ARIZONA CITIZENS DEFENSE LEAGUE

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September 3, 2010

Payson Outdoor Expo - volunteers needed.

We just got word that AzCDL has been selected to participate in the FLW Day in Payson on September 18, 2010.  Volunteers are needed!  Please contact John.

The following is a complete list of events that AzCDL will be working this month.

Friday evening, September 10, 2010, AzCDL will be at the GOP Unity Rally and Dinner at the Beaudry Convention Center in Tucson, from 4-9 PM. 
To volunteer, please contact Duke.

September 11 & 12 is the Crossroads’ gun show at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix.  To volunteer, please contact John.

September 18, 2010 is FLW Day in Payson.  To volunteer, please contact John.

September 18 & 19 is the McMann’s gun show at the Tucson Convention Center.
To volunteer, please contact Tom .

September 25 & 26 is the Crossroads’ gun show at the Mesa Centennial Hall.
To volunteer, please contact John .

If you can spare a few hours for these events, we would deeply appreciate your help.  These are great opportunities to educate political candidates, voters and gun owners about AzCDL.

August 30, 2010

AzCDL PAC Pistol Raffle – Last Chance!

The Arizona Citizens Defense League’s Political Action Committee (AzCDL PAC) raffle, for a Springfield Armory XD(M) .40 S&W Pistol with XD Gear, is running out of tickets.  Only 225 tickets were printed and most have been sold. 

At last count, nine tickets are available for purchase securely online.
Get yours today!

The supply of PAC raffle tickets available at the AzCDL gun show tables also sold fast!  About 18 are left.  They can be purchased at the September 18-19 gun show at the Tucson Convention Center.

The winning ticket will be drawn at AzCDL’s annual members’ meeting on October 2, 2010. 

The winner must comply with all federal, state, and local laws, and must pick up the firearm from a federally licensed firearm dealer.

August 25, 2010

Time is running out!

September 25th is the deadline for making your AzCDL annual meeting reservations. 
It is less than one month away!

Don’t delay any longer!  All luncheon guests attending the annual meeting will be eligible to participate in our door prize drawing for a Ruger LCP pistol.  Plus, at the annual meeting, we will draw the winning tickets for the FIVE firearms raffles currently underway.  You want to be there when your ticket is drawn!

Take advantage of AzCDL’s “Stimulus Package” – For $25 you get a sit-down luncheon served to you in a hotel banquet room, a chance to win a Ruger LCP, and we’ll toss in a FREE one-year Basic Annual membership!  And, unlike the federal stimulus bill, your grandchildren won’t have to pay for it.

Recently joined or renewed your membership?  You might qualify for one of our “Recession Busters.”

$5 Special – If you joined or renewed your Basic Annual membership after June 1, 2010, and paid the $20 “gun show special” rate, a mere $5 will get you an annual meeting dinner and door prize ticket.  Look for the Buffalo Nickel at our online store.

Free Meal Deal – If you joined or renewed your annual membership after June 1, 2010, and paid at least $25, you get to attend the annual meeting for FREE.  All you need to do is send an email to Fred with your meal selection (tri-tip steak, chicken piccata, or mushroom ravioli) and your ticket will be mailed to you.

Double Dipper – If you joined or renewed your Sustaining Annual membership after June 1, 2010, and paid at least $40, you are eligible for TWO free luncheon tickets.  All you need to do is send an email to Fred with your TWO meal selections (tri-tip steak, chicken piccata, or mushroom ravioli).  Your TWO tickets will be mailed to you.

Joined or renewed before June 1, 2010?  For $25 we’ll extend your membership for one year AND we’ll toss in the annual meeting.  Just go to our online store.

Better yet!  Join or renew as a Sustaining Annual member and we’ll send you TWO annual meeting dinner tickets PLUS an AzCDL t-shirt.

Life Member?  You and your guests may enjoy the annual meeting as part of your membership.  Please contact Fred to get your tickets.

If you prefer, you can mail your reservation form to AzCDL.

A reservation form is also included in the August newsletter.

Time is running out!  Get your reservations in today!

As with all our Annual Meetings, the tasteful open carrying of firearms is appreciated.

August 24, 2010

Vote!  Vote!  Vote!

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” – Edmund Burke

Today, August 24, 2010, is the Primary election in Arizona.  Did you vote today?

The outcome of any election is dependent, not on how many supporters a candidate has, but on how many cast their ballots. 

YOUR vote is critical to YOUR rights in Arizona!  It’s not just about the national candidates.  Local races determine who you want to represent your interests at the Arizona Capitol in the upcoming sessions.  Many times, local races are determined by just a handful of votes.

Thanks to pro-rights majorities at the state capitol, AzCDL has successfully fought for, and won, major restorations of your fundamental rights, the most significant (so far) being the passage of Constitutional Carry this year.  Think about what it would be like if we didn’t have the votes in the legislature, or a governor not willing to sign these bills?

We have compiled information on state candidates on our web site to help you.  You can find the 2010 voting records of incumbents along with candidates’ responses to our Questionnaire.  

AzCDL Political Action Committee (PAC) candidate ratings can be found here.

August 21, 2010

Upcoming Tucson rallies - volunteers needed.

We have a couple of new events in Tucson that have been added to our schedule.
To volunteer, please contact Duke.

On Saturday, August 28, 2010, there will be a Tucson Tea Party post-primary election event at Reid Park’s Ramada 10 (located off 22nd Street), from 8-11 AM.  All local and statewide Arizona candidates have been invited to attend.  Jon Justice, the morning talk show host on 104.1 FM, will be the Master of Ceremonies.

On Friday, September 10, 2010, there will be a GOP Unity Rally and Dinner at the Beaudry Convention Center, from 4-9 PM (set-up is 1-3 PM).

If you can spare a few hours for these events, we would deeply appreciate your help.  This is a great opportunity to educate political candidates and voters about AzCDL.

August 19, 2010

September event volunteers needed.

If you can spare a few hours we would deeply appreciate your help.  AzCDL’s phenomenal growth is primarily because of the hard work of our volunteers.  These are great opportunities to educate the public about our hard won successes like Constitutional Carry.

In September, AzCDL will be working the following events.

September 11 & 12 is the Crossroads’ gun show at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix.
Please contact John to volunteer.

September 18 & 19 is the McMann’s gun show at the Tucson Convention Center.
Please contact Tom to volunteer.

September 25 & 26 is the Crossroads’ gun show at the Mesa Centennial Hall.
Please contact John to volunteer.

If your AzCDL membership is coming up for renewal, you’ll save $10 if you renew at any event!  It’s like getting paid to attend!  Sustaining memberships also get a FREE AzCDL t-shirt.  Not a member?  Not a problem!  You can join AzCDL at these events and still get the $10 discount.

Don’t forget!  AzCDL’s annual meeting is a little over a month away.  All luncheon attendees will be eligible for our door prize drawing for a Ruger LCP pistol.

August 12, 2010

AzCDL August 2010 Newsletter available online.

The AzCDL Newsletter for August 2010 is available for viewing, downloading and printing.

This edition of the newsletter contains a summary of the new laws resulting from the 2010 legislative session.  Did you know firearms seized by law enforcement can no longer be scrapped?  You’ll find out more in the newsletter!

Also in the newsletter is your invitation to AzCDL’s annual meeting of members, along with a reservation form.  This year we are celebrating the history YOU made through the passage of Constitutional Carry, probably “the” most historic pro-rights firearms legislation passed by any state, ever!
 
This year, everyone attending the annual meeting luncheon will be eligible to win a Ruger LCP pistol.  That means for the price of a dinner ticket, you will enjoy an afternoon meal served to you in a hotel banquet room, a one year AzCDL membership (or renewal), a chance to win a new pistol, and an opportunity to wear your favorite gun and gear to dinner with the most ardent and successful activists in Arizona.  Don’t wait any longer!

Annual meeting tickets are also available at AzCDL’s online “store”.

August 6, 2010

AzCDL PAC – Pistol Raffle.

The Arizona Citizens Defense League’s Political Action Committee (AzCDL PAC) is raffling off a Springfield Armory XD(M) .40 S&W Pistol with XD Gear. 

Only 225 tickets will be sold!
Tickets can be purchased securely online. 

A limited number of tickets will also be available for purchase at the AzCDL table at gun shows and other events.

The winning ticket will be drawn at AzCDL’s annual members’ meeting on October 2, 2010 . 

The winner does not have to be present to win.  Winners must comply with all federal, state, and local laws, and must pick up the firearm from a federally licensed firearm dealer.

July 29, 2010

Train Me Arizona campaign kick off.

Article 2, Section 26 of the Arizona Constitution says “The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself or the state, shall not be impaired…”  However, for the last 16 years the citizens of Arizona who wished to fully exercise their right to bear arms were required to seek written government permission, via a concealed weapons (CCW) permit.  On Thursday, July 29, 2010 all that changed when SB 1108 became the law in Arizona, restoring the right of law-abiding adults to bear arms openly or discreetly without needing a government permit.

However, exercising freedom comes with a cost – responsibility.  Each of us is responsible to know the law, and to have the proper mindset, skills and ability that come with “bearing arms.”  Proper and continuous training has always been our individual responsibility.  The good news is that we no longer have to rely on government mandates to determine what training we need and should get.

To promote training in the skill at arms and the exercise of our fundamental right to keep and bear arms on a statewide scale, AzCDL is a partner in the new “Train Me Arizona” campaign.  We encourage you to become involved also.  This is the armed citizenry envisioned by our nation’s Founders – aware of our freedoms and exercising them responsibly.  Remember, the nation, and the world, are watching Arizona.  We have made history together.  How we, as gun owners and activists, respond to the restoration of our right to bear arms, sets the trend for other states to follow.  Wear this responsibility with pride!

To read about the impact of the new gun laws in Arizona, we recommend reading this document at the Department of Public Safety (DPS) website:  .

The Constitutional Carry language has been incorporated into ARS 13-3102.

The revisions to Arizona’s (now optional) CCW permit requirements can be found in ARS 13-3112.  Please note the changes in ARS 13-3112.E.6 regarding alternative methods of meeting the training requirements.

July 27, 2010

Candidate Questionnaires – responses posted online.

This is an election year.  The primaries are on August 24^th (early voting starts July 29th), and the general election is on November 2nd.  YOUR vote is critical in determining how the Arizona legislature will look in 2011.  If you want to see more laws passed that restore and protect your freedoms, like Constitutional Carry, “not voting” is not an option.

