HR 45, please read this, then act.

[Roper1952]

Realities of the “Blair Holt” gun law HR45

In May of 2007, Michael “Mario” Pace age 16 got a gun from 15 year old Kevin Jones and boarded a Chicago bus and started shooting. Blair Holt, age 16, wasn’t the target, but he died while shielding 16-year-old Tiara Reed and pushing her down into the seat. Pace and Jones shot up the bus because their intended target regularly took that bus. The intended target was never hit.

Neither Pace nor Jones could legally own a gun, but that didn’t stop them from getting one and shooting up the bus. The law against them owning or even possessing a gun did not stop them. The laws against assault with a deadly weapon and murder did not stop them.

Laws do not stop criminals from committing crimes, only punishing them afterwards. Police can’t even stop them, only arrest them after the crime is committed. If anyone thinks this measure will make the streets safe, they’re foolish at best.

Blair’s father, Ron Holt, a Chicago Police gang-crimes officer, and Blair's mother, Annette, a Chicago Fire Department captain, are vowing to work to answer by pushing for more youth-mentoring opportunities, better gun laws and other initiatives aimed at curbing juvenile violence.

So Congressman Bobby Rush of Illinois has made Holt the poster child for House Resolution 45 which requires the establishment of licensing firearm owners, and for creating a national firearms registration database. That’s Federal registration folks. Then there’s the test on your knowledge of safe firearms handling, storage, knowledge of all local, State, and Federal Laws, and “any other subjects, as the Attorney General determines to be appropriate. One can only wonder what that means. Let’s not forget the license fees, renewal fees, records fees, one can only guess what the final cost might be to citizens that have not broken any laws.

I ask, what better law is there that is not already on the books? How will the creation of yet another burden on law abiding citizens and taxpayers stop gang violence? Or is this just a good excuse to pass the beginnings of a process to register and eventually confiscate guns from law abiding citizens? Or prevent them from buying one legally because the failed the “test”.

I can guarantee the Pace’s and Joneses of the world will not register their guns, and they won’t be taking any tests so they can go shoot up a bus.

HR 45 is not a solution to the problem of gun violence, it’s smoke and mirrors in my opinion.

Please be proactive, write to your Representitive today.

 

[WOPR]

Details of the bill here: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.45:

 

[subknave]

Old News, was referred to house judiciary commitee and will probably die there. As you can see there were no co sponsors which is unusual so I don't think there will be much support.

 

[J Lambs]

I just recieved this email from Hyatt Guns in Charlotte. I am assuming this is a ploy to generate more sales.

H.R. 45 To Restrict Gun Owner's Rights
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Jan. 22, 2009) -- Rep. Bobby Rush (D, IL) has introduced the Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sales Act of 2009. This bill will ultimately require federal licensing of all citizens wanting to purchase or those who currently own firearms. Yes, you heard it correctly, the Federal Government wants to REGISTER all firearms owners.
Is this an underhanded move to try to take away our Second Amendment rights? Only time will tell. However, by requiring all legal gun owners to apply for a federal license, the Attorney General can restrict or ban all firearms. Eric Holder, who is likely to be our next Attorney General, filed an amicus brief during last year's Supreme Court hearing of Heller v. District of Columbia arguing that "the Second Amendment did not protect an individual right to keep and bear arms." Thus, we have a tough hill to climb going forward.
How can you help? First off, let your voice be heard. Click here to tell your representative to vote "NO" on H.R. 45.
In addition, if you are not already an NRA member, join today. The NRA is fighting day in and day out to try to block this type of legislation. Please click here to join the NRA.
In addition, please stay tuned to HyattGuns.com. We have posted a widget with the current status of the bill on our homepage and will update you as information comes in.

 

[BBQLS1]

To some extent, they are using it to generate sales. It's real, but IMO most people don't know how to research a bill before they go berserk with an email. This bill has been posted numerous times in several forums, so I don't see why you wouldn't hear about it from your local dealers.

The bill just isn't really going anywhere yet.

 

[riverdog]

We should have that kind of written test before allowing people to vote.

 

[deaconkharma]

I stopped here -> "Chicago"

That's the problem. They knew no one else would be armed.

 

[wirewelder54]

Illinois Proposed legislation HR45 diversion

In regards to the legislation proposed by Bobby Rush here in illinois (HR45)For god sake people lets get this in perspective. the old addage of (if firearm posession is a crime , then only the criminals will have guns. With all the problems our country faces this is a lot of crap and a diversion from the real problems. Bobby Rush is one to talk considering his own ragged past. for the time being I 'am stuck here in Illinois, actually lived here all my life, it is really beginning to suck living here. I feel like packing my stuff and heading for the hills. There is no one as sad about the death of the teenager on the bus as me because it makes us all look bad. WE ARE NOT. Sad that Rush is congressman over such a crime ridden area of Chicago. But don't throw out the baby with the wash water. I'M MAD AS HELL . we can only hope that our allies rally to our aid. If not the bill of rights second amendment might as well be used to wipe yourself with! with most of our military scattered all over the world and little to protect us here at home, thats just what we need no way to protect ourselves. All good law abiding Americans must maintain a working means of protection. One of the first things Hitler did in the pre-war was to disarm all the citizens and we all know where that led to. Well i've said enough. Anyone agree with this?