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Check here for the latest AzCDL and Legislative news.
You can also follow AzCDL on Twitter & Facebook!
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February 3, 2012
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Legislative Update.
To view the status of legislation that AzCDL is monitoring, visit our Bill Tracking page.
Thank you for your Action Center emails on HB 2095 (stopping HOA firearms restrictions) and SB 1077 (firearms on state lands)! We are working with the committee chairs to get these bills to move forward.
Meanwhile, we’re seeing progress on SB 1241, the AzCDL-requested legislation that would remove local control over the disposition of forfeited weapons. On Monday, January 30, 2012, SB 1241 passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 5 to 2 vote with one member not voting.
Next week, on Monday, February 6, 2012, the following pro-rights bills are schedule to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee:
SB 1304 would remove the authority of political subdivisions (counties, cities, towns, etc.) to restrict the discharge of a firearm within a quarter mile of an occupied structure. Currently it is possible for you to legally defend yourself with a firearm but be arrested for “discharging a firearm” under a local ordinance.
SB 1448 would require state and local government property to have access "controlled or restricted by the presence of a state or other certified law enforcement officer, or an armed security officer" in order ban the carrying of weapons.
SB 1474 is an NRA-requested Campus Carry bill that would allow CCW permit holders to carry discreetly on campus, but would allow college and university governing boards to prohibit weapons inside of buildings as long as "temporary and secure" storage for the weapon is provided.
SB 1479 would reduce the penalty for entering state and local government property that bans weapons to a Petty Offense unless it is a "secured facility" (guards, metal detectors, etc.), then the penalty is a Misdemeanor. The bill also allows for court action when the government entity doesn’t follow the rules.
Over in the House, HB 2640, which would prohibit the Game and Fish Commission from limiting or restricting magazine capacity on any authorized firearm, has been scheduled for a hearing on Monday, February 6, 2012, in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
On Wednesday, February 8, 2012, HB 2728 is scheduled to be heard in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety (MAPS) Committee. This bill would prohibit the Arizona Game and Fish Commission from banning the lawful possession or use of sound suppressors when hunting.
The deadline for Senators to introduce bills was January 30, 2012. Representatives have until Monday, February 6, 2012 to get their bills filed.
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January 29, 2012
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Committee members need to hear from you.
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”
Your help is needed to get these pro-rights bills heard in committee. Letters have been prepared and are waiting to be sent by you at AzCDL’s Action Center.
Last week, two bills protecting your right to bear arms were scheduled for committee hearings but were “held” without being heard. It’s time to shine some light on those committees and let them know these bills need to heard and voted on favorably.
HB 2095 was scheduled for a hearing in the House Government Committee on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, but was pulled from the list of bills scheduled for debate and vote. This AzCDL-requested legislation would limit the restrictions that a Home Owner Association (HOA) can place on firearms. A letter has been prepared and is waiting to be sent by you at AzCDL’s Action Center.
In modern day Arizona, it is difficult to not live in a planned community controlled by an HOA. In the Phoenix area, there are HOA communities bigger than some towns. Unfortunately, the laudable idea of establishing residential standards to optimize property values has a dark side. Social engineering has crept into HOA governing documents. In the not too distant past, racial purity was required in home sales. Still imbedded in many governing documents are requirements that residents must be unarmed as a condition of living in the community.
HB 2095 was drafted to allow the residents of HOA governed communities the same constitutionally protected right to bear arms they enjoy once they leave the boundaries of their neighborhood. If you live in an HOA community, please mention it in the “Editable Text” area of your letter to the House Government Committee.
SB 1077 was scheduled for a hearing in the Senate National Resources and Transportation Committee on Monday, January 23, 2012, but was pulled from the list of bills scheduled for debate and vote. This bill would specifically exempt from the state lands trespass statute the "lawful possession or discharge of a firearm while hunting, while target shooting, in self-defense or in defense of another." A letter has been prepared and is waiting to be sent by you at AzCDL’s Action Center.
