HUNTERS SHARING THE HARVEST A WORTHY CAUSE
Hunters who are successful in the upcoming deer hunting seasons are encouraged by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to consider participating in the state’s Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) program, which channels donations of venison to local food banks, soup kitchens and needy families. Pennsylvania’s HSH program is recognized as one of the most successful among similar programs in about 40 states.
“Using a unique network of local volunteer area coordinators and cooperating meat processors to process and distribute venison donated by hunters, HSH has really helped to make a difference for countless needy families and individuals in our state,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “Pennsylvanians who participate in this extremely beneficial program should be proud of the role they play. HSH truly does make a tremendous difference.”
Started in 1991, HSH has developed into a refined support service for organizations that assist the Commonwealth’s needy. Each year, Hunters Sharing the Harvest helps to deliver almost 200,000 meals to food banks, churches and social services feeding programs for meals provided to needy Pennsylvanians.
“This program is all about the generosity of hunters and their desire to help make a difference,” Roe said. “It’s a program that many hunters have become committed to and enjoy supporting. After all, what is more gratifying than providing needed food to families?”
As part of the program, hunters are encouraged to take a deer to a participating meat processor and identify how much of their deer meat - from an entire deer to several pounds - that is to be donated to HSH. If the hunter is donating an entire deer, they are asked to make a $15 tax-deductible co-pay, and HSH will cover the remaining processing fees. However, a hunter can cover the entire costs of the processing, which is tax deductible as well.
HSH established a statewide toll-free telephone number – 866-474-2141 - which also can answer hunters’ questions about where participating meat processors can be found or other general inquiries about the program.
To learn more about the program and obtain a list of participating meat processors and county coordinators, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on “Hunters Sharing the Harvest” in the “Quick Clicks” box in the right-hand column of the homepage, or go to the HSH website (www.sharedeer.org).
Source: The Pennsylvania Game Commission
Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) David L. Grove was shot and killed in the line of duty while on patrol around 10:30 p.m., on Nov. 11, along Shrivers Road in Freedom Township, Adams County. Grove, age 31, of Fairfield, Adams County, was investigating reports of ongoing night-time shooting and possible poaching activity in the area.
(David L. Grove Memorial Pins Information)
The Pennsylvania State Police is leading the investigation into the killing of WCO Grove.
Prior to this incident, the last Game Commission Officer to have been shot and killed in the line of duty was Game Protector Joseph McHugh in Weatherly, Carbon County, on Nov. 7, 1915.
“We are shocked and saddened by the killing of WCO Grove,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “He was a bright, young officer who was dedicated to conserving Pennsylvania’s wildlife resources, and promoting our state’s rich hunting and trapping heritage.
“Our prayers and thoughts go out to WCO Grove’s family and friends, as we mourn the loss of one of our own.”
A graduate of the 27th Class of the Game Commission’s Ross Leffler School of Conservation, Grove was commissioned a full-time Wildlife Conservation Officer on March 8, 2008, and assigned to the southern district of Adams County.
Before being appointed a WCO Cadet, Grove had served as a Deputy WCO in Franklin County, from 2001 until 2007. Grove also worked at the Penn State University Deer Research Facility in University Park, Centre County, from 2003 until 2004.
Grove graduated, in 1997, from Grace Academy in Hagerstown, Maryland, and he attended Appalachian Bible College, in Bradley, West Virginia, from 1997 until 1999. In 2004, Grove earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science from Penn State University.
WCOs are responsible for administering a wide variety of Game Commission programs within an assigned district of about 350 square miles. Primary duties include law enforcement, responding to wildlife conflicts, conservation education, and administration of the Hunter-Trapper Education program. Officers also are responsible for supervising and training part-time Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers.
After being accepted to the agency’s Ross Leffler School of Conservation, WCO Cadets are required to complete an intensive 50-week training program. Major subject areas of instruction include: wildlife management; law enforcement; principles and methods; wildlife laws and regulations; land management practices; public relations and conservation education; firearms training and unarmed self-defense; and agency administrative procedures. In addition to classroom studies, the training program includes temporary field assignments with experienced officers. Field training provides cadets with practical experience in law enforcement and other duties performed by Wildlife Conservation Officers.
Upon successfully completing the training program, WCO cadets are promoted to the position of Wildlife Conservation Officer and are assigned to fill vacancies throughout the Commonwealth. WCOs work under the supervision of a Region Director and supervisory staff, and generally work 40 hours per week and are eligible for overtime under certain conditions. Hours of work vary and often include nights, weekends and holidays.
In 1930, Ross Leffler, the then-president of the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners, proposed the establishment of a training school for “Game Protectors,” as they were called at that time. When the training school opened its doors in Brockway, Jefferson County, in 1932, it was the first such conservation officer training school in the world and served as a model for other states.
From 1932 until 1935, the Ross Leffler School of Conservation offered in-service training for Game Protectors. The Game Commission made the school a permanent facility and enrolled its first class of Cadets in 1936. The agency continued training new classes at this facility until 1986. In 1987, the training school was moved to the Harrisburg headquarters, which had just opened the doors to its current facility in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County.
EPA Denies Petition that Sought a Ban on Lead in Fishing Gear
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has denied a petition calling for a ban on the manufacture, use and processing of lead in fishing gear.
In a letter to the petitioners, EPA indicated that the petitioners have not demonstrated that the requested rule is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, as required by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The letter further indicates that the increasing number of limitations on the use of lead fishing gear on some federal and state lands, as well as various education and outreach activities, call into question whether a national ban on lead in fishing gear would be the least burdensome, adequately protective approach to address the concern, as called for under TSCA. EPA's letter also notes that the prevalence of non-lead alternatives in the marketplace continues to increase.
On August 3, 2010, the American Bird Conservancy and a number of other groups petitioned EPA under Section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act to "prohibit the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of lead for shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers." On August 27, 2010, EPA denied the portion of the petition relating to lead in ammunition because the agency does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of product under TSCA.
View the EPA letter and additional information: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/chemtest/pubs/sect21.htm
Source: U.S. EPA
"Castle Doctrine" Legislation Still Needs Your Help!
Please Contact Governor Rendell and Your County District Attorney Today!
On Monday, November 15, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 161 to 35 to concur on House Bill 1926. HB 1926 will now move to Governor Ed Rendell's (D) desk for his consideration.
Unfortunately, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association is opposed this legislation and is urging Governor Rendell to veto this important self-defense bill. This Association does not speak for all District Attorneys in Pennsylvania. Please take a moment to call your County District Attorney and urge him or her to speak out in support of HB 1926. Contact information can be found below.
HB 1926 would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their home and any place outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. If enacted, this law would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker's family when force is used.
Also, please contact Governor Rendell today and respectfully urge him to protect law-abiding Pennsylvanian's by signing HB 1926 into law.
The Governor can be reached at:
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
Phone: (717) 787-2500
Fax: (717) 772-8284
To email the Governor, please click here.
District Attorney contact information
Adams County
The Honorable Shawn C. Wagner
Adams County Courthouse
111 Baltimore Street, Rm. #6
Gettysburg PA 17325
(717) 337-9840
Allegheny County
The Honorable Stephen A. Zappala
Allegheny County Courthouse -- 303
436 Grant Street
Pittsburgh PA 15219-2489
(412) 350-4401
Armstrong County
The Honorable Scott J. Andreassi
Armstrong County Courthouse
500 E. Market Street
3rd Floor, Suite 323
Kittanning PA 16201
(724) 548-3240
Beaver County
The Honorable Anthony J. Berosh
Beaver County Courthouse
810 Third Street
Beaver PA 15009
(724) 773-8550
Bedford County
The Honorable William J. Higgins, Jr.
200 S. Juliana Street
Bedford PA 15522
(814) 623-4855
Berks County
The Honorable John T. Adams
Berks County Services Center, 5th Floor
633 Court Street
Reading PA 19601-4317
(610) 478-6000
Blair County
The Honorable Richard A. Consiglio
Blair County Courthouse
423 Allegheny Street, Suite 421
Hollidaysburg PA 16648
(814) 693-3010
Bradford County
The Honorable Daniel J. Barrett
Bradford County Courthouse
Main Street
Towanda PA 18848
(570) 265-1712
Clarion County
The Honorable Mark T. Aaron
502 Liberty Street
Clarion PA 16214
(814) 226-4423
Clearfield County
The Honorable William A. Shaw, Jr.
Clearfield County Courthouse
230 East Market Street, Suite 210
Clearfield PA 16830
(814) 765-2641 x5990
Clinton County
The Honorable Michael Salisbury
322 East Water Street
Lock Haven PA 17745
(570) 893-4141
Columbia County
The Honorable Gary E. Norton
Columbia County Courthouse
35 West Main Street
Bloomsburg PA 17815
(570) 389-5656
Crawford County
The Honorable Francis J. Schultz
Crawford County Courthouse
Meadville PA 16335
(814) 333-7455
Cumberland County
The Honorable David J. Freed
Cumberland County Courthouse
One Courthouse Square
Carlisle PA 17013
(717) 240-6210
Dauphin County
The Honorable Edward M. Marsico, Jr.
Dauphin County Courthouse
Front and Market Streets
Harrisburg PA 17101
(717) 780-6767
Delaware County
The Honorable G. Michael Green
Delaware County Courthouse
201 West Front Street
Media PA 19063
(610) 891-4168
Elk County
The Honorable Bradley J. Kraus
Elk County Courthouse
P. O. Box 448
Ridgway PA 15853
(814) 776-5325
Erie County
The Honorable Jack Daneri
Erie County Courthouse
140 West Sixth Street, Suite 506
Erie PA 16501
(814) 451-6349
Fayette County
The Honorable Jack R. Heneks, Jr.
Fayette County Courthouse
61 East Main Street
Uniontown PA 15401
(724) 430-1245
Forest County
The Honorable Elizabeth A. Ziegler
526 Elm Street #5
Tionesta PA 16353
(814) 755-3164
Franklin County
The Honorable Matthew Fogal
Franklin County Courthouse
157 Lincoln Way East
Chambersburg PA 17201
(717) 261-3827
Fulton County
The Honorable Travis L. Kendall
126 North Second Street
McConnellsburg PA 17233
(717) 485-5419
Greene County
The Honorable Marjorie J. Fox
10 East High Street, Room 304
Waynesburg PA 15370
(724) 852-5273
Huntingdon County
The Honorable George N. Zanic
Huntingdon County Courthouse
207 Washington Street
Huntingdon PA 16652
(814) 643-5371
Indiana County
The Honorable Thomas M. Bianco
Indiana County Courthouse
825 Philadelphia Street
Indiana PA 15701
(724) 465-3835
Jefferson County
The Honorable Jeffrey D. Burkett
Jefferson County Courthouse
200 Main Street
Brookville PA 15825
(814) 849-1628
Juniata County
Corey Snook
Juniata County Courthouse
P. O. Box 212
Mifflintown PA 17059
(717) 436-7725
Lackawanna County
The Honorable Andrew J. Jarbola
Lackawanna County Courthouse
200 North Washington Avenue
Scranton PA 18503
(570) 963-6717
Lancaster County
The Honorable Craig W. Stedman
Lancaster County Courthouse
50 North Duke Street
Lancaster PA 17608
(717) 299-8100
Lawrence County
The Honorable Joshua Lamancusa
Lawrence County Government Center
430 Court Street
New Castle PA 16101
(724) 656-1916
Lebanon County
The Honorable David J. Arnold, Jr.
400 South Eighth Street, Room 11
Lebanon PA 17042
(717) 274-2801 x2360
Lehigh County
The Honorable James B. Martin
Lehigh County Courthouse
455 West Hamilton Street
Allentown PA 18101-1614
(610) 782-3100
Luzerne County
The Honorable Jacqueline Musto Carroll
Luzerne County Courthouse
200 North River Street
Wilkes-Barre PA 18711
(570) 825-1674
Mercer County
The Honorable Robert G. Kochems
Suite 209 Mercer County Courthouse
Mercer PA 16137
(724) 662-3800 ext 2287
Mifflin County
The Honorable Stephen S. Snook
Mifflin County Courthouse
20 North Wayne Street
Lewistown PA 17044
(717) 248-9800
Monroe County
The Honorable E. David Christine, Jr.
Monroe County Courthouse
7th & Monroe Streets
Stroudsburg PA 18360
(570) 420-3470
Montgomery County
The Honorable Risa Vetri Ferman
Montgomery County Courthouse
P.O. Box 311
Norristown PA 19404-0311
(610) 278-3100
Montour County
The Honorable Robert W. Buehner, Jr.
Montour County Courthouse
29 Mill Street
Danville PA 17821
(570) 271-3069
Northampton County
The Honorable John M. Morganelli
Northampton County Courthouse
669 Washington Street
Easton PA 18042
(610) 559-3020
Northumberland County
The Honorable Anthony J. Rosini
Northumberland County Courthouse
201 Market Street
Sunbury PA 17801
(570) 988-4134
Perry County
The Honorable Charles F. Chenot, III
P.O. Box 305
New Bloomfield PA 17068
(717) 582-5120
Philadelphia County
The Honorable R. Seth Williams
3 South Penn Square
Philadelphia PA 19107
(215) 686-8000
Pike County
The Honorable Raymond J. Tonkin
Pike County Administration Building
506 Broad Street
Milford PA 18337
(570) 296-3482
Potter County
The Honorable Andy Watson
One North Main Street, Suite 215
Gunzburger Building
Coudersport PA 16915
(814) 274-9450
Schuykill County
The Honorable James P. Goodman
Schuylkill County Courthouse
401 North Second Street
Pottsville PA 17901
(570) 628-1354
Snyder County
The Honorable Michael Piecuch
9 West Market Street,
P.O. Box 217
Middleburg PA 17842
(570) 837-4233
Somerset County
The Honorable Jerry L. Spangler
Somerset County Courthouse
111 East Union Street, Suite 40
Somerset PA 15501-1416
(814) 445-1456
Sullivan County
The Honorable Leonard Simpson
P.O. Box W
Laporte PA 18626
(570) 946-4053
Susquehanna County
The Honorable Jason J. Legg
P.O. Box 218
Montrose PA 18801
(570) 278-4600, ext. 180
Tioga County
The Honorable George W. Wheeler
Tioga County Courthouse
118 Main Street
Wellsboro PA 16901
(570) 724-1350
Union County
The Honorable D. Peter Johnson
Union County Courthouse
103 South Second Street
Lewisburg PA 17837
(570) 524-8651
Venango County
The Honorable Marie T. Veon
P.O. Box 831
Franklin PA 16323
(814) 432-9598
Warren County
The Honorable Ross W. McKeirnan
Warren County Courthouse
4th and Market Street
Warren PA 16365
(814) 728-3460
Washington County
The Honorable Steven M. Toprani
Washington County Courthouse
Suite 1003, One South Main Street
Washington PA 15301
(724) 228-6790
Wayne County
The Honorable Michael P. Lehutsky
Wayne County Courthouse
925 Court Street
Honesdale PA 18431
(570) 253-4912
Westmoreland County
The Honorable John W. Peck
2 North Main Street, Suite 206
Greensburg PA 15601
(724) 830-3949
Wyoming County
The Honorable Jeff Mitchell
One Courthouse Square
Tunkhannock PA 18657
(570) 836-4681
York County
The Honorable Tom Kearney
York County Judicial Center
45 North George Street
York PA 17401
(717) 771-9600
Source: NRA / ILA
SAF SUES ERIC HOLDER, FBI OVER MISDEMEANOR GUN RIGHTS DENIAL
Acting on behalf of a Georgia resident and honorably discharged Vietnam War veteran, the Second Amendment Foundation today filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Eric Holder and the Federal Bureau of Investigation over enforcement of a federal statute that can deny gun rights to someone with a simple misdemeanor conviction on his record.
The lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the District of Columbia. SAF and co-plaintiff Jefferson Wayne Schrader of Cleveland, GA are represented by attorney Alan Gura, who successfully argued both the Heller and McDonald cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
In July 1968, Schrader, then 21, was found guilty of misdemeanor assault and battery relating to a fight involving a man who had previously assaulted him in Annapolis, MD. The altercation was observed by a police officer, who arrested Schrader, then an enlisted man in the Navy, stationed in Annapolis. The man he fought with was in a street gang that had attacked him for entering their "territory," according to the complaint.
Schrader was ordered to pay a $100 fine and $9 court cost. He subsequently served a tour of duty in Vietnam and was eventually honorably discharged. However, in 2008 and again in 2009, Mr. Schrader was denied the opportunity to receive a shotgun as a gift, or to purchase a handgun for personal protection. He was advised by the FBI to dispose of or surrender any firearms he might have or face criminal prosecution.
"Schrader's dilemma," explained SAF Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb, "is that until recently, Maryland law did not set forth a maximum sentence for the crime of misdemeanor assault. Because of that, he is now being treated like a felon and his gun rights have been denied.
"No fair-minded person can tolerate gun control laws being applied this way," he added. "Mr. Schrader's case is a great example of why gun owners cannot trust government bureaucrats to enforce gun laws."
The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation's oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers and an amicus brief and fund for the Emerson case holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.
Source: The Second Amendment Foundation
"Castle Doctrine" Heading to Governor Rendell's Desk!
Please Contact Governor Rendell Today!
This afternoon, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted 161-35 to concur on House Bill 1926. HB 1926 will now move to Governor Ed Rendell's (D) desk for his consideration.
HB 1926 would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their home and any place outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. If enacted, this law would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker's family when force is used.
Please contact Governor Rendell today and respectfully urge him to protect law-abiding Pennsylvanian's by signing HB 1926 into law.
The Governor can be reached at:
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
Phone: (717) 787-2500
Fax: (717) 772-8284
To email the Governor, please click here.
Source: NRA / ILA
"Castle Doctrine" Could Be Voted on Monday, November 15!
Please Contact Your State Representative Immediately!
This afternoon, Speaker Keith McCall (D) announced that votes will be taken on unfinished business on Monday, November 15. Please contact your State Representative immediately and urge him or her to ask the Speaker to bring House Bill 1926 up for a vote and to vote for concurrence on HB 1926.
