By Tanya Metaksa
Latest developments— Fed. Legislative: H.R. 2; H.R. 1625; H.R. 4909, DOJ Bump stocks ; H.R. 5087, H.R. 2810, H.R.38/S.446; H.R. 447; H.R. 3576; H.R. 2706; Political: Oregon Judicial: Boulder, CO Ordinance 8245; Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, Inc., et. al. v. Gurbir Grewal, et. al; Minnesota Voters Alliance Et Al. V. Mansky Et Al; NRA v. Cuomo; Village of Deerfield; Workman v. Healey: National Rifle Association of America, Inc. v. Bondi; State Legislation: California, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island
115th Congress (2nd session)
H.R. 2, The Farm Bill, passed the House of Representatives on a 213-211 vote. The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, that is the only federal program aimed at opening private land to public access including hunting, received a 25% increase in funding. However, there were long term cuts to conservation that were also included. S. 3042, the Senate Farm bill, is still being considered in the Senate.
H.R. 1625, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, passed the House and the Senate and was signed on 3/23/2018 by President Trump. Included S. 2135, Fix NICS Act of 2017; H.R. 4909/S.2495, Stop School Violence, and an amendment that included language to allow CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to conduct research on gun violence.
H.R. 4909, the STOP School Violence Act of 2018, passed by a vote of 407-10 in the House of Representatives. The bill will provide funding for training to identify early warning signs of violent individuals as well as funding to create a violence prevention reporting problem.
H.R. 5087, The Assault Weapons Ban of 2018, has been introduced with 174 anti-gun Democrats signing on. This ban is so broad and poorly written that 99% of long guns would probably be eliminated, including the Glock18.
The Trump Administration
On May 15 the Trump administration announced that the authority to approve international sales of small arms exports, including semiautomatic rifles and weapons that are .50 caliber and under would be transferred to the Department of Commerce from the State Department. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), a smallarms manufacturing trade group, and others have long sought the change. Currently smallarms exporting undergoes the same restrictions as exports of advanced missile systems and tanks. The deadline for comments is July 9, 2018. If you are or have been impacted by the current Obama-era restrictions that included traveling with a firearms, writing defense articles or teaching defense course, your are encouraged to comment on the ITAR regulations. Both the US State Department and the US Department of Commerce have links. The State Department link is https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=DOS_FRDOC_0001-4527, while the Department of Commerce link is https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=DOS_FRDOC_0001-4527.
Judicial
Boulder, CO Ordinance 8245: Two lawsuits have been filed since the City of Boulder CO banned the ownership of “assault” weapons, high capacity magazines and raised the minimum age for firearms possession to 21. Caldara et al v. City of Boulder and Chambers, et.al v. City of Boulder.
Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, Inc., et. al. v. Gurbir Grewal, et. al: NRA-ILA announced its support for this lawsuit to halt the enforcement of New Jersey’s ban and required disposal of previously owned “high capacity” magazines.
Minnesota Voters Alliance Et Al. V. Mansky Et Al: The US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) took issue with a Minnesota law that prohibited the wearing of apparel that supported a “political” concept. SCOTUS upheld the prohibition of apparel that supported a candidate or a party, but under the First Amendment rejected an arbitrary enforcement of “political” speech.
NRA v. Cuomo: Filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of New York alleges that Gov. Cuomo and NY Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) violated the First Amendment rights of the NRA. The Gov. and Maria T. Vullo (Chair of NYDFS) did so by sending “guidance” letters to banks and insurance companies that do business in New York State urging them to stop doing business with NRA.
Village of Deerfield, IL: [1] The Village of Deerfield, IL passed Ordinance 0-18-06 on April 2, 2018, banning “assault weapons”—a term defined by the ordinance. The Second Amendment Foundation, the Illinois State Rifle Association and Daniel D. Easterly filed suit in the Circuit Court of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois. The basis of this suit is that the issuance of such an ordinance is preempted under current Illinois law. [2] Guns Save Lives and The NRA Institute for Legislative Action have announced another suit. The judge has issued an injunction against enforcement.
