http://www.gunowners.org/a112205.htm ----- "Thanks so much for sending me the link to the videos on your [GOA] website. I showed the members of the [House] committee the video of out-of-state police confiscating weapons in the state. They watched it and couldn't believe it." -- Rep. Steve Scalise (R), November 18, 2005 -----
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
There were two super victories this past week. One you may be familiar with. One you may not.
First, we'll begin with the victory you probably haven't heard.
GUN CONFISCATION: NEVER AGAIN IN LOUISIANA
GOA was honored to assist state representative Steve Scalise last week, as he successfully pushed a "gun restoration" resolution in the state of Louisiana, in response to what government officials did in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
You will remember that in September, government agents were confiscating the firearms of law-abiding citizens in New Orleans.
But incredibly, this has been one of the best kept secrets in the state. While discussing this issue with his colleagues last week, Rep. Scalise became astounded that many of them were ignorant of the fact that government officials were stealing firearms two months ago!
Well, GOA provided Rep. Scalise with the URL to the videos on the GOA website -- videos which he then showed during the legislative committee hearing.
"Thanks so much for sending me the link to the videos on your website," Scalise said. "I showed the members of the [House] committee the video of out-of-state police confiscating weapons in the state. They watched it and couldn't believe it."
Rep. Scalise also told GOA that the videos were quite instrumental. "It's one thing to hear about these confiscations," he said. "It's quite another thing to see them for yourself."
Scalise thanked GOA and its members in Louisiana, saying that our combined activism had helped to solidify the overwhelming support in favor of his resolution.
His measure passed the House by a vote of 78-1 and then was later sent to Gov. Kathleen Blanco's desk. The resolution does three things:
1. It points out that innocent civilians did, in fact, have their guns confiscated (stolen) in September.
2. It gives a "sense of the legislature" that the governor should bring up legislation in the next session to repeal laws that were used to justify the confiscation of firearms during an emergency.
3. Finally, the resolution indicates that ALL citizens who had firearms confiscated must have their guns returned.
Scalise is now working on introducing binding legislation that he will actively push in January of next year. This bill will amend the state code to remove any language that could provide a pretext for the future confiscation of guns in the state. He already has several dozen cosponsors.
Please stay tuned for more updates next year.
BILL GIVING FBI ACCESS TO GUN RECORDS TEMPORARILY STALLED
Now, for the news you may have already heard.
The House and Senate recessed for Thanksgiving WITHOUT completing its work on H.R. 3199.
That's good news, for it gives us more time to address the serious gun rights concerns that are in H.R. 3199.
The bill amends Section 215 of the PATRIOT Act to allow agents of the federal government to get secret court orders for "firearms sales records" which, in their opinion, are relevant to investigating terrorism.
The House-Senate agreement on the bill seemed to be a done deal until outside groups (including GOA) and Republican Senators (like Larry Craig of Idaho) issued statements of opposition to the latest version of the bill.
What this means is that House and Senate negotiators will continue tinkering with the bill after the Thanksgiving break.
Expect GOA to keep you informed on the latest developments, as GOA continues to urge House and Senate members to address the gun registration provision that is present in the bill.
Until then, the staff at Gun Owners of America wants to thank you for all of your activism. And we hope that you will enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving this week.
Thank you!
