The NSSF has issued an alert regarding proposed legislation in Connecticut that would drastically restrict the rights of gun owners. Proposed measures include: mandatory registration of ALL firearms, confiscation of all magazines with capacity of 10+ rounds, registration of ammo purchases, ban on internet ammo purchases, and mandatory locked gun storage. Legislation proposed by Gov. Malloy, Sen. Beth Bye, and Rep. Bob Godfrey, would include the following restrictions:
An outright ban on ALL modern sporting rifles, classifying them as “Assault Weapons.”
Restricting lawful magazine capacity to 10 rounds.
Confiscating ALL magazines (including pistol mags) holding more than 10 rounds.
Statewide gun registration for ALL firearms.
Re-registration every two (2) years with rising fee schedule.
Permit requirement for any rifle with a pistol grip.
Registration of all ammunition purchases.
Limits on ammo quantities one can purchase and possess.
Ban on internet sales of ammo in Connecticut.
Mandatory locked gun storage requirements.
The NSSF states that: “There will only be a few opportunities for discussion and opposition as many in Hartford are trying to pass legislation as quickly as possible. The first hearing (and may be the only time to testify) will occur next Monday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m. at the Legislative Office Building.”
NSSF is urging all gun owners, sportsmen and hunters to attend Monday’s public hearing to be held in the Legislative Office Building in Room 2C at 10 a.m. and to contact their state representative, senator and all members of the Committee immediately.
Other important gun-related legislation under consideration in Connecticut:
HB 5268, SB140: Requires firearm owners to maintain liability insurance. Establishes a 50% tax on the sale of ammunition. Requires all ammunition to be purchased in person.
SB 122: Makes it a class C felony offense for any person or organization to purchase, sell, donate, transport, possess, or use any gun except one made to fire a single round.
SB 124: Prohibits the possession of magazines that accept more than ten rounds.
With the Republican (GOP) Convention in full swing in Florida, readers have asked: “What is the official Republican Party position on the Second Amendment and gun rights?” Here is the section of the Republican Platform concerning gun issues, quoted word for word:
“We support the fundamental right to self-defense wherever a law abiding citizen has a legal right to be, and we support federal legislation that would expand the exercise of that right by allowing those with state-issued carry permits to carry firearms in any state that issues such permits to its own residents. Gun ownership is responsible citizenship, enabling Americans to defend their homes and communities. We condemn frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers and oppose federal licensing or registration of law-abiding gun owners. We oppose legislation that is intended to restrict our Second Amendment rights by limiting the capacity of clips or magazines or otherwise restoring the ill considered Clinton gun ban.”
We think that language is pretty clear. Some gun rights advocacy groups will be satisfied with this Platform statement, others may believe the Republican Platform does not go far enough in calling for the elimination of existing Federal restrictions on firearms.
You’ve heard by now that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has chosen Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate. Since Ryan’s selection as a VP candidate, the mainstream media has focused primarily on Ryan’s positions on government spending, health care policies, and debt reduction.
You may be wondering, where does Ryan stand on gun rights issues? In a nutshell, Ryan is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment and he has lead efforts to protect the shooting sports and hunting. An avid hunter, Ryan is the former co-chairman of the bi-partisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. Ryan has received an “A” grade from the NRA for his overall voting record. Among other things, Ryan has voted to protect the right of hunters to use traditional ammunition and to prohibit suing manufacturers and retailers for the criminal misuse of firearms. He has also supported a national cross-state standard for concealed carry. Here are highlights of Rep. Ryan’s voting record in Congress, on matters relating to hunting and gun rights:
Voted YES to protect the right of hunters to use traditional ammunition.
Voted YES to prohibit suing manufacturers and retailers for the criminal misuse of firearms.
Voted YES to decrease background check waiting period from 3 days to 1 day for a firearm purchase at a gun show.
Supported national cross-state standard for concealed carry.
