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Gun Rights An Update From The Front Lines

National Association for Gun Rights

Colorado - -(AmmoLand.com)- While the prospects for Federal gun control continue to grow by the day, state groups across the country are making strides to protect and advance our right to keep and bear arms.

Wyoming
Wyoming Gun Owners (www.WyomingGunOwners.org) made a real splash during Wyoming’s short legislative session. WyGO pushed for two marquee pieces of legislation: a Vermont concealed carry bill (which WyGO dubbed “Constitutional Carry”) and their own version of the Firearms Freedom Act.

While the Vermont Carry bill (i.e. no permit needed) passed the House but not the Senate, the Wyoming Firearms Freedom Act was passed by both chambers and signed into law by the governor. NAGR Operations Director Luke O’Dell testified on behalf of both of WyGO’s bills at the state capital in Cheyenne.

Wyoming’s Firearms Freedom Act was slightly different from the legislation passed in Montana. Wyoming’s bill included criminal penalties and fines for federal agents who try to enforce federal regulations that contradict this new Wyoming law. This legislation has real teeth, and has already created quite a stir in Wyoming as well as Washington. Bravo, Wyoming Gun Owners.

South Dakota
South Dakota Gun Owners (www.SDGO.org) continues to dominate their legislature with a pro-freedom agenda, passing a South Dakota Firearms Freedom Act through both chambers of the legislature, and signed into law by Governor Mike Rounds.

Iowa
Still less than a year old, Iowa Gun Owners (www.IowaGunOwners.org) has been making waves across Iowa.

Though their Vermont Carry bill died, the compromise bill pushed by the institutional gun lobby (which took several steps backward for state law) also failed. Unfortunately, compromise forces just resurrected this backward legislation earlier this week (in a cynical attempt to kill any future attempts at Vermont Carry).

This is frustrating because Iowa is one of the few rural states in America with a “May Issue” concealed carry law. Look for Iowa Gun Owners to change that in 2011.

Virginia
The Virginia General Assembly has seen a slew of pro-gun legislation this sessions. Most notably, Virginia’s 15-year-old ban on concealed carry in restaurants and bars is on the verge of being overturned through the hard work of two groups, Virginia Gun Owners Coalition (www.VGCO.org) and Virginia Citizen’s Defense League (www.vcdl.org). Under the current “criminal safe zone” law, concealed weapon permit holders are forced to disarm themselves before entering a restaurant or bar.

Legislation repealing the ban passed both chambers of the Virginia State legislature and is awaiting the signature of Governor “Gun Ban Bob” McDonnell.

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Wyoming State Hunting Championships May 8 in Upton

Wyoming Game & Fish Department

Upton, WY --(AmmoLand.com)- Of all high school state championships – football, golf, soccer, speech/debate, track and field, etc. – none are more “Wyoming” than the state hunting championships.

The Youth Hunter Education Challenge, as its officially called, will be held May 8 in Upton and young hunters do not need to qualify in a regional or district tournament to compete. All Wyoming and South Dakota youth 18 and under who have passed hunter education are eligible to showcase their hunting skills and probably learn a little.

The challenge tests youngsters in sporting clays style trap shooting, .22, muzzleloader and archery marksmanship, wildlife identification, orienteering and hunter safety judgments.

“The challenge is designed to be a fun event for all participants – not just the winners,” said Jim Dawson, the Game and Fish’s hunter education coordinator.

This is the third year the challenge has been hosted by the Upton Gun Club and officially sanctioned by the National Rifle Association. Winners in both age categories – 15-18 and 14 and under – are eligible to advance to the international competition to be held July 26-30 at a top-notch shooting complex near Mansfield, Pa.

In addition to the department and the gun club, the challenge is sponsored by the Wyoming Friends of the NRA and a variety of Wyoming businesses. All participants receive a prize for competing.

In the spirit of interstate cooperation, South Dakota young hunters can also participate in this challenge for the right to represent their state at the international competition.

“Because Upton is close to the border, we’re teaming up with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and holding their challenge at the same time,” Dawson said.

He adds that although the youngsters from both states will take part in the same tests, they will not be competing against each other. Winners will be crowned from both states.

To participate, youngsters need to submit copies of their hunter education card, birth certificate, photo and pay a $10 entry fee. Entry forms are available at the Game and Fish Web site and offices and must be submitted by April 30.

For more info, call the Game and Fish’s Jim Dawson or Jeff Obrecht at (307) 777-4600 or Rick Rothleutner of the Upton Gun Club at (307) 281-9980.

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