alan
Member
Readers might want to say thanks to pro gun legislators, as well as possibly something to the anti gunners.
ORGANIZATION: Allegheny County Sportsmen's League, Inc.
PRIORITY: High
***Allegheny County Sportsmen's League*** November 23, 2007
***LEGISLATIVE ALERT AFTER ACTION REPORT
Issue: Judiciary Committee Vote – November 20th –House Bills 18, 22, 29
Alan,
CONGRATULATIONS!!! November 20th will LONG be remembered as the day a sitting Governor, Ed Rendell, took on the gun owners of Pennsylvania by personally appearing before the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee to testify in favor three unconstitutional anti-gun bills--HB 18, HB 22, HB 29—AND LOST!!
Governor Rendell gave an emotional speech in support of HB 18, HB 22 and HB 29, once again ignoring the real causes and solutions to violent crime and falsely claiming that gun control is the answer - just as mainstream doctors once prescribed bleeding as the answer to almost every ailment.
Sitting beside the governor during his testimony was his State Police commissioner. Unlike real police officers, PSP commissioners serve at the pleasure of the governor just as chiefs of police serve at the pleasure of mayors and city councils. Commissioner Miller and the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association have previously demonstrated a callous disregard for competitive target shooters and American soldiers by supporting a ban on the very AR-15 H-BAR target rifles and CAR-15 type carbines that are used in competition and in training our military troops prior to deployment to supplement the inadequate marksmanship and use training. The troopers and officers who serve the public under such leadership deserve our deepest sympathies, respect and support.
It is important to note that Governor Rendell and Chairman Caltagirone would not have scheduled HB 18, HB 22, and HB 29 for a vote if they didn't think that their dog and pony show would prevail. They were wrong!!!
THE VOTES
House Bill 18 was DEFEATED 19-10
**Pro-Gun Votes-(HB 18)
Representative, Deberah, Kula
[email protected], District-52, Party-D, (717) 772-1858
Representative, John E., Pallone
[email protected], District-54, Party-D, (717) 783-1819, J-Sub Com C&C
Representative, Joseph A., Petrarca
[email protected], District-55, Party-D, (717) 787-5142
Representative, Sean M., Ramaley
[email protected], District-16, Party-D, (717) 787-4444
Representative, Don, Walko
[email protected], District-20, Party-D, (717) 787-5470, J-Sub Com Court
Representative, Jesse, White
[email protected], District-46, Party-D, (717) 783-6437
Representative, Ronald S., Marisco
[email protected], District-105, Party-R, (717) 783-2014, Minor Chair
Representative, Thomas C., Creighton
[email protected], District-37, Party-R, (717) 772-5290
Representative, Craig A., Dally
[email protected], District-138, Party-R, (717) 783-8573, MinorV.Chair
Representative, John R., Evans
[email protected], District-5, Party-R, (717) 772-9940
Representative, Will, Gabig
[email protected], District-199, Party-R, (717) 772-2280
Representative, Glen R., Grell
[email protected], District-87, Party-R, (717) 783-2063
Representative, Kate, Harper
[email protected], District-61, Party-R, (717) 787-2801
Representative, Beverly, Mackereth
[email protected], District-196, Party-R, (717) 783-2655
Representative, Carl W., Mantz
[email protected], District-187, Party-R, (717) 787-3017
Representative, Bernard T., O'Neill
[email protected], District-29, Party-R, (717) 705-7170
Representative, Tina, Pickett
[email protected], District-110, Party-R, (717) 783-8238
Representative, Todd, Rock
[email protected], District-90, Party-R, (717) 783-5218
Representative, Katie, True
[email protected], District-41, Party-R, (717) 705-7161
**Anti-Gun Votes-(HB 18)
Representative, Lisa, Bennington
[email protected], District-21, Party-D, (717) 705-7011
Representative, Thomas R., Caltagirone
[email protected], District-127, Party-D, (717) 787-3525, J-Major Chair
Representative, Dan B., Frankel
[email protected], District-23, Party-D, (717) 705-1875
Representative, Harold, James
[email protected], District-186, Party-D, (717) 787-9477
Representative, Daylin, Leach
[email protected], District-149, Party-D, (717) 783-9114, J-Secretary
Representative, Bryan R., Lentz
[email protected], District-161, Party-D, (717) 787-8574
Representative, Kathy M., Manderino
[email protected], District-194, Party-D, (717) 787-1254, J-Sub Com F.L.
