Clarifying the State Department Proposal Post

Last Friday, I posted about a report in that day's edition of the Shooting Wire regarding a possible proposal that the State Department was floating related to a ban on the export of several calibers of ammo to Canada from the United States.

On Wednesday, Mr. Shepherd wrote about this again, clarifying some of the terms used in the original report. He wrote:

Last Friday, we reported that Canadian authorities had sent word of a United States State Department proposal that would ban several ammo calibers sale by United States companies to Canada. It's safe to say that the story kicked off quite a storm on both sides of the border.

In Canada, calls to their Parliament protested the idea that whole classes of ammo could, effectively, be stopped at the border. Here in the US, it taught me to be a good bit more exact with the concepts of import and export. The intent of the story was simple - to let our readers know the United States Department of State was considering a ban on the export of US ammo in several calibers to Canada.

Although the .50 BMG, 7.62 x39mm Soviet, 7.61 x51 NATO, .308 Winchester, 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington are considered by some to be purely military rounds, they are, in fact, very effective for hunting anything from varmints to polar bears. The US State Department, however, seemed to be trying to use the military application of those rounds and classify them as for military sales only. Technically, it's not a "gun ban" or even an "ammo ban" but a "reclassification" - but the effect would be the same. Those calibers of ammo would be restricted export items for American companies.

Another whispered action, the requirement that all firearms require DSP-83 End Use Certificates (and the $250 export fee per firearm) was also apparently couched as another reclassification. Again, not a ban, but a very effective "non-ban" on gun sales.

Fortunately, we're starting to hear some denials of these ideas - from both sides of the border. The denials are coming from some normally anti-gun politicians in Canada, leading our sources in Parliament to suspect the protests from Canadian gun owners had an impact. As expected, our officials "can't comment on something that's only been proposed" but it seems the idea may be losing steam. And it should.

Shepherd had a simple intent in writing about this last week (and it was also my intent when posting about it and linking to the story on this blog) - to let readers know the United States Department of State was considering a proposal that affects the industry and gun owners - specifically a ban on the export of ammo in several calibers from the U.S. to Canada.

The title of our original post should have been clearer and for that I apologize. It does not change the fact however that the story and the resulting post on this blog was based on reliable information. It is because of the effectiveness of the "new media" in getting information to the public and the resulting quick reaction that such proposals may end up not seeing the light of day.

Gun owners need to be aware that there are other ways to attack our rights in addition to passing legislation. Government agencies can enact regulations and there is the avenue of Executive Orders. Both can adversely impact our rights.

Thanks to Jim Shepherd for sharing the information last Friday and for update in the Wednesday edition of the Shooting Wire.

Hat tip to Ronaldus Magnus.

Firearms Bills at General Assembly Today

There are firearms related bills on the Senate floor for a vote today.

Set for Final Vote:

HB 1655 - Requires a court to award reasonable attorney fees, expenses, and court costs to any entity that prevails in an action challenging an ordinance, resolution, motion, or an administrative action taken in bad faith, as being in conflict with a locality's authority to control firearms. The bill was amended by Senate Courts to make award of attorney fees permissive. If it passes with the amendment the bill goes back to the House for concurrence or rejection of the amendment.

On Second Reading to advance to final vote on either Friday or Monday:

HB 2528 - The bill targeting "Compensated Confiscation." This bill provides that no locality may participate in any program in which individuals are given a thing of value in exchange for surrendering a firearm to the locality unless the governing body of the locality has enacted an ordinance authorizing the participation of the locality. The ordinance shall require that such firearms shall be sold by public auction, or sealed bids, to a person licensed as a dealer.

The following bills are on the docket in House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee # 1 at 5:00PM today.

SB 877 - Allows retired law-enforcement officers who are qualified under federal law to carry concealed firearms to carry a concealed handgun into a restaurant that serves alcohol.

SB 1035 - Repeal of the Restaurant Ban for concealed carry.

SB 1166 - Firearms purchase tax increase bill

SB 1254 - Makes changes to the procedures governing the application for a concealed handgun permit and the carrying of a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth. The bill provides that a conviction from another state for driving while intoxicated or for drunkenness in public disqualifies an individual from obtaining a concealed handgun permit. The bill also requires that a nonresident carrying a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth with either a reciprocal permit from another state or a Commonwealth-issued nonresident permit display photo identification along with the permit, upon request of a law-enforcement officer.

SB 1383 - Repeals the provision that makes it a Class 6 felony to possess a firearm muffler or silencer that is not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Federal penalties would still apply.

SB 1528 - Bill making it clear that the training required for the concealed handgun permit may be done electronically.

Most Bills Passed By for Day in Senate

After a long recess to discuss the budget, the State Senate reconvened, took up the uncontested bills on Third Reading on the calendar then passed by for the day all of the contested bills. This means that HB1655 will have to wait until at least Thursday for a vote. HB 1655 is the bill putting teeth in Virginia's preemption statute by requiring the court to award attorney fees when a citizen challenges an ordinance or resolution that violates Virginia's firearms preemption statute.

Gun Buyback Bill Advances in Local Government

On Tuesday, the Senate Local Government Committee reported HB 2528 on an 8 - 7 vote. HB 2528 is Delegate Mark Cole's bill establishing that no locality or entity may participate in compensated gun confiscation (gun "buyback") program where individuals are given a thing of value or money in exchange for surrendering a firearm to the locality unless the governing body passes an ordinance authorizing a gun "buyback." The legislation also requires that any locality holding gun "buybacks" sell the firearms to a federally licensed dealer. In many cases those firearms are destroyed. It should be noted that Senator Fred Quayle (R - Suffolk) who claims to be pro-gun voted against the bill.

Please contact Senator Quayle and let him know how disappointed you are that he opposed the bill in committee and ask that he support the bill in the full Senate. Remind Senator Quayle that there is no evidence that gun buy-backs reduce crime. Also, some of the guns turned in may have value higher than the locality paid to acquire it and in these tight budgetary times it makes since that the guns acquired through buy-back programs be sold to licensed dealers instead of destroyed.

Firearm Bills in Senate Courts Today

The Senate Courts of Justice Committee will meet at 2:00 PM today. The following bills are on the docket.

HB1851 - Delegate Lingamfelter's bill allowing active duty service members of the United States Armed Forces or the Virginia National Guard to purchase more than one handgun within a 30-day period. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2010.

HB2144 - Delegate Nutter's bill codifying Attorney General McDonnell's opinion protecting from public disclosure concealed handgun permittee names and descriptive information held by the Department of State Police for purposes of entry into the Virginia Criminal Information Network. However, the information would still be available to law-enforcement agencies, officers, and agents in the course of law-enforcement duties, and nonidentifying statistical information would be available to the general public.

HB2178 - Delegate Scott's bill prohibiting a convicted felon from possessing ammunition for a firearm. A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

House Bills Reported From Senate Courts

The following bills were reported from Senate Courts of Justice on Monday and will likely be on the floor today. Bills move quickly once they have crossed over.

HB 1655 - Requires a court to award reasonable attorney fees, expenses, and court costs to any entity that prevails in an action challenging an ordinance, resolution, motion, or an administrative action taken in bad faith, as being in conflict with a locality's authority to control firearms.

HB 2042 - Allows a retiring law-enforcement officer of the State Lottery Department to purchase his handgun for $1.

Media Still Obessed with Clinton Replacement's Pro-Rights Stand

New York Newsday reports today that newly appointed U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has moved the firearms she stored under her bed for self-defense in her upstate New York home. She disclosed she had firearms under her bed in an interview with Newsday last Thursday. A Newsday story on the interview ran Monday, prompting reactions by advocates for gun rights and gun control. The Newsday story on the interview ran yesterday, and prompted reactions by both pro-rights and anti-rights advocates.

The media and the anti-rights crowd seem intent on hounding Gillibrand about her pro-rights stand until they can get her to retract her past support for the Constitution. I don't remember a single story about her that does not either mentions her pro-rights stand or the National Rifle Association "A" rating.

Republican Representative Peter King, who has said he might run against Gillibrand, joked, to Newsday "With Kirsten Gillibrand keeping two rifles under the bed and Chuck Schumer being so anti-gun, Schumer and Gillibrand have to be the Senate's oddest couple."

King might have a point. Hopefully Gillibrand will stand on principle and not allow her detractors to cause her to weaken her support for our firearms freedoms.

