Congress To Vote On DC Gun Ban Repeal

[Shawn.L]

Imminent Vote In Congress To Repeal DC Gun Ban
-- DC digs in its heels, even while other communities are repealing their gun control

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102,
Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://www.gunowners.org

Thursday, September 11, 2008

The Heller earthquake continues to send tremors through gun control communities in middle America. Following the Supreme Court's U.S. v. Heller decision in June, at least one town in West Virginia and two jurisdictions in Illinois have been forced to reconsider their gun control laws.
The latter two -- in Wilmette and Morton Grove, Illinois -- repealed their handgun bans in July. But while some communities have "seen the light," others continue to dig in their heels.
Take Washington, DC, where the city council has thumbed its nose at the Court's ruling and has redrafted its registration law to impose a burdensome 12-step process that, as summarized in one legislative report,involves "multiple trips to gun dealers and government offices,fingerprinting, a written exam, and ballistic testing." At a minimum, some officers believe this process will take 14 days. But a more realistic assessment was offered by DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier who said the process "could take months."
In response, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote soon on legislation to simply repeal the DC gun ban -- a vote that could come asearly as today.
HR 6691, introduced by Rep. Travis Childers (D-MS), would repeal much of the gun control in the District -- including the ban on semi-auto pistols and rifles, and the registration requirements which require residents to get permission from the city council before they can own a weapon. The Childers bill will also strike the "trigger lock" provision which endangers gun owners by forcing the lucky ones who successfully jump through the 12-step process to render their guns unusable for immediate defensive purposes.
Faced with a discharge petition that had gained tremendous momentum -- inlarge part, thanks to your efforts which was a response to an earlier GOAalert -- the Democratic leadership realized that a bill to repeal the DC gunban was definitely going to be brought out of committee and passed on the House floor.
So the anti-gun leadership decided that the place to kill the bill was in the Senate. Consider what news reports are saying: "Although the bill is expected to pass in the House, possibly as soon as this week, its fate is less clear in the Senate," reported The WashingtonPost this past Tuesday. "It has won the backing of 48 [House] Democrats,many facing reelection in strongly pro-gun areas, and is expected to pick upbroad support among Republicans."
Remarkably, the Post is right. (A stopped clock is also right twice a day.)The Democrats are trying to "have their cake and eat it too" by protecting Democrats from rural districts -- allowing them to vote pro-gun -- but then letting the bill die in the Senate. That's why GOA is encouraging members to contact their two senators at this
time.

ACTION: Please urge your senators to demand a vote on repealing DC's gun control. While we certainly don't want to discourage you from contacting your Representative, the main battle is going to be in the other chamber, so please make sure you contact both of your senators. You can use the pre-written message below and send it as an e-mail by visiting the GOA Legislative Action Center at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm (where phone and fax numbers are alsoavailable).

----- Pre-written letter -----
Dear Senator:
I am glad to see that the House is taking up HR 6691, a bill introduced byMississippi Democrat Travis Childers. His bill would help enforce therecent Supreme Court decision in U.S. v. Heller. It would do so byrepealing the gun ban in the District -- including the ban on semi-autopistols and rifles, and the registration requirements which require residents to get permission from the city council before they can own a weapon. The Childers bill will also strike the "trigger lock" provision which endangers gun owners by forcing the lucky ones who successfully jump throughthe 12-step process to render their guns unusable for immediate defensive purposes.
Regardless of what happens to HR 6691, I would implore you, in the strongestpossible terms, to urge Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to schedule a voteon repealing the DC gun ban. Thank you.
Sincerely,

****************************
. To subscribe to free, low-volume GOA alerts, go to http://www.gunowners.org/ean.htm on the web.

[5711-Marine]

Contacted both, we'll see what happens...

[ihunt49]

Emails sent. I also sent one to the POTUS about the TSA trying to ban guns in ALL areas of ALL airports.

[Yellowfin]

I hope they hurry this through and get it done. We've got 70 years of catching up to do.

[LittleRedToyota]

i hope this doesn't pass.

i want the case to go back to the supreme court so they can rule that banning semi-automatic handguns is unconstitutional as well. (another baby step.)

[Shawn.L]

Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota

i hope this doesn't pass.

i want the case to go back to the supreme court so they can rule that banning semi-automatic handguns is unconstitutional as well. (another baby step.)

good point, and one I hadnt considered.

[Autonomous]

Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota

i hope this doesn't pass.

i want the case to go back to the supreme court so they can rule that banning semi-automatic handguns is unconstitutional as well. (another baby step.)

I hear you LTR but I hope it does pass so that the people of DC can use their second amendment right to protect themselfs from a verry dangerous environment....
Hell if it dies in the Senate then send it back to the Supreme court. If it passes both then their are still other places to make a stand. I want the multi step regulation process of NYC as well as their illigal restrictions on peacable through travle sent before the Supreme court.
For now Im plugging for the regular folks in DC who are facing the levels of violance that they face...
-A

[5711-Marine]

Received this canned email response from Senator Spector. Nothing from Casey yet...




Subject: Re: Gun Control
Date: 9/15/2008 10:06:17 AM
From: Senator_Specter@Specter.Senate.gov
To:





Dear :

Thank you for contacting my office regarding gun control. I appreciate you writing to express your interest and opinions on this important matter.

Millions of Americans own firearms for a variety of reasons: many wish to protect themselves and their property while others collect firearms as a hobby or use firearms for sport. Most gun owners are responsible citizens and understand the burden of owning a firearm. While a tiny fraction of the guns in this country are used in the unfortunate instance of the commission of a crime, the government should not prevent gun ownership which would punish law-abiding citizens. I believe the Second Amendment clearly defines the right of citizens to own guns and in my tenure in the Senate, I have a strong reco rd supporting the right of law abiding citizens to own guns.

I opposed the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act , more commonly known as the 'Brady Bill.' I believed this legislation to be onerous in its restrictions on individuals' right to purchase firearms and I believe it did not sufficiently address the relevant issues necessary to combat crime.

In the 109th Congress (2005-2006) , I voted in favor of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act . This act limits the civil liability of gun manufacturers and reduces frivolous lawsuits. During the Senate's consideration of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for FY 2007 , I supported and the Senate adopted an amendment which would prohibit any funding provided by this legislation to be used for the purpose of confiscating firearms during a natural disaster or another state of emergency.

Thank you again for contacting me regarding the right to own firearms. I will keep your thoughts in mind if the Senate considers any legislation relating to guns or gun control in the 110th Congress. Please be assured, I will continue to support the rights of law abiding citizens to keep and own firearms. If you have any further questions about this issue or any other issue, please contact my office or visit my website at www.specter.senate.gov.


Sincerely,




Arlen Specter

[Mr_Tom]

I callled thank you.

tom

P.S. Am I wrong, but shouldn't we be only calling our house reps for this?

[5711-Marine]

It is my understanding that this bill is expected to pass the House, but the real battle will be in the Senate.