Representative, Greg S., Vitali
[email protected], District-166, Party-D, (717) 787-7647
Representative, Chelsa, Wagner
[email protected], District-22, Party-D, (717) 783-1582
Representative, Jewell, Williams
[email protected], District-197, Party-D, (717) 772-2004
House Bill 22 was DEFEATED 17-12
**Pro-Gun Votes –(HB22)
Representative, Deberah, Kula
[email protected], District-52, Party-D, (717) 772-1858
Representative, John E., Pallone
[email protected], District-54, Party-D, (717) 783-1819, J-Sub Com C&C
Representative, Joseph A., Petrarca
[email protected], District-55, Party-D, (717) 787-5142
Representative, Sean M., Ramaley
[email protected], District-16, Party-D, (717) 787-4444
Representative, Don, Walko
[email protected], District-20, Party-D, (717) 787-5470, J-Sub Com Court
Representative, Jesse, White
[email protected], District-46, Party-D, (717) 783-6437
Representative, Ronald S., Marisco
[email protected], District-105, Party-R, (717) 783-2014, Minor Chair
Representative, Thomas C., Creighton
[email protected], District-37, Party-R, (717) 772-5290
Representative, Craig A., Dally
[email protected], District-138, Party-R, (717) 783-8573, MinorV.Chair
Representative, John R., Evans
[email protected], District-5, Party-R, (717) 772-9940
Representative, Will, Gabig
[email protected], District-199, Party-R, (717) 772-2280
Representative, Glen R., Grell
[email protected], District-87, Party-R, (717) 783-2063
Representative, Beverly, Mackereth
[email protected], District-196, Party-R, (717) 783-2655
Representative, Carl W., Mantz
[email protected], District-187, Party-R, (717) 787-3017
Representative, Tina, Pickett
[email protected], District-110, Party-R, (717) 783-8238
Representative, Todd, Rock
[email protected], District-90, Party-R, (717) 783-5218
Representative, Katie, True
[email protected], District-41, Party-R, (717) 705-7161
**Anti-Gun Votes-(HB 22)
Representative, Kate, Harper
[email protected], District-61, Party-R, (717) 787-2801
Representative, Bernard T., O'Neill
[email protected], District-29, Party-R, (717) 705-7170
Representative, Lisa, Bennington
[email protected], District-21, Party-D, (717) 705-7011
Representative, Thomas R., Caltagirone
[email protected], District-127, Party-D, (717) 787-3525, J-Major Chair
Representative, Dan B., Frankel
[email protected], District-23, Party-D, (717) 705-1875
Representative, Harold, James
[email protected], District-186, Party-D, (717) 787-9477
Representative, Daylin, Leach
[email protected], District-149, Party-D, (717) 783-9114, J-Secretary
Representative, Bryan R., Lentz
[email protected], District-161, Party-D, (717) 787-8574
Representative, Kathy M., Manderino
[email protected], District-194, Party-D, (717) 787-1254, J-Sub Com F.L.
Representative, Greg S., Vitali
[email protected], District-166, Party-D, (717) 787-7647
Representative, Chelsa, Wagner
[email protected], District-22, Party-D, (717) 783-1582
Representative, Jewell, Williams
[email protected], District-197, Party-D, (717) 772-2004
House Bill 29 was TABLED 12-17
**Vote to Table-(HB 29)
Representative, Thomas R., Caltagirone
[email protected], District-127, Party-D, (717) 787-3525, J-Major Chair
Representative, Lisa, Bennington
[email protected], District-21, Party-D, (717) 705-7011
Representative, Dan B., Frankel
[email protected], District-23, Party-D, (717) 705-1875
Representative, Harold, James
[email protected], District-186, Party-D, (717) 787-9477
Representative, Daylin, Leach
[email protected], District-149, Party-D, (717) 783-9114, J-Secretary
Representative, Bryan R., Lentz
[email protected], District-161, Party-D, (717) 787-8574
Representative, Kathy M., Manderino
[email protected], District-194, Party-D, (717) 787-1254, Sub Com F.L.