Opposed the gun registration & trigger lock law in Washington, DC.
Apparently Bank of America is no longer willing to provide banking services to McMillan Group Int’l, LLC (McMillan), a leading maker of gunstocks and an important supplier of stocks, rifles, and other hardware to our U.S. Armed Forces. Apparently it is not good enough that McMillan builds products used by our troops to safeguard our freedoms.
Here’s what went down. In the course of an “account analysis”, a Senior VP of Bank of America (BofA) confirmed that BofA wished to cease doing business with McMillan because the Arizona-based company now builds rifles, not just stocks and accessories. The details of the fall-out between BofA and McMillan were outlined April 19 in a post by Kelly McMillan on McMillan’s Facebook page.
HERE is the Text of McMillan’s Announcement Regarding Bank of America:
McMillan Fiberglass Stocks, McMillan Firearms Manufacturing, McMillan Group International have been collectively banking with Bank of America for 12 years. Today Mr. Ray F., Senior Vice President, Market Manager, Business Banking, Global Commercial Banking came to my office. He scheduled the meeting as an “account analysis” meeting in order to evaluate the two lines of credit we have with them. He spent 5 minutes talking about how McMillan has changed in the last 5 years and have become more of a firearms manufacturer than a supplier of accessories.
At this point I interrupted him and asked “Can I possibly save you some time so that you don’t waste your breath? What you are going to tell me is that because we are in the firearms manufacturing business you no longer want my business.”
“That is correct” he says.
I replied “That is okay, we will move our accounts as soon as possible. We can find a 2nd Amendment friendly bank that will be glad to have our business. You won’t mind if I tell the NRA, SCI and everyone one I know that BofA is not firearms industry friendly?”
“You have to do what you must” he said.
“So you are telling me this is a politically-motivated decision, is that right?”
Mr. F. confirmed that it was. At which point I told him that the meeting was over and there was nothing left for him to say.
I think it is import[ant] for all Americans who believe in and support our 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms should know when a business does not support these rights. What you do with that knowledge is up to you. When I don’t agree with a business’ political position I can not in good conscience support them. We will soon no longer be accepting Bank of America credit cards as payment for our products.
Kelly D. McMillan
Director of Operations
McMillan Group International, LLC McMillanUSA.com
Last name of Bank of America VP redacted at request of McMillan.
Commentary: The LAST thing Bank of America should be doing right now is terminating relationships with important, long-standing business customers. Because of a series of billion-dollar blunders by Bank of America executives, the company has suffered major financial losses and write-offs, and it was forced to sell off important assets. Reflecting the bank’s poor management, Bank of America share values declined 58% in 2011. That made BofA the “worst-performing stock in the 30-member Dow Jones Industrials Index” last year according to DailyFinance.com.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation has launched GunVote, a voter education website at NSSF.org/gunvote. The new GunVote website provides links to voter registration information for all 50 states, a guide to political races in voter districts, the latest polls, and a selection of news articles covering the campaigns. GunVote also spotlights Candidates’ positions on Gun Rights and the Second Amendment.
“It’s great to see that so many individuals have become firearm owners, but these freedoms require constant support from elected officials at the state and federal levels,” said NSSF President/CEO Steve Sanetti. “Votes on legislation and appointments to the courts have profound effects on our firearms freedoms.” Sanetti noted that two landmark Supreme Court decisions reaffirming the individual right to own firearms — D.C. v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago — were both decided by 5-to-4 votes.
COMMENTARY — Why You Should Participate in Upcoming Elections
The votes of target shooters, hunters and gun owners can make a huge impact in the 2012 election. Participating in the upcoming election begins by making sure to register, then becoming educated about the candidates running for office and discussing choices with family and friends so that they understand the importance of voting. The final step is going to the polls and (when necessary) helping others to get to the polls, too.
