ACTION ITEMS:1. GOA Members: By now you have received your postcards regarding the gun bill that is currently on the floor of the U.S. Senate. There is still time to send those cards, as final passage on the bill will not occur until Tuesday at the earliest. If you have not received those postcards and are not a member yet of GOA, you can go to http://www.gunowners.org/ordergoamem.htm to sign up for full membership benefits, which include postcards and additional legislative alerts.2. All pro-gun activists: Please use the pre-written message below to contact your Senators. And forward this alert to every pro-gun family member and friend that you have. |
Friday, February 27, 2004
While some gun control passed yesterday in the U.S. Senate, the biggest skirmishes are still to come next week. The battle will be fought over amendments to S. 1805, the gun liability bill which was formerly S. 659.
The Senate will continue debating the bill today and Monday, with votes resuming late Monday night or Tuesday. But one notable provision passed yesterday -- a Lock Up Your Safety requirement.
This amendment -- offered by anti-gun Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) -- would require all handgun purchasers to pay an implicit "gun tax" by requiring them to buy a trigger lock when they purchase their handgun, irrespective of need. In addition, the amendment would create a broad and implicit cause of action against gun owners who fail to actually use the storage device to lock up their firearms. Of course, a locked gun then becomes unavailable for self-defense.
This gun control measure has opponents of the bill beaming. "Remember, the sponsors of this bill stood up and opposed this amendment," said Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA). "The president has said he wants a clean bill. This is no longer a clean bill."
(Senator Boxer offered a Lock Up Your Safety provision of her own which was superceded by the Kohl amendment.)
On Tuesday, the Senate is expected to take up several more amendments including concealed carry reciprocity (for off-duty cops, not other citizens) and an ammunition restriction study which will determine whether the ban on so-called "cop killer" ammunition should include superior performance bullets in popular hunting calibers such as the 30-06.
Most importantly, the Senate is expected to vote on the McCain gun show ban and whether to extend the Clinton semi-auto ban.
It is important the Senate understands that any anti-gun language attached to this bill is completely unacceptable!!!
CONTACT INFO: Use the pre-written letter below to help direct your comments to your two Senators. You can send the letter as an e-mail by visiting the GOA Legislative Action Center at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm (where phone and fax numbers are also available).
Dear Senator:
Make no mistake about it: Suits against gun manufacturers and dealers are a serious problem. But I strenuously object to loading up S. 1805 with all kinds of anti-gun amendments.
Already, this bill contains an anti-gun "lock up your safety" provision that would create a broad and implicit cause of action against gun owners who fail to actually use the storage device to lock up their firearms. Of course, a locked gun then becomes unavailable for self-defense.
Gun Owners of America informs me that there will be more gun control voted on in upcoming days. I hope you will do everything in your power to defeat the McCain gun show ban, the Clinton semi-auto ban, and any other Second Amendment infringement.
Please realize that I consider any anti-gun language attached to this bill as completely unacceptable!!!
Sincerely,