HB 1926 would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their home and any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. If enacted, this law would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker's family when force is used.
It is critical that you contact your State Representative TODAY and respectfully urge him or her to have HB 1926 brought up for a vote AND to vote for concurrence on HB 1926. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!
Please click on your Representative's name for his or her contact information. If you need help identifying your Representative, please click here.
Source: NRA / ILA
Pennsylvania: “Castle Doctrine” Concurrence Vote in Jeopardy!
Please Contact Your State Representative!
Three weeks ago, the Pennsylvania Senate passed House Bill 1926 by a vote of 45 to 4. As reported earlier, HB1926 contains State Senator Richard Alloway’s (R-33) “Castle Doctrine” amendment. This language would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their homes and any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. If enacted, this law would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker’s family when force is used.
Intending to wrap up the remaining business for the year, the State Legislature returned to Harrisburg today, will remain for tomorrow Tuesday, November 9 and return again for a few days next week. However, in response to the November 2 election and resulting change of party control in the State House of Representatives, the currently Democratic controlled House announced the cancellation of the November voting schedule.
It is critical that you please contact your State Representative TODAY and respectfully urge your legislator to demand Democratic Leadership to reconvene the House of Representatives and return to the “people’s business.” Contact information can be found by clicking here.
IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!
Source: NRA / ILA
Pennsylvania Department of State Releases Memo Regarding a Gun Ban in Polling Places
Please Contact Your Local County Board of Elections!
Recently, the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Commissions, Elections & Legislation released a memo to Pennsylvania county governments dictating a policy change on the carrying of firearms within polling places.
The memo states that if a county wishes to outlaw the possession of firearms in polling places, the county board of elections must pass a resolution doing so. Enactment of such regulations is contrary to Pennsylvania’s preemption laws that grants sole governing authority of firearm regulations to the General Assembly.
Please contact your local county board of elections and respectfully urge them to oppose this illegal policy.
PLEASE READ ATTACHMENTS
One is Sept 15, 2010 from the PA Dept Of State (BCEL)
The other attachment letter is from Rep Metcalfe that has gun owners and ALL PA Citizens best interest in mind and host of the 2nd amendment to none rallies in Harrisburg.
Related voting story in news paper
Source: NRA / ILA & ACSL
“Castle Doctrine” Bill Passes Senate, Heads to House for Concurrence!
Please Contact Your State Representative!
Yesterday, Thursday, October 14, the Pennsylvania Senate passed House Bill 1926 by a vote of 45-4. The bill now returns to the House where it could be concurred with on Monday, October 18.
HB1926 contains State Senator Richard Alloway’s (R-33) “Castle Doctrine” amendment. This language would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their homes and any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. If enacted, this law would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker’s family when force is used.
Please contact your State Representative TODAY and respectfully urge them to vote for HB1926 with the Alloway amendment. Contact information can be found by clicking here. IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!
Source: NRA / ILA
ACSL Gun Bash: October 24th, 2010
The ACSL legislative committee under its chairman Kim Stolfer’s leadership has done amazing things fighting battles to keep and retain your Firearm & Hunting rights that many don’t have a clue about, let alone support the effort.
For example, being the primary organizer of the last FIVE second amendment rallies in Harrisburg and many other legislative and political battles to numerous to mention here.
For many years the ACSL’s main funding source for the ACSL legislative committee came from the sponsorship revenues we received from the Allegheny Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show held each February. Since they refused to sign a new contract with the ACSL, we are no longer the primary sponsor of the show. So this gun bash is trying to generate the necessary funding to make up for this loss, so we can keep fighting for your rights.
So IF you appreciate the effort the ACSL does on your behalf consider buying a ticket and coming to the event. There are some real quality Firearms on the main ticket that you could win and it all goes for a really good cause.
Rather than just trusting what anyone says go read for yourself some of the past ACSL legislative committee reports and see for yourself the efforts that are put forth on your behalf.
Thank You.
Pennsylvania’s “Castle Doctrine” Bill Needs Your Help Immediately!
Please Contact Your State Senator ASAP!
As you will recall, State Senator Richard Alloway (R-33) filed an amendment to House Bill 1926 containing vital “Castle Doctrine” language. Unfortunately, anti-hunting extremists have filed their own amendment to HB1926 that seeks to outlaw organized Pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania. Harrisburg needs to stop playing political games with our important self-defense rights and pass the “Castle Doctrine.”
Pigeon shooting is an historic and legitimate activity steeped in tradition with many participants throughout the Commonwealth and around the world. For over one hundred years, shoots have been held in Pennsylvania by law-abiding, ethical shooting enthusiasts, hunters, and sportsmen who would not tolerate an activity that would constitute cruelty to animals.
National "animal rights" extremist groups, led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), have organized and funded efforts in Pennsylvania and around the country to ban this longstanding traditional shooting sport. Make no mistake; this isn't just about banning pigeon shooting, but banning all hunting species by species.
In contrast, Senator Alloway’s proposed amendment to the bill seeks to protect our rights. It would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their homes and any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. If enacted, this law would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker’s family when force is used.
Please contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge them to vote for HB1926 without any anti-gun amendments, including the ban on pigeon shoots. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
Source: NRA / ILA
Senate Judiciary Committee Avoids Consideration of HB40
Your State Senator Needs to Hear from You Immediately!
The Senate Judiciary Committee did not hear House Bill 40 today because, once again, a laundry-list of anti-gun amendments was added to the bill. This is an attempt by anti-gun zealots to torpedo this much-needed reform and we cannot allow that to happen.
Such amendments include: a ban on semi-automatic rifles; "one-gun-a-month" purchasing restrictions; a prohibition on the use of out of state Right-to-Carry permits by Pennsylvania residents while inside the Commonwealth; mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms; mandatory storage of firearms within the home; and increased regulations of firearm ownership in Philadelphia.
HB40, sponsored by State Representative Scott Perry (R-92), is the "Castle Doctrine" bill that would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their homes and any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. "Castle Doctrine" would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker's family when force is used.
Please contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge them to vote for HB40 without any anti-gun amendments. Pennsylvania lawmakers need to stop liberal judges from putting the rights of criminals before the rights of the law-abiding. Harrisburg needs to stop playing political games with our important self-defense rights and pass HB40. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
Source: NRA / ILA
Friends,
I just spent the day talking to certain Senators.
This is the plan of action right now (unless the Senate makes changes between now and then):
Best Case Scenario: HB 40 is expedited through the Judiciary Committee and released to the floor of the Senate-unamended on the 12th of October. This would be the first reading. Then the second reading would be on Wednesday and the third and final passage would be on Thursday.
2nd Choice Scenario: HB 1926 is amended on the floor of the Senate with SB 842 (Senate version of HB 40) and then sent back to the House for concurrence vote IF the House comes back for a sine die session in November (they are out till after the election). I am told that the Senate has amended HB 1926 with what may be controversial amendments in the House and that could give the Philadelphia legislators the leverage to kill this whole deal.
I am told that Senator Pileggi is ‘uncomfortable’ (politically speaking) with running HB 40 as a stand alone bill. This REALLY is up to us to pressure the Senate to run a clean bill just like the House did. I have already spoke to three Senators directly and they are on board with this effort to run this through and put it on Rendell’s desk.
Action Item Request: The Senator’s to contact are Senator Scarnati, Senator Pileggi, Senator Greenleaf (Judiciary) and each gun owner’s own Senator. Then the rest of them as their time permits. E-mail is far less effective (if at all) in the State Senate so phone calls, faxes, and direct mail are the order of the day.
THIS is what we want done – Best Case Scenario – with Castle Doctrine in the Senate.
Thank you!
Kim Stolfer
Chairman FOAC
Legislative Chairman ACSL
email activist@fyi.net
See PA House Roll Calls
Senate is ONLY in session 3 days next week and that it for the 2009-2010 session It pass senate next week or we get nothing
Tues Oct 12, 2010 senate in session
Wed Oct 13, 2010 senate in session
Thur Oct 14, 2010 senate in session - Last day for passage
Here is leadership contact information below on this link has all the senator's contacts Emails are the least effective way to contact senators
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/senators_alpha.cfm
Joseph B. Scarnati III (R)
Senate District 25
Cameron, Clearfield (part), Elk,
Jefferson, Mckean, Potter,
Tioga and Warren (part) Counties.
ADDRESS: Senate Box 203025
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3025
ROOM: 292 Capitol Building
TELEPHONE: (717) 787-7084
D.O. ADDRESS: 315 Second Avenue
Suite 203
Warren, PA 16365
(814) 726-7201
E-MAIL ADDRESS: jscarnati@pasen.gov
INDIVIDUAL HOMEPAGE: http://www.senatorscarnati.com/
Offices
Senate Box 203025
292 Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Ph: 717-787-7084
FAX: 717-772-2755
TTY: 800-364-1581
Warren
315 Second Avenue
Suite 203
Warren, PA 16365
Ph: 814-726-7201
FAX: 814-726-7012
Toll Free: 877-787-7084
Brockway
410 Main Street
Brockway, PA 15824
Ph: 814-265-2030
FAX: 814-265-2040
Wellsboro
5 Main Street
Wellsboro, PA 16901
Ph: 570-724-5231
FAX: 570-723-5119
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dominic Pileggi (R)
Senate District 9
Chester (part) and Delaware (part) Counties.
ADDRESS: Senate Box 203009
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3009
ROOM: 350 Capitol Building
TELEPHONE: (717) 787-4712
D.O. ADDRESS: 100 Evergreen Drive
Suite 113
Glen Mills, PA 19342
(610) 358-5183
E-MAIL ADDRESS: dpileggi@pasen.gov
INDIVIDUAL HOMEPAGE: http://www.senatorpileggi.com
District Offices
100 Evergreen Drive
Suite 113
Glen Mills, PA 19342
Office: 610-358-5183
Fax: 610-358-5184
631 West Baltimore Pike
West Grove, PA 19390
Office: 610-345-1084
Fax: 610-345-1087
415 Avenue of the States
Chester, PA 19013
Office: 610-447-5845
Fax: 610-447-5848
Harrisburg Office
350 Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Office: 717-787-4712
Fax: 717-783-7490
Toll Free
888-984-3478
TTY
800-364-1581
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Stewart J. Greenleaf (R)
Senate District 12
Bucks (part) and Montgomery (part) Counties.
ADDRESS: Senate Box 203012
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3012
ROOM: 19 East Wing
TELEPHONE: (717) 787-6599
D.O. ADDRESS: 711 York Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090
(215) 657-7700
E-MAIL ADDRESS: sgreenleaf@pasen.gov
INDIVIDUAL HOMEPAGE: http://www.senatorgreenleaf.com
Harrisburg Office
Senate Box 203012
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3012
(717) 787-6599
800-848-5013
(717) 783-7328 Fax
District Office
711 North York Road
Suite 1
Willow Grove, PA 19090-2124
(215) 657-7700
800-924-3300
(215) 657-1885 Fax
State House approves bill expanding self-defense law
The House last night approved a bill expanding the state's self-defense law and key senators say there will be an effort to consider the legislation next week.
The House by a 159-38 vote approved so-called "stand your ground" legislation that allows lethal force in self defense outside the home.
The Senate will make an effort to put the issue on its agenda in the three remaining days of session before adjourning for the year, said Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County. The Senate's last three days are Oct.12, 13 and 14.
Under existing law, the Castle Doctrine holds that a person does not need to retreat from an assailant and can shoot to kill when defending his or her home. But outside the home, to justifiably argue self defense, a person needs to take steps away from the assailant.
H.B. 40 says that people can defend themselves in their yards, on their porches, in their cars or even a public place, without retreat from an assailant threatening them with death or serious bodily injury.
As was the case Monday, House Minority Leader Sam Smith, R-Punxsutawney, used a parliamentary maneuver to shut off consideration of amendments. His motion was approved 143-56.
But Rep. Curtis Thomas, D-Philadelphia, said, "The minority leader has imposed a rule to shut this chamber up."
"It's not the minority leader doing something," Smith said. "It's the majority of the House doing something." Moreover, Smith said the amendments under consideration "were not directly related to the underlying bill."
House Democrats opposed to the bill then moved for adjournment. The motion was defeated overwhelmingly.
But supporters have attempted for six years to win passage. Gun control advocates kept the bill parked in committee this year. Only the threatened use of a rare procedure to withdraw the bill from the House State Appropriations Committee prompted the committee to send the bill to the full House.
Source: Pittsburghlive.com
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_702736.html
Senate Judiciary committee members will be Voting on HB 40 on Tuesday Oct 12
Get on the phones at 9am with this Real simple message
Urge Judiciary Senators to keep HB 40 a CLEAN BILL with NO amendments
Expected to vote against us – FOCUS on this list maybe change a few minds
Wayne, Fontana, (D), (717) 787-5300 up for re election in 2010
Stewart, Greenleaf, (R) (717) 787-6599
Jane, Earll (R) (717) 787-8927
Daylin, Leach, (D) (717) 787-5544
Michael, Stack, (D) (717) 787-9608
Jay, Costa, (D) (717) 787-7683
Expected to vote FOR HB40 – FOCUS on this list
Mary, White (R) (717) 787-9684
John, Gordner (R) (717) 787-8928
Sponsors to senate version of HB 40 & thank them for their support
Lisa, Boscola (R) (717) 787-4236 - up for re election in 2010
Patrick, Browne (R) (717) 787-1349 - up for re election in 2010
Jeffrey, Piccola (R) (717) 787-6801
Joseph, Scarnati (R) (717) 787-7084
Jane, Orie (R) (717) 787-6538 - up for re election in 2010
John Rafferty (R) (717) 787-1398 - up for re election in 2010
GAME COMMISSION OFFERS ADVICE ON AVOIDING BEAR CONFLICTS
With summer quickly slipping by, many Pennsylvanians may have forgotten about problems caused by black bears in the spring, when nuisance bear activity typically peaks. However, black bear activity also tends to increase during the fall, and Pennsylvania Game Commission officials remind homeowners that steps taken now can minimize problems with bears during the next few weeks and months.
Mark Ternent, Pennsylvania Game Commission black bear biologist, noted that, as fall progresses, bears will begin to increase their food intake to prepare for the upcoming denning season, which begins in mid- to late-November. For some bears, the search for food may lead them closer to people or homes.
Ternent offered suggestions on how to reduce the likelihood that your property will attract bruins and how to best react when a bear is encountered.
“Bear activity can increase during the fall as bears try to consume as many calories as possible from any source they can find in preparation for denning,” Ternent said. “As a result, sightings of bears can increase, particularly if natural nut and berry crops are below average.
“While Pennsylvania bears are mostly timid animals that would sooner run than confront people, residents should know a few things about how to react if they encounter a bear, or better yet, how to avoid an encounter altogether by reducing the likelihood of attracting bears in the first place.”
Ternent stressed there are no known records of a free-ranging Pennsylvania black bear killing a human, and there have been fewer than 25 reported injuries resulting from black bear encounters during the past 10 years in the state. However, deaths caused by black bears have occurred elsewhere in North America. Pennsylvania’s bear population currently is estimated at 17,000 animals, and reports of problems because people failed to keep food away from bears are not uncommon.
“When bears become habituated to getting food from people, it can lead to conflicts, property damage and the possibility of injury or eventual destruction of the bear,” Ternent said. “Feeding wildlife, whether the activity is intended for birds or deer, can draw bears into an area. Once bears become habituated to an area where they find food, they will continue to return, which is when the bear can become a real problem for homeowners and neighbors.
“Even more disturbing are the reports we receive about people intentionally feeding bears to make them more visible for viewing or photographing.”
Since March 2003, it has been illegal to intentionally feed bears in Pennsylvania. Unintentional feeding of bears which results in nuisance bear activity also can result in a written warning that, if ignored, may lead to a citation and fine.
“We recognize that people enjoy viewing wildlife, and we are not attempting to impact that activity,” Ternent said. “But, all too often, complaints about bears can be traced back to intentional or unintentional feeding. To protect the public, as well as bears, we need to avoid the dangers of conditioning bears to finding food around homes. It would be irresponsible to do otherwise.”
Ternent listed five recommendations to reduce the chances of having a close encounter with a black bear on a homeowner’s property:
Play it smart. Do not feed wildlife. Food placed outside for wildlife, such as corn for squirrels or deer, may attract bears. Reconsider putting squash, pumpkins, corn stalks or other Halloween or holiday decorations outside that also may attract bears. Even bird feeders can become “bear magnets.” Tips for how to safely feed birds for those in prime bear areas include: restrict feeding season to when bears hibernate, which is primarily from late November through late March; avoid foods that are particularly attractive for bears, such as sunflower seeds, hummingbird nectar mixes or suet; bring feeders inside at night or suspend them from high crosswires; and temporarily remove feeders for two weeks if visited by a bear. Encourage your neighbors to do the same.
Keep it clean. Don’t place garbage outside until pick-up day; don’t throw table scraps out back for animals to eat; don't add fruit or vegetable wastes to your compost pile; and clean your barbecue grill regularly. If you feed pets outdoors, consider placing food dishes inside overnight.
Keep your distance. If a bear shows up in your backyard, stay calm. From a safe distance, shout at it like you would to chase an unwanted dog. If the bear won't leave, slowly retreat and call the nearest Game Commission regional office or local police department for assistance. Children should understand not to run, approach or hide from a bear that wanders into the yard, but, instead, to walk slowly back to the house.
Eliminate temptation. Bears that visit your area are often drawn there. Neighbors need to work together to reduce an area's appeal to bears. Ask area businesses to keep dumpsters closed and bear-proofed (chained or locked shut).
Check please! If your dog is barking, or cat is clawing at the door to get in, try to determine what has alarmed your pet. But do it cautiously, using outside lights to full advantage and from a safe position, such as a porch or an upstairs window. All unrecognizable outside noises and disturbances should be checked, but don't do it on foot with a flashlight. Black bears blend in too well with nighttime surroundings providing the chance for a close encounter. If bears have been sighted near your home, it is a good practice to turn on a light and check the backyard before taking pets out at night.
