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The 2008 Legislative Session has adjourned.
Check here for the latest news and previews on upcoming legislation.
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June 30, 2008
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Yes - Vehicle Carry was sent to the Governor!
Last week we told you that HB 2389, the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies that it is permissible to carry a weapon, with or without a CCW permit, visibly or concealed, anywhere within a means of transportation, excluding public transit was sent to the Governor based on information we received from the bill’s sponsor.
However, when the Legislature adjourned “Sine Die” on Friday, June 27, 2008, the Legislature’s website did not reflect that HB 2389 had gone to the Governor. This morning, the Legislature’s website indicates that HB 2389 was transmitted to the Governor today, June 30, 2008. HB 2389 is back in play!
If you not already done so, it is VERY important to contact the Governor and urge her to sign HB 2389 into law. You can use your own message, or you can use the sample message below. Her email address is azgov@az.gov. You can also fax a letter to her at 602-542-1381.
Or you can mail it to her at the following address:
The Honorable Janet Napolitano
Governor of Arizona
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
You can also call her office, toll free, at 1-800-253-0883.
Following the sample letter are instructions on how to post your comments on the Governor’s website.
Subject: Please sign HB 2389
Governor Napolitano:
The Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL) has informed me that important legislation, HB 2389, is awaiting your signature. I urge you to sign HB 2389 into law.
HB 2389 would make changes to ARS 13-3102 regarding carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle. Current law (ARS 13-3102.F) states that, without a concealed weapons (CCW) permit, it is permissible to carry a weapon or weapons "in a case, holster, scabbard, pack or luggage that is carried within a means of transportation or within a storage compartment, map pocket, trunk or glove compartment of a means of transportation."
Unfortunately, in 1994 an Arizona Appellate court decision (State v. Adams, 189 Ariz. 235, 941 P.2d) determined that "within a means of transportation" meant it must be obvious under ordinary observation to someone outside the vehicle that there is a weapon inside the vehicle. This created conflicts interpreting the statute. As a result:
- Wearing a holstered firearm within a vehicle = concealed carry, requiring a CCW permit. But, that same holstered firearm in a map pocket, trunk or glove compartment, equally accessible by a vehicle's occupants, does not require a CCW permit.
- Possessing a concealed weapons permit and being armed may put other occupants in the vehicle, who do not possess a CCW permit, at risk of arrest because of their proximity to your firearm. Yet, if that same weapon were in a map pocket, trunk or glove compartment accessible by all the vehicle's occupants, no crime is committed.
The proposed language clarifies that it permissible to carry a weapon, visibly or concealed, anywhere within a means of transportation, excluding public transit. Much like the states of New Mexico (NMSA 30-7-2) and Texas (TX Penal Code Title 10, Chapter 46.02), it would be legal for any law abiding citizen to carry anywhere inside a vehicle without the need of a permit, just like it currently is inside their own home or business, eliminating the confusing hodgepodge of lawful and unlawful places currently listed in statute. This would benefit both law enforcement and the law-abiding, making the law clear and rational, not subject to confusing roadside interpretations.
Again, I urge you to support sound public policy, and sign HB 2389 into law.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Street Address
City, AZ zip-code
telephone number
You can go to the Governor’s website, where you will find a fill-in-the-blanks form to register your opinion. For "subject", scroll down and select "Legislation." For "topic", fill in “HB 2389.”
You can add your own polite message urging her to sign HB 2389 in the "message/comment" area, or you can use the sample message above.
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June 29, 2008
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July Gun Show volunteers needed in Phoenix – FREE Admission!
Like it says in our brochure, AzCDL is an “all volunteer” organization. We need volunteers to help us at the Crossroads of the West gun show on July 19 & 20, 2008 at the Phoenix Ice House Arena in the Arizona State Fairgrounds. .
If you can spare a few hours we would deeply appreciate your help – the majority of our members join AzCDL at gun shows thanks to the hard work of our vounteers. Come on down and spend some time observing the other volunteers. When you feel ready, step on in. If pro-active interactions are not your forte, we still need volunteers to manage the table, help hand out flyers and brochures, and keep an eye on things.
Volunteers who work the AzCDL table for a few hours will get into the gun show FREE!
If your membership is coming up for renewal soon, stop by the table and renew at the “gun show special” rate ($10 off!). Sustaining memberships get a FREE AzCDL T-Shirt.
Not a member? Not a problem! You can join AzCDL at the gun show!
Interested? Drop a line to President@AzCDL.org.
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June 28, 2008
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Sine Die!
It’s official – The Legislature adjourned “Sine Die” on Friday, June 27, 2008 at 10:09 PM. The general effective date for legislation passed during the session is 90 days after Sine Die.
One casualty of Sine Die may be HB 2389, the AzCDL requested Vehicle Carry bill. When we sent out our “contact the Governor” Alert, we had been contacted by the bill’s sponsor and told that HB 2389 had passed “Final Read” in both the House and Senate. The next step should have been the Governor’s desk. However, if the Legislature adjourned before transmitting HB 2389 to the Governor, then HB 2389 is dead. Right now the Legislature’s website is not reflecting that HB 2389 was sent to the Governor. This could be an oversight, since everyone at the Capitol had other things on their mind, like adjourning before the weekend, and the website may not have been updated. We won’t know the fate of HB 2389 until Monday. We’re keeping our hopes up and will let you know more after the weekend.
Meanwhile, HB 2626, a law-enforcement related bill with a pro-rights provision on open-carry, is sitting on the Governor’s desk. Now that the Legislature has adjourned, she has 10 days, instead of the usual 5 days, to make her decision. We’ll let you know the fate of HB 2626.
We now have about 6 months to get ready for the next legislative session. AzCDL is already working on proposed language for next year’s bills. With the NRA annual convention coming to Phoenix next year, expect greater participation from the NRA in the 2009 legislative process. Next year has the potential for being a banner year.
However, next year’s success depends heavily on the outcome of the local September primary and November general elections. As we mentioned before, the Arizona House of Representatives is poised to become controlled by an anti-rights majority, unless we all show up and vote. Don’t let your possible ambivalence towards your choices in the Presidential election keep you at home on Election Day. Don’t throw away the potential for 2009 to see major inroads at restoring our rights. Vote!
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June 27, 2008
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Vehicle Carry sent to Governor!
