Lies, Damned Lies And Statistics: Commentary points out the statistical error in the claim by the interim chief of the DC Metropolitan Police and the director of Youth Rehabilitation Services that the District's firearm ban has reduced the number of juveniles charged with homicides there. http://justbarelyinsidethebeltway.blogspot.com/2007/03/dc-officials-confused-by-murder.html --- Illinois Legislators Consider Bevy Of Gun Bills: State lawmakers are considering a measure that would force gun owners to lock up their firearms in homes with minors 18 years old and younger. The proposal joins a handful of other gun-related measures state lawmakers are considering this spring. The proposed laws would change not only how guns are stored but also what guns are legal, the use of background checks and gun dealer licensing. http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2007/03/15/top/19611793.txt --- "AWB" Stalls In Maryland: A Senate committee yesterday rejected a ban on assault weapons, effectively ending the proposal's chances for this General Assembly session. "The only people we target in this bill are law-abiding citizens who use these guns for target shooting or competitions," Brochin said. "I wish gun control worked, but it doesn't make any sense." http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.assault16mar16,0,3818418.story?coll=bal-local-headlines --- Anti-Confiscation Bill Advances In Missouri: People could not have their guns taken away during an emergency under a bill that won first-round approval Wednesday from the Senate. The legislation spells out that no government or individual can decide in an emergency to take away guns and ammunition from those who lawfully possess them. http://www.kmov.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8NSAGA01.html --- University Of Utah Drops Lawsuit: The legal battle over the U's campus gun policy came to an end Monday after the university agreed to drop its federal lawsuit against the state. Students and staff members are now guaranteed the right to carry concealed firearms on campus with a permit - the U's long-held former policy banned them from bringing guns on campus. http://media.www.dailyutahchronicle.com/media/storage/paper244/news/2007/03/14/News/U.Drops.Federal.Gun.Lawsuit-2775196.shtml --- Idaho Dealer Loses FFL: Red's Trading Post, one of Idaho's oldest gun shops, can trade no longer. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has revoked the business's license to buy, trade or obtain guns after an ATF audit found Red's employees sold guns improperly numerous times between 1999 and 2004. http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2007/03/14/news/top_story/108108.txt --- California Sheriff Recognized For RKBA Support: ...Parker won the "Outstanding Peace Officer of the Year" award from the California Rifle and Pistol Association, because of his support of a citizen's right to bear arms and carry concealed weapons. Parker serves on the California State Sheriff's Association Legislative Committee, a group that watches out for legislation that would affect one's right to bear arms. http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/news/ci_5442751 --- Pellet Gun vs. .45: A Missouri man made the mistake of using a "pellet gun" to attempt the robbery of a visitor from Florida and was shot for his efforts. "Here was a robbery where we have a good ending for once," said Bridgeton Police Major Don Steinman, who said the shooting was clearly self-defense. http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/C8F7B714E662ECD68625729E000FA62B?OpenDocument --- Meanwhile, In And Around DC...: Article describes "pack robberies," in which packs of teenagers, using stolen vans, cruise wealthy neighborhoods in the District and neighboring Maryland, and ambush easy targets for robbery. Of note, no Virginia communities, where CCW is common, are listed. http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20070315-114451-4866r.htm --- Philadelphia Diner-Robbery Follow-Up: The grandmother of the 20-year-old man who was shot to death as he attempted to rob the owner of a diner tells the press that she and his mother repeatedly urged him to live a decent life. http://www.nbc10.com/news/11262900/detail.html?dl=headlineclick --- From AzCDL: SB 1251 passed out of the House committee on Government on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 by a vote of 5-4 with one member absent. Lobbyists from law enforcement, state agencies, cities, and towns are putting on the pressure to kill the bill, and were successful in swaying the votes of a couple of committee members. We're expecting a tough fight ahead. SB 1251 - Strengthens the "public establishment or event" storage requirements: · Defines "secure storage" and "readily accessible." · Prohibits permanently recording information about the weapon or individual. · If an "operator" doesn't comply, they can't prohibit weapons. Information on this and other bills can be found at the AzCDL website: http://www.azcdl.org/html/legislation.html As this and other bills progress, we will keep you up to date via these Alerts and at our website. These alerts are a project of the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), an all volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization. Join today! AzCDL - Protecting Your Freedom http://www.azcdl.org/html/join_us_.html Copyright © 2007 Arizona Citizens Defense League, Inc., all rights reserved. SB 1629, which reduces the penalty for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit for otherwise law-abiding citizens, will be heard in the House Homeland Security and Property rights (HSPR) committee on Monday, March 19, 2007. It's important to tell the committee members that you want this bill passed. If you are not committing, or attempting to commit, a serious or violent crime, SB 1629 reclassifies carrying a concealed weapon without a permit as a petty offense. Here is the exact wording of the proposed new language for ARS 13-3102.K: "Misconduct involving weapons under subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2 of this section is a petty offense unless the violation occurs in the commission or attempted commission of a serious offense as defined in section 13-604 or a violent crime as defined in section 13-604.04, in which case the offense is a class 1 misdemeanor." Under current law, if you have not been issued a concealed weapons (CCW) permit, it is a class 1 misdemeanor to carry a concealed weapon. Everyone is treated like a hardened criminal. Sadly, because of a couple of 1994 Appellate Court decisions: · If a casual observer cannot easily see your firearm, you are carrying concealed and could be arrested. · Wearing a gun in a vehicle = concealed carry. Without a permit you are subject to arrest. · Having a CCW permit and wearing a gun in a vehicle puts your non-CCW permit passengers at risk for being arrested for carrying concealed without a permit. SB 1629 separates the innocent mistake by otherwise law-abiding citizens from the cold-blooded actions of hardcore criminals. SB 1629 even adds the "attempted commission of a serious offense" language to the law, to assist law enforcement in arresting the true bad guys. The passage of SB 1629 will not be accomplished without serious support and activism from YOU! Please send a letter to all the committee members urging passage of SB 1629. Below is a cut-and-paste letter you may use or modify. Following the letter are the email addresses of the committee members in both semi-colon and comma separated formats. Use the list compatible with your email software. Subject: Support SB 1629 Dear Representative: The Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL) has informed me that SB 1629 will be heard in the Homeland Security and Property Rights committee on March 19, 2007. I urge you to vote FOR the passage of SB 1629. Under current law it is a class 1 misdemeanor to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, regardless of the circumstances. However, because of 1994 Appellate Court decisions: · There is no clear, objective standard in statute that I can rely on to determine if I am violating the law. · If a casual observer cannot easily see my firearm, I could be arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. · Having a firearm in my vehicle puts my passengers at risk for being arrested. SB 1629 only reduces the penalty for otherwise law-abiding citizens attempting to comply with a statue clouded by court decisions. The bill retains the ability for law enforcement to arrest real criminals. SB 1629 even adds the "attempted commission of a serious offense" language to the law to assist law enforcement in arresting those criminals who are intent on committing a crime while carrying a weapon. Again, I urge you to vote for SB 1629. Sincerely, Your Name Street Address City, AZ zip-code (telephone number) HSPR committee members in comma format: wnichols@azleg.gov, dclark@azleg.gov, rbarnes@azleg.gov, nbarto@azleg.gov, jpaton@azleg.gov, clcampbell@azleg.gov, sgallardo@azleg.gov, tprezelski@azleg.gov, ksinema@azleg.gov, jpweiers@azleg.gov We will keep you informed on the progress of SB 1629 and other important legislation. Information on this and other bills can be found at the AzCDL website: http://www.azcdl.org/html/legislation.html These alerts are a project of the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), an all volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization. Join today! AzCDL - Protecting Your Freedom http://www.azcdl.org/html/join_us_.html Copyright © 2007 Arizona Citizens Defense League, Inc., all rights reserved. Whoops! I goofed. One of the email addresses in the semi-colon list was wrong. Below is the corrected list: HSPR committee members in semi-colon format: wnichols@azleg.gov; dclark@azleg.gov; rbarnes@azleg.gov; nbarto@azleg.gov; clcampbell@azleg.gov; sgallardo@azleg.gov; tprezelski@azleg.gov; ksinema@azleg.gov; jpweiers@azleg.gov; jpaton@azleg.gov These alerts are a project of the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), an all volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization. Join today! AzCDL - Protecting Your Freedom http://www.azcdl.org/html/join_us_.html Copyright © 2007 Arizona Citizens Defense League, Inc., all rights reserved. -- Stephen P. Wenger Firearm safety - It's a matter for education, not legislation. http://www.spw-duf.info .