Somewhere over Arizona’s history as a state, the concept that the people of Arizona have a vested interest in state land got lost. Laws created to regulate mining and grazing have morphed into regulations controlling one’s mere presence on state land. It is now a misdemeanor to be on state land without government permission. SB 1077 specifically excludes the lawful possession and use of a firearm on state land. If you hunt or like to shoot on state “owned” land be sure to mention that in the “Editable Text” of your letter to the Senate National Resources and Transportation Committee.
If you believe that your right to bear arms does not have exception clauses for where you live or happen to travel in Arizona, then it is imperative that you get involved and let these committee members know how you want them to vote on these bills. This is not a time to let the “other guy” do the work. Like the quote at the beginning of this Alert says, if we don’t take any action, we lose.
Participation is simple and takes less than a minute. Click on the links provided, fill in the “Sender Information” then click on “Send Message.” The “Editable Text” area of the message allows you add any additional comments, or edit what is already there. Are you willing to spend the time to protect your freedom?
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January 27, 2012
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Legislative Update.
The deadline for Senators to introduce bills is Monday, January 30, 2012. Representatives have until February 6, 2012. As this was being prepared, legislators have introduced over 1,000 bills. We are still waiting for a few key firearms related bills to be introduced.
The following pro-rights bills are scheduled for hearings.
SB 1241 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, January 30, 2012. This AzCDL-requested legislation would remove local control over the disposition of forfeited weapons, which usually results in their destruction. Forfeited weapons must be sold within one year to "any business authorized to receive and dispose of the article under federal and state law" unless otherwise prohibited.
HB 2457 is also scheduled for a Monday hearing in the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee. This bill would allow a person to carry an otherwise "prohibited" weapon (i.e., for self-defense) while hunting, as long as that weapon isn't used to take wildlife in the hunt.
Meanwhile, some of the bills that we were expecting committee hearings on this past week have been held over to be rescheduled at a later date.
HB 2095 was scheduled for a hearing in the House Government Committee on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. This AzCDL-requested legislation would limit the restrictions that a Home Owner Association (HOA) can place on firearms. Judy Burgess, the chair of the House Government Committee, was recently appointed to fill the Senate seat vacated by Scott Bundgaard earlier this month. Her departure from her committee chair position means new voting dynamics in the committee.
SB 1077 was scheduled for a hearing in the Senate National Resources and Transportation Committee on Monday, January 23, 2012. This bill would specifically exempt from the state lands trespass statute the "lawful possession or discharge of a firearm while hunting, while target shooting, in self-defense or in defense of another."
HJR 2001 was heard in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 and approved by a 7-2 vote. This resolution opposes the use of an international force on American soil that seeks to enforce any United Nations treaty. This resolution is primarily aimed at the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty which includes the regulation of private firearms ownership.
The deadline for committees to hear bills in their originating chamber (House and Senate) is February 17, 2012.
To see legislation that AzCDL is monitoring, visit our Bill Tracking page.
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January 20, 2012
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Bills moving – hearings scheduled.
To see legislation that AzCDL is monitoring, visit our Bill Tracking page.
Legislators have until February 6, 2012 to file their bills. Meanwhile a few pro-rights bills have been scheduled for hearings next week.
SB 1077 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate National Resources and Transportation Committee on Monday, January 23, 2012. This bill would specifically exempt from the state lands trespass statute the "lawful possession or discharge of a firearm while hunting, while target shooting, in self-defense or in defense of another."
HB 2095 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Government Committee on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. This is AzCDL-requested legislation that would limit the restrictions that a Home Owner Association (HOA) can place on firearms.
HJR 2001 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. This resolution opposes the use of an international force on American soil that seeks to enforce any United States treaty that has not been ratified by the United States Senate.
AzCDL representatives will be monitoring these committee hearings and testifying if necessary.
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January 17, 2012
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February events – Volunteers needed.
