GOA Alert

[das]

Gun Owners of America
Illinois Congressman Battles Anti-gun Group


The U.S House gaveled back into session yesterday after a weeklong recess, and one Representative spent part of the break sending a message to anti-gunners in his home state.

Rep. Joe Walsh, a Republican representing a suburban Chicago district, took Illinois to task for being the only state in the country to completely ban concealed carry for its citizens.

“We are an embarrassment,” Rep. Walsh said, speaking to a gathering of local Tea Party activists. “We are the last state standing when it comes to concealed carry. There's no issue when it comes to freedom that matters like this, like the Second Amendment.

“The most important amendment in that Bill of Rights is the Second Amendment. It protects every other amendment. It is the last line of defense between us and our government.”

Not surprisingly, Walsh was attacked for his efforts to protect gun rights by the Brady Campaign. Dennis Henigan, acting president of the disarmament group, called on Walsh to offer an “explanation” of his comments.

Rep. Walsh replied in a letter to Henigan, in which he reiterated his willingness to fight for the Second Amendment rights of all Americans:

I am happy to today respond to Mr. Henigan’s request for clarity when I emphasized that the Second Amendment is the most important amendment in the Constitution – because it protects every other amendment. I hope I was clear in that and wanted to send this letter to help ensure that message is clear.

Illinois is now the only state in the entire nation that doesn’t allow lawful Americans to carry a firearm. Violent crimes continue to decrease even as more states such as Wisconsin – that recently passed a concealed carry permit [law] – repeal archaic laws crafted to restrict gun rights.

We need not forget that freedom was gained and will always be maintained by a strict interpretation of our Constitution and this certainly includes the Second Amendment.

Gun rights advocates are on the front lines in defending our freedoms. I stand with them in this noble mission and will always be an outspoken advocate for Second Amendment rights and particularly, a repeal of Illinois laws preventing the right-to-carry.

Gun Owners of America applauds Rep. Walsh for taking on the anti-gunners both in Illinois and on the national stage—we need more people like that in Washington.

Does your own Representative support your right to keep and bear arms? Let’s find out.

Georgia Rep. Paul Broun recently introduced H.R. 2900, a bill that will simply allow for interstate recognition of concealed carry provided that one can lawfully carry in his home state.

Rep. Broun’s bill, the “Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act,” does not establish national standards or in any way dictate what states do with respect to concealed carry. The bill also does not rely on an expansive view of the Constitution’s commerce clause for justification and it includes interstate carry even for states that do not require government issued permits.

The SAFE Act, H.R. 2900, merely recognizes that constitutional rights do not evaporate at the state line and that citizens should not be turned into disarmed victims by the government when leaving their home state.

So please ask you Representative to join with Reps. Broun and Walsh in protecting the right to self-defense both at home and while traveling.

Click here to send your Congressman a pre-written letter.
Please do not reply directly to this message, as your reply will bounce back as undeliverable.

[das]

I think I like these two guys, they have courage. Your thoughts?

[red dog]

glad to see these two speaking out with reason. must admit it takes big brass ones to do this considering the harassment they will receive from the anti gunners. kuddos to them for standing up, now it our turn to do the same.

[Brick]

Well since it is such a short bill here it is:

H.R.2900 -- Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2011 (Introduced in House - IH)

HR 2900 IH

112th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2900
To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to provide for reciprocity in regard to the manner in which nonresidents of a State may carry certain concealed firearms in that State.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 13, 2011
Mr. BROUN of Georgia introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL
To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to provide for reciprocity in regard to the manner in which nonresidents of a State may carry certain concealed firearms in that State.


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2011'.

SEC. 2. RECIPROCITY FOR THE CARRYING OF CERTAIN CONCEALED FIREARMS.

(a) In General- Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 926C the following:

`Sec. 926D. Reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms

`Notwithstanding any provision of the law of any State or political subdivision thereof:

`(1) A person who is not prohibited by Federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm, and is carrying a valid license or permit which is issued pursuant to the law of any State and which permits the person to carry a concealed firearm, may carry in any State a concealed firearm in accordance with the terms of the license or permit, subject to the laws of the State in which the firearm is carried concerning specific types of locations in which firearms may not be carried.

`(2) A person who is not prohibited by Federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm, and is otherwise than as described in paragraph (1) entitled to carry a concealed firearm in and pursuant to the law of the State in which the person resides, may carry in any State a concealed firearm in accordance with the laws of the State in which the person resides, subject to the laws of the State in which the firearm is carried concerning specific types of locations in which firearms may not be carried.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections for chapter 44 of title 18 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 926C the following:

`926D. Reciprocity for the carrying of certain concealed firearms.'.

SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

The amendments made by this Act shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

And here's the current status:

H.R.2900
Latest Title: Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2011
Sponsor: Rep Broun, Paul C. [GA-10] (introduced 9/13/2011) Cosponsors (2)
Latest Major Action: 9/23/2011 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security

Find it yourself at: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.php#

BTW take special note of the number of co-sponsors.