“Ideally, we want bears to pass by residential areas without finding a food reward that would cause them to return and become a problem,” Ternent said. “Capturing and moving bears that have become habituated to humans is costly and sometimes ineffective because they can return or continue the same unwanted behavior where released. That is why wildlife agencies tell people that a ‘fed bear is a dead bear.’”
Ternent noted that although bears are no strangers to Pennsylvanians, bears are misunderstood by many.
“Bears should not be feared, nor should they be dismissed as harmless, but they do need to be respected,” Ternent said. He also advised:
Stay Calm. If you see a bear and it hasn’t seen you, leave the area calmly. Talk to the bear while moving away to help it discover your presence. Choose a route that will not intersect with the bear if it is moving.
Get Back. If you have surprised a bear, slowly back away while quietly talking. Face the bear, but avoid direct eye contact. Do not turn and run; rapid movement may be perceived as danger to a bear that is already feeling threatened. Avoid blocking the bear’s only escape route and try to move away from any cubs you see or hear. Do not attempt to climb a tree. A female bear can falsely interpret this as an attempt to get at her cubs, even though the cubs may be in a different tree.
Pay Attention. If a bear is displaying signs of nervousness or discomfort with your presence, such as pacing, swinging its head, or popping its jaws, leave the area. Some bears may bluff charge to within a few feet. If this occurs, stand your ground, wave your arms wildly, and shout at the bear. Turning and running could elicit a chase and you cannot outrun a bear. Bears that appear to be stalking should be confronted and made aware of your willingness to defend by waving your arms and yelling while you continue to back away.
Fight Back. If a bear attacks, fight back as you continue to leave the area. Bears have been driven away with rocks, sticks, binoculars, car keys, or even bare hands.
“Learning about bears and being aware of their habits is a responsibility that comes with living in rural Pennsylvania or recreating in the outdoors,” Ternent said.
Intelligent and curious, black bears are heavy and have short, powerful legs. Adults usually weigh from 200 to 600 pounds, with rare individuals weighing up to 800 pounds. An adult male normally weighs more than an adult female, sometimes twice as much.
Bears may be on the move at anytime, but they're usually most active during evening and morning hours. Bears are omnivorous, eating almost anything from berries, corn, acorns, beechnuts, or even grass to table scraps, carrion, honey and insects.
More information on black bears is available on the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by putting your cursor over “Hunt/Trap” in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, then clicking on “Hunting” from the drop-down menu listing and then clicking on the “Black Bear” in the “Big Game” listing. Also, a brochure on living with black bears can be obtained by putting your cursor over “Self-Help” in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, then putting your cursor on “Your Property and Wildlife” from the drop-down menu listing and then clicking on “Living with Black Bear” in next drop-down menu listing.
Source: Pennsylvania Game Commission
Attention Pennsylvania Gun Owners:
Your State Representative Must Hear from You Immediately!
Please Contact Your State Representative Today!
Your NRA-ILA has learned that anti-gun forces are plotting to attach a plethora of anti-gun amendments to House Bill 40 when the Pennsylvania House of Representatives returns to session Monday, October 4.
Such amendments include: a ban on semi-automatic rifles; “one-gun-a-month” purchasing restrictions; a prohibition on the use of out of state Right-to-Carry permits by Pennsylvania residents while inside the Commonwealth; mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms; mandatory storage of firearms within the home; and increased regulations of firearm ownership in Philadelphia. Two other amendments to this anti-freedom laundry list are currently pending.
HB40, sponsored by State Representative Scott Perry (R-92), is the “Castle Doctrine” bill that would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their homes and any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. “Castle Doctrine” would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker’s family when force is used.
Please contact your State Representative and urge their support of HB40 without any anti-gun amendments. Pennsylvania lawmakers need to stop criminal coddling judges from putting the rights of criminals before the rights of the law-abiding. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
Source NRA / ILA
Procedural Motion Helps Advance House Bill 40 to Final Vote Without Hostile Amendments
Please Continue to Contact Your State Representative!
Thanks to a rarely used procedural motion, House Bill 40 passed second consideration today by a vote of 156-41. This special motion prevented the attachment of a large number of dangerous anti-gun riders. HB40 will be considered for a final floor vote TOMORROW, Tuesday, October 5.
HB40, sponsored by State Representative Scott Perry (R-92), is the "Castle Doctrine" bill that would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their homes and any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. "Castle Doctrine" would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker's family when force is used.
Anti-gun zealots in Harrisburg sought to hijack HB40 with language that would: ban semi-automatic rifles; impose "one-gun-a-month" purchasing restrictions; enact a prohibition on the use of out of state Right-to-Carry permits by Pennsylvania residents while inside the Commonwealth; require mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms; order the mandatory storage of firearms within the home; and increase regulations on firearm ownership in Philadelphia. This attempt failed!
Please contact your State Representative IMMEDIATELY and respectfully urge them to vote for HB40. Pennsylvania lawmakers need to stop criminal coddling judges from putting the rights of criminals before the rights of the law-abiding. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
Allegheny County Sportsmen's League, Inc.
Pennsylvania Sportsmen’s Association
PRIORITY: High
September 29, 2010
CRITICAL LEGISLATIVE ACTION ALERT
Issue: Senate Floor Action – Senate Bill 842 Castle Doctrine
Pennsylvania Senate Action alert
Current: the best option we have at this point is to encourage the Senate to move House Bill 1926 to the floor for a vote since it has been reported out of the Appropriations Committee and is ready for action. Once this legislation is on the floor it can be amended with Senate Bill 842, which is the Senate version of Castle Doctrine sponsored by Sen. Alloway, and then House Bill 1926 would be sent back to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for a concurrence vote. This would then put additional pressure on the House leadership who has been so efficient at blocking votes on House Bill 40.
So the action you need to take is to contact Senate majority leadership (as reproduced below) and encourage them to bring this matter to the floor. Please note that you may need to make phone calls to the state Senators offices because e-mail is less effective and is sometimes blocked from getting directly to the Sen. unlike in the House of Representatives.
Then please focus on your State Sen. and each and every one of the other Republican senators, as arranged below, and encourage them, politely, to stress to leadership that this legislation, House Bill 1926, must be sent back to the house with Senate Bill 842 amended in it. Please politely insist that we want to see this legislation put on the Governor’s desk. They may try to tell you that the Governor will not sign it but that is immaterial at this point and it is our desire to see this legislation passed as the first step in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leadership:
Joseph Scarnati (R), jscarnati@pasen.gov, (717) 787-7084, Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson,
McKean, Potter, Tioga, Warren--President of the Senate - must contact
Dominic Pileggi (R), dpileggi@pasen.gov, (717) 787-4712, Chester, Delaware -Majority Floor Leader- must contact
Mike Waugh (R), mwaugh@pasen.gov, (717) 787-3817, York-Majority Caucus Chair
Jake Corman (R), jcorman@pasen.gov, (717) 787-1377, Centre, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Union Majority - Appropriations Committee Chair
We know many of you have spent a great deal of time following this issue and we deeply appreciate your support and continued pressure in Harrisburg! However, I think all of you can see what it takes to get these pro-gun measures passed and how important the average gun owner is to overcoming the obstacles put in front of us seemingly each and every time.
Please try to pressure the Senate as much as possible so that we can advance this legislation!
We thank you in advance for your help with this critical and time sensitive step forward for our Freedoms and we will do our BEST to keep you informed on the developments ahead!
Respectfully,
Kim Stolfer Harry Schneider
Legislative Committee, Chairman Legislative Committee, Chairman
Allegheny County Sportsmen's League Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Association
E-Mail -- activist@fyi.net psa@pagunlaws.com
Website -- www.acslpa.org
(412) 221-3346, Home Phone
(412) 257-1099, Home Fax
SB 842 Sponsor:
Richard Alloway (R), alloway@pasen.gov, (717) 787-4651, Adams, Franklin, York
1. David Argall (R), dargall@pasen.gov, (717) 787-2637, Schuylkill
2. Lisa Baker (R), lbaker@pasen.gov, (717) 787-7428, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming
3. Lisa Boscola (D), boscola@pasenate.com, (717) 787-4236, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton
4. Patrick Browne (R), pbrowne@pasen.gov, (717) 787-1349, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton
5. Michael Brubaker (R), mbrubaker@pasen.gov, (717) 787-4420, Chester, Lancaster
6. Andrew Dinniman (D), andydinniman@pasenate.com, (717) 787-5709, Chester, Montgomery
7. John Eichelberger (R), jeichelberger@pasen.gov, (717) 787-5490, Bedford, Blair, Fulton, Huntingdon, Mifflin
8. Mike Folmer (R), mfolmer@pasen.gov, (717) 787-5708, Berks, Chester, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon
9. Richard Kasunic (D), rkasunic@pasenate.com, (717) 787-7175, Fayette, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland
10. Charles McIlhinney (R), cmcilhinney@pasen.gov, (717) 787-7305, Bucks, Montgomery
11. Raphael Musto (D), musto@pasenate.com, (717) 787-7105, Carbon, Luzerne, Monroe
12. Jane Orie (R), jorie@pasen.gov, (717) 787-6538, Allegheny, Butler
13. Jeffrey Piccola (R), jpiccola@pasen.gov, (717) 787-6801, Dauphin, York
14. John Pippy (R), jpippy@pasen.gov, (717) 787-5839, Allegheny, Washington
15. John Rafferty (R), jrafferty@pasen.gov, (717) 787-1398, Berks, Chester, Montgomery
16. Robert Robbins (R), rrobbins@pasen.gov, (717) 787-1322, Butler, Crawford, Lawrence, Mercer
17. Lloyd Smucker (R), lsmucker@pasen.gov, (717) 787-6535, Lancaster, York
18. Michael Stack (D), stack@pasenate.com, (717) 787-9608, Philadelphia
19. J. Barry Stout (D), stout@pasenate.com, (717) 787-1463, Allegheny, Beaver, Greene, Washington
20. Robert Tomlinson (R), rtomlinson@pasen.gov, (717) 787-5072, Bucks
21. Elder Vogel (R), Evogel@pasen.gov, (717) 787-3076, Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence
22. Kim Ward (R), kward@pasen.gov, (717) 787-6063, Westmoreland
23. Donald White (R), dwhite@pasen.gov, (717) 787-8724, Armstrong, Butler, Clearfield, Indiana, Westmoreland
24. John Wozniak (D), wozniak@pasenate.com, (717) 787-5400, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Somerset
25. Gene Yaw (R), gyaw@pasen.gov, (717) 787-3280, Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union
Batch Senator email address of sponsors to SB 842
alloway@pasen.gov, dargall@pasen.gov, lbaker@pasen.gov, boscola@pasenate.com,
pbrowne@pasen.gov, mbrubaker@pasen.gov, jcorman@pasen.gov,
andydinniman@pasenate.com, jeichelberger@pasen.gov, mfolmer@pasen.gov
rkasunic@pasenate.com, cmcilhinney@pasen.gov, musto@pasenate.com jorie@pasen.gov,
jpiccola@pasen.gov, dpileggi@pasen.gov, jpippy@pasen.gov, jrafferty@pasen.gov,
rrobbins@pasen.gov, jscarnati@pasen.gov, lsmucker@pasen.gov, stack@pasenate.com,
stout@pasenate.com, rtomlinson@pasen.gov, Evogel@pasen.gov, kward@pasen.gov,
mwaugh@pasen.gov, dwhite@pasen.gov, wozniak@pasenate.com, gyaw@pasen.gov,
Senators that are NOT sponsors to SB 842 but usually support our rights. (Focus on this list)
1. Edwin Erickson (R), eerickson@pasen.gov, (717) 787-1350, Chester, Delaware
2. Jim Ferlo (D), ferlo@pasenate.com, (717) 787-6123, Allegheny, Armstrong, Westmoreland
3. John Gordner (R), jgordner@pasen.gov, (717) 787-8928, Columbia, Dauphin, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder
4. Robert Mellow (D), mellow@pasenate.com, (717) 787-6481, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe-Minority Floor Leader- must contact
5. Bob Mensch (R), bmensch@pasen.gov, (717) 787-3110, Bucks, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton
6. Michael O'Pake (D), opake@pasenate.com, (717) 787-8925, Berks
7. Patricia Vance (R), pvance@pasen.gov, (717) 787-8524, Cumberland, York
8. Mary White (R), mwhite@pasen.gov, (717) 787-9684, Butler, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Venango, Warren
Batch Senator email address of ‘usually’ Pro-Gun but NOT current sponsors
eerickson@pasen.gov, ferlo@pasenate.com, jgordner@pasen.gov, mellow@pasenate.com,
bmensch@pasen.gov, opake@pasenate.com, pvance@pasen.gov, mwhite@pasen.gov,
Senators that are NOT sponsors to SB 842 and usually DON’T support our rights.
1. Jay Costa (D), costa@pasenate.com, (717) 787-7683, Allegheny-Minority - Appropriations Committee Chair
2. Jane Earll (R), jearll@pasen.gov, (717) 787-8927, Erie
3. Lawrence Farnese (D), NONE, (717) 787-5662, Philadelphia
4. Wayne Fontana (D), fontana@pasenate.com, (717) 787-5300, Allegheny
5. Stewart Greenleaf (R), sgreenleaf@pasen.gov, (717) 787-6599, Bucks, Montgomery Judiciary Majority Chair
6. Vincent Hughes (D), hughes@pasenate.com, (717) 787-7112, Montgomery, Philadelphia Minority Caucus Chair
7. Shirley Kitchen (D), kitchen@pasenate.com, (717) 787-6735, Philadelphia
8. Daylin Leach (D), dleach@pasenate.com, (717) 787-5544, Delaware, Montgomery Judiciary Minority Chair
9. Christine Tartaglione (D), tartaglione@pasenate.com, (717) 787-1141, Philadelphia
10. LeAnna Washington (D), washington@pasenate.com, (717) 787-1427, Montgomery, Philadelphia
11. Anthony Williams (D), williams@pasenate.com, (717) 787-5970, Delaware, Philadelphia
Batch Senator email address of ‘usually’ ANTI-GUN and NOT current sponsors
costa@pasenate.com, jearll@pasen.gov, fontana@pasenate.com, sgreenleaf@pasen.gov,
hughes@pasenate.com, kitchen@pasenate.com, dleach@pasenate.com,
tartaglione@pasenate.com, washington@pasenate.com, williams@pasenate.com
‘THIRD YEAR OF FALLING CRIME PROVES GUN GRABBERS WRONG’ — CCRKBA
For the third straight year, violent crime has declined in all categories while gun sales climbed, gun ownership expanded and more citizens are carrying firearms for personal protection; proof positive that gun prohibitionists have been consistently and undeniably wrong, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today.
The FBI released its 2009 report on Crime in the United States, showing that murder declined 7.3 percent, robberies fell 8 percent, aggravated assault dropped by 4.2 percent and forcible rape has declined 2.6 percent. Meanwhile, the National Shooting Sports Foundation notes that gun sales in 2009 were up dramatically.
“What the data tells us is exactly the opposite of what the gun ban lobby has predicted for several years,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. “Their dire predictions that America’s streets would run red have been shown up as a fraudulent sales pitch for public disarmament.
“No matter how gun prohibitionists try to spin this,” he continued, “the bottom line is that they have been consistently and demonstrably wrong, and they know it. On the other hand, gun rights organizations have been consistently right when we argued that increased gun ownership would not lead to higher crime rates, and might even have a deterrent effect, because even property crimes are down, according to this year’s report.
Gottlieb is co-author of America Fights Back: Armed Self-Defense in a Violent Age and Assault on Weapons: The Campaign to Eliminate Your Guns.
“America has turned a corner on crime,” he observed, “and it is time to turn our backs on the failed liberal gun control agenda. Their gun ban policies were wrong and the courts have said so. Their gun prohibitionist philosophy has clearly proven itself bankrupt, and for the third consecutive year, the FBI data says so.”
Source: Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Pennsylvania’s “Castle Doctrine” Bill Needs Your Help!
Please Contact Your State Senator Immediately!
Time is running out in this legislative session and the passage of one of NRA-ILA’s top legislative priorities is in jeopardy. As we reported yesterday, State Senator Richard Alloway (R-33) filed an amendment to House Bill 1926 which is currently pending in the Senate. It is important that the Senate act now. Please stand-up and make your voices heard!
Senator Alloway’s proposed amendment would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their homes and any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. If enacted, this law would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker’s family when force is used.
Please contact your State Senator IMMEDIATELY and urge their support of HB1926 with the Alloway amendment. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
Source: NRA / ILA
NRA Challenges Constitutionality Of Federal Handgun Ban For Law Abiding 18-20 Year-Olds
The NRA is challenging federal laws that prohibit law-abiding Americans 18-20 years of age from legally purchasing a handgun through a federally licensed firearm dealer. The case was filed Tuesday evening in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas Lubbock Division. James D'Cruz of Lubbock, TX is the plaintiff in this case.
"In Heller and McDonald, the U.S. Supreme Court clearly stated that the Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms for all law-abiding Americans," said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA's Institute for Legislative Action. "That right is not limited only to Americans 21 years of age and older. Indeed, throughout our nation's history, adults beginning at age 18 have served in the military and fought for this country with honor. But while the Supreme Court has consistently made clear that the federal government cannot ban or unduly restrict sales of items protected by the Constitution, the federal government continues to prohibit these adults from purchasing handguns from federally licensed dealers, which represent the largest and most accessible means of purchasing handguns."
The suit asserts: "At 18 years of age, law-abiding citizens in this country are considered adults for almost all purposes and certainly for the purposes of the exercise of fundamental constitutional rights." Indeed, at 18, citizens are eligible (and male citizens could be conscripted) to serve in the military--to fight and die by arms for the country. Yet, Section 922(b)(1) prohibits law-abiding adults in this age group from lawfully purchasing -- from the most prevalent and readily available source -- what the Supreme Court has called "the quintessential self-defense weapon" and "the most popular weapon chosen by Americans for self-defense in the home."