The pressure YOU applied to the House and Senate was successful – and just in the nick of time. We expect the Legislature to end this year’s session tonight.
HB 2389, the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies that it is permissible to carry a weapon, with or without a CCW permit, visibly or concealed, anywhere within a means of transportation, excluding public transit, was sent to the Governor a short time ago.
This was a real nail-biter. HB 2389 had passed both the House and Senate, but, because of amendments added in the Senate, it needed to go through a conference committee where the differences could be worked out. The House had assigned conferees, but not the Senate. Thanks to the pressure YOU put on the Senate Leadership last week, Senate conferees were finally assigned, a meeting was held, the differences ironed out, and HB 2389 passed out of committee. Over the last two days, again thanks to your letters and calls, HB 2389 passed the final votes in both the House and Senate, and was sent to the Governor’s desk.
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June 26, 2008
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Supreme Court affirms Second Amendment!
In an historic ruling, the Supreme Court, in the D.C. v. Heller decision, affirmed that the pre-existing individual right of firearms ownership is protected by the Second Amendment.
We’ll let the pundits and experts dissect and spin the minutiae of the decision. A web site to get the latest reviews and opinions on this and other Supreme Courts cases is the SCOTUSblog . Alan Korwin, AzCDL member and author of many books on gun laws is preparing a book on the Heller decision that is expected to be published shortly.
The impact of the Heller decision in Arizona appears to be negligible. The Arizona Constitution has its own version of the Second Amendment in Article 2, Section 26. In DC v. Heller, the Supreme Court upheld virtually all existing Arizona laws and court decisions affecting your right to keep and bear arms. AzCDL deals with the reality of Arizona law. Our focus will continue to be the successful restoration of your rights through the legislative process.
Like many recent Supreme Court decisions, Heller won by a narrow 5-4 majority. The Supreme Court is composed of two factions. Four justices want to impose a Marxist dystopia in America using creative interpretations of the Constitution as a “living document.” Another four justices lean towards reading the Constitution as it was written. In the middle of these two factions is a “wind-sock” justice that blows more left than right. A number of the justices are elderly and some are dealing with serious illnesses. It is certain that whoever the next President is will be appointing at least one replacement Supreme Court justice. Who makes that choice is dependent on how YOU vote this November. If you sit out the election, you are voting FOR a future Supreme Court that might overturn today’s Heller decision. The choice is yours. Choose wisely.
Right now, we urge everyone to celebrate today’s historic Supreme Court decision by exercising your Second Amendment right at a local gun store or shooting range. A right not exercised is a right lost.
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June 26, 2008
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Vehicle Carry needs another push!
We apologize for pulling your attention away from today’s D.C. v. Heller victory (an Alert is in the works), but your activism is needed on an important pro-rights bill, HB 2389, at the Arizona Legislature.
HB 2389 is the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies that it is permissible to carry a weapon, without a CCW permit, visibly or concealed, anywhere within a means of transportation, excluding public transit.
HB 2389 has passed both the House and Senate but, because of amendments added in the Senate, it needed to go through a conference committee where the differences could be worked out. The House had assigned conferees, but not the Senate. Thanks to the pressure YOU put on the Senate Leadership last week, Senate conferees were finally assigned, a meeting was held, the differences were ironed out, and HB 2389 passed out of committee.
Before being sent to the governor, HB 2389 must now pass a final vote in both the House and Senate. The 2008 Legislative session is expected to end any day now. Unless HB 2389 gets through a final vote in both chambers, it is dead for the year. We need to once again remind the Legislature and their leadership to do the right thing.
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June 23, 2008
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Independence Day Rifle Match – Shooters Wanted!
On July 4th, 2008, the third annual AzCDL Independence Day Action Rifle Match, sponsored by Cavalry Arms, will be held at the Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club. Celebrate Independence Day in a way that would make our Forefathers proud! This year’s sponsors also include: 3 Gun Gear, Cactus Tactical, Coyote Tactical, Mountain Safety Research, Practical Tactical, Shooter's World, Spec Ops Brand, and Tactics, LLC.
Be sure to get your application in early. The match is limited to 80 shooters, but there is still time to make a reservation if you act now.
Entry fee is $40 (Ten dollars less than last year!). All proceeds (minus range and target expenses) will be donated to AzCDL. Spend the day like a true patriot exercising your rights, supporting a good cause, and having FUN!
There will be 4 to 5 stages this year. At least half the match will be long range oriented (100-300 yards).
Sign in will start at 7:00 AM.
Shooter’s meeting will be held at 7:30 AM.
Range goes “hot” by 8:00 AM.
All shooting is finished by 2:00 PM
Awards will be handed out and a Prize Raffle conducted following range clean up and tear down.
All questions should be directed to Russell Phagan.
Want to see how much fun this will be? Check out the pictures from last year’s match.
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June 20, 2008
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Vehicle Carry needs your help!.
Remember HB 2389, the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies that it is permissible to carry a weapon, without a CCW permit, visibly or concealed, anywhere within a means of transportation, excluding public transit?
HB 2389 passed out of the Senate Third Read on Monday, May 19, 2008. Prior to that it, in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW), Senators Waring, Cheuvront and O’Halleran amended HB 2389 with language that didn’t alter HB 2389, but advanced the Senators’ issues.
Because the original House version of HB 2389 differs from the version passed by the Senate, it must go through a conference committee where the differences can be worked out. The House has assigned conferees, but the Senate has not. The Legislative session is about to end, and unless HB 2389 gets a conference committee hearing soon, it will die a quiet death despite passing in both chambers of the Legislature.
It’s time to encourage Senator Tim Bee, the Senate President, to assign Senators to the HB 2389 conference committee so that it will get to the Governor’s desk before the session ends. Senator Bee can be reached at (602) 926-5683. His e-mail address is tbee@azleg.gov.
Please take the time to send a polite note to Senator Bee encouraging him to assign Senate conferees to HB 2389.
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June 18, 2008
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Arizona rejects “REAL ID Act”
Taking many by surprise, on Tuesday, June 17, 2008, Governor Napolitano, normally a proponent of a large and intrusive government, signed HB 2677, which prohibits the implementation of the Federal “REAL ID” Act in Arizona. HB 2677, sponsored by Rep. Judy Burgess (R- LD4), passed by veto-proof margins in both the House and Senate.