Liberty University Students Gets Off Campus Gun Range

The Liberty Journal reported on February 5 that Liberty University in Lynchburg, will allow students to use the university’s off-campus firearm ranges. Till now the ranges have primarily been used to train LU’s police officers. The two ranges are located on Gun Range Road across from Liberty Village and permit the use of rifles, shotguns and handguns during designated shooting hours.

The Journal reports that on-campus students will be required to store their firearms with the Liberty University Police Department (LUPD) when not using the range. Commuter students travelling to the range must keep their firearms unloaded and stored in the trunk of their vehicle. Anyone caught in possession of a firearm on university property outside of the shooting ranges will be subject to disciplinary action as defined by LUPD protocol. Off-campus students who fail to properly store their firearm in their vehicle will be disciplined, as well.

Students must pass a safety course issued by LUPD before they will be able to use either range. The first class begins on Feb. 20, 6-10 p.m., with the final on-site training taking place the following day. Upon completing the course, the range will be available to participants two days per week from 1 p.m. until dusk. Only five students will be allowed on the shooting line at one time with additional shooting times to be added if needed.

Hat tip to VA-Alert.

State Department Floating Ammo Import Ban?

It looks like those who said the Obama Administration would strike while the iron is hot may have been correct, and the Administration may be doing it in a way that does not require them to even get a vote in Congress. In this morning's edition of the Shooting Wire, Jim Shepherd writes that Canadian officials have it on "good authority" our State Department may be on the verge of cutting off all imports of certain calibers of ammunition.

Ammos listed for this rumored ban include the .50BMG, 7.62x39mm Soviet, 7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester, 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington. Additionally, we're hearing that an expansion of this proposed ban might be broadened to include the 6.8mm SPC, 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP- among others.

In other words, State Department officials may be floating a trial balloon to see if there are howls of protest, or whimpers of compliance. Canadian elected officials who have directed this information to me say the move seems to be motivated by "emboldened" anti-gun officials who think they have a kindred spirit in President Obama.

Shepherd continues that there may also be a plan to ban exports on certain firearms to Canada from the US, resulting in the State Department hammering gun manufacturers, distributors and exporters in the United States while simultaneously making firearms -and ammunition - ownership and acquisition more difficult for Canadians.

Many in the pro-rights community have said since the election that Obama could circumvent Congress by using regulations in his various cabinet departments to attack gun owners. It appears that it may have already begun.

VSSA Membership Drive

Since 1938 VSSA has been fighting to protect the rights of law abiding gun owners. The fact that Virginia is one of the most friendly states in which to own a keep and bear arms is a testament to the success of our efforts on behalf of gun owners. This year, with the help of our members who contacted their state senators, we defeated the so-called gun show loophole bill, the gun show promoter tax bill, and bills that would have undercut the state's preemption statute. We also helped some good pro-rights legislation progress and are continuing to work for the passage of bills related to compensated confiscation schemes, strengthening preemption and repeal of the restaurant ban. In short, VSSA has a long list of accomplishments working for gun owners. In addition, VSSA is actively promoting the shooting sports and Second Amendment to the next generation.

But, as I have said since last fall, there are storm clouds on the horizon. It is no secret that President Obama is no friend of gun owners or our rights. It is also well known that he has a four point agenda to directly attack those rights at some point in his administration. In addition, the news of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg's pancreatic cancer shows how quickly a President may have the ability to appoint a new justice to the Court. While we pray that Justice Ginsburg successfully recovers from her cancer surgery, the President may have an opportunity to attack our rights without signing one piece of legislation - appointing a Supreme Court Justice sooner rather than later. He has made it clear that he prefers jurists in the mold of Ginsburg and Breyer - two justices that sided with the minority decision in Heller that the Second Amendment does not protect an individual right to keep and bear arms,

Also, this year Virginia will elect a new Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates. We have lived with a Governor the last four years who has vetoed two important pro-rights bills while signing other pro-rights legislation into law. We need a Governor that will stand with us 100% of the time.

At the same time, we have had an Attorney General that has stood with gun owners and introduced legislation to bar New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's gun dealer entrapment schemes. With a federal administration that is against us and appointing more anti-rights individuals to high levels of government every day, a pro-rights state Attorney General will be more important than ever.

With all this in mind, now is the time for all Virginia gun owners to stand up and join VSSA. If we wait until the federal administration starts its legislative attack, it will be too late. At the state level, we need to mobilize all gun owners to support a pro-rights candidate for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General.

Washington is filled with talk of "Economic Stimulus." I doubt any of what is contained in that massive spending bill will impact you or me. But, VSSA's membership drive not only will help protect your gun rights, you just might win a prize that can be used at your favorite gun shop or at a shooting range. Starting today, any current VSSA member that recruits a new member will have their name entered in a bi-monthly drawing. That's one entry for every new member you recruit! The new member will be entered in the drawing too. That new member can get another entry for every new member they recruit.

Prizes include gift certificates from such retailers as Dance's Sporting Goods, Greentop, Dicks Sporting Goods, Gander Mountain, and Bob's Gun Shop in Norfolk. And that is just the beginning. So far we have 40 prizes. So sign up a new member today. If you are not a member, join, then sign up a friend. You can get your member application here. If you are recruiting a new member, don't forget to complete the "Recruited By" line on the application. Your member number is not necessary but will be helpful.

Gun Rights Week at JMU

Its great to see that the next generation is taking up the fight to protect our gun rights. The College Republicans at James Madison University is sponsoring a Gun Rights Week where discussions of gun rights, including carrying concealed firearms on college campuses, will be held tonight, Thursday and Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. each day.

Freelance Star Gets it Right

The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star has a great editorial this morning about Delegate Mark Cole's HB 2528 - the bill aimed at requiring localities that engage in "compensated confiscation" schemes to sell any firearms taken in through the "buy backs" to sell them to an FFL. Says the FFS:

The crucial fact is that there is no evidence that the programs reduce crime. Criminals don't want to undersell the tools of their trade any more than a carpenter wants to part with a favorite saw.

If only cities like Newport News, Washington DC and Chicago understood this. But the FFL knows the real purpose of these schemes and as much as says so - it's to get all guns out of the hands of citizens, and offer them a bribe to do so. The FFL however applied the same logic to HB 2538 that Delegate Cole did to the Washington Times earlier this week:

Why should a piece of property worth two or three hundred dollars be destroyed when a city could sell it to recoup--or perhaps more than recoup--what it paid for the item?

Kudos to the Free Lance-Star for applying common sense. Hopefully, the State Senate will do the same when it takes up the bill later this month.

Reflections on Act I of 2009 General Assembly

Yesterday was "Crossover" day at the Virginia General Assembly so we now know what firearm related legislation is still alive and what did not survive. Yesterday several pro-gun bills passed the House by a large bi-partisan margin as did one in the Senate. But, some good legislation remained in committee without even getting a hearing. Let's take a look at those bills.

HB 1656 - Delegate Marshall's bill that would have allowed full-time faculty members at state institutions of higher learning to carry their concealed firearms on campus as long as they possess a concealed handgun permit (CHP).

HB 1734 - Delegate Pogge's bill making several improvements to Virginia's CHP statute, including streamlining the process for obtaining a permit after a change of address, making it clear that the court cannot ask for any additional information with a permit application other than what is required by §18.2-308

HB 1821 - Delegate Joe Johnson's bill repealing the "Restaurant Ban" on concealed carry for restaurants that serve alcohol. This bill is the House version of Senator Hanger's SB1053. Gun owners need to contact the members of the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee now and urge them to report Senator Hanger's bill.

HB 1822 - Delegate Joe Johnson's bill exempting concealed handgun permit holders from the prohibition against carrying handguns onto the property of a public, private, or religious elementary, middle, or high school.

Word is the Speaker believes that the House has been spending too much time on gun related issues in the last few years and wanted to see the number of gun bills reduced. It has also been suggested that with this being an election year, he did not want any "controversial" bills to deal with. While many on the above list could be considered "controversial," the repeal of the "Restaurant Ban" has passed the House in previous years and has even passed the Senate the last two year. Legislators should no that no one has ever lost an election because they were too pro-rights. Legislators tend to lose on the gun issue when they get squishy or have try to have it both ways.

Busy Day in the House of Delegates

Today is the last day to consider bills in the house of introduction. The following bills are up for final action in the House of Delegates today.

