Just passing the following along. The first affects CCW in Ohio, and the second is just general interest.
OHIO LEGISLATURE OVERRIDES GOVERNOR'S VETO
Governor Bob Taft's (R) veto of crucial statewide preemption legislation has been overridden by the state legislature. This was the first time in 29 years that the Ohio legislature overturned a Governor's veto. On Thursday, December 7, the State House voted 71-21 to override House Bill 347. On Tuesday, December 12, the State Senate also voted (21-12) to override the veto, with three Democratic Senators voting in favor of the measure.
Championed by Representative Jim Aslanides (R-94), HB 347 will create statewide preemption ensuring that firearm laws are uniform throughout the state. Currently, 43 states have similar laws. Passing statewide preemption eliminates problems for gun owners who have been unduly burdened by local ordinances, such as the Columbus "assault weapons ban." In addition, this legislation will correct a number of problems that have surfaced during the past year for Right-to-Carry permit holders. The most common complaint for license holders has been the "plain sight" requirement in a motor vehicle. HB 347 will eliminate this requirement.
MICHIGAN PROTECTS GUN OWNERS' RIGHTS
Michigan's State Legislature has passed a two-bill, NRA-backed package, to create the state's "Emergency Powers Protection Act" (HB 6363 and HB 6364). The new laws prevent local governments from confiscating lawfully-owned firearms during a declared state of emergency, as witnessed in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. "Law-abiding Michiganders have won a significant victory in the State Legislature," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. "The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina confirmed a fear long-held by American gun owners: the day government bureaucrats declare our Second Amendment null and void, leaving law-abiding citizens defenseless in the midst of chaos and lawlessness. We promised then to take measures to ensure that the Second Amendment is not another casualty during a declared emergency, and we are proud to have delivered on that promise."
In the first year since Hurricane Katrina, state legislatures in Alaska, Idaho, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, and Louisiana passed measures that echo the spirit of Michigan's "Emergency Powers Protection Act". This fall, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate passed a similar federal bill with broad, bipartisan support, and President Bush signed the measure in October.
Michigan's bills passed overwhelmingly in the State Senate, 37-1, and unanimously in the State House, 105-0. "No matter what the circumstances, lawful gun owners have the right to possess their firearms in their homes," Cox said. And if forced to evacuate, they have the right to transport their firearms to a safe place. Nobody has the right to disarm them. On behalf of our many NRA members in Michigan, I want to thank Representative Scott Hummel for his leadership and his dedication to seeing the 'Emergency Powers Protection Act' become law. I also want to thank the representatives and senators who recognized the will of the people and voted overwhelmingly to pass this sound legislation."
OHIO LEGISLATURE OVERRIDES GOVERNOR'S VETO
Governor Bob Taft's (R) veto of crucial statewide preemption legislation has been overridden by the state legislature. This was the first time in 29 years that the Ohio legislature overturned a Governor's veto. On Thursday, December 7, the State House voted 71-21 to override House Bill 347. On Tuesday, December 12, the State Senate also voted (21-12) to override the veto, with three Democratic Senators voting in favor of the measure.
Championed by Representative Jim Aslanides (R-94), HB 347 will create statewide preemption ensuring that firearm laws are uniform throughout the state. Currently, 43 states have similar laws. Passing statewide preemption eliminates problems for gun owners who have been unduly burdened by local ordinances, such as the Columbus "assault weapons ban." In addition, this legislation will correct a number of problems that have surfaced during the past year for Right-to-Carry permit holders. The most common complaint for license holders has been the "plain sight" requirement in a motor vehicle. HB 347 will eliminate this requirement.
MICHIGAN PROTECTS GUN OWNERS' RIGHTS
Michigan's State Legislature has passed a two-bill, NRA-backed package, to create the state's "Emergency Powers Protection Act" (HB 6363 and HB 6364). The new laws prevent local governments from confiscating lawfully-owned firearms during a declared state of emergency, as witnessed in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. "Law-abiding Michiganders have won a significant victory in the State Legislature," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. "The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina confirmed a fear long-held by American gun owners: the day government bureaucrats declare our Second Amendment null and void, leaving law-abiding citizens defenseless in the midst of chaos and lawlessness. We promised then to take measures to ensure that the Second Amendment is not another casualty during a declared emergency, and we are proud to have delivered on that promise."
In the first year since Hurricane Katrina, state legislatures in Alaska, Idaho, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, and Louisiana passed measures that echo the spirit of Michigan's "Emergency Powers Protection Act". This fall, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate passed a similar federal bill with broad, bipartisan support, and President Bush signed the measure in October.
Michigan's bills passed overwhelmingly in the State Senate, 37-1, and unanimously in the State House, 105-0. "No matter what the circumstances, lawful gun owners have the right to possess their firearms in their homes," Cox said. And if forced to evacuate, they have the right to transport their firearms to a safe place. Nobody has the right to disarm them. On behalf of our many NRA members in Michigan, I want to thank Representative Scott Hummel for his leadership and his dedication to seeing the 'Emergency Powers Protection Act' become law. I also want to thank the representatives and senators who recognized the will of the people and voted overwhelmingly to pass this sound legislation."