In July we sent a questionnaire to every known candidate for the Arizona state legislature.  The questionnaire contained the following 5 questions, which we asked the candidates to answer either “Yes” or “No.”

• Law-abiding citizens have the right to carry a weapon, with or without a government issued permit, in any place that they have a right to be.
   
• Article 2, Section 26 of the Arizona Constitution means what it says. 
  Our right to bear arms must not be subject to local laws.
   
• Trained, law-abiding adult citizens have the right to carry their weapons onto the grounds of schools, colleges and universities in order to be able to protect themselves and others from criminals.
   
• Law-abiding citizens have the right to defend themselves at any time or in any place they have a right to be.
   
• Laws that impair the right of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves should be repealed.

We explained that we feel that no one should need to beg to exercise a constitutionally protected right, and that these issues need no further debate.  They could expand their answers with comments if they so desired.  However, what we perceive as a “Yes, but…” answer would be treated as a “No” when we shared their response.  An unreturned questionnaire would result in the answers to all questions to be considered as “No.”

Candidate responses are reproduced here.  If you do not see a candidate’s name, and they were not a legislator in 2010, you may assume we did not receive a response from them and that their answer to all the questions was “No!”

Candidates who were legislators in the 2010 session were not required to respond to our survey since we have their voting record on bills we considered important:.

Ratings and endorsements for candidates for Arizona statewide offices can be found at the AzCDL Political Action Committee (PAC) web site.

AzCDL’s PAC is a force-multiplier for your individual campaign donations.  Campaign donations speak loudly to legislators seeking reelection and new candidates seeking office.  No matter what the size of your donation, when combined with hundreds or thousands of others, it WILL make a difference.  Please donate today.

July 15, 2010

General Update.

Events – This coming weekend, July 17 & 18, AzCDL is working two events in southern Arizona.  If your AzCDL membership is coming up for renewal, you’ll save $10 if you renew at any event!  It’s like getting paid to attend!  Not a member?  Not a problem!  You can join AzCDL at these events and still get the $10 discount.

July 17 & 18 is the Arizona Arms Association gun show at the Beaudry RV Center in Tucson.  For more information, please contact Tom.

Also on July 17th is a Tea Party rally in Douglas at the Gadsden Hotel Lobby from Noon to 3 PM.  Admission is free.  In addition to political candidates, AzCDL member, physician and patient advocate, Dr. Elizabeth Lee Vliet will be speaking at this rally.  For more information about the rally, please contact Dottee Watkins.

Raffle Tickets – They’re selling fast!  Only 225 tickets were printed for each of four firearms.  Two Kimber 1911 pistols (Custom Gold Match II) and two custom AR-15’s.  Almost half the tickets have sold already.  You can purchase them for $10 each at any event where AzCDL has a table, or through our online store. 
The drawing for these firearms will be AzCDL’s annual meeting on October 2, 2010.

Annual Meeting - Don’t forget AzCDL’s annual meeting!  We have a lot to celebrate this year!  If you join or renew your membership for $25 or more, you are entitled to attend AzCDL’s annual meeting on October 2nd for FREE.  The door prize this year is a Ruger LCP pistol. 

July 5, 2010

2010 Voting Records posted.

Wonder how your elected State Representatives and/or Senators voted on key pro-rights bills this year?
AzCDL has posted their voting records here.

Votes monitored are for:
SB 1108 – Constitutional Carry
SB 1153 – Knife preemption
HB 2307 – Firearms Freedom Act
HB 2543 – Strengthened firearms preemption
HB 2629 – Prohibits counties, towns, etc. from de facto “registration” related to temporary firearms storage
HCR 2008 – Proposed Constitutional amendment; Right to hunt and fish

This is an election year.  AzCDL members have an extra tool to support legislators who support your rights – our Political Action Committee (PAC).  Campaign donations speak loudly to legislators seeking reelection.  AzCDL’s PAC is a force-multiplier for your individual donation.  No matter the size of your donation, when combined with hundreds or thousands of others, it WILL make a big difference.  Please donate today!  

June 29, 2010

Supremes incorporate 2nd Amendment via 14th.

(Alan Korwin, AzCDL Member and prolific author, whose books include The Arizona Gun Owner’s Guide, has been following the McDonald v. Chicago case closely.  Alan’s extensive research and material were used in crafting AzCDL’s amicus brief for this case.   The following is Alan’s synopsis of the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision.)

The big headline in the U.S. Supreme Court's McDonald v. Chicago gun-ban-case decision, handed down on June 28, 2010, is that the states are now bound by the Second Amendment -- the right to keep and bear arms is "incorporated" under the 14th Amendment and applies to the states, under the Due Process clause used to apply other Bill of Rights requirements to the states.

Exactly how bound the states are is unknown, and will be the subject of endless debate and future court actions. No standard of review for acceptable laws is provided, although the extremely low and virtually meaningless standard of "interest balancing" that Breyer would like to see is apparently off the table. This leaves legislatures and lower courts to pretty much do as they please, and seek further SCOTUS clarification in the years to come. The decision does however give the pro-rights forces a strong leg up at the bargaining table.

The very troubling sub-head of the story is that Chicago apparently will be free to act like Washington, D.C. did after Heller. Chicago under Mayor Daley is likely to do everything it can -- including maneuvers that will be totally rejected as unconstitutional -- to keep its people repressed and deny, as fully as possible, the right to own, have and use guns for personal defense and other lawful purposes.

While we on the pro-rights side of the aisle had hoped for "reversed," meaning the 7th Circuit decision saying we had no rights would be overturned, what we got was "reversed and remanded," meaning the 7th Circuit will get another crack at the law, and do something to make it acceptable. If precedent is any gauge, they'll do as little as they can, and be subject to another lawsuit and endless wrestling with our rights.

This extraordinarily event-filled day at the Court included Justice Stevens' last day in public as a member, Justice Ginsburg's husband's death the night before, the beginning of Senate confirmation hearings for liberal High Court candidate Elena Kagan, and the much awaited McDonald decision, on this the last day of the current session.

Although some people had held out hope that Sotomayor, in her first gun case, would lean on her known respect for civil rights and find for the right to keep and bear, she turned out to be the leftist most expected, and voted for denial of rights in the 5-4 squeaker decision. She joined Breyer's dissent, a masterpiece of odd reasoning and lack of appreciation for this fundamental right (based on a very quick overview). Kagan, cut from similar cloth, is likely to respond similarly if confirmed.

The McDonald v. Chicago decision is a 214-page document, with a six-page syllabus (the summary that precedes decisions), a 45-page decision of the Court written by Justice Alito, a 15-page concurrence by Scalia, a separate 56-page concurrence by Thomas, and two dissents -- 57 pages from Stevens, and 31 pages from Breyer (joined by Ginsburg and Sotomayor), who includes a four-page appendix. That's a lot of reading (116 pages of "you have rights," 92 pages of "you should not"), and by the time you see this, news organizations will have moved on to other subjects, but I will have just finished figuring out what the Court actually said.

June 28, 2010

AzCDL Gun Raffles.

AzCDL is raffling off a Kimber 1911 Gold Match II in .45 ACP caliber, with a stainless steel frame and slide, 5” match barrel, ambidextrous thumb safeties, and custom stocks. We are also raffling a custom built AR-15 in .223 caliber, with an American Spirit flat top receiver, flip up iron sights, chrome lined barrel, adjustable stock, and picatinny rail forearm with forward grip.  Each firearm is valued at over $1500.

Only 225 tickets will be sold for each firearm.  Tickets are $10 each.

We are raffling off TWO of each firearm.  One set of tickets will be sold primarily at events in the Phoenix area and the other set will be sold primarily at Tucson area events.  Again, for each firearm, only 225 tickets will be sold. 

You can purchase tickets online at AzCDL’s store.
 
Please do NOT use PayPal to purchase raffle tickets – it is against their policies.

The winning tickets (4 of them) will be drawn at AzCDL’s annual members’ meeting on October 2, 2010 .  The winner does not have to be present to win.  Members attending the annual meeting luncheon will also be eligible for a door prize drawing of a Ruger LCP pistol

Winners must comply with all federal, state, and local laws, and must pick up the firearm from a federally licensed firearm dealer.

June 16, 2010

Independence Day Rifle Match – Still time to register!

There is still time to register for the fifth annual AzCDL Independence Day Action Rifle Match hosted by the Pima Pistol Club in Catalina.  Celebrate Independence Day in a way that would make our Founding Fathers proud!

This is a “fun” match.  If it shoots and you can aim it, bring it.  There are 4 shooting categories this year:
1. Iron sights.
2. Any optic without magnification.
3. Scoped – any single optic may be used.
4. Open – no limitation.

Match information, location, rules and applications can be found at AzCDL’s Rifle Match page .

There is still time to make your reservation!

Entry fee is $40 and includes a free AzCDL Basic Annual membership.  If you are already an AzCDL member, you membership will be renewed.  All proceeds (minus range and target expenses) will be donated to AzCDL. 

Spend the day like a true patriot exercising your rights, supporting a good cause, and having FUN!

Awards will be handed out and a Prize Raffle conducted following range clean up.

All questions should be directed to Russell Phagan.

June 11, 2010

Activism tools updated.

If you have stopped by the AzCDL table at your local gun show, you may have noticed a supply of business cards for handing to business establishments that do not ban firearms.  It’s a way of letting them know that, as a gun owner, you are choosing to spend your money at businesses that respect your right to bear arms.

We have received a number of requests to make the template for this card available on AzCDL’s website.  If you visit AzCDL’s Educational Page and scroll to the bottom, you will find the heading “Activism Tools.”  There you will find the templates for the new card in both PDF (Adobe Acrobat) and Microsoft Publisher 2003 formats.  The cards can be printed on business card stock (Avery 8376 or equivalent) found at your local office supply stores.

For businesses that post those “we don’t serve your kind here” No Firearms signs, you will also find the template for our “No Guns = No Money” business cards.

Feel free to print both cards and use them in a “carrot and stick” fashion - Let the pro-rights businesses know that you appreciate their attitude and will spend your money in their establishments, and let the anti-rights businesses know you’re taking your business elsewhere.

June 2, 2010

AzCDL Annual Meeting – October 2, 2010.

The Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL) cordially invites you to our Annual Meeting of Members on October 2, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2532 West Peoria Avenue (I-17 & Peoria Ave.), Phoenix, Arizona.

All luncheon guests will be eligible to participate in our door prize drawing for a Ruger LCP pistol.

Prior to the meeting, lunch will be served at 1:00 PM.