More Gun-Owners Need to Register and Vote
In the 2010 Congressional election, only 46.2 percent of women and 45 percent of men 18 and over reported voting, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Gun owners tend to be more active at the polls than this average, but there is a lot of room for improvement. Sanetti adds: “More gun owners need to vote. It’s critical that they do, and that they consider closely what candidates are saying… about our firearms freedoms.”
In the future, Virginians will enjoy the restored freedom to purchase multiple handguns within a 30-day period. The Commonwealth is repealing provisions of § 18.2-308.2:2 of the Code of Virginia restricting handgun purchases to one-a-month. After passing the Virginia Senate (21-19), legislation (HB940, SB323) overturning Virginia’s present one-handgun-a-month restriction is now on its way to the desk of Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell. As Gov. McDonnell has said he will sign this legislation into law, we can expect the one-gun restriction to soon be a thing of the past in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“We are pleased that the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates have recognized the importance of repealing one-gun-a-month, legislation that rationed the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Virginians,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane. “We look forward to Gov. McDonnell’s signature on this very important bill.”
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an important self-defense measure that would enable millions of Right-to-Carry permit holders across the country to carry concealed firearms while traveling outside their home states. H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, passed by a majority bipartisan vote of 272 to 154. All amendments aimed to weaken or damage the integrity of this bill were defeated.
H.R. 822, introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), allows any person with a valid state-issued concealed firearm permit to carry a concealed firearm in any state that issues concealed firearm permits, or that does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms for lawful purposes.
This bill does not affect existing state laws. State laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within each state’s borders. H.R. 822 does not create a federal licensing system or impose federal standards on state permits; rather, it requires the states to recognize each others’ carry permits, just as they recognize drivers’ licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards.
Editor’s Note: This is good news, but this bill, H.R. 822, has to pass the U.S. Senate AND survive the possibility of a Presidential veto, before it can become law. While being considered in the Senate, the bill could be modified or weakened.
NRA Institute for Legislative Action Supports H.R. 822
“The NRA has made the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act a priority because it enhances the fundamental right to self-defense guaranteed to all law-abiding people,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “People are not immune from crime when they cross state lines. That is why it is vital for them to be able to defend themselves and their loved ones[.]”
Here’s an amusing story, if a sad one for Porsche fans. After his Porsche 911 sports car broke down, the owner, faced with a massive repair bill, decided to donate the vehicle to a local charity — the Commonwealth Second Amendment (Comm2A), a group that works for gun law reform in Massachusetts. Well Comm2A, with co-sponsor Northeast Shooters, decided the best use of the donated Porsche was as a target! The two organizations hosted a fund-raising shoot-out, with the Porsche as the star of the show.
Jaloponik blog writer Matt Hardigree explains: “After the engine of his Porsche 911 decided to die (and take much of the cooling system along with it in some kind of powertrain suicide pact), the owner considered the $20,000 repair job and instead decided to donate the car to a non-profit. A non-profit dedicated to protecting gun rights. [A]pproximately 140 people showed up for the fundraiser. It’s difficult to know exactly how much ammo was spent decimating the Porsche, but 10,000 seems to be the conservative estimate.” READ full article HERE.
Editor’s Comment: While I understand the purpose of the fund raiser, I wonder if the Porsche would have be worth more in parts value than the sum collected from the shooters. On the other hand, as Jalopnik’s Hardigree writes: “Who hasn’t wanted to take a few shots at a 911, even an older model, after years of dealing with Porsche drivers?”
It’s a huge win for gun rights in Chicago, tactical training, and free hats, this Sunday on Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk Radio, the nationally-syndicated radio talk show about guns and the shooting sports.
Alan Gottlieb of the Second Amendment Foundation joins Gun Talk Sunday to discuss this week’s 3-0 ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals over a Chicago, IL ordinance that required gun range training as a stipulation to own a handgun, but also banned gun ranges within city limits.
