|
|
 |
|
|
|
Check here for the latest AzCDL and Legislative news.
Visit our Legislative Action Center for “action now” bills.
You can also follow AzCDL on Twitter & Facebook!
|
|
February 4, 2010
|
|
Legislation update.
Thanks to the hundreds of you generating almost 4,000 emails to committee members, we made great progress this week!
The companion AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bills, SB 1102 and HB 2347, were both voted out of their respective committees. The SB 1102 vote was 4-3 in the Senate Judiciary Committee and the HB 2347 vote was 5-2, with one member not voting, in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee.
Both Constitutional Carry bills have been amended in almost identical fashion. The primary Constitutional Carry language remains intact! The biggest change was in the CCW training requirements. SB 1102 and HB 2347 originally proposed eliminating the CCW permit training altogether. The strong resistance to this was not unexpected. AzCDL-suggested language was added that improves, but no longer eliminates, the existing statutory CCW permit training requirements. This resulted in reduced opposition. Other changes to the Constitutional Carry bills include:
- Correcting the language regarding the sale (versus destruction) of confiscated weapons.
- Requiring CCW permit holders to have their permit, when required, and available to law enforcement.
- Preventing law enforcement from confiscating a weapon lawfully possessed by a permit holder.
- Other technical corrections.
As a result of AzCDL’s representatives addressing the concerns of “stakeholders” of SB 1102 and HB 2347, some of the law enforcement unions have changed their position to “neutral” (from “opposed”). This is critical to successful passage. And, the NRA has registered support for Constitutional Carry with their representative testifying during the HB 2347 hearings. We hope to see even more support from the NRA on these bills.
The next step for SB 1102 and HB 2347, as with all bills passing out of committee, is a review in the Rules Committee in their respective chambers before being scheduled for debate and vote on the Senate and House floors.
Constitutional Carry was not the only pro-rights issue being addressed this week.
SB 1011, authorizing college and university faculty members, with CCW permits, to possess a concealed firearm on campus, was heard in the Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, but after discussion was “held” without a vote.
SB 1015, clarifying the "no firearms" signage requirements for restaurants, is also being held. An agreement was reached with the stakeholders (i.e., Liquor Lobby), to clarify the posting requirements via a change in the liquor laws. Senator Barbara Leff, chair of the Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee (where SB 1015 is assigned) is closely monitoring the situation.
SB 1098, the "Firearms Freedom Act," was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, February 1, 2009. It passed out of committee by a party line vote of 4-3. The House version of SB 1098 (HB 2307) passed out of the House Judiciary Committee on January 28, 2010.
It looks like next week will be relatively quiet. Most key firearms related bills have been voted favorably out of their assigned committees and appear to be moving along nicely.
|
|
February 2, 2010
|
|
Action Alert and update.
There are still 2 bills being heard in committees this week that need your emails. We’ve set up the messages for you in our Action Center. All you need to do is complete the “Sender Information” and click on the “Send” button. How easy is that? Links to the letters are provided below.
HB 2347, the House version of SB 1102 (Constitutional Carry), will be heard in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. Go here to send your letter .
SB 1011, authorizing college and university faculty members, with CCW permits, to possess a concealed firearm on campus, will be heard in the Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. Go here to send your letter.
Letters from constituents are strong motivators for legislators. A handful is meaningless. Hundreds, or thousands, really get their attention. This year we have “the” chance to restore your constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms, openly or concealed, without a government permission slip, via companion bills HB 2347 and SB 1102. There is a lot of money (your tax dollars) being spent to kill pro-rights bills, keep the status quo and feed legions of bureaucrats dependent on laws restricting your constitutionally protected rights. Your involvement will mean the difference between success and failure. You are the Arizona Citizens Defense League. It’s time to TAKE ACTION! .
And, thanks to YOUR involvement, we have good news!
SB 1098, the "Firearms Freedom Act," was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, February 1, 2009. It passed out of committee by a party line vote of 4-3.
SB 1102, the Senate version of the AzCDL-requested "Constitutional Carry" bill, was also heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. It also passed out of committee by a party line vote of 4-3.