The fee for lunch is $25 per person. 
The price includes a FREE Basic Annual AzCDL membership! 
If you are a Life Member, or if you join AzCDL or renew your membership after June 1, 2010, you are eligible to attend the Annual Meeting luncheon for FREE, or at a steeply discounted rate, depending on the cost of your membership. 
Details can be found on the reservation form.

Individual tickets can be purchased at our online store.
For multiple tickets, please use the reservation form.
If you have any questions regarding reservations, please contact Fred.

The schedule of events is a follows:
Noon – Registration and seating for lunch
1:00 PM – Lunch is served
2:00 PM – Annual Meeting begins
4:00 PM – Adjournment

More details and a reservation form can be found at our Annual Meeting web page.

Reservations must be received by Saturday, September 25, 2010.
Pre-payment is required to reserve meals.

As with all our Annual Meetings, the tasteful open carrying of firearms is appreciated.

All luncheon guests, present at the time of the drawing, will be eligible to participate in our door prize drawing of a Ruger LCP pistol.  Transfer of ownership to the winner will be through a federally licensed firearms dealer and the winner must comply with all Federal and State firearms laws regarding firearms ownership to be eligible to receive any firearm awarded by AzCDL.

May 21, 2010

Independence Day Rifle Match – Shooters Wanted!

You are invited to participate in the fifth annual AzCDL Independence Day Action Rifle Match.  Celebrate Independence Day in a way that would make the Founding Fathers proud! 

This year, the match is being hosted by the Pima Pistol Club in Catalina. 

The match is limited to 50 shooters.
There is still time to make a reservation if you act now.

Match information, location, rules and applications can be found here.
All questions should be directed to Russell Phagan.

Entry fee is $40 and includes a free AzCDL Basic Annual membership.
If you are already an AzCDL member, you membership will be renewed. 
All net proceeds will be donated to AzCDL. 

Spend the day like a true patriot exercising your rights, supporting a good cause, and having FUN!

Awards will be handed out and a Prize Raffle conducted following range clean up.

May 15, 2010

School gun safety course improvements signed by Governor.

On Tuesday, May 11, 2010, Governor Brewer signed HB 2725, an education omnibus bill, which contained technical changes improving the state’s high-school marksmanship law, The Arizona Gun Safety Program.

The changes make the classes easier to organize and deliver.  Any school district or charter school in the state is authorized to teach the elective one-credit class, which includes lessons in firearm safety, the constitutional roots of the Second Amendment, the role of firearms in preserving peace and freedom and the history and operation of firearms and marksmanship.  To pass the course students must get practice time at a shooting range, including use of clay targets, and safely discharge firearms.

Previously, instructors had to be certified by the Arizona Game and Fish Dept., or a national association of firearms owners, leading to some confusion and bottlenecks.  Under the new changes, "A person who is currently certified as a firearms safety instructor by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the National Rifle Association, a federal, state or local law enforcement agency, a branch of the United States military, a federal agency, the Reserve Officer Training Corps, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps or the Civilian Marksmanship Program is qualified to teach the Arizona Gun Safety Program course."

Other changes make it clear that real firearms must be used, preventing some efforts to substitute non-guns such as air rifles or laser toys in the course.  Non-guns may still be used as part of the training, but only use of real firearms qualifies for completing the course requirements.  The bill also clarifies that completion of the course earns one credit toward a high school diploma. The changes are found on pages 52 and 53 of HB 2725.

The effective date of HB 2725 is July 29, 2010.  Kudos to Alan Korwin for pushing for these improvements.

May 12, 2010

Firearms Registration Stopped!

On Tuesday, May 11, 2010, Governor Brewer signed HB 2629. 

HB 2629 is a great example of how a few activists can make a big difference.  It resulted from Mohave County being overly broad in interpreting the law requiring the storage of firearms when entering public (i.e., government) buildings.  It seems a lot of extra record keeping was in place, in effect registering gun owners and their firearms.  Fortunately the process was videotaped by concerned citizens and shared with AzCDL and the legislature.

A House bill (HB 2629) was reconstituted by a “strike everything” amendment to address the issue.  The new law prohibits a political subdivision from requiring or maintaining any permanent or temporary records related to the storage of firearms that contain descriptions (serial numbers, etc.) of firearms or their owners.

Included in HB 2629 is language that clarifies that “A person has no duty to retreat before threatening or using deadly physical force…if the person is in a place where the person may legally be and is not engaged in an unlawful act.”

The effective date of HB 2629 is July 29, 2010.

April 30, 2010

Sine Die!

It is official – The Legislature adjourned “Sine Die” on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 11:07 PM.  The general effective date for legislation passed during the session is 90 days after Sine Die, or July 29th per the Legislature.

There is still one more pro-rights bill that needs your help.  HB 2629 was sent to the Governor on April 29th.  HB 2629 prohibits a political subdivision from maintaining records related to the transfer or storage of firearms.  This legislation arose from reports of Mohave County being overly exuberant in recording information on people who are required to store their firearms in public buildings, in effect registering gun owners and their firearms.  A letter asking the Governor to sign HB 2629 has been prepared and waiting for you at AzCDL’s Action Center.

We don’t want HB 2629 to fall through the cracks.  Now that the Legislature has adjourned, Governor Brewer has 10 days to make her decision on HB 2629.  Please contact the Governor and urge her to sign HB 2629.

This has been an historic year for Arizona, starting with the restoration of Constitutional Carry.  Arizona also became the first state in the nation to enact a knife preemption law, as well as strengthening existing firearms preemption statutes.  Look for a summary of this year’s successes in our upcoming May newsletter.

While Sine Die means fewer AzCDL Alerts in your inbox for the rest of the year, it doesn’t mean we’re on vacation.  AzCDL is already working on next year’s bills.  In a few months, we’ll meet with potential sponsors and work on proposed language.  Meanwhile, we’ll continue to need your help at gun shows and other events to spread the word.  With over 3,000 members, we made legislative history this year.  Think what we could do with 5,000 (or 50,000!) members.
 
Next year’s legislative successes depend heavily on the outcome of the local August primary and November general elections.  In order to gain more ground and thwart attacks from anti-rights groups, we need to increase the number of Arizona legislators committed to Article 2, Section 2 of the Arizona Constitution, that "All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights."

AzCDL has an extra tool to help political candidates “see the light,” our Political Action Committee (PAC).  Our PAC is a force-multiplier for your individual donations.  No matter what the size of your donation, when combined with hundreds or thousands of others, it WILL make a big difference!  We urge you donate to AzCDL’s PAC.  What is more important, an extra box of plinking ammo, or the election of someone who will protect  your right to buy and use that ammo?  Please – Donate today!

You can donate online at  or by calling 928-685-4219.
AzCDL’s PAC is also on Facebook .

April 27, 2010

Pro-rights bills still progressing.

HB 2629 passed out of the Senate Third Read on April 27th by a 22-7 vote.  From here it will go back to the House for a concurrence vote before it can be sent to the Governor.  HB 2629 was reconstituted in the Senate Judiciary Committee by a “strike everything” amendment that prohibits a political subdivision from maintaining records related to the transfer or storage of firearms.  This amendment arose from reports of Mohave County being overly exuberant in recording information on people who are required to store their firearms in public buildings, in effect registering gun owners and their firearms. 

SB 1005, which exempts trap and skeet shooting clubs meeting certain requirements from property taxation, was signed by the Governor on April 26th.  This bill originated as HB 2526 which was defeated during the House Third Read on April 1st.  Senator Jay Tibshraeny resurrected the legislation with a “strike everything” amendment to SB 1005, which was progressing in the House.  The amended SB 1005 passed the House Third Read and eventually got to the Governor’s desk where it was signed.  The main beneficiary of this bill is the Tucson Trap and Skeet Club, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which is under consideration to host the 2012 Shotgun World Cup and to become the winter training center for the U.S. Olympic shotgun team.  In order to accomplish this, the club must make significant improvements to the range and purchase the adjoining property.  Once these improvements are made the club would face an increased tax burden that would likely have tripled the current property taxes they pay.  SB 1005 (formerly HB 2526) exempts the club from having to pay the higher tax burden.

SB 1153, the knife preemption bill, passed out of the Legislature and was sent to the Governor on April 23, 2010.  She has until April 30th to make a decision on the fate of SB 1153.  We are not anticipating any problems.

April 22, 2010

More pro-rights bills on the move.

There are still some good bills working their way through the legislative process that AzCDL is supporting.

HB 2629 passed out of the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) on April 21st and we are expecting it to be scheduled for a Third Read vote on Monday, April 26th.  When it passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 5th, HB 2629 was reconstituted by a “strike everything” amendment that prohibits a political subdivision from maintaining records related to the transfer or storage of firearms.  This amendment arose from reports of Mohave County being overly exuberant in recording information on people who are required to store their firearms in public buildings.  Assuming HB 2629 passes the Senate Third Read, it will need to go back to the House for a concurrence vote.

HCR 2008 passed out of the Senate Third Read today, April 22nd, by an 18-9 vote with 3 Senators not voting.   HCR 2008 will be sent back to the House, where it will be transmitted to the Secretary of State to be placed on the ballot.  If approved by the voters, it would add hunting and fishing as rights guaranteed under the Arizona Constitution.

SB 1153, the knife preemption bill, passed the Senate Final Read today, April 22nd, by a vote of 19-9 with 2 Senators not voting.  From here it will be sent to the Governor.

In other news, HB 2002 was signed by the Governor on April 19th.  While primarily a bill dealing with liquor licenses and “sampling,” it contains an AzCDL-requested provision that requires liquor licenses to be displayed “in a conspicuous public area of the licensed premises…”  This becomes important in identifying establishments serving alcohol that prohibit firearms, since a “no firearms” sign is required to be posted near the liquor license.  Under current law, the “no firearms” sign could be sitting next to the liquor license in an area not normally seen by the public and anyone entering with a firearm would be unaware that they are breaking the law.

April 21, 2010

Constitutional Carry - Time to show appreciation.

On April 16, 2010, Governor Brewer signed SB 1108, the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill, into law.  Arizona now becomes the third state to not require written permission from the government for law-abiding citizens to exercise their right to bear arms openly or discreetly.  Because Arizona is the first state in the U.S. with a large urban population to take this significant step, this is an historic moment for the entire country.

We thank the Governor for signing SB 1108 into law along with those legislators who supported SB 1108 and cast the votes necessary to get it to the Governor’s desk.

Below is a list of the Senators who voted for the passage of SB 1108 during the final Senate vote. 

