The strange birth of NY’s gun laws

This article appears in the New York Post

Recent months have seen a former Marine from Indiana, a Tea Party activist from California and a nurse from Tennessee all arrested and charged in New York City for possession of firearms they had legal permits to carry back home. All were “nabbed” when they naively sought to check the weapon with security.

These innocents fell afoul of the nation’s toughest gun laws. But few New Yorkers know how those laws came to be.

The father of New York gun control was Democratic city pol “Big Tim “Sullivan — a state senator and Tammany Hall crook, a criminal overseer of the gangs of New York.

[snip]

Sullivan knew the gangs would flout the law, but appearances were more important than results. Young toughs took to sewing the pockets of their coats shut, so that cops couldn’t plant firearms on them, and many gangsters stashed their weapons inside their girlfriends’ “bird cages” — wire-mesh fashion contraptions around which women would wind their hair.

Ordinary citizens, on the other hand, were disarmed, which solved another problem: Gangsters had been bitterly complaining to Tammany that their victims sometimes shot back at them.

Read the entire article by clicking somewhere within the post above or HERE

House pass gun permits reciprocity bill

The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 passed 272-154 with 229 Republicans and 43 Democrats backing it, the Los Angeles Times said.

Proponents want the measure to make it easier for gun owners to travel between states without having to worry whether their permit is valid, but opponents view it as a federal infringement on states' rights, the newspaper said.

"The simple right to defend yourself and loved ones from criminals is fundamental, and it doesn't extinguish when you cross a state border," said Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., who sponsored the bill.

The bill goes to the Senate where similar legislation died in 2009.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/11/16/House-pass-gun-permits-reciprocity-bill/UPI-48001321500898/#ixzz1dxtS4D00

House Weighs Bill to Make Gun Permits Valid Across State Lines

From Fox news---Link at bottom of post

Lawmakers are considering a House bill that would give Americans who hold permits to carry firearms in their home states the right to carry their weapons across state lines.

Supporters say the measure would not create a federal licensing system, but would require that all states recognize lawfully issued permits -- regardless of where they were issued. Gun rights advocacy groups say it's the only way to make sure that lawful gun owners' Second Amendment rights are guaranteed when they travel away from their home states. (snip)

But opponents say the bill tramples on each state's autonomy to set the standards legislators believe are necessary to confront local problems. Foes also said that the law could allow violent offenders to hold on to their weapons.

Kind of like a drivers license.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/09/13/house-weighs-bill-to-make-gun-permits-valid-across-state-lines/#ixzz1XvzNguYt

