GTA
Fun Shoot By State Discussion Gate => Discussions By States => Illinois Fun Shooting Events => Topic started by: mobilemail on February 12, 2018, 10:05:21 PM
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You may have seen the post that Dez made on my behalf in the announcments gate. We now have a bill introduced in the IL senate that would remove airguns from their firearm classification. So no more having to have your new airguns arrive at your local FFL! We might actually be able to get big companies like Walmart and Amazon to ship airguns to us again! And there are other benefits, but you get the idea.
You can see and track the bill at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=100&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=2583&GAID=14&SessionID=91&LegID=109560 (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=100&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=2583&GAID=14&SessionID=91&LegID=109560)
It's still in it's early changes, so wording could and probably will be amended, It hasn't even been assigned to a committee yet. But please contact your IL congressmen and encourage them to support this bill through passage.
And thanks to my IL GTA buddies who have already reached out to me with their support!
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I'm with you on this one Mark!
C'mon Illinoians, let's get this done!
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Let me know if there is anything I can help with!
(Besides contacting my rep)
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Getting Excited, i must have messaged my representatives a thousand times about this issue!
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Thanks Mark and Dave! I've contacted my rep here to too, but I know he is on-board with these types of bills already. Rare in this area.
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I also put the word out on AGN and rimfire central. Who knows, maybe crazy things can happen!
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The same kind of thing was happening here in Michigan just prior to me really getting into airguns, we even had to register any air pistol .177 or larger that had rifling in the barrel for many years. It was a law that really didn't make any sense at all because they're not really a firearm to begin with.
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SB2583 has now been assigned to the Judiciary committee. The bill has to be passed out of this committee in order to even have a chance at a floor vote. So right now we have to convince this committee to pass the bill on. You can find the committee member list at http://www.ilga.gov/senate/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=1944&GA=100 (http://www.ilga.gov/senate/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=1944&GA=100)
Let's do it!
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Keep up the good fight!
Mitch
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SB2583 includes air guns of less than .18 dia. and less than 700 fps. I don't see see many folks on this forum buying air guns less than 700 fps. Lets get the govt. to change drop the 700 fps and then we will have something.
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SB2583 has now been assigned to the Judiciary committee. The bill has to be passed out of this committee in order to even have a chance at a floor vote. So right now we have to convince this committee to pass the bill on. You can find the committee member list at http://www.ilga.gov/senate/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=1944&GA=100 (http://www.ilga.gov/senate/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=1944&GA=100)
Let's do it!
Thanks for the link Mark. How do we find which committee member is ours from that list? I think Connelly but...
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SB2583 has now been assigned to the Judiciary committee. The bill has to be passed out of this committee in order to even have a chance at a floor vote. So right now we have to convince this committee to pass the bill on. You can find the committee member list at http://www.ilga.gov/senate/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=1944&GA=100 (http://www.ilga.gov/senate/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=1944&GA=100)
Let's do it!
Thank you for the link!
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SB2583 includes air guns of less than .18 dia. and less than 700 fps. I don't see see many folks on this forum buying air guns less than 700 fps. Lets get the govt. to change drop the 700 fps and then we will have something.
The current law in IL is that all air guns of more than .18 dia. and more than 700 fps. are considered firearms. SB2583 seeks to remedy that by removing ALL airguns from the FOID requirement aka no longer considering any airgun a firearm.
Thanks for the link Mark. How do we find which committee member is ours from that list? I think Connelly but...
Well, since they are all on the committee responsible for my bill of interest...I emailed all of them. ;D
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I am not very good at writing, can you happen to show us a copy of your email Mark? So i can have a idea what to say.
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I would also like help with the reason that would have the highest chance of successfully convincing them to get behind and champion the bill. :D
Taso
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I passed the message along on Facebook. Hope we can get the wheels moving fast
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I passed the message along on Facebook. Hope we can get the wheels moving fast
Most excellent! I'm not on Facebook, but that is a good medium for taking a concern viral.
As soon as I change computers, I will attach the letter I sent to this thread. Feel free to edit it as you like to reflect your personal feelings. Not you personal feelings about politicians :o :o :o just about the issue at hand. ;D
This is the first time I have pursued this type of undertaking, so I don't know if my letter is the most effective or not. But every effort is worth something!
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My letter is attached.
Make it personal and send away!
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My letter is attached.
Make it personal and send away!
