ARIZONA CITIZENS DEFENSE LEAGUE

Check here for the latest news on 2009 legislation.

July 1, 2009

Sine Die! “Sine Die” is the Latin term the Arizona Legislature uses to signify the adjournment of the legislative session. The Senate adjourned this morning, July 1, 2009 at 7:30 AM. The House adjourned at 7:31 AM. It’s officially over folks. Unless a Special Session is called by the Governor, we have a 6 month reprieve on any further legislative meddling in our lives. Unfortunately HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill that was amended to include Petty Offense and Defensive Display language, failed in the House at 5:10 AM this morning. It passed in the Senate Third Read by a 18-5-7 vote around 2 AM but when it was voted on in the House Final Read, it failed by one vote, 30-10 with 20 (Yes, twenty!) members not voting. Five of those twenty who were not present for the vote were Republicans who had indicated to us that they would vote for the bill. If they had been present, HB 2439 would have easily passed. The Republicans missing during the final vote were Nancy Barto (R7), Rich Crandall (R19), Adam Driggs (R11), Bill Konopnicki (R5), Lucy Mason (R1), and Doug Quelland (R10). If you are in their Districts, please keep this in mind next November. Despite the setback with HB 2439, there are four pro-rights bills that made it through the legislative gauntlet and are headed to the governor’s desk. They are SB 1113, SB 1168, SB 1243 and SB 1449. SB 1113, a “Restaurant Carry” bill laden with concessions to appease opponents, passed in the House Third Read yesterday by a 40-19-1 vote. Early this morning, it passed the Senate Final Read by a 19-8-3 vote.  In the final version of SB 1113: - “Open carry” is not allowed in places serving alcohol. The firearm must be concealed. - Only individuals with CCW permits may carry a concealed firearm where alcohol is served. - The individual legally carrying the firearm may not consume alcohol. - The penalty for violating the law is a class 3 misdemeanor. - Establishments may prohibit firearms by posting a sign in a specified location. - It is an “affirmative defense” if the person violating the law “was not informed of the notice,” the sign had “fallen down,” the person is not a resident of Arizona, or the posted sign has not been up for 30 days. - However, lack of knowledge (by Arizona residents only) that firearms are prohibited in establishments serving alcohol is no longer a valid defense. SB 1168 is the Senate bill containing the “strike everything” amendment substituting the language of HB 2474. It passed the Senate Final Read by a vote of 18-9 with 3 not voting. SB 1168 prevents any private or public employer, property owner, etc., from banning any person from keeping a firearm in a locked vehicle in a parking area on the property, with specific limited exceptions. HB 2474, the original “Parking Lot” bill, passed in the House and made it through Senate committees but was dropped when SB 1168 made it through the process first. SB 1243 passed the House Third Read by a vote of 42-12-6 on June 29. Since the language in SB 1243 remained unchanged, it was sent back to the Senate where it was formally sent to the Governor this morning. SB 1243 is the AzCDL-requested bill that codifies the defensive display of a firearm. Another very important bill that passed this session is SB 1449 which applies, retroactively, statutory changes relating to justification defenses in all cases in which the defendant did not plead guilty or no contest that were submitted to the fact finder as of April 24, 2006. In plain language this means that the restoration of the “innocent until proven guilty” language that passed out of the Legislature via SB 1145 in 2006 retroactively applies to cases pending at the time of passage. The most infamous of these was the trial of Harold Fish, who defended himself while hiking and was prosecuted under the 1997 “guilty until proven innocent” law. Even though SB 1145 became law in the middle of Mr. Fish’s trial, he was convicted under the older law. This has been a very bizarre legislative session. With the focus almost entirely on the budget, very little time was spent on non-budget bills, and there was a mad rush to end the session and filter out as many bills as possible. Without the constant pressure YOU provided via your emails, letter and phone calls, AzCDL’s representatives (who went home this morning after staying all night lobbying and counting votes at the Capitol) would not have been able to keep pro-rights bill in the pipeline. Pat yourselves on the back – Job Well Done! Unfortunately, we’re not out of the woods yet. The Legislature may have adjourned but the Governor now has a stack of bills on her desk to sign, ignore or veto. Her priority is the budget. The Legislature deliberately waited until Sine Die to send the budget to the Governor. If she vetoes the budget, state bureaucracies grind to a halt. A “do over” budget will require the Governor to call a Special legislative session, with more delays. It boils down to gamesmanship and who blinks first. All the non-budget bills might become pawns in the power struggle.  Meanwhile, the next step is to start asking the Governor to sign these bills. 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 Jan Brewer Governor of Arizona 1700 West Washington Phoenix, Arizona 85007 You can call her office, toll free, at 1-800-253-0883 or 602-542-4331. You can also 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 the number of the bill you are making a comment on (e.g., SB 1243). In the message/comment area, leave a polite message asking her to sign the bill you are referring to. We recommend a separate message for each bill.

June 30, 2009

July gun show volunteers needed in Phoenix – FREE Admission! We need volunteers for Crossroads of the West gun show on July 11 & 12, 2009, at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix. 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 gun show volunteers. Gun shows provide a great opportunity to educate other gun owners about our hard won successes.  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 get into gun shows 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? Send an email to John.

June 29, 2009

“Parking Lot” bill clears Legislature. Today SB 1168, the Senate bill containing the “strike everything” amendment substituting the language of HB 2474, cleared the last hurdle in the Legislature by passing the Senate Final Read by a vote of 18-9 with 3 not voting. From here, SB 1168 will be transmitted to the Governor, probably within the next couple of days. SB 1168 prevents any private or public employer, property owner, etc., from banning any person from keeping a firearm in a locked vehicle in a parking area on the property, with specific limited exceptions. Since SB 1168 has passed the Legislature, HB 2474 is effectively dead. It passed in the House and made it through Senate committees but has not been scheduled for a Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) debate and vote. Also today, SB 1113 (Restaurant Carry) and SB 1243 (Defensive Display) passed out of the House COW. Both need to pass a House Third Read vote (possible tonight). Since the language in SB 1243 has remained unchanged, after it passes the House Third Read it will be transmitted to the Senate where it will be sent to the Governor. Unfortunately, since SB 1113 was amended in the House, it will need concurrence votes and then a Final Read vote in the Senate. HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill that now includes Petty Offense and Defensive Display language, is on the agenda for tonight’s Senate Third Read. It is unlikely that the Senate will finish their Third Read agenda tonight. Once HB 2439 passes out of the Senate Third Read it goes back to the house for concurrence and Final Read votes before being transmitted to the Governor.

