I'm sure all of you have seen the new AWB McCarthy is looking to introduce.

Write your senators and let them know your stance.

We haven't had much of a problem in TN (lots of "blue dogs") and we need to keep it that way.

John Tanner still hasn't replied to my email yet

Edited to tag, bold title, capitalize title. ~the Hank


ETA:

FIND YOUR DISTRICT


FIND YOUR SENATOR!

FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE

Read through the text of the bill at thomas.loc.gov.

There's a clause that allows the Attorney General to add firearms to the ban list, if they were ever purchased by the US military or a federal law enforcement agency, or if the manufacturer designed them for military or law enforcement use, or if their design is based on such a firearm.  That clause states "semiautomatic rifles and shotguns" in the first line (not semiautomatic shotguns, all shotguns), then switches to the more general term "firearms".

The Brady bill was introduced to require a background check on all handgun purchases and a mandatory waiting period.  A clause was added to create a federal instant background check system, and eventually use it to replace the local background check and waiting period on handgun purchases.  Somewhere in the text of the instant check clause, they switched from "handgun" to "firearm".  I heard people arguing that the Brady Law only applied to handguns, right up till the point that the instant check system was put into operation.  I even saw a guy arguing with the sporting goods clerk at Walmart, after he was told that the brand new TICS background check was delaying most sales, and he would have to come back the next day to see if he was approved for his new deer rifle.

The 1873 Colt was used by the US Cavalry.

1911 pistols are called "1911" for a reason.

Winchester lever actions are based on the Henry lever action that saw limited use by union troops in the civil war.

How many bolt action hunting rifles use a "Springfield bolt"?

The US military has used pump shotguns from Remington, Winchester, Ithica, and Mossberg.

Anybody feel like adding to the list?

Quoted: Read through the text of the bill at thomas.loc.gov. There's a clause that allows the Attorney General to add firearms to the ban list, if they were ever purchased by the US military or a federal law enforcement agency, or if the manufacturer designed them for military or law enforcement use, or if their design is based on such a firearm.  That clause states "semiautomatic rifles and shotguns" in the first line (not semiautomatic shotguns, all shotguns), then switches to the more general term "firearms". The Brady bill was introduced to require a background check on all handgun purchases and a mandatory waiting period.  A clause was added to create a federal instant background check system, and eventually use it to replace the local background check and waiting period on handgun purchases.  Somewhere in the text of the instant check clause, they switched from "handgun" to "firearm".  I heard people arguing that the Brady Law only applied to handguns, right up till the point that the instant check system was put into operation.  I even saw a guy arguing with the sporting goods clerk at Walmart, after he was told that the brand new TICS background check was delaying most sales, and he would have to come back the next day to see if he was approved for his new deer rifle. The 1873 Colt was used by the US Cavalry. 1911 pistols are called "1911" for a reason. Winchester lever actions are based on the Henry lever action that saw limited use by union troops in the civil war. How many bolt action hunting rifles use a "Springfield bolt"? The US military has used pump shotguns from Remington, Winchester, Ithica, and Mossberg. Anybody feel like adding to the list?

BAR-Browning Automatic Rifle--a semiauto version is used extensively by hunters

M40-winchester model 70--a popular bolt action rifle

M9-Beretta model 92--full size semi-auto 9mm pistol

how many bolt action rifles use a Mauser action?

NRA RESPONDS TO HR1022

PLEASE READ IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BILL INTENDS TO BAN

NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 14, No. 8 02/23/07

States with updates this issue: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.


THE MOST SWEEPING GUN BAN EVER INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS;
McCarthy Bill Bans Millions More Guns Than The Clinton Gun Ban

On Feb. 14, 2007, Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) introduced H.R. 1022, a bill with the stated purpose, "to reauthorize the assault weapons ban, and for other purposes."

McCarthy's verbiage warrants explanation. Presumably, what she means by "assault weapons ban" is the Clinton Gun Ban of 1994. Congress allowed the ban to expire in 2004 for multiple reasons, including the fact that federal, state and local law enforcement agency studies showed that guns affected by the ban had been used in only a small percentage of crime, before and after the ban was imposed.

With the nation's murder rate 43% lower than in 1991, and the re-legalized guns still used in only a small percentage of crime, reauthorizing the Clinton Gun Ban would be objectionable enough. But McCarthy's "other purposes" would make matters even worse. H.R. 1022 would ban every gun banned by the Clinton ban, plus millions more guns, including:

. Every gun made to comply with the Clinton ban. (The Clinton ban dictated the kinds of grips, stocks and attachments new guns could have. Manufacturers modified new guns to the Clinton requirements. H.R. 1022 would ban the modified guns too.)

. Guns exempted by the Clinton ban. (Ruger Mini-14s and -30s and Ranch Rifles; .30 cal. carbines; and fixed-magazine, semi-automatic, center-fire rifles that hold more than 10 rounds.)