February is packed with gun shows every weekend and on two of those weekends, there are multiple gun shows. We need plenty of volunteers! If you can help us, please contact the coordinator listed below.
AzCDL is scheduled to be at the following events in February 2012.
February 4 & 5 – Kingman, Mohave Fairgrounds, hosted by High Desert Events.
To volunteer, contact Mark .
February 4 & 5 – Tucson, Pima County Fairgrounds, hosted by Arizona Arms.
To volunteer, contact Tom.
February 4 & 5 – Peoria, Ramada Inn, hosted by Western Collectibles.
To volunteer, contact John.
February 11 & 12 – Casa Grande, Holiday Inn, hosted by Western Collectibles.
To volunteer, contact Mark .
February 18 & 19 – Glendale, Civic Center, hosted by Western Collectibles.
To volunteer, contact John.
February 20-26 – Phoenix, Ben Avery Shooting Range, annual Winter Range event.
To volunteer, contact Duke.
February 25 & 26 – Phoenix, Arizona State Fairgrounds, hosted by Crossroads.
To volunteer, contact John.
February 25 & 26 – Yuma, County Fairgrounds, hosted by Murphy’s Gun Shows.
To volunteer, contact Mark .
If you can spare a few hours we would deeply appreciate your help. Volunteers get into events for FREE!
AzCDL’s phenomenal growth is primarily because of the hard work of our event volunteers. Gun shows and other events provide a great opportunity to educate other gun owners about our hard won successes.
You save money if you renew your AzCDL membership at any event that AzCDL is working. Sustaining memberships also get a free AzCDL T-shirt. Not a member? Not a problem! You can join AzCDL at these gun shows.
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January 13, 2012
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Legislative Update.
This is the end of the first week of the 2012 Arizona Legislative session. Legislators have about a month to introduce their bills. As this was being written, over 900 bills, resolutions, and memorials have already been filed. We sift through every bill to find proposed legislation that affects your right to bear arms.
To see legislation that AzCDL is monitoring, visit our Bill Tracking page.
After filing, all bills go through procedural reviews and votes. From there the Leadership in their respective chamber (House and Senate) decides which bills to assign to committees for further review. Once assigned, the chairman of that committee decides which bills will be heard before the deadline to vote on bills in their respective committees.
For good bills bill to thrive and survive in this environment, legislators need to be reminded that the citizens being affected by what they do are watching, and have an opinion on how they should vote. When legislators need to hear from you, we will send out an “Alert” and provide information on the bills that need your action, along with a link to a letter waiting for you to email from our Action Center.
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January 7, 2012
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The 2012 Arizona legislative session officially starts on Monday, January 9.
AzCDL has been working with legislators on proposed legislation since the last session ended. Legislators will soon file bills they are sponsoring, starting a difficult journey that, if all goes well, ends at the Governor’s desk.
To see any bill that AzCDL is monitoring, visit our Bill Tracking page. As bills appear on this page, we will add our position (i.e., support or oppose), along with other relevant information. This page is constantly being updated and a visit there will give you the current status of any bill we’re keeping an eye on.
Proposed legislation must survive committee assignments, several debates and multiple votes – in both chambers (House and Senate) of the Arizona legislature. AzCDL representatives will be working at the Capitol full time, meeting with legislators and “stake holders,” along with testifying at hearings, to move good legislation towards passage and defeat bad bills aimed at destroying your rights.
However, AzCDL’s success at the Capitol is dependent upon YOUR involvement. We need activists who emphatically let legislators know how you want them to vote on pending legislation. This is not a time to let the “other guy” do the work. As Edmund Burke stated, “All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
AzCDL’s Legislative Action Center makes getting involved a matter of a few mouse clicks. If you go to our Legislative Action Center and provide your location, you will find your legislators along with contact information. When legislators need to hear from you, we will send out an “Alert” and provide information on the bills that need your action, along with a link to a letter waiting for you to email from our Action Center. You can send the letter “as is” or personalize it. In most cases, all you need to do is click on a “send” button. Legislators pay attention when they receive thousands of emails politely urging them to vote for or against a bill. It was this type of activism that contributed to the passage of Constitutional Carry, and many other history making bills.