June 26, 2009

Petty Offense heading for Senate floor vote. HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill that now includes “Petty Offense” language for carrying concealed without a permit, passed out of the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) this evening. As a bonus, the Senate voted to add the language of SB 1243, the AzCDL-requested Defensive Display bill, via an amendment offered by Senator Russell Pearce. In other news, SB 1168, a strike-everything “clone” of the HB 2474 “Parking Lot” bill passed out of the House COW and is headed for House Third Read. Meanwhile, HB 2474 is expected to be debated in the Senate COW on Saturday, June 27, 2009.

June 25, 2009

Time is running out! AzCDL is being told that the Legislature is going to pack up and go home at the end of this fiscal year – June 30, 2009. That’s less than a week from now! Subtract the weekend and that’s just a few workdays to wrap up about 1,000 bills. It’s not doable. Legislators are getting weary. In the Senate, SB 1270, the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill, passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 8, 2009. Unfortunately, the bill is being held in the Senate Rules committee due to a problem with the language concerning taking firearms across the border, and, due to the time constraints mentioned previously, it’s effectively dead for the year.   HB 2474, the “Parking Lot” bill, was reassigned to the Senate Retirement and Rural Development (RRD) Committee, and was heard on Thursday, June 25 where it passed by a 4 to 2 vote. In committee, Senator Rebecca Rios, a Democrat voted for HB 2474 while Senator John Huppenthal, a Republican, voted against HB 2474. It was also heard as a strike-everything amendment to SB 1168 in the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, June 24, where it passed, 7-4-0. From here, both versions must proceed through Rules, Caucus, COW, and Third Read in their respective chambers before going back to the other chamber for a Final Read, then up to the Governor, a difficult road. Over in the House, SB 1113 (Restaurant Carry) and SB 1243 (Defensive Display) passed out of the House Judiciary Committee today. Both bills must be reviewed in the House Rules Committee before proceeding. It will be difficult for SB 1113 and SB 1243 to make it through the process before June 30, 2009. The one bill that has the shortest path to take is HB 2439, which has been amended to include the “Petty Offense” (for carrying concealed without a permit) language that passed both chambers in the last two years. It has already been heard in the House. This afternoon it passed out of the Senate Rules Committee, the last step before proceeding to Caucus and COW debate. From there, it’s on to the Third Read floor vote before being sent back to the House for a concurrence vote (because of the Senate amendments), then on to the Governor. For the moment, our primary focus is the passage of HB 2439.

June 25, 2009

Defensive Display and Restaurant Carry pass in House committee. This morning (6/25/09) the House Judiciary Committee passed both SB 1113 (Restaurant Carry) and SB 1243 (Defensive Display) out of committee. SB 1113, the Restaurant Carry bill, passed by a vote of 6 to 2. It was amended in committee. The following summarizes key provisions in the current version of the bill: “Open carry” is not allowed. The firearm must be concealed. Only individuals with CCW permits may carry a concealed firearm where alcohol is served. The individual legally carrying the firearm may not consume alcohol. The requirement that the establishment serve food has been removed. The penalty for violating the law is a class 3 misdemeanor. Establishments may prohibit firearms by posting a sign in a specified location. It is an “affirmative defense” if the person violating the law “was not informed of the notice,” the sign had “fallen down,” the person is not a resident of Arizona, or the posted sign has not been up for 30 days. However, lack of knowledge (by Arizona residents only) that firearms are prohibited in establishments serving alcohol is no longer a valid defense. SB 1243, the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display is justified, passed by a vote of 5 to 3.   The next step for both bills is the House Rules Committee before being debated in the House Committee of the Whole (COW). Meanwhile the clock is ticking.

June 23, 2009

Defensive Display and Restaurant Carry to be heard in committee. On Thursday, June 25, 2009, the House Judiciary Committee will hear SB 1113 (Restaurant Carry) and SB 1243 (Defensive Display). SB 1113 is a bill that permits the carrying of concealed weapons in certain restaurants where alcohol is served by CCW permit holders only, providing signs are not posted forbidding firearms and the person possessing the firearm does not consume alcohol.   SB 1243 is the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display is justified. Defensive display includes: - verbally informing another person that the person possesses or has available a firearm - exposing or displaying a firearm in a manner that a reasonable person would understand was meant to protect the person against another’s use or attempted use of unlawful or deadly physical force - placing the person’s hand on a firearm while the firearm is contained in a pocket, purse or other means of containment or transport.