Amanda Aguirre, Carolyn Allen, Sylvia Allen, Frank Antenori, David Braswell, Ed Bunch, Ron Gould, Chuck Gray, Lind Gray, Jack Harper, John Huppenthal, Barbara Leff, Al Melvin, John Nelson, Russell Pearce, Steve Pierce, Rebecca Rios, Jay Tibshraeny, Thayer Verschoor, Robert Burns.

The following is a list of the Representatives who voted for the passage of SB 1108 during the final House vote.

Cecil Ash, Ray Barnes, Nancy Barto, Andy Biggs, Jack Brown, Judy Burges, Steve Court, Rich Crandall, Adam Driggs, Doris Goodale, David Gowan, Laurin Hendrix, Russell Jones, John Kavanagh, Bill Konopnicki, Debbie Lesko, John McComish, Barbara McGuire, Nancy McLain, Ben Miranda, Steve Montenegro, Rick Murphy, Warde Nichols, Lynne Pancrazi, Doug Quelland, Michele Reagan, Amanda Reeve, Carl Seel, David Stevens, Andrew Tobin, Ted Vogt, Jim Weiers, Jerry Weiers, Vic Williams, Steven Yarbrough, Kirk Adams.

We at AzCDL would like to recognize some of the many people who made the passage of the historic legislation possible.

In the legislature, none of our efforts would have been possible without the cooperation and assistance of the President of the Senate, Senator Bob Burns, and the Speaker of the House, Representative Kirk Adams.  Of course, the same can also be said of former Senator Jon Paton, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Representative Jerry Weiers, Chairman of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee, and Representative Adam Driggs, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.  These dedicated folks made it possible for this legislation to progress, and we owe them all a debt of gratitude.

We must not forget our sponsors, Senator Russell Pearce in the Senate and Representative Frank Antenori (now Senator Antenori) in the House. Without their commitment, there would have been no bill to fight for.  They deserve a special “Thank You”.

Special mention must also go to Representative David Gowan, who took over the handling of the House version of the bill (HB 2347) for Frank Antenori when he was appointed to the Senate to replace Jon Paton, to Representative Carl Seel, who was incredibly helpful to us in rallying votes on the House floor during the Third Read, and to Representative Barbara McGuire, who was the first Democrat Representative to take the plunge and commit to voting for SB 1108, though thankfully not the last.

Last but certainly least on the legislative front, we must thank the many staffers that helped this effort along, from committee analysts to bill drafters to legal counsel to policy analysts.  It takes a lot of people and a lot of work to get a bill done, and they all deserve a big hand.

Those of us who handle the details understand that getting this done was very much a team effort, and we would like to thank the membership, staff and leadership of the National Rifle Association and the Arizona State Rifle & Pistol Association for the effort they put into this. Special thanks go to Matt Dogali, NRA’s Arizona State Legislative Liaison, and Todd Rathner, one of NRA’s Arizona Board Members, for the endless hours they devoted to getting this done.

We’d also like to thank the many other people, organizations, Internet boards and lists, blogs, etc. that helped us promote this legislation and keep people informed of its progress.  A partial list includes Alan Korwin of Gunlaws.com, Dustin Deppe of Dustin’s Gun Blog, the Second Amendment Sisters, ArizonaCarry.org, ArizonaShooting.com, AR15.com, AZWeaponSite.com, GlockTalk.com, OpenCarry.org, and Charles Heller at Liberty Watch Radio.  We apologize in advance if we didn’t include anyone that we should have.

Most of all, we’d like to thank YOU, our members, for keeping the pressure on. Your thousands of emails, phone calls, comments on the Request to Speak system, and even personal visits to your legislators, were very convincing.  Those of us who lobby at the Capitol daily on your behalf are only part of the equation.  You are the most important part.  We are effective because you are standing behind us, so for that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

YOU made this historic restoration of our rights possible, so give yourselves a big round of applause.  You deserve it.

April 16, 2010

Governor signs Constitutional Carry!

YOU did it!  Today, April 16, 2010, Governor Brewer signed SB 1108, the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill, into law.  Arizona now becomes the third state to not require written permission from the government for law-abiding citizens to exercise their right to bear arms discreetly.  Because Arizona is the first state in the U.S. with a large urban population to take this significant step, this is a watershed moment for the entire country.

AzCDL has been working towards this moment since we formed 5 years ago.  Constitutional Carry has always been one of our primary goals.  Every success over the last 5 years has been pursued with today’s historic occasion in mind.  However, having a goal is meaningless without the support and activism of over 3,000 committed members.  The citizens of Arizona, along with the citizens of other states that follow in our footsteps, owe YOU, the members of AzCDL, a debt of gratitude.

If you don’t have a permit, don’t start carrying concealed just yet.  The law won’t become effective until 90 days after “Sine Die” when the Legislature officially adjourns.  Since they are still working through a slew of bills, we don’t expect Sine Die anytime soon.  In past years, the effective date of bills has been around September.

CCW permits still have a purpose.  You’ll need one to streamline gun purchases, to carry in states that honor Arizona permits and for carrying concealed in establishments that serve alcohol.  And, the training you receive to obtain a permit is an added bonus.  Along with restoring your right to bear arms, SB 1108 added additional training opportunities for obtaining a permit.  NRA classes and training from places like Front Sight and Gunsite will be able to qualify as permit training.

If you decide not to obtain a CCW permit, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t train.  The heaviest thing about wearing a firearm is the responsibility that comes with it.  Take that money that you save on permit and renewal fees and spend it on quality training as often as you can.  Lead by example – the world is watching.

For the record, AzCDL contacted the other major candidates for Governor, Terry Goddard, Dean Martin, Buzz Mills, and John Munger, about whether they would have signed SB 1108.  At this point Dean Martin, Buz Mills, and John Munger have responded that they support the bill and would have signed it.  We are still waiting to hear from Terry Goddard.

April 12, 2010

Constitutional Carry on Governor’s Desk.

SB 1108, the Constitutional Carry bill, was transmitted to Governor Brewer today, April 12, 2010.  SB 1108 eliminates the prohibition and penalties for law-abiding adults who carry a concealed weapon without a permit.

The Governor has 5 days (not counting Sunday) to make a determination on the fate of any bill sent to her desk.  That means she must decide the fate of SB 1108 by Saturday, April 17 at Midnight.  She can sign it, let it pass without her signature, or veto it.  Any bill she does not veto will become law 90 days after "Sine Die," the official adjournment of the Legislature.

April 8, 2010

Constitutional Carry passes in the House!

SB 1108, the Constitutional Carry bill, passed the House Third Read on April 8th by a vote of 36-19 with 5 Representatives not voting. This was the final vote for this bill in the Legislature. We made history today, and none of this would have been possible without YOUR involvement.

SB 1108 eliminates the prohibition and penalties for law-abiding adults who carry a concealed weapon without a permit. The bill has been sent back to the Senate and from there will be transmitted to the Governor for her consideration.

April 7, 2010

Final Constitutional Carry vote is tomorrow, April 8th.

The latest word from the Capitol is that, even though it is not yet on the legislature's web site, the Constitutional Carry bill will receive its final House vote on April 8th.

SB 1108 is the Senate version of the Constitutional Carry bill. Since the House has already voted for an identical bill, HB 2347, during their Committee of the Whole (COW) debate, we are expecting SB 1108 to be substituted for HB 2347 during the House Third Read. This will be "the" final vote on Constitutional Carry to determine if it will be sent to the Governor!

April 5, 2010

Governor signs Preemption and Firearms Freedom!

Two ground-breaking bills were signed by the Governor on Monday, April 5, 2010.
 
The first was HB 2543, Firearms Preemption.  HB 2543 strengthens state firearms preemption laws, adds firearms storage and accessories to the list of things political subdivisions cannot regulate, and removes the prohibition on carrying a firearm in public parks without a concealed weapons (CCW) permit.
 
The second was HB 2307, the Firearms Freedom Act.  HB 2307 exempts from federal law or regulation firearms manufactured and sold in Arizona as long as they remain in Arizona.  This bill sets the stage for some interesting court action.  HB 2307 is the latest in a multi-state challenge to federal authority to regulate firearms.  Arizona just became the sixth state to pass a Firearms Freedom Act.  About 20 other states have introduced similar legislation.

Bills signed by the Governor become effective 90 days after “Sine Die,” when the Legislature officially adjourns.  In past years, the effective date of new laws has been in September.

We have more good news!  On April 5th the Senate Judiciary passed HB 2629 out of committee with a “strike everything” amendment that prohibits a political subdivision from maintaining records related to the transfer or storage of firearms.  This amendment arose from reports of Mohave County being overly exuberant in recording information on people who are required to store their firearms in public buildings. 

We are still waiting for the House to schedule a final vote on SB 1108, the Senate version of the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry legislation.

In other news, HCR 2008 passed out of the Senate Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Public Debt (NRIPD) Committee on April 5th by a 5-1 vote with one member not voting.  HCR 2008, if passed and approved by the voters, would add hunting and fishing as rights guaranteed under the Arizona Constitution.

Today (April 5th), the NRA  sent out a call for help on HB 2526, which exempts trap and skeet shooting clubs, meeting certain requirements, from property taxation.  The Tucson Trap and Skeet Club, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is under consideration to host the 2012 Shotgun World Cup and to become the winter training center for the U.S. Olympic shotgun team.  In order to accomplish this, the club must make some significant improvements to the range and purchase the adjoining property.  Once these improvements are made the club will have an increased tax burden that will likely triple the current property taxes they pay.  HB 2526 will exempt the club from having to pay the higher tax burden.

April 4, 2010

Second Amendment Rally at the Arizona Capitol April 19.

April 19, 2010 is the date of the nationwide “Second Amendment March.”   The main event is in Washington, DC, but simultaneous rallies are being held at State Capitols nationwide. 

The Phoenix Rally will be held in front of the State Capitol between Noon and 2 PM.  This is a pure grassroots event, no speechifying, no sound stage, just brown bag lunches on the lawn.

This is a great time to let your legislators see the activists (you!) who have generated over 25,000 emails urging the passage of bills like Constitutional Carry, Firearms Preemption, and the Firearms Freedom Act.

And, since it is Arizona, you have a RIGHT to responsibly bear arms openly during the rally.

For more information, please check out Alan Korwin’s article on the rally.

April 3, 2010

Legislative update.

This has been an exciting week!  Two ground-breaking bills were sent to the Governor and an historic bill is waiting for one final vote in the Legislature.  None of this would have been possible without YOUR involvement.