Another tool for voicing your opinion is provided by the Arizona Legislature. It’s the Request To Speak (RTS) system. Once you have a user ID and password on RTS, you can log-on through the Internet and leave comments on pending bills. You are NOT required to show up and testify – it’s just one of the options. One of the advantages of the RTS system is that your comments are available to committee members during hearings. It seems to carry a little extra weight.
To obtain a user ID and password on RTS, you must be initially logged on using one of the kiosk terminals at the Capitol. If you would like assistance in accessing the RTS system, please contact Dave Kopp, AzCDL’s president or John Wentling, AzCDL’s Vice-president.
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December 28, 2011
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2011 Voting Records posted at AzCDL website.
Wonder how your elected State Representatives and/or Senators voted on key pro-rights bills this year? AzCDL has posted their voting records here.
Votes monitored were on the following bills:
- SB 1201 – Firearms Omnibus; Primarily focused on improving carrying in “Public Buildings” (vetoed by the Governor).
- SB 1334 – Prohibits counties, cities, etc. from limiting lawful hunting areas.
- SB 1467 – Limited Campus Carry bill (vetoed by the Governor).
- SB 1469 – Strengthened the elements of the justification for the use of force.
- SCR 1020 – Ballot Measure to amend the Arizona Constitution to protect crime victims from attacker’s law suits.
- HB 2006 – Repeals the prohibition on carrying firearms in game refuges.
- HB 2146 – Several CCW law improvements.
- HB 2645 – Allows for court proceedings to restore rights in mental illness cases.
More information on these bills can be found in AzCDL’s May 2011 newsletter.
The 2012 legislative session starts soon. In a couple of weeks, bills will be introduced, and then scheduled for committee hearings and votes. With over 5,200 members, AzCDL has the ability to affect positive legislative changes; however your activism in contacting legislators is the key factor in determining our success. When you receive an AzCDL alert asking for you to send an email to the legislature, please get involved. Your freedom is at stake.
2012 is also an election year. AzCDL members have an extra tool to support legislators who support your rights – our Political Action Committee (PAC). Campaign donations speak loudly to legislators seeking reelection. AzCDL’s PAC is a force-multiplier for your individual donation. No matter the size of your donation, when combined with hundreds or thousands of others, it will make a big difference. Please donate today!
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December 7, 2010
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Reserve your AzCDL 2012 Front Sight classes.
We invite you to join us in April 2012 for our annual training sessions at Front Sight, Nevada. This year, we’re scheduling two courses, the 4 day Defensive Pistol Class and the 2 day Handgun Skill Builder.
The 4 day Defensive Pistol Class runs from Friday, March 30 through Monday, April 2, 2012. This is this ideal class for first time students. A typical class holds 40 students. We’re striving for a class composed exclusively of AzCDL members, family and friends.
For those interested, following the 4 day Defensive Pistol Class is a Concealed Weapon Permit class on Tuesday, April 3, 2011. This class covers the permit requirements for Nevada, Florida and Utah.
The 2 day Handgun Skill Builder runs from Friday, April 6 through Saturday, April 7, 2012. The prerequisite is completion of the Defensive Pistol Class. It’s a great refresher course for returning students.
If you would like to join us for either class, please contact Duke.
Why Front Sight? AzCDL’s Directors have Front Sight memberships that enable us to train as often as we like, and we look for any excuse to improve ourselves. It’s as simple as that. We would feel honored to have you join us. Duke, AzCDL’s membership director volunteered to coordinate the trip (no arm twisting was required for his annual return visit).
If you are already a Front Sight member, you know the drill for making reservations. If you won a Front Sight membership or class certificate at an AzCDL annual meeting, this is a great opportunity to use it.
