It’s 4/28, Do You Know Where Our Bills Are?

It looks like we’re now into phase two of the Nevada 74th legislative session. All bills have either been passed out of their initiating committees and the floor of their initiating chamber or have died. We can say “Good Riddance!” to some and shed a tear for others:

A.B. 21—would have increased the fees on CCW’s etc. GONE!
A.B. 111—would have put a lifetime limit on bighorns and elk. ADIOS!
A.B. 191—would have restricted CCW’s in rented building used by courts. OUTAHERE!
A.B. 268—the Assembly’s version of reciprocity. BYE BYE!
A.B. 338—demerits, etc. for hunting violations. VIA CON DIOS!
A.B. 398—redefining “justifiable homicide”. ALOHA!
S.B. 286—arming teachers with training and permit. SEE YA!

These are the ones that still have life. They’ve been cussed and discussed. They’ve been bended and amended. They are now on their way for further consideration. Click the bill number to be taken to the amended bill being considered.

ASSEMBLY BILLS NOW IN THE SENATE

A.B. 91—This bill restricts certain explosives. Hobbyist reloaders are exempt as the amended bill cites the Federal Register where “small arms ammunition and components thereof” are exempted from carrying the explosives classification. Additionally the Federal Register exempts black powder in quantities of less than 50 pounds. A.B 91 is now in the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee. No hearing has been schedule.

A.B. 95—This is the anti confiscation bill. The amendments didn’t hurt it and it’s now in the Senate Judiciary Committee—no hearing date yet.

A.B. 107—This is the “dangerous knife” on school property bill. It still sucks. Read it and see if you agree. It’s now in the Senate Judiciary Committee—no hearing date yet.

A.B. 259—WOW! This is an example of “politics” in action! Originally the bill was to allow open hunting of Mountain Lions with a provision to change the name of NDOW to the Department of Fish and Game. As amended there is nothing about Mountain Lions and nothing about a name change! Now it requires an annual financial accounting of certain programs by NDOW. It has been sent to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. No hearing has been set

A.B. 343—This is the bill that would change the residency requirement for discounted hunting and fishing licenses for those over 65. The amended version is basically the same. It’s now in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. No hearing has been set.

SENATE BILLS NOW IN THE ASSEMBLY

S.B. 92—This is now a gutless wonder. You’ve read my thoughts on what happened here, more to come by the way. As amended I guess it’s ok. It is definitely not what the firearms owners of Clark County wanted. It is now in the Assembly Government Affairs Committee. No hearing date has been set.

S.B. 237—This is the Senate’s version of reciprocity. As amended it now gives some authority to the Nevada Sheriff’s and Chief’s Assoc. in establishing which states qualify for reciprocity along with the Nevada Department of Public Safety. It also will allow CCW’s to carry based on category, not make and model of firearm. This is now in the Assembly Judiciary Committee. No hearing has been scheduled.

S.B. 354—Where did this come from! When you cut through the hyperbole, it changes possession of a firearm on school property to a felony from a gross misdemeanor. We missed this completely when it was over in the Senate. It has now been sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Let’s talk about this a little later.

There you have it loyal readers…eight bills out of more than a dozen. Most are either positive or innocuous. No harm no foul. We will try and get posts up more frequently over the next several weeks examining those amended bills that really have impact on our hobby and passion.

Speaking of “several weeks”, all of the bills have until May 18th to get out of their considering committee and onto the floor. Once there, they have until May 25th to be passed out.

We must remain ever vigilant…ever watchful

Section 11 Gets Some Press

While we watch and wait on our bills in the legislature, we’ve seen our web site mentioned in one online magazine, Freedom Watch. Click here to read an excellent article entitled Under Fire.

Also we have had two letters to the editor published this week. Check out this week’s edition of The Penny Press My letter was in response to the big deal that they had made the week before about the 2-1 decision to overturn the Washington D.C. gun ban. Granted the court’s decision could have major impact on gun laws around the country, but The Penny Press forgot to bring it back home and look at the legislative activities up in Carson City.

We also had a letter to the editor published in today’s Review-Journal. They did a bit of editing on what I had sent them, but it came out ok. This was in response to another writer who was just so sad about all the guns in the world. Click here to read my letter. (they misspelled my name, but I’ve asked for a correction)

There has been some movement in the legislature. We now can see S.B. 237 as amended. Look it over. I don’t see too much wrong with it, but these guys can really complicate the English language! Let us know what you think about it now—this is the Senate Bill concerning reciprocity and changes to our CCW requirements. I can’t find where the amended bill has been passed out of the Senate to the Assembly, but they have until 4/24. Let’s keep watching.

We must remain ever vigilant…ever watchful

Friday the 13th…Here’s What We Know So Far

There are a few loose ends to tie up, but by and large all of the bills that we have been tracking have been addressed. Every bill that has been passed out of the various committees will now go to the floor of the Assembly or Senate to be voted on. The next hard date is 4/24. That’s the last day for passage of a bill from one floor to the other.