“This is a significant victory that could have strong implications well beyond the Chicago city limits,” said SAF Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “The court is making it clear that cities cannot adopt firearms ordinances that are so deliberately restrictive that they make it impossible for citizens to exercise their rights under the Second Amendment.”
Also visiting Gun Talk this week is Bill Davison of TacPro Shooting Center in Texas. Davison drops in to discuss tactical training tips, techniques, how to begin training and how to continue through the years.
Callers Can Win Free Baseball Cap
And as a special “Thank You” for our listeners, anyone who calls in and speaks with Tom on-air this Sunday, July 10th, will receive a baseball hat from the Gun Talk prize closet. To get a chance at the hat, call 1-866-825-5486 when Gun Talk is broadcast live on Sunday afternoon. Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk Radio airs live on Sundays from 2PM-5PM Eastern, and runs on more than 115 stations, plus on XM (Ch. 165) Satellite Radio. All Gun Talk shows can be downloaded as podcasts. More information is available at www.guntalk.com.
We admit, we found it hard to believe that a State government would actually waive state sales tax to promote the sales of firearms. But it’s true. For two days, November 26 and 27, 2010, South Carolina will exempt firearms purchases from state sales and use tax. South Carolina will waive the state’s sales tax on purchases of handguns, rifles and shotguns Nov. 26-27 during its two-day annual “Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday”, first conducted in 2008.
Tax Holiday Today and Tomorrow
The 48-hour tax break on firearm purchases begins at 12:01 a.m. Nov. 26 and continues through midnight Nov. 27. The tax exemption also applies to any local sales and use tax. While gun purchases will be exempt, you’ll still have to pay tax on ammo and accessories though. The notice of the Sales Tax Holiday explains that ammunition, black powder, gun cases, gun barrels, gun safes, holsters, and hunting clothes etc. are NOT exempt.
We salute South Carolina. At a time when many states, such as California, are doing everything possible to discourage firearm sales, and make it difficult for gun dealers to stay in business, South Carolina is giving hunters and sport shooters a break. This recognizes the fact that shooters contribute significantly to the economy and to wildlife conservation efforts.
“We support the fundamental right to self-defense wherever a law abiding citizen has a legal right to be, and we support federal legislation that would expand the exercise of that right by allowing those with state-issued carry permits to carry firearms in any state that issues such permits to its own residents. Gun ownership is responsible citizenship, enabling Americans to defend their homes and communities. We condemn frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers and oppose federal licensing or registration of law-abiding gun owners. We oppose legislation that is intended to restrict our Second Amendment rights by limiting the capacity of clips or magazines or otherwise restoring the ill considered Clinton gun ban.” 
You’ve heard by now that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has chosen Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate. Since Ryan’s selection as a VP candidate, the mainstream media has focused primarily on Ryan’s positions on government spending, health care policies, and debt reduction.
Apparently 
“That is correct” he says.
In the future, Virginians will enjoy the restored freedom to purchase multiple handguns within a 30-day period. The Commonwealth is repealing provisions of § 18.2-308.2:2 of the Code of Virginia restricting handgun purchases to one-a-month. After passing the Virginia Senate (21-19), legislation (
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an important self-defense measure that would enable millions of Right-to-Carry permit holders across the country to carry concealed firearms while traveling outside their home states. H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, passed by a majority bipartisan vote of 272 to 154. All amendments aimed to weaken or damage the integrity of this bill were defeated.
This bill does not affect existing state laws. State laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within each state’s borders. H.R. 822 does not create a federal licensing system or impose federal standards on state permits; rather, it requires the states to recognize each others’ carry permits, just as they recognize drivers’ licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards. 
Here’s an amusing story, if a sad one for Porsche fans. After his Porsche 911 sports car broke down, the owner, faced with a massive repair bill, decided to donate the vehicle to a local charity — the 
It’s a huge win for gun rights in Chicago, tactical training, and free hats, this Sunday on Tom Gresham’s 