Representative, John E., Pallone
[email protected], District-54, Party-D, (717) 783-1819, J-Sub Com C&C
Representative, Sean M., Ramaley
[email protected], District-16, Party-D, (717) 787-4444
Representative, Greg S., Vitali
[email protected], District-166, Party-D, (717) 787-7647
Representative, Chelsa, Wagner
[email protected], District-22, Party-D, (717) 783-1582
Representative, Don, Walko
[email protected], District-20, Party-D, (717) 787-5470, J-Sub Com Court
Representative, Jesse, White
[email protected], District-46, Party-D, (717) 783-6437
Representative, Jewell, Williams
[email protected], District-197, Party-D, (717) 772-2004
Representative, Will, Gabig
[email protected], District-199, Party-R, (717) 772-2280
Representative, Kate, Harper
[email protected], District-61, Party-R, (717) 787-2801
Representative, Bernard T., O'Neill
[email protected], District-29, Party-R, (717) 705-7170
**Vote AGAINST Tabling-(HB 29)
Representative, Deberah, Kula
[email protected], District-52, Party-D, (717) 772-1858
Representative, Joseph A., Petrarca
[email protected], District-55, Party-D, (717) 787-5142
Representative, Ronald S., Marisco
[email protected], District-105, Party-R, (717) 783-2014, Minor Chair
Representative, Thomas C., Creighton
[email protected], District-37, Party-R, (717) 772-5290
Representative, Craig A., Dally
[email protected], District-138, Party-R, (717) 783-8573, MinorV.Chair
Representative, John R., Evans
[email protected], District-5, Party-R, (717) 772-9940
Representative, Glen R., Grell
[email protected], District-87, Party-R, (717) 783-2063
Representative, Beverly, Mackereth
[email protected], District-196, Party-R, (717) 783-2655
Representative, Carl W., Mantz
[email protected], District-187, Party-R, (717) 787-3017
Representative, Tina, Pickett
[email protected], District-110, Party-R, (717) 783-8238
Representative, Todd, Rock
[email protected], District-90, Party-R, (717) 783-5218
Representative, Katie, True
[email protected], District-41, Party-R, (717) 705-7161
* House Bill 29 was tabled to avoid a sweep by gun owners of these bills and also in the hopes that a very minor amendment can be added so that another vote on this bill can be taken. There is NO WAY of making this concept better and it is still very bad and dangerous legislation, even with the proposed amendment.
Another bad bill, House Bill 1744 was previously rushed out of Judiciary committee because the NRA tweaked it and then withdrew its objections. The prime sponsor of HB 1744 is Judiciary Chairman Caltagirone who voted FOR--HB 18, HB 22, HB 29. HB 1744 was scheduled for a full House floor vote last Wednesday, but was temporarily derailed because of an analysis drafted by the ACSL and PSA that detailed numerous serious problems in the version released from the House Judiciary Committee, previously overlooked by the NRA. These flaws were discussed after the Judiciary Committee vote in the Appropriations Committee and on Harrisburg radio by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, Larry Pratt of GOA and Melody Zullinger of the PFSC. This legislation did pass out of the Judiciary Committee but is currently on hold in the House of Representatives due to the ACSL/PSA/PRPA/LVFC/PGOA/GOA position in opposition to it.
Please go to the Allegheny County Sportsmen's League website for analysis of these bills: http://www.acslpa.org/
http://www.acslpa.org/n-legislative/PA Gunowners Under Attack/pa_gun_owners_under_attack.htm
FREEDOM PREVAILED ON THIS DAY BECAUSE OF GRASSROOTS ACTION
Thursday evening (Nov. 15), the ACSL and PSA issued an alert that listed the following organizations as being on record as opposing the legislation. The ACSL/PSA alert was widely distributed. Chomping at the bit for its first major legislative fight was the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association http://www.pafoa.org/. The founder of the PAFOA is an expert in internet communications and has assembled a very large email list of dedicated Pennsylvania activists. Special thanks to Melody Zullinger of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Judy Brown of the Second Amendment Sisters, Ken O'Donnell of West Shore Sportsmen's Association, Inc and Jack Lee of the Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Association (PR&PA).
Each of them went above and beyond. They certainly did their part as did the members and leaders of every organization listed below.
The grassroots organizations observing and tracking these bills are listed below:
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 (LVFC),
Philadelphia Federation of Sportsmen's Club,
Pennsylvania Gun Owners Association (PGOA)
Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania (USP)
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
Citizen’s Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA)
**(FOAC) Firearms Owners Against Crime records all votes related to firearms and the constitutional connections thereof. Mitigating factors are taken into consideration when reviewing these votes such as presenting on record concerns during debate on legislation and will be so noted in the record for each legislator.
THE RESPONSE:
The ACSL/PSA alert that was issued Thursday evening (the 15th) included the list of organizations opposed and the email addresses of all House Judiciary Committee members. On Friday morning, one committee member reported that in just over an hour he received more than 400 emails encouraging the defeat of the three bills. Another said that he got so many email messages on his Blackberry that it sounded like a machinegun.
We are very grateful for the cooperation of every person who took part in this event. We only ask for help when legislative leaders ignore us and decide to move bad legislation over our objections. The fact that so many individuals quickly acted upon the information that we provided, proved to legislators that they are concerned and will act. Even Committee Chairman Caltagirone commented on the professional demeanor of the gun owners who were present during the hearing. In short, everyone did what they needed to do to defend freedom.
We are also very grateful to the majority of the members of the Judiciary Committee who voted for freedom.
Recently, when the Associated Press asked the House Judiciary Committee Chairman (Caltagirone) why these anti-gun bills were bottled up in committee, this is what he said:
"Of all the groups I've ever dealt with, this by far is probably the most vocal, the most organized and the most politically savvy - communication-wise as well as networking - that I've seen in my time in the Legislature," said 16-term Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Associated Press September 8, 2007
What do you think he (Caltagirone) will say NOW!!!
See Part 2
ORGANIZATION: Allegheny County Sportsmen's League, Inc.
PRIORITY: High
***Allegheny County Sportsmen's League*** November 23, 2007
***LEGISLATIVE ALERT AFTER ACTION REPORT
Issue: Judiciary Committee Vote – November 20th –House Bills 18, 22, 29
Alan,
CONGRATULATIONS!!! November 20th will LONG be remembered as the day a sitting Governor, Ed Rendell, took on the gun owners of Pennsylvania by personally appearing before the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee to testify in favor three unconstitutional anti-gun bills--HB 18, HB 22, HB 29—AND LOST!!
Governor Rendell gave an emotional speech in support of HB 18, HB 22 and HB 29, once again ignoring the real causes and solutions to violent crime and falsely claiming that gun control is the answer - just as mainstream doctors once prescribed bleeding as the answer to almost every ailment.
Sitting beside the governor during his testimony was his State Police commissioner. Unlike real police officers, PSP commissioners serve at the pleasure of the governor just as chiefs of police serve at the pleasure of mayors and city councils. Commissioner Miller and the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association have previously demonstrated a callous disregard for competitive target shooters and American soldiers by supporting a ban on the very AR-15 H-BAR target rifles and CAR-15 type carbines that are used in competition and in training our military troops prior to deployment to supplement the inadequate marksmanship and use training. The troopers and officers who serve the public under such leadership deserve our deepest sympathies, respect and support.
It is important to note that Governor Rendell and Chairman Caltagirone would not have scheduled HB 18, HB 22, and HB 29 for a vote if they didn't think that their dog and pony show would prevail. They were wrong!!!