Workman, et. al. v. Healey: After the MA AG Maura Healey on July 20,2016 announced an “enforcement notice” on firearms that had been sold in the state since the year 2000, rewriting the MA statute that dealt with banned rifles and magazines, a group of individuals and corporations filed the suit in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Unfortunately, Judge William G. Young’s decision upheld the action of the AG Healey and stated, “Massachusetts is free to ban these weapons and large capacity magazines.”
National Rifle Association of America, Inc. v. Bondi: On Mar. 9 the National Rifle Association (NRA) announced that it had filed suit against Florida’s newly enacted law that bans citizens between the ages of 18-21 from purchasing any firearms. The suit was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. et al v. Beach et al: The NY State association of the NRA and Robert Nash filed a lawsuit in federal court on Feb.1 against state Supreme Court Justice Richard C. McNally, Jr., who rejected Nash’s application for a Right-to-Carry permit.
Political: Primary Elections & Initiatives
California: All the incumbent Republican Representatives endorsed by the NRA-PVF n the US Congress will be in the general election: Doug La Malfa (Dist. 1), Tom McClintock (Dist. 4), Jeff Denham (Dist.10), Devin Nunes (Dist. 22), Kevin McCarthy (Dist. 23), Steve Knight (Dist. 25), Ken Calvert (Dist. 42), Dana Rohrabacher (Dist. 48), & Duncan Hunter (Dist. 50)
Alabama: In the June 5, 2018, Republican primary election the NRA-PVF endorsed Gov. Kay Ivey won her primary, while NRA endorsed Attorney General Steve Marshall will be in a runoff on July 17.
Nevada: In the June 12 Republican primary the NRA-PVF endorsed candidates won: Adam Laxalt for Governor, Michael Roberson for Lt. Governor and Wes Duncan for Attorney General.
Oregon: Initiative Petition IP43, has been introduced by an interfaith religious group to ban so-called “assault weapons” and high capacity magazines. Promoters for Initiative Petition IP44, mandating that all firearms be licked with a trigger-locking device and firearms owners would be subject felony convictions if the firearm was stolen or a minor gained access to the firearm, have given up their effort to get it on the 2018 ballot. Both petitions need 88,000 signatures by July 6, 2018, to put them on the November ballot. For a pictorial view of firearms that would be banned check out https://www.northwestfirearms.com/threads/ballot-initiative-43-banned-firearm-picture-thread.265905/.
Washington: Another anti-gun ballot initiative, 22-pages long, includes raising minimum age for gum purchase to 21, enhanced background checks, safe storage crimes and many other restrictions, is seeking signatures to get on the 2018 ballot.
State Legislation
Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, & Texas were not in session this year. The following states have adjourned: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
California:
On June 19: In the Senate Public Safety Committee and the Assembly Public Safety Committees-AB3 that has already passed the House has been amended to prohibit persons under the age of 21 to purchase firearms or ammunition, AB2888, expanding the list of persons who can file gun violence restraining orders, SB1100, expanding the one gun a month restriction to long guns, and SB221, prohibiting the sale of firearms and ammunitions at the Cow Palace after Jan. 1, 2020, were ordered to be re-referred to Appropriations Committee and then passed. The Senate passed SJR24, urging Congress to reinstitute the “assault weapons” ban and it now goes to the Assembly Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security Committee. The Assembly and the Senate Natural Resources Committee passed: AB986, reduce hunting license fees for veterans, and AB2151, reducing the cost of youth hunter licenses. The Assembly and the Senate Public Safety Committee passed AB2103, expanding the training requirement for carry permits. The Senate and the Assembly Public Safety Committee passed SB1382, expanding vehicle storage options for firearms in pickup trucks and utility vehicles. The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee passed AB2497, a California Agriculture Day bill that was amended with a new state tax on firearms and ammunition to pay for school counselors and safety officers. AB3199 has been amended by adding banning firearms as raffle prizes for charitable organizations and was referred to the Assembly Public Safety Committee. The Senate Natural Resources Committee passed SB1311, an annual sportsmen’s license that includes both hunting and fishing licenses in a single license, it now goes to the Appropriations Committee. San Francisco Supervisor Catherine Stefani has stated she will introduce an ordinance banning concealed weapons within 500-feet of an event with more than 50 people.
