Licensing A Protected Fundamental Right

AmmoLand Gun News

Trenton, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- In a front page article in this past Thursday’s Gloucester County Times, Gov Christie, speaking to an audience in Voorhee’s regarding his recent proposal of a 10 percent across the board tax cut, acknowledged ” the fact is, there’s alot of waste in government to be ferreted out over time “.

Of course he’s right about this, and everyone knows it. It is certainly admirable to look under every rock and examine every State program to find and identify area’s where the State can be more fiscally prudent with the Taxpayers money, especially in the most heavily taxed and expensive to live in State in the Country.

So, in the spirit of saving money, here is a suggestion for the Governor. Take the lead on calling for the elimination of NJ’s ridiculous Firearms ID Card requirement and the mandate that the NJ State Police Firearms Unit needlessly duplicate, as a ” point of contact “ the Federal Level Background Check that is required to be performed and passed anytime a Citizen wishes to purchase a firearm at a licensed dealer.

The background check is something that is already done, at the Federal Level, via the National Instant Check System, for every prospective purchaser. So what purpose could it possibly serve to have the exact same check done at the State Level first ??

Answer. None, none what-so-ever.

The information available on someone’s background and suitability to purchase a firearm is identical at both the State and Federal Level.

Since the Fed’s have access to the State Criminal History Records, any prohibiting record is going to be found by the Federal Instant Check System just as easily and readily as it would at the State Level.

• How many millions of dollar’s of tax payer money is wasted annually on this pointless process?
• How many millions in equipment set up, maintenance and upgrades to the computer system?
• How many millions in the form of salary and benefits for the Troopers or civilian personnel?
• How many Troopers could be re assigned to patrol duties or other divisions that would actually help fight real crime, instead of insisting on maintaining a system that appears to be designed and utilized solely for the task of making purchasing or owning a gun in NJ as difficult as possible.

I submitted an OPRA ( Open Public Records Act ) request roughly a year ago seeking information on the line item in the budget for the NJ State Police on exactly how much money is spent annually perpetuating this archaic system and additionally how many Troopers were assigned to such tasks. My request was denied on the grounds of ” not being specific enough “ and that some of the information I was seeking pertaining to the Troopers positions was deemed ” sensitive “. I wasn’t terribly surprised by the denial, as OPRA is just one more system that is described as being a “ good thing ” but is deliberately engineered and implemented to make it as difficult as possible for Citizens to hold the Govt accountable for their policies.

Currently, there is a proposal for a bill circulating in Harrisburg in our neighbor to the west of us to eliminate Pennsylvania’s similar system of running a background check at both the State and Federal Levels, for the exact same reasons I’m writing about regarding New Jersey’s.

Its a pointless waste of taxpayer dollars that, in these times of extreme economic hardship for Citizen and government alike, could be better spent in any number of better ways.

Activists in Pennsylvania discovered that the dual system of using the State as a portal to the Federal Level background check had wasted 91 Million dollars of taxpayer money since its inception, performing a task that the Feds already offer to do for FREE! Now, clearly I recognize that Pennsylvania is a much larger State then NJ, with a far higher number of gun owners and prospective purchasers compared to NJ. But if PA wasted 91 million dollars on the same type of system we have in NJ, it is a reasonable conclusion that NJ is most certainly wasting 10′s of millions doing the same thing.

Ten(s) of millions of tax payer dollars may not, by itself, be a staggering sum in the State Budget, but as anyone that saves their pocket change at the end of the day can attest, the little stuff adds up to a pretty nice sum when it’s totaled with savings in other area’s. Trimming 10′s of millions of expenditure’s from anywhere they aren’t absolutely necessary rapidly starts approaching 100 million dollars saved, and that’s hardly an amount to sneeze at.

There’s another angle to consider in eliminating the NJ FID Card. In a 1965 case Lamont v Post Master General concerning the 1st Amendment, the Court ruled that the requirement of a license or “permit” to exercise a protected, fundamental right was UN Constitutional. Stating in part “the First Amendment prevents the Government from registering purchasers of magazines and newspapers, even if such material is communist political propaganda”

In light of the recent Heller and McDonald cases affirming that Second Amendment Rights are in fact a “protected, fundamental right” , NJ’s FID Card scheme would appear to be on thin legal ground. It seems to me a compelling argument could be made that the NJ FID Card scheme could certainly be described as ” registering ” gun owners or potential owners.

How many more millions will be wasted fighting Court battles that the State will almost certainly lose regarding Second Amendment issue’s ?