June 22, 2009

Amended CCW Training bill passes in Senate Committee. Today, at about 4:30 PM, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed HB 2439 out of committee by a 3-1 vote with 3 members not voting. The three members not voting were the committee’s Democrats who did not attend the hearing. The dissenting vote came from Republican John Huppenthal. HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill, provides for an alternative 4 hour CCW course for first time permit applicants, dealing only in legal issues, mental conditioning, and judgmental shooting decisions, for qualified individuals who can show proof of prior firearms training, such as: - Completion of an NRA pistol course. - Completion of pistol related courses at the college level, or from private organizations like Front Sight, Gunsite, etc. - Completion of certain law enforcement training. - Current military service or an honorable discharge. - A competitive rating or ranking in an organized shooting competition. - A CCW permit from another jurisdiction that required training or testing to obtain. An amendment was added in the committee to include the language from last year’s “Petty Offense” bill which passed in both chambers of the Legislature in 2008. Petty Offense is a step towards Constitutional Carry. It reduces the penalty for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit from the current misdemeanor to a petty offense unless the person is committing or attempting to commit a serious or violent crime. The amendment includes the language from SB 1270 exempting CCW permit holders from certain “public establishment or event” restrictions. It also would prevent the destruction of weapons seized by law enforcement. Since HB 2439 has already been through House hearings and votes, if the full Senate votes on its passage, it will not be subject to any additional committee hearings in the House before receiving a “Final” House vote and being sent to the Governor. We now have two similar bills working to further restore our right to keep and bear arms in Arizona. SB 1270 fully decriminalizes the lawful carrying of concealed weapons and is facing tough opposition in both chambers and the Governor’s office. SB 1270 will also have to survive more committee hearings and floor votes to get to the governor’s desk. Meanwhile, HB 2439, with less controversial language but still a major improvement over the current system, has a shorter path to travel to the Governor’s desk. On the Senate Judiciary Committee’s agenda, but not heard today, was HB 2474 which stipulates that property owners, tenants, public or private employers, and business entities must not prohibit the transport or storage of legally owned firearms in locked and privately owned motor vehicles parked within parking lots, parking garages, and other designated parking areas. It exempts property owners, tenants, public or private employers, business entities, and their employees or agents from civil liability for damages resulting from or arising out of an act involving a legally owned firearm that is transported or stored within a locked and privately owned vehicle. It allows employers and business entities to prescribe policies mandating that owners keep firearms out of the plain view of the public when stored or transported in locked and privately owned vehicles. And, it specifies inapplicability stemming from state and federal prohibition, and motor vehicle ownership. HB 2474 is being transferred from Senate Commerce Economic and Development (CED) Committee where it is currently assigned.

June 20, 2009

Independence Day Rifle Match – Still time to sign-up! There is still time to sign-up for the fourth annual AzCDL Independence Day Action Rifle Match on July 4th, hosted by the Phoenix Rod and Gun Club . Celebrate Independence Day in a way that would make our Forefathers proud!  The match is limited to 60 shooters but there is still time to make a reservation if you act now. Entry fee is $40 and includes a free AzCDL Basic Annual membership. If you are already an AzCDL member, you membership will be renewed. 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! Match rules and applications can be found on our Rifle Match page.

June 19, 2009

Constitutional Carry passes in Senate committee! Today (6/19/09) at about 4:30 PM, SB 1270, the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill that removes the penalty for the lawful carrying of a concealed weapon without a permit, passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The vote was 4 to 3 and fell along party lines. Ironically, some of those speaking in opposition to SB 1270, while praising the existing CCW permit system, were the same people who opposed the introduction of the CCW permit back in 1994 with similar “blood will run in the streets” hyperbole. Law enforcement administrators opposing SB 1270 also spoke of the benefit of Arizona’s CCW law as a tool for making arrests. From here, SB 1270 must go through the Rules Committee before being debated in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW). With the accelerated schedule in the Senate, that could be as early as next week. Be ready! HB 2474, which prevents any private or public employer, property owner, etc., from banning any person from keeping a firearm in a locked vehicle in a parking area on the property, with specific limited exceptions, was taken off today’s Senate Judiciary Committee agenda. HB 2474 is now on the Monday, June 22, 2009 agenda. The delay is due to HB 2474 being reassigned from the Commerce & Economic Development (CED) Committee to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Also on Monday’s Senate Judiciary agenda is HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill that provides for an alternative 4 hour CCW course for first time permit applicants with prior firearms training. SB 1113, the Restaurant Carry bill, was transmitted to the House on June 17, 2009 after passing in the Senate. That same day it was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee, but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.

June 18, 2009

Attorney General and Police Chiefs denounce Constitutional Carry. Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, flanked by 10 local police chiefs, held a press conference this morning attacking SB 1270, the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill that will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow (6/19/09).

June 18, 2009

Pro-Rights bills to be heard in committee. The Senate continues to “speed-review” legislation. Three pro-rights bills are scheduled for hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee. In a special session on Friday (6/19/09), SB 1270 and HB 2474 will be heard. On Monday (6/22/09) HB 2439 will be heard. SB 1270 is the AzCDL-requested “Constitutional Carry” bill that removes the penalty for the lawful carrying of a concealed weapon without a permit. HB 2439 is the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill that provides for an alternative 4 hour CCW course for first time permit applicants with prior firearms training. HB 2439 passed out of the House on May 6, 2009. HB 2474 prevents any private or public employer, property owner, etc., from banning any person from keeping a firearm in a locked vehicle in a parking area on the property, with specific limited exceptions. HB 2474 passed out of the House on May 13, 2009.  In other news, SB 1113, a Restaurant Carry bill, was transmitted to the House on June 17, 2009 after passing in the Senate. That same day it was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee, but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.

June 16, 2009

AzCDL “Tweets” In addition to our email Alerts, AzCDL has established a Twitter account for broadcasting very brief (140 character) Twitter updates or “tweets.” Our account name is “AzCDL Alerts,” for those who wish to follow our updates.

June 16, 2009

Restaurant Carry passes on “Reconsideration” vote in Senate. Yesterday (June 15, 2009), SB 1113, a Restaurant Carry bill, was voted on during Senate Third Read. Senator Jack Harper, the prime sponsor of SB 1113, recognized that SB 1113 did not have the required 16 votes to pass and switched his vote to “Nay”, creating a 14-14 tie vote. This enabled him to then ask for a “Reconsideration” vote. This afternoon (June 16, 2009), the Senate again voted on SB 1113, and this time it passed by an 18-10 vote with 2 Senators not voting. In addition to Senator Harper being able to vote for his bill this time, Senator John Nelson, who was absent yesterday, was present to vote for SB 1113. Senators Amanda Aguirre (D-24) and Manny Alvarez (D-25) were successfully persuaded to change their votes to support SB 1113.  . In other news, we have learned that the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to hold a special hearing this Friday, June 19, 2009. On the agenda should be SB 1270, the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill that removes the penalty for the lawful carrying of a concealed weapon without a permit.

