Weekly Spotlight 3/11/23 – 3/17/23
President Biden Won’t Stop Coming For Your Guns
“Come hell or high water,” the President of the United States said recently, “we’re going to ban assault weapons again.” President Biden has expressed his anti-Second Amendment intentions over and over again, this time in front of dozens of elected leaders who sit in positions of influence at all levels of government. One would think if they’re going to exhaustively call to ban so-called “assault weapons,” they would be able to define what they are. But they never can.
Typically in reference to AR-15-style rifles, “assault weapon” bans have been a gun control rallying cry for years, but the current administration is perhaps the most intent upon seeing it through. U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced bill S.25, which expands the classification of an “assault weapon” to include many types of barrels, grips, and other devices that can be found on most guns. It goes after some of the most commonly-owned firearms in the country that Americans use to protect themselves and their families.
A blanket ban on so-called “assault weapons” will achieve absolutely nothing for public safety. Furthermore, a recent poll shows that a majority of Americans oppose this type of ban, and that support for the measure is at a historic low. We need to keep it that way.
USCCA-FSL has been driving thousands of letters to congressional offices, signed by pro-2A Americans who won’t stand for policies that will lead to gun registries and confiscations. You can sign your own letter and join the chorus of responsible gun owners who want their rights protected, not stripped away. Will you join this fight?
Chip in today to help us STOP President Biden’s “Assault Weapons” Ban!
OTHER NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
- West Virginia MetroNews: Justice Signs Campus Carry Legislation Into Law
Governor Jim Justice, flanked by several members of the Legislature, NRA, and West Virginia Citizens Defense League, signed legislation Wednesday making it legal, with a permit, to carry a concealed weapon on a college or university campus in West Virginia. “I said the second it comes to me, I’ll proudly sign it, so let’s get on with it,” Justice said to the gathered supporters in his reception room at the State Capitol. West Virginia is now the 12th state which allows for carrying hidden firearms on campus. Advocates said it is a codification of what’s already happening and will plant a seed of doubt in the mind of anybody considering an attack on a college campus in the Mountain State. “Don’t think that just because we don’t have campus carry people can’t bring guns on campus. For crying out loud, the doors are wide open. This is just saying the law abiding people have a right to carry if they choose to do so,” said Justice.
Residents of one Los Angeles County suburb will have to shell out big bucks to exercise their right to carry a firearm. On Thursday, the La Verne Police Department announced it was opening an application process for city residents who wish to obtain a Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) license. The department’s website spells out a lengthy application process, including a department-approved psychological screening and a series of fees totaling nearly $1,100 for all first-time applicants. Renewing applicants will also be forced to pay almost $650 every two years after that. The unveiling of the application process and exorbitant fee structure arrives nearly nine months after the U.S. Supreme Court recognized a constitutional right to carry a firearm in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. That ruling struck down subjective “may-issue” permitting standards, including California’s previous carry regime. It ensured that lawful adults must, at the very least, have an avenue to obtain a license to carry so long as they meet objective criteria.
Debate over permitless concealed carry began at the Nebraska State Capitol on Wednesday, and it’s expected to last the rest of the week. Legislative Bill 77 would allow Nebraskans to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, while also removing other restrictions. Supporters have been calling on as many people as possible to make sure they’re seen and heard by state senators this week. That includes the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association, which says board members will be in the balcony during all three days this debate is expected to last. Travis L. Couture-Lovelady, state director of the National Rifle Association, said owning guns is a right, not a privilege. He wants to add Nebraska to the 25 other states that allow permitless concealed carry.
- The Daytona Beach News-Journal: What We Know About Florida’s Proposed ‘Constitutional Carry’ Gun Law
The Florida State Legislature convenes Tuesday, and one of the more intensely-debated proposals coming to this session is HB 543. Supporters have dubbed the proposed legislation “constitutional carry.” If HB 543 passes, which is likely given the 2–1 advantage Republicans hold over Democrats in both the Florida House and Senate, Florida would be the 26th state to allow people to carry concealed loaded guns without a permit. But some gun rights advocates would go further, asking that people be allowed to openly display loaded guns in public places. Gov. Ron DeSantis recently was asked by Luis Valdes, Florida director of Gun Owners of America, if he would support such a provision to HB 543. “Yeah, absolutely,” responded DeSantis. However, DeSantis doesn’t believe lawmakers would approve an “open carry” addition to the proposed law.