The plaintiff, Mr. D'Cruz, is well-trained in the proper handling and use of firearms, including handguns. His initial training was with his grandfather, a World War II veteran, who wanted his grandchildren to understand the proper and safe techniques for use and storage of firearms. Mr. D'Cruz received further training from his father and as a member of the Navy Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. During his junior and senior years of high school, Mr. D'Cruz was a member of the JROTC's marksmanship team, and as member of that team has competed in regional and national marksmanship competitions. Mr. D'Cruz received numerous awards, including a first place medal for marksmanship, in a regional competition. Mr. D'Cruz also received a Foreign Legion unit award for marksmanship.
The case is D'Cruz v. BATFE.
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Find this item at: http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=6020
EPA Denies Petition Calling for Lead Ammunition Ban
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency denied a petition calling for a ban on the production and distribution of lead hunting ammunition. EPA sent a letter to the petitioners explaining the rejection – that letter can be found here: www.epa.gov/oppt/chemtest/pubs/sect21.html
Steve Owens, EPA assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, issued the following statement on the agency’s decision:
“EPA today denied a petition submitted by several outside groups for the agency to implement a ban on the production and distribution of lead hunting ammunition. EPA reached this decision because the agency does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of product under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) – nor is the agency seeking such authority.
“This petition, which was submitted to EPA at the beginning of this month, is one of hundreds of petitions submitted to EPA by outside groups each year. This petition was filed under TSCA, which requires the agency to review and respond within 90 days.
“EPA is taking action on many fronts to address major sources of lead in our society, such as eliminating childhood exposures to lead; however, EPA was not and is not considering taking action on whether the lead content in hunting ammunition poses an undue threat to wildlife.
“As there are no similar jurisdictional issues relating to the agency's authority over fishing sinkers, EPA – as required by law – will continue formally reviewing a second part the petition related to lead fishing sinkers.
“Those wishing to comment specifically on the fishing tackle issue can do so by visiting http://www.regulations.gov. EPA will consider comments that are submitted by September 15.”
Source: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Hunter Access Helped by Congressional Legislation
Two pieces of federal legislation will enhance hunting, fishing and recreational activities on federally managed land.
On July 30, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, by an overwhelming 404-1 vote, a pro-sportsmen amendment to House Resolution 3534. HR 3534 is a massive energy bill that opens the door to additional access for a variety of outdoor activities and deals with numerous energy and land management issues. The amendment, sponsored by Representative Ron Kind (D- WI), guarantees at least 1.5 percent of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) will go each year toward securing public access to lands managed by the Secretary of the Interior for hunting, fishing, shooting, and other outdoor recreation.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Max Baucus (D- MT) also introduced a draft of legislation on July 28 aimed at dealing with the aftermath of the BP oil spill. Included in that bill is similar language that also earmarks 1.5 percent of the LWCF for securing public access to hunting, fishing, shooting, and other outdoor recreation.
“Surveys have consistently shown that a lack of access to land is a factor in keeping sportsmen out of the field,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president and CEO. “While this is not an end to all challenges facing sportsmen gaining access, it is a good first step forward and needs sportsmen’s support.”
The LCFW was created by Congress in 1964 to provide funding to federal, state and local governments for the acquisition of land and water, and easements on land and water, for public benefit. It is mostly funded by fees paid by companies drilling offshore for oil and gas.
If the LWCF is fully funded at the $900 million that it is authorized by Congress, $13.5 million will be available annually for the securing access to additional federal land.
Other conservation groups actively working for passage of this legislation include the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the Boone and Crockett Club and the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation.
Source: U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
PETA Targets American Idol Contestant’s Hunting Show
PETA’s latest campaign is aimed at a former American Idol contestant over her new hunting reality show.
Kristy Lee Cook, a contestant during the hit television show’s seventh season, is the host of “Goin’ Country” now airing on the Versus network. During its eight episode run, she, along with family and friends, go on a series of hunting excursions. Needless to say, this has PETA’s ire.
In a recent blog, PETA unloads on Cook while suggesting she act more like other well known American Idol personalities including the vegetarian winner of Season 4, Carrie Underwood (who also raised money for the Humane Society of the United States) and Season 5 contestant Kellie Pickler who regularly speaks out against wearing fur.
The blog also takes a swipe at hunters in general by saying, “It sounds like she must have had those tired old defenses of hunting hammered into her as a kid, because she isn't embarrassed to float the incredibly old saw that hunters somehow help animals…”
However, Cook came out swinging and released a statement to Fox News that shows she clearly understands that hunting is not only a tradition, but that it plays the dominant role in conserving wildlife species.
“I join the ranks of millions of American hunters who celebrate our outdoor heritage and who conserve millions of acres of wild lands,” Cook said. “These same people support more than 600,000 jobs across the country and provide a critical voice to encourage more investment in American conservation."
“Kristy Lee Cook should be saluted for using her status to tell the truth about wildlife conservation,” said Greg R. Lawson, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance director of communications. “Everyone that understands how conservation works in America knows not only the key role played by sportsmen and women, but also that if PETA had its way, animals would suffer from disease and starvation due to overpopulation.”
Source: U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
Sheriff's deputies' disdain for Constitution captured by their own recorded comments
I will supplement it (my report) and use very flowery language." SLO County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Murphy
By DANIEL BLACKBURN
When San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Murphy responded to a “shots fired” call in April 2008, he decided en route that he was going to make an arrest.
He did far more than that. Murphy and other deputies made an unwarranted entry into a home, and then into a locked gun safe. Murphy's uncensored, darkly disturbing observations and behavior following his Code-3 arrival at the rural home of longtime SLO County resident Matt Hart were picked up by Murphy's and other deputies’ own recorders. Those recordings provide a rare, frighteningly revealing, behind-the-scenes perspective of how one local law enforcement agency views the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and other laws its personnel are sworn to uphold.
Sheriff’s spinner Rob Bryn declined to confirm the identities of any of the deputies appearing or heard in the recordings, or to discuss any aspect of the Hart home invasion. So we've done that for you. (Bryn, ever the public servant, eventually stopped responding to e-mails from a KCCN.tv reporter.)
Deputies’ deportment in the field as exhibited by their own words, as well as their plainly audible efforts to fabricate justifications for their actions, are lamentable. Local county prosecutors’ subsequent abuse of power, wielded in a cavalier, clumsy, and transparent effort to avoid a lawsuit, also is troubling.
But in the larger scheme of things, it is the systematic dismantling of the Fourth Amendment by over-zealous cops and an enabling judiciary that should be a cause of concern for every American citizen. Incredibly, Hart's case may be less of an anomaly than it appears.
The question is: Should law enforcement officers like Deputy Darren Murphy be allowed to make day-to-day, life-changing decisions regarding the fate of law-abiding citizens?
Watch. Listen. And then you be the judge.
The video can be found on youtube by clicking the links below.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Source: KCCN.TV
ELK APPLICATION DEADLINE APPROACHES
Webcast planned for public drawing of elk licenses
Hunters looking to participate in this year’s Pennsylvania elk season have until Aug. 27 to submit an application through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Pennsylvania Automated License System (PALS). This can be done at any issuing agent or through the “2010 Elk Hunt” icon in the center of the agency’s homepage (www.pgc.state.pa.us/).
Applicants must pay a $10.70 non-refundable application fee to be included in the drawing. Details on the elk season and drawing are available on pages 89-91 of the 2010-11 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, which is provided to license buyers.
On Sept. 10, the Game Commission will hold a public, computerized drawing in the auditorium of its Harrisburg headquarters. At that time, the agency will award the 50 elk licenses, the first 17 drawn will receive an antlered license and the next 33 drawn will receive an antlerless license.
By law, only one application is permitted per person per year, and PALS will prohibit an individual from submitting more than one application.
Individuals are not required to purchase a resident or nonresident general hunting license to apply for the drawing. However, if they are drawn for one of the elk licenses, hunters then will be required to purchase the appropriate resident or nonresident general hunting license and view the elk hunt orientation video produced by the Game Commission before being permitted to purchase the elk license. The elk license fees are $25 for residents and $250 for nonresidents.
There is no cap, or limit, for the number of licenses that may be awarded to nonresidents. Individuals who applied but were not awarded an elk license in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 have seven preference points heading into this year’s drawing if they submit an application this year, and will have their name entered into the drawing eight times (seven preference points plus the point for this year’s application).
As part of the preference point system established by the agency in 2003, consecutive applications are not required to maintain previously earned preference points, but those points can be activated only in years that a hunter submits an application. For instance, if a hunter has six preference points, but does not enter the 2010 drawing, he/she will not have any chances in the upcoming drawing. However, their preference points will remain on hold until they apply again. Once a hunter is awarded an elk license – either an antlered or antlerless elk license – the hunter’s preference points will revert to zero.
Additionally, hunters who want to earn a preference point for this year, but know that they would not be able to participate in the elk hunting season if drawn, have the option of simply purchasing a preference point for $10.70. While they will not be included in the drawing for the 2010 elk licenses, they will continue to build their preference points.
Those applying for an elk license can choose either an antlered or antlerless elk license, or they may select both categories on their application. For those who select “antlered only,” if they are drawn after the antlered licenses are allocated, they will not receive an elk license. For those who do receive an antlered elk license, they will not be permitted to re-apply for future elk hunting opportunities for five years. However, those who received an antlerless elk license in any of the previous hunts may submit an application this year.
Applicants also have the opportunity to identify their elk hunt zone preference, or they may select “any.” If drawn and their preferred hunt zone is filled, applicants will be assigned a specific area by the Game Commission. To assist applicants in making this decision, information about the elk hunt zones, as well as an elk harvest map depicting the locations of every elk taken by hunters since 2001, are posted on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), and can be viewed by clicking on the “2010 Elk Hunt” icon in the center of the homepage.
Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director, noted that the agency is planning to webcast the public drawings for the 2010 elk hunting licenses on Sept. 10. To view the drawing, a special icon will be posted online the morning of the public drawing for individuals to click on and watch the drawing.
“Each year, tens of thousands of individuals apply for an elk license,” Roe said. “Unfortunately, not all of them can make it to the public drawings and we are unable – due to financial limitations – to send everyone who applied a letter to let them know whether they were drawn. By webcasting the drawings, we hope to allow more people to view these events without having to travel.”
Roe also noted that those who have submitted applications can check the status of their applications for the elk drawing, as well as their antlerless deer license applications, thanks to the Pennsylvania Automated License System (PALS).
To access this information, go to the Game Commission website (www.pgc.state.pa.us/), and click on the blue box in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage. Click on the “Purchase License Permit and or Application/Replace License and or Permit” option, which includes the ability to “Check on the status of any Lottery Application,” scroll down and click on the “Start Here” button at the bottom of the page. At this page, choose one of the identification options below to check your records, fill in the necessary information and click on the “Continue” button. Click on the appropriate residency status, which will display your current personal information. At the bottom of the page, choose the “Check on the status of any Lottery Application” button, and then hit “Continue.”
“While this may seem like a lot of clicking and box checking to get to the information, the system is designed to protect an individual’s personal information, while at the same time enabling that person to check on the status of his or her applications,” Roe said. “In the past, the only way to know for sure that you were awarded an elk license was to attend the public drawings, wait for a letter in the mail or to call the Game Commission.
“Thanks to PALS, we will be able to update the data files shortly after the elk drawing is completed so that license buyers will be able to see for themselves if they were drawn for one of the 50 elk licenses.”
Source: Pennsylvania Game Commission
EPA Considering Ban on Traditional Ammunition: ACT NOW!!
All Gun Owners, Hunters and Shooters:
With the fall hunting season fast approaching, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Lisa Jackson, who was responsible for banning bear hunting in New Jersey, is now considering a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) - a leading anti-hunting organization - to ban all traditional ammunition under the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976, a law in which Congress expressly exempted ammunition. If the EPA approves the petition, the result will be a total ban on all ammunition containing lead-core components, including hunting and target-shooting rounds. The EPA must decide to accept or reject this petition by November 1, 2010, the day before the midterm elections.
Today, the EPA has opened to public comment the CBD petition.
The comment period ends on October 31, 2010.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) -- the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry -- urges you to submit comment to the EPA opposing any ban on traditional ammunition. Remember, your right to choose the ammunition you hunt and shoot with is at stake.
The EPA has published the petition and relevant supplemental information as Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-0681. If you would like to read the original petition and see the contents of this docket folder, please click here. In order to go directly to the 'submit a comment' page for this docket number, please click here.
NSSF urges you to stress the following in your opposition:
·There is no scientific evidence that the use of traditional ammunition is having an adverse impact on wildlife populations.
·Wildlife management is the proper jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and the 50 state wildlife agencies.
·A 2008 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on blood lead levels of North Dakota hunters confirmed that consuming game harvested with traditional ammunition does not pose a human health risk.
·A ban on traditional ammunition would have a negative impact on wildlife conservation. The federal excise tax that manufacturers pay on the sale of the ammunition (11 percent) is a primary source of wildlife conservation funding. The bald eagle's recovery, considered to be a great conservation success story, was made possible and funded by hunters using traditional ammunition - the very ammunition organizations like the CBD are now demonizing.
·Recent statistics from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service show that from 1981 to 2006 the number of breeding pairs of bald eagles in the United States increased 724 percent. And much like the bald eagle, raptor populations throughout the United States are soaring.
Steps to take:
1.Submit comment online to the EPA.
2.Contact Lisa Jackson directly to voice your opposition to the ban:
Lisa P. Jackson
Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-4700
Fax: (202) 501-1450
Email: jackson.lisa@epa.gov
3. Contact your congressman and senators and urge them to stop the EPA from banning ammunition. To view a sample letter, click here.
Source: The National Shooting Sports Foundation
Groups Seek Nationwide Ban on Traditional Ammunition
Also Seeks Ban on Lead Fishing Tackle
This week, two environmental groups filed a petition with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking a nationwide ban on lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle. Such a ban would drastically reduce sportsmen numbers and result in decimated funding for wildlife conservation programs due to a loss of revenue from licenses and taxes on sporting equipment.
The petition filed was filed under the Toxic Substances Control Act, which regulates dangerous chemicals, on August 3 by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), the American Bird Conservancy and several other groups. It claims that the use of traditional ammunition is dangerous to certain types of wildlife, including numerous birds, which scavenge on parts of game that remain in the field.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) and other groups have repeatedly pointed out that scientific evidence connecting lead ammunition to the harm of most animal populations is inconclusive. However, there are real concerns that forcing sportsmen to purchase higher cost, non-lead ammunition will decrease the number of days spent in the field as it prices many out of the market.
“It is important for everyone to remember that the engine that drives wildlife conservation is fueled by the dollars generated by the American sportsman,” said Rob Sexton, USSA vice president for government affairs. “In fact, sportsmen contribute nearly every dime used for managing wildlife and habitat preservation from coast to coast. Given our history of over 100 years of successful wildlife conservation, you would in essence be killing the goose that laid the golden egg with this meat cleaver approach.”
Take Action! Sportsmen are encouraged to express their opposition to this petition by contacting the following Environmental Protection Agency staff. Let them know that sportsmen represent the foundation of America’s conservation movement and that this ban will result in a critical loss of funding for wildlife and other important programs:
Lisa P. Jackson
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-4700
Fax: (202) 501-1450
Email: jackson.lisa@epa.gov
And
Steve Owens
Assistant Administrator, Prevention, Pesticides & Toxic Substance
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-2902
Fax: (202) 546-0801
Email: owens.steve@epa.gov
Source: U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
House Judiciary Committee to Consider Attack on Concealed Carry on Tuesday, August 10!
Please Contact the Members of the House Judiciary Committee Today!
On Tuesday, August 10, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on legislation that would restrict the recognition of reciprocity agreements for "concealed carry" license holders in Pennsylvania.
House Bill 2536, introduced by State Representative Brian Lentz (D-161), would prohibit a resident of the Commonwealth from carrying a concealed firearm with a license issued from another state. For example, a Pennsylvanian with a Utah or Florida permit would be prohibited from carrying a firearm for self-defense while in the Keystone State.
This legislation is the first step in an outright attack on your concealed carry rights in Pennsylvania. HB2536 poses a very real and serious threat to our rights so it is imperative that you make your voice heard.
Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee IMMEDIATELY and respectfully urge them to oppose HB2536. Contact information for the committee can be found by clicking here.
Source: NRA-ILA
Anglers’ Questions Linger in Wake of Executive Order
For months, many anglers across the nation have been concerned about a pending federal management plan for the oceans and Great Lakes waters being developed by the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force. This week, President Obama issued an executive order which largely adopts and implements the final recommendations made by the task force. Despite addressing some of the concerns raised by sport anglers, many questions still linger about how the plan will be implemented by the Administration.
The task force, which was created in June of 2009, was commissioned to develop a new framework for managing the nation’s oceans and Great Lakes waters. One of the primary recommendations was the creation of a new federal council designed to enhance and coordinate ocean governance called the National Ocean Council (NOC). The NOC will be made up of top Obama Administration officials, including the Secretaries of State and Defense.
Many anglers were relieved to find out that unlike the task force’s interim report, released in September of last year, the final recommendations included several references to recreational uses of ocean and Great Lakes waters, including angling. However, many still question the amount of input anglers will have with the NOC as President Obama’s executive order again this week lacked any references to the benefits of recreational angling. In addition, questions also remain regarding the creation of yet another government agency involved with managing public waters.
According to Jim Donofrio, the Executive Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, “Not only does this new National Ocean Council threaten to override our current federal fisheries management process, it threatens the integrity of our regional fishing councils and creates an overarching bureaucracy which could summarily dismiss all input from stakeholders.”
As Mike Nussman, President and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association states, “We are pleased to see that the Task Force included recreational fishing and boating as part of the National Ocean Policy. However, we wish that the Task Force would have gone further and established public access to these great resources as a national priority. It is vital that we remain vigilant and involved in the design and implementation process.”
“While we appreciate that the Administration has acknowledged the many contributions made by America’s sport anglers to conservation, there remain concerns over the new mechanisms being created to manage our water resources,” commented Bud Pidgeon, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance president and CEO. “It will be absolutely essential that the Administration maintain an open door to the angling community as the NOC proceeds in its tasks.”