NRA Delivers Remarks at U.N. Concerning Proposed Arms Trade Treaty National Rifle Association's Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre addressed the United Nations this afternoon. He told the U.N. to not interfere with the Second Amendment freedoms of Americans and pledged to continue the fight to preserve civilian ownership of firearms in the U.S. He said the NRA will oppose any U.N. provision that seeks to prohibit or regulate U.S. civilian firearm ownership. LaPierre said in his remarks, "The cornerstone of our freedom is the Second Amendment. Neither the United Nations, nor any other foreign influence, has the authority to meddle with the freedoms guaranteed by our Bill of Rights, endowed by our Creator, and due to all humankind." United Nations Arms Trade Treaty Preparatory Committee - 3d Session New York, July 11-15, 2011 Statement of the National Rifle Association of America Mr. Chairman, thank you for this brief opportunity to address the committee. I am Wayne LaPierre and for 20 years now, I have served as Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association of America. The NRA was founded in 1871, and ever since has staunchly defended the rights of its 4 million members, America's 80 million law-abiding gun owners, and freedom-loving Americans throughout our country. In 1996, the NRA was recognized as an NGO of the United Nations and, ever since then, has defended the constitutional freedom of Americans in this arena. The NRA is the largest and most active firearms rights organization in the world and, although some members of this committee may not like what I have to say, I am proud to defend the tens of millions of lawful people NRA represents. This present effort for an Arms Trade Treaty, or ATT, is now in its fifth year. We have closely monitored this process with increasing concern. We've reviewed the statements of the countries participating in these meetings. We've listened to other NGOs and read their numerous proposals and reports, as well as carefully examined the papers you have produced. We've watched, and read ... listened and monitored. Now, we must speak out. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms in defense of self, family and country is ultimately self-evident and is part of the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution. Reduced to its core, it is about fundamental individual freedom, human worth, and self-destiny. We reject the notion that American gun owners must accept any lesser amount of freedom in order to be accepted among the international community. Our Founding Fathers long ago rejected that notion and forged our great nation on the principle of freedom for the individual citizen - not for the government. Mr. Chairman, those working on this treaty have asked us to trust them ... but they've proven to be unworthy of that trust. We are told "Trust us; an ATT will not ban possession of any civilian firearms." Yet, the proposals and statements presented to date have argued exactly the opposite, and - perhaps most importantly - proposals to ban civilian firearms ownership have not been rejected. We are told "Trust us; an ATT will not interfere with state domestic regulation of firearms." Yet, there are constant calls for exactly such measures. We are told "Trust us; an ATT will only affect the illegal trade in firearms." But then we're told that in order to control the illegal trade, all states must control the legal firearms trade. We are told, "Trust us; an ATT will not require registration of civilian firearms." Yet, there are numerous calls for record-keeping, and firearms tracking from production to eventual destruction. That's nothing more than gun registration by a different name. We are told, "Trust us; an ATT will not create a new international bureaucracy." Well, that's exactly what is now being proposed -- with a tongue-in-cheek assurance that it will just be a SMALL bureaucracy. We are told, "Trust us; an ATT will not interfere with the lawful international commerce in civilian firearms." But a manufacturer of civilian shotguns would have to comply with the same regulatory process as a manufacturer of military attack helicopters. We are told, "Trust us; an ATT will not interfere with a hunter or sport shooter travelling internationally with firearms." However, he would have to get a so-called "transit permit" merely to change airports for a connecting flight. Mr. Chairman, our list of objections extends far beyond the proposals I just mentioned. Unfortunately, my limited time today prevents me from providing greater detail on each of our objections. I can assure you, however, that each is based on American law, as well as the fundamental rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution. It is regrettable that proposals affecting civilian firearms ownership are woven throughout the proposed ATT. That being the case, however, there is only one solution to this problem: the complete removal of civilian firearms from the scope of any ATT. I will repeat that point as it is critical and not subject to negotiation - civilian firearms must not be part of any ATT. On this there can be no compromise, as American gun owners will never surrender their Second Amendment freedom. It is also regrettable to find such intense focus on record-keeping, oversight, inspections, supervision, tracking, tracing, surveillance, marking, documentation, verification, paper trails and data banks, new global agencies and data centers. Nowhere do we find a thought about respecting anyone's right of self-defense, privacy, property, due process, or observing personal freedoms of any kind. Mr. Chairman, I'd be remiss if I didn't also discuss the politics of an ATT. For the United States to be a party to an ATT, it must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the U.S. Senate. Some do not realize that under the U.S. Constitution, the ultimate treaty power is not the President's power to negotiate and sign treaties; it is the Senate's power to approve them. To that end, it's important for the Preparatory Committee to understand that the proposed ATT is already strongly opposed in the Senate - the very body that must approve it by a two-thirds majority. There is a letter addressed to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton that is currently being circulated for the signatures of Senators who oppose the ATT. Once complete, this letter will demonstrate that the proposed ATT will not pass the U.S. Senate. So there is extremely strong resistance to the ATT in the United States, even before the treaty is tabled. We are not aware of any precedent for this - rejecting a proposed treaty before it's even submitted for consideration - but it speaks to the level of opposition. The proposed ATT has become more than just controversial, as the Internet is awash with articles and messages calling for its rejection. And those messages are all based on the same objection - infringement on the constitutional freedom of American gun owners. The cornerstone of our freedom is the Second Amendment. Neither the United Nations, nor any other foreign influence, has the authority to meddle with the freedoms guaranteed by our Bill of Rights, endowed by our Creator, and due to all humankind. Therefore, the NRA will fight with all of its strength to oppose any ATT that includes civilian firearms within its scope. Thank you.

