Right now, there’s enough bad legislation being introduced at the state and national levels to keep all the pro-gun groups in America hopping.
The bad news is there’s not enough of those groups to stop it all. Even worse news is the fact that in the areas where gun owners - meaning shooters, hunters and collectors- are already being suppressed, the future looks even worse.
In Washington, the House of Representatives is getting set to vote on H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, and H.R. 1112 the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019. According to the Government Relations watch of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, “both bills were passed out of the House Judiciary committee on party-line votes. The background check bill would require all private sales to be conducted through a federally license firearms dealer, with few exceptions for transfers. The Charleston Loophole bill would extend from three to 10 days the background check delay periods when immediate determinations can’t be made.”
As you can imagine, the NSSF is urging its members to oppose both bills.
Last week, a Nevada legislator introduced Nevada AB153, a measure that would make it a misdemeanor penalty for persons to have “negligently” stored or left a firearm at a location under their control if they know it is a “substantial risk” a child can access it. No one’s surprised at what is undoubtedly only a first move against gun owners in Nevada. Governor Steve Siolak’s campaign promise was to ban “assault rifles and suppressors.”
And speaking of the suppression of suppressors (had to do it), Kansas, Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, Texas and Utah Attorneys General have appealed to the United States Supreme Court the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision that found suppressors and other firearms accessories were not constitutionally protected. In fact, the NSSF says a footnote in the 10th’s decision said that suppressors were “dangerous and unusual” - despite the fact they’re legal to own in 42 states and approved for hunting in 40.
It’s amazing that the idea of a noise suppression device is horrifying to anti-gun people, but they’d be marching in the streets if the suppressors/mufflers on cars, trucks, buses and any other gasoline powered implement were removed.
In California, the deadline for filing bills has passed (it was February 22), but there was time to get three more restrictions introduced before the window of potential oppression closed.
AB 688 would require firearms left in vehicles to be stored in the trunk, in a locked container, and out of sight or with a steel cable lock, chain, or padlock. SB 281 would give “local jurisdictional authorities” the ability to ban gun shows at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, and AB 645 would require manufacturers and dealers to include warning statements include suicide prevention materials with firearms.
Tomorrow, Rhode Island’s House Committee on Finance will hear testimony on Governor Gina Raimondo’s proposed 10 percent tax on all firearms and ammunition. The bill doesn’t lay out how, but it does say it would implement the 10 percent tax on the “sale, use and storage of firearms and ammunition in the state.”
New Hampshire, the “Live Free or Die” state, is considering a bill (HB-109) that would seek to implement “universal” background checks. If that happens, it criminalizes transactions between friends, neighbors and family members. Interestingly enough, New Hampshire is one of the last holdouts in implementing FIXNICS. That means they already have incomplete records on those prohibited persons who would be disqualified from gun ownership.
If all this cheerful information is making the hump in your hump day even higher, here’s a bright spot for most of us: we don’t live in Oregon.
Before appearing on Tom Gresham’s GunTalk Radio over the weekend to talk about “the Benchmade situation” (no, it’s not dying a quiet death), I listened in disbelief to all the crazy laws already in effect - and others being introduced there.
As Tom talked with the Oregon Firearms Federation’s Kevin Starrett, I was stunned to listen to some of the regulations being crammed down the throats of - basically- anyone in Oregon who doesn’t live in Portland. “Portland runs Oregon,” Starrett said, “and the people there and in Eugene consider everyone else in the state to be bumpkins who are expendable.”
New regulations there propose outlawing any firearm holding more than five rounds. No, it doesn’t exempt anything- including revolvers. They would limit ammunition purchases to 20 rounds per month (anyone count the rounds in a box of shotgun shells lately).
As Starrett said, “you might be able to defend yourself with your matchlock rifle- but they’re out to make it impossible to hunt with it.”
There’s also a measure pending that would outlaw fishing contests in the state.
For someone who lives in a region where there are only metropolitan areas where anti-gun laws are prevalent, it was eye-opening.
If you look at all the legislation, it’s disturbing. Include the fact those same groups passing eyewash anti-gun legislation believe elimination of access to banking and credit facilities to gun manufacturers will lead to their “unicorn society” where we’ll all live in perfect peace and harmony, it’s enough to keep you awake at night.
If you are lying awake at night wondering about what’s to become of our rights, here’s a suggestion: use that extra time to get informed about the issues we’re all facing today. Then, after you’ve become informed, go get involved.
I’m not resurrecting my “My Time 2Stand” jeep and trailer, but I am absolutely advocating for anyone who cares about preserving our outdoor heritage- and our country- to get involved.
Stand up.
Show up.
Speak up.
—Jim Shepherd