HB 2543, the Firearms Preemption bill, was sent to the Governor on March 31st.   HB 2543 strengthens state firearms preemption laws, adds firearms storage and accessories to the list of things political subdivisions cannot regulate, and removes the prohibition on carrying a firearm in public parks without a concealed weapons (CCW) permit.

HB 2307, the Firearms Freedom Act, was sent to the Governor on March 30th.

The Governor has 5 days (not counting Sunday) to make a determination on the fate of any bill sent to her desk.  She can sign it, let it pass without her signature, or veto it.  The deadline for HB 2543 is April 6th.  The deadline for HB 2307 is April 5th.

We are still waiting for a final House vote on SB 1108, the Senate version of the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry legislation.  We expected a vote earlier this week, but it was postponed while the House dealt with other matters.  We are now expecting a vote early next week. 

March 30, 2010

Constitutional Carry delayed – Preemption passes.

SB 1108, the Senate version of the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill, was scheduled for a vote in the House Third Read today, but because a Special Session had been called by the Governor, they didn’t have the time to work through all the bills.  SB 1108 will be rescheduled, hopefully for tomorrow’s Third Read.

Now for some really good news!  HB 2543, the Firearms Preemption bill, passed the Senate Third Read today by a vote of 20-9 with one Senator not voting.  This was the final vote for this bill in the Legislature.  None of this would have been possible without YOUR involvement.  HB 2543 strengthens state firearms preemption laws, adds firearms storage and accessories to the list of things political subdivisions cannot regulate, and removes the prohibition on carrying a firearm in public parks without a concealed weapons (CCW) permit.  HB 2543 has been sent back to the House and from there will be forwarded to the Governor for her consideration.

Here’s some more good news!  HB 2307, the Firearms Freedom Act, which passed out of the Senate Third Read on March 29th by a 22-8 vote, was sent to the Governor today.

March 29, 2010

Constitutional Carry - House vote soon!

First, the good news!  SB 1108, the Senate version of the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill, passed in the Senate Third Read, by a 20-10 vote, on Monday, March 29, 2010.

From here, SB 1108 will be sent over to the House.  Since the House has already voted for an identical bill, HB 2347, during their Committee of the Whole (COW) debate, we are expecting SB 1108 to be substituted for HB 2347 during the House Third Read.  We are also expecting the House Third Read vote to be as early as Tuesday, March 30, 2010.  This will be “the” final vote on Constitutional Carry to determine if it will be sent to the Governor! 

SB 1168, the Firearms Preemption bill, was also scheduled for a Senate Third Read vote on March 29th.  However it was held pending a House vote on HB 2543, the House version of Firearms Preemption.  During the House Third Read, also on March 29th, HB 2543 passed by a 36-21 vote with 3 Representatives not voting.  It will soon be sent to the Senate and substituted for SB 1168 in an upcoming Senate Third Read.  Like the situation with Constitutional Carry, this should be the final vote before sending the bill to the Governor.

Finally, HB 2307, the Firearms Freedom Act, also passed out of the Senate Third Read on March 29th by a 22-8 vote.  From here it will go back to the House (a formality) before being sent to the Governor.

March 27, 2010

Constitutional Carry Senate vote scheduled for March 29, 2010.

Three important pro-rights bills have been scheduled for the Senate Third Read vote on Monday, March 29, 2010.  These will be recorded votes that determine the fate of each bill.

The first of these is SB 1108, the Senate version of the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill which eliminates the prohibition and penalties for law-abiding adults who carry a concealed weapon without a permit.  After passing Third Read, SB 1108 will be sent over to the House.  The House is expected to substitute SB 1108 for HB 2347 during the House Third Read.  If SB 1108 passes the House Third Read, it will head to the Governor via the Senate.

The second bill is SB 1168, the Firearms Preemption bill that strengthens state firearms preemption laws, adds firearms storage and accessories to the list of things political subdivisions cannot regulate, and removes the prohibition on carrying a firearm in public parks without a concealed weapons (CCW) permit.  It too has a clone in the House, HB 2543, that is awaiting a House Third Read vote.

Finally, HB 2307, the Firearms Freedom Act, that reinforces States' Rights under the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, will be voted on in the Senate Third Read on Monday.

March 25, 2010

Constitutional Carry passes House COW!

Again, YOUR emails had a tremendous effect.  HB 2347, the AzCDL-requested bill which eliminates the prohibition and penalties for law-abiding adults who carry a concealed weapon without a permit, passed out of the House Committee of the Whole (COW) on March 25, 2010.  In the process it was amended to be identical to SB 1108 which passed out of the Senate COW on March 23rd.  Both bills must pass a Third Read vote in their respective chambers before one of them can be sent to the Governor. 

We are anticipating SB 1108 to be on the Senate Third Read calendar early next week.

Unfortunately, the successful passage of HB 2347 was hampered during the House COW today by an email campaign to legislators, from a vocal group of individuals upset about amendment language clarifying police interactions.  Because we believe misinformation is being disseminated, we will address their issues here.

1.  “Failing to accurately answer” a law enforcement officer who asks if you are carrying a concealed weapon would become a Class 1 misdemeanor under the weapons misconduct statute, reflecting what is already law under the “false reporting” statutes.  The law enforcement community preferred language, similar to Alaska which also has Constitutional Carry, requiring that anyone carrying concealed must initiate a contact with any and every law enforcement officer they encounter, and notify them that they are carrying a concealed weapon.  That alternative was unacceptable.
 
2.  Language would be added, that exists in other statutes and is supported by U.S. Supreme Court decisions (Terry v Ohio), that a law enforcement officer may temporarily take custody of your firearm during a “contact.”  However, in this statute, the definition of “contact” would be clarified to mean “a lawful traffic or criminal investigation, arrest or detention or an investigatory stop by a law enforcement officer that is based on reasonable suspicion that an offense has been or is about to be committed."  Law enforcement has not been given any new authority that they don’t already have. 

Assuring legislation will be supported and passed into law means we need to focus on the most important issues in every bill.  When the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry language was introduced this session, the two bills contained a cornucopia of heretofore unthinkable proposed changes.  In the end, we have retained the language that specifically removes the prohibition and penalties for law-abiding adults to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.   Clarifications were added, removing the opposition from law enforcement and other stakeholders, that improve the chances of Arizona making an historic change to our right to bear arms that will become a beacon for other states to follow.  It comes down to supporting what is most important at this point in time.  We believe supporting the current language in HB 2347 and SB 1108 is the only way to achieve this change.

In other news, and thanks to your efforts, HB 2543 also passed out of the House COW on March 25th. This bill would strengthen state firearms preemption laws, add firearms storage and accessories to the list of things political subdivisions cannot regulate, and remove the prohibition on carrying a firearm in public parks without a CCW permit.

March 24, 2010

Constitutional Carry in House debate March 25, 2010.

HB 2347 and HB 2543 are back in action and scheduled for House Committee of the Whole (COW) debates on Thursday, March 25, 2010.

HB 2347 is the AzCDL-requested bill which eliminates the prohibition and penalties for law-abiding adults who carry a concealed weapon without a permit.   We anticipate that it will be amended in the COW to duplicate the language in SB 1108, which passed out of the Senate COW on March 23rd.

HB 2543 strengthens state firearms preemption laws, adds firearms storage and accessories to the list of things political subdivisions cannot regulate, and removes the prohibition on carrying a firearm in public parks without a CCW permit.

In other news, SB 1108 passed out of the Senate COW on March 23rd, and we’re expecting it to be scheduled for a Third Read vote in the Senate next week.

HCR 2008 passed out of the House Third Read on March 24th by a 37-18 vote with 5 members not voting, and was sent to the Senate.  HCR 2008, upon approval by the voters, would declare hunting, fishing and the harvesting of wildlife to be a constitutional right of Arizona citizens.

March 22, 2010

Constitutional Carry – Senate debate March 23rd.

We are expecting SB 1108,  the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill, which eliminates the prohibition and penalties for law-abiding adults who carry a concealed weapon without a permit,  to be placed on the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) agenda for March 23rd.

March 19, 2010

Constitutional Carry – We’re close!

On March 18th both Constitutional Carry bills (SB 1108 & HB 2347) were scheduled for debate in their respective chamber’s Committee of the Whole (COW) and both were pulled from the calendar to be rescheduled, most likely next week.  This was done for a very good reason.  The day before  the Governor’s staff requested some minor changes that they felt would improve the chance of Constitutional Carry becoming law.  As a result, both bills were pulled until amendments could be drafted.  The changes requested by the Governor’s staff have no effect on the language restoring the right of law-abiding adults to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. 

If all goes well, we are expecting SB 1108 to be debated in the Senate COW early next week.  Assuming SB 1108 survives the Senate COW and Third Read, it will be transmitted to the House.

Meanwhile, HB 2347 will be amended during the House COW to mirror the language in SB 1108.  After the House COW and Third Read, one of the bills will be transmitted to the Governor. 

In other news, HB 2543, the Firearms Preemption bill, was not debated in the House COW as scheduled for March 18th.  The House had an ambitious agenda and ran out time.  HB 2543 will be rescheduled, probably for the coming week. 

March 17, 2010

Constitutional Carry in House COW for March 18th.

HB 2347 and HB 2543 are scheduled for House Committee of the Whole (COW) debates on Thursday, March 18, 2010.

HB 2347 is the House version of the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill

HB 2543 strengthens state firearms preemption laws, adds firearms storage and accessories to the list of things political subdivisions cannot regulate, and removes the prohibition on carrying a firearm in public parks without a CCW permit.

In other news, two pro-rights bills passed out of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety (MAPS) Committee on March 17, 2010, SB 1014 and SB 1172.

SB 1014, which replaces SB 1011 via a “strike-everything” amendment and allows college/university faculty members with CCW permits to possess a concealed firearm, passed out of committee by a 5-2 vote with one member absent.

SB 1172, which makes improvements to the Arizona Gun Safety Program and expands the categories of qualified instructors, passed out of committee by a 6-0 vote with one member absent and one member voting “present.”

March 16, 2010

Constitutional Carry in Senate COW (again!).

We are expecting SB 1108, the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill, which eliminates the prohibition and penalties for law-abiding adults who carry a concealed weapon without a permit, to be placed on the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) agenda in the next few days.