Senators back change for non-Utah concealed gun permits

SB36 » A bill that would require nonstate residents to obtain concealed weapons permits from their home states before obtaining one in Utah passed through committee unanimously Tuesday.

The proposal by Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, came as a result of complaints by holders that some states — namely New Mexico and Nevada — weren’t recognizing Utah’s concealed weapons permit and Valentine said he was troubled by the lack of reciprocity when Utah would recognize their permits.

For the full article click HERE

Bear Hunting Regulations may change!!

BEAR REG, DOG-WALKING ON TAP FOR COMMISSION

DENVER, Colo. -- The Wildlife Commission will consider a new regulation to prohibit the take of bears in their dens and a petition to rescind a ban on dog walking at two northeast-region state wildlife areas during its January meeting.

Commissioners will also set 2011 license numbers for bighorn sheep and mountain goat, finalize 2011 big game seasons and consider a host of changes to management of State Wildlife Areas as part of its annual review of Division properties. During the afternoon session, commissioners will consider proposals to manage predators to support Gunnison sage-grouse and desert bighorn conservation projects in southwestern Colorado.

The meeting is scheduled to be held this Wednesday, Jan. 5, at the Colorado Division of Wildlife's Hunter Education Building at 6060 Broadway in Denver. The meeting starts at 8:30 a.m.

During the morning session, the Wildlife Commission will get a first look at a new den-hunting regulation drafted by Division of Wildlife staff following an incident this fall in which a potential state record black bear was taken by a licensed hunter while in its den. The incident has prompted a discussion about whether taking hibernating black bears in their dens is ethical, safe, or adheres to the concept of fair chase.

According to the 2010-2020 Strategic Plan adopted by the Wildlife Commission, the Division should look to maintain and increase support for wildlife management activities by emphasizing ethics, safety and fair chase in hunting, fishing and other wildlife programs. Although no regulations currently prohibit it den hunting in Colorado, other states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan have adopted regulations to ban the practice. The proposed regulation is scheduled to receive a three-step review by Commissioners, who could approve a final rule in May.

Commissioners will also consider a petition from several hundred Loveland-area residents concerning the closure of two state wildlife areas to dogs except for active hunting, following a number of complaints from local citizens. The petition asks the Wildlife Commission to consider rescinding the new prohibition on dogs at Lon Hagler and Lone Tree SWAs, which they have argued was adopted without sufficient public input.

Commissioners will also get their first look at steps proposed by the Division to address public safety and user conflict issues stemming from unregulated access to Jumbo Reservoir along the lower South Platte as part of its annual review of Division properties. DOW staff is proposing to institute an annual "State Wildlife Area Permit" for Jumbo and possibly other nearby SWAs that would be required for everyone aged 19 to 64 that does not have a current hunting or fishing license. Division staff also recommends a prohibition on the possession and consumption of alcohol at Jumbo SWA.

The Wildlife Commission meets monthly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation in its processes. In 2011, the Commission will meet in Salida, Grand Junction, Montrose, Alamosa, Steamboat Springs, Pueblo, Yuma, and Fort Collins and at a location to be determined in northwest Colorado. The first three meetings of 2011 will be held at the Hunter Education Building at Division headquarters in Denver.

Members of the public who are unable to attend Commission meetings or workshops can listen to the proceedings through a link on the DOW we bsite. This opportunity is provided to keep constituents better informed about the development of regulations by the Commission and how they and DOW staff are resolving issues facing Colorado's wildlife.

