By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—Federal: House Oversight Committee-Rep. James Comer investigates collusion between White House, city of Chicago, and anti-gun group; Crime, Punishment, and Gun Control proponents; The Delaware legislature has adjourned; California: The Senate Public Safety Committee, on a vote of 4-1, passed two more anti-gun bills already passed the Assembly
The National Shooting Sports Foundation reported that U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced in a press release that his Committee was investigating the potential collusion between the Biden administration, gun control groups, and the City of Chicago. Comer alleges that all three parties got together to file a lawsuit against Glock, Inc., advancing the theory that the company is responsible for the criminal misuse of firearms when criminals attach an illegal “switch” to handguns. Chairman Comer has also sent letters to ATF Director Steve Dettelbach and the White House Office on Gun Violence Prevention Director Stefanie Feldman.
Crime, Punishment, and Gun Control proponents
The Virginia Citizens Defense League, a Pro-Second Amendment group in Virginia, released a video showing the debate in a 2024 State Senate hearing about SB203, a bill to double the mandatory minimum sentence for Repeat Violent Offenders who used a firearm a second time to commit violent crimes. Mary Ann Ressin, one of the persons representing Moms Demand Action, opposed the bill due to mandatory minimum sentences. Kelly Sampson, a Senior Counsel with Brady, also opposed the bill due to the mandatory minimum sentences. Senators William Stanley, Mark Peake and Mark Obenshain were astounded at the hypocrisy of these groups. Senator Richard Stuart was astounded and summed up the feeling of the Committee:
“ I have to say today the abject hypocrisy in this room is astounding to me. These groups come in here day after day and support bills that target honest, law-abiding citizens and gun owners. [For them to ] stand up and oppose a bill to hold a criminal accountable that uses a gun, it is truly astounding. But I [will] tell you what it does; it absolutely illustrates what your true purpose is here. That’s to take guns away from honest people, and you ought to be ashamed of yourselves.”
Firearms Fun Facts
According to Shannon Watts of Moms Demand fame: THIS IS REAL: Grocery stores in Alabama and Oklahoma are installing vending machines that allow customers to purchase firearm ammunition. Terry Stanley, COO of Fresh Value, said he is “super excited” to offer “the first ammo kiosk.”
State Legislation and local communities
States that do NOT hold legislative sessions in 2024: Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texas,
States that are still in session: California, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio (special session), Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island
California: The Senate Public Safety Committee, on a vote of 4-1, passed two more anti-gun bills that had already passed the Assembly. AB1252 officially makes AG Bonta’s Office of Gun Violence Protection part of the CA DOJ and creates a state-supported Commission to End Gun Violence. AB2917 expands the criteria for implementing the Gun Violence Protective Order to consider any threats directed toward any group or location. The bills are now before the Committee on Appropriations.
Delaware: The Delaware legislature has adjourned.