SB 1108 replaces SB 1102 which was stopped in the Senate COW by the attachment of the misrepresented and dangerous “Cheuvront” amendment.  The good news is that we are certain (thanks to your emails on SB 1102) we can defeat a similar attempt to derail SB 1108 and we know that the Constitutional Carry language in SB 1108 was approved in the Senate COW debate on SB 1102.

March 11, 2010

Constitutional Carry moving in the House – get ready!

HB 2347, the House version of the AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill, passed out of the House Rules committee on March 8th.  Its next stop is the House Committee of the Whole (COW) for debate and voice vote.  Unfortunately, bills are added to COW calendars with very little advanced warning, so keep your keyboards ready for an “11th hour” email offensive.

SB 1108, the Senate version of Constitutional Carry, passed out of the Senate Appropriation Committee on March 8th by a 7-1 vote and is awaiting a review in the Senate Rules Committee before it progresses to the Senate COW.

We are picking up disinformation that is being spread about the Constitutional Carry bills, so let’s review their features.  Article 2, Section 26 of the Arizona Constitution says that your preexisting right to bear arms “shall not be impaired.”  The Constitutional Carry bills restore that right by eliminating the prohibition and penalties currently in place for law-abiding adults who carry a concealed weapon without a CCW permit. 

The Constitutional Carry bills also eliminate the confusion in interpreting the statutes regarding open carry and vehicle carry that have been clouded since 1994 by Appellate court decisions.  For all practical purposes the only current way to be sure you are legally carrying openly, or in your vehicle, is to have a CCW permit. 

The CCW permit becomes optional – it is not eliminated.  Training requirements would be broadened to facilitate obtaining the optional permit.  The expanded training opportunities include allowing the use of NRA training, proof of military service, college level courses and training from an approved firearms training school (e.g., Gunsite, Front Sight).  Since these are similar to requirements in use by Florida and a number of other states, reciprocity should be unaffected. 

A CCW permit will still be required to carry concealed into establishments that serve alcohol and to bypass the NICS check when purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer.  Additionally, language has been added in HB 2347 & SB 1108 that exempts CCW permit holders from the requirement to be unarmed when entering a “nonsecure state and local government building.  A nonsecure building is one that doesn’t have the means to tightly control access by the general public.

The majority of rank and file law enforcement organizations are not opposing the Constitutional Carry bills.  Opposition remains from organizations representing the chiefs of police and some county attorneys, primarily political positions.

There are many still working to defeat Constitutional Carry in the legislature.  AzCDL is constantly working at the Capitol to count the supporters and influence the fence-sitters.  Constitutional Carry has a good chance of becoming law this year, but our success will be totally dependent on YOUR involvement.  When legislators hear from you, they get the message.  Get ready!

March 5, 2010

Constitutional Carry hearing rescheduled.

Constitutional Carry was on the Senate Appropriations Committee agenda for a rare Friday, March 5th, meeting.  Normally this committee does not convene on Friday.  Senators who had to travel long distances from their home districts were unable to attend and a quorum would not have been attained.  As a result, the Senate Appropriations Committee has been rescheduled for Monday, March 8th after the “floor” session has adjourned, around 2 PM. 

The sponsor of SB 1108, Appropriations Committee Chairman Senator Russell Pearce, has proposed a "strike everything" amendment that replaces SB 1108, in its entirety, with the intended language from SB 1102 (Constitutional Carry).  SB 1102, which was headed for a Senate floor vote, was derailed after the attachment of the hostile Cheuvront amendment during the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW).

In other news, SB 1168, the Senate version of the firearms preemption bill, passed out of the Senate COW on Thursday, March 4, 2010.  As expected an attempt was made to add a hostile amendment using the same shenanigans that scuttled SB 1102.  This time the votes weren’t there.  The hundreds of emails that YOU sent last week had an effect!

With some legislators vacating their seats to run for other elected positions, there have been some committee reassignments and temporary appointments.  We mentioned a few days ago that Representative Frank Antenori, who sponsored the House version of Constitutional Carry (HB 2347), has been appointed to replace Senator Jonathan Paton, who vacated his seat to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.

We recently learned that Senator David Braswell has replaced Senator Steve Pierce in the Senate Appropriations Committee that is hearing Constitutional Carry on Monday.  Senator Chuck Gray has been appointed Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Senator Ed Bunch has been appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

March 3, 2010

Firearms preemption debate March 4, 2010.

We are expecting SB 1168 to be scheduled on the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW) agenda for Thursday, March 4, 2010.  SB 1168 strengthens state firearms preemption laws, adds firearms storage and accessories to the list of things political subdivisions cannot regulate, and removes the prohibition on carrying a firearm in public parks without a CCW permit. 

March 2, 2010

Constitutional Carry rescued in Senate.

On Friday, March 5th at 10 AM, the Senate Appropriations Committee will debate and vote on SB 1108.  The sponsor of SB 1108, Committee Chairman Senator Russell Pearce, has proposed a "strike everything" amendment that replaces SB 1108, in its entirety, with the intended language from SB 1102 (Constitutional Carry).

SB 1102, which was headed for a Senate floor vote, was derailed last week after the attachment of the Cheuvront amendment during the Senate Committee of the Whole (COW), creating a Class 4 Felony for private sellers of firearms who fail to verify a buyer's citizenship when the sale is conducted at a gun show:

We have more good news.  Representative Frank Antenori, who sponsored the House version of Constitutional Carry (HB 2347), has been appointed to replace Senator Jonathan Paton who vacated his seat to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.  Senator Antenori is expected to be present when SB 1108 moves to the Senate floor for debate and vote.

Meanwhile, Senator Antenori’s House version of Constitutional Carry, HB 2347, passed out of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety (MAPS) Committee on February 3, 2010 and is awaiting a review by the House Rules Committee before heading to a floor debate in the House COW.

February 25, 2010

Constitutional Carry rides again!

SB 1102, the Senate version of Constitutional Carry may have been stalled by a few Senate Republicans “crossing the aisle” to vote with Democrats to add the Cheuvront amendment, but that doesn’t mean it’s “game over” for Constitutional Carry in Arizona.  We are working with Senator Russell Pearce, the bill’s sponsor, to find a way to move the Senate bill forward in its proper form.

Even though the situation in the Senate remains tenuous, all is still not lost.  AzCDL plans ahead!  At the beginning of this session, identical versions of Constitutional Carry were introduced in both the House and Senate.  The House version, HB 2347, was assigned to both the Judiciary and Military Affairs and Public Safety (MAPS) committees.  HB 2347 passed out of the MAPS Committee on February 3, 2010, by a 5-2 vote.  Though it didn’t seem to be moving in the House Judiciary Committee, Chairman Adam Driggs assured us that he supported the bill, and was only waiting to see that the concerns of stake holders had been addressed via negotiated amendments.  On Tuesday, February 23rd, true to his word, Representative Driggs withdrew HB 2347 from the Judiciary Committee.  It will now be scheduled for a review by the House Rules Committee before heading to a floor debate in the Committee of the Whole.

Amendments were made to the bills mainly to address law enforcement’s concerns, but the underlying restoration of the right to carry concealed without a permit remains unchanged.  As a result, most rank and file law enforcement organizations have dropped their opposition to the Constitutional Carry bills.  The highlights of the current version of these bills include:

• Eliminating the prohibition and penalties for law-abiding adults who carry a concealed weapon without a permit in Arizona except in places, like restaurants serving alcohol, where the law requires a CCW permit.

• Increasing the penalties for criminals who carry a concealed weapon in the commission or attempted commission of a serious, violent, or major felony crime.

• Requiring a person carrying a concealed weapon to notify a Law Enforcement Officer, upon their request, that the person possesses a concealed weapon.

• Adding more training options for obtaining a CCW permit.

• Eliminating the storage requirement for CCW permit holders who enter a “non-secure” public building.

• Allowing LEOSA certified retired Law Enforcement Officers to carry on school grounds.

• Requiring confiscated firearms to be sold to an appropriate retailer rather than destroyed.

In other news, also on February 23rd, Representative Driggs released HB 2543, the House version of the firearms preemption bill, from his committee.  HB 2543 passed out of the House MAPS Committee on February 17th by a vote of 7-1 with a recommendation for passage by the full House.

SB 1168, the Senate version of the firearms preemption bill, passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 22nd by a vote of 4-3 with a recommendation for passage by the full Senate.

Both firearms preemption bills will be reviewed in their respective Rules Committees before proceeding to Committee of the Whole (COW) debates.

SB 1153, the knife preemption bill, passed in the Senate Third Read on February 22, 2010 by a vote of 20-9 with one member not voting.  It has been transmitted to the House.

On February 24, 2010, HCR 2008, which would, subject to voter approval, establish a Constitutional right to hunt and fish, passed out of the House MAPS Committee by a vote of 6-1 with one member voting present.

February 22, 2010

The Cheuvront amendment.

By now many of you have begun receiving responses from Senators Pierce and Tibshraeny about their votes to support the Cheuvront amendment, making it a class 4 felony to not check citizenship during a private firearm sale. We want to compliment the Senators for taking the time to respond to the over 500 emails they received over the weekend.  However, AzCDL will continue to oppose the Cheuvront floor amendment to SB 1102. 

Think about this for a minute.  For years there has been a constant drumbeat, mainly from Democrat legislators, to oppose all attempts to allow state and local law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration laws, and civilian border watchers are demonized for reporting illegal border crossings.  Now those same legislators, who want to hamstring local law enforcement, are eager to transform everyday citizens into de facto immigration agents when they privately sell a firearm.  Does that make sense to you?  Could there be another motive, like ending the private sales of firearms?

Regulation of gun shows has been a Brady Center priority for years.  Ultimately, what the Brady Bunch wants is the total elimination of gun shows, but requiring any regulation of private sales is an acceptable first step.

The text of the Cheuvront amendment creates a new “misconduct involving weapons” violation for “selling or transferring a firearm at a firearm show without requiring the purchaser or transferee to provide proof of citizenship” and defines both “firearm show” and “proof of citizenship”.  A violation of this paperwork error would be a Class 4 felony crime, just like child abusers, drug dealers, kidnappers and arsonists.

Note that we aren’t just talking about purchases here.  A “transfer” is just letting another person take possession of a firearm.  Is that foreign looking guy about to pick up a gun on your table to look over?  Handing your pistol to your buddy at the show so he can check it out?  Better check for ID first, or you’re a felon.

“Firearm show” is defined as “an event that is sponsored, whether for profit or not, by an individual, national, state or local organization, association or other entity devoted to the collection, competitive use, sporting use or any other legal use of firearms and either of the following applies: (a) ten or more firearm exhibitors are participating. (b) a total of twenty-five or more pistols or revolvers are offered for sale or transfer.”

