Legislation Would Repeal Burdensome Restrictions

On Friday, August 1, the last day the House of Representatives was in session before the 5-week summer recess, Reps. Travis Childers (D-Miss.), John Dingell (D-Mich.), John Tanner (D-Tenn.), Mike Ross (D-Ark.), and Mark Souder (R-Ind.), - all but Childers are members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus - along with 47 members of Congress, introduced the "Second Amendment Enforcement Act" (H.R. 6691) that would, if enacted overturn the recent ‘emergency' gun laws that continue to restrict the citizens of Washington D.C. to exercise their second amendment rights to self defense in spite of the recent Supreme Court ruling upholding those rights in the ‘District of Columbia v. Heller' case. LINK to web page with following story

From the NRA-ILA...

On June 26, the U. S. Supreme Court held in District of Columbia v. Heller that "the District's ban on handgun possession in the home violates the Second Amendment, as does its prohibition against rendering any lawful firearm in the home operable for the purpose of immediate self-defense."  The Supreme Court clearly stated that handguns are constitutionally-protected arms because they are commonly used, are typically possessed by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes, are considered by the American people to be the quintessential self-defense firearm, are the most popular firearm chosen by Americans for self-defense in the home, and are the most preferred firearm in the nation to keep and use for protection of home and family. 

The "Second Amendment Enforcement Act" would:

• Repeal the District's ban on semi-automatic handguns.  Semi-automatic pistols have been the most commonly purchased handguns in the United States over the last 20 years, and therefore a ban on those firearms is unconstitutional as decided by Heller; 
• Restore the right of self-defense by repealing the requirement that firearms be disassembled or secured with a trigger lock in the home; 
• Repeal the current D.C. registration system that requires multiple visits to police headquarters; ballistics testing; passing a written test on D.C. gun laws; fingerprinting; and limiting registration to one handgun per 90 days.  The current system is unduly burdensome and serves as a vehicle for even more onerous restrictions; and 
• Create a limited exemption to the federal ban on interstate handgun sales by allowing D.C. residents to purchase handguns in Virginia and Maryland.  Currently there are no firearms dealers in the District of Columbia, and the federal ban prohibits residents from purchasing handguns outside of the District; therefore, District residents have no means of purchasing handguns. 

Congressional Sportsmen Caucus Co-Chairs, Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced legislation, S. 3331, seeking to rectify a longstanding inequity in the collection of the firearms and ammunition excise tax (FAET); a major source of wildlife conservation funding. S. 3331 is the companion bill to H.R. 6310 introduced in the House last month.

The Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax flows from the IRS through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to the state wildlife agencies and is the major source of funding for the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund.

If passed, S. 3331 and H.R. 6310 would allow the firearms and ammunition industry to pay the FAET on a quarterly basis; the same payment schedule as every other industry that supports conservation through dedicated excise taxes.  Currently firearms and ammunition manufacturers must pay the FAET bi-weekly.  This payment schedule forces many manufacturers to borrow money to ensure on-time payment, and industry members spend thousands of man-hours administering the necessary paperwork to successfully complete the bi-weekly payments - monies that are due long before manufacturers are paid by their customers. Changing the schedules could annually free millions of dollars for manufacturers to invest and contribute to industry growth, which in turn, would expand the FAET base.

Introduced by and backed by the New York Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, comprehensive legislation to allow 14 and 15 year-olds, who already are permitted to hunt small game in New York State, to also hunt deer and bear with a firearm under supervision has been signed into law. The legislation was introduced by NY Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chairs, Senator Dale Volker and Assemblywomen Francine DelMonte.  

Senator Volker addresses hunters.

NASC held a briefing on the legislation in April at the NY state capitol, where Sen. Volker told his colleagues, "I am a firm believer that participating in hunting, fishing and the shooting sports can be extremely valuable by instilling in New York's youth an appreciation of the State's abundant natural resources and a responsibility to act as stewards to protect its precious resources for future generations.  Sportsmen and women in New York have consistently supported the expansion of opportunities for youth and supported proposals that would enable them to hunt with their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. This legislation embraces this goal and instills a solid foundation for future New York hunters."

Prior to this legislation being signed into law, New York was the only state in the nation where 14 year-olds could not hunt big game with a firearm. Forty-six states allow 12 year-olds to hunt big game with a firearm.

"This is a very small step in the right direction. Ultimately, the hunting age should be lowered again to avoid missing the prime window of opportunity for engaging youngsters in hunting," said Rob Keck. "By making a kid wait that long before they can be an active participant, there is a high probability that something else will hook them. I applaud the a joint effort between Families Afield and NASC to get this bill passed.  We'll take this small victory and continue the important efforts of lowering legal hunting ages across the country." Keck was instrumental in the Families Afield effort during his tenure at NWTF and serves on the board of CSF.

Read Senator Volker's comments