HB 2677 adds a new section to Title 28, Chapter 2 of the Arizona Revised Statutes that says: “This State shall not participate in the implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-13, Division B; 119 Stat. 302). The Department shall not implement the REAL ID Act of 2005 and shall report to the Governor and the Legislature any attempt by agencies or agents of the United States Department of Homeland Security to secure the implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005 through the operations of the United States Department of Homeland Security.”
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June 13, 2008
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CCW restored rights bill signed by Governor!
HB 2634, the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit, was signed by the Governor on Thursday, June 12, 2008.
HB 2634 changes ARS 13-3112 regarding the process for obtaining a concealed weapons permit. It provides that if an applicant has ever been convicted of a felony, they may apply for a permit if the conviction has been vacated or if their rights have been restored, provided that they are not currently a prohibited possessor under state or federal law.
DPS has interpreted the current statutory language in the strictest possible manner, in order to deny permits to people convicted of minor felony offenses decades ago, people who have since demonstrated no tendency towards criminal behavior. Many of these people are allowed to purchase and posses firearms under federal law (some are even federally licensed firearms dealers), and carry them openly under Arizona law, yet they cannot get a CCW permit due to DPS' strict interpretation of existing statutory law. HB 2634 allows these people the same protection under the law that every other citizen receives.
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June 10, 2008
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Governor signs CCW Reform bill!
SB 1070, the AzCDL-requested bill that makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one, was signed by the Governor on Tuesday, June 10, 2008.
SB 1070 makes changes to ARS 13-3112 regarding the process for obtaining a concealed weapons permit. It provides that if an applicant has adequate documentation that they satisfactorily completed the required firearms safety training, they have met the training requirement for a permit. Current law (ARS 13-3112.E.6) does not place any time limit on when a person must complete training. However, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) has established arbitrary dates for training validation. In 2007, DPS stated that training must occur within 12 months of an application. Prior to 2007, DPS set this period to be only 6 months. Once a person has obtained a permit, the initial training is good as long as a permit holder submits timely renewals. The language in SB 1070 recognizes that the training has no expiration date, and aligns the initial permit requirements with the permit renewal requirements.
When SB 1070 becomes law later this year, and you are one of the many gun owners who let their CCW permits expire because of the onerous pre-2006 renewal requirements (eliminated thanks to AzCDL requested bills), you will be able to renew your expired permit without having to start over, as long as you still have your expired permit or can show proof that you completed training with the last 5 years. The same law applies to those who took their CCW training within the last 5 years but never followed through to obtain a permit.
SB 1070 also codifies a DPS Administrative Rule that National Rifle Association (NRA) certified instructors meet the eligibility requirements for DPS certification. It allows that training can be conducted by NRA certified pistol and personal protection instructors, as well as DPS certified instructors.
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June 10, 2008
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June Gun Show volunteers needed in Mesa – FREE Admission!
Like it says in our brochure, AzCDL is an “all volunteer” organization. We need volunteers to help us at the Crossroads of the West gun show on June 21 & 22, 2008 at the Mesa Centennial Hall.
If you can spare a few hours we would deeply appreciate your help – the majority of our members join AzCDL at gun shows. Come on down and spend some time observing the other volunteers. When you feel ready, step on in. If proactive selling is not your forte, we still need volunteers to manage the table, help hand out flyers and brochures, and keep an eye on things.
Volunteers who work the AzCDL table for a few hours will get into the gun show FREE!
If your membership is coming up for renewal soon, stop by the table and renew at the “gun show special” rate ($10 off!). Sustaining memberships get a FREE AzCDL T-Shirt.
Not a member? Not a problem! You can join AzCDL at the gun show!
Interested? Drop a line to President@AzCDL.org.
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June 9, 2008
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CCW restored rights bill sent to Governor
HB 2634, the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit, passed out of the House Final Read on June 9, 2008 by a vote of 39-16, with 5 not voting, and has been sent to the Governor.
Unfortunately, it seems that politics may have trumped justice during this vote. HB 2634 passed out of the House Third Read by a unanimous vote on March 19, 2008. Sixteen Representatives changed their votes during Final Read, including the two Democrat co-sponsors of HB 2634, Representatives Kyrsten Sinema and Chad Campbell.
If your Representatives voted against HB 2634, please take the time to voice your displeasure, and remind them it could affect how you vote in November.
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June 4, 2008
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CCW Reform bill goes to Governor
SB 1070, the AzCDL-requested bill that makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one, passed out of the House Final Read on June 4, 2008 by a vote of 26-1 with 3 Senators not voting, and was sent to the Governor.
HB 2634, the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit, was scheduled to be voted on in the House Final Read on June 4, 2008 but they adjourned early. It will most likely be rescheduled for a vote next week.
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May 21, 2008
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Pro-rights gem found in LEO bill
HB 2626, a bill sponsored by Representative Russell Pearce, has been winding its way through the legislature and is expected to be heard in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) this week. On the surface, HB 2626 is a bill that allows a sheriff to authorize posse volunteers and reserve officers with firearms training to carry a deadly weapon without a CCW permit. It also excludes individuals who have completed peace officer training from the CCW permit training requirements.
While AzCDL has been neutral on the overall bill, buried in HB 2626 is AzCDL supported language that clarifies Arizona’s “open carry” statute. Due to 1994 Appellate court interpretations, whether a person is legally carrying openly is completely subjective, based largely on the location of the observer. Rep. Pearce’s bill rewrites the language to define an openly carried weapon as one carried in “a manner where any portion of the weapon or a holster in which the weapon is carried is visible.”
Please take the time to send a polite note to your Senator urging them to vote for the passage of HB 2626 during the Senate COW debate and in the Third Read vote.
Be sure to include your name, address, and phone number in all correspondence.
Unfortunately, on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, the Governor vetoed both Senator Chuck Gray’s optional lifetime CCW permit bill, SB 1106, and the AzCDL requested Defensive Display bill, HB 2629.
In her veto letter for SB 1106, she compared CCW permit holders to food handlers, and categorized a lifetime permit as the equivalent of food poisoning.