AzCDL has been tirelessly working behind the scenes to address concerns about SB 1102. To that end, SB 1102 was amended in committee without harming the underlying Constitutional Carry language. Changes were made that:
- Corrected the language regarding the sale (versus destruction) of confiscated weapons.
- Require CCW permit holders to have their permit and present it to law enforcement upon request.
- Prevent law enforcement from confiscating a weapon lawfully possessed by a permit holder.
- Modify the CCW permit training requirements to allow for NRA training, military service, an existing permit, etc.
- Made other technical corrections.
HB 2347 will be modified in a similar fashion.
A hostile amendment proposed by Senator Ken Cheuvront was also defeated during the committee hearing. This amendment would have required background checks on private firearm sales.
|
|
January 30, 2010
|
|
Committee Hearings Next Week!
Four pro-rights bills are scheduled for committee hearings next week.
SB 1098, the "Firearms Freedom Act," will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, February 1, 2009.
SB 1102, the AzCDL-requested "Constitutional Carry" bill, will also be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.
HB 2347, the House version of SB 1102 (Constitutional Carry), will be heard in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, February 3, 2010.
SB 1011, authorizing college and university faculty members, with CCW permits, to possess a concealed firearm on campus, will be heard in the Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee on Wednesday, February 3, 2010.
We urge you to contact the committee members on these bills and WE’VE MADE IT EASIER FOR YOU!
AzCDL has added a Legislative Action Center to improve YOUR ability to contact Arizona legislators and share your opinion. This is the same interface used by Gun Owners of America and many other successful organizations.
To take action on the above bills from AzCDL’s Legislative Action Center home page, click on “Issues,” then click on “Legislative Alerts and Updates”. There you will find a list of the bills mentioned in this Alert that require action. Clicking on any one of them will take you to an editable letter. You can add your own text or send it as is, after filling in the required fields. WE WILL NOT SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION WITH ANYONE! We also recommend keeping the “remember me” box checked so that next time you send a letter there will be less work to do.
In other news, the following bills recently passed out of committee.
HB 2307, the House version of SB 1098 (Firearms Freedom Act), passed out of the House Judiciary Committee by a 5-2 vote, with one member absent, on January 28, 2010.
SB 1172, which improves the language in Arizona’s school gun safety program statutes, passed out of the Senate Education and Accountability Reform Committee, by a unanimous 7-0 vote, on January 27, 2010.
The normal process for any bill passing out of a committee is to go to their respective chambers Rules Committee. The following bills are due to be heard Monday, February 1, 2010 in the Senate Rules Committee:
SB 1021, which incorporates defensive display into the statutes regarding the justification for deadly force.
SB 1153, knife preemption.
SB 1172, school gun safety improvements.
|
|
January 28, 2010
|
|
February event volunteers needed.
If you interested in volunteering, please contact Duke, Tom or John to get on the schedule. Since space is limited at the tables, we have to be frugal with our staffing. Volunteers who call first get first choice on scheduling.
In February, AzCDL is working events in Tombstone, Tucson and Phoenix.
February 6 & 7 is the Arizona Arms gun show at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson. Please contact Tom to volunteer.
February 10 through 14, 2010 is the Third Annual “High Noon at the Tombstone Livery.” AzCDL Director Duke Schechter will be working the entire Tombstone event and could use some help. If you would like to help please contact Duke.
February 20 & 21 is the McMann’s Roadrunner gun show at the Tucson Convention Center. Please contact Tom to volunteer.
February 27 & 28 is the Crossroads gun show at the State Fairgrounds in Phoenix. Please contact John to volunteer.
If you can spare a few hours we would deeply appreciate your help. AzCDL’s phenomenal growth is primarily because of the hard work of our volunteers. These events provide a great opportunity to educate other gun owners about our hard won successes and the legislation in the works this year.
If your AzCDL membership is coming up for renewal, you’ll save $10 if you renew at any event! It’s like getting paid to attend! Sustaining memberships also get a FREE AzCDL t-shirt. Not a member? Not a problem! You can join AzCDL at these events and still get the $10 discount.
|
|
January 26, 2010
|
|
More bills in committee this week!
