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News stories and press releases on the oral arguments before the Supreme Court in the McDonald v. City of Chicago case.

On Wednesday, March 10, two anti-gun bills are scheduled to be heard by the Crime Victims/Criminal Records Sub-Committee at 12:00 p.m. These bills have been vigorously and loudly opposed by NRA members and pro-firearm advocates but they are being heard at the request of their sponsor, anti-gun State Representative, Michael Paymar (DFL-64B).

On Monday, March 22, the Borough Council of Hatboro will vote on a resolution that would recommend to the State Legislature that it pass legislation requiring gun-owners to report lost or stolen firearms or face possible fines and imprisonment.

Senate Bill 515, introduced by State Senator Jeff Kessler (D-2), is currently being held in the House Judiciary Committee. With only two days remaining for the committee to meet, it is important that Chairman Tim Miley (D-41) schedule and pass SB 515 in order for it to receive a vote by the full House.

The Alabama State House Commerce Committee will hear Senate Bill 360 on Wednesday, March 10, at 9:00 a.m. This bill passed the Senate last week by a vote of 26 to 2.

As we have previously reported, House Bill 1065 is currently pending consideration with Governor Mitch Daniels. Despite passing the Indiana House and Senate with broad bi-partisan support, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Manufacturer's Association are shamefully urging Governor Daniels to veto this important pro-gun bill.

Daley backed changes to state law that would require background checks for those buying a gun in a private sale, ban popular semi-autos, require that gun dealers be licensed and ration the number of handgun purchases to one per person per month. Those were all ideas that failed in previous legislative sessions.

Gun rights advocates spent more than three hours Monday urging a legislative committee to undo the ban on firearms and dangerous weapons in the Statehouse and adjourning buildings. The polite but firm tone from witnesses came in response to the Dec. 21 decision of the Joint Committee on Legislative Facilities Committee to adopt a firearms/weapons ban without advance notice or public hearing.

The City Council is reconsidering a citywide gun sales ban after a lawsuit threat. The intent of the ordinance is to keep gun shops out of the city.

It's true that President Obama hasn't advanced the gun control agenda. He hasn't even sought a renewed ban on "assault" weapons. However, the idea that President Obama has more in common with Wayne LaPierre than with Sarah Brady is misleading. Remember the "bitter clingers" comment? Therefore, if eternal vigilance is freedom's price, then complacency must be its worst enemy. The Second Amendment is under assault even as the Supreme Court seems poised to recognize the individual right it protects.

In Valiant, Okla., on Oct. 1, 2002, during a surprise search, Weyerhaeuser Co. sent drug sniffing dogs into the parking lot of its paper mill. The operation found no drugs, but 12 workers were fired after guns were found in their vehicles. Weyerhaeuser's raid sparked a firestorm of protest that resulted in the Oklahoma legislature modifying its laws to hold employers criminally liable for prohibiting employees from storing firearms in locked vehicles on company property. After many years of legal wrangling, in February 2009, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that workers in Oklahoma have the constitutional right to keep guns in their vehicles parked on their employers' parking lots.

Senate Bill 401, introduced by State Senator Vivian Davis Figures (D-33), is another feel good attempt to further restrict firearm owner freedoms. Under SB401, gun owners would be required to store their firearms in such a manner that they would be inaccessible to any person under the age of 17 -- for example, by locking guns in a secure container.

Legislation is being considered in Augusta by the Joint Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee that puts all gun owners in jeopardy.

On Thursday, March 4, the Idaho State House successfully passed House Bill 531aa by a vote of 55 to 14. HB 531a now moves to the Senate where it awaits committee assignment.

On Thursday, March 4, Governor Dave Freudenthal (D) signed Senate File 26 into law. The bill is effective immediately. Sponsored by State Senator Cale Case (R-25) and State Senator Eli Bebout (R-26), SF 26 will reform Wyoming’s concealed weapons permit laws regarding eligibility, reciprocity, and issuance of permits. This bill will limit the Attorney General’s ability to determine reciprocity by taking away his/her power to determine if that state has similar laws authorizing permits.

The Tolland Town Council has scheduled a public hearing for tomorrow, March 9, at 7:30 P.M. to consider an ordinance that would impose a firearm discharge ban.