In HB 2629, Governor Napolitano sees the ability to use less than lethal force to diffuse a dangerous situation as a risk to public safety, and inferred it would be an excuse for law-abiding gun owners to end verbal disagreements by whipping out their firearms. This sounds very similar to the unfounded “blood in the streets” hysteria when CCW laws were introduced back in 1994.
With her vetoes, the Governor is exposing her true feelings about trusting YOU with a weapon. We encourage you to contact the Governor, and politely express your dismay at her vetoes of HB 2629 and SB 1106.
The Governor’s email address is azgov@az.gov. You can also fax a letter to her at 602-542-1381.
Or you can mail it to her at the following address:
The Honorable Janet Napolitano
Governor of Arizona
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
You can also call her office, toll free, at 1-800-253-0883.
You can post comments at the Governor’s website, where you will find a fill-in-the-blanks form to register your opinion. For "subject", scroll down and select "Legislation." For "topic", fill in “HB 2629” or “SB 1106.” Please post separate comments for each bill.
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May 22, 2008
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AzCDL Radio Interview
Dave Kopp, AzCDL’s President, co-founder, and chief lobbyist, will be interviewed by Mark Zemel of “The Arizona Right Report” this coming Sunday, May 25, 2008, between 8:10 PM and 8:45 PM.
The interview can be heard on KFNX 1100 AM in Phoenix. You can also listen live at their website.
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May 21, 2008
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“Defensive Display” sent to Governor
HB 2629, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display of a firearm is justified, passed the House Final Read on Wednesday, May 21, 2008, by a vote of 34-26, and was transmitted to the Governor.
Meanwhile, back in the Legislature, the House recovered from Tuesday’s legislative shenanigans, and engaged in bipartisan voting.
SB 1070, an AzCDL requested bill that makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one, passed handily by 43-17 in a reconsideration vote, after being defeated in Tuesday’s vote.
SB 1106, Senator Chuck Gray's bill that provides for an optional lifetime CCW permit, also recovered from Tuesday’s defeat, and passed by 35-25 in a reconsideration vote.
Both bills will now go back to the Senate for concurrence and a Final Read vote.
Over in the Senate, HB 2634, the AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit, passed out of the Senate Third Read on Wednesday, May 21, 2008, by a vote of 18-7 with 5 Senators not voting. HB 2634 now goes back to the House for concurrence and a Final Read vote.
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May 20, 2008
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Pro-rights bills jeopardized!
It all started when a handful of Republican Representatives were absent during the House Third Read votes on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. Just enough were absent to erase the slim Republican majority in the House. Democrats flexed their muscles, and bills started going down in flames. Caught in this power struggle were two AzCDL supported, pro-rights bills – SB 1070 and SB 1106.
SB 1070, an AzCDL requested bill that makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one, and SB 1106, Senator Chuck Gray's bill that provides for an optional lifetime CCW permit, both failed to pass during Third Read. Support vanished from virtually all the Democrats who had previously indicated they would vote for them. To avoid an irreparable loss, some quick thinking Republicans switched their votes to set up a motion for a reconsideration vote. Both bills are now on the House Third Read calendar for Wednesday, May 21, 2008. This is their last chance for passage in the House. Hopefully tomorrow clearer heads will prevail, absent members will show up, and SB 1070 and SB 1106 will pass with the bipartisan majorities we had expected.
HB 2629, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display of a firearm is justified, was also scheduled for the House Final Read on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, but, fortunately, was pulled from the calendar. It will be rescheduled. HB 2629 passed the House Third Read by a 33-26 vote (1 Representative not voting) on March 19, 2008, and the Senate Third Read by a 19-7 vote (4 Senators not voting) on May 12, 2008. If HB 2629 passes the House Final Read, it will be sent to the Governor.
Beware! The slim pro-rights majority in the House may disappear this Fall unless YOU vote in local elections. The scenario that happened today on the House floor will be the rule, not the exception. Pro-rights bills will be killed in committees and rights crushing bills like HB 2833, a stealth ammo ban which was dead on arrival this year, would be zipping through the Legislature and heading to the Governor for her signature.
House Caucus committees have passed HB 2389, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that it is permissible to carry a weapon, without a CCW permit, visibly or concealed, anywhere within a means of transportation, excluding public transit, with a recommendation that it be sent to a Conference committee, where differences between the original House version and the amended Senate version can be worked out.
Meanwhile HB 2634, the AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit, passed out of the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 and is now on the Senate Third Read calendar for Wednesday, May 21, 2008.
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May 19, 2008
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Pro-rights bills on the move!
HB 2389, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that it is permissible to carry a weapon, without a CCW permit, visibly or concealed, anywhere within a means of transportation, excluding public transit, passed out of the Senate Third Read on Monday, May 19, 2008, by a 17-9 vote with 4 Senators not voting. AzCDL is working with the sponsor to get HB 2389 into a Conference Committee, where the differences between the original House version and the amended Senate version can be worked out, and the language from HB 2634 removed.
Meanwhile HB 2634, the AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit, is scheduled for debate in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
HB 2629, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display of a firearm is justified, has been scheduled for the House Final Read on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. HB 2629 passed the House Third Read by a 32-26 vote (1 Representative not voting) on March 19, 2008, and the Senate Third Read by a 19-7 vote (4 Senators not voting) on May 12, 2008. If HB 2629 passes the House Final Read, it will be sent to the Governor.
We have more good news! SB 1070, an AzCDL requested bill that makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one, and SB 1106, Senator Chuck Gray's bill that provides for an optional lifetime CCW permit, both passed out of the House COW on Monday, May 19, 2008. During the House COW debate, SB 1070 was amended, at the request of AZ DPS and the Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association (ASRPA), to restore the language in the current statute requiring CCW instructors to create a training organization, and to make other technical changes.
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May 16, 2008
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HB 2389 – Senator Waring’s response
A number of your have shared with us Senator Waring’s response to our Alert on HB 2389, AzCDL’s requested “vehicle carry” bill that recently passed in the Senate Committee of the Whole laden with amendments from Senator Waring and two other Senators.
We do not wish to get into a war of words with any legislator, and we applaud Senator Waring for taking the to time craft a response to your letters. But we do feel the need to clarify a few key points.
