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			    RKBA-ALERT Digest 544
Topics covered in this issue include:
  1) ALERT: CA DE FL GA KY MA NY SD - State and Local Alerts by NRA Alerts
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Topic No. 1
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 1998 18:50:26 -0500 (EST)
From: NRA Alerts 
To: rkba-alert-real.nra
Subject: ALERT: CA DE FL GA KY MA NY SD - State and Local Alerts
Message-ID: 
March 20, 1998
State & Local Legislative Alerts: CA DE FL GA KY MA NY SD
CALIFORNIA
 
AB 23 (PERATA): As expected, the Senate on Thursday approved AB
23 on a vote of 22-14.  The measure seeks to replace the Roberti-
Roos Assault Weapons Control Act with language defining so-called
"assault weapons" rather than listing prohibited firearms by
name.  AB 23 would be significantly more far-reaching than
California's current law and would affect tens of thousands of
law-abiding gun owners.  A final vote in the Assembly could take
place as early as next week so the time to act is now!   Please
contact your Assembly Member at (916) 445-3614 and urge him or
her to vote "NO" on AB 23!
AB 2022 (WRIGHT): This NRA-supported bill would make it
considerably less complicated for applicants, who meet certain
criteria, to obtain a carry permit.   AB 2022 should soon be
scheduled for a committee hearing, so it's not too early to start
contacting your lawmakers to encourage their support. We'll keep
you posted as to when this measure is set for hearing. 
To see a listing of California legislators, including phone
numbers, please visit NRA's web site at www.NRA.org
DELAWARE
As early as Monday, March 23, the full House of Representatives
is expected to consider SB 185.  Not only would SB 185 allow a
judge or a justice of the peace to strip you of your right to own
firearms for petty offenses, but it would allow authorities to
search your home and property without probable cause.  Moreover,
if your personal firearms are seized under this section, the
police have no liability if your guns are damaged or destroyed.
Please contact your State Representatives.  Republicans at  (302)
739-4176  Democrats at (302) 739-4351 and urge them to oppose SB
185.  
FLORIDA
Please contact NRA's Grassroots Division at 1-800-392-8683 if you
did not receive a copy of the Thursday, March 19 special fax
alert updating you on the status of CRC-167.  This week, HB 3323,
shooting range protection legislation sponsored by Rep. Jim
Fuller (R-16), passed unanimously out of the House Crime &
Punishment Committee.  It now moves to the House Civil Justice &
Claims Committee for consideration as early as next Wednesday. 
Please call committee members and urge them to support HB 3323. 
GEORGIA
Last night gun owners had two significant victories.  NRA-ILA
working closely with House and Senate Leadership, helped to keep
SB 407, Sen. David Scott's (D-36) negligent storage bill from
being reported out of the House Judiciary Committee, effectively
killing it for the session.  And, HB 1360, sponsored by Rep. Alan
Powell (D-23) has been sent to Governor Miller (D) for his
signature.  HB 1360 clarified where permit holders could
transport a handgun in their vehicle expanding it to anywhere
within the vehicle and it also grants immunity from prosecution
to gun owners who defend themselves against violent intruders in
their place of business and/or vehicles (current law already
provides immunity in the home).  Notes of thanks to Rep. Powell
and Sen. Crotts (R-17) for their critical help in passing this
legislation.  Special thanks to leadership in both houses for
blocking the legislative maneuver orchestrated by Sen. Scott to
have SB 407 attached to HB 1360 as an amendment.  
KENTUCKY
Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee reported out House Bill
318, your right to carry reform bill.  It now moves to the full
Senate for consideration. Please call NRA's Grassroots Division
at 1-800-392-8683 if you did not receive a copy of the Thursday,
March 19 special fax alert outlining the provisions in HB 318. 
Please call your State Senator at (502) 564-8100 and urge them to
support HB 318. 
MASSACHUSETTS
Well Done!  Thanks to strong opposition by Springfield gun owners
and sportsmen, Mayor Michael Albano's plan to make Springfield
the first community in Massachusetts to pass a gun lock ordinance
was thwarted.  Additionally, the City Council on Monday, March
16, voted to send a recommendation that the "Eddie Eagle" gun
safety program be used in Springfield school to the school
committee for consideration.  Stay Tuned. 
NEW YORK
Assembly Bill A-1984 is stalled in the Assembly Codes Committee. 
This bill would shift responsibility from the carry permit
applicant to the issuing authority, giving the applicant the
presumption of "proper cause." Essentially, it would be much more
difficult for the issuing authority to deny permits to law-
abiding citizens who meet the criteria set forth by state law. 
Please contact your Assembly member at (518) 455-4100 and urge
them to request that the members of the Codes Committee take a
vote on A-1984.  
SOUTH DAKOTA
This session, the Legislature approved a resolution (HCR 1016)
which proclaims December 15 as "Bill of Rights Day" in South
Dakota.  The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Dana Windhorst (R-13)
& Senator Kermit Staggers (R-13) (both of Sioux Falls),
commemorates the ratification of the Bill of Rights on December
15, 1791, and urges citizens and schools to reflect on the
importance of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution -
including our right to keep and bear arms.  Governor William
Janklow (R) also signed HB 1200, a bill establishing a holiday to
observe the ratification of the Bill of Rights, into law.
=+=+=+=+
This information is provided as a service of the National Rifle
Association Institute for Legislative Action, Fairfax, VA.
This and other information on the Second Amendment and the NRA is
available at: http://WWW.NRA.Org
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End of RKBA-ALERT Digest 544
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