While most of these stories haven't made the headlines, there is plenty happening in the continuing struggle to advance gun rights.
First, a few items I've been saving. Gun Owners of America summarizes the news about gun rights in 2005. John Lott reports on Brazil's rejection of a proposed gun ban. John Stossel slays myths about guns.
The battle to ensure that the right to bear arms is not infringed continues, and is now being fought mainly in the Midwest. Thirty-seven states currently have "shall-issue" laws for concealed carry permits or do not require permits to carry concealed weapons (Vermont and Alaska fall into this category).
This battle played out in Wisconsin earlier this year. Two years ago, the legislature passed a shall-issue bill, Governor Jim Doyle vetoed it, the state senate voted to override him, and the state house failed to do so after a democrat switched sides at the last minute. This year, the same thing happened. Democratic state reps. Terry VanAkkern and John Steinbink had voted for the bill three times before, and publicly announced their support, so naturally when were needed, they voted against it. Governor Doyle may be vulnerable in the 2006 election.
In Nebraska, a shall-issue bill has the support of the governor, and is struggling to maintain the two-thirds support in the legislature needed to overcome a filibuster. It has survived two rounds of debate and needs to survive one more before becoming law.
In Kansas, a shall-issue bill has passed both halves of the legislature with more than two-thirds support, and is now in the hands of Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Two years ago, she vetoed a similar bill. The senate voted to override, but the house did not. This time around, the bill has even more support, but it is unclear how whether there are enough votes to override a veto.
Shall-issue legislation has also been introduced in Iowa and Delaware. Apparently, the Delaware bill stands a good chance of passing, thanks to a relatively pro-gun Democratic governor. In Wyoming, the state house voted to do away with the need for permits altogether, but the senate did not take up the measure.
The other trend in gun rights recently is the push to broaden self-defense laws. This started with the NRA's successful efforts to pass a so-called "stand your ground" bill in Florida last year. Opponents have taken to calling these bills "Shoot first laws." Similar bills have surfaced in a number of states, including Michigan. South Dakota's version has been signed into law.
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A very important part of the fight to strengthen Second Amendment rights: CCW reciprocity. H.R. 4547, now before Congress, requires that states honor CCW permits issued by other states. So if you're traveling from Michigan to Ohio and you have a valid CCW permit, Ohio must honor your CCW rights. It's a good idea.
Apparently, Joe Schwarz was one of the first to co-sponsor this bill. According to his website ...
U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-Battle Creek) has agreed to cosponsor a bill that would create a national standard in accordance with which states would recognize other states’ conceal and carry weapon (CCW) laws.
H.R. 4547 would mandate that when a CCW permit holder visits another state with a CCW law, that person’s CCW rights must be respected, so long as they adhere to the restrictions prescribed by the state they are visiting. If a CCW permit holder were to visit another state that does not have a CCW statute, that person would be allowed to carry a concealed weapon everywhere except for a police station, public detention facility, courthouse, public polling place, at a meeting of a state, county, or municipal governing body, in a school, at a professional or school athletic event not related to firearms, in a portion of an establishment licensed by the State to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, or inside the sterile or passenger area of an airport.
“I have always been a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, and I believe strongly in the right to protect one’s self and one’s family,” said Dr. Schwarz. “This bill ensures that all states respect a person’s right to carry a concealed weapon for personal protection.”
Congressman Schwarz has also co-sponsored H.R. 800, now enacted, which protects firearms manufacturers from liability for injuries due to unlawful use of firearms, and H.R. 1288, the District of Columbia Personal Protection Act, a bill that would restore Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia.
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Allan: Your thoughts?
Clearly, Tim Walberg is already making an impact on Congress.
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