June 15, 2009

Defensive Display and Restaurant Carry voted on in Senate Third Read. The Senate continues with its accelerated schedule and voted on SB 1113 (Restaurant Carry) and SB 1243 (Defensive Display) in today’s (June 15, 2009) Third Read after passing them out of the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) just last Friday (June 12, 2009). Unfortunately, SB 1113, which limited the carrying of concealed weapons in certain restaurants serving alcohol to CCW permit holders, providing signs are not posted forbidding firearms and the person possessing the firearm does not consume alcohol, failed by a tie vote of 14-14 with two Senators not voting. One of the Senators not voting was Republican Senator John Nelson, a supporter of SB 1113, who was unable to be at this session due to a family emergency. Unfortunately, a number of Senators who indicated to AzCDL that they supported SB 1113 voted against it on the Senate Floor. However, there is still hope for SB 1113. Senator Harper, the sponsor of SB 1113, seeing how the vote was going, switched his vote to “Nay” to create the tie vote. This will enable Senator Harper to ask for a reconsideration vote so that SB 1113 can be voted on again in an upcoming Third Read, probably tomorrow, June 16, 2009. SB 1243, the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display is justified, sailed through today’s Senate Third Read by a vote of 21-7 with 2 not voting. From here, SB 1243 will be transmitted to the House where the process starts all over again.

June 12, 2009

Constitutional Carry, Defensive Display and Restaurant Carry make progress! On June 12, 2009, the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) held a rare Friday session. Both SB 1113 (Restaurant Carry) and SB 1243 (Defensive Display) were debated on, and passed out of, the COW. Next step for both bills is a Third Read vote by the full Senate (expected on Monday, June 15.)   SB 1113 is a bill that permits the carrying of concealed weapons in certain restaurants where alcohol is served by CCW permit holders only, providing signs are not posted forbidding firearms and the person possessing the firearm does not consume alcohol. A beneficial amendment was added during the COW that clarified the signage and posting requirements.   SB 1243 is the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display is justified. We have even more good news! Your recent emails had a positive effect. Senator Jonathan Paton, the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with AzCDL’s representatives today (June 12, 2009) and agreed to schedule SB 1270, the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill, for a committee hearing on Monday, June 22, 2009.

June 11, 2009

Defensive Display and Restaurant Carry scheduled for debate! We are getting word that the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) will hold a rare Friday session on June 12, 2009. We are expecting SB 1113 and SB 1243 to be calendared for debate and voting in this upcoming COW. SB 1113 is a bill that limits the carrying of concealed weapons in certain restaurants where alcohol is served to CCW permit holders, if signs are not posted forbidding firearms and the person possessing the firearm does not consume alcohol.   SB 1243 is the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display is justified.

June 11, 2009

Constitutional Carry needs your help! SB 1270 is the AzCDL-requested “Constitutional Carry” bill that removes the penalty for the lawful carrying of a concealed weapon without a permit. After languishing for almost six months, SB 1270 was finally assigned on June 8, 2009, to the Senate Judiciary Committee. However, it has not been put on any upcoming committee agendas. Time is running out. After almost six months of not hearing any non-budget bills, the Senate is attempting to sprint through about 1,000 bills, jettisoning as many as they can via abbreviated committee hearing schedules. Despite repeated requests, we have been unable to get a commitment from the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman to hear SB 1270. It’s time to ask you, AzCDL’s membership and supporters, to express YOUR desire to have SB 1270 get a fair hearing. SB 1270 is a huge step towards restoring our Right to Keep and Bear Arms (RKBA) in Arizona, that was severely limited by the infamous 1990 Dano v. Collins Appellate Court decision. In Dano v. Collins, the court determined that the “shall not be impaired” clause in Arizona’s Constitutional equivalent of the Second Amendment (Article 2, Section 26) did not apply to concealed weapons. This led to the creation of the 1994 concealed carry (CCW) permit law. Dano v. Collins was also the foundation for the confusing 1994 court decisions restricting open carry and where weapons can be carried in vehicles without a CCW permit. It’s time to restore the meaning of Article 2, Section 26 of the Arizona Constitution that says “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself or the state shall not be impaired….” with the passage of SB 1270.  It’s time to let the committee leadership know there is a large amount of support for SB 1270 and that they should immediately schedule it for a hearing. .

June 8, 2009

Restaurant Carry and Defensive Display pass in Senate committee. On Monday, June 08, 2009, SB 1113 and SB 1243 passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. SB 1113 is a Restaurant Carry bill that permits firearms in certain restaurants if signs are not posted forbidding firearms, and the person possessing the firearm does not consume alcohol. SB 1113 was amended to apply only to concealed weapon (CCW) permit holders who are carrying concealed firearms. The amended version was approved by a 4-3 vote.  SB 1243, the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display is justified, passed with a 5-2 vote. Both bills now must be heard by the Senate Rules Committee before moving on the debate and vote in the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW).

June 5, 2009

Legislation moving in Senate! This week, the Senate and House, in sessions lasting long into the night, completed work on the 2010 budget. Without delay, the Senate began assigning bills to committees and scheduling hearings. Two pro-rights bills, SB 1243 and SB 1113, are scheduled for hearings this coming Monday, June 8, 2009, at 1: 30 PM, in the Senate Judiciary Committee. SB 1243 is the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies when a defensive display is justified.  SB 1113 is a Restaurant Carry bill that permits firearms in certain restaurants if signs are not posted forbidding firearms, and the person possessing the firearm does not consume alcohol. Other pro-rights bills waiting for floor votes and committee assignments are: SB 1270, the AzCDL-requested “Constitutional Carry” bill that removes the penalty for the lawful carrying of a concealed weapon without a permit. SB 1449, Senator Linda Gray’s bill that makes the 2006 Castle Doctrine/Burden of Proof changes retroactively applicable to all cases pending at the time of passage that the defendant had not pled guilty to. HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested bill that provides for an alternative 4 hour CCW course for first time permit applicants with prior firearms training. HB 2474, which prevents any private or public employer, property owner, etc. from banning any person from keeping a firearm in a locked vehicle in a parking area on the property, with specific, limited exceptions. Please take the time to contact your Senators and politely urge them to support SB 1113, SB 1243, SB 1270, SB 1449, HB 2439 and HB 2474.