Connecticut:
The Connecticut Joint Committee on Judiciary held hearings and passed HB5538, creating a lifetime ammunition certificate, HB5539, allowing carrying firearms in state parks, HB5540, banning the practice of manufacturing firearms for personal use, and HB5542, banning components that accelerate the rate of fire of a semi-automatic rifle. Those bills could come for a vote in the House of Representatives at any time.
Delaware:
On June 19 SB163, banning the sale, possession and transfer of commonly owned semi-automatic rifles, was defeated for a second time in the Senate Judicial and Community Affairs Committee. HB366, a mandatory gun storage bill, was passed by the House Judiciary Committee. HB330, banning the sale and possession of firearms to anyone under 21 years of age, was passed by the Delaware House and is scheduled before the Senate on Apr. 19. HB300, making it a crime to knowingly possess a “bump stock” and requiring disposal of any owned item within 120 days of the bills passage, has been passed by the Senate.
Florida:
The news media in Florida attacked Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam for allegedly failing to “review national background checks” on applicants for concealed weapons permits for more than a year. Turns out the headlines exaggerated the problem. After careful examination by USF Executive Director Marion Hammer the truth has been revealed. All background checks through the Florida Criminal Information Computer system (FCIC) and the National Instant Check System (NICS) were done. Of the 350,000 applicants that were processed only 365 were disqualified. The employee did not stop those 365 names from being processed as qualified. The employee was subsequently fired and 291 applicants had there licenses suspended.
Hawaii:
The Hawaii legislature has adjourned.Gov. David Ige signed SB2046, prohibiting certain trigger modifications.
Illinois:
SB337, another dealer licensing bill, and SB3256, creating a new state registry of firearms transfers, have been sent to Gov. Rauner for his consideration. On May 23 the House of Representative passed House Amendment 2 to HB2354, allowing family or law enforcement to petition a court to seize a person’s gun without due process, that now goes to the SenateHB1468, requiring a 72-hour waiting period prior to the delivery of an “assault weapon” (new definitions) was vetoed by Gov. Rauner. HB1465, infringing on Second Amendment rights banning firearms, and magazines, and the ability of young adults to purchase firearms and HB1467, repealing the firearm preemption law in IL, have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, but need another vote on concurrence in the House. House Amendment 1 to HB1470 to institute a one-handgun-a-month purchase limitation is awaiting action in the Rules Committee.The Senate Judiciary Committee passed Senate Amendment 1 to SB2343, increasing the penalty to a non-probational felony for possessing, manufacturing, carrying certain firearms accessories and increasing the penalty even further when these accessories are attached to a firearm, and SB2314, repealing the Illinois firearm preemption statutes. These bills now are awaiting a vote in the Senate. HB1469, a bill dealing with sexual exploitation of children has been amended with a ban on magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds in the House Judiciary Committee.
Indiana:
The City Council of Marion County and Indianapolis voted on June 13 to reject a proposal to urge the Indiana legislature to ban assault rifles.
Kansas:
Unfortunately the Legislature adjourned and HB2042, recognizing out-of-state Right-to-Carry permits that had been passed by the conference committee, failed to be considered. Gov. Jeff Colyer signed HB2145 that prohibits certain persons from possessing firearms including those convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor within the past 5 years.