We, along with Representative Kavanagh, the sponsor of HB 2389, were aware of Senator Waring’s intention to amend HB 2389 with language from several other bills that had not advanced. What we, Representative Kavanagh, and Representative Murphy were not aware of was that the language from HB 2634 (Rep. Murphy’s bill that allows former felons whose right to bear arms have been restored to obtain a CCW permit) would be added at the last minute to supposedly satisfy a procedural requirement. If language from another bill was needed to satisfy Senate rules, we would have been happy to be helpful in finding a more appropriate bill to use, had we been consulted. Unfortunately, the general public, including lobbyists, are not allowed to see the language of amendments before the floor session, and since Senator Waring never mentioned it to anyone, we didn’t see this coming.
Senator Waring added his amendments, supposedly with good intentions, because he claims they would strengthen HB 2389 against a possible veto. Even though nobody asked him to do that, we certainly thank him for that. However, as we have learned from many other bills, if the Governor opposes a bill, additional appeasement language rarely works. If, as the Senator suggests, HB 2389 stands a strong chance of being vetoed, why add language from HB 2634, which enjoys broad bipartisan support, passed in the House unanimously, and has a high probability of becoming law as a stand alone bill? What do we, the law-abiding supporters of the right to keep and bear arms in Arizona, stand to gain from this?
Yes, the HB 2364 language can be removed in Conference committee, and we have already requested that this be done. However, unless there are objections, when a House bill is amended in the Senate, the usual route is a concurrence vote in the House, and then the bill is shipped off to the Governor. Had we not discovered that the final language in the amendment was different from what we anticipated, and contained the language from HB 2634, the amended, “two-in-one” bill would likely be headed to the Governor’s desk for a probable veto.
Finally, AzCDL’s unpaid volunteer lobbyists are always attempting to keep lines of communication open with all legislators, but we can’t force them to acknowledge our attempts to reach them. We attempted to contact Senator Waring regarding the language of his amendment more than once, unsuccessfully. We finally got a copy of the supposed contents from the original bill’s sponsor, but the language from HB 2634 was not included. An accidental omission? Perhaps.
While Senator Waring has never introduced or sponsored pro-RKBA legislation, he has routinely voted for bills that AzCDL supports, and we certainly thank him for that as well. However, we’d prefer that he’d leave the overall strategy to us.
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May 15, 2008
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Pro-rights bills sabotaged?
The pressure you put on the Rules committees last week had an impact! The log jam has broken, and AzCDL requested and supported pro-rights bills are finally moving towards floor votes in the House and Senate.
HB 2389, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that it is permissible to carry a weapon, without a CCW permit, visibly or concealed, anywhere within a means of transportation, excluding public transit, passed out of the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. However, amendments were added during the COW debate, by Senators Cheverount, O’Halleran and Waring, which did not alter the existing language of HB 2389, but advanced their issues. You can read each amendment here:
Cheverount Amendment
O’Halleran Amendment
Waring Amendment
Unfortunately, without informing AzCDL or either bill’s prime sponsor, Senator Waring included the language of HB 2634 (Rep. Murphy’s bill that allows former felons whose right to bear arms have been restored to obtain a CCW permit. See page 19, lines 23-25 of Senator Waring’s amendment). Adding this language could effectively kill both bills at the same time if the Governor should veto HB 2389. AzCDL must now try to get HB 2389 into a Conference Committee, where the differences between the original House version and the amended Senate version can be worked out in favor of law-abiding gun owner’s rights. We must also now ensure that HB 2634 continues to move through the process, and that no excuses are used that “the bill has already been debated”, since it has not been, as apparently no one was aware of this maneuver but Senator Waring.
Meanwhile HB 2634, the original AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit, finally passed out of the Senate Rules Committee on May 12, 2008. Next stop is Senate COW, assuming that Senate leadership is still willing to hear the bill on the floor. Its fate could be dependent on removing the same language from the amended HB 2389.
We do have some good news! SB 1070, an AzCDL requested bill that makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one, and SB 1106, Senator Chuck Gray's bill that provides for an optional lifetime CCW permit, both passed out of the House Rules Committee on May 13, 2008. From here they move on to the House COW.
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May 12, 2008
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“Defensive Display” passes in Senate!
Your emails, letters and phone calls worked again! HB 2629, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display of a firearm is justified, passed in the Senate Third Read on Monday, May 12, 2008 by a vote of 19-7 with 4 Senators not voting. From here, HB 2629 will go back to the House for concurrence before being sent to the Governor.
We have some other good news. HB 2634, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit, has finally moved out of the Senate Rules Committee (thanks to YOUR pressure). The next steps are debate in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) followed by a formal vote in Third Read.
Meanwhile, HB 2389, an AzCDL requested bill decriminalizing carrying weapons in vehicles without a CCW permit, has been scheduled for debate in the Senate COW on Tuesday, May 13, 2008.
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May 9, 2008
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Legislative update
The legislative session is in overtime, and many of the remaining AzCDL requested and supported pro-rights bills are in a holding pattern in the Rules Committees in both the House and Senate. All bills must pass through the Rules Committee in each chamber, which determines if proposed legislation is constitutional and in proper form.
The House Rules Committee, which has not held a meeting since April 22nd, has yet to hear the following Senate bills:
SB 1070, an AzCDL requested bill that makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one.
SB 1106, Senator Chuck Gray's bill that provides for an optional lifetime CCW permit.
Over in the Senate, HB 2389 finally moved out of the Senate Rules Committee on May 5th. Its next stop is the Senate Committee of the Whole, probably next week. HB 2389 is an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that it is permissible to carry a weapon, without a CCW permit, visibly or concealed, anywhere within a means of transportation, excluding public transit.
The Senate Rules Committee has still not heard HB 2634, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit. Sen. Tibshraeny, the Rules committee Chairman, has told our lobbyists that he will hear the bill on the next agenda.
On a more positive note, HB 2629 was heard in the Senate Committee of the Whole on April 30, 2008 and is waiting to be scheduled for a formal vote by the full Senate. HB 2629 is an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display of a firearm is justified.
The pressure you put on the Rules committees last week had an impact! AzCDL’s full-time volunteer lobbyists are at the Capitol, tirelessly working to get these important bills through the legislature and to the Governor. Stay tuned!
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May 2, 2008
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Bills held in Rules Committees
There are a number of important pro-rights bills that have been assigned to the Rules Committees in both the House and Senate that have not been scheduled for hearings and time is running out. All bills must pass through the Rules Committee in each chamber, which determines if proposed legislation is constitutional and in proper form.
