Blog 10/20/22

Weekly Spotlight 10/17-10/23/22


Upcoming Midterm Election to Seal Fate of Gun Ownership Rights in America, USCCA-FSL Works to Get Out the Gun Vote

The U.S. Concealed Carry Association For Saving Lives (USCCA-FSL) was launched last year to advocate for policies that will make communities safer, including legislation such as National Concealed Carry Reciprocity that will expand Americans’ natural-born right to self-defense. 

Currently, law-abiding gun owners visiting out-of-state relatives or traveling for work are often unable to defend themselves or their loved ones due to varying state-by-state laws regarding concealed carry permits.  Something so consequential as being able to defend your family’s safety shouldn’t be put in jeopardy simply because you crossed from one state to another.  To address this, Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced the National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act as a common-sense and long overdue solution to help Americans protect themselves and their families.

In an interview on The Jim Bohannon Show, Katie Pointer Baney, senior advisor to the USCCA-FSL and Managing Director of Government Affairs for the USCCA, discusses the importance of this legislation and the USCCA-FSL’s overall mission to fight for responsible gun ownership in an environment of gun restrictions and cancel culture:

  • “We formed this [Super PAC] about a year and a half ago really after we heard from responsibly-armed Americans all across the country arguing for National Concealed Carry Reciprocity, telling us that this is the number one legislative issue facing gun owners today,” stated Katie.  “The ability for gun owners to carry from state to state without unknowingly getting caught up in some sort of criminal situation because of the varying and convoluted state laws… we want to see this become the law of the land.”

The USCCA-FSL is also working to change the perception of gun owners in America who are often wrongly labeled as criminals for simply exercising their Second Amendment right.  As part of this effort, the USCCA-FSL launched its very first national ad campaign “to really educate and energize gun owners in the political to understand what’s at stake in the midterm elections, and really every election,” stated Katie.

Visit USCCA-FSL’s new website here to watch the full ad.

In the USCCA-FSL’s ad, Jennifer M., a mother of four and a domestic violence survivor describes why she is a law-abiding gun owner and how necessary owning a firearm is for her peace of mind, safety and protection of her children. 

This ad is especially timely as women are among one of the fastest-growing groups of first-time gun buyers amidst rising crime and restrictive gun laws at the state and federal level, and as survivors of abuse or other traumatic scenarios where they want to take charge of their personal safety.  In fact, nearly half of new gun owners in 2020 were women and their representation of the Second Amendment community today will certainly play a large role in who they vote for this November.

  • Beyond female gun owners, this message is also resonating with the growing number of Americans from all walks of life and of various backgrounds, age, and socioeconomic status who are concerned for their safety and accepting the responsibility of protecting their loved ones.  From coast to coast the USCCA-FSL is hearing from concerned gun owners who carry to protect themselves from criminals and danger. “I carry to protect myself, my family, my friends, and anyone that is in imminent danger of harm or loss of life,” stated Ann F. who wrote into the USCCA-FSL.
  • As crime remains top of mind for American voters, getting out the gun vote couldn’t be more pivotal.  Furthermore, voters will be able to determine which political majority takes control of the U.S. House of Representatives, which will all but seal the fate for gun ownership rights in America.

Should the Republican Party win over the U.S. House, lawmakers such as Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) have voiced their commitment to getting a string of pro-Second Amendment bills through Congress – from National Concealed Carry Reciprocity to the Second Amendment Guarantee Act, which would preempt almost all local laws on concealed carry and allow for lawsuits if licenses are denied.  

All this to say, the USCCA-FSL is not sitting quietly while law-abiding gun owners are under attack.  It is about this November, but it is also about the years to come.  

Stay updated with this issue and others by visiting our website and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook so you stay an informed gun owner.

OTHER NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

The Washington Times: House GOP Preps Bills For First 100 Days If Republicans Capture Majority

… Ms. Stefanik also said that leadership plans to drop several Second Amendment-oriented bills in a GOP-majority House. “There’s concealed-carry reciprocity,” she said, referring to a bill that would make licenses portable among the states. She also cited “the Second Amendment Guarantee Act, which I will reintroduce in the next Congress on the issues of constitutional rights,” which also would preempt most local laws on concealed carry and allow for lawsuits if licenses are denied. Additionally, Ms. Stefanik warned the major credit card companies that their plans to create a separate Merchant Category Code for purchases from gun stores might face congressional oversight and legislation.

The Oregonian: Oregon Gun Control Measure 114 Attracts National Attention As One Of Strictest In U.S.

One of the nation’s strictest gun control measures will go before Oregon voters next month because of volunteer signature gatherers as young as 11 and as old as 94. Measure 114 would require a permit to purchase a gun in the state and ban the sale or transfer of gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. If approved, Oregon would join Washington, D.C., and 14 other states that have enacted similar permit-to-purchase gun laws. Nine states and Washington, D.C., have adopted laws banning large-capacity ammunition magazines.

NJ.com: N.J. Is Seeking Tough Restrictions For Carrying Guns In Public. Will They Hold Up In Court?

New Jersey is well known among gun control advocates — and notorious among Second Amendment supporters — for having among the strictest firearms regulations in the country. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing more leeway for people to carry guns in public has prompted a new round of legislation in New Jersey that may again set the stage for major court battles in the coming months and years, legal experts said. “The game has changed with respect to how you’re going to get a gun in New Jersey,” New Jersey state Senate President Nick Scutari said during a Thursday press conference unveiling legislation that would, among other things, set guidelines on where people could carry guns.

News 12: NYPD Proposes To Change Rules For Receiving Firearms License

The NYPD announced their proposal on Friday to change the rules in order to receive a firearms license. This comes after the Supreme Court struck down part of New York’s concealed carry law in June. The changes will raise the age requirement to receive a rifle and shotgun permit from 18 to 21. They will also ramp up background checks by requiring applicants to have four character references and a list of social media accounts they’ve had over the last three years.  Those looking to get a firearms license will need to show proof of completion of the proper training courses, including live fire training.