HB 1655, Delegate Carrico's bill requiring a court to award reasonable attorney fees, expenses, and court costs to anyone that prevails in an action challenging an ordinance that violates the Commonwealth's pre-emption statute. Update: Passed House 82 - 16

HB 1851, Delegate Lingamfelter's bill exempting active duty military from handgun rationing (one gun-a-month). Update: Passed House 83 - 13

HB 2144, Delegate Nutter's bill to codify the AG's opinion that prohibits the State Police from disseminating CHP holder information. (The information would still be available from individual circuit courts). Update: Passed House 98-0

HB 2528, Delegate Cole's bill that would require localities that operate compensated confiscation schemes (gun buy backs) to sell the guns they take in to an FFL. Update: Passed House 64 - 33

In Senate Courts yesterday, Senator Stolle withdrew his bill (SB1385) that would have placed a tax on gun show promoters by requiring that they pay for state police to monitor all gun shows. The bad news is that Senator Watkins' SB1166 - the gun purchase tax increase bill - passed the Senate.

On the floor today for final action is:

SB 1513, Senator Smiths' bill requiring a court to award reasonable attorney fees, expenses, and court costs to anyone that prevails in an action challenging an ordinance that violates the Commonwealth's pre-emption statute. Update: Passed Senate 30 - 10

Check back later today for results of the votes.

Gun Purchase Tax Increase Passes Senate

Senator John Watkins' bill, SB 1166, which whould increase the fee paid by gun owners for background checks from $2 to $5 passed the State Senate today by of vote of 27-13. VSSA will continue fighting this tax increase when the bill comes up in the House of Delegates.

Gun Show Promoter Tax on Senate Courts Docket

Senator Ken Stolle's SB 1385 is on the docket this morning in Senate Courts. This is the bill that requires the gun show promoters to arrange and pay for a law-enforcement officer from the Department of State Police to be present at all times during a firearms show. The bill also allows the Superintendent of State Police to enter into agreements with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that would federalize state police troopers at gun shows by granting federal law-enforcement authority for the purposes of enforcing firearms laws of the United States. If it is reported out this morning it will hit the floor immediately because crossover day is tomorrow.

Compensated Confiscation

Gun Buyback Schemes, what my friend Cam Edwards calls "Compensated Confiscation" are being turned on their head, and rightly so, at Virginia's General Assembly. The House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee on Friday reported out HB 2528, Delegate Mark Cole's bill that requires that no locality may participate in any program in which individuals are given a thing of value in exchange for surrendering a firearm to the locality unless the governing body of the locality has enacted an ordinance authorizing the buy back program of the locality. In addition, and this is the best part, the bill requires that any firearms taken through a buy back program, must be sold by public auction, or sealed bids, to a licensed dealer.

Localities are screaming foul - saying it undercuts the purpose of the compensated confiscation - getting guns off the streets. But Delegate Cole told the Washington Times that the bill could provide money for cash-strapped localities and police departments while also making sure the guns do not fall into the wrong hands.

Says Cole, "Some of them are valuable, and I think it's kind of a waste of taxpayer funds to just destroy those."

Good for Delegate Cole. Be sure to call you Delegate and ask him or her to support the bill when it comes up for a vote on the floor Monday.

Pro-gun Bills Passing Senate Today

Two pro-gun bills passed the Virginia State Senate today.

SB1528 - makes it clear online training qualifies for the training required for concealed handgun permits.

SB 1383 - repeals the state statute that makes it a Class 6 felony to possess and unregistered firearm silencer. Federal penalties still applie.

Stop the Gun Tax

Today, the Senate Finance Committee reported Senate Bill 1166 our of committee and now heads to the full Senate.

Sponsored by State Senator John Watkins (R-Chesterfiled), this bill would increase the gun tax charged by the Virginia State Police to run the mandatory background check from $2 to $5, a 150% increase for Virginia residents. For non-state residents, the legislation mandates an increase of 60%, from $5 to $8. The state budget should not be balanced on the back of Virgnia's gun owners.

It is imperative that you contact your State Senator TODAY at their Richmond office and ask them to oppose Senate Bill 1166. Contact information for your State Senator can be found by clicking here.

Gun Show Loophole Bills Dies

Only Senator Chuck Colgan changed his vote on the final tally from yesterday's vote to today. Today's vote was 19-21. SB1257 is officially dead for the session. Thanks to all gun owners who contacted their senators and urged them to stand with gun owners. If you live in the district of Senator's Stosch or Watkins, please be sure to contact them and thank them as the anti-rights crowd targeted them last night.


NRA News with Cam Edwards



Daily News with Ginny Simone - NRANews.com

Gun Show Bill Top of Contested Calendar in Senate

SB 1257 is at the top of the calendar today. You can view the session here. Depending on if the bill comes up before 1:00, I will be live blogging again today.

Update: The Senate recessed until 12:45. It is now 12:50 and they have not returned. Should be back momentarily.

Gun Show Bill Resurrected.

As can happen from at the General Assembly, the SB1257 was resurrected and then passed by for the day. It's not over yet. Still waiting for an update on which of the Senators who voted to kill the bill asked that it be reconsidered. Continue to call your senators and urge them to stand with law abiding gun owners. The other side only needs to switch three votes to turn the vote against us. Continue to key on the Senators on the below list.

Senators Blevins, Wagner, Watkins, Stosch, Edwards, Puckett, and Stuart.

Update: The anti gun forces are targeting Senators Watkins and Stosch. Please contact those senators and urge they continue to stand with law abiding gun owners and vote against SB1257.

Repeal of Restaurant Ban Passes

Senator Hanger's SB1035 - a bill repealing the ban on carrying concealed in restaurants that serve alcohol passed 24 -16.

Live Blogging Gun Show Debate

SB 1257 up being debated now.

12:32 - Marsh it describing a supposed sale to a felon that later committed a crime at a gun show through a private sale.

12:34 - Marsh asked to protect the children pass the bill.

12:35 - Senator Janet Howell from Fairfax makes tie to Virginia Tech shooting, not bothering to explain that private sales had nothing to do with Virginia Tech. Calls it a "gaping hole."

12:37 - Bill dies 18 - 22

No one spoke against the bill.

Gun Show Bill Passed by for Day Again

SB 1257 was passed by again today. Could this mean that Marsh still does not have the votes? Gun owners need to continue to contact their senators. You need to especially key on the list mentioned in this post from last night.

Gun Show Bill Vote Monday - Call These Senators

The anti-rights crowd at the Virginia Center for Public Safety is urging there members to contact the following Senators and urge them to support SB 1257:

Senators Blevins, Wagner, Watkins, Stosch, Edwards, Puckett, and Stuart.

Your action is needed now to make sure these Senators (Edwards is always a reliable pro-rights vote and voted against the bill in committee) that say they support the rights of law abiding gun owners to vote that way tomorrow. Contact them by phone and email by clicking on their name and you will be directed to their contact information. We can only win this vote tomorrow if gun owners take action.

Gun Show Bill Passed By For Day

No real surprise here - it is not unusual for the General Assembly to pass by the contested calendar on a Friday unless they are near cross over or the end of the session. This gives Virginia gun owners the weekend to get the message to senators that SB 1257 will not prevent crime and that gun shows are not a source of firearms for criminals.

Militia and Police Subcommittee 1 Action Tonight

The Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1 met at 5:00 PM and was very busy. The following bills were acted on and could be heard in the full committee Friday.

HB 1655, Delegate Carrico's bill that requires localities to pay legal fees when sued for violating Virginia's pre-emption statute. Passed out of subcommittee.

HB 1748, Delegate Pogge's bill that would clarify that a permit holder that has an expired permit does not have to be re-fingerprinted when renewing his or her CHP. The bill was withdrawn by the patron because the State Police objected to the bill. Note - this is why we need a pro-gun Governor so he can appoint a pro-gun State Police Superintendent

HB 1851, Delegate Lingamfelter's bill that allows active duty military to be exempt from Virginia's one handgun a month law. Passed out of subcommittee.

HB 1910, Delegate BaCote's bill to bann firearms in public libraries. Committee voted no on recommending reporting the bill.

HB 2144, Delegate Nutter 's bill to codify the attorney general's opinion provided to the State Police regarding desimination of the CHP list. Reported to the full committee.

HB 2178, Delegate Ed Scott's bill making possession of ammunition by a felon a felony. Committee voted no on recommending reporting the bill.