I’ll have more later about what I have uncovered regarding the establishment of the FID Card debate care of a close friend that went to the State Archives and forwarded everything he had to me to tear apart. For now , lets just concentrate on making the argument for its elimination on the fiscally prudent grounds the Governor claims to support whole heatedly.

More articles and information by Dan Roberts available at That Every Man Be Armed.com

Court Sides With Illinois State Rifle Association In Protecting Identities Of Lawful Firearm Owners

Illinois State Rifle Association

PEORIA, Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Lawful firearm owners across the state may rest a little easier tonight knowing that their sensitive personal information is finally safeguarded from release under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Earlier this week, the Honorable Michael E. Brandt, Chief Judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit of Illinois, Peoria County, signed an order permanently barring the Illinois State Police from revealing the identities of the state’s 1.5 million law-abiding firearm owners.

This order extends to prohibit the release of information contained in Firearm Owner ID (FOID) applications and Firearm Transfer Inquiry Program (FTIP) background checks. The ISRA is characterizing the issuance of this permanent injunction as a major victory for Illinoisans concerned about their personal privacy.

Judge Brandt’s order stems from a lawsuit filed earlier this year by the ISRA against the Illinois State Police. The ISRA filed the lawsuit upon learning that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan had ruled that FOID information was releasable under the FOIA and that the Illinois State Police must honor a FOIA request for such information filed by a newspaper reporter.

Lawful firearm owners were appalled and angry over the prospect of their private information being released to the media. In response, the ISRA successfully sought a temporary restraining order to halt the release of firearm owner personal information. Monday’s action by Judge Brandt makes the provisions of that restraining order permanent.

“Gun control organizations and their friends in the press have been trying for years to get the names and addresses of firearm owners,” commented ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson. “For some reason, they think that the public has a right to know who in their city, town or social organization owns guns. Thus, they would like nothing more than to see the names and addresses of gun owners along with detailed inventories of privately-held firearms plastered across every newspaper in the state. For years, the State Police correctly and successfully resisted calls for the release of such information. Well, then along comes Attorney General Lisa Madigan.”

“Lisa Madigan is well known as a staunch supporter of efforts to ban civilian firearm ownership,” continued Pearson. “In fact, Madigan routinely receives recognition and awards for her anti-gun activities from Illinois’ largest gun control organization. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Madigan would break with tradition and direct the release of gun owners’ personal information to the public. Judge Brandt’s order has put the kibosh on Madigan’s abuse of power.”

“The most important outcome of Judge Brandt’s order will be the restoration of peace of mind among the state’s gun owners,” said Pearson. “No longer will they have to fear that Lisa Madigan will target their homes for burglary. They won’t have to worry that gun control extremists will “occupy” their front yards or harass their children on the way to school. Yes, the state’s gun owners will be quite content in the knowledge that the court has declared that the choice to own firearms is nobody’s business but their own.”

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over millions law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Plaintiffs Sought from Ocean City, Egg Harbor Township & Pennsville, NJ Firearms Case

New Jersey Second Amendment Society

New Jersey --(Ammoland.com)- A lot of what we have been working on for the past year is finally coming to fruition all at the same time.

The lawsuit against the NJ Div. of State Police is just about over at the Superior Court level.

We are bracing for the eventuality that we will have to be ready for an appeal. We will do whatever it takes to win.

ON A MORE PRESSING MATTER
We are looking for plaintiffs from Ocean City, Egg Harbor Township and Pennsville, NJ.

We have been meeting with the attorneys who are handling OPERATION ESTABLISH COMPLIANCE for us. Together with our assistance, they have identified those towns listed above as primary targets in which to launch our next lawsuits.

We CANNOT do this without people who are willing to act as plaintiff in the suit. What is required is that you live in one of these towns, your application for an FID or PPP has been delayed beyond the 30 day mandate, or you have been required to fill out any forms OTHER than the two forms required by the state (if you have any question about that please contact NJ2AS).

Basically, the state requires a criminal background check and mental health check release form to be signed. You are required to be fingerprinted, and you must provide two references. You are *NOT* required to sign a waiver giving them permission to contact anyone they wish to ask any QUESTION they wish. You are NOT required to get a notarized permission slip from your WIFE, CHILD, LANDLORD, DOG or any other entity real OR imagined. Basically, if it doesn’t “smell” right, it probably wasn’t.

If you fall into one of these categories (or if you KNOW someone who does), or if you have been DECLINED because you REFUSED to fill out one of these forms or waivers, and you are willing to be represented at NO cost to you, by our attorneys – PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY at legislation@nj2as.com.

If you were wondering *WHEN*, the answer is “NOW IS THE TIME!!!”

Thank you,

About:
New Jersey Second Amendment Society – Our mission is to promote the free exercise of Second Amendment rights within the community and Legislature of New Jersey, to educate the community regarding the enjoyable, safe, and responsible use of firearms, and to engender a sense of camaraderie and fellowship among the members and their families. Visit: www.nj2as.com

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- The lawsuit filed on behalf of ISRA and its members on March 10, 2011, is moving forward with excellent results.

After Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced that her office believes that release of FOID information to the public is proper under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, the ISRA filed suit in Peoria (10th Judicial District) seeking a temporary restraining order preventing the release of names of FOID holders.

As previously reported, the temporary restraining order (TRO) was granted by judge Scott Shore, who then scheduled a status hearing for March 15th to set a date set for hearing arguments regarding the issuance of a preliminary injunction, since the TRO normally expires in ten days.

Prior to his court appearance on behalf of ISRA and the member plaintiffs, attorney Stanley Tucker was notified of a letter sent to Attorney General Lisa Madigan that was signed by 12 (a majority) of the Illinois congressional delegation. The non-partisan letter requested Lisa Madigan to rescind an attorney general directive issued to the Illinois State Police that sided with the FOIA request made by the Associated Press’ representative that the ISP release the names of FOID holders.

The latest court order extended the TRO indefinitely, until further order of court, and another “status” hearing was scheduled for April 14th. The defendants may file pleadings requesting additional relief, but for now the privacy of law-abiding firearm owners and the interest of public safety remain protected.

The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

PEORIA, IL --(Ammoland.com)- The ISRA is pleased to announce that it has secured a temporary restraining order against the release of personal information belonging to persons holding Illinois Firearm Owner Identification cards (FOID).

The ISRA and four additional plaintiffs filed for the temporary restraining order after Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced that her office believes that release of FOID information to the public is proper under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

The ISRA is very concerned that public release of personal information from the FOID database will jeopardize the safety of law-abiding firearm owners.

The temporary restraining order was granted by judge Scott Shore of the 10th Judicial District, Peoria County. Judge Shore has scheduled a status call for March 15th, at which time a date will be set for hearing arguments regarding the issuance of a preliminary injunction. With the temporary order in effect, your FOID information is safe, for now.

“Law-abiding Illinois firearm owners can breathe a little easier today,” commented ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson.

“Judge Shore’s order will prevent the Illinois State Police from releasing personal information on FOID holders to news organizations, gun control groups, gangs, and other criminals”.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Fairfax, VA --(Ammoland.com)- NRA-News is a valued partner that continues to cover breaking gun rights news with a new and improved short video format in the “NRA News Minute” videos.

Cam Edwards talks to NRA Illinois lobbyist Todd Vandermyde about the Illinois Attorney Generals order that the state should release all the personal information of all of Illinois FOID Card holders.

To view the current firearms or gun rights news video, please click above:

Read More on these topics:

• Attention Illinois Gun Owners – Annual Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day
• Illinois Attorney General Wants To Expose Your Firearms ID Card
• Illinois FOID Renewal: Take Action on your Late FOID

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from the Associated Press, is ordering the Illinois State Police to release the names of FOID holders to the press.

If you have not already heard this news, let that sink in for a few seconds. This is information that the Illinois State Police have held in confidence for over 40 years.

This would mean the release of your name, as a FOID holder. If you have a unique name, and an anti-gun employer, your job will be at risk.

Perhaps you are a collector, will you be targeted for your firearms collection? Will violent criminals be able to determine which households don’t have firearms for protection?

Lisa Madigan is no friend to firearms owners, she thinks that you need to have your name published to punish you for being a law-abiding gun owner.

There is pending legislation in the Illinois House and the Illinois Senate that would forever keep your FOID information private.

WHAT YOU MUST DO TO PREVENT THE RELEASE OF YOUR FOID INFORMATION:

1. Call your state representative starting as soon as your receive this alert and urge him or her to support and co-sponsor House Bill 7 – FOID Holder Privacy. Remember that you will likely be talking your representative’s secretary, they are there doing a job that can be challenging at times: please be kind and direct. If you do now know who your state representative is, go to the following web site and follow the directions for looking up your legislators: Illinois State Board of Elections. If you know who your State Representative is, you can look up the phone numbers of their Springfield and district offices right from the ISRA’s legislative page.
2. Then call your state senator and urge him or her to support and co-sponsor Senate Bill 27 – FOID Holder Privacy. Again, you will likely be talking the secretary. Find your State Senator at: Illinois State Board of Elections. If you know who your State Senator is, the ISRA has a page where you can look up their phone number.
3. Pass the link to this article on to all your friends and family, ask them to make calls as well.
4. Please post this article to any and all blogs and bulletin boards to which you may belong.

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

You attempt to buy a gun at a gun shop, present your “Red Light Identification” and the cops get a call. It’s off to the mental ward or back to jail for you, pal.

Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Is America going to return to a pre 1968 levels of “gun control” policy?

Realistically we have to acknowledge that the consensus isn’t there yet. Maybe someday. And even better would be pre 1934!

In the meantime, let’s take a pragmatic look at how to actually attempt to, quote: “Keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the insane”.

Mind you, what follows is NOT an official JPFO stance. We’re opening this to debate. We would like to solicit your comments.

Here’s one proposal.
If you are a lawfully adjudicated dangerous nut (and for some strange reason still walking amongst us), or a convicted violent felon who has served his time, your driver license, or MANDATORY CITIZEN IDENTIFICATION CARD, has a red border. Red means “stop”. Got it? This is your “Red Light I.D.”

You attempt to buy a gun at a gun shop, present your “Red Light Identification” and the cops get a call. It’s off to the mental ward or back to jail for you, pal.

The rest of us (the other 99.999 percent) have green bordered Citizen Identification Cards. These are called “Green Light Identification”.

Now before all you Libertarians jump down my throat, here’s the deal. You are not required to carry you Citizen I.D. card at all times. But, just like buying a beer in a quick stop market, and you look underage, you had better be able to produce that Green Light I.D. if you want to buy a gun.

IMPORTANT: No recording of the firearm serial number along with your name!

No expanding database waiting for our own homegrown Lenin, Stalin, Hitler or Mao to make good use of the gun owner registry.

Show your Green Light I.D. and buy a gun as simply as buying a fishing reel. Obviously, if you are under 18 it’s a “no go”.

Green border is okay. Red border is not okay. Just like buying beer or cigarettes.

Ah! I hear howls of dissent from some of the Law Enforcement folks. “We won’t be able to trace crime weapons!”

So what?

That red herring is way, way overblown. Like criminals shoot people and then drop the gun at the scene of the crime like someone tosses a chewing gum wrapper? Gun Owners of America, and even the NRA, have probably done exposés on “gun trace” stat puffing (ala Mexican scamming of late).

BOTTOM LINE: What’s the actual gun trace to conviction ratio?

Friends, this is just more bureaucracy building at the expense of our personal liberties.

I now seriously suspect that gun traces are likely an overblown crock. Most of the aura is television and movie script blather, promoted by a liberal controlled entertainment industry that is massively anti-gun. You’ve got to realize that the Cultural Marxists will use ANY tactic or technique to manipulate us towards their goal: Near complete citizen disarmament like in the UK.

Also: The authoritarian cops in our nation want us to buy into anything that lessens our power and strengthens theirs. (As I’ve written recently, this is only five percent of law enforcement, but far too many of these control freaks are in high positions of power.)

Nope, I’ll gladly present my Green Light I.D. when I want to buy a gun. What’s wrong with that? No BATFE Forms to fill out. No “background check”. I’m green, I’m clean.

Yes, it is a “National Identity Card”.

So what?

Do any of you really think you’re living some kind of secret life here in present day America? Give me a break.

Sure, illegal aliens won’t like it (at all). Open borders, and the present mass illegal invasion of America, are key tactics of the Cultural Marxists.

Convicted violent felons won’t like it. Nut jobs (if they can even understand the situation) won’t like it. Underage kids who want a .22 to go plinking, or a 9mm to stick in their saggy pants won’t like it.

So what?

The country kid can use his dad’s .22. The gang banger can get a gun the old fashioned way: steal it or buy it on the street.

Let’s face it, we’ve all basically had “National I.D.” since Social Security cards. Get real. Give me my “Green Light Card” and let me get on with my life with a bit more freedom, thank you.

And then remove the names of ALL American gun owners from the BATFE databases, and send those evil gun registries to burn in cyber hell.

The above is one potential improvement. Again this is NOT JPFO’s official stance.

Please use our survey system and give us your opinion. Your responses may be kept anonymous if you wish.

Frequent JPFO contributor and strategist, Kirby Ferris collaborated intensively with Aaron Zelman over the last two years. Ferris is now the Public Affairs Director of JPFO.

About:
Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership Mission is to destroy “gun control” and to encourage Americans to understand and defend all of the Bill of Rights for everyone. Those are the twin goals of Wisconsin-based Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO). Founded by Jews and initially aimed at educating the Jewish community about the historical evils that Jews have suffered when they have been disarmed, JPFO has always welcomed persons of all religious beliefs who share a common goal of opposing and reversing victim disarmament policies while advancing liberty for all.

JPFO is a non-profit tax-exempt educational civil rights organization, not a lobby. JPFO’

National Rifle Association

Charlotte, NC --(Ammoland.com)- This afternoon at 2:00 p.m. today, Monday December 6th, the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee is scheduled to hear S2190, sponsored by State Senator Fred Madden (D-4), which directs the State Police to establish a “handgun purchaser identification card” which would permit the sale, transfer and delivery of handguns between cardholders and retail dealers only.

This legislation is apparently Senator Madden’s effort to pander to gun owners after his late-night tie-breaking vote flip that resulted in passage of Jon Corzine’s handgun rationing law in 2009. Unfortunately, the legislation does not go far enough and rubs salt in the wound by failing to exempt those who obtain the card from the one gun a month law. Senator Madden has squandered an opportunity to rectify his past actions and is seeking only a partial solution to New Jersey’s antiquated and unconstitutional gun laws.

S2190 does not eliminate the current paper form of “permit to purchase” but creates a bifurcated system run by the State Police in which paper permits must still be issued for some transactions, including private transfers, which cannot be made with the new card. The legislation has other troubling aspects, including use of an undefined, subjective standard to qualify for the new card (applicants must somehow prove themselves to be persons “of good character and good repute in the community in which they live,” a vague standard found elsewhere in NJ gun law that is in need of reform).

Senator Madden is insistent on pushing this bill with little opportunity for consultation and discussion with the National Rifle Association and the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs.

Please contact the members of the Committee and encourage them to either amend S2190 or hold it until the issues and concerns of gun owners can be properly addressed.

Senate Law & Public Safety Committee

• State Senator John Girgenti (D-35) (973) 427-1229
• State Senator Nicholas Sacco (D-32) (201) 295-0200
• State Senator Andrew Ciesla (R-10) (732) 840-9028
• State Senator Donald Norcross (D-5) (856) 547-4800

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

Civil Rights Double Standard: Gun Owners Forced To Show Papers But Not Illegals

Buckeye Firearms Foundation

Ohio - -(AmmoLand.com)- I’ve been watching with some interest the fallout over the new Arizona law dealing with illegal aliens. I hear the news media moaning that the new law “makes it a crime to be an illegal alien.”

I’m not joking, that is exactly how they phrased it on several networks and cable news shows. Wow, that is what I always thought illegal meant. I really wish the media would think about what they utter.

I hear President Obama, the ACLU and pro immigrant liberals in general say that to ask someone to show identification to prove they are an American citizen is a violation of their civil rights. These same folks, as I recall, told us that asking someone to show ID when voting is a violation of their civil rights as well.

So now I am a bit confused?
With such a broad definition of what a civil right is, and the slightest inconvenience in enforcing the law an outrage, will someone please explain something to me? Why, when using the above logic, that when exercising your civil right to buy and own a gun you have to show identification and undergo a background check to purchase that gun?

After all, the U.S. Supreme Court told us in the 2008 Heller decision that gun ownership is a constitutionally protected civil right. Also, tell me why when it comes to bearing those arms, a specifically enumerated constitutionally protected right, we must take concealed carry classes, pay high fees and again undergo additional background checks, fingerprinting and submit a specific size photograph to the state to do something specifically protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article 1 section 4 of Ohio’s Constitution. Was not turning a right into a state-issued privilege a violation of our rights?

As I am writing this I am watching politicians and media talking heads saying this new law in Arizona is pure fascism and Nazi-like demands to “show their papers.” Oh really!

As a concealed handgun license-holder in Ohio, in any encounter with a police officer I am required under penalty of law to disclose I am a CHL-holder (if I am carrying), and then show identification. Funny how I don’t see my fellow CHL holders protesting or rioting over that.

Prior to 1968 in the United States, citizens in most states could buy firearms via mail order with no identification. You just clipped out the ad, told the dealer what you wanted, sent in your check and your postal carrier delivered the gun to your door, with ammo if you ordered that too. I am old enough to remember those days. However, all that ended with the Gun Control Act of 1968, a law largely written by Democrat Senator Thomas Dodd, father of current Senator Chris Dodd. The 1968 U.S. law was largely based on a gun control law written in 1938 that Dodd Sr. learned about while serving on the staff of those prosecuting war criminals in Nuremberg following World War II. That law forced firearm purchasers to show identification “papers” and registry of those arms. Who wrote this law? The National Socialist German government! That is where we got the U.S. 1968 Gun Control Act! That is unarguably a Nazi piece of legislation where you do have to show “papers.” So I have to ask, where is the screaming and gnashing of teeth about that Nazi law?

Where is the media’s and President Obama’s outrage over this truly NAZI violation of civil rights? I’d love to hear the tortured logic. After all, the crime rate among American gun owners is far lower than that of illegal aliens.

Meanwhile, let’s enforce the laws and protect our borders.

Tim Inwood is the current Legislative Liaison and Past President of the Clinton County Farmers and Sportsmen Association, an Endowment Member of the NRA and Life Member of the OGCA, Republican Central Committeeman for Chester Township A, in Clinton County, Ohio, and a volunteer for Buckeye Firearms Association.

About:
Buckeye Firearms Association is a grassroots political action committee dedicated to defending and advancing the right of Ohio citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities. Visit: www.BuckeyeFirearms.org

Iowa Gun Owners

Iowa – -(AmmoLand.com)-Besides promoting and working to pass the REAL Right-to-Carry bill in the upcoming session, Iowa Gun Owners is also working on repealing Iowa’s permit-to-purchase laws as well.

The permit-to-purchase law requires you to seek approval from the government, in the form of a government issued card, before you can purchase a handgun for self-defense. The criteria for this permit are similar to the criteria for a permit-to-carry: you can not be a felon, can not be addicted to drugs or alcohol, you can’t have a history of acts of violence, etc. Should you be approved for the permit, it is good for a period of one year.

While many assume that obtaining a permit-to-purchase is normal and just a part of doing business, you should know that 36 other states DO NOT have this tyrannical requirement.

That’s right – Iowa is one of only a handful of states that require people to get a permit to purchase handguns for self-defense. Delaware, Maryland, and New Hampshire are just some of the states that do NOT require law abiding citizens to get this type of permit.

The argument most commonly offered in defense of this permit goes something like this: this permit is needed to ensure that criminals and the mentally deranged don’t have access to firearms. Gun control advocates usually toss in examples of a school or church shooting at this point to silence opposition. This argument is so emotionally charged that sometimes even gun owners accept this at face value.

However, federal law already prohibits felons, fugitives from justice, illegal aliens, those addicted to narcotics, and those considered mentally deranged from owning firearms. There is no need for additional state language.

More to the point, as everyone already knows, criminals and the mentally deranged don’t buy weapons from a gun dealer or at a gun show anyway. They steal them or buy them from other criminals. In fact, a Justice Department study concluded that over 90% of criminals who use handguns in the commission of their crimes obtained the gun from some source other than a licensed dealer.1

So this argument is obviously wrong.

But worse than that, this argument gets innocent people killed. Sensational? Hardly. By requiring law abiding citizens to go through all the hassle and expense of obtaining a permit to buy a weapon for self-defense, the government ensures that many people just won’t go through the headache. How many elderly people or young single women (the kind of people who most need to be able to defend themselves) find this process intimidating? Many, I know, because I talk to them often. So these people, who want to have the means of self-defense, are being denied this option due to bureaucratic red tape.

And again, don’t forget that 36 other states don’t require a permit to purchase. The crime rates in those states are not higher than states that do require this permit – in many cases the crime rates in those states are lower! If this permit could somehow ensure public safety than all those states without a permit to purchase should have drastically higher levels of violent crime.

In fact, the opposite is true. California, Washington D.C., and Illinois all have permits-to-purchase amongst other anti-gun regulations. But according to the FBI’s ‘Uniform Crime Reports’, released in September of 2008 and based on 2007 data, Los Angeles had over 380 homicides, Washington D.C. had over 155 homicides and Chicago had over 440 homicides!

Clearly these permits are not stopping crime at all.

So if a permit to purchase does nothing to reduce crime what does it accomplish? In a word: registration. (The information below comes from Gun Owners of America located at www.gunowners.org.)

In 1994 the Justice Department gave a grant to the city of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University to create a sophisticated national gun registry using data compiled from states’ background check programs. This attempt at registration was subsequently defeated in the courts.2

In 1996, computer software distributed by the Justice Department allowed police officials to easily (and unlawfully) register the names and addresses of gun buyers. This software — known as FIST — also kept information such as the type of gun purchased, the make, model and caliber, the date of purchase, etc.3

In 1998, despite prohibitions in federal law, the FBI announced that it would begin keeping gun buyer’s names for six months. FBI had originally wanted to keep the names for 18 months, but reduced the time period after groups like Gun Owners of America strongly challenged the legality of their actions. GOA submitted a formal protest to the FBI, calling their attempt at registration both “unlawful” and “unconstitutional.”4

Of course, we can use a mid-western example as well. The government in Illinois has gone so far down this road of regulation that our friends in Illinois now can’t even own a handgun or long gun without first obtaining a government issued firearms owner identification (FOID) card!

That’s right, to even own a hunting shotgun in Illinois you must first be approved by the state. As bad as that is, it gets worse. You see, in Illinois, to even buy a single round of ammunition you need to possess a FOID card – otherwise a dealer can not sell ammunition to you. Further, if you move into the state already owning weapons, you have a limited amount of time before those guns too must be registered with the government.

Of course, we’ve not even mentioned the idea of concealed carry in Illinois, which is totally prohibited.

And again, as mentioned above, despite all these onerous gun laws Chicago had over 440 homicides in 2007! This does not count rape, aggravated assault, robberies and other types of violent crime.

Just think how many of those innocent victims would have been able to defend themselves had they been carrying weapons for self-defense.

This is what will happen in Iowa if we don’t start to fight back. If the state of Iowa can tell you when you are eligible to buy guns, carry guns, and shoot guns (all areas that they currently regulate) then it’s a short hop to the kind of total registration that gun owners in Illinois deal with.

So this session, as Iowa Gun Owners begins to promote a bill repealing the permit to purchase law in Iowa, we hope that you will do your part. Email and call your elected officials, come down to the capitol on an Iowa Gun Owners lobby day, donate to Iowa Gun Owners via our website, and tell your family and friends about us.

The time to act is now. Our rights are under attack.

Footnotes:

1. Department of Justice, “Survey of Incarcerated Felons,” p. 36.
2. Bureau of Justice Assistance, Grant Manager’s Memorandum, Pt. 1: Project Summary (September 30, 1994), Project Number: 94-DD-CX-0166.
   
3. Copy of “FIST” (Firearms Inquiry Statistical Tracking) software at GOA headquarters, Springfield, VA. See also Pennsylvania Sportsmen’s News (Oct./Nov. 1996). The default in the “FIST” computer software is for the police officials to indefinitely retain the information on gun owners-despite the fact that the Brady law only allows officials to retain this data for 20 days.
   
4. FBI’s Final Rule printed in the Federal Register (October 30, 1998) at 58311. After the FBI submitted its proposed regulations on June 4, 1998, Gun Owners of America submitted written comments (in September of 1988) to challenge the FBI’s regulations.

Aaron Dorr is the Executive Director of Iowa Gun Owners, a non-profit organization in Iowa dedicated to overturning Iowa’s abusive laws when it comes to the purchasing, carrying, and using firearms for self-defense. He can be contacted at director@iowagunowners.org.

About:
Iowa Gun Owners (IGO) was formed in January of 2009 to combat the oppressive gun laws in the State of Iowa. IGO does not believe that you, as a law abiding citizen, should have to beg permission from the government to be able to defend yourself and your family. That’s why we are working so hard to get a Vermont/Alaska style carry law passed in Iowa. In these states, unless you are a convicted felon or otherwise barred from possessing weapons, you don’t need a permit to carry a gun for self-defense! Join us now!

IllinoisCarry.com

Illinois --(AmmoLand.com)- You did it!! All your help and all your phone calls in support of HB182 and HB3714 have paid off and the bills have now been signed into law. The two new laws which IL firearm owners fought hard for will offer increased protection for law-abiding Illinois gun owners.

HB182 – Until HB182 was signed into law IL firearm owners could be in possession of a loaded firearm in their own home, on their own property, or in their own fixed place of business. HB182 will now extend lawful possession to other legal “dwelllings” to which you are invited such as a relative’s or friend’s home.

HB3714 - Until HB3714 was signed into law it was a mandatory condition of probation for a FOID card to be revoked. HB3714 states the mandatory revocation of a FOID card would apply only when the offense is a felony or involved intentional or knowing infliction of bodily harm or threat of bodily harm.

Thank you to NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde who went toe to toe with the opposition and fought hard to see this new legislation become reality. Another huge thank you to the Illinois State Rifle Association for their tireless efforts to see these bills passed and signed into law.

About:
The IllinoisCarry forum was started in April 2004. The idea was that Illinois needed a central location to communicate ideas and information regarding 2nd Amendment issues in Illinois. There are many organizations in Illinois working to protect our 2nd Amendment Rights. Working with these groups IllinoisCarry has become the central location for information and Action Alerts. IllinoisCarry will not endorse political candidates. We simply provide information so voters can make informed decisions. Our goal is to join the other 48 states that allow their citizens to carry concealed firearms. We encourage you to register on our forum and join the fight for your 2nd Amendment Rights in Illinois.

National Instant Criminal Check System

Washington, DC - -(AmmoLand.com)- Beginning June 29, 2009, the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) section is requiring that place of birth be provided for all FBI-initiated transactions. This will be a valuable and efficient addition to the NICS process for the following reasons:

Currently, place of birth is a mandatory field on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4473 and is therefore readily available for inclusion in the NICS check. There are no additional information disclosures for the potential purchaser or data collection requirements for Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs).

Being a name-based search, having additional data points such as the place of birth helps to increase the accuracy and efficiency of firearm eligibility determinations. Place of birth is either a mandatory or optional field for entry of records into all three of the databases that the NICS searches against: the Interstate Identification Index (III), the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and the NICS Index.

This new requirement, to provide place of birth when initiating a NICS background check, will have minimal impact to the FFL. Currently, FFLs who contact the NICS Section directly, via one of the three Call Centers or NICS E-Check, are not required to provide the place of birth to initiate the NICS check. However, starting June 29, 2009, all FFLs who contact the NICS Section directly, via one of the three Call Centers or NICS E-Check, will be required to provide the place of birth when initiating a NICS check. If the place of birth is not provided, the check will not be processed.

FFLs who conduct business in a state in which there is a state-designated agency that conducts their firearm background checks currently may or may not be providing place of birth to initiate the check. If you are an FFL in a state that currently requires the place of birth be provided when initiating a firearm background check, you are required to continue to provide this piece of information.

If you are an FFL in a state where you contact a state-designated agency to conduct your firearm background checks and you are not required to submit the place of birth prior to initiating the check, you will be notified by your state-designated agency detailing when you will be required to provide the place of birth prior to initiating a firearm background check. Once you are notified by your state-designated agency that the place of birth is required to initiate a firearm background check, if you fail to provide the place of birth, the background check will not be processed.

If you have additional questions regarding the newly required place of birth information when initiating a NICS check, please fell free to contact NICS Customer Service at (877) 444-6427.

About:
The National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS, is all about saving lives and protecting people from harm—by not letting guns and explosives fall into the wrong hands. It also ensures the timely transfer of firearms to eligible gun buyers.

Mandated by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 and launched by the FBI on November 30, 1998, NICS is used by Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to instantly determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to buy firearms or explosives. Before ringing up the sale, cashiers call in a check to the FBI or to other designated agencies to ensure that each customer does not have a criminal record or isn’t otherwise ineligible to make a purchase.

More than 100 million such checks have been made in the last decade, leading to only 700,000 denials proving out the vast number law abiding Americans that purchase guns.

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois - -(AmmoLand.com)- The ISRA issued a press release on January 23rd, 2009, concerning the failure of the Illinois State Police to issue the FOID or provide an explanation for denial within 30 days of receipt of the application, as provided for by Illinois law.

The ISRA is working on the problem, but that doesn’t immediately help those awaiting a new FOID or a FOID renewal. If you are waiting for your FOID and you sent in your application 30 days ago or more, please follow these steps:

1. Call the ISP Police Firearms Services Bureau at 217-782-7980 and make an inquiry into the status of your card. Disregard any recorded message that tells you not to bother unless you’ve been waiting more than 56 days. It’s your rights that have been put on hold, it’s your freedom that is put in jeopardy, it’s your prerogative to call and ask for action.

2. Call your Illinois Representative and Illinois Senator at their Springfield offices and inform them of your difficulty getting your new or renewed FOID. It is very likely that your call will be answered by a secretary. Always be polite to the secretaries, they’re your portal to the legislators. Provide details on your situation: when you sent in your application, date your check cleared, etc. Ask for the legislator to make an inquiry on your behalf. It’s important for the legislators to know that the FOID delays are impacting citizens in their districts.

3. Do you need to find out who your state legislators are? You can find out by checking the website of the Illinois State Board of Elections on the page for District/Official Search. If you know who your legislators are but need their phone numbers, you can look them up on the ISRA website. There is a page for the representatives and another for the senators.

4. Show your solidarity for your fellow Illinois Gun Owners by joining us in Springfield on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 for IGOLD – Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day. Go to the IGOLD website at igold.isra.org for details.

About:

The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Founded in 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of millions of law-abiding Illinois firearm owner.

Visit ISRA.org for more Illinois Gun News.