“Proof of citizenship means any of the following: (a) an Arizona driver license or nonoperating identification license issued after October 1, 1996. (b) a legible photocopy of a birth certificate that verifies citizenship and supporting legal documentation, including a marriage certificate, if the name on the birth certificate is not the same as the person's legal name. (c) a legible photocopy of pertinent pages of a United States passport identifying the person. (d) United States naturalization documents. (e) the person's Bureau of Indian Affairs card number or tribal treaty card number. (f) a legible photocopy of a driver license or nonoperating identification license from another state within the United States if the license indicates that the person has provided satisfactory proof of citizenship. (g) a legible photocopy of a tribal certificate of Indian blood or tribal or Bureau of Indian Affairs affidavit of birth."

Let’s think about a few of these details for a moment.  We are not only talking about the traditional “gun show,” where we take the family to the fairgrounds and look at the wares on display from the vendors most are licensed dealers required by federal law to perform background checks.  No, if an “individual” decides to sell “twenty-five or more pistols” that her late husband collected over the course of a lifetime, she’d better be ready to check the citizenship status of everyone who comes looking to buy one, or it’s off to jail she goes, along with the drug dealers and child beaters.

How about that proof of citizenship?  Arizona issues driver licenses to legal resident aliens.  So how does it qualify as proof of citizenship?  How are you to know the difference?  Isn’t profiling a bad thing?  Then why are these legislators encouraging it?  How about those other proofs?  I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the foggiest clue what most of those documents actually look like.  Someone could print one up in his basement that morning, and I would be none the wiser.  Is the same government that would make me a felon for not checking for these documents going to bear some responsibility for educating me as to what I’m supposed to be checking for?

While the Senators are correct in stating that Arizona businesses must check the citizenship status of all employees, there are a few details they neglect to mention.  One is that employers have access to a federal database to do such checks.  Another is that if businesses are discovered to have hired an illegal alien, they are subject to the loss of their business license.  There are no criminal penalties involved.  They certainly aren’t risking seven years in prison and a felony record.

Despite all the folderol about stopping the flow of guns across the border, the reality is that making felons out of people who are conducting a perfectly legitimate activity (i.e. the private sale of firearms), one that has taken place in this country for hundreds of years without any of this nonsense surrounding it, will do absolutely nothing to solve the crime problem, either in Mexico or in Arizona.

It sure does go a long way towards killing a good bill (SB 1102) that would restore the right of the people of Arizona to keep and bear arms any way they choose, just as the Founders intended.  Almost makes you wonder if that was the plan all along, doesn’t it?

That’s why this is very much a rights issue, not an immigration issue.  If it was an immigration issue, there are plenty of immigration bills out there that they can attach this nightmare to.

Now, for some good news! 

SB 1153, the knife preemption bill, passed in the Senate Third Read today (February 22, 2010) by a vote of 20-9 with one member not voting.  It has been transmitted to the House.

SB 1168, the firearms preemption bill, passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee today by a vote of 4-3 with a recommendation for passage by the full Senate.

In related news, SB 2543, the House version of the firearms preemption bill, passed out of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety (MAPS) Committee on February 17, 2010, by a vote of 7-1 with a recommendation for passage by the full House.

Both firearms preemption bills will be reviewed in their respective Rules Committees before proceeding to Committee of the Whole (COW) debates.

February 18, 2010

Constitutional Carry sabotaged in Senate.

Earlier this afternoon (February 18, 2010), the Senate debated SB 1102 in the Committee of the Whole (COW).  The COW debate is the last chance for a bill to get amended before a formal (Third Read) floor vote by the full Senate.  During the COW debate, Democrat Senator Ken Cheuvront submitted a hostile amendment, right out of the Brady Center play book, which would make it a class 4 felony to not verify citizenship on any private sale conducted at a gun show.  This is the same amendment that was defeated during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on SB 1102.

Initially, Senator Cheuvront’s amendment was defeated by voice vote during the debate on SB 1102.  However, parliamentary procedures allowed him to reintroduce his amendment during the process of “closing” the COW calendar containing SB 1102 and a number of other bills.  At that point, Senator Cheuvront asked for a recorded vote.  As expected, all 12 Democrats in the Senate voted for the Cheuvront amendment.  Of the 18 Republicans, Senator Jonathan Paton was not present for the vote, and three Republicans “crossed the aisle” to limit your freedoms, voting to PASS the Cheuvront amendment by a 15-14 vote.

This is NOT the end of our attempt to get Constitutional Carry passed this session.  There are several opportunities that we can take advantage of.  However, at this point SB 1102 will not be calendared for a Senate Third Read (final vote before being sent to the House) until we have determined the optimum strategy. 

Bottom-line:  We will not sacrifice your right to privately sell firearms in order to achieve Constitutional Carry!

February 17, 2010

Constitutional Carry to be heard in Senate COW.

Your immediate action is needed to support SB 1102, the AzCDL-requested Senate version of Constitutional Carry that eliminates the prohibition and penalties for law-abiding adults who carry a concealed weapon without a permit.

A short while ago, the Senate placed SB 1102 on their Committee of the Whole (COW) agenda for Thursday, February 18, 2010.  It is critical that you immediately contact your Senator and urge them to support SB 1102 during the COW debate.

Also in the Senate COW on Thursday is SB 1153, which establishes that state law preempts local rules and ordinances concerning the regulation of knives and knife making components. 

February 15, 2010

Senate bills move & Constitutional Carry on track in House.

First, thanks to YOUR action, two bills sailed through the Senate Third Read on Monday, February 15, 2010.

SB 1021, which incorporates defensive display language into the statutes for the justification of deadly force, passed by a 21-9 vote.

SB 1172, which makes improvements to the Arizona Gun Safety Program and expands the categories of qualified instructors, passed by a unanimous 30-0 vote.

These bills will now cross over to the House of Representatives.

If you haven’t already done so, there is still time to contact Senate and House committee members urging them to support SB 1168 and HB 2543.  Both bills strengthen state firearms preemption laws, add firearms storage and accessories to the list of things political subdivisions cannot regulate, and remove the prohibition on carrying a firearm in public parks without a CCW permit.

SB 1168 was scheduled to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee at 1:30 PM on Monday, February 15, 2010, however proceedings on other bills ran long and SB 1168 has been rescheduled for the February 22nd hearing.

HB 2543 will be heard in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, February 17, 2010.

Over in the House, AzCDL representatives met with Representative Adam Driggs on the progress of HB 2347 (Constitutional Carry) on Monday, February 15, 2010.  HB 2347 passed out of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety (MAPS) by a 5-2 vote on February 3, 2010.  House Speaker Kirk Adams had also assigned the bill to the House Judiciary Committee, which Rep. Driggs chairs.  Up until this point, HB 2347 has not been withdrawn from the committee or scheduled for a hearing.

Rep. Driggs has assured us that he is in favor of the bill and is not impeding its progress. However, because the language of the bill has been revised due to the concerns of numerous stake holders and an amendment is pending, he would prefer to see the final version of the proposed bill before releasing it from his committee.  Rep. Driggs has agreed to withdraw HB 2347 as soon as the amendment language is finished. At that point, the bill will move out of the House Judiciary Committee and proceed through the rest of the legislative process.

February 13, 2010

Senate Bills & House Controversy.

Your action is needed on two Senate bills that are scheduled for Third Read votes on Monday, February 15, 2010.

The first is SB 1021, which incorporates defensive display language into the statutes for the justification of deadly force.
 
The second is SB 1172, which makes improvements to the Arizona Gun Safety Program and expands the categories of qualified instructors.

And, if you haven’t already done so, there is still time to contact Senate and House committee members urging them to support SB 1168 and HB 2543.  Both bills strengthen state firearms preemption laws, add firearms storage and accessories to the list of things political subdivisions cannot regulate, and remove the prohibition on carrying a firearm in public parks without a CCW permit.

SB 1168 will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee at 1:30 PM on Monday, February 15, 2010

HB 2543 will be heard in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, February 17, 2010.

Over in the House, controversy is brewing about Representative Adam Driggs’ stalling the progress of HB 2347 (Constitutional Carry).  Many of you may have already seen the NRA’s comments about Rep. Driggs?

HB 2347 already passed out of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety (MAPS) by a 5-2 vote on February 3, 2010.  House Speaker Kirk Adams had also assigned HB 2347 to the House Judiciary Committee, which Rep. Driggs chairs.  Rep. Driggs has, at this point, refused to release the bill or schedule it for a hearing.  AzCDL is continuing to work to resolve this impasse and to have HB 2347 heard by the full House.

February 11, 2010

Preemption hearings February 15 & 17, 2010.

SB 1168 will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee at 1:30 PM on Monday, February 15, 2010. 

HB 2543 will be heard in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, February 17, 2010.

Both bills strengthen state firearms preemption laws, add firearms storage and accessories to the list of things political subdivisions cannot regulate, and remove the prohibition on carrying a firearm in public parks without a CCW permit. 

We thank everyone who took the time to contact their Representatives and Senator about HB 2305, SB 1021, and SB 1172, which were debated in Committee of the Whole (COW) hearings on February 11, 2010.  Despite an extremely short notice, hundreds of messages were sent out by dedicated activists to most of the Legislature.  All 3 bills passed out of COW.  Well done!

February 4, 2010

Legislation update.

Thanks to the hundreds of you generating almost 4,000 emails to committee members, we made great progress this week!

The companion AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bills, SB 1102 and HB 2347, were both voted out of their respective committees.  The SB 1102 vote was 4-3 in the Senate Judiciary Committee and the HB 2347 vote was 5-2, with one member not voting, in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee.

Both Constitutional Carry bills have been amended in almost identical fashion.  The primary Constitutional Carry language remains intact!  The biggest change was in the CCW training requirements.  SB 1102 and HB 2347 originally proposed eliminating the CCW permit training altogether.  The strong resistance to this was not unexpected.  AzCDL-suggested language was added that improves, but no longer eliminates, the existing statutory CCW permit training requirements.  This resulted in reduced opposition.   Other changes to the Constitutional Carry bills include:

• Correcting the language regarding the sale (versus destruction) of confiscated weapons.

• Requiring CCW permit holders to have their permit, when required, and available to law enforcement.

• Preventing law enforcement from confiscating a weapon lawfully possessed by a permit holder.

• Other technical corrections.
  