HB 2227, Delegate Marsden's bill making it illegal to carry a concealed airgun if it can expel a projectile at over 300 feet per second. Committee voted no on recommending reporting the bill!

HB 2318, Delegate Morrissey's bill creating a whole new class of FFLs by making it a requirement that anyone selling 3 or more firearms at a gun show have a Federal Firearms License. Committee voted no on recommending reporting the bill!

HB 2481, Delegate Ward's bill requiring anyone who legally owns a machine gun to file a change of address with the State Police if they move. Committee voted no on recommending reporting the bill.

HB 2528, Delegate Cole's bill requiring localities that want to hold compensated conficastion events ("gun buybacks") to pass an ordinance that allows them to hold the event, plus the bill requires that sell such guns to a dealer. Passed by the subcommittee.

Gun Show Loophole Bill Advances to Vote on Final Passage

SB 1257 advanced to Third Reading today and a vote on final passage will be taken as early as Friday, January 30. It is not uncommon for contested bills to be passed by on Friday in order for legislators to get out of town but gun owners should continue to contact their senators and urge them to oppose the bill. The bill can only be defeated if gun owners act now.

Repeal of Restaurant Ban Moves to Senate Floor

SB 1035 was reported out of Senate Courts yesterday on a vote of 9-6 with Senators Quayle and Deeds joining the other reliable pro-rights members of the committee in the affirmative vote. The bill will be on first reading today. I could receive a vote on Friday but it is likely all of the contested calendar will be passed by so they can get out of town. Please call the members of the commitee that supported your rights and thank them. Then, call your senator and urge them to vote yes on passage when it comes up Friday or Monday.

Call Your Senator Now on Gun Show Bill

The vote on SB 1257 is going to be close and your help is needed now!!! Email your Senator, especially Senator's Houck and Quayle and urge them to vote no.

Update: SB 1257 was passed by for the day. This gives us one more day so bang the phones and call your senator and email them now. You need to focus on the following senators:

Harry B. Blevins - Senator Blevins has voted pro-gun more times than not. If you live in his district urge him to stand with law-abiding gun owners and oppose this bill.
Ken T. Cuccinelli, II
R. Creigh Deeds - Senator Deeds crossed over and voted the wrong way on this bill after having received "A" ratings from NRA in the past. He is now running for Governor. Urge him to oppose this bill.
John S. Edwards
Emmett W. Hanger, Jr.
R. Edward Houck -Senator Houck has been reliably pro-gun. Please call him and thank him for his past support and urge him to stand with law abiding gun owners agains.
Robert Hurt
Stephen H. Martin
Ryan T. McDougle
Stephen D. Newman
Thomas K. Norment, Jr. - Senator Norment has been all over the map on this bill. He voted against it last year but voted for it this year. He claims to be pro-gun so if you live in his district please call him and urge him to stand with gun owners.
Mark D. Obenshain
Phillip P. Puckett - Senator Puckett has been a reliable pro-gun vote in the past but only earned a "C" rating from the NRA in the 2007 election. Please call and email him to urge he stand with law abiding gun owners.
Frederick M. Quayle - Senator Quayle voted for this bill in committee but has voted against it in the past. If you live in his district you need to call him and email him now.
W. Roscoe Reynolds
Frank M. Ruff, Jr.
Ralph K. Smith
Kenneth W. Stolle
Walter A. Stosch
Richard H. Stuart
Jill Holtzman Vogel
Frank W. Wagner
William C. Wampler, Jr.
John C. Watkins - Watkins has voted for this bill in the past so if you live in his district, email and call him and urge him to stand up for law abiding gun owners.

Anti-Gun Bills Defeated in Senate Local Government Committee

The Senate Committee on Local Government defeated two anti-gun bills today, both by a 10-5 vote.

Introduced by State Senator Maime Locke (D-2), Senate Bill 832 would have banned firearms in any building owned or operated by a locality (such as a recreation center, administrative building, or public library) while any official governmental meetings were being held inside.

Senate Bill 1053, authored by State Senator Mary Margaret Whipple (D-31) would have given localities the authority to outlaw firearms in any buildings or facilities used for governmental purposes.

Anti-gun advocates, including the Virginia Center for Public Safety, spoke in support of these bills. Both bills would have endangered public safety by restricting the rights of law-abiding Right-to-Carry permit holders from defending themselves in a public place. In addition, these bills would have gutted Virginia’s preemption statutes by creating a confusing patchwork of firearms laws throughout the state.

Gun Bills on Courts Docket Wednesday

The following bills are on the docket for Wednesday afternoon's Senate Courts Committee meeting. The bills may or may not be taken up depending on the order the bills are taken and the amount of time the committee alots but the bills on the docket are:

S.B. 1035 - Hanger - Repeals the ban on carrying concealed in restaurants that serve alcohol. A person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of a restaurant or club shall inform a designated employee of the restaurant or club of that fact. A person who consumes alcohol in violation of the provisions of the bill is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor and a person who becomes intoxicated in violation of the provisions of the bill is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. VSSA supports this bill.

S.B. 1528 - Cuccinelli - Provides that the completion of a firearms training or safety course conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor may be done electronically or on-line. VSSA supports this bill

S.B. 1385 - Stolle - Requires gun show promoters to arrange and pay for a law-enforcement officer from the Department of State Police to be present at all times during a firearms show. Also federalizes the State Police by allowing the Superintendent of State Police to enter into agreements with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to grant the Department of State Police federal law-enforcement authority for the purposes of enforcing firearms laws of the United States. VSSA opposes this bill.

S.B. 1396 - Norment - Allows designated law-enforcement officers to purchase their service handgun for $1 if they are receiving disability payments for a service-incurred disability with no expectation of returning to their former employment. VSSA does not oppose this bill.

Bill Closing "Gun Show Loophole" Clears Senate Courts

On a vote of 8-7 the Senate Courts of Justice Committee reported Senator Marsh's SB 1257 - a bill aimed at putting gun shows out of buisness. Gun owners need to call their senator today and urge them to vote no when the bill comes before the full Senate. Senator Tommy Norment and Senator Fred Quayle switched their votes from last year and vote for the bill this year.

Find contact information for your senator here.

Full Docket of Firearms Bills in Courts Committee

Earlier today I noted that SB 1257, Senator Marsh's bill attacking gun shows, will be heard on Monday in Senate Courts of Justice. In addition, these bills are also on the docket:

S.B. 1035 - Senator Hanger's bill repealing the prohibition on concealed carry in restaurants that serve alcohol. - VSSA supports this bill.

S.B. 1166 - Senator Watkins' bill that increases the fee paid by gun owners for the required background check before a firearm can be transferred from a dealer to the buyer. The fee would increase from $2 to $5 for Virginians and from $5 to $8 for persons living out-of-state. The bill also provides that data and forms submitted to and maintained by the Department of State Police for such criminal history checks and purchases may not be inspected by the public. VSSA strongly opposes this bill. While we support the part that makes the forms maintained by the state police private, we strongly oppose the fee increase. The Commonwealth's budget woes should not be placed on the backs of gun owners.

S.B. 1254 - Senator Henry Marsh's attack on concealed carry. The bill makes changes to the procedures governing the application for a concealed handgun permit and the carrying of a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth. The bill would prohibit applicants from using an internet based training course for a concealed handgun permit. In addition, the bill also requires that a nonresident carrying a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth with either a reciprocal permit from another state or a Commonwealth-issued nonresident permit display photo identification along with the permit, upon request of a law-enforcement officer. Many permits issued in other states already have a photo on the permit so this requirement is redundant. VSSA opposes this bill.

S.B. 1257 - Senator Marsh's "Gun Show Loophole" bill. I posted about this earlier today. VSSA strongly opposes this bill.

S.B. 1383 - Senator Ken Stolle's bill that repeals the provision making it a Class 6 felony to possess a firearm muffler or silencer that is not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. VSSA supports this bill.

S.B. 1385 - Senator Stolles's bill to passify the gun control crowd that is upset that a "Gun Show Loophole" bill dies in the legislature every year. This bill places a tax on gun show promoters by requiring them to arrange and pay for a law-enforcement officer from the Department of State Police to be present at all times during a firearms show. The bill also federalizes state law enforcement by allowing the Superintendent of State Police to enter into agreements with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to grant federal law-enforcement status for the purposes of enforcing firearms laws of the United States. VSSA strongly opposes this bill.