THE VOTES
House Bill 18 was DEFEATED 19-10
**Pro-Gun Votes-(HB 18)
Representative, Deberah, Kula
[email protected], District-52, Party-D, (717) 772-1858
Representative, John E., Pallone
[email protected], District-54, Party-D, (717) 783-1819, J-Sub Com C&C
Representative, Joseph A., Petrarca
[email protected], District-55, Party-D, (717) 787-5142
Representative, Sean M., Ramaley
[email protected], District-16, Party-D, (717) 787-4444
Representative, Don, Walko
[email protected], District-20, Party-D, (717) 787-5470, J-Sub Com Court
Representative, Jesse, White
[email protected], District-46, Party-D, (717) 783-6437
Representative, Ronald S., Marisco
[email protected], District-105, Party-R, (717) 783-2014, Minor Chair
Representative, Thomas C., Creighton
[email protected], District-37, Party-R, (717) 772-5290
Representative, Craig A., Dally
[email protected], District-138, Party-R, (717) 783-8573, MinorV.Chair
Representative, John R., Evans
[email protected], District-5, Party-R, (717) 772-9940
Representative, Will, Gabig
[email protected], District-199, Party-R, (717) 772-2280
Representative, Glen R., Grell
[email protected], District-87, Party-R, (717) 783-2063
Representative, Kate, Harper
[email protected], District-61, Party-R, (717) 787-2801
Representative, Beverly, Mackereth
[email protected], District-196, Party-R, (717) 783-2655
Representative, Carl W., Mantz
[email protected], District-187, Party-R, (717) 787-3017
Representative, Bernard T., O'Neill
[email protected], District-29, Party-R, (717) 705-7170
Representative, Tina, Pickett
[email protected], District-110, Party-R, (717) 783-8238
Representative, Todd, Rock
[email protected], District-90, Party-R, (717) 783-5218
Representative, Katie, True
[email protected], District-41, Party-R, (717) 705-7161
**Anti-Gun Votes-(HB 18)
Representative, Lisa, Bennington
[email protected], District-21, Party-D, (717) 705-7011
Representative, Thomas R., Caltagirone
[email protected], District-127, Party-D, (717) 787-3525, J-Major Chair
Representative, Dan B., Frankel
[email protected], District-23, Party-D, (717) 705-1875
Representative, Harold, James
[email protected], District-186, Party-D, (717) 787-9477
Representative, Daylin, Leach
[email protected], District-149, Party-D, (717) 783-9114, J-Secretary
Representative, Bryan R., Lentz
[email protected], District-161, Party-D, (717) 787-8574
Representative, Kathy M., Manderino
[email protected], District-194, Party-D, (717) 787-1254, J-Sub Com F.L.
Representative, Greg S., Vitali
[email protected], District-166, Party-D, (717) 787-7647
Representative, Chelsa, Wagner
[email protected], District-22, Party-D, (717) 783-1582
Representative, Jewell, Williams
[email protected], District-197, Party-D, (717) 772-2004
House Bill 22 was DEFEATED 17-12
**Pro-Gun Votes –(HB22)
Representative, Deberah, Kula
[email protected], District-52, Party-D, (717) 772-1858
Representative, John E., Pallone
[email protected], District-54, Party-D, (717) 783-1819, J-Sub Com C&C
Representative, Joseph A., Petrarca
[email protected], District-55, Party-D, (717) 787-5142
Representative, Sean M., Ramaley
[email protected], District-16, Party-D, (717) 787-4444
Representative, Don, Walko
[email protected], District-20, Party-D, (717) 787-5470, J-Sub Com Court
Representative, Jesse, White
[email protected], District-46, Party-D, (717) 783-6437
Representative, Ronald S., Marisco
[email protected], District-105, Party-R, (717) 783-2014, Minor Chair
Representative, Thomas C., Creighton
[email protected], District-37, Party-R, (717) 772-5290
Representative, Craig A., Dally
[email protected], District-138, Party-R, (717) 783-8573, MinorV.Chair
Representative, John R., Evans
[email protected], District-5, Party-R, (717) 772-9940
Representative, Will, Gabig
[email protected], District-199, Party-R, (717) 772-2280
Representative, Glen R., Grell
[email protected], District-87, Party-R, (717) 783-2063
Representative, Beverly, Mackereth
[email protected], District-196, Party-R, (717) 783-2655
Representative, Carl W., Mantz
[email protected], District-187, Party-R, (717) 787-3017
Representative, Tina, Pickett
[email protected], District-110, Party-R, (717) 783-8238
Representative, Todd, Rock
[email protected], District-90, Party-R, (717) 783-5218
Representative, Katie, True
[email protected], District-41, Party-R, (717) 705-7161
**Anti-Gun Votes-(HB 22)
Representative, Kate, Harper
[email protected], District-61, Party-R, (717) 787-2801
Representative, Bernard T., O'Neill
[email protected], District-29, Party-R, (717) 705-7170
Representative, Lisa, Bennington
[email protected], District-21, Party-D, (717) 705-7011
Representative, Thomas R., Caltagirone
[email protected], District-127, Party-D, (717) 787-3525, J-Major Chair
Representative, Dan B., Frankel
[email protected], District-23, Party-D, (717) 705-1875
Representative, Harold, James
[email protected], District-186, Party-D, (717) 787-9477
Representative, Daylin, Leach
[email protected], District-149, Party-D, (717) 783-9114, J-Secretary
Representative, Bryan R., Lentz
[email protected], District-161, Party-D, (717) 787-8574
Representative, Kathy M., Manderino
[email protected], District-194, Party-D, (717) 787-1254, J-Sub Com F.L.