May 29, 2009

Legislative update. It’s been another frustrating week with no movement of pro-rights bills in the Arizona Legislature. For the most recent summary please look at our May newsletter. On the Federal front, President 0bama recently signed credit “reform” legislation that contained an amendment restoring the right to possess firearms in National Parks. Implementation of this new law will be delayed for nine months, because it’s tied to the delay built into the underlying bill that allows time for credit card companies to adopt their new rules.   If you are in Tucson this weekend (May 30 &31, 2009), don’t forget to stop by the AzCDL table at the gun show at the Pima County Fairgrounds. During gun shows, all new memberships and renewals are $10 off. It’s like getting into the gun show for free! AzCDL’s next Phoenix area gun show will be at the Mesa Centennial Hall on June 27 & 28, 2009. If you are interested in volunteering for the Mesa show, please contact John.

May 26, 2009

AzCDL’s May 2009 Newsletter available online. The AzCDL Newsletter for May 2009 is available for viewing and downloading on our Newsletter page. Topics in the May 2009 Newsletter include: - An update on important pro-rights Arizona legislation. - A look at pending Federal legislation. - The annual Independence Day Rifle Match - AzCDL’s Annual Meeting (in Tucson this year). - AzCDL’s gun show schedule.

May 22, 2009

Legislative update. Last week, the Legislature wrapped up “fixing” the fiscal year 2009 budget. On May 21, 2009, the Senate Appropriations committee passed the 10 bills comprising the 2010 budget. There are a number of steps still required before the 2010 budget gets to the Governor’s desk. Meanwhile, non-budget bills are languishing. A few pro-rights bills have progressed in the House.   HB 2439 passed out of the House Third Read and was transmitted to the Senate on May 6, 2009. HB 2439 is the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill. HB 2474 passed out of the House Third Read and was transmitted to the Senate on May 13, 2009. HB 2474 prevents any private or public employer, property owner, etc. from banning any person from keeping a firearm in a locked vehicle in a parking area on the property, with specific, limited exceptions.  HB 2177, which allows a person with a valid concealed weapons permit to possess, transport or carry a weapon within a game refuge, passed out of the House Committee of the Whole (COW) on May 6, 2009. From here, it waits to be calendared for the House Third Read (final vote before being transmitted to the Senate). In the Senate, non-budget bills have still not been assigned to committees while the Senate continues working on the 2010 budget. Stuck in this legislative limbo are several AzCDL-requested bills, including SB 1270 (Constitutional Carry) and SB 1243 (Defensive Display), along with HB 2439 and HB 2474 which recently passed out of the House.  When the 2010 budget passes, the Senate is facing a tsunami of non-budget bills conflicting with their urge to end the session and go home. AzCDL’s full-time volunteer lobbyists have been meeting with key legislators on strategies to prevent critical pro-rights bills from being axed to accommodate streamlined schedules.

May 19, 2009

Independence Day Rifle Match – Shooters Wanted! On July 4th, 2009, the fourth annual AzCDL Independence Day Action Rifle Match will be hosted by the Phoenix Rod and Gun Club. Celebrate Independence Day in a way that would make our Forefathers proud!  Be sure to get your application in early.  The match is limited to 60 shooters. There is still time to make a reservation if you act now. Entry fee is $40 and includes a free AzCDL Basic Annual membership. If you are already an AzCDL member, you membership will be renewed. 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! Match rules and applications can be found here. There will be 4 stages this year.  At least half the match will be long range oriented (100-400 yards). Sign in will start at 6:30 AM. Shooter’s meeting will be held at 7:00 AM. Range goes “hot” by 7:30 AM. All shooting is finished by 1:00 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.

May 12, 2009

Parking Lot bill scheduled for 5/13/09 vote. HB 2474 is scheduled for a “Third Read” vote by the full House on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. For those of you receiving NRA-ILA alerts, the date of the vote has been moved from May 12 to May 13. HB 2474 stipulates that property owners, tenants, public or private employers, and business entities must not prohibit the transport or storage of legally owned firearms in locked and privately owned motor vehicles parked within parking lots, parking garages, and other designated parking areas. It exempts property owners, tenants, public or private employers, business entities, and their employees or agents from civil liability for damages resulting from or arising out of an act involving a legally owned firearm that is transported or stored within a locked and privately owned vehicle. It allows employers and business entities to prescribe policies mandating that owners keep firearms out of the plain view of the public when stored or transported in locked and privately owned vehicles. And, it specifies inapplicability stemming from state and federal prohibition, and motor vehicle ownership. AzCDL mentioned in Arizona Capitol Times! YOUR emails ARE effective! AzCDL’s concern about legislators leaving early was echoed in a May 11, 2009 Associated Press (AP) article written for the Arizona Capitol Times. Unfortunately, copyright laws prevent us from posting the entire article, but the AP article raised the same concerns we have about the session ending before non-budget bills were heard. The article ended with: “The Arizona Citizens Defense League, a gun-rights group lobbying for passage of several bills, recently urged its supporters to implore lawmakers to stick around even after the budget is passed.” It looks like even the “Mainstream” media can’t ignore AzCDL – thanks to YOU!