Source: NSSF
There are big developments going on right now with legalization of blood tracking here in PA.
New legislation, HB2526, was introduced in the House of Representatives back in May and at the Game Commission's quarterly meeting on June 29th the Board of Commissioners passed a resolution publically supporting the bill. At this time we need as many people as possible to participate in a letter writing campaign to get keep HB2526 moving toward passage in Harrisburg. I would like to keep track of how many people send letters so please copy me any correspondence you send out. Below is an outline to help you write your letter and make sure it gets to the right places.
Please send a letter or email to your own local State Representative and State Senator within the next week or as soon as possible. Timing is important so that all our letters arrive within a close proximity to have the maximum effect. You can get the contact information for your local legislators at
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/find.cfm
When you send a letter/email to your State Representative, also send a carbon copy (cc) to the Majority and Minority Chairmen of the House Game and Fisheries Committee. Here is their contact info:
Hon. Edward G. Staback (Majority Chairman)
225 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202115
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2115
(717) 783-5043
Fax: (17) 787-1231
Email: http://www.pahouse.com/contact/viaLDPC.asp?district=115
Hon. Ron Miller (Minority Chairman)
115 Ryan Office Building
PO Box 202093
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2093
(717) 783-8389
Fax: (717) 705-1850
Email: rmiller@pahousegop.com
When you send a letter/email to your State Senator, also send a carbon copy (cc) to the Majority and Minority Chairmen of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee. Here is their contact info:
Hon. Richard Alloway II (Majority Chairman)
187 Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: 717-787-4651
Fax: 717-772-2753
Email: alloway@pasen.gov
Hon. Richard Kasunic (Minority Chairman)
Senate Box 203032
Harrisburg PA 17120
Phone: 717-787-7175
Fax: 717-787-0195
Email: http://www.senatorkasunic.com/contact.htm
Also, please send a copy of your letter to me so I can document all the interest and support HB2526 has should any of the legislators try to say there has not been much interest in the bill.
Andy Bensing
1411 Cross Keys Road
Reading PA 19605
610-926-7778 home
610-413-7094 cell
Email: abensing@pbkennels.com
Keep your letter short, polite, and to the point. Below are the main points that would be beneficial to include in your letter.
1. Ask your Representative and Senator to support the bill and assist in its passage.
2. Give them several reasons several you think the bill should be passed.
a. HB2526 offers the Sportsmen of PA an additional opportunity not currently available to them to enjoy the outdoors. Other states where blood tracking dogs have been allowed have seen even non-hunters and women buy hunting licenses to get involved in tracking.
b. Legalizing leashed blood tracking dogs for the recovery of wounded deer in PA will bring PA in line with the 17 other northern states including the surrounding states of NY, MD, and OH where it is has been legalized for years and is working with no problems.
c. HB2526 gives hunters another ethical tool for maximizing their efforts to recover wounded game. Hunters using blood tracking dogs demonstrate to the non-hunting public that hunters take all measures possible to harvest and retrieve game that has been shot. This helps to put hunting in a positive light to society in general and is a plus for the survival of our hunting heritage here in PA.
d. Of course add any personal reasons you might have for wanting blood tracking to be legalized.
3. If you want, although not necessary, include a "brief" description of how blood tracking dogs work. Here is a brief outline you can paraphrase if you like:
If you are unfamiliar with the leashed tracking dog concept, let me summarize for you how it works. Typically, a leashed tracking dog is used when a hunter has shot and wounded a big game animal with gun or bow and has exhausted his human attempts to visually track the animal. At that point a leashed tracking dog can be brought in to help. The leashed tracking dog is started on the trail usually 12 to 24 hours after the hunter has shot the animal. The dog is normally started not at the hunter’s point of loss, but at the site of the original hit. By the time the dog has tracked from the hit site to the point of the hunter’s loss of the trail, the dog recognizes the specific scent characteristics of the individual deer it is trailing and can continue the tracking job forward even if there is little or no visual blood present. Just as in the case of human visual tracking, sign is observed along the way and the deer is either found by the dog, the trail is lost by the dog, or it is determined that the animal is not mortally wounded and the trail is given up.
4. Somewhere in your letter ask for a response to your correspondence.
Thank you in advance for your help with getting HB2526 moving forward. With everyone's letters getting to their legislators now and copies to all the Committee Chairmen, hopefully this demonstrated interest will get the bill on the agenda for discussion. Keep in mind that especially since this is an election year that there is actually not much legislative time left this year for this bill to pass through all the procedures necessary to become law. Even if it does not happen yet this year, your efforts now to get the discussion going in Harrisburg will greatly benefit legalization and likely set the stage for passage early next year after the elections.
Thanks again,
Andy Bensing
Director
Deer Recovery of PA
EPA Offers Tips on How to Protect Eyes, Skin from the Sun’s Harmful Rays
Download sun safety information on smartphones
In recognizing Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing tips and tools to people of all ages that will protect them from the sun’s harmful rays. Overexposure to the sun can cause skin cancer and eye damage during any time of the year, regardless of skin color.
EPA launched an application for smartphones that gives users mobile access to the daily UV index forecast in their area. This application provides Americans with a new way to check the sun’s intensity and plan outdoor activities accordingly. The app provides users with a numeric index ranging from 0 to 11+ (higher numbers indicate greater amounts of skin-damaging UV radiation), and tips to protect the skin and eyes.
In addition to this new app, EPA has issued “Health Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation,” a fact sheet intended for older adults and their caregivers. The fact sheet describes how UV radiation plays a role in the development of age-related macular degeneration and skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More people were diagnosed with skin cancer in 2009 than with breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer combined. One American dies every hour from skin cancer. Overexposure to UV radiation may suppress proper functioning of the body’s immune system and skin’s natural defenses. All people, regardless of skin color, are vulnerable to the effects of UV radiation.
Sun safety tips:
· Do not burn—overexposure to the sun is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer
· Seek shade, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when UV radiation is most intense.
· Wear wide-brimmed hats, protective clothing, and sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of UV radiation.
· Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 on all exposed skin.
· Check the UV Index.
· Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds.
EPA’s SunWise program encourages sun safety and teaches children and their caregivers how to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun. The program is now in more than 25,000 schools and 4,500 camps, science and children’s museums, daycare centers, and other community-based organizations nationwide. SunWise schools and communities receive materials that encourage sun-safe infrastructures, including shade structures (e.g., canopies, trees) and policies (e.g., using hats, sunscreen, sunglasses) to promote sun protection.
EPA’s Aging Initiative focuses on protecting the environmental health of older Americans. By 2030, the number of older persons in the United States is expected to double to more than 70 million. As we age, our bodies may become more susceptible to environmental hazards because of the diminished capacity of various organ systems that occur in the natural aging process. In addition, the Aging Initiative encourages older people to volunteer in their communities to reduce hazards and protect the environment.
To download the UV Index smartphone app: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/mobile/
More information on the SunWise program: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/
More information on EPA’s Aging Initiative and to download the fact sheet: http://www.epa.gov/aging/index.htm
With NRA Support, Chicagoans Challenge New City Gun Law
Barely a week after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in McDonald v. City of Chicago, NRA is supporting a new lawsuit—Benson v. City of Chicago—to enforce the court's decision. The suit, filed on July 6 against the city and its mayor, Richard Daley, is the first to challenge the city's new gun control ordinance passed on July 2. (please see related story from last week's Grassroots Alert here).
Just four days after the Court struck down the nearly 30 year-long handgun bans in the cities of Chicago and Oak Park, Chicago enacted one of the most restrictive anti-gun ordinances in the United States. Commenting on the scope of the new ordinance, Corporation Counsel Mara Georges, the top attorney for the city, said, "We've gone farther than anyone else ever has."
The city's so-called "Responsible Gun Ownership Ordinance" provisions include: a ban on all gun sales in the city; a ban on possession of firearms for self-defense outside the "home"—even on a patio or in an attached garage; a ban on having more than one assembled and operable firearm in the home; a provision that allows the Chicago police to arbitrarily ban "unsafe" handguns based on unlimited criteria; and a training requirement to obtain a Chicago Firearm Permit. (However, range training would be impossible since it will now be unlawful to operate a shooting range within city limits.)
Challenging the provisions are a number of gun owners and would-be gun owners in Chicago, along with the Illinois Association of Firearms Retailers—a trade association that includes members who would open gun stores and shooting ranges in the city, if not for the restrictive new law.
Commenting on the need for the lawsuit, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre said, "The Supreme Court has now said the Second Amendment is an individual freedom for all. And that must have meaning. This decision cannot lead to different measures of freedom, depending on what part of the country you live in. City by city, person by person, this decision must be more than a philosophical victory. An individual right is no right at all if individuals can't access it."
"The Supreme Court told Mayor Daley and the City of Chicago that it has to respect the Second Amendment. By enacting this ordinance, their response is 'Make Us'," added NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. "The NRA will not rest until Chicago's law-abiding residents can exercise the same freedoms that our Founding Fathers intended all Americans to have."
Recent statements by Chicago officials reflect their contempt for the Supreme Court decision. Alderman Daniel Solis stated, "the decision made by the Supreme Court is not really in the best interests of our citizens." Alderman Sharon Denise Dixon denounced what she called the Court's "blatant… misreading of the law." And another city council member even went so far as to say, "We're here today because of their poor judgment."
Benson v. City of Chicago was filed by lead counsel Charles J. Cooper and his colleagues in the Washington, D.C. firm of Cooper & Kirk. One of the nation's premier litigation firms, Cooper & Kirk has represented NRA in major constitutional litigation for many years.
Source: NRA - ILA
RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN APPALACHIAN BAT SURVEY
Survey part of national WNS monitoring effort
Pennsylvania Game Commission biologists are seeking assistance from residents in a regional monitoring effort to collect bat maternity colony data this summer. This monitoring is especially important due to the mortalities in bat populations throughout the northeastern United States, including Pennsylvania, being caused by White-Nose Syndrome (WNS).
“WNS primarily kills during the winter, but the true impact of WNS on bat populations cannot be determined using estimates from winter hibernacula alone,” said Calvin Butchkoski, Game Commission wildlife biologist. “Pennsylvanians can help us more fully gauge the impact of WNS on the landscape by hosting a bat count this summer. We are especially urging people who have ever conducted a bat count for the Game Commission in the past to redo a count this year.”
To obtain applications and information on how to participate, visit the Game Commission’s website (http://www.pgc.stata.us/) and click on “Wildlife” in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, scroll down and choose “Pennsylvania Bats” in the Mammal section, and then click on “Appalachian Bat Count” in the Reference listing. Forms on the website guide interested participants through the steps of timing, conducting a survey and submitting their findings to the Game Commission. Scout groups, 4-H clubs, local environmental organizations, and individual homeowners can all participate in this important effort.
“Pennsylvania’s two most common bat species, the little brown bat and the big brown bat, use buildings as their summer roosts,” Butchkoski said. “Abandoned houses, barns, church steeples – and even currently-occupied structures – can provide a summer home to female bats and their young.
“Monitoring these ‘maternity colonies’ can give biologists a good idea of how bat populations in an area are doing from year to year. With the occurrence of WNS in Pennsylvania this year, monitoring these colonies is more important than ever.”
Butchkoski noted that the fieldwork isn’t difficult to do, and Pennsylvanians can play a huge role in helping the Game Commission get a better understanding of what is happening to bats this summer.
“We’re looking for some help, and we hope you’ll consider becoming part of the Appalachian Bat Count monitoring team,” Butchkoski said. “It’s a chance to make a difference for bats and to get involved in the fight against WNS. Please consider lending a hand. Bats need you more than ever.”
A multi-state State Wildlife Grant was awarded and is being administered by the Game Commission to investigate and respond to WNS. As part of this project, the Appalachian Bat Count contributes to the nationwide effort to collect data during summer months through maternity colony monitoring, wing assessments and acoustic sampling.
For more information on WNS, visit the Game Commission’s website (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/) and click on “Wildlife” in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, scroll down and choose “White-Nose Syndrome” in the Wildlife Disease section. To report observations of sick or multiple dead bats, go to the agency’s website (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/) and click on “Report a Sick Bat” in the “Quick Clicks” box in the right-hand column of the homepage.
Source: PA Game Commission
House Bill 2526, sponsored by Rep. Jeffrey Pyle (R-Armstrong/Indiana), that would amend the Game and Wildlife Code (Title 34) to legalize the use of blood-tracking dogs to recover lawfully harvested or lawfully wounded white-tailed deer.
This bill is being supported by the Pa Federation of Sportsmen’s club and most recently by the Game Commissioners. I hope you will join and support HB 2526 also.
How you can help. Inform member clubs to get the word out that HB 2526 is something we want. Copy and distribute the attached flyer and letter. The cheapest way is to start an e mail message to members asking them to contact the legislature and let them know that we want HB2526 to pass . Ask them to forward it to all hunters and interested people they know.
More info can be found at www.unitedbloodtrackers.org and www.deerrecoverypa.org
Thanks for your support.
HB2526 Flyer
House Bill 2526 Cover Letter
HB 2526 Bill
BALD EAGLES NOW NESTING IN 5O COUNTIES
State threatened species continues its ascent
The bald eagle’s amazing recovery from the brink of extinction in this state continues at a heartwarming pace as America prepares to celebrate the birth of its independence, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
So far this year, 192 bald eagle nests – in 50 counties – have been recorded in Pennsylvania. As recently as 1983, only three Crawford County nests remained in the state.
The bald eagle has symbolized freedom in America for more than 225 years. Its ruggedness and handsome features appealed to the country’s founding fathers. Well, most of them anyway. Ben Franklin preferred the innocuous and timid wild turkey. He considered it more honorable.
But in the spirit of democracy, and with the blood spilled to acquire this country’s newfound independence less than a decade old, a congressional committee, comprised of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Franklin, chose the bald eagle, which was proposed by Adams. Despite Franklin’s loquacious pleas for the gobbler and stated disdain for eagles, Congress directed Charles Thomson to develop what became known as the “Great Seal” of the United States. Interestingly, Franklin wrote that he thought the seal created by Thomson, “... looks more like a turkey.”
When the founding forefathers were deliberating what should appear on the Great Seal in the 1780s, America was believed to be home to as many as 100,000 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the Lower 48. By the 1960s, that number would drop to less than 500 pairs. Today, eagle nesting pairs are believed to number about 10,000.
“The bald eagle’s remarkable comeback is a product of sound and progressive wildlife management and environmental reform,” explained Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe. “Here was a species that was so smitten by the deleterious ecological consequences associated with DDT that it was barely hanging on in the Lower 48. But today, the bald eagle is back in numbers that haven’t been seen here or elsewhere in America since before the Civil War.
“As wildlife managers, we are proud of that accomplishment. It is the product of sound science, interstate and international cooperation and commitment to the resource. As bald eagles continue to move closer and closer to this state’s urban settings, more and more Pennsylvanians will get to appreciate the progress that has been made with this symbolic species. And they will. Immediately. Their presence is that captivating!”
It is important to remember, though, that the relatively recent appearance of bald eagles around Philadelphia, and now Pittsburgh, is related to what’s been happening in the more remote areas of the state, where eagles have been moving in at a phenomenal pace. It doesn’t hurt, though, that both cities are strategically located along major river systems with good fisheries.
The 192 bald eagle nests recorded this spring include eight that were built, but where pairs did not lay eggs. Counties supporting the largest numbers of known nesting pairs are: Crawford, 22; Lancaster, 16; Pike, 16; Mercer, 11; and York 11.
“It seems likely that Pennsylvania has eclipsed 200 bald eagle nests, but until they’re found or confirmed, we’ll stick with what we know from our official count,” explained Doug Gross, a Game Commission endangered birds biologist. “Each year, this nesting snapshot becomes more complicated to develop. And this year was no exception, given the increasing numbers of eagles and areas they now occupy, and the cold, blustery conditions Pennsylvania endured this past spring.
“Some pairs are not using the nests they used last year. Some seem to have moved to alternative nests in neighboring states – New York, New Jersey, Maryland or Ohio. In addition, we still don't know the status of several nesting pairs yet and have heard reports about other nests that we haven’t been able to confirm.”
Reporting on eagle nests is anything but an exact science. In 2009, the June nest count was at least 170; that number increased by four until year’s end. In 2008, the June estimate was 140 known nests; the final nest count was 156. The agency learns of new nests with increasing regularity from the public. Some of the latest reported were found by birders walking trails in off-road locations.
Residents aware of a bald eagle nest – they are among the largest nests of all birds – in their area should consider reporting it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The easiest way to contact the agency and Doug Gross is through: pgccomments@state.pa.us. Use the words “Eagle Nest Information” in the subject field. Counties where nests have not yet reported this year are: Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Fulton, Franklin, Greene, Lackawanna, Lebanon, Lehigh, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Susquehanna, Union and Washington.
Although Pennsylvania’s bald eagle nesting population has been increasing, it hasn’t been without some bumps along the way. More nests means more eaglets are usually involved in nest collapses caused by spring snowfall and strong winds, or find themselves on the forest floor and at the mercy of predators as a result of juvenile missteps spurred by bad weather or human activities.
In Mercer County, Wildlife Conservation Officer Don Chaybin was led by David Wade, of Jamestown, to an eagle nest blow-down in Greene Township where the officer found two eaglets, one dead, the other badly injured. Their nest tree had been uprooted by high winds during a Memorial Day thunderstorm.
“The nestlings were almost ready to fledge and they must have ridden the nest to the ground,” Chaybin explained. “Unfortunately, one was killed outright and the surviving eagle was severely injured. It was taken to Sue DeArment, at the Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation, who worked with Dr. Ken Felix, of the Glenwood Pet Hospital in Erie, to treat the bird. In spite of everyone’s efforts, the young eagle died a week later of unknown causes.”
But WCO Chaybin’s work with young bald eagles apparently wasn’t done. In mid-June, Brandon Herriott, of New Wilmington, while fishing in the Big Bend area along the Shenango River in Jefferson Township, discovered a young eagle. The bird appeared to be too weak to fly.