First, thank you for contacting the Senate Judiciary Committee! Your emails and calls worked!
SB 1021, which incorporates defensive display into the justification for deadly force statutes, passed out of committee by a vote of 4-1 with 2 members not voting.
SB 1101, which allows certain detention officers and retired law enforcement to carry a concealed firearm without a CCW permit, passed by a 4-2-1 vote
SB 1153, knife preemption, passed by a 4-3 vote
SB 1098, the Arizona Senate’s version of the “Firearms Freedom Act,” and SB 1102, Constitutional Carry, were held over and will be rescheduled for an upcoming committee hearing.
Meanwhile, two other bills are being heard this week.
SB 1172, which enhances the school gun safety program, is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Education Accountability and Reform Committee on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 1:30 PM.
HB 2307, the House’s version of the “Firearms Freedom Act” (SB 1098), is scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 9:00 AM.
We urge everyone to contact these committees’ members and politely ask them to support SB 1172 and HB 2307 in their respective committees. Please be sure to include your name, address, and phone number in all correspondence.
If you are a subscriber to the RTS (Request To Speak) system at the Capitol, log on and express your support to the committee. If you want more information about how to set up an account on RTS, send an email to President@AzCDL.org.
|
|
January 21, 2010
|
|
Committee Hearing on January 25, 2010!
Bills are already starting to move! The Senate Judiciary Committee has the 5 following pro-rights bills scheduled for a hearing on Monday, January 25, 2010:
SB 1021 – Incorporates defensive display into the justification for deadly force statutes.
SB 1098 – Arizona’s version of the “Firearms Freedom Act.” If passed and signed into law, any firearm manufactured in Arizona and that remains in the state, “is not subject to Federal law or Federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce and it not considered to have traveled in interstate commerce.”
SB 1101 – Allows certain detention officers and retired law enforcement to possess a concealed firearm without a CCW permit.
SB 1102 – The AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill that eliminates the prohibition and penalties for adults carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.
SB 1153 – A knife preemption law being championed by the national Knife Rights organization
It’s time to remind the committee members that you are keenly interested in what they are doing, and that you want these bills to favorably pass out of the Senate Judiciary committee.
We urge everyone to contact the Senate Judiciary Committee members and politely ask them to support SB 1021, 1098, 1101, 1102 and 1153 when they meet on Monday, January 25, 2010. Please be sure to include your name, address, and phone number in all correspondence.
If you are a subscriber to the RTS (Request To Speak) system at the Capitol, log on and express your support to the committee. If you want more information about how to set up an account on RTS, send an email to Dave .
|
|
January 14, 2010
|
|
Constitutional Carry legislation filed!
AzCDL has been laying the groundwork for Constitutional Carry since we began. In the last two legislative sessions we came very close. This year Senator Russell Pearce, along with 16 co-sponsors, filed SB 1102, and Representative Frank Antenori, along with 17 co-sponsors, filed HB 2347. Both bills have the following features:
- Eliminate the prohibition and penalties for adults carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.
- Include defensive display in the justification for deadly force (similar to HB 2015 & SB 1021).
- Allow CCW permit holders to carry in “non-secure” public buildings.
- Remove the unloaded firearm requirement when picking up and dropping off school students.
- Allow LEOSA certified retired Law Enforcement Officers to carry on school grounds.
- Require confiscated firearms to be sold rather than destroyed.
- Eliminate the training requirement to obtain a CCW permit.
We urge everyone to send a thank you note to Senator Pearce and Representative Antenori for introducing these bills. If your Senator and/or Representatives co-sponsored SB 1102 or HB 2347 please send them a thank you message. If they are not a co-sponsor, we urge you contact them and ask why not. .
We are expecting a firestorm from the anti-rights zealots, so we will be asking your help to ensure the passage of SB 1102 & HB 2347 throughout this legislative session. Warm up your keyboards!
