Handguns

05/28/2009 -- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen today vetoed House Bill 962, which would permit the possession of firearms in Tennessee restaurants and bars. Law enforcement officials and district attorneys from across the state flanked Bredesen as he spoke about his reasons for the veto.

"Let me be very clear: I am a strong supporter of the right to keep and bear arms. I am, and have always been, committed to preserving the rights of the Second Amendment: basic American rights. These rights are protected by the United States Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution as well," Bredesen said.    » read more »

Legislation Would Ensure Gun Dealer Employees Have Passed Background Checks and Prevent Ineligible Gun Owners from Possessing a Gun License

May 28, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that he has proposed legislation that would help ensure that only law-abiding individuals are able to obtain and retain firearms licenses.

This legislation, which was delivered to the Legislature today, will close gaps in New York law that may allow persons to obtain or retain firearms licenses even though they are barred by federal law from possessing those weapons. This includes requiring a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check every three or five years for gun licensees and dealers.    » read more »

Legislation seeks to reduce supply of illegal guns, increase penalties and comply with federal requirements

BOSTON– Wednesday, May 6, 2009 – Continuing Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s efforts to reduce gun violence and strengthen public safety, Public Safety Secretary Kevin M. Burke today announced that the Patrick-Murray Administration has filed a bill to give police and prosecutors more tools to tackle illegal gun use and make the Commonwealth a safer place to live, work, and raise families.    » read more »

Governor Urges Congress To Reinstate Assault Weapon Ban; Asks Legislature To Pass Sensible Measures To Limit Illegal Handguns

April 15, 2009 -- HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell, along with Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper and other chief law enforcement officers from across Pennsylvania, today called on Congress and the General Assembly to stand with them and put an end to senseless murders stemming from the use of deadly assault weapons and illegal handguns.

The Governor wrote to Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation and the leadership of the state legislature today asking them to support common sense measures that have been proven to protect law enforcement officers and keep communities safe.    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- Attempts by West Virginia to enter into a concealed handgun reciprocity agreement with South Carolina have been unsuccessful. Inconsistencies between the two states’ laws precluded and agreement. As a consequence, West Virginia concealed handgun licenses are not honored in South Carolina. This would appear to have changed with the passage by the South Carolina General Assembly of H.B. 3212.    » read more »

November 20, 2007 -- “This will be the most important gun decision since the Miller case in 1939. (U.S. v. Miller)

In Miller, the Supreme Court spoke loud and clear, and held unanimously that prosecuting someone for transporting a sawed-off shotgun did not violate the Second Amendment. For more than 60 years, the Miller case has been settled law, and it has meant that states could enact reasonable restrictions on firearms.    » read more »

Tuesday, September 11, 2007, Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today urged California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign into law a bill that would require “microstamping” technology in newly-designed semiautomatic handguns sold in California after January 1, 2010.

The California Legislature yesterday gave its final passage to the legislation, which would require new designs of semiautomatic handguns sold in California after January 1, 2010, to have microstamping technology.    » read more »