We may need some help in the House Judiciary Committee, on HB 641. Right
now, we're testing some of the waters but we know going in we have two
anti's to work past. Yesterday we passed with one no vote, Rep. Stewart -
she Chairs the HGUAC. She's also a sitting member of the HGUAC/SJC, the
next stop, with Rep Al Park. Park is the anti that sponsored the amendment
that changed the age, calibers etc, that changed our original SB23 in the
last long session. We know they have been lobbying the other members.
We don't know the schedule for the SJC yet but when it comes up, can you
travel to Santa Fe? It may be on short notice.
(1) Write the author of the caliber-specific requirement to the original
law, Rep. Al Park, and explain the problems with this section of the law.
The Honorable Al Park
New Mexico House of Representatives
State Capitol
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Some points your could include in your letter:
* Two different handguns might use the same ammunition (.38s and .357s, for
example) and currently, a license applicant would have to complete training
with both a .38 and a .357 if he or she wanted to carry both.
* Anyone who qualifies with a .44 or .45 can handle a smaller caliber
handgun safely. Try drawing an analogy with some other product that has
different levels of power or force.
* People that owner more than one gun are usually qualified, safe shooters.
If they can handle a large caliber gun they own, they can handle the smaller
ones as well.
--
Steve Aikens, Clovis, NM