Louisiana:
The Louisiana legislature has adjourned. Gov. John Bel Edwards signed SB402, allowing Right-to-Carry permittees to volunteer in churches as armed security, SB231, allowing anyone to instigate proceedings to remove firearms from an individual who has violated a protective order, and HB602, allowing Right-to-Carry permittees to carry on school property.
Massachusetts:
HB4517, is the new number for HB3610, allowing firearms to be seized without due process, and it was reported out of the House Ways and Means Committee for vote on the floor, and it contains SB2376, requiring “electronic” stun guns to fall under the current firearms laws.
Michigan:
A Constitutional Carry group of bills: HB4416, 4417, 4418 and 4419. HB4554, removing the current pistol registration requirement, have passed the House and are awaiting Senate action. SB0527, guaranteeing that persons who become foster parents do not lose their Second Amendment rights, and SB366, allowing provisional Right-to-Carry permits for those persons 18-20 years of age have passed the Senate.
Minnesota:
The Minnesota legislature has adjourned.
Missouri:
The Missouri legislature has adjourned.
Nebraska:
The Nebraska legislature has adjourned. Gov. Pete Ricketts signed LB902, a firearms record confidentiality bill.
New Hampshire:
HB1749, A bill seeking redress for towns that prohibit or regulate firearms in violation of the preemption statute has been introduced, has been referred to interim study for examination.
New Jersey:
On June 7 the legislature passed a number of firearms bills: S2259, instituting “extreme risk” protection orders; S102, banning magazines with a capacity greater than 10 rounds; S160, giving “health professional” the power to suspend gun rights; and S2374, background checks on all firearms transfers; S2376, codifying NJ’s “justifiable need” for a Right-to-Carry permit. They now go to Gov. Phil Murphy who has promised to sign them.
New York:
The New York legislature has adjourned. Gov. Cuomo is leading a charge against any businesses that work with the NRA.
North Carolina:
SB677, adding a Right to Hunt and Fish to the North Carolina Constitution, passed the Senate on a 44-4 vote.
Ohio:
On May 22 the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Federalism and Interstate Relations Committee passed Sub HB228, expanding the locations where a person has no duty to retreat before using force under both civil and criminal law, and modifying the Concealed Handgun Licensing Law regarding a licensee’s duty to keep the licensee’s hands in plain sight, and penalties. The House passed HB132, a substitute for HB142, that eliminated the requirement that a Right-to-Carry permittee must inform a police officer that he/she is carrying, and HB233, a bill to change the penalty for a person with a Right-to-Carry permit or a military member who is carrying a concealed firearms where it is prohibited to a possible misdemeanor.
Oklahoma:
The Oklahoma legislature has adjourned. Gov. Mary Fallin vetoed SB1212, a constitutional carry bill.
Pennsylvania:
The House Judiciary Committee met on June 19 and passed HB2227, creating “extreme risk protection orders,” and on June 20 voted 14-13 to pass HB1872, a ban on “accelerated trigger activators.”to refer HB273, creating a voluntary firearms self-exclusion list, was referred back to the Rules Committee.
Rhode Island:
Gov. Gina Raimondo signed SB2292A, banning modifications to firearms and certain accessories, and SB2492A, allowing for the issuance of protective orders to infringe on Second Amendment rights based on third party allegations.
South Carolina:
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB449, a permitless carry bill.
Utah:
The Utah School Safety Commission passed policy recommendations to make Utah schools safer: universal background checks, mandatory firearms storage, waiting periods, and removing firearms from persons without due process.
Virginia:
The Loudon County Board of Supervisors did NOT consider an initiative to increase the minimum distance from a building that it would be legal to discharge a firearm.
Washington:
The Seattle City Council is proposing an ordinance that would require that if a firearm theft is not reported to the police within 24 hours from the time the victim “should have known” the victim would be subject to a fine.
Wisconsin:
The legislature has adjourned. Gov. Scott Walker signed AB820, establishing procedures for closing shooting ranges.
