By Tanya Metaksa
What’s New—Federal: S. 1909, a ban on rifle modifications such as bump stocks, was attempted by Senator Schumer (D-NY); Delaware: On June 18, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed HB311; Kansas: During a special session on tax issues that has concluded, two Senators introduced SB7 and SB8; Rhode Island: Governor Dan McKee signed H.7373A/S.2022aa, the mandatory gun storage act. The Rhode Island legislature has adjourned; Georgia: Presidential debate Thursday evening in Atlanta.
Politics – 2024
Primaries
Colorado: Ratings for candidates from the NRA-PVF.
New York: Ratings for candidates from the NRA-PVF.
Utah: The primary election will be held on June 25, 2024. You must be a member of a political party to vote. The NRA Political Victory Fund has endorsed Governor Spencer Cox for reelection.
Georgia: The first Presidential Debate is scheduled this Thursday evening, broadcast from Atlanta. The debate begins at 9 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. Pacific. There will be no audience and candidates’ microphones will be cut off so the other candidate may answer without being talked over.
Federal Legislation
S. 1909:On the heels of the 6-3 SCOTUS decision in the Garland v. Cargill case,Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the most anti-gun Senator, decided to try and pass S.1909, a bill to ban:
“a semiautomatic firearm that has been modified in any way that (i) materially increases the rate of fire of the firearm;
or (ii) approximates the action or rate of fire of a machinegun.”
Senator Schumer was seeking unanimous consent to pass S.1909. However, Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) objected thus preventing a vote on the bill in the U.S. Senate. According to msn.com Senator Ricketts argued: “This bill would ban literally any item that makes a firearm easier and in some cases safer to shoot. It’s not really about bump stocks, this bill is about banning as many firearm accessories as possible. It’s an unconstitutional attack on law-abiding gun owners.”
State Legislation and local communities
States that do NOT hold legislative sessions in 2024: Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texas,
States that are still in session: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio (special session), Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island
Delaware: On June 18, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed HB311, the bill restricting firearms on college campuses and buildings. The bill now goes to the full Senate for a vote.
Kansas: During a special session on tax issues that has concluded, two Senators introduced SB7, allowing fingerprinting to be done by an FFL, and SB8, exempting firearms, accessories, ammunition, safes, and firearms safety devices from retailers’ sales tax. These bills will have to be reintroduced in the 2025 legislative session to be considered.
Rhode Island: Governor Dan McKee signed H.7373A/S.2022aa, the mandatory gun storage act. The Rhode Island legislature has adjourned.
