Governor Bush Supports Gun Owners' Rights:
Signs Two Important Bills into Law

After overwhelming support in the Florida Legislature and from
firearm owners across the state, Governor Jeb Bush signed two
important gun rights bills (SB 1156 and HB 155) into law today.  
Executive Director of Unified Sportsmen of Florida and former
National Rifle Association (NRA) President Marion P. Hammer, NRA
Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, NRA Chief Lobbyist Chris W.
Cox, and Director of State & Local Affairs Randy Kozuch were present
on behalf of the Association's 4 million members to witness the
signing of these two important laws.

SB 1156 ends damaging government lawsuits provided firearm ranges
make good faith efforts to exercise sound management principles in
their disposal of lead ammunition.  Prior to its passage, range
facilities had no shield or protection against environmental
lawsuits devised to force ranges out-of-business by placing them at
the mercy of the court, irrespective of whether they posed a risk to
the environment.

During the bill's signing ceremony, Wayne LaPierre said
that, "Shooting ranges are owned and operated by lawful businessmen
and women who work to improve the environment and avoid
contamination.  The law demonstrates that our commitment to
protecting the environment is just as strong as our commitment to
Second Amendment rights and America's heritage of firearms
ownership."

The new law, the first of its kind in the country, requires the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide
copies of  "Best Practices for Environmental Stewardship for Florida
Shooting Ranges" to range managers statewide to keep their
operations on a sound, environmentally friendly path.  That
blueprint for action was the culmination of nearly a decade of
research and cooperative efforts initiated by the National Rifle
Association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and the
Wildlife Management Institute.

"Shooting ranges that implement these environmental management
practices will not have to fear malicious lawsuits," added Chris W.
Cox. "That is what a win-win strategy is all about - SB-1156 is an
ideal remedy for firearms owners and the environment."

The driving force behind passage of SB-1156, Marion P. Hammer,
praised the Florida Legislature and Governor Bush saying, "Once
again, Florida is leading the way with model legislation that should
be adopted by every state.  Protecting shooting ranges is an
essential element of protecting Second Amendment rights.  And
teaching range owners best management practices to eliminate
environmental risk is just plain common sense."

The second bill signed by Gov. Bush, HB 155, stops the illegal
compiling of computerized lists of law-abiding firearms owners and
the guns they own, otherwise known as registration of law-abiding
gun owners.

In violation of federal law, a few of Florida's urban Sheriffs have
been effectively building gun registration lists and data bases.  
This information has nothing to do with criminal investigations or
crime guns, and is in clear violation of The Firearms Owner's
Protection Act (18 U.S. Code section 926).

"HB 155 will stop law-abiding firearm owners from being profiled and
made suspects simply because they exercise their constitutional
right," Hammer said.  "This law is important because it stops gun
registration, the worst form of gun control, that only aims to
destroy freedom."

Passage of the bill was supported by the Florida Police Benevolent
Association, the Florida Sheriff's Association and the Florida
Police Chiefs Association.

Go, Jeb!

good guy.

a run for president maybe?

I luv the gov

Quoted: good guy. a run for president maybe?

I wouldnt want him to run for president, there is just something fishy about having 3 bushes as president. It would be kind of like a dynasty. I would rather have a different conservative run for president that wasnt in bed with the illegal immigrants. Ron Paul anyone?

Quoted: good guy. a run for president maybe?

'Druther have him than any Democrat who's likely to get as far as the nomination...

Jeb needs to run for his brothers job in 2008.

I would rather have a different conservative run for president that wasnt in bed with the illegal immigrants. Ron Paul anyone?

It would be the closest to a Libertarian we're likely to see, unfortunately...

It's just a ploy, a disingenuous trick to make Jeb seem more amiable to the pro-RKBA crowd. Despite the bills he signs, Jeb's not really pro-gun.

Kinda like what Clinton did signing the Brady Bill and the AWB - just a political manuver to get the gungrabbers to vote for him in '96. Despite the bills he signed Clinton wasn't really anti-gun.

Go Jeb!

Quoted: I would rather have a different conservative run for president that wasnt in bed with the illegal immigrants. Ron Paul anyone? It would be the closest to a Libertarian we're likely to see, unfortunately...

Sorry, paul IS a liberaltarian... Isolationist, etc... Not good, regardless of his gun views...

Rice
Elrich
J Bush

There's a long list before that guy...

Quoted: It's just a ploy, a disingenuous trick to make Jeb seem more amiable to the pro-RKBA crowd. Despite the bills he signs, Jeb's not really pro-gun.

What makes you say that, Mac?

Quoted: Quoted: It's just a ploy, a disingenuous trick to make Jeb seem more amiable to the pro-RKBA crowd. Despite the bills he signs, Jeb's not really pro-gun. What makes you say that, Mac?

He's a Republican isn't he?

wOOt !

great news, that is awesome, i an not from florida, but i will thank him for what he has done

Can I get a link please, need to  post elsewhere.

Link: www.nraila.org/News/Read/Releases.aspx?ID=3710

I love our Gubner!

The_macallan is trolling.  W00t!

Once again, Florida leads the Nation in pro-gun legislation!

Go JEB!

FLA is looking better and better!