The House Rules Committee has yet to hear the following Senate bills:
SB 1070, an AzCDL requested bill that makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one.
SB 1106, Senator Chuck Gray's bill that provides for an optional lifetime CCW permit.
The Senate Rules Committee has yet to hear the following House bills:
HB 2389, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that it is permissible to carry a weapon, without a CCW permit, visibly or concealed, anywhere within a means of transportation, excluding public transit.
HB 2634, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit.
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April 30, 2008
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Governor vetoes Petty Offense bill and says “Get a permit!”
HB 2630, an AzCDL requested bill that reduces the penalty for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit to a petty offense, was vetoed by the Governor on April 29, 2008.
HB 2630 would have reclassified carrying a concealed weapon without a permit as a petty offense, unless the violation occurred in the commission of, or attempted commission of, a “serious offense or violent crime”, in which case the CCW offense would have been a class 6 felony, or any other felony offense, in which case it would have remained a class 1 misdemeanor. In a nutshell, if you’re a bad guy carrying a concealed weapon, penalties would have been stiffened. If you’re a law-abiding citizen, it would have become a petty offense.
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 criminal. Sadly, because of a couple of 1994 Appellate Court decisions, there is no clear, objective standard in statute that you can rely on to determine if you are violating the law.
In her veto letter on HB 2630, Governor Napolitano says “obtain the required permit.” She then says that “people who fail to do so are, by definition, lawbreakers….” She goes on to say that “serious criminals, especially gang members, often carry concealed weapons without permits.” Per the Governor, there is no distinction between gang members intentionally breaking the law, and a law-abiding person’s attempt to comply with a law clouded by head-scratching court decisions. If your openly carried firearm can’t be seen because of the angle that the police officer is looking at you, and you don’t have a CCW permit – you are the same as a gang member. If you have a CCW permit, and are sitting near someone in a vehicle that may have access to your firearm – they are the same as gang members. If a newspaper falls over the gun that is sitting on the seat of your vehicle, and you don’t have a CCW permit – you are the same as a gang member.
Governor Napolitano says that “…law enforcement officers must have the full array of enforcement options to use against these violators…” In other words, arrest everyone and let the courts sort it out. That sure beats separating the bad guys from the good guys.
Over 98% of Arizona citizens do not have concealed weapons permits, largely because the Arizona Constitution supposedly protects the right to “open carry.” Per Governor Napolitano, that’s not relevant - you better get a permit if your weapon might ever be considered concealed, or else you’re a lawbreaker!
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April 24, 2008
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“Petty Offense” bill sent to Governor
HB 2630, an AzCDL requested bill that reduces the penalty for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit to a petty offense, passed the Senate Final Read on April 23, 2008, by a vote of 17-10 with 3 Senators not voting. It was transmitted to the Governor on April 24, 2008. HB 2630 passed the House on March 8, 2008 by a vote of 36-24.
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April 23, 2008
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“Defensive Display” in Senate COW
HB 2629, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display of a firearm is justified, is scheduled to be debated in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) on Thursday, April 30, 2008.
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April 22, 2008
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Senate to vote on “Petty Offense” this week
HB 2630, an AzCDL requested bill that reduces the penalty for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit to a petty offense (except in the commission of a crime), passed in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) on Wednesday, April 17, 2008. We are expecting the Senate to formally vote (Third Read) on HB 2630 this week. HB 2630 has already passed in the House. If the Senate passes HB 2630, it will then be sent to the Governor’s desk.
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April 15, 2008
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“Petty Offense” bill in Senate COW 4/16/08
HB 2630, an AzCDL requested bill that reduces the penalty for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit to a petty offense (except in the commission of a crime), will be heard in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) on Wednesday, April 16, 2008.
If you are not committing, or attempting to commit, a serious or violent crime, HB 2630 reclassifies carrying a concealed weapon without a permit as a petty offense.
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April 8, 2008
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AzCDL bills pass in committee but Campus Carry stalls
On Monday, April 7, 2008, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard and passed the following important pro-rights bills that originated in the House:
HB 2389, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that it is permissible to carry a weapon, without a CCW permit, visibly or concealed, anywhere within a means of transportation, excluding public transit. HB 2389 passed by a 4-2 vote with one member not voting.
HB 2629, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display of a firearm is justified. HB 2629 passed by a 3-1 vote with 3 members not voting.
HB 2634, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit. HB 2634 passed by a 4-1 vote with 2 members not voting.
HB 2660, a bill that AzCDL opposes, failed in the same committee by a 2-4 vote with 1 member not voting. Despite the undoubtedly good intentions of its sponsor, the bill is essentially a trial lawyer’s welfare act that allows victims of crimes to reach into the deep pockets of third parties that may have “contributed” to their assailant’s behavior. The examples the bill’s proponents use are “how to” videos for abduction and rape. However, the same standard could be applied to a firearms training course, video, book, “blog”, etc.
Also in the Senate, HB 2630, another AzCDL requested bill, has passed through the various Senate committees and the majority and minority caucuses. From there it will go to COW and Third Read, and unless changes are made, head to the Governor’s desk. If you are not committing, or attempting to commit, a serious or violent crime, HB 2630 reclassifies carrying a concealed weapon without a permit as a petty offense. We will alert you when the bill is scheduled for debate on the Senate floor.
Unfortunately, not all the news coming from the Senate is good. SB 1214, AzCDL’s requested “Campus Carry” bill, was not put on the agenda for the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) before this session’s deadline. That means SB 1214 is dead this year. However, Campus Carry is getting national attention, and is gaining momentum and support in other states. The issue is not going away in Arizona simply because it stalled in this session. It will be back, and we will be there to push it!
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April 4, 2008
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Last Chance for Campus Carry
We were expecting SB 1214, an AzCDL requested bill that would allow adults with Concealed Weapons (CCW) permits to carry concealed firearms on public college and university property, to be debated in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) on Thursday, April 3, 2008. However, the Senate Republican leadership kept the bill off the calendar because the votes weren’t there to ensure passage, even with the amendment that added storage requirements and an additional skills test for campus carry permit holders.