SB 1102 & HB 2437 aren’t the only important bills we’re expecting this year. For months, AzCDL has been working behind the scenes with pro-rights legislators on a number of paradigm shifting bills. Stay tuned!
Meanwhile, other bills are still being filed. Senators have until February 1, 2010 to introduce bills and the deadline in the House is February 8, 2010. Along with Constitutional Carry, the following firearm related bills have been filed:
HB 2015 (Burges) – Adds defensive display of a firearm as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, the use of deadly physical force.
HB 2016 (Burges) – Allows out of state applicants whose rights have been restored to obtain a CCW permit under the same conditions as Arizona residents.
HB 2017 (Burges) – Clarifies that NRA instructors may teach the school gun safety courses.
HB 2041 (Kavanagh) – Adds school districts, charter schools, community colleges and state universities to the definition of political subdivisions where a law enforcement officer may carry a firearm.
HB 2201 (Lujan) – Creates a crime for firearm “Straw Purchases” made in Arizona. AzCDL opposes this bill.
HB 2271 (Ableser) – Increases the penalty for possessing a firearm at a post-secondary institution from a misdemeanor to a class 6 felony. AzCDL opposes this bill.
HB 2307 (Antenori) – Exempts firearms manufactured and sold in Arizona from Federal oversight.
HB 2406 (Antenori) – Clarifies the “no firearms” signage requirements for restaurants. Also changes the affirmative defense language to “not an offense.” Finally, it restores the requirement that a person “knows the possession of a firearm is prohibited” in an establishment.
HB 2543 (Gowan) – Strengthens state firearms preemption laws, adds firearms storage and reloading components to the list of things political subdivisions cannot regulate, and removes the prohibition on carrying a firearm in public parks without a CCW permit.
SB 1011 (Harper) – Allows college/university faculty members with CCW permits to possess a concealed firearm on campus.
SB 1015 (Harper) – Similar to HB 2406.
SB 1021 (Pearce) – Identical to HB 2015.
SB 1098 (Pearce) – Identical to HB 2307.
SB 1101 (Pearce) – Expands the list of law enforcement officers exempt from concealed weapons permit requirements.
|
|
January 6, 2010
|
|
Volunteers needed for two end of January events.
Interested in volunteering, or need more information? Contact John.
In addition to the remaining Phoenix and Tucson guns shows this month, we have two additional events that AzCDL will be working that are both scheduled for January 30 & 31, 2010.
Maricopa County’s Joe Foss Shooting Complex in Buckeye is celebrating their one year anniversary on January 30 & 31 and AzCDL has been invited to participate.
On the same weekend, Firing Pin Enterprises is hosting a gun show in Prescott Valley at the Yavapaii County Fairgrounds.
Two events on the same weekend require two “set-ups” and two crews of volunteers. If you can spare a few hours to help us educate attendees about our goals and hard won successes, we would deeply appreciate your help. To volunteer for either event, please contact John.
|
|
January 1, 2010
|
|
Pro-rights bills filed early.
Even though the next “Regular” legislative session doesn’t being until Monday, January 11, 2010, some legislators have already begun “pre-filing” bills. The following pro-rights bills have been filed that affect our Right to Keep and Bear Arms (RKBA):
HB 2015 (Burges) – Adds defensive display of a firearm as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, the use of deadly physical force.
HB 2016 (Burges) – Allows out of state applicants whose rights have been restored to obtain a CCW permit under the same conditions as Arizona residents.
HB 2017 (Burges) – Clarifies that NRA instructors may teach the school gun safety courses.
SB 1011 (Harper) – Allows college/university faculty members with CCW permits to possess a concealed firearm on campus.
SB 1015 (Harper) – Clarifies the “no firearms” signage requirements for restaurants. Also changes the affirmative defense language to “not an offense.” Finally, it restores the requirement that a person “knows the possession of a firearm is prohibited” in an establishment
SB 1021 (Pearce) – Similar to HB 2015.
AzCDL’s representatives have been working with legislators on new bills for a number of months. We are expecting the bulk of these pro-rights bills to be filed after the session officially begins. As they progress, we will keep you informed.
|
|
|
|