  As a result of AzCDL’s representatives addressing the concerns of “stakeholders” of SB 1102 and HB 2347, some of the law enforcement unions have changed their position to “neutral” (from “opposed”).  This is critical to successful passage.  And, the NRA has registered support for Constitutional Carry with their representative testifying during the HB 2347 hearings.  We hope to see even more support from the NRA on these bills.
  
  The next step for SB 1102 and HB 2347, as with all bills passing out of committee, is a review in the Rules Committee in their respective chambers before being scheduled for debate and vote on the Senate and House floors. 
  
  Constitutional Carry was not the only pro-rights issue being addressed this week.
  
  SB 1011, authorizing college and university faculty members, with CCW permits, to possess a concealed firearm on campus, was heard in the Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, but after discussion was “held” without a vote.
  
  SB 1015, clarifying the "no firearms" signage requirements for restaurants, is also being held.  An agreement was reached with the stakeholders (i.e., Liquor Lobby), to clarify the posting requirements via a change in the liquor laws.  Senator Barbara Leff, chair of the Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee (where SB 1015 is assigned) is closely monitoring the situation.
   
  SB 1098, the "Firearms Freedom Act," was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, February 1, 2009.  It passed out of committee by a party line vote of 4-3.  The House version of SB 1098 (HB 2307) passed out of the House Judiciary Committee on January 28, 2010.
  
  It looks like next week will be relatively quiet.  Most key firearms related bills have been voted favorably out of their assigned committees and appear to be moving along nicely.

February 2, 2010

Legislation update.

HB 2347, the House version of SB 1102 (Constitutional Carry), will be heard in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. 

SB 1011, authorizing college and university faculty members, with CCW permits, to possess a concealed firearm on campus, will be heard in the Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee on Wednesday, February 3, 2010.

Letters from constituents are strong motivators for legislators.  A handful is meaningless.  Hundreds, or thousands, really get their attention.  This year we have “the” chance to restore your constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms, openly or concealed, without a government permission slip, via companion bills HB 2347 and SB 1102.  There is a lot of money (your tax dollars) being spent to kill pro-rights bills, keep the status quo and feed legions of bureaucrats dependent on laws restricting your constitutionally protected rights.  Your involvement will mean the difference between success and failure.  You are the Arizona Citizens Defense League.

And, thanks to YOUR involvement, we have good news! 

SB 1098, the "Firearms Freedom Act," was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, February 1, 2009.  It passed out of committee by a party line vote of 4-3.

SB 1102, the Senate version of the AzCDL-requested "Constitutional Carry" bill, was also heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.  It also passed out of committee by a party line vote of 4-3.

AzCDL has been tirelessly working behind the scenes to address concerns about SB 1102.  To that end, SB 1102 was amended in committee without harming the underlying Constitutional Carry language.  Changes were made that:

- Corrected the language regarding the sale (versus destruction) of confiscated weapons.
- Require CCW permit holders to have their permit and present it to law enforcement upon request.
- Prevent law enforcement from confiscating a weapon lawfully possessed by a permit holder.
- Modify the CCW permit training requirements to allow for NRA training, military service, an existing permit, etc.
- Made other technical corrections.

HB 2347 will be modified in a similar fashion.

A hostile amendment proposed by Senator Ken Cheuvront was also defeated during the committee hearing.  This amendment would have required background checks on private firearm sales.

January 30, 2010

Committee Hearings Next Week!

Four pro-rights bills are scheduled for committee hearings next week.

SB 1098, the "Firearms Freedom Act," will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, February 1, 2009.

SB 1102, the AzCDL-requested "Constitutional Carry" bill, will also be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.

HB 2347, the House version of SB 1102 (Constitutional Carry), will be heard in the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, February 3, 2010.

SB 1011, authorizing college and university faculty members, with CCW permits, to possess a concealed firearm on campus, will be heard in the Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee on Wednesday, February 3, 2010.

In other news, the following bills recently passed out of committee.

HB 2307, the House version of SB 1098 (Firearms Freedom Act), passed out of the House Judiciary Committee by a 5-2 vote, with one member absent, on January 28, 2010.

SB 1172, which improves the language in Arizona’s school gun safety program statutes, passed out of the Senate Education and Accountability Reform Committee, by a unanimous 7-0 vote, on January 27, 2010.

The normal process for any bill passing out of a committee is to go to their respective chambers Rules Committee.  The following bills are due to be heard Monday, February 1, 2010 in the Senate Rules Committee:

SB 1021, which incorporates defensive display into the statutes regarding the justification for deadly force.

SB 1153, knife preemption.

SB 1172, school gun safety improvements.

January 26, 2010

More bills in committee this week!

First, thank you for contacting the Senate Judiciary Committee!  Your emails and calls worked!

SB 1021, which incorporates defensive display into the justification for deadly force statutes, passed out of committee by a vote of 4-1 with 2 members not voting.

SB 1101, which allows certain detention officers and retired law enforcement to carry a concealed firearm without a CCW permit, passed by a 4-2-1 vote.

SB 1153, knife preemption, passed by a 4-3 vote

SB 1098, the Arizona Senate’s version of the “Firearms Freedom Act,”  and SB 1102, Constitutional Carry, were held over and will be rescheduled for an upcoming committee hearing.

Meanwhile, two other bills are being heard this week.
 
SB 1172, which enhances the school gun safety program, is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Education Accountability and Reform Committee on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 1:30 PM. 

HB 2307, the House’s version of the “Firearms Freedom Act” (SB 1098), is scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 9:00 AM.

January 21, 2010

Committee Hearing on January 25, 2010!

Bills are already starting to move!  The Senate Judiciary Committee has the 5 following pro-rights bills scheduled for a hearing on Monday, January 25, 2010:

SB 1021 – Incorporates defensive display into the justification for deadly force statutes.

SB 1098 – Arizona’s version of the “Firearms Freedom Act.”  If passed and signed into law, any firearm manufactured in Arizona and that remains in the state, “is not subject to Federal law or Federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce and it not considered to have traveled in interstate commerce.” 

SB 1101 – Allows certain detention officers and retired law enforcement to possess a concealed firearm without a CCW permit. 

SB 1102 – The AzCDL-requested Constitutional Carry bill that eliminates the prohibition and penalties for adults carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. 

SB 1153 – A knife preemption law being championed by the national Knife Rights organization

January 14, 2010

Constitutional Carry legislation filed!

AzCDL has been laying the groundwork for Constitutional Carry since we began.  In the last two legislative sessions we came very close.  This year Senator Russell Pearce, along with 16 co-sponsors, filed SB 1102, and Representative Frank Antenori, along with 17 co-sponsors, filed HB 2347.  Both bills have the following features:

- Eliminate the prohibition and penalties for adults carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.
- Include defensive display in the justification for deadly force (similar to HB 2015 & SB 1021).
- Allow CCW permit holders to carry in “non-secure” public buildings.
- Remove the unloaded firearm requirement when picking up and dropping off school students.
- Allow LEOSA certified retired Law Enforcement Officers to carry on school grounds.
- Require confiscated firearms to be sold rather than destroyed.
- Eliminate the training requirement to obtain a CCW permit.

We are expecting a firestorm from the anti-rights zealots, so we will be asking your help to ensure the passage of SB 1102 & HB 2347 throughout this legislative session.  Warm up your keyboards!

SB 1102 & HB 2437 aren’t the only important bills we’re expecting this year.  For months, AzCDL has been working behind the scenes with pro-rights legislators on a number of paradigm shifting bills.  Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, other bills are still being filed.  Senators have until February 1, 2010 to introduce bills and the deadline in the House is February 8, 2010.  Along with Constitutional Carry, the following firearm related bills have been filed:

HB 2015 (Burges) – Adds defensive display of a firearm as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, the use of deadly physical force.

HB 2016 (Burges) – Allows out of state applicants whose rights have been restored to obtain a CCW permit under the same conditions as Arizona residents.

HB 2017 (Burges) – Clarifies that NRA instructors may teach the school gun safety courses.

HB 2041 (Kavanagh) – Adds school districts, charter schools, community colleges and state universities to the definition of political subdivisions where a law enforcement officer may carry a firearm.

HB 2201 (Lujan) – Creates a crime for firearm “Straw Purchases” made in Arizona.  AzCDL opposes this bill.

HB 2271 (Ableser) – Increases the penalty for possessing a firearm at a post-secondary institution from a misdemeanor to a class 6 felony.   AzCDL opposes this bill.

HB 2307 (Antenori) – Exempts firearms manufactured and sold in Arizona from Federal oversight.

HB 2406 (Antenori) – Clarifies the “no firearms” signage requirements for restaurants.  Also changes the affirmative defense language to “not an offense.”  Finally, it restores the requirement that a person “knows the possession of a firearm is prohibited” in an establishment.

HB 2543 (Gowan) – Strengthens state firearms preemption laws, adds firearms storage and reloading components to the list of things political subdivisions cannot regulate, and removes the prohibition on carrying a firearm in public parks without a CCW permit. 

SB 1011 (Harper) – Allows college/university faculty members with CCW permits to possess a concealed firearm on campus.

SB 1015 (Harper) – Similar to HB 2406.

SB 1021 (Pearce) – Identical to HB 2015.

SB 1098 (Pearce) – Identical to HB 2307.

SB 1101 (Pearce) – Expands the list of law enforcement officers exempt from concealed weapons permit requirements.

January 1, 2010

Pro-rights bills filed early.

Even though the next “Regular” legislative session doesn’t being until Monday, January 11, 2010, some legislators have already begun “pre-filing” bills.  The following pro-rights bills have been filed that affect our Right to Keep and Bear Arms (RKBA):

HB 2015 (Burges) – Adds defensive display of a firearm as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, the use of deadly physical force.

HB 2016 (Burges) – Allows out of state applicants whose rights have been restored to obtain a CCW permit under the same conditions as Arizona residents.

HB 2017 (Burges) – Clarifies that NRA instructors may teach the school gun safety courses.

SB 1011 (Harper) – Allows college/university faculty members with CCW permits to possess a concealed firearm on campus.

SB 1015 (Harper) – Clarifies the “no firearms” signage requirements for restaurants.  Also changes the affirmative defense language to “not an offense.”  Finally, it restores the requirement that a person “knows the possession of a firearm is prohibited” in an establishment

SB 1021 (Pearce) – Similar to HB 2015.

AzCDL’s representatives have been working with legislators on new bills for a number of months.  We are expecting the bulk of these pro-rights bills to be filed after the session officially begins.  As they progress, we will keep you informed.