Herriott concluded the bird must be hungry, so he filleted a 28-inch northern pike and left it with the eagle. It began feeding almost immediately. The fisherman left and contacted Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Waterways Conservation Officer Jeff Giardina, who passed the information on to Chaybin.
Several hours passed between the time Herriott left the bird and he returned with WCO Chaybin. It had consumed about half the fish and was noticeably more active and appeared stronger.
“When I got there, the bird was active, but was captured quickly,” Chaybin said. “The eaglet was found within a mile of an active nest, but adult birds were not seen, even though the young bird was very vocal. Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation also received this eaglet, where it remains under the care of Sue DeArment and Dr. Felix.”
More eagles and nests are placing an increased burden on wildlife rehabilitators. “Our wildlife rehabilitators are taking on an increasing load of work to nurture and restore the health of eaglets so they can be reintroduced into the wild,” Gross noted. “Bill and Stephanie Streeter, at the Delaware Valley Raptor Center in Milford, also have been caring for some downed young eagles. I can’t say enough about the good things our licensed wildlife rehabilitators are doing. They really do deserve recognition and the public's support!”
Even with the bald eagle population’s impressive response to improving environmental conditions in Pennsylvania and America, the species still has plenty of quality open range to occupy before it will be proposed for delisting in Pennsylvania. That the species is building nests in the shadows of the Pennsylvania’s largest cities is gratifying.
“There is a considerable amount of unoccupied or sparsely-used territory in Pennsylvania for nesting eagles,” said Gross. “The best river destinations include the Susquehanna River’s West Branch, and the Beaver, Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers. Our Lake Erie shoreline also has plenty to offer, as do many unoccupied lakes and impoundments found across the state.”
One of the eight nests that did not produce eggs this spring was the nest in Pittsburgh. But, Gross suggested, Allegheny Countians shouldn’t fret just yet.
“When a pair of eagles bonds and builds a nest in the spring, if the nest doesn’t produce young the first year, there’s a stronger chance that it will the next year,” Gross emphasized. “If eagles can nest successfully in Philadelphia, there’s no reason to doubt the tenacity and viability of the Pittsburgh pair. The future looks bright for the Steel City’s nest.”
Another interesting sidelight to the 2010 nesting information is that the county with the largest number of nesting eagles in 2009 increased its total to 22 this year with six new nests. Crawford County was the bald eagle’s stronghold during the bird’s population collapse and has remained as such since then. Yet, it increased its number of nests by more than 25 percent over winter. It is a case of the strong getting stronger. It is also testament to the fantastic eagle habitat found there.
The Game Commission continues to heighten its efforts to further the public’s understanding of bald eagles. A comprehensive bald eagle endangered species account and bald eagle nest etiquette guide have been added recently to the agency’s website at www.pgc.state.pa.us. The references are found under Endangered Species.
“The updated Threatened and Endangered Species Section on the agency’s website gives Pennsylvanians an unprecedented chance to get acquainted with this remarkable bird and many other species of special concern,” said Roe. “These references will help everyone understand that although bald eagles are back, they still need space and require special considerations.”
The Game Commission currently classifies the bald eagle as a threatened species in Pennsylvania. They were removed from the federal endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2007, because delisting goals had been achieved.
In 1983, the Game Commission began a seven-year bald eagle restoration program in which the agency sent employees to Saskatchewan to obtain eaglets from wilderness nests. The Richard King Mellon Foundation of Pittsburgh and the federal Endangered Species Fund provided financial assistance for this effort. In all, 88 bald eaglets from Canada were released from sites at Dauphin County’s Haldeman Island and Pike County’s Shohola Falls. The resurgence of eagles in Pennsylvania is directly related to this program, which also was carried out in other states in the Northeast.
Source: By Joe Kosack
Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Pennsylvania Court Blocks Challenges to Local Gun Laws;
NRA Plans Appeal
On June 25, a three-judge panel of Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court issued a ruling that makes it harder for gun owners to challenge local gun laws that were passed in violation of the state’s firearm preemption law. This was the second such ruling in just over a year.
Pennsylvania’s preemption law, like the laws in 47 other states, is supposed to stop cities, counties and towns from passing a patchwork of inconsistent laws that might trip up gun owners who travel or relocate within the state. But an increasing number of local governments have recently pushed beyond its limits.
The June 25 decision involved a Pittsburgh ordinance that makes it a crime not to report the loss or theft of a firearm to law enforcement officials. NRA opposed the ordinance, not just because it could allow the government to victimize a person who’s already suffered a serious crime, but also because the city had no authority to pass it in the first place.
The court didn’t get to that issue, however. Instead, it found that the plaintiffs—Pittsburgh gun owners who live in areas where residential burglaries are common—had no standing to sue, because they had suffered no “direct and immediate harm.” According to the opinion by President Judge Bonnie Brigance Leadbetter, the possibility of a plaintiff having his or her gun stolen and being fined for not reporting the theft is “remote and speculative.”
That was the same reasoning that was used to reject an earlier challenge to a similar law in Philadelphia, but in the Pittsburgh case it drew a strong dissent from Judge P. Kevin Brobson. Judge Brobson argued that the ruling makes it impossible for a citizen to challenge a law unless he or she is willing to go to court and either admit to violating the law, or promise to violate the law in the future. As Judge Brobson put it, the only way to bring an effective challenge “would be willful noncompliance with a criminal ordinance. This is no option at all.”
NRA agrees, and plans to seek a review of this decision by the full Commonwealth Court. Beyond that, NRA will take whatever steps are necessary to change state preemption laws—either through the courts or through the legislature, in Pennsylvania and anywhere else—to protect gun owners’ rights from schemes by anti-gun local politicians.
Source: NRA / ILA
Supreme Court limits local gun bans
Justices rebuff Chicago, which defended ban as reasonable exercise of local power
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that the Constitution's "right to keep and bear arms" applies nationwide as a restraint on the ability of the federal, state and local governments to substantially limit its reach.
By a 5-4 vote split along familiar ideological lines, the nation's highest court extended its landmark 2008 ruling that individual Americans have a constitutional right to own guns to all the cities and states for the first time.
In doing so, the justices signaled that less severe restrictions could survive legal challenges. The ruling involved a 28-year-old handgun ban in the Chicago area.
The ruling was a victory for four Chicago-area residents, two gun rights groups and the politically powerful National Rifle Association.
It was a defeat for Chicago, which defended its ban as a reasonable exercise of local power to protect public safety. The law and a similar handgun ban in suburban Oak Park, Ill., were the nation's most restrictive gun control measures.
Monday's decision did not explicitly strike down the Chicago area laws, ordering a federal appeals court to reconsider its ruling. It left little doubt, however, that they would fall eventually.
Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the court, said the Second Amendment right "applies equally to the federal government and the states."
Five conservative-moderate justices were in favor of gun rights and the four liberals, opposed.
Two years ago, the court declared that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess guns, at least for purposes of self-defense in the home.
That ruling applied only to federal laws. It struck down a ban on handguns and a trigger lock requirement for other guns in the District of Columbia, a federal city with a unique legal standing. At the same time, the court was careful not to cast doubt on other regulations of firearms here.
Gun rights proponents almost immediately filed a federal lawsuit challenging gun control laws in Chicago and Oak Park, Ill. The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence says those laws appear to be the last two remaining outright bans.
Lower federal courts upheld the two laws, noting that judges on those benches were bound by Supreme Court precedent and that it would be up to the high court justices to ultimately rule on the true reach of the Second Amendment.
'Freedom'
The Supreme Court already has said that most of the guarantees in the Bill of Rights serve as a check on state and local, as well as federal, laws.
Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the NRA, told MSNBC that the ruling reiterated that gun ownership was a "constitutional freedom for every American citizen."
"It's a landmark decision," LaPierre said. "The Second Amendment as an individual right now becomes a real part of American Constitutional law.
"The question before the court was 'can law-abiding citizens go out and buy and own a firearm?' And the court said, 'Yes, anywhere they live.'"
Source: MSNBC
The ACSL OPPOSES the following bills that WILL be voted on tomorrow Wednesday June 30. Sorry for the late notice, some people in Harrisburg tried to sneak these by us.
We never give the other side anything unless we get something much more important in return and these bills take a lot and give us nothing.
Please view these links to learn more.
Agenda (2)
HB 2536
HB2536PN3790
A08251
HB 2600
HB2600PN3970
A0XXXX to HB 2600
2009_10_PA_HouseJudiciaryMembers
BATFE Revises Policies on Firearms "Transfers"
In a recent ruling regarding the “transfer” of firearms, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATFE) has reversed policies that have been in place for more than 40 years.
In the ruling, BATFE declared that a temporary shipment of a firearm by a federal firearms licensee to a non-employee for business reasons (such as a manufacturer's shipment to a gun writer or engineering consultant for a technical evaluation), will now be considered a “transfer” and require completion of a Form 4473 and background check.
This reverses a ruling issued in 1969, right after the passage of the Gun Control Act, although BATFE provided no explanation of the need for the change. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, BATFE hasn’t been able to name a single case in which a gun temporarily shipped under the old rule has been used in crime.
The short-term impact may be limited, because many major manufacturers already require firearms sent to non-employees to go through the transfer process. But manufacturers who didn’t follow that practice will now have to ship guns to licensed dealers to complete these “transfers.”
Furthermore, the ruling only applies to temporary shipments by federal firearms licensees to carry out those licensees' business operations. Given that limitation, the new ruling won't affect private individuals who ship guns to themselves when traveling to shoot or hunt, or who ship firearms to a manufacturer or gunsmith for repair or customization.
However, this new ruling may have broader implications for future issues. For example, some have suggested that although the ruling doesn’t relate directly to rental of guns for use on commercial shooting ranges, its reasoning might require rentals to be treated as “transfers” subject to recordkeeping and background check requirements.
Please rest assured that NRA-ILA is seeking clarification of the scope of this new ruling. If necessary, we will consider appropriate action to reverse any adverse impact on law-abiding gun owners.
Source: NRA-ILA
The Biennial Meeting Of States, And The Arms Trade Treaty
Two major meetings, possibly affecting American gun owners’ rights, will occur at the United Nations (UN) in New York over the next several weeks. They are the Fourth Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms in all its Aspects, (“BMS4”) June 14-18, and the Arms Trade Treaty Preparatory Committee (“ATT Prep. Com.”) July 12-23. The NRA will be fully and actively involved in these meetings.
The BMS4 is a continuation of the so-called “Programme of Action” (POA) adopted by the UN at a conference in 2001. Anti-gun groups saw the original POA as a vehicle for UN gun bans, registration schemes and other radical proposals. The U.S., through the efforts of Ambassador John Bolton, forced the removal of provisions targeting privately-owned firearms from the POA. It was not able to stop the POA itself, and the UN holds “Biennial” meetings every two years to keep the POA alive. Heavily-funded anti-gun groups will again attempt to get the UN and its member states to target the right to arms at the BMS4. A Mexican diplomat will chair the meeting and Mexico, which blames its crime problems on the U.S., is now pushing for more gun control in America. Anti-gun, anti-U.S. measures could well be on the table.
The ATT Prep. Com. is the continuation of a process started years ago and scheduled to end in a four-week international conference in 2012. There is no draft treaty at this time. However, anti-gun groups see the ATT as a means to impose worldwide gun control through the treaty process. If ratified, a treaty has the force of law in the U.S., so anti-gun groups could score major victories without going through the usual domestic political process. Treaties do not trump the Constitution, but interpretation of the Constitution is in the hands of federal judges and justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, where the Second Amendment had only a one-vote margin of safety in the 2008 Heller decision.
No pro-gun organization in the world has been more active at the UN in defending gun owners’ rights than the NRA, which was a major force in stopping anti-gun proposals at the 2001 and 2006 BMS Conferences. The NRA is an official UN Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and is consistently present at every important UN small arms and ATT meeting. NRA members can rest assured that their rights are being defended in all venues -- both national and international -- where they are threatened. For more information on NRA's efforts in this area, please visit http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=5843.
Source: NRA / ILA
Pennsylvania: Castle Doctrine Passes out of Judiciary Committee
Please Contact Your State Representative Today!
On Tuesday, May 25, the House Judiciary Committee successfully passed HB40, Castle Doctrine legislation, which will now head to the House floor for consideration. The committee also defeated three anti-gun bills (HB1043, HB1044 and HB1045).
House Bill 40, sponsored by State Representative Scott Perry (R-92), would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their homes and any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. It is clearly stated that there would be no “duty to retreat” from an attacker, allowing law-abiding citizens to stand their ground to protect themselves and their family. HB40 would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker’s family when force is used.
House Bill 1043 would have created a new Bureau of Illegal Firearms Trafficking or a “Firearm Trafficking Czar” in the Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Passage of this bill had the potential to establish yet another anti-gun biased bureaucratic agency within the state government.
House Bill 1044 would have gutted Pennsylvania’s firearm preemption statute which currently allows only the State Legislature to enact laws pertaining to firearms. Without a state preemption law, the result would have been a complex patchwork of restrictions that change from one local jurisdiction to the next.
House Bill 1045 would have brought California-style gun-control to the Keystone State and ultimately banned many semi-automatic firearms commonly owned by Pennsylvanians.
Please contact your State Representative and respectfully urge him or her to support House Bill 40 when it comes up on the floor. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
Souce: NRA - ILA
Nancy Pelosi is planning to call for a vote on the outrageous "DISCLOSE Act" as early as tomorrow, Thursday, June 24, and it must be stopped!
The Disclose Act is the politicians' response to the Supreme Court overturning the McCain-Feingold Incumbent Protection Act (Ironically called a Campaign Finance Reform Act) and would make it much harder for activist organizations to get their messages out to voters in the 120 days before an election.
We appreciate the concerns some NRA members have raised about our position on H.R. 5175, the “DISCLOSE Act.” Unfortunately, the mainstream media and other critics of NRA’s role in this process have misstated or misunderstood the facts. We’d like to set the record straight.
We have never said we would support any version of this bill. To the contrary, we clearly stated NRA’s strong opposition to the DISCLOSE Act (as introduced) in a letter sent to Members of Congress on May 26.
Through the courts and in Congress, the NRA has consistently and strongly opposed any effort to restrict the rights of our four million members to speak and have their voices heard on behalf of gun owners nationwide. The initial version of H.R. 5175 would effectively have put a gag order on the NRA during elections and threatened our members’ right to privacy and freedom of association, by forcing us to turn our donor lists over to the federal government. We would also have been forced to list our top donors on all election-related television, radio and Internet ads and mailings—even mailings to our own members. We refuse to let this Congress impose those unconstitutional restrictions on our Association.
Contact your Representative immediately and let them know that you oppose the "DISCLOSE Act" and expect them to vote against it.
A vote for the "DISCLOSE Act" is a vote against the Constitution and the First Amendment and that means it is a vote against America.
Do Not Delay. Contact your ALL PA Representatives Now! Tell them to vote NO on DISCLOSE!
Attack on Concealed Carry Scheduled to be Heard on Wednesday!
Please Contact the Members of the House Judiciary Committee Immediately!
On Wednesday, June 23, the House Judiciary Committee will consider legislation restricting the recognition of reciprocity agreements for “concealed carry” license holders in Pennsylvania.
House Bill 2536, introduced by State Representative Brian Lentz (D-161), would prohibit a resident of the Commonwealth from carrying a concealed firearm with a license issued from another state.
This legislation is the first step in an outright attack on your concealed carry rights in Pennsylvania. HB2536 poses a very real and serious threat to our rights so it is imperative that you make your voice heard.
Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee IMMEDIATELY and respectfully urge them to oppose HB2536.
Contact information for the committee can be found by clicking here.
DEP Plans Investigation Into Marcellus Shale Well Blowout In Clearfield County
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said Friday his agency intends to investigate aggressively the circumstances surrounding a blowout at a Marcellus Shale natural gas well in Lawrence Township, Clearfield County, and take the appropriate enforcement action.
At approximately 8 p.m. on June 3, the operators of the well, which is owned by EOG Resources, Inc., lost control of it while preparing to extract gas after hydrofracturing the shale. As a result, the well released natural gas and flowback frack fluid onto the ground and 75 feet into the air.
The well was eventually capped around noon on June 4.
"The event at the well site could have been a catastrophic incident that endangered life and property," said Secretary Hanger. "This was not a minor accident, but a serious incident that will be fully investigated by this agency with the appropriate and necessary actions taken quickly.
"When we arrived on scene, natural gas and frack fluid was flowing off the well pad and heading toward tributaries to Little Laurel Run and gas was shooting into the sky, creating a significant fire hazard. That's why emergency responders acted quickly to cut off electric service to the area.
"Right now, we're focused on limiting any further environmental damage, but once that work is complete, we plan to aggressively look at this situation and see where things went wrong and what enforcement action is necessary. If mistakes were made, we will be certain to take steps to prevent similar errors from happening again."
DEP learned of the leak at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Friday after it was informed by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. DEP immediately dispatched its Emergency Response and Oil and Gas program staff to the site.
PEMA, which elevated its activation level to coordinate resources among multiple state agencies, also worked with PennDOT to initiate an airspace restriction above the well, which the Federal Aviation Administration authorized on a temporary basis earlier today. The restriction prohibits flights at and below 1,000 feet of ground level within a three nautical mile radius of the well site. The restriction is in effect until further notice.
The EOG well pad is located in a rural area near the Penfield/Route 153 exit of Interstate 80 in northwestern Clearfield County. Three other wells on the same pad that have been drilled and fractured remain plugged and are not in danger.
EOG Resources, formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Co., operates approximately 265 active wells in Pennsylvania, 117 of which are in the Marcellus Shale formation.
House Environmental Chair
In a statement, Rep. Bud George (D-Clearfield), Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said, "Local and state officials did a wonderful job responding to a very dangerous situation that fortunately did not cause any injuries or deaths.
"I have said for many months that extraction of any natural resource comes with risks and costs and I only wish I had not been proved correct so quickly and so close to home.
"This dangerous situation should prompt the Pennsylvania Legislature to move more promptly on my House Bill 2213, which would require disclosure of the precise chemical concentrations in the fracking fluids. This can be crucial information in emergencies such as this.