Please contact the members of the Committee and urge them to oppose S.B. 1166, S.B. 1254, S.B. 1254, and S.B. 1385. Urge the pro-gun members to support S.B. 1035.

Contact information follows:

State Senator Creigh Deeds (D-25)
(804) 698-7525
district25@sov.state.va.us

State Senator John Edwards (D-21)
(804) 698-7521
district21@sov.state.va.us

State Senator Roscoe Reynolds (D-20)
(804) 698-7520
dmailto:district20@sov.state.va.usState

Senator Thomas Norment (R-3)
(804) 698-7503
district03@sov.state.va.us

State Senator Frederick Quayle (R-13)
(804) 698-7513
district13@sov.state.va.us

State Senator Kenneth Stolle (R-8)
(804) 698-7508
vasenate08@kenstolle.com

State Senator Robert Hurt (R-19)
(804) 698-7519
district19@senate.virginia.gov

State Senator Ryan McDougle(R-4)
(804) 698-7504
district04@senate.virginia.gov

State Senator Mark D. Obenshain(R-26)
(804) 698-7526
district26@senate.virginia.gov

Grassroots Minute

For those who receive the NRA-ILA Grassroots Update, you are familiar with a feature they started including around the middle of last year - The Grassroots Minute. These videos are now available on YouTube. Here is the Grassroots Update for Friday, January 23rd.

Gun Show Loophole Bill Set for Monday

The Senate Courts of Justice Committee will take up SB 1257 - the so-called "Gun Show Loophole" bill on Monday, January 26. The Committee meets at 9:00 AM. Contact the following members of the committee immediately and urge them to oppose this bill. Email may be the fastest method but a phone call on Monday morning before 8:30AM would be good too.

State Senator Creigh Deeds (D-25)
(804) 698-7525
district25@sov.state.va.us

State Senator John Edwards (D-21)
(804) 698-7521
mailto:698-7521district21@sov.state.va.us

State Senator Roscoe Reynolds (D-20)
(804) 698-7520
mailto:698-7520district20@sov.state.va.us

State Senator Thomas Norment (R-3)
(804) 698-7503
district03@sov.state.va.us

State Senator Frederick Quayle (R-13)
(804) 698-7513
district13@sov.state.va.us

State Senator Kenneth Stolle (R-8)
(804) 698-7508
vasenate08@kenstolle.com

State Senator Robert Hurt (R-19)
(804) 698-7519
district19@senate.virginia.gov

State Senator Ryan McDougle(R-4)
(804) 698-7504
district04@senate.virginia.gov

State Senator Mark D. Obenshain(R-26)
(804) 698-7526
district26@senate.virginia.gov

One Firearm Bill on Committee Docket Friday

The House Militia Police and Public Safety Committee meets Friday morning at 9:00 AM. The only firearm bill currently on the docket is H.B. 2042. This bill allows retiring law-enforcement officers of the State Lottery Department to purchase their service firearm for $1.00.

Lynchburg Paper Gets it Wrong on Gun Shows

The Lycnhburg News and Advance today published an editorial titled Time Has Come to Close Gun Show Loophole. Reading the editorial is like reading Brady Campaign Talking Points. Can you find them?

Those shows amount to open-air bazaars where licensed gun dealers set up their booths next to tables presided over by private gun dealers. The difference between the two? State and federal laws require the licensed gun dealer to run a background check on those who purchase their wares to ensure that they are not convicted felons or have a record of mental illness. The private gun dealer does not have to run such a background check.

If you said the first and last sentence, you would be correct. Note the terms "open-air basaars" and "private gun dealer." These are staples of the gun ban lobby's lingo and both are false.

Here is another one:

Why is closing the loophole even important? Because the gun shows provide access to weapons for convicted felons and those with a history of mental illness that they would not otherwise be allowed to buy.

Several federal studies have shown that gun shows are not a source of guns for criminals. One would think the paper's fact checkers would at least to a little homework before using such tired rhetoric. But it gets worse - they now add the Brady talking point about the Virginia Tech shooting.

The issue has arisen several times in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech massacre in April 2007. Seung-Hui Cho, who killed 32 people before turning a gun on himself, was able to pass a weapons background check and buy two guns from a licensed dealer despite having been deemed mentally defective by a Virginia court.

...But even if that order had been in place before the Virginia Tech shootings, it would not have prevented Cho from acquiring guns by other means that require no background checks.

First, the reason Cho passed the background check is because the court screwed up. Because of the error, his name was not added to the list of prohibited buyers. Making the stretch that he would have then turned to gun shows is almost comical given we know that he shunned contact with people. Second, if we follow the logic of the gun ban lobby, that gun shows are made up of tables upon tables of "unlicensed dealers" selling their wares, you would have to believe that Cho would have walked up to a table not knowing whether the table was operated by an FFL or a private individual, specifically ask if he had to undergo a background check and then make a purchase. If he had the misfortune of walking up to an FFL and asked the question, it would likely have raised red flags for the dealer.

Gun owners need to call their legislators and urge them to oppose Senator Marsh's bill (SB1257). You can find contact information here.

Call Members of Senate Courts of Justice Today

Two gun related bills are waiting to be considered in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee Today!

The first bill, SB 1166, is in the the Criminal Sub-Committee of the Senate Courts of Justice. IT is sponsored by State Senator John Watkins (R-10 Chesterfield), this bill would increase the gun tax charged by the Virginia State Police to run a NICS check from $2 to $5, a 150% increase for Virginia residents. For non-state residents, the legislation mandates an increase of 60%, from $5 to $8.

Please contact the members of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee Criminal Sub-Committee TODAY and respectfully tell them that the state budget should not be balanced on the back of gun owners and request them to oppose this tax increase on the Second Amendment rights of Virginia’s law-abiding gun owners. Contact information can be found below.


State Senator Roscoe Reynolds (D-20)
(804) 698-7520
district20@senate.virginia.gov

State Senator Richard Saslaw (D-35)
(804) 698-7535
district35@senate.virginia.gov

State Senator Kenneth Stolle (R-8)
(804) 698-7508
district08@senate.virginia.gov

State Senator Thomas Norment, Jr. (R-3)
(804) 698-7503
district03@senate.virginia.gov

State Senator Janet Howell (D-32)
(804) 698-7532
district32@senate.virginia.gov

State Senator Ryan McDougle (R-4)
(804) 698-7504
district04@senate.virginia.gov

State Senator Robert Hurt (R-19)
(804) 698-7519
district19@senate.virginia.gov

Also waiting to be considered is Senator Henry Marsh's attack on gun shows. Senate Bill 1257 would require that all firearms transactions that take place at gun shows be subject to background checks, require gun show promoters to register all vendors (private citizens as well as licensed dealers), and maintain that registry for four years following the date of the gun show.

This bill could be considered any time and it is important that law-abiding gun owners stand-up and make their voices heard. Please contact the following State Senators and respectfully encourage them to defeat SB 1257. Also, thank them for their strong support of law-abiding gun owners.

State Senator Creigh Deeds (D-25)
(804) 698-7525
district25@sov.state.va.us

State Senator John Edwards (D-21)
(804) 698-7521
district21@sov.state.va.us

State Senator Roscoe Reynolds (D-20)
(804) 698-7520
district20@sov.state.va.us

State Senator Thomas Norment (R-3)
(804) 698-7503
district03@sov.state.va.us

State Senator Frederick Quayle (R-13)
(804) 698-7513
district13@sov.state.va.us

State Senator Kenneth Stolle (R-8)
(804) 698-7508
vasenate08@kenstolle.com

State Senator Robert Hurt (R-19)
(804) 698-7519
district19@senate.virginia.gov

State Senator Ryan McDougle
(R-4) (804) 698-7504
district04@senate.virginia.gov

State Senator Mark D. Obenshain
(R-26) (804) 698-7526
district26@senate.virginia.gov

VSSA Legislative Update

The General Assembly is in full swing. This is the 46 day session, also known as the "Short Session." Two bills were on the House Courts of Justice Criminal Subdivision yesterday but they were re-referred to the House Militia and Police and Public Safety Committee without a hearing. The bills were HB 1655, a bill that requires a court to award reasonable attorney fees, expenses, and court costs to any entity that prevails in an action challenging an ordinance, resolution, motion, or administrative action as being in conflict with a locality's authority to control firearms, and HB 1821, a bill that repeals the ban on carrying concealed handguns in restaurants that serve alcohol. I discussed the bills and the legislative session last night on NRANews' Cam and Company.