Here are all the bills that we’ve been following and their status. At this time, with the exception of S.B. 92 discussed on Tuesday, we have no idea what any of the amendments are that have been attached to these bills. Hopefully we’ll know soon.

Assembly Bills

A.B. 21—CCW fee increase—amended and lost vote in Judiciary Committee

A.B. 91—Explosives bill—voted out of the Gov’t Affairs Committee with amendment

A.B. 95—Emergency Confiscation—voted out of Government Affairs with amendment

A.B. 107—“Dangerous Knives” in schools—voted out of Judiciary Committee with amendment

A.B. 111—Lifetime limit on Elk, etc.—amended and lost in the Natural Resources Committee

A.B. 191—CCW’s in Court rented buildings—in Judiciary Committee—died, failed deadline

A.B. 194—Ownership of firearms under a protective order—voted out of Judiciary Committee with amendment

A.B. 259—Mountain lion hunting—voted out of Natural Resources Committee with amendment

A.B. 268—Assembly’s version of reciprocity—in Judiciary Committee—died, failed deadline

A.B. 338—Demerits, etc. for hunting violations—in Natural Resources Committee—died, failed deadline

A.B. 343—Redefining residency for hunting licenses—voted out of Natural Resources Committee

A.B. 398—Redefining “Justifiable Homicide”—in Judiciary Committee--died, failed deadline

Senate Bills

S.B. 92—Pre-emption exemption removal for Clark County—Gov’t Affairs Committee voted out with amendments

S. B. 237—Senate’s version of reciprocity—voted out by Judiciary Committee

S.B. 286—Arming teachers—defeated in Transportation and Homeland Security Committee

We must remain ever vigilant…ever watchful

Do Ya Feel Like a Mushroom Yet?

You know what a mushroom is…something kept in the dark and fed BS. Well folks I’m startin’ to feel just like one today. Why? Apparently S.B 92 was passed out of the Senate’s Government Affairs Committee yesterday with amendments and a “Do Pass” recommendation. We should all be cheering that the exemption to pre-emption for Clark County will be a thing of the past! Oops, that’s NOT exactly what happened yesterday!

S.B. 92 was amended to take care of big business and big government, but along the way it seems that you and I were left out of the mix. Here’s what I know. The bill came out of committee with a couple of amendments. The amendments basically say that for any city or county with a population over 400,000 who had firearms legislation in place before 1989, citizens will have 60 days to establish residency and register their handguns. The reporting period for registering sales of handguns is changed from 24 to 72 hours.

Here’s how big business was accommodated. The S.H.O.T. Show—the largest gathering of firearms related manufacturers—will not have to worry that every Glock, Kimber, Ruger, or Colt on display at their next Las Vegas event will have to be registered (they aren’t “citizens” and are only here for a week or so anyway.) Here’s how big government was accommodated. The Clark County Shooting Park will not have to worry that competitors coming to the new range will be in violation (they aren’t “citizens” and will only be here for a few days). I’ve got to tip my sombrero to NSSF, NRA, and everyone else that made sure that Clark County’s economy isn’t interrupted by the unconstitutional ordinances on the books!!

Unfortunately those of us who live here are still saddled with them! Why did it happen this way? Well folks I gotta say that the firearms owners in the Silver State are about as disorganized a group as you’ll find anywhere in the country. How many of you showed up to voice your feelings about S.B. 92 when it was heard on March 14th? How many actually sent messages to members of the committee? Apparently it wasn’t enough. Where was the Nevada State Rifle and Pistol Association? God only knows! I don’t know how that organization even exists, but it sure hasn’t spoken out for us this legislative session.

So what do we do now? Simple! WE DON’T GIVE UP!! We still have a bunch of firearms related bills pending that we need to try and get passed, as well as some that are better left on the committees’ floor. You know what they are, just look down at the various posts here on SECTION 11. Our next objective it to get A.B. 95 passed. It will have it’s first hearing in the Assembly Government Affairs Committee this Thursday! Finally! Let’s not let this one get away from us! The hearing will begin at 8:00 a.m. I hope we have a decent showing for this very important bill. If you can’t be there then PLEASE send an email to the committee in support of the bill.

Don’t throw in the towel just yet. The exemption to pre-emption for Clark County may be dead in the legislature. Now we need to consider the source for that ordinance—the Clark County Board of Commissioners. There’re only seven of them and there are thousands of us!!

We must remain ever vigilant…ever watchful

What Did The Easter Bunny Bring You?

It’s been a very busy week for me, so I haven’t been able to update as often as I would have liked. In all honesty, not much happened this past week anyway. I did have a nice conversation about A.B. 95, the anti confiscation bill, with Carrie Herbertson of the NRA. She is the NRA’s paid lobbyist and is following pretty much the same bills that we are.

She gave me some interesting inside dope on the realities of Nevada politics at least from her perspective as a political operative with many years of experience. I’ll admit to some naiveté about the inner workings of Carson City politics, but I don’t think she is up to speed on the power that you and I have through Section 11 and our loose organization of defenders of the Second Amendment here in Nevada.

