IMPORTANT FIREARMS RELATED BILLS THAT NEED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012

Please contact your state representatives and ask them to support HB1246, HB1212, HB334, HB194, and HB1277, and to kill HB1220. We also ask you to watch SB319.

HB536 hearing @ 2:00 PM Thursday, January 26th in the State House Room 100 (SENATE JUDICIARY)
HB1277 will be heard Friday, January 27, 2012 @ 11:30 AM in the LOB in Concord (Rm 203)

All other bills will be heard Thursday, January 26, 2012 in either the LOB or SH (State House) in Concord.

SUPPORT:

HB1246: This bill adds two other offices that can issue licenses to carry concealed firearms. If you don’t trust your anti-firearms Chief of Police (or Selectmen) to issue an LTC, your pro-rights, elected Sheriff, or the Director of State Police can do so, as an alternative. (Hearing: Thursday, 26-Jan-2012 @ 1:30 P.M. LOB Rm 204, HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY)

HB1212: This bill provides firearms owners (and, really, everybody) with additional protection from prosecution resulting from an unlawful arrest. It also makes the standard for arrest clearer, in an attempt to avoid individuals being put under arrest simply on the whim of law enforcement. (Hearing: Thursday, 26-Jan-2012 @ 2:00 P.M. LOB Rm 204, HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY)

HB334: Support with amendment: We support repealing and reenacting RSA 159:26 as proposed in HB334. We also have concerns with the proposed language amending RSA 41:11-a. I. We will explain this position in more detail tomorrow. (Hearing: Thursday, 26-Jan-2012 @ 1:00 P.M. SH Rm 100, SENATE JUDICIARY)

HB194: This bill clarifies what comprises a “loaded firearm”. Firearms owners have been prosecuted for nebulous claims of loaded firearms – This bill should help prevent some of the more egregious cases. We note that section III-a is poorly drafted and confusing, negating the intended clarity of this bill. Ask your Representatives to support the bill but remove or rewrite section III-a. (Hearing: Thursday, 26-Jan-2012 @ 1:30 P.M. SH Rm 100, SENATE JUDICIARY)

HB1277: This bill requires Federal law enforcement agencies to notify NH law enforcement agencies, prior to investigation and enforcement of federal law here in NH. Ask your Representatives to add a requirement for written notification, from the Feds, to a named NH Law Enforcement Officer, before proceeding. (Hearing: Friday, 27-Jan-2012 @ 11:30 A.M. LOB Rm 203, HOUSE STATE-FEDERAL RELATIONS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS)

OPPOSE:

HB1220: This bill would eliminate the state firearms purchase approval line, forcing EVERY SALE to be checked exclusively by the Feds. Yes, the same Feds that run the TSA. The same Feds that created Operation Fast And Furious. The creators of a no-fly list with babies and 3-year olds on it.

Currently, firearms dealers call the State to get approval for handgun sales. If you are purchasing both a handgun AND a long gun, your dealer can get approval from the State without going to the Feds. HOWEVER, for long gun only purchases, your dealer MUST go to the Feds.

(Hearing: Thursday, 26-Jan-2012 @ 1:00 P.M. LOB Rm 204, HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY)


BILLWATCH:

SB319: Watch: The Feds and the State have taken away people’s firearms civil rights based on specious claims of PTSD. This bill extends the commission’s study for another year. Watch the Commission’s report for proposed legislation to the House and Senate. (Hearing: Thursday, 26-Jan-2012 @ 1:30 P.M. LOB Rm 102, SENATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES)