Nebraska Firearms Owners Association - Victims Protection Act

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)- As I write this I have just finished preparing my testimony for the hearing on LB 804, scheduled for this afternoon. I am about to leave for the Capital. Before I do I wanted to get some important information to you.

What many have referred to as Castle Doctrine has been a priority of ours for the past few years. With LB 804, we have a shot this year. But we need Nebraskans to act. I need your help. Do you use Facebook? Share the ProtectVictimsNow.org website. Tell your friends about this important legislation. Please forward this note to your family and friends. Talk about this issue with your neighbors.

The 2012 Legislative session is in full swing. New Bills have been introduced and some of them have already been placed on the hearing schedules. This year we are only getting 7 days notice for hearing schedules. It was 10 or 11 days last year. Since this is a short session year things are moving fast

We tried something new this year for voting on the issues. In the past all voting occurred on our website, or the forum. This year we sent a link to the survey out with a newsletter in order to get wider exposure to the membership. If you haven’t voted, you still can. The link to the survey is here. Please take a moment and let us know what position you’d like the NFOA to take on these important pieces of legislation.

Priority Bill Needs Your Help
The NFOA has spent the last 3 years tirelessly working with the Legislature to pass a Victims Protection Act in Nebraska, which some have called the Castle Doctrine. In past years, we’ve been blocked by the stubborn resistance from several liberal senators on the Judiciary Committee who choose to protect criminals over victims. But this year will be different. This year, we have a new bill introduced: LB 804, and we see this bill making it out of the Judiciary Committee, to the floor for a general vote, and ultimately passing.

Our approach this year is much more aggressive. As an NFOA member, you know that we’ve launched ProtectVictimsNow.org, a website dedicated to educating Nebraska voters on the Victim Protection Act. But we need to reach Nebraskans who haven’t joined the NFOA yet. We need them to call and write their senators, just like you have been doing. So to reach them, we have prepared a radio ad ready to air on stations throughout Nebraska to call those Nebraskans to action and join you and I in working to get the Victims Protection Act passed.

The challenge is that airing radio ads costs money. And as a non-profit organization, the NFOA must raise those funds through donations. As a non-profit organization, we have worked out a greatly reduced rate of just under $5000 to air over 100 Victims Protection Act radio ads throughout the State that will reach over 70,000 Nebraska voters. That’s a lot of money, but we have well over 5000 NFOA members and if every single one of us chipped in, as little as $1, we can mobilize well over 10 times our NFOA membership and push this bill beyond the few obstructive senators in Judiciary Committee and to the Unicameral floor, where we know there is enough support for the Victim Protection Act to pass.

Do you want to be secure in knowing that your home is your castle? Do you want to have the piece of mind knowing that if you ever have to legally defend yourself or your family that the violent criminal (or his family) won’t be able to hire an ambulance-chasing lawyer to sue you for your life savings? Then please consider donating to the ProtectVictimsNow.org operation. Together we can get LB804 passed and have a Victims Protection Act in Nebraska this year!

Member voting
The position we take to the Legislature and lobby for is what you our members tell use to take. Take the legislative survey here.

To participate in discussions of these bills please join us in the forums.

Mission -
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.
On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: AAllen@NebraskaFirearms.org for more information

Open Letter to NFOA & Nebraskans Seeking Support for Prosecutorial Carry

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)- President Allen and Members of the NFOA Board:

My name is Matthew Mellor, and I am a Deputy County Attorney for Seward County, Nebraska. I am writing to you to request that the NFOA lend its support to LB 802 in this current legislative session.

I proposed the language that would later become LB 802, and I am thankful to Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh for agreeing to introduce it as one of his bills. In general, LB 802 would allow prosecutors in Nebraska to carry a concealed handgun in places where such action is currently prohibited. LB 802 limits a prosecutor’s carrying in such “gun-free zones” to the fulfillment of his or her responsibilities of employment. In short, this bill would allow prosecutors to protect themselves while working to put criminals behind bars. As a prosecutor, I know that people in this line of work are sometimes the subject of very serious threats, and among other things, this bill is intended to address those threats.

I have been following the discussion of LB 802 on the NFOA’s online forum, and as I expected, there is some resistance to the bill because it is creating an exception for a specific group of people. I understand the “if I can’t carry in those places, why should someone else be able to” line of thinking, but I don’t subscribe to it. Don’t get me wrong, I firmly believe that everyone has the right to defend themselves, regardless of where they may be. The type of building they happen to be in shouldn’t matter. I do, however, know that the legislative process isn’t that clear-cut.

I am familiar with the legislative process, and there is a bit of logic to bills such as LB 802. While the ultimate goal for me and probably the NFOA, as well, would be for Constitutional Carry to become a reality in Nebraska, I know that changes to the law don’t come all at once. It took years and years of activity in the Legislature before Sen. Combs was finally able to get the Concealed Handgun Permit Act (CHPA) passed back in 2006, and it’s going to take a significant amount of time before we get to Constitutional Carry in this state.

LB 802, while being an immediate benefit to prosecutors, would also serve as a benefit to the greater concealed carry community, as one poster on the forum rightly noted. This bill is an opportunity to get the proverbial foot in the door that may one day lead to Constitutional Carry, or at least a more relaxed permit system. Sen. Lautenbaugh likely agreed to carry this bill because he thought it would not be that difficult to make an exception for prosecutors based on the nature of their work, as long as such exception was limited to their employment.

It is my position that LB 802 is merely a first step toward a more relaxed permit system, or even Constitutional Carry. Logic would hold that once more and more exceptions to the current CHPA are enacted, there will be fewer restrictions and we may get to see Constitutional Carry in Nebraska. LB 802 and bills that will be introduced in the future slowly erode the restrictions of the CHPA, and will be a benefit to all concealed handgun permit holders.

I appreciate your consideration of LB 802, and again, I ask for the NFOA to support this important legislation.

Mission -
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.
On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: AAllen@NebraskaFirearms.org for more information.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)- Well it’s that time again and the Legislative session is in full swing.

Since this is a short session and things are moving so fast, I am going to break the announcement of Legislative Bills into two groups to send out for your information.

This week we will be letting you know about bills introduced during the first five days of session, and the balance should be coming next week.

We are also going to try something new this year. In order to get your view on the position your NFOA should take on the bills, we have a survey linked.

Please take a moment and let us know what position you’d like the NFOA to take on these important pieces of legislation.

Introduced Legislation

• LB785, Christensen, Authorize possession of firearms as prescribed
  Allows persons with a Concealed Carry Permit to have their firearm in their car on the property of their employer. Further, it creates a civil penalty for employers who fire an employee for legally having a firearm in their vehicle on company property. It also provides liability protections for an employer who has an employee with a firearm stored in their vehicle on company property.
  
• LB796, Avery, Adopt the Outdoor Outfitters and Guides Registration Act
  Creates a registration for Outfitters and Guides with a licensing fee of $100 and requires liability insurance.
  
• LB802, Lautenbaugh, Authorize carrying of concealed handguns by certain authorities within the scope of their employment
  Allows District Attorneys, County Attorneys, the Attorney General, their assistants, and investigators with a Concealed Carry Permit to carry in places that other Concealed Carry Permit holders cannot; when doing so for work purposes. The individual is responsible for the costs of their Concealed Carry Permit and training.
  
• LB804, Lautenbaugh, Change provisions relating to justification for use of force
  Sets presumption that someone who forcibly enters your home or vehicle is there to do you bodily harm, and places protections from civil liabilities in cases of self defense.
  
• LB807, Lautenbaugh, Change Concealed Handgun Permit Act application provisions
  Clarifies that only individuals who have been criminally convicted of a drug- or firearm-related crime would be disqualified from receiving a Nebraska concealed carry permit. Hearing is scheduled for January 19th.
  
• LB919, Schilz, Change court fees, sheriff’s fees, and handgun certificate fees
  Among other fee changes, it raises the cost of a Handgun Purchase Certificate to $10.00, an increase of $5.00. From testimony in the past the average cost to the Sheriffs Dept. for doing this runs between $12 and $15 depending upon the county.
  
• LB920, McGill, Change harassment protection order and domestic abuse protection order provisions
  Makes it so persons under a protective order cannot purchase firearms, also removes automatic hearing for a protective order.
  
• LB928, Louden, Provide for mountain lion hunting permits
  Allows the Nebraska Game and Parks Department to set a hunting season for mountain lions and provide for hunting permits.

Mission -
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.
On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: AAllen@NebraskaFirearms.org for more information.

Second Amendment Foundation

BELLEVUE, WA --(Ammoland.com)- A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction against enforcement by the City of Omaha, NE of an ordinance that prohibits legal non-citizens from registering handguns in the city, in a case brought by the Second Amendment Foundation, the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association and Armando Pliego Gonzalez.

The order was granted by U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon while the court considers whether the registration ban for legal immigrants is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.

“We’re delighted with the judge’s order,” said SAF Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb. “Mr. Pliego has been a legal permanent resident since 2008, and he jumped through all of the legal hoops to legally purchase a handgun to protect his family after his home was invaded and robbed in 2010.”

As it turns out, he noted, the city is currently reviewing its ordinance with an eye on amending it to allow legal immigrants to register handguns. According to the Omaha World Herald, the proposed changes have the support of Omaha Police Chief Alex Hayes, who was named as a defendant in the lawsuit, along with Mayor Jim Suttle and the city.

“We are encouraged at these developments,” Gottlieb stated. “We had a similar experience with a state law in Washington that was changed following a SAF legal action. We will oppose such discriminatory laws and regulations wherever we find them.

“Pliego Gonzalez and his wife are both legal permanent residents, and good members of the community,” he noted. “The couple has four children. It is simply wrong when a local regulation stands in the way of someone’s exercise of a constitutionally-protected, fundamental civil right, especially when the safety of his family is at stake.”

Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Bernie Glaser of Lincoln, and David Sigale of Glen Ellyn, IL.

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. In addition to the landmark McDonald v. Chicago Supreme Court Case, SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; New Orleans; Chicago and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers and numerous amicus briefs holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)-  Do you want to see a change in Omaha’s Gun Registration?

Then it is now time to ask you to take action to help with our efforts in Omaha. Earlier, I gave you a breakdown of the problems in these proposed Ordinance changes, and now I’m asking you to stand up to help stop this stupidity.

The City Council released the meeting agenda for Tuesday October 18th, and the public hearing for this bill is scheduled. The Council meeting begins at 2:00 PM and we are asking all NFOA members and firearm rights supporters, who can make the time, to be there.

Even if you do not wish to speak, your presence lets the Council know you support the NFOA position. The gun registration bill is the 61st item on the agenda and it will take a little time before they get to us, so if you can’t make it promptly at 2:00 PM, then come when you can. In all likelihood, it will take a good hour or more before they get to our hearing.

If you cannot make it to the hearing, but still want to have your voice heard, then please take the time to send a brief, polite email to the City Council. If you live in a particular councilpersons district, then include your address in your email to make sure they know they are representing you. It is more difficult for politicians to ignore a letter from a constituent who has the power to remove them from office on next Election Day.

Here is the contact page for the City Council: http://www.cityofomaha.org/citycouncil/council-members .

Unfortunately they do not publish their email addresses, so you must contact them through their online form.

Mission -
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.
On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: AAllen@NebraskaFirearms.org for more information.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)- A funny thing happened on the way to the courtroom, the City of Omaha blinked. They have proposed a major revision to their firearms ordinance which is available for download here. If you take the time to read this proposal you will see if falls way short of their stated goals and then creates several new legal issues for them.

We need as many members and readers as possible to attend the Omaha City Council hearing on October 18th to show that this proposal fails to protect lawful firearms owners rights.

Let’s break this down, section by section, to review the problems in this proposal to better understand these failings.

In section one the proposal adds the language: “the owner, possessor or transporter holds a valid permit issued by the State of NE.” This statement fails the City’s stated purpose. Language in the Nebraska Concealed Handgun Act already recognizes permits issued by other states; Omaha’s proposed language fails to do so. Moreover, this added text is unnecessary because four years ago the City voted to allow persons in compliance with State law to carry in the City.

Section two continues the problem from section one by using the same language to allow persons with a Concealed Carry Permit to avoid registration. Again this issue has been preempted by the State and the city is in error.

In section three we find that, contrary to claims by some City Council members, this new proposal is not relaxing any current laws. In fact, another proposed change actually doubles the amount of time a person would not be allowed to register a concealable firearm if they previously had a violation of Omaha’s firearm ordinances. Additionally, the proposal goes well beyond State and Federal law and adds more misdemeanors to the City’s list that would disqualify people from being able to register firearms. Another change in the proposal raises the “Omaha Gun Tax” by 50%.

Also in section three appears to be an attempt to dismiss the current Federal lawsuit against the City. The City’s firearm registration ordinance prohibits certain people from registering firearms. The current proposal removes the ordinance’s existing line, “Is not a citizen of the United States,” and replaces it with “Is an alien not lawfully admitted under a non-immigrant visa (illegal alien).” If this seems hard to read, that’s because it contains a double negative. The courts will handle this statement the same way your 5th grade English teacher would: by removing the negatives. So then it will read, “Is an alien lawfully admitted under an immigrant visa (illegal alien).” Due to poor grammar, this revision still prohibits legal resident aliens from registering firearms and fails to address the issue in the current lawsuit when read as it is actually written.

Section four adds Voluntary Registration for those with Concealed Carry permits to register their firearms for free. This creates a violation in equal protection since not everyone would be able to qualify for this exemption from paying the “tax.”

If this proposal was a serious attempt to reconcile differences between City, State, and Federal law, then the City should have started with their definition of a “Concealable Firearm.” In Omaha, the definition is “a firearm having a barrel less than 18 inches in length.” The rest of the State and the Nation definitines that as a firearm having a barrel less than 16 inches and designed to be operated with one hand. This simple difference in definition places many commonly owned 16-inch barrel rifles in Omaha into the category of a “Concealable Firearm.” Even though the Omaha Police Department does not register these rifles, a resident in possession of one of these common target or sporting rifles could be charged in violation of Omaha’s registration requirements.

Unaddressed also is the unenforced requirement to get a permit from the Chief of Police to purchase a concealable firearm, where the rules for issuing such permit no longer exists; the State has taken over that responsibility and assigned that duty to the County Sheriff. Technically, no one may purchase a concealable firearm in Omaha since they cannot get a permission slip from the Chief of Police.

As you can see the problems with this proposal are as long or longer than the proposal itself and the NFOA needs your assistance in keeping this proposal from passing as written and introduced. If you can attend the hearing please do so., Please share this information and invitation to attend the public hearing with all your hunting and shooting buddies.

The more people there the louder our voice will be.

Regards,

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)- Andreas Allen, President of the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA), discusses the proposed changes to Omaha’s Firearms Ordinances.

Last Tuesday the Omaha City Council proposed an ordinance change brought forth by the Omaha Police Department (OPD) and the Mayor’s office.

The City claims they have been working on this proposal for five months and that it has nothing to do with the recent lawsuit the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) has filed in partnership with the Second Amendment Foundation and Armando Pliego Gonzalez concerning legal resident aliens.

After reading this proposal, however, it’s apparent that it was put together hastily and was done very poorly. Not only did the City try to change the current rule prohibiting legal resident aliens from handgun registration, the new proposal also offers numerous restrictive changes to Omaha’s firearm registration ordinance.

According to a letter dated September 30, 2011, OPD and the Mayor’s office claim the purpose of this proposal is “to make the City ordinances consistent with State and Federal laws.” Yet, in two separate sections the proposal adds the language: “the owner, possessor or transporter holds a valid permit issued by the State of NE.” This statement fails the City’s stated purpose.

Language in the Nebraska Concealed Handgun Act already recognizes permits issued by other states; Omaha’s proposed language fails to do so. Moreover, this added text is unnecessary because four years ago the City voted to allow persons in compliance with State law to carry in the City.

‎Contrary to claims by some City Council members, this new proposal is not relaxing any current laws. In fact, another proposed change actually doubles the amount of time a person would not be allowed to register a concealable firearm if they previously had a violation of Omaha’s firearm registration ordinance. Additionally, the proposal goes well beyond State and Federal law and adds more misdemeanors to the City’s list that would disqualify people from being able to register firearms.

Another change in the proposal, also out of line with State and Federal laws, raises the “Omaha Gun Tax” by 50%.

The next problem with the proposal is the attempt to dismiss the current Federal lawsuit against the City. The City’s firearm registration ordinance prohibits certain people from registering firearms. The current proposal removes the ordinance’s existing line, “Is not a citizen of the United States,” and proposes in its place, “Is an alien not lawfully admitted under a non-immigrant visa (illegal alien).” If this seems hard to read, that’s because it contains a double negative. The courts will handle this statement the same way your 5th grade English teacher would: by removing the negatives. So then it will read, “Is an alien lawfully admitted under an immigrant visa (illegal alien).”

Due to poor grammar, this revision still prohibits legal resident aliens from registering firearms and fails to address the issue in the current lawsuit when read as it is actually written.

If this proposal was a serious attempt to reconcile differences in City, State, and Federal law, then the City should have started with their definition of a “Concealable Firearm.” In Omaha, the definition is “a firearm having a barrel less than 18 inches in length.” In the rest of the State and the Nation, the definition is a firearm having a barrel less than 16 inches and designed to be operated with one hand.

This simple difference in definition places many commonly owned 16-inch barrel rifles in Omaha into the category of a “Concealable Firearm.” Even though the Omaha Police Department does not register these rifles, a resident in possession of one of these common target or sporting rifles could be charged in violation of Omaha’s registration requirements.

There are changes needed in Omaha’s firearm registration ordinance, especially with respect to the current lawsuit regarding legal resident aliens, but the City’s current proposal does not accomplish this or their stated purpose. If the City of Omaha decides they truly want “to make the City ordinances consistent with State and Federal laws,” then the NFOA is willing to assist the City in fixing the inconsistencies in Omaha’s firearms ordinances.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association is the largest firearms rights organization in the state of Nebraska, and membership is free for all Nebraskans concerned with their right to keep and bear arms; simply sign-up at www.nebraskafirearms.org/join. We are local firearms owners who have a personal interest in protecting firearms owners’ rights in Nebraska.

Mission -
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.
On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: AAllen@NebraskaFirearms.org for more information.

Contacts:

Andreas (Andy) Allen
President NFOA
P.O. BOX 419
Syracuse, Nebraska 68446
(402)321-5520

Omaha's Proposed Firearms Changes Fall Short of State & Federal Gun Laws

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Omaha, NE --(Ammoland.com)- Andreas Allen, President of the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA), welcomes the chance to address the issues that Omaha has with its firearms laws; however, the City’s proposal falls short of their stated goal of “making the Omaha Ordinances consistent with State and Federal laws”.

Other than addressing the current lawsuit on legal resident aliens, the only inconsistency to State and Federal laws the City has attempted to reconcile in this proposal is creating a registration exemption for the Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit Act.

Consequently, in 2009 the Nebraska Legislature had already declared Omaha’s registration null and void for Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit holders.

If this was a serious attempt to reconcile City, State, and Federal law, then the City should have started with their definition of a “Concealable Firearm.” Unlike Omaha’s definition of “a firearm having a barrel less than 18 inches in length,” the rest of the State and Nation define a “Concealable Firearm” to have a barrel less that 16 inches and be designed to be operated with one hand. This simple definition difference in Omaha places many common 16-inch barrel rifles into the category of a “Concealable Firearm,” and even though the Omaha Police Department does not register these rifles, a resident in possession of one of these common target or sporting rifles could be found in violation of Omaha’s registration requirements.

There is also no mention of removing the obsolete requirement for a written permit from the Chief of Police to purchase a “Concealable Firearm,” even though the process for receiving such a permit has long been removed from the City’s ordinances.

“Any well thought out attempt to correct Omaha’s firearms ordinances should start with removing these unenforced portions of the law. The City’s proposal falls short of their stated goal and the only real effect it would have is creating a fifty percent increase in what many Omaha Police Officers and firearms owners call the ‘Omaha Gun Tax,’”said NFOA President Andy Allen.

“Should the City decide they truly want to ‘make the Omaha Ordinances consistent with State and Federal laws’, then the NFOA is willing to assist the City in fixing the inconsistencies in Omaha’s firearms ordinances.”

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association is the largest firearms rights organization in the state of Nebraska, and membership is free for all Nebraskans concerned with their right to keep and bear arms; simply sign-up at www.nebraskafirearms.org/join. We are local firearms owners who have a personal interest in protecting firearms owners’ rights in Nebraska.

Mission
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.

On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: AAllen@NebraskaFirearms.org for more information.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Lincoln, NE --(Ammoland.com)- Most NFOA members and AmmoLand readers are very focused on security … physical security.

What about cyber security?

Do you spend as much time thinking about cyber security as you do physical security? Granted, you’re unlikely to lose your life as a result of poor cyber security but you may well incur financial costs as well as reputational damage.

Much like physical security, one needs to be aware of the risks related to cyber security and the way in which those risks can be mitigated. Again, much like physical security, once you are aware of cyber security risks, you must remain ever vigilant. You will be safest when these cautionary guidelines become second nature.

Think before you click. Be cautious of images and links with invitations to click on them. Whether they’re in an e-mail or on a website, “spoofed” links and click-through graphics are one of the easiest ways for hackers to infect your PC with viruses, key-loggers or Trojans. Even if you receive an e-mail from someone you know the links in the e-mail can be dangerous. Use caution! Is it really worth risking your cyber security to watch the YouTube video of the long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs? Be especially cautious of links and graphics from strangers or from people you know who don’t normally send you the type of information related to the links.

Use strong, unique passwords. Good passwords are one of the best defenses against hackers. If a hacker can’t guess or decode your password, they won’t be able to access your account. Passwords should be at least eight characters in length. Strong passwords contain uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. For example, rather than using “Password”, one could use “Pa$$w0rd”. An even stronger password would be one not based on an actual word.

Utilizing unique passwords is also important. If you use the same password for every secure site, you run the risk of a hacker discovering a single password and accessing all of your online accounts. At a minimum, use unique passwords for online banking sites and any other online account that involves financial transactions.

Changing your passwords on a frequent basis adds another layer of security that makes it difficult for hackers to access your protected information.

Recognize and deal appropriately with Social Engineers. Social Engineers use seemingly ordinary interactions as well as other tactics to manipulate or trick people into divulging sensitive information or performing tasks that can lead to compromised cyber security. Social Engineers are essentially con artists who play on human tendencies to manipulate their victims. Following are the seven most common tendencies Social Engineers most commonly exploit:

• Authority: The Social Engineer may pretend to represent someone in authority. “I’m a system administrator” or “I work for a government agency and I need this information now!”
• Likeability: People want to help people they like. The Social Engineer may pretend to have the same hobbies or background as the victim or mimic the victim’s behavior. Once a common bond is established, the Social Engineer may weave cyber security-related questions into the conversation. “It sounds like we’re both Ruger fans. Do you use Ruger as a part of your password?”
• Reciprocity: The Social Engineer may promise a gift or favor to the victim or convince the victim that the Social Engineer is doing him/her a favor in order to get the victim to comply with the request.
• Commitment: People tend to be more compliant after they have made a commitment. A Social Engineer may ask the victim to make a commitment – to follow a password policy, for example – and then ask him/her for the password to make sure that it complies with the policy. “Are you using an eight-character password with uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols like I recommended?”
• Social Validation: A Social Engineer might convince a victim that other similarly situated individuals have already complied with a request in order to gain compliance with the request. The Social Engineer attempts to make the victim feel like they are holding up a process or feel safe providing information because others have complied. “We’re validating all NFOA members’ profile information and you’re the last one on my list ….”
• Scarcity: If people think they are competing for something, or that their access to something is limited by quantity or time, they may be more likely to comply. For example, a Social Engineer may send an e-mail stating that the victim’s account will be closed in twenty-four hours if he/she doesn’t “validate” his/her account information immediately.
• Sympathy: It’s normal to want to help someone going through a difficult time. Social Engineers use this normal human response quite frequently to elicit information, goods or money from their victims. A common scheme involves a theft or robbery. “All my gear was stolen. Can you help me?” I’ve seen variations on this theme in a number of online communities. Often, the sympathetic members of the community will go so far as to set up a PayPal account where members can donate funds to help the scammer get “back on their feet” after the “horrible events” they’ve experienced.
• Avoid phishing scams. Phishing is a form of identity theft in which the intent is to steal your personal information. Credit card numbers, passwords, account data and other personal information are the typical targets. Do not reply to e-mails that ask you to “verify” your information or “confirm” your user ID or password. Do not click on links or graphics in e-mails requesting this type of information. If you receive an e-mail that appears to be from a service provider, eBay or PayPal for example, open your browser, type in the URL for the service provider and log into your account to check on its status. Frequently, the link in a phishing e-mail that appears to be from a legitimate service provider will redirect you to another site that looks very much like the service provider’s site but is not. As a general rule, do not click on links in e-mails.
• Shop safely. Everyone loves a bargain. Sometimes, what looks like a bargain is actually a cyber security trap. Shop online only with retailers that you know. Look for the padlock icon in your web browser when submitting personal information like account numbers. Use an account with a company like PayPal that allows you to pay with a credit card, debit card or bank account without exposing your account information. If you pay by credit card, you have more recourse if you are a victim of fraud than if you use a debit card, check or cash.
• Protect your identity. As you browse the web, it’s important to realize that many websites collect information about you. Usually, this information is contained in your Internet browsing history on your PC. While most of this information is used for legitimate purposes – customizing your Internet experience or providing you with targeted offers in banner ads – there are websites that sell the collected information to anyone willing to pay the fee. Pretty much any legitimate website will have a privacy policy that informs you of what data they collect and what they do with that data. If you don’t want to share any information, there are a number of programs and browser plug-ins that will protect the information stored on your computer.
• Dispose of information properly. Before discarding your computer or portable devices, you need to be sure that the data contained on the device has been erased. Simply deleting the data will not do the trick. In most cases, data that has merely been deleted is easily recovered. Before disposing of any device that stores data, the device should be “wiped” utilizing software that is compliant with the Department of Defense’s 5220.22.M standard. Alternatively, one can physically destroy the device or its hard drive.
• Protect your children online. Discuss and set guidelines for computer use with your child(ren). Post these guidelines next to the computer as a reminder. Make sure computers used by children are in open areas – not behind closed doors. Let your children know that their activities on the computer are tracked, that you will periodically review the information and, if you find that information has been deleted, they will lose computer (or other) privileges. Consider using parental control tools that limit what children can do while on the computer as well as tracking software outside of the computer’s Internet browser. Discuss the risks outlined in this article with your children. Educate your child(ren) so they are prepared to be a part of your family’s cyber defense team. Computers used by children are often the biggest hole in a family’s cyber security.

Mission:
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues. Visit: www.nebraskafirearms.org

Second Amendment Foundation

BELLEVUE, WA --(Ammoland.com)- The Second Amendment Foundation today filed suit in federal district court in Nebraska against the City of Omaha, challenging the city’s prohibition against anyone who is not a United States citizen from registering a handgun

SAF’s lawsuit, on behalf of Armando Pliego Gonzalez, a resident alien living in the city, is joined by the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association. They are represented by attorneys Bernie Glaser of Lincoln, and David Sigale of Glen Ellyn, IL. Defendants are the City of Omaha, Mayor Jim Suttle and Police Chief Alex Hayes.

Pliego, a member of both SAF and NFOA, has been admitted legally to this country as a resident alien for permanent residence. He was approved as a permanent resident in October 2008. His wife is also a lawful permanent resident, and the couple has four children.

“There are no federal laws requiring U.S. citizenship as a prerequisite for the issuance of a license to purchase, register, carry, transport or even legally conceal a firearm,” noted SAF Executive Vice President and founder Alan M. Gottlieb. “Yet the City of Omaha makes a distinction by prohibiting legal resident aliens from completing the legal requirements to purchase and own a handgun. This prohibition appears to be in conflict with the Second and Fourteenth Amendments, and with the Nebraska State Constitution.”

After his home was invaded and robbed in 2010, Pliego sought to arm himself to defend himself and his family. However, Omaha’s prohibition stands in the way. When he tried to register a handgun that he had legally purchased, the Omaha police denied the application.

“Mr. Pliego jumped through all the hoops, and yet was denied his right of personal protection because of a city municipal code,” Gottlieb stated. “The citizenship requirement in Omaha’s code is an unconstitutional denial of equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment, and the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

“We’re asking the court for a declaration that the citizenship requirements contained in the Omaha code is unconstitutional,” he concluded.

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. In addition to the landmark McDonald v. Chicago Supreme Court Case, SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; New Orleans; Chicago and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers and numerous amicus briefs holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Lincoln, NE --(Ammoland.com)- Where does the time go? We had our Lobby Day almost 2 weeks ago and this is the first chance I’ve had to send out a much needed update.

First I do need to thank the 40 members who came to the legislature and visited with their Senators. From what I have been told our visit was well received and Senators hope we can have an even larger number of people participate next year.

Please share this article with you friends and hunting/shooting buddies, the more people we have letting our Senators know how they feel about this legislation the higher the chance that our position will prevail.

LB 298 – Victim Protection Act
LB 298 the Victim Protection Act, is still tied up in the Judiciary Committee. Senator Mark Christensen was going to make this his priority bill but since the committee failed to take action on it he was forced to choose another bill (LB 648). There has been allot of work put into trying to get the committee to accept an amended version, but so far they have not been accommodating so far. But we did have 4 Senators that have signed on as Co-Sponsors of LB 298. So please send a note thanking the following Senators for signing on as Co-Sponsors of LB298, be sure to include Senator Mark Christensen for initially introducing and sponsoring LB298.

• Co-Sponsor Sen. Colby Coash ccoash@leg.ne.gov
• Co-Sponsor Sen. Tony Fulton tfulton@leg.ne.gov
• Co-Sponsor Sen. Dave Bloomfield dbloomfield@leg.ne.gov
• Co-Sponsor Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh slautenbaugh@leg.ne.gov
• Co-Sponsor Sen. Tyson Larson tlarson@leg.ne.gov
• Sponsor Sen. Mark Christensen mchristensen@leg.ne.gov

Anyway, now is the time to keep up the pressure on the Judiciary Committee. Be sure to email or call the other FIVE Senators below on the Judiciary Committee, urging their vote and support for LB298. We want LB298 moved to General File for discussion on the floor of the legislature “this session.”

Senators Coash, Lautenbaugh and Larson are “THREE” indicated below Co-Sponsors already on the Judiciary Committee. So we know we have at least three committee votes.

Judiciary Committee Members

• Sen. Brad Ashford, Chairperson bashford@leg.ne.gov
• Sen. Colby Coash
• Sen. Brenda Council bcouncil@leg.ne.gov
• Sen. Burke Harr bharr@leg.ne.gov
• Sen. Tyson Larson
• Sen. Steve Lathrop slathrop@leg.ne.gov
• Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh
• Sen. Amanda McGill amcgill@leg.ne.gov

Of course don’t forget to contact your Senator to get them to support LB 298 and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor, the more support shown for this bill the better chance we have of getting it out of the committee. If you need the contact information for your Senator you can find it here: www.nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_find.php

Other Legislation we are tracking

• LR 40 CA The constitutional amendment to protect Hunting and Fishing has been placed on General file and made the Natural Resources Committee priority bill.
• LB442 the Outdoor Guide and License bill that we oppose has been indefinitely postponed by the Natural Resources Committee.
• LB 549 Introduced by Senator Brenda Council is still in committee and has been made the priority bill of Senator Chris Langemeier, this bill which the NFOA supports creates the Nebraska Youth Conservation Program which will get at risk youth involved with helping at our state parks. Any attempt to introduce our youth to the outdoors is something that can only be positive.
• LB697 that changes some hunting and fishing licensing rules, the NFOA is neutral on this bill, is out of committee with an amendment from the committee and referred to the floor of the legislature for debate.
• LB 41 which also makes some changes to hunting licensing rules the NFOA supports and it has also move to the second round of debate.
• LB 618 to allow off duty police to carry at schools has moved forward.
• LB 512 dealing with mental health records has moved to General File.
• LB 138 dealing with the 180 day waiting period to get a CCW sounds like it will move forward but the Judiciary Committee has been slow moving on things going forward
• LB 88 / LB 518 There is work ongoing to develop a bill that the Judiciary Committee will move forward. There is an offer on the table to reduce the sign size to 5×7 but require the mandatory placement, and some discussions on various changes to the punishment of a violation of the posting, the largest making it a non gun offense that does not cost you your CCW permit.
• LB 565 Senator Brad Ashford’s bill that places storage requirements on firearms, and creates the crime of “improper storage of a firearms” has it’s hear on March 17th

Then the problem bill LB 229 which strips 77 million from the Nebraska Environmental Trust over the next 11 years has also moved to the floor, and has been made the priority bill for Senator Tyson Larson from District 40. The NFOA has joined with the Nebraska Council of Sportsmen’s Clubs to strongly oppose this bill, it strip about 50% of the budget from the fund and gives that money over to a fund controlled by the Department of Natural Resources. This puts this money at the direct disposal of the Director of the Department of Natural Resources and he can use it without public input and without review of the proposed uses, unlike how these funds are used by the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

Regards,

Mission:
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.

On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: nefirearms@gmail.com for more information.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Lincoln, NE --(Ammoland.com)- This is a reminder that, thanks to the assistance of the staff of Senator Lautenbaugh, we have a room to meet up and to organize in the capital.

Through out the morning several Senators and our Attorney General Jon Bruning will be stopping in to say hello.

At the capital, we will present a summary of the firearms-related bills being discussed in the Legislature. We can also assist you in finding who your Senator is and where their office is located.

Then you can stop by to introduce yourself and to let them know how you feel about the bills currently being worked on by our elected officials.

In order for this event to be successful we need your participation, so please come out to see us next Monday, and bring a friend or family member if you can!

Room information:

• Date: Monday February 28th, 2011
• Time: From 9:00 to 11:00
• Room 1113 Nebraska State Capital, Lincoln, NE

This is a very busy year for us in the Nebraska Legislature.  Most years we see a half dozen bills dealing with firearms issues and another half dozen that deal with our enjoyment of the outdoors.  This year, however, there are 12 bills and legislative resolutions that deal directly with firearms and another 25 that deal with the outdoors or other related issues.

The NFOA has been focusing our involvement on 24 of the bills that have been proposed.  A complete listing of the bills can be found in the members only section of the forum and we will soon have a bill breakdown available for download that we will also be distributing at the Lobby Day on February 28th.

Mission:
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.

On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: nefirearms@gmail.com for more information.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Lincoln, NE, –-(AmmoLand.com)- Saturday September 11th, 2010 Host: Grand Island Rifle Club 4692 W. Old Potash Hwy Grand Island, Nebraska

Agenda

• 10am- Setup. If you want to help out with preparation for the meeting , I can sure use some help
• 11am- Social hour commences after the flag is raised.
• Opening – US Flag raising. We have a Cub Scout pack conducting the flag raising for us.
• Noon – Catered meal by Whitefoot Market. Choice of 2 meats, with two sides and drinks .

$10 per person – Preregistration is required. Caterer needs a head count before Sept 1st Sign up on the forum http://www.nebraskafirepower.com/forum/index.php or by sending a check to: NFOA Meeting Preregistration PO box 419 Syracuse NE 68446

• 1pm- Member meeting. Discussion of the upcoming election for NFOA board of directors. Information on how to vote. Nominations for NFOA Board from the floor. Discussion of strategies for 2011 Legislative session.
• 2pm- US Flag retirement ceremony in honor of the lives lost on September 11th 2001. Conducted by Cub Scout pack 375 from Elkhorn, NE.

Please bring your retired US flags to the event for proper disposal. If you are like me, I have been flying the colors 24/7 – 365 since 9/11, and I have a large number of flags that require a dignified retirement. I included this to honor the fallen of the terrorist attacks on our country in 2001.

After the flag retirement is completed, any remaining flags will be properly retired by NFOA members of the American Legion.

• 3pm- Close . We will have ranges available for shooting rifle, pistol and shotgun. Events TBA. NRA certified range officers will be present. Bring your guns and ammo. Due to firearms being present, no alcohol will be allowed at this event.

Come enjoy the company, honor the sacrifices of 9/11 and Take a stand with the NFOA.

Mission:
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.

On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: nefirearms@gmail.com for more information.

CCRKBA.org

OMAHA, NE –-(AmmoLand.com)- The Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) today called on the city of Omaha to end its practice of registering firearms, in the wake of a case involving a private citizen who fatally shot an armed robber, and who continues to be denied the ability to register a new firearm by the Omaha Police Department, which took his defensive sidearm used in the shooting into evidence.

NFOA President Andreas Allen said that the hero in this incident, Harry (James) McCullough, now faces gang reprisal because the armed robber man he fatally shot was a documented gang member. Mr. McCullough has “great concern for his personal safety.”

“He is living on the road, sleeping at a different house every night and not working,” Allen said.

“We arranged for Mr. McCullough to get a new replacement handgun from a federally licensed firearms dealer,” he continued. “Mr. McCullough completed the paperwork on his new handgun and took a receipt down to OPD to register the handgun before taking possession of it, to make sure he was in complete compliance with city ordinances. OPD denied his registration because of a past citation for carrying a concealed weapon. After the City Prosecutor publicly stated he did not have grounds to charge Mr. McCullough, he again contacted the police to register his new firearm and was turned away.”

Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, called this situation “unconscionable.” NFOA is a Citizens Committee affiliate.

“Mister McCullough has been cleared of any wrongdoing in this case,” Gottlieb observed, “yet the police are retaining his firearm, and will not allow him to register a replacement gun. He intervened in a dangerous situation, at great personal risk, and now he is being put at continued risk by a police department policy that is both arbitrary and capricious.”

Mr. McCullough has a right to protect himself, and his rights are being denied right now, Allen said.

When NFOA asked the Chief of Police to assist with this issue, he responded: “This is Omaha, and we ask you to respect the challenges of our city.”

“The city’s handgun registration ordinance has been nothing more than a tool used against average citizens to prevent gun ownership,” Allen said. “The Omaha Police Department has blatantly ignored state law over the past year, even as we tried to work with the police and prosecutor’s office to correct this violation. After conversations with both offices they refused to adjust their policies. They continue to make excuses even after a deputy chief was chastised by the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, and even after the State Attorney General released an opinion that they are in violation of the law.

“This is very disappointing,” he said. “I thought it was the job of the police department to enforce the laws, not ignore them.”

Allen said there are many other cases of individuals being denied registration unfairly. The Omaha Police claim registration is a tool to track guns, he added, but he asserted that that this tool is used more often to prevent gun ownership than to track down stolen guns.

“I think it is time the City of Omaha take a step back and reevaluate this whole handgun registration issue. It is time the city council eliminate this ordinance,” he said.

The Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (www.NebraskaFirearms.org) is the largest firearms rights organization in the state of Nebraska. NFOA was organized to represent its membership at the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as at the federal level. Membership is free for all Nebraskans concerned with their right to keep and bear arms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues. Email: nefirearms@gmail.com for more information.

With more than 650,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is one of the nation’s premier gun rights organizations. As a non-profit organization, the Citizens Committee is dedicated to preserving firearms freedoms through active lobbying of elected officials and facilitating grass-roots organization of gun rights activists in local communities throughout the United States. The Citizens Committee can be reached by phone at (425) 454-4911, on the Internet at www.ccrkba.org or by email to InformationRequest@ccrkba.org.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association

Lincoln, NE, –-(AmmoLand.com)- Andreas Allen President of the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) announced today that the NFOA has formed an associative partnership with the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA).

This association gives the NFOA the ability to have an even stronger positive effect on the issues facing responsible firearm owners. Through this relationship the NFOA will have an even more robust voice at the national level, as well as helping it develop cooperative associations with other state firearms organizations throughout the country.

These other organizations will be able to share their experiences and support at the same time that the NFOA can provide support for their efforts to preserve and protect the rights of their members.

According to Alan Gottlieb Chairman of the CCRKBA as he welcomed the NFOA as an affiliate and partner in the ongoing effort to preserve our constitutionally guaranteed right to keep and bear arms, it is often the efforts of organizations such as the NFOA, which provides the driving force behind the work of organizations such as the CCRKBA.

With more than 650,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is one of the nation’s premier gun rights organizations. As a non-profit organization, the Citizens Committee is dedicated to preserving firearms freedoms through active lobbying of elected officials and facilitating grass-roots organization of gun rights activists in local communities throughout the United States. The Citizens Committee can be reached by phone at (425) 454-4911, on the Internet at www.ccrkba.org or by email to InformationRequest@ccrkba.org.

Nebraska Firearms Owners Association is the largest firearms rights organization in the state of Nebraska, membership is free for all Nebraskans concerned with their right to keep and bear arms; simply sign-up at www.nebraskafirearms.org. We are local firearms owners who have a personal interest in representing firearms owners’ rights in Nebraska.

Mission:
Nebraska Firearms Owners Association (NFOA) is organized for the purpose of voicing the opinion of its membership to the Nebraska Legislature and other law making bodies within the state as well as Federal level, as it pertains to firearms. NFOA members will also make it a priority to educate residents on firearms related issues.

On the web: www.NebraskaFirearms.org or email: nefirearms@gmail.com for more information.