Legislative Tracking Form Online

The VSSA Legislative Tracking Form is now available on the VSSA web site. It is updated as new bills are introduced and as action is taking on legislation. The last day to introduce legislation is January 23rd, so we should know the total list of bills we will be lobbying for or against by the end of the weekend. It may take a couple of days for all of the bills filed Friday to be posted on the Legislative Information System.

Be sure to check the tracking form, and this blog daily for updates. Also, join the VSSA email list. You will receive legislative alerts when your action is required and this week we will send the inaugural issue of The Weekly Bullet.

Change... for the Worse

Well, about an hour ago, the most anti-gun candidate to seek the presidency took the oath of office and became our nation's most anti-gun president. What will this mean for the nation's 80 million gun owners? At this point we can only judge by his record but his cabinet appointments do not give us much cause for comfort. Much of the attention in media articles on the up-tick in gun sales has focused on what kind of legislation the new president might propose. But a lot of damage can be done with the stroke of a regulatory pin without any input from our elected representatives.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton can play a role in the United Nations' continuing attack on individual gun ownership. Attorney General Eric Holder has the power to limit the import of whole classes of firearms. Cass Sunstein, Obama's "Regulatory Czar" has ties to the animal rights crowd and supports outlawing hunting. According to the Center for Consumer Freedom, Sunstein said in a 2007 speech at Harvard University, "We ought to ban hunting, I suggest, if there isn't a purpose other than sport and fun. That should be against the law. It's time now."

Yes, today is an historic day, as is every inauguration where power is peacefully transferred from one leader to the next. But now is the time for gun owners to renew their determination to protect our rights. Join or renew your membership to the NRA. Join VSSA. If you do not live in Virginia and are reading this blog, join the state firearms association in your state.

Delegate BaCote Targets Preemption

Yesterday, Delegate Mamie BaCote filed a bill that attempts to chip away at Virginia's preemption statute. Preemption is the policy where only the state law making body (in Virginia that would be the General Assembly) can pass firearms related legislation with rare exceptions (the only exceptions in this case are distances from buildings where a firearm can be discharged or where hunting is permitted within its boundries). BaCote's bill, HB1910, would allow localities to ban firearms from libraries owned or operated by the locality.

This is another one of those bills that die every year only to be reintroduced the next. I can't for the life of me remember the last time a law abiding gun owner committed a crime with a firearm in a public library (or any other local government facility for that matter).

Crime Commission Deadlocks on "Loophole" Vote

On a 6-6 vote, The Virginia State Crime Commission chose not to recommend a bill that would require people who purchase firearms from private sellers to undergo mandatory background checks. Anti-gun State Sen. Henry L. Marsh III, (D-Richmond), a member of the commission, confirmed that he still plans to introduce a bill similar to the one that failed to clear a Senate Courts of Justice Committee last year.

Senator Ken Stolle (R-Virginia Beach) suggested that legislation be passed requiring promoters of shows to make available licensed dealers to perform voluntary background checks for private sellers who want to know whether they are selling weapons to people who are legally able to purchase them. That passed on a vote of 7-5.

The anti-rights lobby along with some supporters of families of the Virginia Tech shootings also staged another "die-in" near the Bell Tower on the Capitol grounds after the two-hour commission meeting.

Mike White, father of slain Tech student Gina Nicole White, criticized the panel for being indecisive but what he told the Times Dispatch about the shooting played more of a role in what happened on that day than gun shows (which played no role at all). White said "Indecision is what caused the murder of my child, when they waited two hours to close that school."



Update: The Times Dispatch reported after the meeting that the Commission endorsed legislation to provide an FFL for those private sellers that want to perform background checks. However, Wednesday's Virginian Pilot reports that the Commission endorsed on a 7-5 vote legislation that requires gun show promoters to pay for a State Police Trooper to monitor gun shows for illegal sales. The Times Dispatch story, on which the original post was based, made no mention of the bill requiring gun shows to pay for a State Trooper.

Wild Game Dinner

For those who love good wild game, there will be a Wild Game Dinner held Saturday, February 28, in Farmville, VA. Only 180 tickets will be sold and the event sold out in two weeks last year so if you are interested, contact Jeffery Atkins.

What: Wild Game Dinner
When: Saturday, February 28, 2009, 7:00 P.M.
Where: Gee/Price Building, Fuqua School, Farmville, Va.
Guest Outdoorsman Speaker: Frankie Barham, “Whistling Wings Taxidermy”
Cost: $ 8.00 Donation

MENU
Elk Venison Chili, Wild Boar, Venison BBQ, Canada Goose, Deep Fried Turkey, Venison & Gravy
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Dove Breast, BBQ Chicken, Steamed Spiced Shrimp, Fried Fish, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Coleslaw, Pan Fried Cornbread, Beverage, Dessert

House of Delegates to Stream General Assembly Session

Virginia Gun owners will no longer have to wait for the Legislative Information System to update or receive an email from VSSA or the other various gun groups to find out what happened with important firearms related bills this General Assembly Session. The House of Delegates has announced they will stream live broadcasts of the session online for the first time. The Senate already has been streaming its sessions. House Republican leaders have in the past refused, arguing it would cause legislators to grandstand, politicize debate and slow consideration of bills.

The House video stream can be accessed through the General Assembly’s web site, http://legis.virginia.gov.

Gun-show loophole takes center stage today

The Virginia Crime Commission meets this morning to decider rather to endorse legislation to end the so-called gun show loophole. While their endorsement of legislation is not necessary for a bill to be introduced, it may give an indication of whether the bill has a better chance of passing than it has in the past. Senator Ken Stolle (R-Virginia Beach) indicated in December he did not think the votes are there for endorsing a bill specifically addressing the non-existent loophole but indicated something else may be possible.

I will post the result of the meeting as soon as it is known.

Two More Pro-rights Bills Introduced at General Assembly

Democratic Delegate Joe Johnson (Abingdon) has introduced two pro-rights bills just a couple of days before the start of the General Assembly.

HB 1821 Attempts again to repeal the ban on carrying concealed in a restaurant serving alcohol. Last year a bill made it to the desk of Governor Tim Kaine but was vetoed by him. This bill requires a person who carries a concealed handgun onto the premises of a restaurant or club to inform a designated employee of the restaurant or club of that fact and prohibits the person from consuming alcohol. A person who consumes alcohol in violation of the provisions of the bill is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor and a person who becomes intoxicated in violation of the provisions of the bill is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

HB 1822 exempts concealed handgun permit holders from the prohibition of carrying a firearm on to the property of a public, private, or religious elementary, middle, or high school.

It could be tough going for both bills but of the two, I would give HB1821 a better chance of making through the legislative process it but will likely be vetoed again by Kaine. As always, VSSA will work for passage of all bills that restore and expand the rights of law abiding gun owners and defeat the anti-rights bills.

Virginia Crime Commission Meeting January 13th

I was on NRA News Friday night to talk with Cam Edwards about the possibility of the Virginia Crime Commission recommending legislation to close the non-existant "Gun Show Loophole"

Assault Weapons Ban on Front Burner for Obama

As we run up to the 2009 Session of the General Assembly, I have been posting a lot about what is going on in the shooting industry. That will likely change once the General Assembly convenes but for now, most of the news is at the national level and it has centered around talk of what may or may not happen when the new administration comes in on January 20th. Some believe firearm related legislation will be on the back burner and others (me included) believe the new team will strike sooner rather than later.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to listen to the podcast of Sunday's Gun Talk Radio - Tom Gresham's radio program. I have to say, some of the best intel I have heard so far on the topic came from the guests Tom had on the program. These folks included The Shooting Wire's Jim Shepherd (by far the best segment of the program), and The War on Guns' David Codrea. Shepherd is a longtime veteran of the media and he has well placed sources who tell him that the new administration will move on the so-called assault weapons ban sooner rather than later. Shepherd was on the program for the entire second hour with the most important parts of his analysis coming in the last ten minutes. I recommend you listen to his comments yourself because I simply can't do them justice in this space.

I will comment one comment made by Shepherd. He makes a good point when he says in response to a question from a self described liberal caller who asked "what does gun control have to do with getting the economy moving again?" Shepherd said it is exactly about the economy. Attacking a billion dollar industry that supports conservation efforts through excise taxes makes no economic sense. Attacking the industry with gun bans will result in the loss of jobs through the closing of plants in states like New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, states that already have depressed economy. Putting hundreds of people out of work makes no economic sense.