Representative, Greg S., Vitali
[email protected], District-166, Party-D, (717) 787-7647
Representative, Chelsa, Wagner
[email protected], District-22, Party-D, (717) 783-1582
Representative, Jewell, Williams
[email protected], District-197, Party-D, (717) 772-2004
House Bill 29 was TABLED 12-17
**Vote to Table-(HB 29)
Representative, Thomas R., Caltagirone
[email protected], District-127, Party-D, (717) 787-3525, J-Major Chair
Representative, Lisa, Bennington
[email protected], District-21, Party-D, (717) 705-7011
Representative, Dan B., Frankel
[email protected], District-23, Party-D, (717) 705-1875
Representative, Harold, James
[email protected], District-186, Party-D, (717) 787-9477
Representative, Daylin, Leach
[email protected], District-149, Party-D, (717) 783-9114, J-Secretary
Representative, Bryan R., Lentz
[email protected], District-161, Party-D, (717) 787-8574
Representative, Kathy M., Manderino
[email protected], District-194, Party-D, (717) 787-1254, Sub Com F.L.
Representative, John E., Pallone
[email protected], District-54, Party-D, (717) 783-1819, J-Sub Com C&C
Representative, Sean M., Ramaley
[email protected], District-16, Party-D, (717) 787-4444
Representative, Greg S., Vitali
[email protected], District-166, Party-D, (717) 787-7647
Representative, Chelsa, Wagner
[email protected], District-22, Party-D, (717) 783-1582
Representative, Don, Walko
[email protected], District-20, Party-D, (717) 787-5470, J-Sub Com Court
Representative, Jesse, White
[email protected], District-46, Party-D, (717) 783-6437
Representative, Jewell, Williams
[email protected], District-197, Party-D, (717) 772-2004
Representative, Will, Gabig
[email protected], District-199, Party-R, (717) 772-2280
Representative, Kate, Harper
[email protected], District-61, Party-R, (717) 787-2801
Representative, Bernard T., O'Neill
[email protected], District-29, Party-R, (717) 705-7170
**Vote AGAINST Tabling-(HB 29)
Representative, Deberah, Kula
[email protected], District-52, Party-D, (717) 772-1858
Representative, Joseph A., Petrarca
[email protected], District-55, Party-D, (717) 787-5142
Representative, Ronald S., Marisco
[email protected], District-105, Party-R, (717) 783-2014, Minor Chair
Representative, Thomas C., Creighton
[email protected], District-37, Party-R, (717) 772-5290
Representative, Craig A., Dally
[email protected], District-138, Party-R, (717) 783-8573, MinorV.Chair
Representative, John R., Evans
[email protected], District-5, Party-R, (717) 772-9940
Representative, Glen R., Grell
[email protected], District-87, Party-R, (717) 783-2063
Representative, Beverly, Mackereth
[email protected], District-196, Party-R, (717) 783-2655
Representative, Carl W., Mantz
[email protected], District-187, Party-R, (717) 787-3017
Representative, Tina, Pickett
[email protected], District-110, Party-R, (717) 783-8238
Representative, Todd, Rock
[email protected], District-90, Party-R, (717) 783-5218
Representative, Katie, True
[email protected], District-41, Party-R, (717) 705-7161
* House Bill 29 was tabled to avoid a sweep by gun owners of these bills and also in the hopes that a very minor amendment can be added so that another vote on this bill can be taken. There is NO WAY of making this concept better and it is still very bad and dangerous legislation, even with the proposed amendment.