So what has the Easter Bunny brought us? Well some action, some rumors, and some questions. First let’s talk about some positive action that did occur this past week.

All of the positive action occurred in the Senate Judiciary and the Assembly Natural Resources Committees this past week. Two bills that we’ve been watching have been voted out with “Do Pass” recommendations. Out of the Natural Resources Committee came A.B. 343. This is the bill that would change the length of time a resident over 65 must live in Nevada to qualify for reduced fees for hunting and fishing licenses.

Out of the Senate’s Judiciary Committee came S.B. 237. This is the first of two reciprocity bills to come out. The Assembly Judiciary also has A.B. 268 that is a somewhat similar bill. S.B. 237 was amended and voted out on 4/4 with a “Do Pass”. I have no idea what the amendment was that was placed on this bill, but I’m hopeful that it’s not a deal breaker.

The rumors have it that A.B. 95 will finally be heard before the Assembly Government Affairs Committee sometime around the middle of this week. Apparently there are a bunch of legislators with their panties in a wad over this bill. If they’ve got problems with this very sensible legislation, Lord help us when they have to make tough decisions!! We’ll keep you posted on when this very important bill gets it’s hearing.

As for the rest of our bills…we’re still waiting on the Committees to get them out to the respective floors. We have only 5 more days until they are all dead!! Here’s the rundown:

Assembly Bills

A.B. 21—CCW fee increase—amended and lost vote in Judiciary Committee
A.B. 91—Explosives bill—supposedly amended, but still in the Gov’t Affairs Committee
A.B. 95—See above
A.B. 107—“Dangerous Knives” in schools—still in Judiciary Committee
A.B. 111—Lifetime limit on Elk, etc.—still in Natural Resources Committee
A.B. 191—CCW’s in Court rented buildings—still in Judiciary Committee
A.B. 194—Ownership of firearms under a protective order—still in Judiciary Committee
A.B. 259—Mountain lion hunting—still in Natural Resources Committee
A.B. 268—Assembly’s version of reciprocity—still in Judiciary Committee
A.B. 338—Demerits, etc. for hunting violations—still in Natural Resources Committee
A.B. 343—Voted out “Do Pass”—see above
A.B. 398—Redefining “Justifiable Homicide”—still in Judiciary Committee

Senate Bills

S.B. 92—Pre-emption exemption removal for Clark County—still in Gov’t Affairs Committee
S. B. 237—CCW reciprocity—voted out “Do Pass” see above
S.B. 286—Arming teachers—still in Transportation and Homeland Security Committee

That’s all of them. We have 12 bills that need action. Of the above I’m hoping that A.B 107, A.B. 111, A.B. 191, A.B. 194, and possibly A.B. 338 all die in their respective committees. The rest definitely need our support!

We must remain ever vigilant—ever watchful!

Does Anyone Know What’s Going On?

Here we are the 3rd of March. In 10 days our efforts in participatory democracy may just be over. Why? March the 13th is the last day that a bill can be sent from a committee to its respective floor to be considered.

As of today, not one of our bills is headed to the floor of the Assembly or the Senate. NOT ONE!! In fact one of the highest priority bills being followed by SECTION 11, A.B. 95, hasn’t even had a hearing yet. You remember A.B. 95? It’s the anti-confiscation bill sponsored by Assemblywomen Valerie Weber and Francis Allen and Assemblyman Garn Mabey. There are about 14 other co-sponsors on this bill that should have absolutely no controversy. So why has it not had a hearing?

I was told by Assemblywoman Weber that A.B. 95 would have its first hearing tomorrow, March 4th. The day that the Government Affairs Committee announced the agenda for March 4th was the day that Ms. Weber found out that A.B. 95 wasn’t there.

We want to know why isn’t it there! There is something going on, you can bet on that. If you are a member of the NRA you may have received an orange card in the mail today. Click HERE to see it. This “Legislative Alert” has great intentions, but it’s got the facts wrong!

Sheriff Doug Gillespie NEVER “indicated during his campaign” that he would not confiscate firearms during an emergency until he was called on it! In fact he initially said that he felt he should have that authority! The NRA has it wrong! Gillespie is NO friend to firearms owners. The NRA had it RIGHT when they gave Gillespie a very poor rating during the last election cycle (I can’t remember if it was a “D” or an “F”).

The NRA also has it right in that if we don’t get off of our collective butts every one of our bills will die. Not just A.B. 95, but S.B. 92 --the bill Doug Gillespie really wants to die—and all of the rest outlined here on SECTION 11 will just fade away.

So it’s up to each of us. Email Chairman Marilyn Kirkpatrick of the Government Affairs Committee and ask that she give A.B. 95 a hearing and a vote. In addition we need to contact Ms. Kirkpatrick on A.B. 91, the explosives bill. It hasn’t been voted on either.

Tomorrow we’ll get more specific regarding the bills tied up in the Assembly Judiciary Committee as well as the Senate’s Government Affairs Committee.

We must remain ever vigilant, ever watchful