May 8, 2009

Finally! Pro-rights bill move in the House. HB 2177, which allows a person with a valid concealed weapons permit to possess, transport or carry a weapon within a game refuge, passed out of the House Committee of the Whole (COW) on May 6, 2009. From here, it will be calendared for the House Third Read (final vote before being transmitted to the Senate). HB 2439, which passed out of the House COW back on March 26, 2009, passed out of the House Third Read and was transmitted to the Senate on May 6, 2009. Thanks to your emails, HB 2439 passed with a favorable 40 to 20 vote. HB 2439 is the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill. HB 2474 was debated and voted on in the House COW on May 7, 2009. We are expecting to see it calendared for the House Third Read next week. HB 2474 prevents any private or public employer, property owner, etc. from banning any person from keeping a firearm in a locked vehicle in a parking area on the property, with specific, limited exceptions.  In the Senate, non-budget bills have still not been assigned to committees while they continue working on the 2010 budget. Stuck in this legislative limbo are several AzCDL-requested bills, including SB 1270 (Constitutional Carry), SB 1243 (Defensive Display), and HB 2439 (CCW Training Reform). Next weekend is the NRA’s 138th Annual Meeting at the Phoenix Convention Center. All AzCDL directors and officers will be there, along with many of your State legislators. We hope to see you there! Be sure to proudly wear your AzCDL t-shirt!

May 5, 2009

House bills are moving and need your support! Pro-rights bills are scheduled for debate and vote in the House in on May 7 & 8, 2009. HB 2439 is scheduled for “Third Read” vote by the full House on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 and HB 2474 is scheduled to be debated in the House Committee of the Whole (COW) on Thursday, May 7, 2009. HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill, provides for an alternative 4 hour CCW course for first time permit applicants, dealing only in legal issues, mental conditioning, and judgmental shooting decisions, for qualified individuals who can show proof of prior firearms training, such as: - Completion of an NRA pistol course. - Completion of pistol related courses at the college level, or from private organizations like Front Sight, Gunsite, etc. - Completion of certain law enforcement training. - Current military service or an honorable discharge. - A competitive rating or ranking in an organized shooting competition. - A CCW permit from another jurisdiction that required training or testing to obtain. The training alternatives included in HB 2439 meet or exceed the current requirements for obtaining a CCW permit. We urge everyone to contact your Representatives and politely ask them to support HB 2439 when they vote during House Third Read on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. HB 2474 stipulates that property owners, tenants, public or private employers, and business entities must not prohibit the transport or storage of legally owned firearms in locked and privately owned motor vehicles parked within parking lots, parking garages, and other designated parking areas. It exempts property owners, tenants, public or private employers, business entities, and their employees or agents from civil liability for damages resulting from or arising out of an act involving a legally owned firearm that is transported or stored within a locked and privately owned vehicle. It allows employers and business entities to prescribe policies mandating that owners keep firearms out of the plain view of the public when stored or transported in locked and privately owned vehicles. And, it specifies inapplicability stemming from state and federal prohibition, and motor vehicle ownership. We urge everyone to contact your Representatives and politely ask them to support HB 2474 with no floor amendments, except those proposed by the sponsor, when it is debated in the COW on Thursday, May 7, 2009. In other news, your e-mails demanding that the legislators stick around after the budget is resolved have had a positive effect. While we’ve seen some bobbing, weaving and obfuscating judging from some of the responses you have shared with us, Representatives Frank Antenori, Judy Burges, Steve Yarbrough and Senators Russell Pearce and Jack Harper have told us that they intend to stay after the budget is resolved and be present for any floor votes that come up. All it takes is a few legislators to leave and the session is effectively over. In Arizona, a bill must pass out of the House and Senate by a majority of elected legislators, not simply by a majority of those who show up to vote. A bill needs 16 votes in the Senate and 31 votes in the House to pass. If only a handful of legislators decide to leave and not vote, and the 16 or 31 vote majority is not obtained, important legislation will not pass.

May 1, 2009

Legislators looking to go home soon? First, some good news. HCM 2009, a House Memorial that encourages the U.S. Congress to oppose the passage of Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009, or any similar legislation, that would impinge on the individual right of every American to keep and bear arms, passed out of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety (MAPS) committee on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. The vote was 5-0 with 3 members absent. Meanwhile, non-budget legislation in the Arizona Senate remains at a standstill while the legislature continues to hammer out the 2010 budget. And now, we are hearing that after they are through with the budget, many legislators are planning to pack up and go home, basically shutting down the legislature for the year. That will effectively kill all remaining non-budget bills.  We believe that it’s time to let every legislator know that the voters of Arizona want them to finish the job that we are paying them to do, and to dismiss any ideas of ending the session after they fix the budget mess that they helped create. We urge everyone to contact your legislator, and politely tell them that you expect them to remain in session until all pending legislation that they have been neglecting during the “budget crisis” is properly processed.

April 28, 2009

Hearing on bill opposing Federal firearms legislation – 4/29/09. HCM 2009 is scheduled to be heard in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety (MAPS) committee at 9:00 am on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. In January 2009, U.S. Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL) introduced House Resolution 45 (Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009) in the U.S. Congress.  This Act prohibits a person from possessing a firearm unless that person has been issued a firearm license.  In order to be issued a firearm license, a person must submit to the U.S. Attorney General specified information, including a current photograph and thumb print of the applicant, along with a certificate attesting to the completion of a written firearms examination.  Licenses are good for five years and may be renewed.  HCM 2009 is a House Memorial that encourages the U.S. Congress to oppose the passage of Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009, or any similar legislation, that would impinge on the individual right of every American to keep and bear arms. It also requires the Arizona Secretary of State to transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and each member of Congress from Arizona. HCM 2009 was introduced by Representative Judy Burges and has 57 co-sponsors. We urge everyone to contact the members of the House MAPS committee and politely urge them to support HCM 2009 when it is heard in their committee on Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