"Giving the gas industry a free ride at the expense of Pennsylvania taxpayers, water resources, roads and economy is a poor deal for everyone but the gas industry," Rep. George said. "We have a responsibility to insist on responsibility."
Industry Reaction
The Marcellus Shale Coalition is closely monitoring the situation in Moshannon State Forest, Clearfield County, which has been secured. The MSC issued this statement regarding the incident, as well as its commitment to environmental responsibility and safety:
“The Marcellus Shale Coalition’s foremost commitment is to ensure the safety of our member company employees and contractors, the public, and the Commonwealth’s environment. This incident in Clearfield County is a very serious one -- just as we recognize that every environmental incident, no matter how small, is very serious.
“We are heartened to learn that no one was injured, and that safety and the environment were top priorities in the immediate response.
“MSC members are constantly working to enhance their operations, as well as working alongside regulatory agencies at all levels of government, to make certain that every stage involved in the shale gas production process is performed safely and responsibly.”
NewsClips: Gas Spews For Hours From Out-Of-Control PA Well
Natural Gas, Drilling Fluids Spewing From Clearfield County Well
Crews Try To Cap Out-Of-Control Clearfield Marcellus Shale Gas Well
Natural Gas, Drilling Fluids Spewing From Clearfield Well
Marcellus Shale Gas Well Rupture Forces Evacuation
Environmental Officials Probe Natural Gas Well Blowout
Blowout Occurs At Pennsylvania Gas Well
Source: PA Environment Digest
Chicago shooting shows why Mayor Daley doesn't 'get it'
By Alan Gottlieb and Dave Workman
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley doesn’t get about firearms and personal safety, and after the highly-publicized self-defense shooting in the Humboldt Park neighborhooitd on the city’s West Side on Wednesday May 26, he should fold his tent, shut his mouth and go away.
The U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to nullify the city’s Draconian handgun ban, and nothing clarifies Daley’s dilemma with guns more dramatically than the slaying of would-be home invader Anthony “Big Ant” Nelson, a 29-year-old career thug who has, according to the Chicago Tribune, a “13-page rap sheet that includes a number of drug and weapons convictions dating to 1998, according to police and court records.” This neighborhood predator made what nationally-recognized self-defense expert Massad Ayoob calls “a fatal error in the victim selection process.”
Nelson reportedly fired a shot from a handgun – you know, they’re banned in Chicago, and convicted felons like “Big Ant” aren’t supposed to have them anyway; yet another failure of gun control – through the bedroom window of an 80-year-old Army veteran who served in the Korean War. Most likely to Nelson’s great, and terminal, surprise, the older man fired back, with his own handgun that almost certainly was not registered in the city. Had he followed the law, this gentleman, his wife, and possibly their 12-year-old grandson who was in the next room might all be dead right now.
Fortunately, thanks to the Illinois legislature’s override of Rod Blagojevich’s veto of SB 2165 in November 2004, the older gentleman will not face prosecution. That was the “Hale DeMar” act, which protects homeowners who shoot in self-defense even if there is a local ordinance against handgun possession. DeMar shot a burglar in his Wilmette home and was initially charged for violating that community’s handgun ban, but public outrage forced the Cook County prosecutor to drop the charge.
The question remains in this case whether the old gentleman will get his gun back from the police when the investigation is completed.
Mayor Daley wants his citizens, including elderly people, to remain disarmed while only someone living in monumental denial would believe that creeps like Nelson might be deterred from packing guns illegally. He has practiced anti-gun demagoguery for years, but that may soon come to a screeching halt, not only because of an affirmative high court ruling in the case of McDonald v. City of Chicago – the Second Amendment Foundation’s case currently being mulled by the Supreme Court – but also because public reaction to the Nelson shooting is decidedly in support of the man who shot him.
Chicago residents have grown weary of living in dangerous neighborhoods where, because of Daley’s anti-gun policies that defend the city’s ban, they have been stripped of the tools to fight back. It is their plight against armed criminals like Nelson that compelled SAF to join with the Illinois State Rifle Association and four Chicago residents to sue the city. Reaction among Chicago residents to Wednesday’s fatal shooting clearly demonstrates that the public supports this lawsuit.
While Daley appears at a press event and suggests he might like to poke a gun barrel into the rump of a reporter and fire a round, neighbors of the Army veteran who killed Nelson in self-defense, along with a columnist for the Chicago Sun Times are telling the mayor that he needs to “come up with a better solution (to crime) than just saying ‘turn in your guns’.”
Daley’s stubborn defense of his city’s handgun ban shows him to be so out of touch with the public, and with the reality of his city’s crime problem, that he may not even be jolted to good sense by a Supreme Court loss.
Well, here is the reality: Richard Daley’s policies are directly responsible for people like Nelson, because the Chicago gun ban has emboldened Windy City thugs to prey on good people they know will be disarmed. Tough luck for Nelson that one courageous older man – a man who had been robbed at gunpoint last year in his own home for $150 – had the fortitude and good sense to arm himself in spite of Daley’s ban, and now his neighborhood is “one short” of the kind of scum that the Chicago ban has essentially protected for more than a quarter-century.
Alan Gottlieb is executive vice president of the Second Amendment Foundation. Dave Workman is senior editor of Gun Week. They are co-authors of ‘America Fights Back: Armed Self-Defense in a Violent Age.’
Allegheny County Sportsmen's League, Inc.
PA Sportsmen’s Association
PA Firearms Owners Association
May 24, 2010
***Gun Owner ALERT***
YOUR Right to Self Defense is on the line!
HELP Needed, Gunowners!
Dear Kim:
After six ‘long’ years, five pro-gun rally’s in Harrisburg and countless phone calls from you and your friends we are FINALLY to the point of forcing a vote on the Castle Doctrine - House Bill 40 – that will empower YOU to protect yourself and your family without fear of government and legal persecution and retribution! The Judiciary Committee will be voting on House Bill 40 on Tuesday, May 25th, at 10:00 a.m. in room G50 of the Irvis Office Building.
Federal crime statistics show – and media report reflect that, criminals are becoming bolder; home invasions are becoming more common and our law enforcement officers are being murdered on our urban streets by recidivist offenders.
To add insult to injury, those who “successfully” defend themselves and in the process cause injury to the criminal, become the target of a civil lawsuit! If you or someone in your family is attacked by a criminal, House Bill 40 would afford immunity from civil suits involving the use of force.
“Stand your ground” legislation has been enacted in 23 states over the last several years and 18 of them have “No Duty to Retreat” provisions. It is long past due for Pennsylvania citizens to have the same statutory protections! Under House Bill 40 citizens will have no legal duty to retreat when confronted by armed criminals. It grants citizens the authority to stop a crime when it places them in danger of serious bodily harm or death.
One of the major – AND FALSE - objections to enactment of House Bill 40 is that it will grant a license to kill. HB 40 has been specifically crafted so there are no allowances for criminal intent. Any illegal activity on the part of the property owner or legal resident nullifies HB 40 protections nor does it allow “a shoot first ask questions later mentality”.
Currently there are 128 House members who are sponsoring / co-sponsoring House Bill 40. The following are “House Judiciary members” who you need to contact. The 1st group of Judiciary Committee members either opposes or has taken no position on House Bill 40. The 2nd Group of Committee members support enactment of House Bill 40– more than half of the members.
***PLEASE focus your contact efforts on the 12 Judiciary Committee Members below:
House Judiciary Committee Members who are “NOT” HB 40 Co-Sponsors:
State Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (D-127) (717) 787-3525 Email
State Rep. Kathy Manderino (D-194) (717) 787-1254 Email
State Rep. Paul Drucker (D-157) (717) 705-2003 Email - Twitter
State Rep. Bryan Lentz (D-161) (717) 787-8574 Email - Twitter
State Rep. Josh Shapiro (D-153) (717) 783-7619 Email - Twitter
State Rep. Greg Vitali (D-166) (717) 787-7647 Email
State Rep. Chelsa Wagner (D-22) (717) 783-1582 Email - Twitter
State Rep. Ronald Waters (D-191) (717) 772-9850 Email
State Rep. Ron Marsico (R-105) (717) 783-2014
State Rep. Mike Vereb (R-150) (717) 705-7164 Twitter
State Rep. Will Gabig (R-199) (717) 772-2280
State Rep. Bernie O'Neill (R-29) (717) 705-7170 Email
***Please THANK the Reps below for their support! The (4) ‘RED’ highlighted Reps went the extra distance for us on HB 40 by signing a letter of support to bring HB 40 up for a vote. Please include an extra thank you for them!
House Judiciary Committee Members (16) who ‘ARE’ HB 40 Co-Sponsors:
Rep. Joseph F. Brennan (D) jbrennan@pahouse.net (717) 772-9902
Rep. James E. Casorio (D) jcasorio@pahouse.net (717) 783-3483
Rep. Dom Costa (D) dcosta@pahouse.net (717) 783-9114
Rep. Thomas Creighton (R) tcreight@pahousegop.com (717) 772-5290
Rep. Glen Grell (R) ggrell@pahousegop.com (717) 783-2063
Rep. Kate Harper (R) kharper@pahousegop.com (717) 787-2801
Rep. Tim Krieger (R) tkrieger@pahousegop.com (717) 260-6146
Rep. Deberah Kula (D) dkula@pahouse.net (717) 772-1858
Rep. John Pallone (D) jpallone@pahouse.net (717) 783-1819
Rep. Joseph Petrarca (D) jpetrarc@pahouse.net (717) 787-5142
Rep. Todd Rock (R) trock@pahousegop.com (717) 783-5218
Rep. Richard Stevenson (R) rstevens@pahousegop.com (717) 783-6438
Rep. Katie True (R) ktrue@pahousegop.com (717) 705-7161
Rep. Jesse White (D) jwhite@pahouse.net (717) 783-6437
PAFOA has made available contact options that are even easier to make your voice heard as we KNOW that gun control groups will be involved in this fight to stop this legislation. Make sure you voice is heard! Call, e-mail, or even tweet - just make sure your voice is heard!
Show support for Castle Doctrine on Twitter with two clicks!
Anti-Gun Legislation ALSO on the Judiciary Committee Agenda:
To pander to anti-gun groups like CeaseFire PA, on Tuesday, May 25, certain leaders on the House Judiciary Committee will consider three anti-gun bills sponsored by State Representative W. Curtis Thomas (D-181) that place additional burdens and restrictions on the ownership, possession, transportation and use of firearms. Once again we are being faced with the same tired old recommendations that will do nothing to reduce the level of violent crime in the urban centers throughout this Commonwealth.
The sponsor and co-sponsors of each of these bills – Thomas, Josephs, O’Brien, Youngblood and Payton continually introduce, and support, legislation that will take away your freedoms and are part of the Philadelphia contingent who refuses to target career criminals who misuse guns.
It is a sad fact that in many cases we lock up criminally misused firearms longer than we do the criminals who misuse them.
House Bill 1043 this legislation is a takeoff of the old concept known as a "gun bounty program". It will give average people the ‘power’ to complain about guns thereby initiating investigations by the Atty. Gen.'s office which will have the authority to act ‘independently’ from other law enforcement agencies. There is no standard or definition as to what "illegal firearms trafficking" actually is for the purposes of initiating an investigation. The language of most concern is reproduced below:
(c) Duties of Attorney General.--The Attorney General or his designee shall:
(1) Receive complaints from individuals concerning illegal firearms trafficking.
(2) Investigate and assist in county prosecutions relating to illegal firearms trafficking and, as necessary, coordinate with Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies in the investigation of similar crimes.
Passage of this bill would, arguably, establish yet another anti-gun biased bureaucratic agency within the state government.
House Bill 1044 this is a naked attempt to empower local officials to erase portions of our Constitution in their own municipality. At the heart of this whole concept is eliminating our ‘right to keep and bear arms’, ending preemption and, for all intents and purposes, that is the goal of this legislation. Without a state preemption law, the result would be a complex patchwork quilt of gun laws and ownership restrictions that change from one local jurisdiction to the next.
This bill is completely unacceptable and we oppose it unequivocally!
House Bill 1045 this legislation is, quite simply, another ‘assault weapon’ ban that purports to resurrect the bias and prejudice against gun ownership based on dangerous ‘cosmetic’ features.
It is important to point out that despite what you have been told or may have heard it is no mistake that Pennsylvania is graded by the anti-gun organizations as being the 10th most restrictive state in the nation for gun ownership. We have scores of problems with PA gun laws and these ‘current’ laws can be devastating if you run afoul of these ‘reasonable’ restrictions placed on your freedoms!
The Following Gun Rights Organizations “OPPOSE” HB1043 and HB1044 and HB1045
Allegheny County Sportsmen's League (ACSL), Gun Owners of America (GOA),
National Rifle Association (NRA), OpenCarry.org,
PA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs (PFSC), PA Firearm Owners Association (PAFOA),
PA Gun Collectors Association (PGCA), PA Gun Owners Association (PGOA),
PA Rifle and Pistol Association (PR&PA), PA Sportsmen's Association (PSA),
PA State Fish & Game Protective Association, Philadelphia Federation of Sportsmen's Club,
Second Amendment Sisters (SAS), The Firearms Coalition,
The Pink Pistols, Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania (USP),
**Firearms Owners Against Crime (FOAC) the largest gun owners Political Action Committee (PAC) in Pennsylvania will record any support for House Bills 1043, 1044, and 1045, now or in the future, as a vote that is hostile to the rights of gun owners.
Deepest Appreciation,
Kim Stolfer Harry Schneider
Legislative Committee, Chairman Legislative Committee, Chairman
Allegheny County Sportsmen's League Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Assoc.
E-Mail -- activist@fyi.net psa@pagunlaws.com
(412) 221-3346, Home Phone
GAME COMMISSION OFFERS ADVICE TO AVOID ATTRACTING BEARS
With spring well underway across the state, many Pennsylvanians are spending more time outdoors and seeing more wildlife – and signs of wildlife – in their yards and other places they frequent. Among the wildlife becoming more visible are Pennsylvania’s roughly 17,000 black bears, all of which are looking for food.
Since bears are found throughout most of the state, Mark Ternent, Pennsylvania Game Commission black bear biologist, said bear sightings are common at this time of year. Food for bears is naturally scarce in spring until green-up, which is ahead of schedule this year. But that doesn’t mean bears emerging from dens aren’t getting into trouble. After several months of hibernation, they are once again searching for food. Thus, sightings and, in some cases, conflicts are increasing.
“Now is the time to keep bears from becoming a nuisance later in the summer,” Ternent said. “Bears that wander near residential areas in search of springtime foods are less likely to stay or return if they do not find anything rewarding. Conversely, if bears find food in backyards, they quickly learn to associate food with residential areas and begin to spend more time in those areas. As a result, encounters between humans and bears, property damage and vehicle accidents involving bears may increase.”
Ternent noted capturing and moving bears that have become habituated to humans is a costly and sometimes ineffective way of addressing the problem. That is why wildlife agencies around the country tell people that a “fed bear is a dead bear.”
“The best solution is to prevent bears from finding something to eat around your house in the first place,” Ternent said. “Anything edible placed outside for any reason – whether it is food for wildlife or pets or unsecured garbage – gives bears a reason to visit your property. Homeowners should begin now to remove food sources that might attract bears.”
Ternent listed five suggestions that could prevent attracting bears to a property:
Play it smart. Do not feed wildlife. Food placed outside for wildlife, such as corn for squirrels, may attract bears. Even bird feeders can become “bear magnets.” Bear conflicts with bird feeding generally don’t arise in the winter because bears are in their winter dens. But at other times of the year, birdfeeders will attract problem bears. If you do chose to feed songbirds during the summer, Audubon Pennsylvania offers some tips, including: avoid foods that are particularly attractive for bears, such as sunflower seeds, hummingbird nectar mixes or suet; bring feeders inside at night; or suspend feeders from high crosswires so they are at least 10 feet above the ground and four feet from anything a bear can climb, including overhead limbs.
Keep it clean. Don’t put out garbage until pick-up day; don’t throw table scraps out back; don’t add fruit or vegetable wastes to your compost pile; and clean your barbecue grill regularly. If you have pets and feed them outdoors, consider placing food dishes inside overnight. Encourage your neighbors to do the same.
Keep your distance. If a bear shows up in your backyard, stay calm. Shout at it like you would to chase an unwanted dog. Don’t approach it. If the bear won't leave, call the nearest Game Commission regional office or local police department for assistance.
Eliminate temptation. Bears that visit your area are often drawn there. Neighbors need to work together to reduce an area’s appeal to bears. Ask area businesses to keep dumpsters closed and bear-proofed (chained or locked shut with a metal lid).
Check please! If your dog is barking, or cat is clawing at the door to get in, try to determine what has alarmed your pet. But do it cautiously, using outside lights to full advantage and from a safe position, such as a porch or an upstairs window. All unrecognizable outside noises and disturbances should be checked, but don't do it on foot with a flashlight. Black bears blend in too well with nighttime surroundings providing the chance for a close encounter.
Pennsylvanians also are reminded that if they see cubs alone, it does not necessarily mean they have been abandoned or orphaned.
“During the spring, sows may leave their cubs for several hours, typically up in a tree, while they forage,” Ternent said. “If you encounter cubs, leave the area the way you entered it and leave the cubs alone. Staying in the vicinity prevents the mother from returning, and attempting to care for the cubs is illegal and may result in exposure to wildlife diseases or habituate the young bears to humans.
“Cubs that have been removed from the wild and habituated to people are difficult to rehabilitate for release back into the wild and may result in the cub being euthanized.”
Ternent noted that, as a result of Pennsylvania’s large human and bear populations, it is not uncommon for people and bears to encounter one another.
“Bears needn’t be feared, nor should they be dismissed as harmless; but they should be respected,” Ternent said. “In the past 10 years fewer than 20 people have been injured by bears in Pennsylvania, and there are no known records of a Pennsylvania black bear killing a human.
“Injury from a black bear is often the result of a human intentionally or unintentionally threatening a bear, its cubs, or a nearby food source, and the best reaction is to defuse the threat by leaving the area in a quiet, calm manner.”
