment killed in environment committee florida a bill to require a year license at a cost of to own or possess semi automatic firearms with a second degree felony provision years in prison died in committee along with numerous other anti gun owner bills no anti gun legislation passed in florida this year georgia sb supposed instant check with provision allowing for up to a day waiting period defeated in house public safety committee and sent to interim study committee mandatory storage bill sb was defeated in the senate the same bill passed the upper house in illinois hb prohibiting the sale possession manufacture purchase possession or carrying of certain semi auto firearms was defeated in house judiciary ii subcommittee on firearms hb mandatory storage legislation failed in house judiciary subcommittee on firearms hb repeals foid and makes ftip point of sale check permanent passed out of judiciary committee by a vote presently on the calendar for third reading in the house sb mandatory storage bill defeated in committee sb imposing a handgun excise tax failed in senate committee on revenue s subcommittee on tax increases sb imposing a tax on all persons engaged in the business of selling firearms failed in senate revenue committee s subcommittee on tax increases indiana sb statewide firearms preemption passed in the senate and in the house twelve amendments were introduced on the house floor to sb among these amendments were a ban on certain semi auto firearms mandatory storage trigger lock a ban on saturday night specials similar to maryland bill and handgun rationing one handgun per month all were defeated i read this morning s b was defeated lvc kansas hb providing for a hour waiting period on all firearms was defeated in committee hb presently on the governor s desk hb and sb and all relating to victims rights are expected to be enacted into law maine funding for the department of fish and wildlife budget was restored following severe reductions in the governor s proposed budget ld an anti hunting bill which included reverse posting and yard safety zones killed in committee maryland sb firearms incendiary ammunition died in committee on a vote sb reckless endangerment firearms sale or transfer died in committee on a vote sb gun control assault weapons died in committee on vote sb weapons free school zone was withdrawn sb weapons on school property driver s license suspension was withdrawn sb assault pistols sale purchase or transport died in committee on vote sb assault pistols act of died in committee on a vote sb baltimore city firearms rifles and shotguns died in committee on a vote hb pistol and revolver dealers licenses compliance with zoning laws was withdrawn hb regulated firearms sales and transfer died on the senate floor hb handguns and assault weapons advertising for sale or transfer died in committee hb handguns and assault weapons exhibitors died in committee hb assault pistols act of died in committee on a vote hb gun shows sale trade or transfer of regulated firearms died in committee on a vote hb firearms handguns assault pistols handgun roster board was withdrawn hb rifles and shotguns registration was withdrawn hb pistols and revolvers private sales or transfers required notice died in committee and hb prince georges county weapons free school zone was withdrawn mississippi hb closing a loophole allowing felons to possess firearms passed both houses and signed by the governor the bill codifies into law mechanism for certain felons to have their second amendment liberties reinstated nebraska lb and lb mandatory trigger lock bills killed in committee new hampshire h b providing for reciprocity for concealed carry licenses passed h b increasing the term of a license to carry loaded handguns passed new mexico sb imposing a day waiting period defeated in senate committee and then on floor of the senate hb mandatory storage legislation was killed by a vote of in committee hb legislation safeguarding sportsmen in the field from harassment by animal rights extremists signed into law by the governor on march new york seven day waiting period was defeated in the city of buffalo ban on certain semi autos was defeated in monroe county the tax and fee bills to be imposed on guns and ammo were not included in the budget sb making pistol licenses provides for validity of pistol license throughout the state passed senate currently awaiting action in assembly committee north dakota hb granting victims compensation in certain circumstances was signed into law by the governor on april oregon sb banning firearms on school grounds and in court buildings withdrawn as a result of gun owners opposition rhode island hb mandatory firearms storage legislation defeated in committee by a vote of hb an act prohibiting aliens from owning firearm defeated by unanimous vote in committee hb excepting nra instructors from the firearms safety requirement reported favorably hb exempting persons with an attorney general s permit from the day waiting period reported to the floor by a vote of hb extending the term of a permit to carry from two years to three years reported to the floor unanimously utah hb reforming the state s concealed carry statute passed out of house committee sb creating civil liability for so called negligent storage of a firearm and sb creating the offense of reckless endangerment with a firearm killed on senate floor virginia s b and s b requiring proof of state residence to obtain virginia driver s license passed s b which increases the penalty and imposes a mandatory minimum sentence for straw man purchases of multiple firearms passed s b allowing possession of sawed off rifles and shotguns in compliance with federal law passed s b making it a felony for first offense of carrying a concealed firearm without a license which the nra opposes until law abiding citizens can acquire a concealed carry license for self defense was defeated h b increasing the penalty for use of a firearm in committing a felony was passed h b requiring proof of residence to obtain a driver s license passed h b providing for a referendum on the imposition of a statewide three day waiting period in handgun purchases was defeated washington sb calling for waiting periods and licensing for all semi automatic firearms died in committee west virginia s c r which calls for a study to control transfers of handguns and assault weapons was defeated in the senate wisconsin in a referendum up against all odds the determined efforts of the madison area citizens against crime paid off on april when a nonbinding referendum banning the possession of handguns in madison wisconsin was defeated despite opposition to the ban aired largely by firearms owners at a series of public meetings on the issue the common council voted on february to place the referendum on the ballot allowing only seven weeks of campaigning to reverse public opinion on the controversial issue an october poll conducted by the wisconsin state journal found in support and opposed with expressing no opinion by election day of the more than voters who went to the polls cast ballots in opposition to the proposal while voted to have the madison common council enact such a ban the campaign committee spearheaded by the wisconsin pro gun movement and nra ila relied on neighborhood canvassing direct mail and radio tv advertising to educate voters on the civil liberties implications raised by enforcement of the ban if the referendum was approved despite the surprising defeat it is expected that the madison initiative s chief proponent mayor paul soglin will attempt to have the common council enact an ordinance banning handguns downloaded from gun talk a service of the national rifle association institute for legislative action washington dc larry cipriani l v cipriani att com