Codrea's comments were made during the first hour of the program. Today he also linked to a post by Michael Bane that talks about how the administration will definitely move in the early days of the administration.

Basically, Bane says his insider source explains it this way. Due to the fact Obama has taken such a beating from the "moonbats" on the left over the Rick Warren inaugural invocation and the fact Obama is installing a third Clinton administration, he has to "rebuild his left-wing creds." Taking on the assault weapons ban so soon will burn a huge amount of political capital, but it will "drive a stake in the ground" to prove Obama means what he says about "change" regardless of the consequences. Plus, the Republicans are so disorganized and the Blue Dogs in his own party are less likely to band together early in his administration that striking early makes sense. The source also posed that the "gun lobby" is as weak now as it is ever going to be.

After the reaction to his economic stimulus plan by members of his party in the Senate I don't know if I completely agree with the Blue Dogs not rebelling this soon but the reasons for a quick strike given by Bane's source (there were a total of six) make sense to me.

Needless to say there are storm clouds on the horizon for gun owners and they are getting darker as January 20th approaches.

More Law Suits to Stop National Park Rule Change

The National Parks Conservation Association and the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees jumped on board to stop enforcement of the new regulation allowing firearms in national parks. National Parks Conservation Association President Tom Kiernan says the administration did not comply with the law in making the rule change because they did not "offer adequate reasons for doing so." The Association also said the Department of the Interior did not conduct an analysis of the rule's environmental effects, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, including the effects of the rule on threatened and endangered species.

I guess concealed carry permit holders who might carry in a national park are going to target endangered species in their poaching activities - not just Bambi and Smokey Bear.

More Firearms Legislation at General Assembly

With the start of the 2009 Session of the General Assembly less than a week away, four additional firearms related bills have been introduced.

HB 1734 - Introduced by Delegate Brenda Pogge, amends various processes, procedures, and requirements for obtaining a Virginia concealed handgun permit. Among the amendments is a provision that allows permit applications to be submitted and returned by mail, and specifies that the court may not require any additional information with a permit application other than what is required or authorized by § 18.2-308. If a current permit holder wishes to obtain a replacement permit indicating a change of address, the permit holder is no longer required to provide proof of the new address.

HB 1741 - Also introduced by Delegate Pogge, increases from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony the possession or transportation of certain firearms by persons under the age of 18.

HB 1748 - Another bill introduced by Delegate Pogge, clarifies that no locality may require a person who has previously been issued a concealed handgun permit in the Commonwealth to submit to fingerprinting for a new permit. (There have been reports that some localities have tried to continue requiring fingerprints for permit renewals.)

SB 877 - Senator Steve Martin of Chesterfield introduced this bill and it clarifies that retired law-enforcement officers from anywhere in the United States, District of Columbia, or territories of the United States are not subject to Virginia's concealed handgun laws, if such officer meets the requirements of the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004. The federal law allows retired officers with more than 15 years aggregate experience, who are certified annually on handgun proficiency, and meet other requirements, to carry a concealed weapon anywhere in the United States.

VSSA is aware of some additional legislation that has been provided to pro-rights legislators - meaningful legislation that will be of great interest to gun owners in the Commonwealth. I am waiting for them to be posted on the Legislative Information System (LIS) before giving more detail.

Shooting Industry Faces Approaching Storm

VSSA members are familiar with The Shooting Wire's Jim Shepherd since the VSSA member publication regularly reprints his articles. On Monday, Jim wrote about how the firearms industry will find itself in the cross hairs of a new administration dedicated to the regulation of virtually everything related to guns. It is a good read and I recommend it to every gun owner. Jim was on NRANews with Cam Edwards last night to expand on this subject.

Today, Jim continued this theme, writing about a poll of hunters and shooters that was also released this week and how the results backed up the anecdotal evidence of the near-panic buying that has been written and talked about since the election. The results? When surveyed by Southwick and Associates, a whopping eighty percent (80%) of respondents said they expect it to become more difficult for them to purchase firearms. Only one percent of respondents felt it would get easier, and only sixteen percent expect their abilitie to purchas firearms to remain the same.

Rob Southwick, the author of the poll and owner of Southwick Associates said, "These results show that most hunters and target shooters expect changes resulting from the 2008 elections will make it more difficult for them to buy guns," He continued, "Increases in firearm sales since the November election are also a strong indicator of such sentiment."

Add this to the anecdotal stuff like Shepherd's "first-time" observers to a gun show who upon returning from the show said there was "heavy traffic'' but "only the black guns and military surplus stuff" were really getting attention, and you get a clear picture of what the industry is facing.

Next week, the shooting industry will be gathering in Orlando, Florida for the annual SHOT Show and VSSA members will be represented by a member of the Board of Directors. We will get our first look at how the industry plans to weather the coming storm.

AHSA Pats Its Back

It seems that the American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA) lives to poke a finger in the eye of NRA. Most of his email missives are attacks on the group that has done more to protect the rights of America's gun owners than any other group.

Today, AHSA President Ray Schoenke sent out an email informing recipients that the group has hired new staff and moved into new headquarters. He also said he will soon give details on how to get your very own "Pro-gun and Pro-Obama" bumperstickers. I'm not joking. Maybe someone should ask Schoenke why his guy wants to ban some of the most commonly used sporting firearms of American Shooters (see change.gov).

Schoenke went on to share his newest blog post, one in which he berates the NRA and says what a failure the NRA election efforts were. Hey Ray, maybe you should check out Howard Nemerov's piece on the success rate of NRA's candidate's this year.

According to Nemerov:

NRA A-graded Republicans had a 73.8% win rate in the 2008 Congressional elections (155 of 210). Among the NRA endorsed, A-graded Republicans, there was an 85.0% success rate (153 or 180). NRA A-graded, non-endorsed R candidates had a 6.7% win rate (2 of 30), but 11 of these lost to A-graded Democrats.

Of the 24 NRA-endorsed Republican losses, 13 were incumbents. Two lost to AQ-graded Democrats, so the best-case scenario here is that 11 seats were lost to anti-rights candidates. (There was one “B-“ and one “C” Democrat, but it must be assumed that these freshman Democrats will follow anti-rights leadership.) For the 11 endorsed non-incumbent Republicans, 8 lost to incumbent Democrats graded “D” or “F,” so those seats were already anti-rights. One lost to an F-graded Democrat candidate in an open seat, and the other two seats were won by AQ-graded Democrats.

A-graded Democrat candidates had an 86.2% win rate (56 of 65). Of NRA endorsed, A-graded Democrats, 52 of 55 won election (94.5%), including all 5 A+ rated. Of the three losses, one lost to a grade-A Republican. The other two lost to Republicans graded “AQ.”

Four of the 10 non-NRA endorsed, A-graded Democrat candidates won (40%). The 6 non-endorsed A-grade Democrats all lost to A-graded Republicans, five of which were NRA endorsed.

Overall, NRA endorsed A-graded candidates had an 88.3% win rate (204 of 231). Of all NRA-endorsed candidates, 87.2% won (218 of 250). The NRA endorsement remains a powerful influence in campaign outcomes.

The long and short of it is, when you combine endorsed Democrats with endorsed Republicans, sure some of the NRA's supported candidates lost but in some cases, they lost to candidates that received an "A" rating based on the answers to the NRA candidate questionnaire. If these new representatives live up to the answers they provided on the questionnaire these guys will be NRA supported candidates next election. Which means that 88.3% success rate will clime to an even higher rate of success.

Schoenke is nothing but a shill for the liberal anti-gun Democrats and the gun control crowd which he has funded through contributions for years. Unlike Schoenke, NRA contributes to pro-gun candidates in both parties. For most of the last twelve years a large portion of that has gone to Republicans because there were more of them on the pro-rights side. But if the new crop of Democrats do as they indicated on their candidate questionnaire, there will be a more balanced list of NRA endorsed candidates in the future.

111th Congress Convenes Today

The new congress convenes today with three new representatives taking the oath from Virginia - anti-gun Gerald "Gerry" Connolly from the 11th District (NRA "F" rated in 2008), as well as two representatives that gave pro-gun responses on the NRA questionnaire - Glenn Nye in the 2nd District (NRA "AQ" rated in 2008), and Tom Perriello in the 5th District (NRA "AQ" rated in 2008).

