THESE WOMEN HAVE TO BE STOPPED

MMM Win State Battles to Defeat CCW
5/30/2002

The following articles show the results of work by many of the Million Mom March Chapters across the nation as they battled against the gun lobby to defeat carry concealed weapons laws. The MOMS are proving to be a key factor in the defeat of these CCW laws that put our communities as risk for gun violence.
States Reject NRA’s Concealed Weapon Agenda

Gun Lobby’s Proposals Are Defeated Around the Country

Across the country, states have rejected the National Rifle Association’s push to force police to issue permits to carry concealed weapons (CCW). And states that had already enacted the NRA’s concealed handgun laws, are now defeating NRA efforts to further weaken those laws.

The NRA’s concealed handgun agenda — letting anyone carry any gun anywhere — is too extreme for America. NRA proposals to force police to issue concealed weapons have been defeated. NRA bills to allow guns into bars, schools and churches have been blocked. NRA efforts to weaken safety training requirements and make it easy for nonresidents to carry guns have failed.

Nebraska – New CCW bill forcing police to issue — Defeated.
Concealed guns are now completely prohibited.

Wisconsin – New CCW bill forcing police to issue — Defeated.
Concealed guns are now completely prohibited.

Colorado – New CCW bill forcing police to issue — Defeated.
Police now have discretion to issue or deny CCW permits.

Missouri – New CCW bill forcing police to issue — Defeated.
Concealed guns are now completely prohibited.

Minnesota – New CCW bill forcing police to issue — Defeated.
Police now have discretion to issue or deny CCW permits.

Ohio – New CCW bill forcing police to issue – Pending, but Gov would veto.
Governor has pledged to veto the NRA bill if it happens to pass and Senate President has said he will hold the bill until the State Supreme Court rules on challenge to current law. The State Supreme Court has stayed lower court’s ruling that had challenged current law so concealed carry remains prohibited. Concealed guns are now completely prohibited.

Kansas — New CCW bill forcing police to issue — NRA did not even introduce.
Because the governor had made it clear he would veto such a measure, the NRA have not even introduced it. Concealed guns are now completely prohibited in Kansas.

Georgia – Allow CCW guns in churches and bars — Defeated.
Police now are forced to issue CCW permits.

Colorado – “Secrecy clause” — Defeated.
NRA efforts to prevent police from releasing the names of CCW permitees who break the law were defeated in committee. The NRA is continuing efforts to force police to issue CCW permits. Police now have discretion to issue or deny CCW permits.

Tennessee – Allow CCW guns in bars — Defeated.
Police now are forced to issue CCW permits.

Tennessee — Make easier for non-residents to carry CCW guns — Defeated.
Police now are forced to issue CCW permits.

South Carolina – Allow CCW guns in schools — Defeated.
Police now are forced to issue CCW permits.

Virginia – Allow CCW guns in bars and recreation centers — Defeated.
Police now are forced to issue CCW permits.

Utah – Repeal CCW safety training requirement — Defeated.
Police now are forced to issue CCW permits.

Utah – Penalize university officials for restricting concealed carry — Defeated.
Police now are forced to issue CCW permits.

Arizona – Create a “lifetime” CCW permit — Defeated.
Police now are forced to issue CCW permits.

Arizona – Allow non-residents to carry CCW guns — Defeated.
Police now are forced to issue CCW permits.

Arizona – Reduce fine for illegal carrying (without CCW) to $50 — Defeated.
Police now are forced to issue CCW permits.

New Hampshire – Allow CCW guns in schools — Defeated.
Blocked in Senate. Police now are forced to issue CCW permits.

New Hampshire – Allow non-residents to carry CCW guns — Defeated.
Blocked in committee. Police now are forced to issue CCW permits.

Kentucky – Make it easier to carry guns into schools — Defeated.
Police now are forced to issue CCW permits.

NRA Embarrassed by CCW Losses In States Touted by NRA Magazine As Likely Wins

The NRA’s magazine, “America’s First Freedom” for May 2002 forecast success on concealed weapon battles that they had already lost once the magazine was mailed.

On page 20, under “Freedom Index,” the NRA wrote, “The freedom index inched upward three points this month thanks to encouraging news from the state legislative front. In the wake of the Sept 11, 2001 terror attacks, legislators are working to reverse bans and restrictions on carrying firearms for self-defense. Lawmakers in Arizona, South Carolina, Minnesota and Missouri are fighting for laws that will guarantee issuance of permits to qualified citizens. Look for the Freedom Index to continue climbing as these bills become law.”

Well, that was obviously printed a little prematurely, because the NRA was clearly losing all four of those state fights by the time the magazine reached NRA members – let alone all the other state CCW losses that NRA tried to ignore.

Arizona: NRA bills to let non-residents carry guns, establish a “lifetime” CCW permit and reduce to a mere $50 fine the penalty for illegally carrying without a permit have all been defeated in committee. The NRA lobbyist was furious.

South Carolina: NRA bill to force police to let CCW permitees carry their guns into schools was defeated and that language amended out of the bill.

Minnesota: NRA bill to force police to issue CCW permits was voted down twice. They did not even have the votes to take it “off the table” for actual consideration.

Missouri: NRA bill to force police to issue CCW permits failed in the face of a veto threat from the governor.

The NRA’s concealed handgun agenda — forcing police to let anyone carry any gun they want anywhere they want — is far too extreme and is being rejected in even conservative, rural states.