Thank you mark! I messaged every single on on the committee!!!! Now time for my local representatives
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Thanks for all the hard work you are doing Mark. And thanks for sharing your letter. I did personalize it a little, though I left it mostly in tact, (too much good information in there to change much.)
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It's good seeing another local-ish shooter on the board too! I have family over around Marine and Greenville.
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It's good seeing another local-ish shooter on the board too! I have family over around Marine and Greenville.
I didn't know you had family up this way
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It's good seeing another local-ish shooter on the board too! I have family over around Marine and Greenville.
I didn't know you had family up this way
Deadnuts is in Pocahontas, which is a very small town in between St. Louis and Terre Haute on I-70. Marine and Greenville are small IL towns close to Pocahontas.
As far as your location MM, my brother used to live in Rockford (before I discovered awesome airguns), but he moved SW of St. Louis.
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It's good seeing another local-ish shooter on the board too! I have family over around Marine and Greenville.
I didn't know you had family up this way
Deadnuts is in Pocahontas, which is a very small town in between St. Louis and Terre Haute on I-70. Marine and Greenville are small IL towns close to Pocahontas.
As far as your location MM, my brother used to live in Rockford (before I discovered awesome airguns), but he moved SW of St. Louis.
Great choice on getting out of rockford lol
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Hey Mark,
I was born in Greenville Hospital a little over forty years ago. Lived around here all my life. Was actually raised near Reno, IL. (Between there and Sorento)
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Ha! I know where Reno is too! My old bicycle buddy lives there!
Back on topic -
I really appreciate all you folks diligently contacting your representatives and reaching out on Facebook, etc. I believe it's the kind of effort that can make a difference!
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Keeping tabs on this.
Side note, I'm in New Milford just south of Rockford... even I stay away from there as much as possible
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Mark how often are you going to reach out to the members on the committee?
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I think I'm going to plan on sending things weekly, or whenever there is some change that I feel requires a response. With all the other firearms related &^^& in the news I think it's important to make sure folks don't forget that you can't do that stuff with an airgun.
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Contact each senator on the the Judiciary committee.. Hope they help !!
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Got my first response today!
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Is there an easy list of the committee's email addresses? Checked the link and couldn't find the info. I'll also email at least weekly.
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Got my first response today!
Awesome!!!!
As for email list, most of the emails I send are entered into their "contact me" form on the individual's website.
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Got my first response today!
Awesome!!!!
As for email list, most of the emails I send are entered into their "contact me" form on the individual's website.
The exact same, one side was regular email one side was having to find contact me page then battle the weird letter scrabble thing at the end
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Gotcha...thanks guys. I'll handle it at lunch
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Second response!!
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I got that one too. I was a little underwhelmed, it just encouraged me to send another round of new emails. :D
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Well, here's an interesting update -
My buddy Steve aka Missed-Em sent me a link to IL HB4714, that seeks to allow deer hunting with airguns in IL
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=4714&GAID=14&GA=100&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=109946&SessionID=91 (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=4714&GAID=14&GA=100&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=109946&SessionID=91)
It's pretty new too, it was just read into the house the day before SB2583, so we can contact all new representatives! ;D
The co-existence of these two bills illustrates the conundrum of IL law - how can the same airgun be held to all firearm standards on one hand, yet need a law providing "special permission" for its use in an application already cleared for similar firearms?
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Lets get them mark! 8)
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I'm still banging the legislators in the judiciary committee with my emails. :-)
The battle might possibly take a steep uphill, as there have just been some VERY restricting firearm bills introduced into the IL congress. This isn't the place for discussion on that topic, I am only letting you know what we are in for.
Keep up the good work!!
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So today's update - no news.
I am still writing the legislators to see if we can move the ball.
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I just got canned replys back here.
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Well, my latest letter must have had the right combination of words, or I caught some folks off guard, because I actually got a couple of favorable, non-canned responses back!
The journey continues!
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Well, my latest letter must have had the right combination of words, or I caught some folks off guard, because I actually got a couple of favorable, non-canned responses back!
The journey continues!
Nice! The airgun industry needs to hire you as a lobbyist.
Keep at 'em Mark.
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We made the news! http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=262730#.Wr-eUNYh1E4 (http://altondailynews.com/news/details.cfm?clientid=17&id=262730#.Wr-eUNYh1E4)
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NOW THAT'S NEWS!
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HUGE NEWS!!!!
Way to go Mark!
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Now that's just awesome
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And the senator had an interview with Springfield channel 20 news about this bill,so look for that.