. All semi-automatic shotguns. (E.g., Remington, Winchester, Beretta and Benelli, used for hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense. H.R. 1022 would ban them because they have "any characteristic that can function as a grip," and would also ban their main component, called the "receiver.")

. All detachable-magazine semi-automatic rifles-including, for example, the ubiquitous Ruger 10/22 .22 rimfire-because they have "any characteristic that can function as a grip."

. Target shooting rifles. (E.g., the three centerfire rifles most popular for marksmanship competitions: the Colt AR-15, the Springfield M1A and the M1 "Garand.")

. Any semi-automatic shotgun or rifle an Attorney General one day claims isn't "sporting," even though the constitutions of the U.S. and 44 states, and the laws of all 50 states, recognize the right to use guns for defense.

. 65 named guns (the Clinton law banned 19 by name); semi-auto fixed-magazine pistols of over 10 rounds capacity; and frames, receivers and parts used to repair or refurbish guns.

H.R. 1022 would also ban the importation of magazines exempted by the Clinton ban, ban the sale of a legally-owned "assault weapon" with a magazine of over 10 rounds capacity, and begin backdoor registration of guns, by requiring private sales of banned guns, frames, receivers and parts to be conducted through licensed dealers. Finally, whereas the Clinton Gun Ban was imposed for a 10-year trial period, H.R. 1022 would be a permanent ban.

Please be sure to contact your U.S. Representative and urge him or her to oppose
H.R. 1022!

You can call your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121.

I am in Disrict 8 also. where is the 9th district? These folks NEED to contact thier Rep now. He is on the commitee that gets this bill on the floor.

This is my Congress Critters reply to my e-mail.

Dear einnor1040,

     Thank you for contacting me about H.R.
1022 the ban on certain semiautomatic
weapons that resemble military assault
weapons.  It helps me better represent
Middle Tennessee when I know of your
concerns.

     I oppose the ban on semiautomatic
weapons, cosponsored legislation to end the
ban in 1995, and voted to end the ban when a
bill passed the House of Representatives in
1996.  The Gun Crime Enforcement and Second
Amendment Restoration Act, which I supported
in 1996, was never voted on by the Senate
and so did not become law.  But my vote for
that bill demonstrates my commitment to your
Second Amendment rights.  You may be assured
that should the House of Representatives
vote on restoring the ban, I will vote
against doing so.

     As always, if I may be of further
assistance to you or your family, please
feel free to call on me.


Stay in touch,
/s
BART GORDON
Member of Congress

Here is the response I got back from Lamar:

Dear Randy,

Thanks very much for getting in touch with me and letting me know what's
on your mind regarding the right to bear arms.

I am a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights. Gun control should
not mean taking away these rights from law-abiding citizens and leaving
criminals to terrorize the streets. But we must do something about
gun-related crimes. As senator, I'm working with law enforcement
officials from across the state to keep our neighborhoods safe. I'll vote
for federal support to prosecute violent criminals, as in "Gun Crime IS
Jail Time," a federally funded program in Memphis that ensures tougher,
more consistent sentences for gun-related crimes. Good citizens don't
abuse guns; criminals do.

Because I believe law-abiding citizens have a constitutional right to the
weapon of their choice, I supported allowing the 1994 federal ban on
certain guns and magazines to expire. And because I believe honest gun
makers, distributors, dealers, and importers should not be subjected to
frivolous lawsuits brought by trial lawyers, I cosponsored the Protection
of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. The Senate passed this bill on July 29,
2005, by a vote of 65-31. It will prohibit civil suits for damages
resulting from the misuse of firearms unless those who transfer a firearm
know that it will be used to commit a violent crime.

I'll be sure to keep your comments in mind as gun control issues are
discussed and debated here in Washington and in Tennessee.
Sincerely,

Lamar



Havent heard from Bart or the others yet

My response from Senator Tanner:

Dear Mr. G---:

     Thank you for contacting our office to share your comments on the
reauthorization of the ban on assault weapons particularly your
opposition to HR 1022.
     
     Section 110101 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement
Act of 1994 banned the manufacture, transfer or possession of
semi-automatic assault weapons not designated as "lawfully possessed" under
Federal law.  According to the law, this ban expired September 4, 2004, ten
years from the date of enactment.  I voted against the original bill
because I felt some of the provisions were a bit over-reaching and lacked
solid proof as to their effectiveness in preventing crime.  HR 1022
would reauthorize the assault weapons ban, but the legislation remains
under review in the House Committee on the Judiciary and no legislative
consideration has been scheduled in the House.  You may be sure that I
will keep your views in mind should the House begin consideration of
legislation addressing the reauthorization of the ban on semi-automatic
assault weapons.
     
