Alabama: House Republican majority moving anti-gun bills

The supposedly pro-gun majority in the Alabama House has scheduled committee hearings for three anti-gun bills.

House Bill 12 violates Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights by making it a Class A misdemeanor for lawful citizens to not inform law-enforcement, upon request, that they are carrying or possessing firearms.

House Bill 28 removes certain exemptions for carry permit holders in order to increase “gun-free zones” where law-abiding citizens are left defenseless against violent criminals who ignore such arbitrary boundaries. It also requires minors to have written permission from parents or guardians in order to transport any firearm, not just pistols as required by current law, to approved activities, such as hunter and firearm safety education courses, target shooting, shooting competitions, hunting or fishing, or military duty.

House Bill 234 goes above and beyond federal law in banning modifications to semi-automatic firearms. It also states that individuals have a duty to inspect all firearms “prior to purchasing, selling, possessing, or using” them to ensure that they are not modified in such a manner. Those in violation are deemed to have done so knowingly. In addition, it allows law-enforcement to retain custody of firearms or parts for up to 48 hours to determine if they are illegal, even in the circumstance of a simple traffic stop. What’s worse is that this is being carried by a member of the Republican majority.

Washington State: House passes bill to bankrupt firearms industry

On April 10, the Washington House voted 57-41 to pass Senate Bill 5078, to allow anti-gun zealots to bankrupt the firearm industry with frivolous lawsuits. It now goes back to the Senate for concurrence.

Senate Bill 5078 aims to undermine the PLCAA and subject licensed firearm manufacturers and sellers to frivolous lawsuits brought to recover damages for the criminal misuse of their products. Protecting the firearms industry, like other lawful industries, is necessary because our legal system generally does not punish anyone for the criminal actions of others. This bill simply seeks to sue the firearms industry out of existence in the state of Washington. The firearms industry supplies thousands of jobs in Washington and the excise tax on the sale and purchase of firearms, ammunition, and accessories produces millions of dollars for conservation in our state from Pittman-Robertson funds. This bill will eliminate thousands of jobs and deprive the state of millions of dollars annually. Without the firearms industry, Washingtonians will not have access to firearms and ammunition and the fundamental right to keep and bear arms.

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