PA Gun Owners - Turnout in Harrisburg requested Tuesday 11/20/07

[BullfrogKen]

I rarely post political activism posts. In fact, I think this is my first one in my time here. If any of you guys local to Harrisburg are available Tuesday, this is an opportunity to show up and make a difference. I'll be at the State House myself for this event.


Over the past few weeks several police officers were shot in Philadephia, and one was killed. Monday Philadelphia's lawmakers and mayor publicly called for three gun control bills to leave Committee, and Gov. Rendell is using this opportunity to force them out. These are bad bills for gun owners, and will erase some of the gains Pennsylvania has made for gun rights in the state.


Pennsylvania residents will remember that it wasn't very long ago Philadelphia refused to issue carry permits. Harrisburg solved this problem by passing statewide legislation to prohibit municipalities from enacting their own gun laws. One of these bills will erase that victory. One will bring "one gun a month" to PA. Another will criminalize the failure of a gun owner to report the theft of his gun. If you are available, please show up. The room is going to be open to the public. The House re-scheduled this meeting to the largest conference room in the Capitol Building to accommodate an expected high visitor turnout. The last time Philadelphia got involved in a Committee gun control vote they bussed in anti-gun demonstrators. The Capitol expects the same to happen Tuesday.


This is the first time in decades a sitting governor will be attending a House Judiciary Committee meeting in an attempt to force bills out of Committee. Governor Ed Rendell ran on a stricker gun laws platform, but he's been extremely frustrated his 5 years in office by not seeing any of his sponsored bills leave Committee.

I'm making plans to be there. If you arrive, dress nicely. The statewide media will be there, so expect you might appear on camera. Please, no "hang Rendell" signs or other inflammatory rhetoric. If you can't be there, phone calls, e-mails, and letters do make a difference to our representatives.

Follows are my e-mails from Harry S., our gun rights Legislative Committee Chairperson in PA.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Gentlemen:

It would be helpful if a significant number of pro 2nd Amendment supporters are in attendance Tuesday morning. The Pennsylvania House Committee Votes on the anti-rights bills (HB 18, HB 22, and HB 29) are scheduled Tuesday November 20 at 10:00 AM.

This extraordinary Judiciary Committee meeting has been moved to a much larger room: Room 140 Main Capitol.

It appears that the Governator is planning to pack the larger room with those who seek to demonize gun owners. Therefore, it is ok if you openly ask your members to attend if possible.

It will help if numbers of sportsmen and sportswomen attend - preferably wearing business casual. The media will try to get pictures of people who are dressed inappropriately or who are acting inappropriately in an attempt to portray gun owners as undisciplined.

Guns and knives cannot be carried in the Capitol - it is also a courthouse.
The only gun lockers are in the lower rear entrance.

Please avoid inflammatory signs and do not be baited into making inflammatory statements.

Please meet at the steps of the Rotunda no later than 9:30 AM and obtain 2nd Amendment badges from Melody Zullinger, Executive Director of the Federation of Sportsmen Clubs. And PLEASE comply with all direction from Melody.

We will all be judged based upon how the participants dress and act.

It is important to keep these bills in committee.

Thank you,


Harry Sxxxxxxx
Legislative Committee, Chairman
Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Association


EMERGENCY ACTION ALERT
Governor Rendell plans to take an unprecedented step and personally attend Tuesday’s PA House Judiciary Committee meeting to attack gun owners and our constitutional freedoms by forcing bad legislation (HB 18, HB 22, and HB 29) out of committee.
Please contact members of the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today and keep it up through Tuesday morning.
ASK THE MEMBERS TO OPPOSE HB 22, HB 18 and HB 29.
The Committee Votes are scheduled Tuesday November 20 at 10:00 AM.
Phone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses are at the end of this message. PLEASE USE THEM.

At the request of Governor Ed Rendell (D), the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, November 20 at 10:00am, to vote on several anti-gun measures. The package of bills include one-gun-a-month, a requirement for individuals to report lost or stolen firearms, and legislation that would overturn Pennsylvania’s current preemption law.