April 24, 2009

Legislative Update. Non-budget legislation in Arizona remains at a standstill while the Legislature continues to hammer out the 2010 budget. Waiting for a House Third Read vote before being transmitted to the Senate is HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill. Waiting to be placed on the House Committee of the Whole (COW) calendar are HB 2474 and HB 2177.  HB 2474 prevents any private or public employer, property owner, etc. from banning any person from keeping a firearm in a locked vehicle in a parking area on the property, with specific, limited exceptions.  HB 2177 allows a person with a valid concealed weapons permit to possess, transport or carry a weapon within a game refuge.  In the Senate, non-budget bills have still not been assigned to committees while they continue working on the 2010 budget. Stuck in this legislative limbo are several AzCDL-requested bills, including SB 1270 (Constitutional Carry) and SB 1243 (Defensive Display). On a positive note, there was a pro-rights ruling this week from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit covering Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The case was Nordyke v. King. You can find the ruling on AzCDL’s “Educational” page. In Nordyke, the Ninth Circuit ruled that the 2nd Amendment is “incorporated” through the 14th Amendment. This means that the Second Amendment is a right protected at the state and local levels for residents in the states under the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit.  Here in Arizona, the impact of Nordyke will be minor since the Arizona Constitution protects your right to keep and bear arms in Article 2, Section 26.  However in California, the impact could be significant. California has no protection for the right to keep and bear arms in their constitution. This new ruling means that Second Amendment rights are protected in California. It might help to eventually invalidate some of their gun laws and provide footing for becoming a "shall issue" state. The case that triggered the ruling was brought on behalf of a gun show promoter (Nordyke) that wanted to use county property to hold a gun show. Despite the “incorporation” ruling, the rest of the ruling went against Nordyke. The Ninth Circuit ruled that since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in D.C. v. Heller that guns can be banned from "sensitive" government buildings, the county was within its powers to ban the gun show.

April 17, 2009

Legislative update. It’s been another week of inaction at the Legislature. Non-budget legislation has been at a virtual standstill. However HCR 2024, a resolution stipulating that the state of Arizona claims sovereignty under the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, managed to pass out of the House Committee of the Whole (COW) on April 14, 2009. The next step for HCR 2024 is the House Third Read before being transmitted to the Senate. HB 2439 passed out of the House Committee of the Whole (COW) back on March 26, 2009 and is also waiting to be scheduled for a formal vote in the House Third Read. HB 2439 is the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill. HB 2474 is waiting to be placed on the House COW calendar. HB 2474 prevents any private or public employer, property owner, etc. from banning any person from keeping a firearm in a locked vehicle in a parking area on the property, with specific, limited exceptions.  HB 2177, a “strike-all” bill that now contains pro-rights language, is also still waiting to be placed on the House COW calendar. HB 2177 allows a person with a valid concealed weapons permit to possess, transport or carry a weapon within a game refuge.  In the Senate, non-budget bills have still not been assigned to committees while they continue working on the 2010 budget. Stuck in this legislative limbo are several AzCDL-requested bills, including SB 1270 (Constitutional Carry) and SB 1243 (Defensive Display).

April 13, 2009

Sovereignty Bill debate and vote on 4/14/09. HCR 2024 is scheduled to be debated in the House Committee of the Whole (COW) on Tuesday, April 14, 2009. HCR 2024 stipulates that the state of Arizona claims sovereignty under the 10th Amendment to the Constitution over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the Constitution. It states that this resolution serves as both a notice and a demand to the federal government to immediately cease and desist mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers. It demands that all compulsory federal legislation that directs states to comply, under threat of civil or criminal penalties, or sanctions or requires states to pass legislation or otherwise lose federal funding, be prohibited or repealed. HCR 2024 requires the Arizona Secretary of State to transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate of each state’s legislature, and each member of the Arizona Congressional Delegation. We urge everyone to contact your Representatives and politely ask them to support HCR 2024 when it is debated in the COW on Tuesday, April 14, 2009.

April 10, 2009

Legislative update. There has been little movement of non-budget legislation this session. You can read more in the Arizona Republic’s article . HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill, passed out of the House Committee of the Whole (COW) on March 26, 2009. It is waiting to be scheduled for a formal vote in the House Third Read.   HB 2474 passed out of the House Judiciary committee on March 5th. On March 30th it was passed out of the House Rules committee. From here it will be put on the House COW calendar. HB 2474 prevents any private or public employer, property owner, etc. from banning any person from keeping a firearm in a locked vehicle in a parking area on the property, with specific, limited exceptions. Lobbyists representing large corporations are pushing for amendments to weaken HB 2474. Please continue to contact your Representatives and politely ask them to support HB 2474 without any amendments. HB 2177, a “strike-all” bill that now contains pro-rights language, passed out of the Natural Resources and Rural Affairs (NRRA) committee on February 16th. On March 30th it passed out of the House Rules committee. Next step is the House COW. HB 2177 allows a person with a valid concealed weapons permit to possess, transport or carry a weapon within a game refuge.  In the Senate non-budget bills are not being assigned to committees until the budget is resolved. AzCDL-requested bills that were filed in the Senate and are awaiting committee assignments and hearings include SB 1270 (Constitutional Carry) and SB 1243 (Defensive Display). AzCDL is working to ensure that SB 1270 and SB 1243 do not become casualties of scheduling inconvenience. We are closely monitoring the situation in the Senate, and we’re ready to exploit any opportunity that may arise.

April 3, 2009

Legislative update. Non-budget legislation is moving in the House but is at a virtual stand-still in the Senate.  HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill, passed out of the House Committee of the Whole (COW) on March 26, 2009. Your emails helped move it along! The next step is a formal vote in the House Third Read. Assuming it passes Third Read it will be transmitted to the Senate.   HB 2474 passed out of the House Judiciary committee on March 5th. On March 30th it was passed out of the House Rules committee. From here it will be put on the House COW calendar. HB 2474 prevents any private or public employer, property owner, etc. from banning any person from keeping a firearm in a locked vehicle in a parking area on the property, with specific, limited exceptions. Lobbyists representing large corporations are pushing for amendments to weaken HB 2474. Please contact your Representatives and politely ask them to support HB 2474 without any amendments. HB 2177, a “strike-all” bill that now contains pro-rights language, passed out of the Natural Resources and Rural Affairs (NRRA) committee on February 16th. On March 30th it passed out of the House Rules committee. Next step is the House COW. HB 2177 allows a person with a valid concealed weapons permit to possess, transport or carry a weapon within a game refuge. Progress on HB 2177 is being delayed until a determination is made on the impact of the recent Washington, D.C. Federal District Court injunction against the Department of Interior’s ruling allowing concealed weapon permit holders to carry their firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges. In the Senate it is estimated that work on the budget will continue for the next few weeks. Meanwhile, non-budget bills are not being assigned to committees. AzCDL-requested bills that were filed in the Senate and are awaiting committee assignments and hearings include SB 1270 (Constitutional Carry) and SB 1243 (Defensive Display). Even with an extended deadline for hearing bills in the Senate, all bills must still be passed out of their respective committees by April 10th in order to be heard in the House. Hopefully that deadline will be extended as well. AzCDL is working to ensure that SB 1270 and SB 1243 do not become casualties of scheduling inconvenience. We are closely monitoring the situation in the Senate, and we’re ready to exploit any opportunity that may arise.