Our last opportunity to get SB 1214 heard in the Senate COW will be Monday, April 7, 2008. If it doesn’t get heard then, it is dead for this session. AzCDL’s full-time, volunteer lobbyists, Dave Kopp (President) and John Wentling (Vice-President), are haunting the Senate hallways, meeting with every Senator they can find, and counting votes. They found some Democrat Senators who may be willing to vote for SB 1214, along with a couple of their colleagues that could use a little prodding. But, sadly, the key hold-outs are a handful of Republicans. It’s time to let them know that we’re not going to let them hide when it comes to the safety of students.
The following Senators especially need to hear from you:
Senator Carolyn Allen
Senator Allen has indicated her opposition to SB 1214 from the beginning.
Senator Jake Flake
We’re learning that Senator Flake doesn’t want to support SB 1214.
Senator John Huppenthal
Senator Huppenthal has indicated that he will not support SB 1214.
Senator Tom O’Halleran
The amendment was crafted to appease Senator O’Halleran. He now has his amendment, but should still be reminded to vote for SB 1214.
Senator Rebecca Rios
A typically pro-gun Democrat, who, unlike many of her colleagues, might actually be persuaded to vote for SB 1214.
Senator Victor Soltero
Another Democrat who could be nudged with the right approach.
Senator Jay Tibshraeny
We’re hearing that Senator Tibshraeny won’t support SB 1214.
We strongly encourage you to contact these Senators and let them know you expect them to vote for SB 1214 in the Senate COW and during Third Read. If they represent your district, be sure to remind them how their abandonment of SB 1214 will affect your vote when they are up for reelection.
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April 3, 2008
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AzCDL requested bills to be heard in Senate committee
On Monday, April 7, 2008, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear the following important pro-rights bills that originated in the House:
HB 2389, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that it is permissible to carry a weapon, without a CCW permit, visibly or concealed, anywhere within a means of transportation, excluding public transit.
HB 2629, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display of a firearm is justified.
HB 2634, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit.
In other news, SB 1132, Senator Harper’s “Restaurant Carry” bill, passed out of the Senate on April 3, 2008, by a vote of 18-10 with 2 members not voting, and has been transmitted to the House. SB 1132 would permit the carrying of firearms in certain restaurants provided signs are posted permitting firearms and the person possessing the firearm does not consume alcohol.
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April 2, 2008
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Campus Carry to finally be heard by full Senate
The tremendous pressure YOU have been putting on the Senate is having an impact! We are expecting SB 1214, an AzCDL requested bill, to be debated in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW), and hopefully voted on in Third Read, this Thursday, April 3, 2008. This is the last chance for SB 1214 to be heard in the Senate this session. AzCDL has been working with the sponsor, Senator Karen Johnson, behind the scenes to get the needed votes. An amendment has been crafted, and will be proposed during the COW session, to assuage the concerns of the holdouts and fence sitters.
SB 1214 would restore the right of adults with Concealed Weapons (CCW) permits to carry concealed firearms on public college and university property. The proposed amendment would require an additional skills test for CCW permit holders who choose to carry inside school buildings. It also allows colleges and universities to establish storage policies for weapons that are not in the possession of the permit holder. While AzCDL does not endorse these additional restrictions, without them Campus Carry has no chance in this legislature. And, like all other laws, nothing is cast in concrete. As we’ve proven in the past, restrictions can be eased when the predicted “blood in the streets” scenarios fail to materialize.
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March 28, 2008
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Legislation update
HB 2630, an AzCDL requested bill, was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 24, 2008, and passed by a partisan 4-3 vote. If you are not committing, or attempting to commit, a serious or violent crime, HB 2630 reclassifies carrying a concealed weapon without a permit as a petty offense. It now awaits a hearing in the Senate Rules committee.
SB 1070, an AzCDL requested bill, was heard on March 26, 2008 in the House Natural Resources and Public Safety Committee, where it passed by a 9-0 vote with one member absent. SB 1070 proposes changes to ARS 13-3112 regarding the process for obtaining a concealed weapons (CCW) permit. The proposed legislation makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one. It also assists those wishing to obtain a permit by removing the statutory barrier requiring instructors to create a training organization, and expands the pool of available instructors to automatically include certain NRA certified instructors passing the required background investigation.
SB 1106, Senator Chuck Gray's bill that provides for an optional lifetime CCW permit, is scheduled for a hearing in House Homeland Security and Property Rights Committee on Monday, March 31, 2008.
SB 1214, an AzCDL requested bill that would allow adults with Concealed Weapons (CCW) permits to carry concealed firearms on public college and university property, won’t be scheduled for debate in the Senate COW until the Senate leadership knows that the votes are in place. Senator Johnson is working on a possible amendment to SB 1214 to address the concerns of those Senators who are reluctant to support her bill.
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March 25, 2008
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Pro-rights bills update
A number of pro-rights bills have made it half way through the legislature, passed over to the other chamber, and are assigned to new committees.
HB 2389, an AzCDL requested bill decriminalizing carrying weapons in vehicles without a CCW permit, was transmitted to the Senate on March 11, 2008 and assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
HB 2629, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display of a firearm is justified, was transmitted to the Senate on March 20, 2008 and assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
HB 2630, an AzCDL requested bill, was transmitted to the Senate on March 4, 2008. It was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on the March 24, 2008 and passed by a partisan 4-3 vote. If you are not committing, or attempting to commit, a serious or violent crime, HB 2630 reclassifies carrying a concealed weapon without a permit as a petty offense.
HB 2634, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit, was transmitted to the Senate on March 20, 2008 and assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
SB 1070, an AzCDL requested bill, was transmitted to the House on March 20, 2008. It has been assigned to both the House Natural Resources and Public Safety Committee and House Judiciary Committee. It is on the House Natural Resources and Public Safety Committee agenda for Wednesday, March 26, 2008. SB 1070 proposes changes to ARS 13-3112 regarding the process for obtaining a concealed weapons (CCW) permit. The proposed legislation makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one. It also assists those wishing to obtain a permit by removing the statutory barrier requiring instructors to create a training organization, and expands the pool of available instructors to automatically include certain NRA certified instructors passing the required background investigation.
SB 1106, Senator Chuck Gray's bill that provides for an optional lifetime CCW permit, was transmitted to the House on March 12, 2008 and assigned to both the House Homeland Security and Property Rights Committee and House Judiciary Committee. It is scheduled for a hearing in House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, March 27, 2008.