House Bill 18, sponsored by State Representative Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia), would further provide for limitations on the regulation of firearms and ammunition by local municipalities. State preemption regulating firearms was enacted by the legislature to avoid the possibility of thousands of separate firearm laws across the Commonwealth. Without preemption there would be a myriad of local firearms laws making compliance impossible for law abiding gun owners. In addition, this proposed legislation may also be in conflict with Article 1, Section 21 of the Constitution of Pennsylvania which states "The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be questioned."

House Bill 22, "one-gun-a-month" legislation, sponsored by State Representative John Myers (D-Philadelphia), will prohibit law-abiding citizens from purchasing more than one handgun at a time, and impose a 30-day waiting period between single handgun purchases.

House Bill 29, "Lost or Stolen Firearms” legislation, sponsored by State Representative Jewell Williams (D-Philadelphia), would make it a crime to fail to report the loss or theft of a firearm to police within 24 hours of discovering the firearm missing. This proposal would criminalize victims of crime and is ineffective.


**For more in-depth information on these issues please go to this link – www.acslpa.org

The following organizations are on record as opposing this legislation:

Allegheny County Sportsmen's League (ACSL),
Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs (PFSC),
Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Association (PSA),
National Rifle Association (NRA),
Gun Owners of America (GOA),
Second Amendment Sisters (SAS),
Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Association (PR&PA),
Pennsylvania Gun Collectors Association (PGCA)
Lehigh Valley Firearms Coalition,
Philadelphia Federation of Sportsmen's Club,
Pennsylvania Gun Owners Association (PGOA)
Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania (Unified)
National Association of Firearms Retailers (NAFR),
Pennsylvania State Fish & Game Protective Association,
The Pink Pistols
OpenCarry.org
Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association (PAFOA)
National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSA)
Western Pennsylvania 30 Caliber League, Inc
Firearms Owners Against Crime (FOAC) the largest gun owners Political Action Committee (PAC) in Pennsylvania will record any support for any of this legislation, now or in the future, as an anti-gun vote.


It is imperative that you contact the following members of the House Judiciary Committee TODAY through Tuesday to strongly encourage them to OPPOSE this package of anti-gun rights bills! PLEASE focus your efforts on the Committee Leaders and then the ‘Uncommitted Group’ and then the listed ‘Pro-2nd Amendment’ group.

**Representatives listed below are Committee Leadership

State Representative Thomas R. Caltagirone (D-127), Majority Chairman
106 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202127
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2127
(717) 787-3525
Fax: (717) 772-5401
[email protected]

State Representative Ron Marsico (R-105), Minority Chairman
218 Ryan Office Building
PO Box 202105
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2105
(717) 783-2014
Fax: (717) 705-2010
[email protected]

State Representative Daylin Leach (D-149), Secretary
109A East Wing
PO Box 202149
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2149
(717) 783-9114
Fax: (717) 787-0861
[email protected]


**Representatives listed below are Pro 2nd Amendment

State Representative Deberah Kula (D-52)
104A East Wing
PO Box 202052
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2052
(717) 772-1858
Fax: (717) 780-4784
[email protected]

State Representative Joseph A. Petrarca (D-55)
220 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202055
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2055
(717) 787-5142
Fax: (717) 705-2014
[email protected]

State Representative Jesse White (D-46)
102B East Wing
PO Box 202046
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2046
(717) 783-6437
[email protected]

State Representative Tom C. Creighton (R-37)
400 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202037
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2037
(717) 772-5290
Fax: (717) 783-1904
[email protected]

State Representative Craig A. Dally (R-138)
211 Ryan Office Building
PO Box 202138
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2138
(717) 783-8573
Fax: (717) 705-1849
[email protected]

State Representative John R. Evans (R-5)
B12 Main Capitol Building
PO Box 202005
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2005
(717) 772-9940
Fax: (717) 772-7099
[email protected]

State Representative Will Gabig (R-199)
410 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202199
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2199
(717) 772-2280
Fax: (717) 705-2012
[email protected]

State Representative Glen R. Grell (R-87)
404 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202087
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2087
(717) 783-2063
Fax: (717) 772-8418
[email protected]

State Representative Kate Harper (R-61)
149A East Wing
PO Box 202061
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2061
(717) 787-2801
Fax: (717) 787-2022
[email protected]