March 25, 2009

CCW Training Bill Floor Action 3/26/09. HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill, is scheduled to be debated in the House Committee of the Whole on Thursday, March 26, 2009. HB 2439 provides for an alternative 4 hour CCW course, dealing only in legal issues, mental conditioning, and judgmental shooting decisions, for qualified individuals who can show proof of prior firearms training, such as: - Completion of an NRA pistol course. - Completion of pistol related courses at the college level, or at places like Front Sight, Gunsite, etc. - Completion of certain law enforcement training. - Current military service or an honorable discharge. - A competitive rating or ranking in an organized shooting competition. - A CCW permit from another jurisdiction that required training or testing to obtain.

March 20, 2009

Legislative update. Legislation is still poking along. A couple of weeks ago, the House Leadership directed House committees not to hear any further House bills, with limited exceptions, for the remainder of this session. The following pro-rights bills have been heard in House committees, and are still viable. HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill, passed out of the House MAPS committee on March 4th. On March 16th it passed out of the House Rules committee. HB 2439 provides for an alternative 4 hour CCW course dealing in legal issues, mental conditioning, and judgmental shooting decisions, for qualified individuals who can show proof of prior firearms training. HB 2474 passed out of the House Judiciary committee on March 5th. HB 2474 prevents any private or public employer, property owner, etc. from banning any person from keeping a firearm in a locked vehicle in a parking area on the property, with specific, limited exceptions. HB 2177, a “strike-all” bill that now contains pro-rights language, passed out of the Natural Resources and Rural Affairs (NRRA) committee on February 16th. HB 2177 allows a person with a valid concealed weapons permit to possess, transport or carry a weapon within a game refuge. From here, HB 2474 and HB 2177 need to be reviewed by the House Rules committee. After the Rules committee, bills are debated by the full House in the “Committee of the Whole” (COW), where more amendments may be offered. We will notify you when important legislation proceeds to the House COW. The Senate has still not assigned any non-budget bills to committees, but the Senate Leadership has stated they will extend the March 13th deadline for assigning bills. AzCDL-requested bills that were filed in the Senate and are awaiting committee assignments and hearings include SB 1270 (Constitutional Carry) and SB 1243 (Defensive Display). Even with an extended deadline in the Senate, bills must still be passed out of their respective committees by April 10th in order to be heard in the House. That means about 400 Senate bills are competing for a deadline less than 3 weeks away. Most will probably never get a hearing. AzCDL is working to ensure that SB 1270 and SB 1243 do not become casualties of scheduling inconvenience. We are closely monitoring the situation in the Senate, and we’re ready to exploit any opportunity that may arise.

March 13, 2009

Legislative update. Legislation is still crawling through the House and stalled in the Senate. Last week, the House Leadership directed House committees not to hear any further House bills, with limited exceptions, for the remainder of this session. One of the many casualties of this decision was HB 2607 (Campus Carry).  Another casualty of House procedures is HB 2235, which set stricter requirements for Game and Fish Commission appointments. HB 2235 was scheduled to be heard in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety (MAPS) Committee on Wednesday, March 11th, but was pulled from the agenda, effectively killing it for this session. However, the following pro-rights bills have been heard in House committees, and are still viable. HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill, passed out of the House MAPS committee on March 4th. HB 2439 provides for an alternative 4 hour CCW course dealing in legal issues, mental conditioning, and judgmental shooting decisions, for qualified individuals who can show proof of prior firearms training. HB 2474 passed out of the House Judiciary committee on March 5th. HB 2474 prevents any private or public employer, property owner, etc. from banning any person from keeping a firearm in a locked vehicle in a parking area on the property, with specific, limited exceptions. HB 2177, a “strike-all” bill that now contains pro-rights language, passed out of the Natural Resources and Rural Affairs (NRRA) committee on February 16th. HB 2177 allows a person with a valid concealed weapons permit to possess, transport or carry a weapon within a game refuge. From here, HB 2439, HB 2474 and HB 2177 need to be reviewed by the House Rules committee, and must then be debated by the full House in the “Committee of the Whole” (COW), where more amendments may be offered. We will notify you when these bills proceed to the House COW. The Senate has still not assigned any non-budget bills to committees, and the March 13th deadline for doing so has passed.  Senate Leadership has stated that the Senate may extend their deadline, but this has yet to happen. AzCDL-requested bills that were filed in the Senate and are awaiting committee assignments and hearings include SB 1270 (Constitutional Carry) and SB 1243 (Defensive Display). If the Senate does extend their deadline to hear bills in Senate committees, they must be passed out of their respective committees by April 10th in order to be heard in the House. This doesn’t mean it’s time to quit. AzCDL is closely monitoring the situation in the Senate, and we’re ready to exploit any opportunity that may arise.

March 10, 2009

Game & Fish bill scheduled for 3/11/09 hearing. HB 2235 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety (MAPS) Committee on Wednesday, March 11, 2009. The bill requires all appointees to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to be an Arizona resident for at least ten of the preceding fifteen years, to be a continuously registered member of the same political party or an independent for at least five years, and to hold a valid hunting, fishing or hunting/fishing license for at least five of the preceding seven years. It also requires all applications for appointments to the Commission to be public records.

March 6, 2007

Pro-rights bills progress in House This week, two pro-rights bills were voted out of their respective committees with a recommendation for passage by the full House. HB 2439, the AzCDL-requested CCW training reform bill, passed out of House Military A