Another bad bill, House Bill 1744 was previously rushed out of Judiciary committee because the NRA tweaked it and then withdrew its objections. The prime sponsor of HB 1744 is Judiciary Chairman Caltagirone who voted FOR--HB 18, HB 22, HB 29. HB 1744 was scheduled for a full House floor vote last Wednesday, but was temporarily derailed because of an analysis drafted by the ACSL and PSA that detailed numerous serious problems in the version released from the House Judiciary Committee, previously overlooked by the NRA. These flaws were discussed after the Judiciary Committee vote in the Appropriations Committee and on Harrisburg radio by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, Larry Pratt of GOA and Melody Zullinger of the PFSC. This legislation did pass out of the Judiciary Committee but is currently on hold in the House of Representatives due to the ACSL/PSA/PRPA/LVFC/PGOA/GOA position in opposition to it.
Please go to the Allegheny County Sportsmen's League website for analysis of these bills: http://www.acslpa.org/
http://www.acslpa.org/n-legislative/PA Gunowners Under Attack/pa_gun_owners_under_attack.htm
FREEDOM PREVAILED ON THIS DAY BECAUSE OF GRASSROOTS ACTION
Thursday evening (Nov. 15), the ACSL and PSA issued an alert that listed the following organizations as being on record as opposing the legislation. The ACSL/PSA alert was widely distributed. Chomping at the bit for its first major legislative fight was the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association http://www.pafoa.org/. The founder of the PAFOA is an expert in internet communications and has assembled a very large email list of dedicated Pennsylvania activists. Special thanks to Melody Zullinger of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Judy Brown of the Second Amendment Sisters, Ken O'Donnell of West Shore Sportsmen's Association, Inc and Jack Lee of the Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Association (PR&PA).
Each of them went above and beyond. They certainly did their part as did the members and leaders of every organization listed below.
The grassroots organizations observing and tracking these bills are listed below:
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 (LVFC),
Philadelphia Federation of Sportsmen's Club,
Pennsylvania Gun Owners Association (PGOA)
Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania (USP)
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
Citizen’s Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA)
**(FOAC) Firearms Owners Against Crime records all votes related to firearms and the constitutional connections thereof. Mitigating factors are taken into consideration when reviewing these votes such as presenting on record concerns during debate on legislation and will be so noted in the record for each legislator.
THE RESPONSE:
The ACSL/PSA alert that was issued Thursday evening (the 15th) included the list of organizations opposed and the email addresses of all House Judiciary Committee members. On Friday morning, one committee member reported that in just over an hour he received more than 400 emails encouraging the defeat of the three bills. Another said that he got so many email messages on his Blackberry that it sounded like a machinegun.
We are very grateful for the cooperation of every person who took part in this event. We only ask for help when legislative leaders ignore us and decide to move bad legislation over our objections. The fact that so many individuals quickly acted upon the information that we provided, proved to legislators that they are concerned and will act. Even Committee Chairman Caltagirone commented on the professional demeanor of the gun owners who were present during the hearing. In short, everyone did what they needed to do to defend freedom.
We are also very grateful to the majority of the members of the Judiciary Committee who voted for freedom.
Recently, when the Associated Press asked the House Judiciary Committee Chairman (Caltagirone) why these anti-gun bills were bottled up in committee, this is what he said:
"Of all the groups I've ever dealt with, this by far is probably the most vocal, the most organized and the most politically savvy - communication-wise as well as networking - that I've seen in my time in the Legislature," said 16-term Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Associated Press September 8, 2007
What do you think he (Caltagirone) will say NOW!!!
See Part 2