For first time attendees, don’t get scared by the “sticker price” of the class at Front Sight’s website. Deeply discounted certificates are available from other AzCDL members and can also be found on eBay (search: Front Sight Certificate). For more information please contact Fred. If you have Front Sight certificates you are willing to sell, please let Fred know.
Since Arizona no longer mandates training to discreetly carry a firearm, this provides an opportunity to exercise the responsibility that comes with your right to bear arms. Whether you carry openly or discreetly you should never stop training.
Further discussion about this Front Sight class will be moved to AzCDL Front Sight email discussion list.
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November 16, 2011
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5,000 AzCDL Members!
Congratulations! On Sunday, October 30, 2011, AzCDL gun show volunteers recruited our 5,000th member.
It’s been a little over 9 months since our volunteers recruited our 4,000th member in February 2011. It won’t be long before we are talking about 6,000 members.
AzCDL was formed in 2005 by a handful of activists eager to end the status quo. Six years later, after many legislative victories and with the help of over 3,000 members, history was made with the passage of Constitutional Carry, restoring the right of the law-abiding to carry openly or discreetly without first begging for government permission.
We’re just warming up. Think about what can be done to “protect your freedom” with over 5,000 members this coming legislative session. Imagine what we can accomplish with 10,000 members, or 100,000 members.
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November 1, 2011
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Back by popular demand – AzCDL is raffling off two new pistols.
We are giving away TWO identical Springfield XD(M) Competition Series pistols. Each pistol is chambered for .45 ACP and features a 5.25” match grade barrel, a forged steel slide with a lightening cut, fiber optic front sight, and target adjustable rear sight.
A mere 500 tickets will be sold and each ticket represents TWO chances to win.
Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the AzCDL table at gun shows and other events.
You can also purchase tickets online at AzCDL’s store.
Raffle tickets can be found at the top of the page.
Drawings will be held on March 4, 2012 at the gun show scheduled for the Pima County Fairgrounds.
The winners do not have to be present to win. However, winners must comply with all federal, state, and local laws, and must pick up the firearm from a federally licensed firearm dealer.
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October 3, 2011
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Raffle Winners Drawn!
At AzCDL’s Annual Meeting of Members on Saturday, October 1, 2011, the winners of the two pistol raffles, along with the annual meeting door prize winners, were drawn.
The winning ticket for the Springfield XD was #17, purchased by AzCDL member David H. in Tucson.
The winning ticket for the Ruger LCR was #299, purchased by AzCDL member Brian L. in Tucson.
Eager for another AzCDL fund raising raffle? We expect the next one to start in December. Stay tuned!
Also at the annual meeting, four door prizes were drawn. With about 400 attendees, the odds were good to win.
AzCDL Member Dan J. (Phoenix) won a Front Sight certificate for a 4 day Defensive Handgun class.
AzCDL Member Walter P. (Casa Grande) won a “Don’t Tread on Me” Front Sight lifetime membership.
AzCDL Member Gene C. (Tucson) won an all-inclusive Front Sight Diamond lifetime membership.
AzCDL Member Paul A. (Tucson) won a Ruger LC9 pistol.
Next year’s annual meeting will be in Phoenix around the beginning of October. With our growing membership, we’re expecting over 500 attendees and a lot more door prizes. Mark your calendars! You do not want to miss this event.
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August 24, 2011
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Discount for AzCDL Members!
AzCDL is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Quartermaster, Inc. to provide discounts, to AzCDL members, for their Woolrich Elite brand of clothing.
AzCDL members receive a 20% discount on purchases of Quartermaster’s Woolrich Elite apparel and AzCDL receives a 2% donation from Woolrich.
To participate, simply click on the Quartermaster link at AzCDL’s Member Discounts page. This will take you to the Woolrich Elite apparel page showing the discounted prices.
AzCDL wants its members to get a discount on things they already buy, and earn a few bucks for the organization while doing it, so please feel free to take advantage of this offer.
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