Kindergartner off the Hook for Bringing Toy Gun to School

Matt Kroschel

Story Created: Oct 14, 2010 at 6:19 PM MDT

Story Updated: Oct 14, 2010 at 6:45 PM MDT

A Grand Junction kindergartner will not be expelled for bringing a toy gun to class. That's because of a new state law.

The entire article at the KREX web page can be seen by clicking in the article above.

HARASSING BIG GAME WITH AIRCRAFT IS ILLEGAL, UNETHICAL

MONTROSE, Colo. -- As the big game rifle seasons approach, hunters are getting out in the field for some on-the-ground scouting. Unfortunately, not all scouting activity is done on the ground -- some types of scouting are unethical and may even be illegal.

Some hunters and guides scout for animals using aircraft -- planes, helicopters and ultra-lights. While not all scouting that is done from the air is illegal, the manner in which it is done could lead to violation of federal and state laws. The Colorado Division of Wildlife is asking for help from anyone who suspects that aircraft are being used improperly in the pursuit of big game.

"Scouting an area from the air well before the season starts is not illegal," explained Renzo DelPiccolo, area wildlife manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife in Montrose. "But we have seen and have had reports that aircraft are being used to harass animals so that they move into a specific area. That type of activity is illegal."

The federal Airborne Hunting Act prohibits hunting or harassing animals from aircraft. Anyone convicted of that activity can be fined and sentenced to a year in jail.

DOW regulations prohibit using aircraft for hunting, for directing and communicating with hunters on the ground, and for hunters on the ground to take directions from someone in an airplane. State rules also prohibit hunting in an area the same day or the day aft er a scouting flight was made. The penalties can include a fine of $2,000 and 15 penalty points.

"Hunting for large trophy animals is big business. Unfortunately, there are some people who will behave in an unethical or illegal fashion when there is a lot of money at stake," DelPiccolo said.

Airborne scouting activity would probably not be apparent to a non-hunter. But hunters and people who live near big game wildlife herds might notice unusual flight patterns by aircraft that could indicate animals are being harassed or herded into an area.

Anyone who suspects that aircraft are being used illegally should contact the nearest DOW office or call Operation Game Thief at 1-877-265-6648.

Pilots who are taking to the air to scout for clients should first contact the DOW to talk about regulations.

"The North America hunting model is based on the concept of 'fair chase' for the animal," DelPiccolo said. "It's important that hunters and guides live by that ethic."

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

Concealed Permits up 43% in Pueblo

I sniped a couple of paragraphs from the Pueblo Chieftain for the information included

The surge is because of the 2008 election of Democratic President Barack Obama and, according to gun advocates, his track record on gun issues and the threat they say he possess to the Second Amendment right to bear arms."I think the election was the catalyst to the hysteria. That and a lot of misinformation about concealed handguns," said Taylor, a Democrat who said he's a "strong" supporter of the Second Amendment.

Two examples Taylor offered on the misconception of state gun laws is possessing a gun in a vehicle and the regular carrying of a firearm.

"People think you need a concealed handgun permit to carry a gun in your car. By law, you can carry a gun in your car because it's an extension of your house," he said.

"Colorado is also an open-carry state, which means you can openly carry a firearm, except in places where it's prohibited, like the courthouse and schools. Now, if you walk down the street with a .45 strapped to your leg, that doesn't mean a citizen isn't going to call you in to the police, but you can openly carry a firearm in Colorado."

To read the entire article at Chieftain.com click in the article above

EPA Considering Ban on Traditional Ammunition

— Take Action Now

All Gun Owners, Hunters and Shooters:

With the fall hunting season fast approaching, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Lisa Jackson, who was responsible for banning bear hunting in New Jersey, is now considering a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) – a leading anti-hunting organization – to ban all traditional ammunition under the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976, a law in which Congress expressly exempted ammunition. If the EPA approves the petition, the result will be a total ban on all ammunition containing lead-core components, including hunting and target-shooting rounds. The EPA must decide to accept or reject this petition by November 1, 2010, the day before the midterm elections.