State Representative Beverly Mackereth (R-196)
7 East Wing
PO Box 202196
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2196
(717) 783-2655
Fax: (717) 772-9869
[email protected]

State Representative Todd Rock (R-90)
162A East Wing
PO Box 202090
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2090
(717) 783-5218
Fax: (717) 260-6505
[email protected]

State Representative Katie True (R-41)
143A East Wing
PO Box 202041
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2041
(717) 705-7161
Fax: (717) 705-1946
[email protected]

State Representative Tina Pickett (R-110)
155A East Wing
PO Box 202110
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2110
(717) 783-8238
Fax: (717) 705-1949
[email protected]


**Representatives listed below are Uncommitted on these issues

State Representative John E. Pallone (D-54)
325 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202054
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2054
(717) 783-1819
Fax: (717) 772-9984
[email protected]

State Representative Don Walko (D-20)
121 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202020
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020
(717) 787-5470
Fax: (717) 783-0407
[email protected]

State Representative Sean M. Ramaley (D-16)
323 Main Capitol Building
PO Box 202016
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2016
(717) 787-4444
[email protected]

State Representative Carl W. Mantz (R-187)
53B East Wing
PO Box 202187
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2187
(717) 787-3017
Fax: (717) 772-9869
[email protected]


**Representatives listed below are dedicated Anti 2nd Amendment Fanatics

State Representative Kathy Manderino (D-194)
125 East Wing
PO Box 202194
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2194
(717) 787-1254
Fax: (717) 780-4770
[email protected]

State Representative Lisa Bennington (D-21)
6A East Wing
PO Box 202021
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2021
(717) 705-7011
Fax: (717) 780-4761
[email protected]

State Representative Dan Frankel (D-23)
217 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202023
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2023
(717) 705-1875
Fax: (717) 705-2034
[email protected]

State Representative Harold James (D-186)
317 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202186
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2186
(717) 787-9477
Fax: (717) 787-7517
[email protected]

State Representative Greg Vitali (D-16)
103B East Wing
PO Box 202166
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2166
(717) 787-7647
Fax: (717) 705-2089
[email protected]

State Representative Jewell Williams (D-197)
101 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202197
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2197
(717) 772-2004
Fax: (717) 787-2284
[email protected]

State Representative Bernie O'Neill (R-29)
B13 Main Capitol Building
PO Box 202029
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2029
(717) 705-7170
Fax: (717) 783-3278
[email protected]

State Representative Chelsa Wagner (D-22)
109 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202022
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2022
(717) 783-1582
Fax: (717) 780-4755
[email protected]

State Representative Bryan R. Lentz (D-161)
106B East Wing
PO Box 202161
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2161
(717) 787-8574
Fax: (717) 780-4777
[email protected]

 

[BullfrogKen]

Harry wouldn't ask for our turnout if it wasn't necessary, or the threat wasn't real. He works behind the scenes on our behalf. If he's asking for our help, it means something.

 

[brighamr]

I wish I lived closer, I would be there for sure.

Good luck on stopping these threats PA!

 

[RyanM]

If I were even remotely near Harrisburgh (and if it fit my class schedule; my edjumacation's gotta come first!), I'd be there.

Wish my local rep was on the committe.

http://www.repellis.com/

Right on his homepage, "Say 'NO' to new gun controls!"

Think I'll send a e-mail to a few other reps.

 

[geekWithA.45]

I'm planning to be there.

 

[General Geoff]

I'll try to get off of work, but if not, I'll at least make a few calls.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I'm going to try to make it.

 

[KevininPa]

Darn it! I must work with no getting away!. I'm sick of Rendell and his pro Phillie sympathies! It's like the rest of the state doesn't exist! Bring back a Rizzo and Phillie won't have a crime problem anymore! I'm tired of the big cities trying to to run our state just because they can't control their crime.Stop tying their police forces hands with " do-good " laws for criminals. Then maybe there will be results. If and when the Big Cities politicians grow some cajones the problems might go away! Darn It!

 

[nerfsrule2]

Guys I live right across the river in New Cumberland, so I will be there. But I must tell you, I have a few friends responsible for auditing Pa. Legislators (The stories they tell of our elected officials hiding our tax money for themselves) I do not trust any of our "Honorable" Reps.