     As you may know, I believe that the Constitutional right to bear
arms should be protected and that law-abiding citizens should have the
right to purchase and own firearms.  I have been a strong supporter of
all of our Constitutionally protected liberties, including our right to
bear arms, and will certainly continue to carefully review all
proposals that stand to restrict our American freedoms, particularly our Second
Amendment rights.    
     
     Please continue to provide me with the benefit of your advice and
counsel on issues of concern to you in the future.

Sincerely,


John Tanner, M. C.


Sounds Great!  

TN Arfcommers...do your part!!!  contact your elected officials NOW!  From house to state to federal level...they all need to know how we feel about this issue.

Complacency and apathy will be our downfall!

Wrote Tanner as well.

A couple things to point out so we're all on the same page:

This is a House Resolution, thus the "H.R." designator. John Tanner is a Representative, not Senator. We should write our US Representatives at this point rather than our Senators. Once the companion bill is introduced in the Senate, then we must let Alexander and Corker feel the heat.

I'm not being critical, just pointing this out so we're all informed.

HR1022 now has 12 cosponsors.

HR1022 status

18 cosponsors, now.


     Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 3/9/2007

30 Sponsors Now

Going to be real interesting to see how well the "Blue Dogs" hold up when their fellow Dems pressure them.


If you haven't written a letter, sent an email, or made a phone call...DO IT NOW.

ETA:
new ones


Rep Lofgren [CA-16] - 3/15/2007 - Democrat - House Judiciary Committee member
Rep Lowey Nita M. [NY-18] - 3/15/2007 - Democrat
Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] - 3/15/2007 - Democrat* - House Judiciary Committee member
Rep Tauscher Ellen O. [CA-10] - 3/15/2007 - Democrat

     Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] - 3/13/2007 -Jud. Comm. member
     Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] - 3/7/2007
     Rep DeGette, Diana [CO-1] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 3/13/2007 -Jud. Comm. member
     Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 3/7/2007 -Jud. Comm. member
     Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 3/15/2007 -Jud. Comm. member
     Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] - 3/15/2007
     Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] - 3/13/2007
     Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] - 3/7/2007 -Jud. Comm. member
     Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [NJ-8] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 3/7/2007 -Jud. Comm. member
     Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] - 3/15/2007 -Jud. Comm. member
     Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [NY-28] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Tauscher, Ellen O. [CA-10] - 3/15/2007
     Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 3/9/2007 -Jud. Comm. member

Five other members of the Judiciary Committee, and the Judiciary Committee Chair, were cosponsors of McCarthy's last attempt to reinstate the 'Assault Weapon Ban'.

Just e-mailed my Republican district 94 represenative...Damn i feel good, EVERYONE who visits this board should do this...if they are to lazy to do this then fine...do bitch when our guns get taken away.

It too 10 minutes to write a very professional letter and send it. I encourage everyone to do this our voice DOES matter!

HR1022 has picked up more cosponsors:

     Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] - 4/16/2007
     Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] - 3/7/2007
     Rep DeGette, Diana [CO-1] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Emanuel, Rahm [IL-5] - 4/26/2007
     Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 4/16/2007
     Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Harman, Jane [CA-36] - 4/19/2007
     Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 4/19/2007
     Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] - 3/22/2007
     Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] - 5/3/2007
     Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 3/15/2007
     Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] - 3/15/2007
     Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] - 3/13/2007
     Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] - 5/3/2007
     Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [NJ-8] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] - 3/22/2007
     Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] - 3/15/2007
     Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [NY-28] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Tauscher, Ellen O. [CA-10] - 3/15/2007
     Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [FL-20] - 3/22/2007
     Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] - 4/26/2007
     Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] - 4/16/2007
     Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 4/26/2007

HR1022 currently has 49 cosponsors:

     Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] - 4/16/2007
     Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Blumenauer, Earl [OR-3] - 5/8/2007
     Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] - 3/7/2007
     Rep DeGette, Diana [CO-1] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Emanuel, Rahm [IL-5] - 4/26/2007
     Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 4/16/2007
     Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Harman, Jane [CA-36] - 4/19/2007
     Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 4/19/2007
     Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] - 3/22/2007
     Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] - 5/3/2007
     Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 3/15/2007
     Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] - 3/15/2007
     Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] - 3/13/2007
     Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8] - 5/8/2007
     Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] - 5/8/2007
     Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] - 5/3/2007
     Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [NJ-8] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] - 3/22/2007
     Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] - 6/6/2007
     Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] - 3/15/2007
     Rep Sires, Albio [NJ-13] - 6/6/2007
     Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [NY-28] - 3/13/2007
     Rep Tauscher, Ellen O. [CA-10] - 3/15/2007
     Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 3/7/2007
     Rep Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [FL-20] - 3/22/2007
     Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] - 4/26/2007
     Rep Watt, Melvin L. [NC-12] - 5/8/2007
     Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] - 4/16/2007
     Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 3/9/2007
     Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 4/26/2007

If I'm not mistaken, all of them are democrats, and nine of them are on the House committee that will decide if the bill goes to the House floor for a vote.

and none from TN.