Today, the EPA has opened to public comment the CBD petition. The comment period ends on October 31, 2010.

The EPA has published the petition and relevant supplemental information as Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-0681. If you would like to read the original petition and see the contents of this docket folder, please click here. In order to go directly to the ‘submit a comment’ page for this docket number, please click here.

NSSF urges you to stress the following in your opposition:

* There is no scientific evidence that the use of traditional ammunition is having an adverse impact on wildlife populations.

* Wildlife management is the proper jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the 50 state wildlife agencies.

* A 2008 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on blood lead levels of North Dakota hunters confirmed that consuming game harvested with traditional ammunition does not pose a human health risk.

* A ban on traditional ammunition would have a negative impact on wildlife conservation. The federal excise tax that manufacturers pay on the sale of the ammunition (11 percent) is a primary source of wildlife conservation funding. The bald eagle’s recovery, considered to be a great conservation success story, was made possible and funded by hunters using traditional ammunition – the very ammunition organizations like the CBD are now demonizing.

* Recent statistics from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service show that from 1981 to 2006 the number of breeding pairs of bald eagles in the United States increased 724 percent. And much like the bald eagle, raptor populations throughout the United States are soaring.

To see the entire article at "National Shooting Sports Foundation" web page, click on the first paragraph. or HERE

Packing heat in AZ to become easier soon

New law taking effect, allowing concealed weapons, no training

The Wild West is about to get wilder - on Thursday, Arizona will join Alaska and Vermont as one of the states with the country's most liberal gun laws. Senate Bill 1108 removes the requirement that gun owners must be trained and licensed to carry a concealed weapon. Arizona already allows for "open carry" - anyone not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm, such as convicted felons or those adjudicated mentally incompetent, can carry firearms in public as long as they are clearly visible.

Click in the paragraph above to see the entire article

Concealed Handgun Permits Issued by County Sheriffs

In 2004 Colorado enacted Senate Bill 04-24, a law which established clear guidelines for the issuance of concealed handgun permits by sheriffs. One of the requirements of the law is that each sheriff submit and annual report to the legislature listing the number of permit applications received, the number of permits issued, the number denied and the number revoked. County Sheriffs of Colorado collected the data from sheriffs and submitted in in one report. This report was included in the County Sheriffs of Colorado magazine and is published HERE.

This is provided so that readers may see the permit activity that each county has reported.

If you wish to compare the last few years, I have provided links to the pages that I posted for the last 2 years and this year (2009).

2009 report => HERE

2008 report => HERE

2007 report => HERE

John Lott said: "More Guns Less Crime"

POACHER IGNORES WILDLIFE VIOLATOR COMPACT

12/21/2009

CODY - A Worland man convicted of poaching in Colorado found out the hard way that the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact should not be ignored.

After committing violations in Colorado in 2004, Keith Searle had his hunting and fishing privileges suspended until Nov. 2010. "Searle moved to Wyoming and began hunting and fishing," said Worland Game Warden Matt Lentsch. "However, an individual who loses their privileges to hunt in a state that is a member of the wildlife compact actually loses them in all 32 compact member states."

According to Lentsch, Searle pleaded guilty to purchasing eight resident licenses while under suspension over a three-year period. He was also cited for taking a deer without a license, accessory to taking a deer without a license and two counts of accessory to transferring licenses.

Washakie County Circuit Court records show that Searle was ordered to pay $8,000 in restitution to the State of Wyoming and $390 court costs. He was ordered to serve three consecutive one-year jail terms in the Washakie County jail, with all but 90-days suspended. He was fined $840 and lost his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 18 years.

"Searle was placed on four-years of supervised probation and ordered to sign a waiver of extradition (which means Colorado may not be done with him). The conditions of his probation are very strict," Lentsch said.