 

[jahwarrior]

crap, i wish i had a car. i live in lackawanna county, who do i email/snailmail/telephone? i don't really keep up with politics, i guess i should start.

 

[Rumble]

I've got the day off. I'm going to try to make it.

 

[armabill]

I've already emailed reps this past week.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I should be there.

 

[PennsyPlinker]

I can't make it, but I did just finish dialing my finger down to the first knuckle to register my opinion. It sounds like the response so far has been overwhelming and lopsided in favor of RKBA.

One woman with whom I spoke told me that I should be happy that "our side" was winning. I told her that it was not about our side or their side, it was about the rights of all people to defend themselves. I trotted out the old quote that when seconds count, the police are only minutes away. She had never heard that before, and started laughing, making a comment that that was a good saying.

One man who answered the phone for one of the antis told me that he was not sure it was a good allocation of resources for all of us to be calling all of them. He said we would get much better results just keeping ourselves to our own representatives. I replied that the legislation affected all of us, and so it was legitimate for us to contact everyone. Besides, we have the freedom to do so.

One thing that was very encouraging was that every single person who had the time to talk for a minute told me that the people calling to oppose these gun control laws had been polite and reasonable, with a very few exceptions. Some of the people with whom I spoke were very harried sounding, especially the antis. In one office there were at least four people on hold while she talked to one - those were her words, not mine. So I think we are having a positive effect.

 

[aji]

Unable to

 

[aji]

Unable to attend. However, called all Judiciary committee members bwrween yesterday & today and left either voicemail message or spoke to person. They indicated overwhelming response opposing all 3 bills. Let's hope in continues .Thank you.

 

[KevininPa]

Two bills voted down. One tabled. One accepted

The bills concerning one a month limits and municipalities making their own gun laws shot down. Bill concerning stolen guns being reported is tabled. Bill concerning 20 year mandatory sentencing for shooting a LEO is accepted. Personally, I think the last should be thirty to life without paroles and should be for everyone not just LEOs.

 

[RocketFoot]

It's a great day for Pennsylvanian Gun Owners! 2 bills defeated!

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=local&id=5772463

The people have spoken!!

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - November 20, 2007 - A legislative committee on Tuesday soundly rejected two gun-control measures just moments after Gov. Ed Rendell made a rare appearance before the panel to personally appeal to lawmakers to think of families torn apart by gun violence, not of lobbyists.

After Rendell spoke, the House Judiciary Committee debated little before defeating one bill to limit most handgun purchases to one per month and another bill to empower local governments to enact their own gun-control laws. The votes were 12-17 and 10-19, respectively.

 

[DirksterG30]

Thanks for the update, folks. That's good news. We just need to keep up pressure on the people who voted in favor of this ill-advised legislation.

 

[KevininPa]

"It's a great day for Pennsylvanian Gun Owners! 2 bills defeated!"


And the one that passed is what us gunowners always want, stiffer penalties for criminals who use guns!

 

[Colt]

Happy Days!

Sincere thanks to those who took the time to contact reps and/or make the trip to Harrisburg.

 

[PennsyPlinker]

And the one that passed is what us gunowners always want, stiffer penalties for criminals who use guns!

Nothing passed, they tabled the third bill. And, it actually creates a new category of criminal, those who do not report to the police in a timely fashion - timely being defined by the politicians of course. Say the law is passed. Who is able to prove that the gun was stolen at a particular time, and they reported it in time? Perhaps you did and perhaps you didn't. Please come with us until we get this resolved...

Edit in: after posting, I noticed you mentioned the mandatory sentencing. I did not see that one referenced in any of the articles I read. So I am mistaken about something it seems.

 

[K-Romulus]

It's great that the preemption attack failed by the wider margin. My visits to the great state of PA "shall not be infringed."

 

[BullfrogKen]

A few of us were there today. I'll report after dinner what I saw, and my impressions.

But yes, of the three bills, two were soundly rejected, and one was tabled. The fourth bill was not one we were concerned about, which carried higher sentences for those who kill an officer in the state of PA.