By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—Biden Administration: New White House office of Gun Violence Prevention; Congress: On Sept. 21, Representative Mike Cloud (R-TX) and 30 colleagues in the House of Representatives introduced Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2023. California—Two more bills were signed by Gov. Newsom. Hawaii: According to a tweet by the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, a sleep apnea medical problem requires a medical waiver when applying for a Right-requires permit; Maryland—Anne Arundel County hearing on Bill 72-23 on Oct, 2, 2023; Massachusetts: A Boston Common rally opposing HD4420 is planned for Massachusetts gun owners on Sept. 27 at 11 am;
Biden Administration Activity
At the Rose Garden on Sept. 22
President Biden can’t help himself with giving Vice President Kamala Harris another job.
She has failed at everything she has been given to date gun owners hope that her record stays unblemished. On Sept. 22 Biden announced that he was creating a New Office in the White House for Gun Violence Prevention. The anti-gun group Giffords heralded the announcement by saying, “Today’s announcement is a Giant step forward. Giffords is grateful to President Biden and his administration for their unwavering leadership in the fight for gun safety.” Brady United had a banner headline across their website, but no other mention of the announcement on their site. Bloomberg’s many groups did not pay any attention either. The Washington Post mentioned it on Sept. 19. The NY Times spent most of its laudatory article talking about activists like David Hogg, one of the founders of March for Our lives and newly elected Gen Z member of Congress Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL). The rest of the anti-groups remained quiet. The White House briefing information can be found Here.
Congressional Action in anticipation of Biden’s announcement
On Sept. 21, Representative Mike Cloud (R-TX) and 30 colleagues in the House of Representatives introduced Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2023. This bill’s purpose is “To prohibit the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from declaring certain emergencies or disasters for the purpose of imposing gun control.”
ATF Form 4473 Update
ATF has revised the Form 4473 and it has now been approved by the Office of Management and Budget. The form can be downloaded here and the listing of changes to the form are available as well.
Legislatures/Local communities
The following states are currently in session: California, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Wisconsin. The states that are still in session but in recess are: Alaska, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Vermont . All the rest have adjourned for 2023.
California—The final two bills have been signed by Governor Newsom: SB452, banning all semi-automatic handguns without micro-stamping technology, and AB1587, requiring merchant codes for sales of firearms, ammunition and firearms accessories. Additionally SJR-7 Newsom’sconstitutional amendment to remove the Second Amendment, has been chaptered by the California Secretary of State.
Maryland: The Public hearing for Anne ArundelCounty Council Bill 72-23, increasing the current distance from 100 yards to 300 yards that a person must be from a building to legally discharge a firearm, will be considered at a public hearing on October 2, 2023. To speak on this matter one can sign up online. Bill 72-23 is available to read online.https://www.aacounty.org/county-council/legislation/bill-no-72-23
Massachusetts:A Boston Common rally opposing HD4420 is planned for Massachusetts gun owners on September 27 at 11 am. For further information check out this webpage. There are even transportation suggestions.
New Mexico: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has revised her draconian “health emergency order” on firearms. In her new public health order, she states that she is, “Removing the previous provision around firearms and replacing it with a provision that temporarily suspends the carrying of firearms at parks and playgrounds in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County.”
On September 13 the first of several lawsuits, Donk v. Grisham was considered and Judge David H. Urias granted the plaintiffs’ motion for a Temporary Restraining Order. The TRO is in effect “until such time as the Court has ruled on the Plaintiffs motions for a preliminary injunction.” Additionally, a hearing on that motion is set for Oct. 3, at US District Court for the District of New Mexico.