Searle's probation conditions state that he is not to posses any firearms, bow, arrow, hunting knives, binoculars, spotting scopes, fishing equipment, or any item that is used in any type of hunting or fishing in any state. Nor is Searle to be in the presence of anyone that has any of the mentioned items. He is not to engage in any hunting, fishing, trapping and/or shed antler gathering, nor be in the presence of anyone engaged in these activities. "Searle was given 30 days to remove all hunting and fishing equipment from his possession," Lentsch said.

According to Lentsch, wildlife violations are taken seriously by judges and prosecuting attorneys and the wildlife violator compact was created to serve as a deterrent to poaching. Any person whose license privileges are suspended in Wyoming would also be suspended in the other 31 member states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Students resist Colorado State gun ban

Activists at the Fort Collins campus say a ban will make them more vulnerable to a Virginia Tech-style attack.

Reporting from Denver - After a gun-wielding student killed 32 at Virginia Tech, faculty at Colorado State University in Fort Collins found, to their alarm, that theirs was one of the few public schools in the country with no policy banning firearms. Anyone with a concealed weapons permit could legally carry on campus.

(SNIP)

Advocates of the restriction point to the study, prepared by the International Assn. of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, cited by the Board of Governors.

The study found that of the 30,000 Americans killed by guns in 2005, only 147 were shot in justifiable homicides -- in other words, for protection.

The report, prepared after several states discussed allowing guns on campus in the wake of the 2007 Virginia Tech killings, concludes: "There is no credible evidence to suggest that the presence of concealed weapons would reduce violence on our college campuses."

To link to the entire article at the Los Angles Times, click in the article above.

H.R.4016

The National Shooting Sports Foundation is raising an alarm about a House bill reauthorizing and updating existing federal rules relating to transportation of hazardous materials. The bill, H.R.4016, has the potential to cause some problems for manufacturers of small arms ammunition. With supply already being outstripped by demand, anything that might cause delays for manufacturers is a serious concern.

Representative Sam Graves (R-MO) has an amendment which addresses the industry's objections, but there is no guarantee that he will be able to attach the amendment. NSSF is asking GunVoters to contact the Chairman of the House Infrastructure and Transportation Committee, Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN) to urge him to work to include the Graves amendment. It would also be helpful to contact your own Rep. And ask that they also support the Graves amendment.

It is expected that there will be more information on this bill and the Graves amendment Monday or Tuesday so check out the Firearms Coalition web page for updates.

Firearms Coalition web page located HERE

The feds take a shot at guns

From the Washington Times:

Gun-control advocates claim that banning the CDC from examining gun control amounts to a gag order on science. After all, what can be wrong with further scientific inquiry? But the issue isn't about scientific inquiry. It is whether government resources should be used to promote an ideological agenda.

Take the Obama administration's justification for its new gun research. "Gun-related violence is a public health problem - it diverts considerable health care resources away from other problems and, therefore, is of interest to NIH," wrote the agency spokesman in an e-mail responding to questions from Republican members of Congress about new grants the CDC is giving out. The statement assumes the conclusion of the research before the first study is done.

A click in the paragraphs above will take you to the original posting.

Court case will test extent of gun rights

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court raised the stakes for its new term and for gun owners nationwide by agreeing Wednesday to hear an appeal from firearms owners in Chicago. The question in the case goes to the heart of the Second Amendment and could become a major test of the court led by Chief Justice John Roberts.

The gun owners are challenging an appeals court ruling that the Second Amendment's guarantee of an individual right to guns applies only to federal law, not to state and local regulations.

Read the entire story by clicking in the text above

Louisiana holds a sales tax holiday for guns

Reporting from Atlanta - Happy 2nd Amendment Weekend Sales Tax Holiday, everyone!

An observance of that name is underway this weekend in Louisiana, thanks to a law signed by Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal in July. It decrees that each year, on the first Friday through Sunday in September, shoppers in the Bayou State shall be exempt from paying state or local taxes on firearms, ammunition or hunting supplies.

The law was sponsored by state Sen. Robert Marionneaux Jr., who said in a statement that it will "save families money, boost retailers' sales, and help our economy in this worldwide recession where every little bit helps."