Ternent also advised:
Stay Calm. If you see a bear and it hasn’t seen you, leave the area calmly. Talk or make noise while moving away to help it discover your presence. Choose a route that will not intersect with the bear if it is moving.
Get Back. If you have surprised a bear, slowly back away while talking softly. Face the bear, but avoid direct eye contact. Do not turn and run; rapid movement may be perceived as danger to a bear that is already feeling threatened. Avoid blocking the bear’s only escape route and try to move away from any cubs you see or hear. Do not attempt to climb a tree. A female bear may falsely interpret this as an attempt to get at her cubs, even though the cubs may be in a different tree.
Pay Attention. If a bear is displaying signs of nervousness – pacing, swinging its head, or popping its jaws – about your presence, leave the area. Some bears may bluff charge to within a few feet. If this occurs, stand your ground, wave your arms wildly, and shout at the bear. Turning and running could elicit a chase and you cannot outrun a bear.
Fight Back. If a bear attacks, fight back as you continue to leave the area. Black bears have been driven away with rocks, sticks, binoculars, car keys, or even bare hands.
“Learning about bears and being aware of their habits is a responsibility that comes with living in rural and suburban Pennsylvania or recreating in the outdoors,” Ternent said.
In 2003, a regulation prohibiting the feeding of bears went into effect. The regulation made it unlawful to intentionally “lay or place food, fruit, hay, grain, chemical, salt or other minerals that may cause bears to congregate or habituate an area.” The exceptions to this regulation are “normal or accepted farming, habitat management practices, oil and gas drilling, mining, forest management activities or other legitimate commercial or industrial practices.”
The regulation enables Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officers (WCOs) to issue written notices that direct landowners to discontinue wildlife feeding, even if not intended for bears, including songbird feeding, if the feeding is attracting bears to the area and causing problems with bears nearby.
To report nuisance bears, contact the Game Commission Region Office nearest you. The telephone numbers are: Northwest Region Office in Franklin, Venango County, 814-432-3188; Southwest Region Office in Bolivar, Westmoreland County, 724-238-9523; Northcentral Region Office in Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, 570-398-4744; Southcentral Region Office in Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, 814-643-1831; Northeast Region Office in Dallas, Luzerne County, 570-675-1143; and Southeast Region Office in Reading, Berks County, 610-926-3136.
More information on bears is available on the agency’s website (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/) by clicking on the “Wildlife” tab in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, and then selecting “Black Bears” From the “Mammals” section.
Source: PA Game Commission
Another successful Second Amendment Rally
By Jack Walters, President – Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League
For those who made the trip to Harrisburg on April 27, 2010 to show your support for our second amendment, Thank You!!!
State Representative Daryl Metcalfe hosted the event again, for the fifth year. A great job once again Daryl, thank you.
Speakers included:
Suzana Gratia Hupp, Former Texas State Legislator,
Larry Pratt, Executive Director – Gun Owners of America,
Peggy Tartaro, Executive Editor – Women & Guns Magazine,
Wayne LaRierre, Executive Vice President – National Rifle Association,
Marinelle Thompson, Founder & President – 2nd Amendment Sisters,
Kim Stolfer, Chairman – Firearms Owners Against Crime,
Dan Pherson, Founder & President – Pennsylvania Firearms Owners Association,
And 100 of Representatives.
All of the speakers inspired the attendees to keep on fighting for our Constitutional rights and freedoms. Hopefully there were some newcomers in the crowd that will carry the message on to others.
The 9-12 Project of Central Pennsylvania
Academic Misconduct Threatens National Sovereignty, Individual Freedom
A grassroots call to action in support of reason and integrity.
Summary
Your future and the future of our nation are about to be compromised by Cap and Trade legislation based upon apparently falsified scientific data. The stakes are high, but, by attacking the root of the threat, we can avert the looming catastrophe.
Join is for Rally for Academic Integrity Friday, Feb. 12, noon at the Penn State HUB, Pollock Road entrance or write to Penn State’s president and your legislators.
Details
America’s sovereignty and the quality of life of every citizen hang in the balance.
Cap and Trade legislation in Congress would cede our nation’s sovereignty to international bodies and would directly redistribute much of America’s wealth to poorer nations, crippling commerce, and significantly diminishing every American’s freedom and quality of life. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights would be further eroded.
To avert this, we must strike at the root of the problem.
At the root of the Cap and Trade legislation is the concept of global warming, and at its root is the infamous “hockey stick graph” made famous by Al Gore. But Gore didn’t create that graph. Penn State professor Michael Mann did.
Thousands of reputable scientists have questioned the relationship between carbon dioxide and global temperatures that Mann’s graph depicts, but this was not enough to cause our leaders to question the Mann’s science or Cap and Trade.
When thousands of emails from the University of East Anglia came to light, many involving Professor Mann, and many revealing concerted efforts to conceal and manipulate climate data (“Climategate”), this wasn’t enough to stop the head-long rush to sacrifice freedom, reason, and academic integrity on the alter of environmental extremism.
But the volume and content of these messages was sufficient to force Penn State to undertake an inquiry into Mann’s academic integrity. The result of this closed-door, internal inquiry by three Penn State employees was practically a white wash.
There is much more at stake here than the millions of taxpayer dollars that Mann has taken for his programs. There is more at stake here than Penn State’s reputation and the trust we place in science to better our world. Because Mann’s research is at the root of much of the concern over global warming, we must know the truth. Because his findings have led to Cap and Trade legislation, and thus endanger every American alive today, the integrity of Mann’s findings must be examined impartially, openly, and scrupulously.
Action
The 9-12 Project of Central Pennsylvania and Penn State Young Americans for Freedom are taking action this Friday, February 12 at noon. We invite you to join Albert Einstein (talk about academic integrity!) and other concerned Americans for an hour in front of the HUB building on Penn State’s main campus in State College. We will demand academic integrity, a thorough, impartial, and open inquiry into Mann’s conduct and findings, and hear speakers.
We need your support in this important effort to shine the light of truth on the roots of global warming alarmism and Cap and Trade. Follow up by contacting your state and federal legislators and Penn State University and demand an open, impartial inquiry.
What: Rally for academic integrity, an impartial inquiry into Mann’s research, and reason
Why: Because our future and the future of America depends upon honest, open science
Where: The HUB, Pollock Street, on the PSU University Park Campus (campus map)
When: Friday, February 12, noon until 1:00
Bring: Your hockey stick or a sign demanding academic integrity!
Questions: Write info1@912CentralPA.org or phone (814) 234-3912
Please distribute this message widely, and for those folks unable to attend this event, please support us by contacting your legislators and Penn State University. Tell them firmly that you want real science, not junk science, and a real inquiry, not a whitewash.
Contact: President Graham B. Spanier
Email: president@psu.edu
Address: Pennsylvania State University, 201 Old Main, University Park 16802
Phone: (814) 865 7611
Greg Fasolt
Chair, Political Action Task Force
The 9-12 Project of Central Pennsylvania912CentralPA@GMail.com
(814) 234-3912
Government Funded Proposals (i.e. wasted taxpayer money)
2009-2013 Quantifying the influence of environmental temperature on transmission of vector-borne diseases, NSF-EF [Principal Investigator: M. Thomas; Co-Investigators: R.G. Crane, M.E. Mann, A. Read, T. Scott (Penn State Univ.)] $1,884,991
2009-2012 Toward Improved Projections of the Climate Response to Anthropogenic Forcing: Combining Paleoclimate Proxy and Instrumental Observations with an Earth System Model, NSF-ATM [Principal Investigator: M.E. Mann; Co-Investigators: K. Keller (Penn State Univ.), A. Timmermann (Univ. of Hawaii)] $541,184
2008-2011 A Framework for Probabilistic Projections of Energy-Relevant Streamflow Indices, DOE [Principal Investigator: T. Wagener; Co-Investigators: M. Mann, R. Crane, K. Freeman (Penn State Univ.)] $330,000
2008-2009 AMS Industry/Government Graduate Fellowship (Anthony Sabbatelli), American Meteorological Society [Principal Investigator: M.E. Mann (Penn State Univ.)] $23,000
2006-2009 Climate Change Collective Learning and Observatory Network in Ghana, USAID [Principal Investigator: P. Tschakert; Co-Investigators: M.E. Mann, W. Easterling (Penn State Univ.)] $759,928
2006-2009 Analysis and testing of proxy-based climate reconstructions, NSF-ATM [Principal Investigator: M.E. Mann (Penn State Univ.)] $459,000
2006-2009 Constraining the Tropical Pacific’s Role in Low-Frequency Climate Change of the Last Millennium, NOAA-Climate Change Data & Detection (CCDD) Program [Principal Investigators: K. Cobb (Georgia Tech Univ.), N. Graham (Hydro. Res. Center), M.E. Mann (Penn State Univ.), Hoerling (NOAA Clim. Dyn. Center), Alexander (NOAA Clim. Dyn. Center)] PSU award (M.E. Mann): $68,065
2006-2007 Acquisition of high-performance computing cluster for the Penn State Earth System Science Center (ESSC), NSF-EAR [Principal Investigator: M.E. Mann, Co-Investigators: R. Alley, M. Arthur, J. Evans, D. Pollard (Penn State Univ.)] $100,000
2003-2006 Decadal Variability in the Tropical Indo-Pacific: Integrating Paleo & Coupled Model Results, NOAA-Climate Change Data & Detection (CCDD) Program [Principal Investigators: M.E. Mann (U.Va), J. Cole (U. Arizona), V. Mehta (CRCES)] U.Va award (M.E. Mann): $102,000
2002-2005 Reconstruction and Analysis of Patterns of Climate Variability Over the Last One to Two Millennia, NOAA-Climate Change Data & Detection (CCDD) Program [Principal Investigator: M.E. Mann, Co-Investigators: S. Rutherford, R.S. Bradley, M.K. Hughes] $315,000
2002-2005 Remote Observations of Ice Sheet Surface Temperature: Toward Multi-Proxy Reconstruction of Antarctic Climate Variability, NSF-Office of Polar Programs, Antarctic Oceans and Climate System [Principal Investigators: M.E. Mann (U. Va), E. Steig (U. Wash.), D. Weinbrenner (U. Wash)] U.Va award (M.E. Mann): $133,000
2002-2003 Paleoclimatic Reconstructions of the Arctic Oscillation, NOAA-Cooperative Institute for Arctic Research (CIFAR) Program [Principal Investigators: Rosanne D'Arrigo, Ed Cook (Lamont/Columbia); Co-Investigator: M.E. Mann] U.Va subcontract (M.E. Mann): $14,400
2002-2003 Global Multidecadal-to-Century-Scale Oscillations During the Last 1000 years, NOAA-Climate Change Data & Detection (CCDD) Program [Principal Investigator: Malcolm Hughes (Univ. of Arizona); Co-Investigators: M.E. Mann; J. Park (Yale University)] U.Va subcontract (M.E. Mann): $20,775
2001-2003 Resolving the Scale-wise Sensitivities in the Dynamical Coupling Between Climate and the Biosphere, University of Virginia-Fund for Excellence in Science and Technology (FEST) [Principal Investigator: J.D. Albertson; Co-Investigators: H. Epstein, M.E. Mann] U.Va internal award: $214,700
001-2002 Advancing predictive models of marine sediment transport, Office of Naval Research [Principal Investigator: P. Wiberg (U.Va), Co-Investigator: M.E. Mann] $20,775
1999-2002 Multiproxy Climate Reconstruction: Extension in Space and Time, and Model/Data Intercomparison, NOAA-Earth Systems History [Principal Investigator: M.E. Mann (U.Va), Co-Investigators: R.S. Bradley, M.K. Hughes] $381,647
1998-2000 Validation of Decadal-to-Multi-century climate predictions, DOE [Principal Investigator: R.S. Bradley (U. Mass); Co-Investigators: H.F. Diaz, M.E. Mann]
1998-2000 The changing seasons? Detecting and understanding climatic change, NSF-Hydrological Science [Principal Investigator U. Lall (U. Utah); Co-investigators: M.E. Mann, B. Rajagopalan, M. Cane] $266,235K
1996-1999 Patterns of Organized Climatic Variability: Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Globally
Distributed Climate Proxy Records and Long-term Model Integrations, NSF-Earth Systems History [Principal Investigator: R.S. Bradley (U. Mass); Co-Investigators: M.E. Mann, M.K. Hughes] $270,000
1996-1998 Investigation of Patterns of Organized Large-Scale Climatic Variability During the Last
Millennium, DOE, Alexander Hollaender Postdoctoral Fellowship [M.E. Mann] $78,000
Mandatory Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Update:
An example of City of Pittsburgh Councilman Doug Shields talking out of both sides of his mouth:
"I'm not a fool. I know that this legislation won't stop crime from happening," says Shields (Pittsburgh City Council President) [Pittsburgh City Paper Article January 7, 2010]
Council President Doug Shields. . . .said the objective of the legislation is to crack down on illegal purchasers of guns. (May 12, 2009-Tribune Review)(If you believe this then you also probably still believe in the tooth fairy-ed.)
Shooting Blanks
By Charlie Deitch, Pittsburgh City Paper
Pittsburgh City Councilor Doug Shields says he can't wait for the day when someone is charged under the city's lost-and stolen-gun ordinance.
"I'm looking forward to the day that we have an actual case," says Shields, one of the bill's main authors and supporters.
But apparently, no one in the city's police bureau is on a hair-trigger. One year after the ordinance took effect, not a single person has been charged under it.
The measure requires gun-owners whose firearms are lost or stolen to report the incident within 72 hours. Similar to a 2008 Philadelphia ordinance, the measure seeks to curtail "straw purchasing" -- weapons being bought and turned over to criminals who couldn't legally acquire them. When such weapons are discovered at a crime scene, their original owners often insist the weapon must have been stolen.
In fact, Shields says, "I'm very curious why the offense hasn't been cited yet. We've had a number of shootings where guns have been discovered, and it is odd that it hasn't come up once."
According to Sgt. Shirley Epperson of the police department's firearms tracking bureau, city officers are waiting for "a protocol for how police should proceed" before enforcing the ordinance. But city solicitor Daniel Regan says the police should have all they need:
"They're not waiting on any type of protocol from us to proceed. If the facts ... of a particular case call for an individual to be charged, they will be."
Apparently, then, in the past year police simply haven't turned up a weapon belonging to a city gun-owner who didn't report it missing.
But "[a]t some point," Shields predicts, "a gun is going to show up at a crime scene, and we're going to find out that it was stolen three months ago and the owner didn't report it."
When that happens, the ordinance itself could end up in court. In fact, the National Rifle Association has challenged the ordinance once already, suing to overturn it last spring. But the case misfired: Common pleas court Judge Stanton Wettick tossed out the suit, ruling that -- since no one had been charged with the offense yet -- nobody had standing to challenge it.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl hailed the decision, telling the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the city "could start enforcing [the law] shortly. ...
We're going to forge ahead."
Shields wishes it would, even though he knows that could result in a legal challenge.
"I want [gun-owners] to take us to court with the NRA by their side, so we can watch this law stand up as a good piece of commonsense gun legislation," Shields says. "I can't wait for that day."
He may have to.
Pittsburgh took its shot at a straw-purchase measure after Philadelphia passed a similar ordinance in early 2008. The measure passed council by a 6-1 margin; Ravenstahl allowed it to become law without his signature.
Since then, similar ordinances have cropped up across the state, especially around Pittsburgh. Shields says he and fellow councilor Bruce Kraus have been visiting various communities, speaking in favor of the measure. So far, 19 communities have passed similar laws, among them: West Mifflin; Castle Shannon; Braddock; Wilkinsburg; Clairton; Erie; Allentown; Reading and Harrisburg.
"This has truly been a grassroots movement to get these ordinances passed," says Shields. "People try to paint this as a Philadelphia and Pittsburgh problem, but it's not. It's an issue that affects and matters to every community across the commonwealth.
"We know the legislators in Harrisburg are dominated by the NRA lobbyist," he continues, "but we're going to keep passing these ordinances to put the squeeze on them."
That's exactly the tactic Kim Stolfer finds so objectionable.
Stolfer says it's only fitting that the city hasn't prosecuted anyone under the ordinance. The city ordinance "isn't about stopping crime," says Stolfer, who chairs Firearms Owners Against Crime, a gun-rights group. "They're trying to extort action from the state legislature to enact even more restrictive gun laws than we already have."
Stolfer, who spoke against the city's ordinance during hearings, says that Pennsylvania already has a slew of gun laws, many of which aren't properly enforced. There are already laws against knowingly buying a gun for someone who is legally barred from purchasing it, Stolfer says. He points out that the Brady Campaign, an advocacy group that favors more gun control, ranks Pennsylvania's gun laws as the 10th most restrictive in the United States. (True enough, but even Pennsylvania scores only 26 out of 100 points on the Brady Campaign's scale.)
"Even if I report my firearm missing within 24 hours, how on earth does that prevent a crime from occurring with my stolen gun?" asks Stolfer. "They call this common-sense gun legislation, but it doesn't actually do anything to stop a crime from happening. Where's the common sense?
"This is not an issue based in how can we make society safer. It's a perpetuation of smoke and mirrors meant only to try and force even more gun laws."
Shields counters that he knows this isn't necessarily a piece of anti-crime legislation, but more in the realm of public health.
"I'm not a fool. I know that this legislation won't stop crime from happening," says Shields. "But maybe we can prevent an unnecessary injury or a teen suicide.
"I know I can't stop a criminal," he adds, "but maybe I can stop a kid from accidentally shooting his brother with laws like this."
Source: http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/PrintFriendly?oid=oid%3A73541
Laws criminals love Open Letters
OpenLetters-09-12-28-GunControlFails-Readers.pdf
ACSL On The Radio
Listen to a recent radio program that was aired on WISR 680AM talking about the ACSL and the upcoming Allegheny Sport, Travel & Outdoor Show
ACSL Archives 2010
PLEASE NOTE: We have tried to maintain links where possible, but due to the archival nature of these articles,some links may have changed or be otherwise unavailable.