SB 1214, an AzCDL requested bill that would allow adults with Concealed Weapons (CCW) permits to carry concealed firearms on public college and university property, won’t be scheduled for debate in the Senate COW until the sponsor, Senator Karen Johnson, knows that the votes are in place. At this point, the votes aren’t there. As we mentioned before, some Republican Senators appear to have aligned themselves with the Democrats in the Senate, who are more concerned about the media and certain special interest groups than they are about the safety of students.
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March 20, 2008
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AzCDL bills in committee
A couple of AzCDL requested bills have made it half way through the legislature, passed over to the other chamber, and are now scheduled for new committee hearings.
HB 2630 is on the Senate Judiciary Committee agenda for Monday, March 24, 2008. If you are not committing, or attempting to commit, a serious or violent crime, HB 2630 reclassifies carrying a concealed weapon without a permit as a petty offense. 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.
SB 1070 is on the House Natural Resources and Public Safety Committee agenda for Wednesday, March 26, 2008. SB 1070 proposes changes to ARS 13-3112 regarding the process for obtaining a concealed weapons (CCW) permit. The proposed legislation makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one. It also assists those wishing to obtain a permit by removing the statutory barrier requiring instructors to create a training organization, and expands the pool of available instructors to automatically include certain NRA certified instructors passing the required background investigation.
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March 19, 2008
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Campus Carry in Danger!
We were expecting SB 1214, an AzCDL requested bill that would allow adults with Concealed Weapons (CCW) permits to carry concealed firearms on public college and university property, to be debated in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) this week. But, now we’re learning that some Republican Senators are refusing to support SB 1214. Without their support, SB 1214 has no chance for passage. The following Republican Senators appear to have aligned themselves with the Democrats in the Senate, who are more concerned about the media and certain special interest groups than they are about the safety of students:
Senator Carolyn Allen
Senator John Huppenthal
Senator Tom O’Halleran
Senator Jay Tibshraeny
We strongly encourage you to contact these Senators, along with your own Senator, and let them know you expect them to vote for SB 1214 in the Senate COW and during Third Read.
If Senators Allen, Huppenthal, O’Halleran or Tibshraeny represent your district, be sure to remind them how their abandonment of SB 1214 will affect your vote when they are up for reelection.
The Senate has already been deluged with cut-and-paste letters on SB 1214. This is the time to use personalized letters. In addition to the language we provided in prior alerts, we recommend you read the arguments supporting SB 1214, by AzCDL member Joe Walker, in his outstanding opinion piece in the Sierra Vista Herald dated March 16, 2008.
This is where the rubber meets the road. If we can’t convince at least one of these Senators to support SB 1214, the bill is dead. Your letters have changed minds and votes in the past. There is every reason to believe that together we can do it again. The time for action is now!
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March 12, 2008
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Vehicle Carry bill passes in House
HB 2389, an AzCDL requested bill decriminalizing carrying weapons in vehicles without a CCW permit, passed the House Third Read on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 by a vote of 37-22, with one member not voting. The proposed language in HB 2389 clarifies that it permissible to carry a weapon, without a CCW permit, visibly or concealed, anywhere within a means of transportation, excluding public transit. From here, HB 2389 will be transmitted to the Senate where we will continue to fight for its passage.
Also in the House, HB 2629, an AzCDL requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display of a firearm is justified, is on the agenda for the House Committee of the Whole (COW) for Thursday, March 13, 2008.
On the Senate side, two CCW reform bills passed out of the Senate COW on Thursday, March 11, 2008.
SB 1070 is an AzCDL requested bill that proposes changes to ARS 13-3112 regarding the process for obtaining a CCW permit. The proposed legislation makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one. It also assists those wishing to obtain a permit by removing the statutory barrier requiring instructors to create a training organization, and expands the pool of available instructors to automatically include certain NRA certified instructors passing the required background investigation.
SB 1106, Senator Chuck Gray's bill that provides for an optional lifetime CCW permit, is now scheduled for a vote in the Senate Third Read on Wednesday, March 12, 2008.
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March 7, 2008
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School Carry to be heard by full Senate.
We are expecting SB 1214, an AzCDL requested bill, to be debated in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW), and possibly voted on in Third Read, the week of March 10-14, 2008.
SB 1214 proposes changes to ARS 13-3102 to allow adults with Concealed Weapons (CCW) permits to carry concealed firearms on public college and university property. Federal law (18 USC § 922(q)(2)(B)(ii)) already allows CCW permit holders to possess firearms on school property.
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March 5, 2008
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CCW reform bills in Senate COW 3/6/08
Two CCW reform bills will be heard in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) on Thursday, March 6, 2008.
SB 1070 is an AzCDL requested bill that proposes changes to ARS 13-3112 regarding the process for obtaining a concealed weapons (CCW) permit. The proposed legislation makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one. It also assists those wishing to obtain a permit by removing the statutory barrier requiring instructors to create a training organization, and expands the pool of available instructors to automatically include certain NRA certified instructors passing the required background investigation.
SB 1106 is Senator Chuck Gray’s bill that provides for an optional lifetime CCW permit while capping permit fees at $99.
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March 4, 2008
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“Petty Offense” bill passes in House
HB 2630, an AzCDL requested bill that reduces the penalty for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit to a petty offense (except in the commission of a crime), passed the House Third Read on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 by a vote of 36-24.
From here, HB 2630 will be transmitted to the Senate where we will continue to fight for its passage.
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March 3, 2008
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Pro-rights bills scheduled for House vote 3/4/08
The House of Representatives is just now posting their “Third Read” calendar for Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Third Read is the last vote before bills are sent to the Senate.
HB 2630, an AzCDL requested, is on the Third Read calendar for March 4, 2008. If you are not committing, or attempting to commit, a serious or violent crime, HB 2630 reclassifies carrying a concealed weapon without a permit as a petty offense.
Another bill we are expecting to see on the Third Read agenda is HB 2389, an AzCDL requested bill decriminalizing carrying weapons in vehicles without a CCW permit. HB 2389 passed out of the House Committee of the Whole (COW) on Monday, February 25, 2008. An amendment was added in the House COW that clarified that “misconduct with weapons” does not apply to | | |