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Way to go Mark! ;D
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And another https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/Legislation-would-separate-FOID-air-guns-12795425.php (https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/Legislation-would-separate-FOID-air-guns-12795425.php)
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Here's another one http://newschannel20.com/news/local/new-illinois-legislation-doesnt-want-air-guns-treated-the-same-as-firearms (http://newschannel20.com/news/local/new-illinois-legislation-doesnt-want-air-guns-treated-the-same-as-firearms)
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Mark, do you have an email address for McCann? I've emailed other legislators but would would to thank him for introducing this.
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senatormccann at that Gmail place
And if any of you are part of any Facebook or other social media airgun groups, get the word out on this bill and have them start contacting their own state reps.
The next stage of this bill is to get a hearing in the Illinois legislature. The senator is going to contact me once he has a date, and I will go to testify in person if possible. Honestly with my travelling job it's a long shot. But if anyone would want to show up with me (or on my behalf if I can't make it), the senator said that real people really help move the bills.
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The bill has been amended to clarify. Now it doesn't just address "globular projectiles", because, well, when was the last time you shot a globular projectile from an airgun over .18 caliber?
The amendment makes the bill so it more effectively removes all airguns from FOID:
(1) any pneumatic gun, spring gun, paint ball gun, or
17 B-B gun which expels a B-B, paint ball, pellet, or single
18 globular projectile not exceeding .18 inch in diameter or
19 which has a maximum muzzle velocity of less than 700 feet
20 per second;
21 (1.1) any pneumatic gun, spring gun, paint ball gun, or
22 B-B gun which expels breakable paint balls containing
23 washable marking colors;
This opens it to remove solid projectiles and arrows from FOID enforcement.
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I just sent Senator McCann another email thanking him for advancing Senate Bill 2583.
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I actually got to meet the good senator last night at a local sportsman's event, and a few more IL airgunners as well. (I wish I would have thought to wear my GTA hat and/or T-shirt.)
We had a few minutes to talk about the still difficult road ahead. If we can keep things going, it could actually happen!
Nice! The airgun industry needs to hire you as a lobbyist.
What we really need is an Airgun Shooters of IL that could focus on the issues relevant to us that get buried in the much louder discussion around firearm politics. I think the well known groups have their hands full and don't have a lot of reason to spend valuable resources on airgunners. (Just an observation, don't crucify me if I'm wrong!) Great opportunity for someone who doesn't need to actually make a living!
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I saw this posted on the bill's website today: Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 27, 2018
I think this is a good time for us to keep the heat up to see if we can get the hearing we need to keep the bill moving.
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I saw this posted on the bill's website today: Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 27, 2018
I think this is a good time for us to keep the heat up to see if we can get the hearing we need to keep the bill moving.
Doing a excellent job mark!
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MM - if you haven't done so already, would you mind putting the word out on the Facebook page you have linked in your signature? I escaped facebook a couple years ago and never looked back...
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MM - if you haven't done so already, would you mind putting the word out on the Facebook page you have linked in your signature? I escaped facebook a couple years ago and never looked back...
I have been posting updates on the page, So the bill has been pushed further if i understand correctly? How close are we to it being passed?
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I don't know if I would be comfortable calling us "close", but we are farther (further?) than we would have been if we did not try. The sequence of steps as I understand it:
1. The Judiciary committee has to grant a hearing for the bill to hear its case and debate it. I believe Senator McCann has to speak on our behalf in this hearing, but any and all "witnesses" that are willing to physically show up and speak can add to the effectiveness of the testimony. A few notes about this:
a. I don't believe the committee is required to give every bill a hearing, so a bill can die without ever leaving committee.
b. After the hearing, the committee has to vote to pass the bill to the full senate for a vote. If they vote it down, it dies.
c. As for my part specifically, I would love to show up in person and testify. But the bill can be assigned a hearing with just a day or two notice, and as a field engineer I am typically far away and can't possibly plan for a trip that quickly. So if anyone is in a position to be able to make it to Springfield on a day or two notice when a hearing date is assigned, a physical presence could really make the difference for our case. And bring friends. According to Senator McCann a witness normally just has to speak a few minutes before everyone gets distracted, so very direct comments about why the bill should be passed is best. After that it is just answering whatever questions the judiciary committee can think up.
d. The bill now shows a "rule 2-10" committee deadline of April 27. I could think of several things that could mean, but I will try to get a proper answer before I speculate. But until I know for sure, I assume this means we have a limited time to get our work done.
