The FRONT LINE
THE BAD
THE GOOD , THE UGLY
FOUR FIREARMS BILLS HIGHLIGHT OUR FIGHT TO PROTECT THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND HUNTING .
OHIO : The Buckeye State took preemptive action to limit the emergency powers of political partisans and to protect citizens ’ Second Amendment rights and hunting privileges . Senate Bill 185 prohibits state and local governments from restricting the possession , purchase or carry of firearms during a declared emergency while also preventing them from restricting hunting , fishing and related businesses . Ohio took these steps after governors in Michigan and Washington inexplicably shut down gun stores , hunting and fishing , as well as related businesses , to contain the spread of COVID during the initial outbreak .
VERMONT : Preemption laws stop counties and cities from passing local laws stricter than state law . This keeps a state ’ s law uniform and from developing into a patchwork of confusing regulations that could turn otherwise law-abiding citizens into instant criminals as they enter a city ’ s limits . Preemption laws are of utmost importance to firearms owners , especially traveling hunters . The Board of Health in Burlington , Vt ., however , wants to pass a resolution to demand the repeal of the state ’ s firearm preemption law , also known as the Vermont Sportsmen ’ s Bill of Rights , at the state legislature .
FEDERAL : Since the social unrest and parallel onset of COVID in 2020 , millions of citizens have become first-time firearms owners , adding to the tens of millions of existing owners across the country . What hasn ’ t kept pace , however , are the number of places to practice firearms safety and shooting . To that end , Utah Rep . Blake Moore has introduced House Resolution 9183 , which would require the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to provide at least one public shooting range free of charge in each forest or district , resulting in a vast expansion of much-needed shooting opportunities . In addition to firearm safety and recreation , range expansion is also critical to support continued wildlife conservation through the Pittman-Robertson Act Wildlife Restoration program , paid for through excise taxes on firearms and ammunition .
NEW JERSEY : Assembly Bills 4717 and 4769 epitomize the Garden State ’ s disdain for firearms owners while underscoring the depths of political trickery to which the gun-control movement will sink . A Firearms Purchaser Identification Card is required by the state to purchase any firearm , including hunting rifles and shotguns . The bills force hunters to navigate a gauntlet of subjective governmental approvals that depend on the opinions of bureaucrats and those who might have anti-gun biases . They require such outlandish prerequisites as psychological evaluations and home inspections by government officials before gaining approval to purchase a firearm . The bills have been pushed through committees on party-line votes and have been scheduled for advancement even before hearings took place .
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