By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—NRA: NRA-EVP Wayne LaPierre to resign effective Jan. 31; California: After six days of California effective being a non-carry state for those who have been granted carry permits, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Denied the state of California’s motion to stay the Circuit Court’s decision; Jewish self-defense group Magen Am works in California and Arizona to train people in the use of firearms; Maine: An anti-gun rally was held at the State Capitol on Jan. 3; Nebraska: Last December Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued an opinion concerning the cities of Omaha and Lincoln that tried to ban the carrying of firearms on public spaces;
National Rifle Association
NRA-EVP Wayne LaPierre to resign effective Jan. 31. On Jan. 5 the NRA website noted:
“The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) announced today that Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre announced he is stepping down from his position as chief executive of the organization, effective January 31. Long-time NRA executive and Head of General Operations Andrew Arulanandam will become the interim CEO & EVP of the NRA.”
On Jan. 6 it was reported that the Josh Powell, former NRA executive and one of the defendants in the Letitia James lawsuit against the NRA, has come to a settlement with James. The stipulation can be found here.
Biden Administration
In addition to the current 90-day Firearm Export ‘Pause’ that is currently in effect, NSSF has an article on its website discussing the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) that was passed in 2022. The Biden-Harris Administration has implemented those parts of the BSCA they like such as the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, but has not bothered to implement two parts of the law that would assist FFLs to ensure that their employees are not prohibited from owning guns and screening the used guns they purchase prior to the purchase. Those two provisions of the law were to be implement within 90-days of its passage, yet DOJ has not bothered to put the required administrative information in place 19 months later.
Legislation and local communities
States that begin their sessions in January: Arizona, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin
States that do NOT hold legislative sessions in 2024: Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texas,
California: Dec. 30, US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 3-judge Motions panel, stayed the District Court’s injunction in the combined cases of Carralero v. Bonta and May v. Bonta. Then they sent it to a “merits” panel for further adjudication, thus enforcing SB2. That prohibited those with carry permits from carrying in “specific sensitive place” as of Jan. 1, 2024. There are very few places in the state that are NOT specific sensitive places under that law. However, on Jan. 6 the Merits panel reinstated the injunction and denied the state of California’s motion for a stay. Californians with carry permits are now no longer prohibited from carrying firearms in the same manner they were able prior to Dec. 30.
Fox News ran a story about Rabbi Yossi Eilfort, who started Magen Am, a Jewish licensed non-profit, that provides armed security and training. According to Fox News, “Fox News Digital also spoke with the owner of Beverly Hills Guns, Russell Stuart, who has known Eilfort for years and said there has been an explosion of California Jews rushing to purchase firearms for self-defense as the war in Israel continues and instances of antisemitism increase stateside.”
Hawaii: The Big Island, legally called Hawaii, has published the methodology of acquiring firearms or registering firearms. The Honolulu Police Department has also published instructions. The Star Advertiser published an article about the implantation of the new gun law as well.
Maine: The anti-gun groups are focused on Maine after the shooting in Lewiston Maine last year. An anti-gun rally was held at the state Capitol on Jan. 3 where “Second Amendment supporters made their presence known.”Nebraska: In December, Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued an opinion concerning the cities of Omaha and Lincoln that tried to ban the carrying of firearms on public spaces in 2023. He wrote, “Municipalities lack the authority to regulate the possession of firearms and certain weapons in quintessential public spaces, such as parks, trails, and sidewalks…” This formal opinion was a result of Omaha Mayor Jean Stothart’s signing of an executive order banning all firearms on city property. That order was followed by Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird’s similar