A click in the story will take you to the original article in the Los Angeles Times

AND this from Mark Udall

Dear M Dean,

Thank you for contacting me regarding my recent vote (vote #237; S.Amdt. 1618 to S.1390) in favor of an amendment concerning concealed firearm permits. I appreciate your taking the time to express your specific views on this important issue.

This vote involved a fundamental Constitutional right, and thereby required carefully balancing states' and individual interests, especially in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent holding that individuals have the right to keep and bear arms under federal law.

During the consideration of this proposal, it was argued that since states have different laws governing concealed firearms, it would have swept away Colorado's concealed firearms law and thereby opened the door to illegal activity and created unsafe conditions for our citizens. These were not trivial concerns, and I considered them carefully.

My final judgment was influenced by our experience in Colorado. Colorado passed a law in 2003 that allows Colorado to recognize out-of-state permits from other states that recognize Colorado's law and only requires permit holders to be at least 21 years old. That's it. There are no additional restrictions. Since this law was passed, Colorado has established reciprocity with 27 states - including some states that have less restrictive guidelines and standards for issuing permits. If there were any data suggesting Colorado's law has resulted in an increase in criminal activity or endangered public safety, I might have been concerned. But there is no such evidence, and, surprisingly, Colorado does not keep data on whether crimes have involved the use of firearms secured with out-of-state concealed-carry permits.

This legislation would not have affected any restrictions related to acquiring a firearm or any other law related to firearms and illegal use. Even if a state has a different concealed-carry law, the amendment would not have blocked any fines or penalties - or enforcement against - anyone who might use their firearm illegally or carelessly. It was further suggested that Colorado should not be required to accept out-state permits by 18-year-olds. But federal law restricts the sale of hand guns to individuals who are at least 21 years of age and also restricts possession in cases of mental instability and a host of other categories. There is an exemption in federal law for 18-year-olds who are on active duty or honorably discharged military personnel or law enforcement officers. States that allow concealed-carry permits for 18-year-olds do so in accordance with this federal exemption.

Balancing all these factors and considering my responsibility to give voice to Colorado's own experience, I voted in favor of this amendment, which failed to gain enough support for final passage, and therefore, was not adopted. Looking forward, I will continue to carefully examine each piece of legislation and ask that you continue to share your thoughts and concerns with me.

I will continue to listen closely to what you and other Coloradans have to say about matters before Congress, the concerns of our communities, and the issues facing Colorado and the nation. My job is not about merely supporting or opposing legislation; it is also about bridging the divide that has paralyzed our nation's politics. For more information about my positions and to learn how my office can assist you, please visit my website at www.markudall.senate.gov.

Warm Regards,

Mark Udall
United States Senator, Colorado

MEU/jpw

Whoever said "Next they will come for our knives" was / is right!

Switchblade law opponents cut in Hill fight

This article from the WASHINGTON TIMES

Full article HERE

"Everyone from our first responders, law enforcement officials, Boy Scouts and hunters will be affected by this regulation," said Rep. Bob Latta, Ohio Republican, after the House Rules Committee rejected his bill to block the change. "It is unacceptable to think that we as citizens cannot carry a pocketknife for work or recreation purposes."

Critics of the regulation - including U.S. knife manufacturers and collectors, the National Rifle Association, sportsmen's groups and a bipartisan group of at least 79 House members - say it would rewrite U.S. law defining what constitutes a switchblade and potentially make de facto criminals of the estimated 35 million Americans who use folding knives.

The new knife rules proposed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would affect the interpretation of the Switchblade Knife Act of 1958 to include any spring-assisted or one-handed-opening knife.

The law defines a "switchblade" as any knife having a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle, or by operation of inertia or gravity.

Customs officials dismiss fears that the new language will outlaw ordinary pocketknives, saying the change was issued to clear up conflicting guidelines for border agents about what constitutes an illegal switchblade that cannot be imported into the United States. The rule could be imposed within 30 days if not blocked.