With this in mind, Alan Korwin, author of numerous books on guns and gun laws reminds us that even though a number of the new Democrats elected to office last election campaigned as pro-rights, the leadership is unquestionably anti-rights. Yesterday Korwin wrote regarding an expected bill to ban certain semi-auto firearms and the firearms that are likely to be on the list:

The current gun-ban list proposal (from the 110th Congress - final list will be worse):

Rifles (or copies or duplicates)
M1 Carbine, Sturm Ruger Mini-14, AR-15, Bushmaster XM15, Armalite M15, AR-10, Thompson 1927, Thompson M1;AK, AKM, AKS, AK-47, AK-74, ARM, MAK90, NHM 90, NHM 91, SA 85, SA 93, VEPR;Olympic Arms PCR; AR70, Calico Liberty, Dragunov SVD Sniper Rifle or Dragunov SVU, Fabrique National FN/FAL, FN/LAR, or FNC, Hi-Point Carbine, HK-91, HK-93, HK-94, HK-PSG-1, Thompson 1927 Commando, Kel-Tec Sub Rifle;Saiga, SAR-8, SAR-4800, SKS with detachable magazine, SLG 95, SLR 95 or 96, Steyr AU, Tavor, Uzi, Galil and Uzi Sporter, Galil Sporter, or Galil Sniper Rifle (Galatz).

Pistols (or copies or duplicates)
Calico M-110, MAC-10, MAC-11, or MPA3, Olympic Arms OA, TEC-9, TEC-DC9, TEC-22 Scorpion, or AB-10, Uzi.

Shotguns (or copies or duplicates)
Armscor 30 BG, SPAS 12 or LAW 12, Striker 12, Streetsweeper.

Catch-all category (for anything missed or new designs)
A semiautomatic rifle that accepts a detachable magazine and has (i) a folding or telescoping stock, (ii) a threaded barrel, (iii) a pistol grip (which includes ANYTHING that can serve as a grip, see below), (iv) a forward grip; or a barrel shroud.Any semiautomatic rifle with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds (except tubular magazine .22 rimfire rifles). A semiautomatic pistol that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine, and has (i) a second pistol grip, (ii) a threaded barrel, (iii) a barrel shroud or (iv) can accept a detachable magazine outside of the pistol grip, and (v) a semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds.A semiautomatic shotgun with (i) a folding or telescoping stock, (ii) a pistol grip (see definition below), (iii) the ability to accept a detachable magazine or a fixed magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds, and (iv) a shotgun with a revolving cylinder. Frames or receivers for the above are included, along with conversion kits.

Korwin writes also that the Attorney General gets carte blanche to ban guns at will. Under the proposal, the U.S. Attorney General can add any “semiautomatic rifle or shotgun originally designed for military or law enforcement use, or a firearm based on the design of such a firearm, that is not particularly suitable for sporting purposes, as determined by the Attorney General.”
Obama’s pick for this office (Eric Holder, confirmation hearing set for Jan. 15) wrote a brief in the Heller case supporting the position that you have no right to have a working firearm in your own home.

Some in the pro-rights community believe that Obama will not target guns immediately with the economy taking up most of his attention in the first months of his administration. Others believe that because he has not thrown enough bones to the far left of his constituency that he will appease them by seeking to ban semi-auto firearms. I tend to believe he will act sooner rather than later because that is when he will have the ear of the freshmen members of congress in his party. Even if he does act sooner, it will still be months before a bill would come to the floor.

But keep this in mind, at the end of Alan's email yesterday, he wrote that Sarah Brady is quoted as saying, “I have never been so confident.”

Gun Ban Crowd Urges Lobbying for Gun Show Bill

This morning, Barbara King Hart, President of the Virginia Center for Public Safety, one of the gun control groups in Virginia, sent out a missive to the group's email list encouraging people to contact the Virginia Crime Commission and demand legislation to close the non-existent "Gun Show Loophole." In the email, Hart uses the same tired and worn out talking points of the gun banners by saying "an overwhelming majority of Commonwealth residents want to see the loophole closed." I can't remember a "majority" of Virginians clamoring for such a law.

Hart also wrote about the story told by Omar Samaha, the brother of Virginia Tech victim Reema Samaha, where he told the Crime Commission late last year that he was amazed to learn "how easy it was for him to buy handguns and assault weapons at a Virginia gun show—no questions asked." If you are not familiar with his story, he said he went to a gun show, found one or more private sellers that were offering handguns and semi-automatic firearms for sale, and bought them with no questions asked. He also said after completing the transactions, he went and turned the firearms over to the police.

On January 13, the Crime Commission will be making a recommendation to the General Assembly as to whether or not legislation should be proposed to address gun shows. Senator Ken Stolle has already stated that there is no way a bill aimed at the so-called "gun show loophole" will gain majority support from both parties on the commission but there may be support for legislation to define who is a dealer for purposes of private sales.

Virginia gun owners should contact commission members and politely tell them there is no need for a)legislation to close the so-called loophole because no loophole exists, and b)legislation to define dealers in Virginia is a solution in search of a problem and therefore also should not receive support from the commission.

Contact information for the commission members are as follows:

Delegate David B. Albo Chairman
Senator Kenneth W. Stolle Vice-Chairman8th District (Pro-rights)
The Honorable Robert F. McDonnell Attorney General (Pro-rights)
Delegate Robert B. Bell 58th District (Pro-rights)
Mr. Glenn R. Croshaw Gubernatorial Appointee
Senator Janet D. Howell 32nd District
Delegate Terry G. Kilgore 1st District (Pro-rights)
Senator Henry L. Marsh 16th District
Delegate Kenneth R. Melvin 80th District
Delegate Brian J. Moran 46th District
Delegate Beverly J. Sherwood 29th District (Pro-rights)
The Honorable Richard E. Trodden Arlington Commonwealth's Attorney

Remember, we only need to make sure that legislation does not receive support from the majority of both parties represented (meaning a majority of Republicans and a majority of the Democrats must support the recommendation). I have listed which members have pro-rights voting records.

Anti-gun Virginia Governor to Become DNC Chairman

Barack Obama has named Virginia Governor Tim Kaine to take over the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee. The incumbent President typically gets to name the party head. Kaine told Obama that he would not accept a cabinet level position in the new administration and instead wanted to finish his term as Governor. So, it should come as no surprise that Obama decided to reward Kaine in this way for his hard work on behalf of the campaign. With Kaine as head of the DNC, Obama has chosen another politician with solid anti-gun credentials to join his team (with NM Governor Bill Richardson having been the exception -but now even he is gone after withdrawing his name from nomination today).

Kaine was well known as an anti-gun zealot before he became Governor. But after watching his predecessor Mark Warner win the State House running as a friend of gun owners and then never vetoing any of the pro-gun legislation that hit his desk, Kaine decided he needed to follow Warner's successful trek to the Governor's Mansion.

Kaine has signed one pro-gun bill of substance - the bill outlawing N.Y. Mayor Michael Bloomberg's firearm straw purchase schemes, as well as some minor pro-gun bills. But the two most important pro-gun bills to pass during his term - the bill repealing the restaurant ban and the bill allowing non-CHP holders to carry concealed firearms in private motor vehicles if stored locked in container - were both vetoed. Kaine is also famous for having tried to use public funds to support the 2000 Million Mom March while he was Mayor of the City of Richmond.

We shall see if his term as DNC chair will be more successful than his term as Governor where the only successes have been political - taking back control of the State Senate for his party and turning Virginia "Blue" in the last election.

Looks Like Brady Suit to Stop Park Rule Only the First

According to today's Waynesboro News Virginian, the National Association of Park Rangers may also file a suit to stop the new rule allowing firearms in national parks from taking effect. According to Association President Scott McElveen, "the presence of concealed weapons increases the potential for loss of life, mainly wildlife."

You see, McElveen seems to think that people that possess concealed carry permits just can't wait to fire off a few rounds. At least that is the impression he gives with comments like, “They have a weapon loaded and immediately available and can’t resist taking the trophy animal, having a little target practice or shooting an animal that is a varmint such as coyotes and rattlesnakes.” I can't express the ignorance exhibited by such a statement.

I guess some people can't be convinced of any facts, no matter how many times they are repeated. Concealed carry permit holders pose a threat to no one but the would-be criminal looking for his next victim.