2. If the bill passes committee, then it goes to the full senate for a floor vote. Just as in the judiciary, I don't believe it is required that every bill introduced actually gets open for debate. That is when we will need to really reach out to our state senators state wide.
3. If it gets debated and passed in the senate, I think from there it goes to the governor's desk. I believe if we can get it that far we will have a touchdown, but it still looks like a million miles away.
So we can't quit playing yet, it's only the second quarter...or the third inning...or the fifth Tour de France stage...pick your metaphor.
The immediate goal right now is to convince the judiciary committee that we must have that hearing. The political climate in Illinois has really soured this year for anything related to firearms, so I have really been driving the distinctions that separate airguns from firearms. (short range, low energy, bump stocks don't work, etc.) Also, don't expect these folks to know anything about airguns or even Illinois airgun law (ironic, yes?).
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Thank you mark, i took your update and posted it to the facebook club page and also a few other air gun clubs on facebook.
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Appreciate that info Mark.
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I got more information on the "Rule 2-10" deadline. Essentially the bill would have already died. But Senator filed for, and was granted an extension that goes until April 27. If we can get the bill passed out of committee by April 27, it continues to live and, we might be able to get it to a senate vote. But if we can't get it out of committee by April 27 then it's game over.
So, let's get to work and see if we can convince the judiciary committee to pass the bill by April 27!
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I've emailed Senator McCann, but never got a response. I wrote more of a comment/thanks email and didn't ask for a reply, but you'd think there would at least be a robo-email to confirm it was received.
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There is no difference to me between a robo-response and no response at all. I can set Outlook up to automatically respond to an email I never see.
That said, Senator McCann is working on our behalf or the bill wouldn't even exist. Our strong move is to continue to convince the other committee members that the bill must move forward this week. That would be a real victory, and it is a necessary victory. Sen. McCann's hands are pretty much tied unless when can convince the committee to have a hearing on the bill.
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I definitely email him again in support.
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Did you see who is going to run for governor? None other than Senator Sam McCann!
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Did you see who is going to run for governor? None other than Senator Sam McCann!
Nice! Hadn't seen that yet.
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This will be our big week. If the bill doesn't get out of committee by April 27, we go back to our normal "I hate living in Illinois" live.
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It's time for the Hail Mary pass!!!!
SB2583 has to get out of committee by tomorrow or it's over. So if you don't mind, one last contact of the judiciary committee, one last blast to your airgun social media friends so they will contact the judiciary committee.
I'm hoping for a great weekend!
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We're still alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just checked the bill's status page, fearing the worst. I was happy to find we have another extension until May 3!!!!!!!!
Keep up the good work folks!!!!!!!
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We're still alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just checked the bill's status page, fearing the worst. I was happy to find we have another extension until May 3!!!!!!!!
Keep up the good work folks!!!!!!!
(http://www.chicitysports.com/forum/images/smilies/YES.gif)
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Curb your enthusiasm there, buddy....
Since the bill didn't get a hearing before May 3, it was tossed back out of the judiciary committee into "assignments". So, back to square one. More banging on our local state congressmen to put on the pressure to move this bill.
Did I mention we still had a a long road?
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Curb your enthusiasm there, buddy....
Since the bill didn't get a hearing before May 3, it was tossed back out of the judiciary committee into "assignments". So, back to square one. More banging on our local state congressmen to put on the pressure to move this bill.
Did I mention we still had a a long road?
I had a gut feeling this might happen. Just remember we are not retreating were attacking in a different direction!
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You got that right!!!
My favorite movie quote: "Never Give up! Never Surrender!" (Galaxy Quest)
Favorite song: Never Say Die! (Petra)
I sent the members of the judiciary committee a scolding letter for not giving the bill a hearing. At this point there is finger pointing on both sides about whose responsibility it was to secure the hearing. But I have managed to get one committee member to commit to reaching out to the others to give the bill a hearing. Still no promises, just a little gasp of air.
So keep hammering your own local senators and reps about passing this bill or making another one like it in the house. And hammer the judiciary committee to make sure they know you want a hearing. And, hammer Senator McCann and ask him to personally reach out to the committee members to make sure a hearing gets scheduled. (I get the impression he was just waiting on the process, and that won't get the job done.)
Who's going to the GTA Gene Curtis Memorial Fun Shoot?
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You got that right!!!
My favorite movie quote: "Never Give up! Never Surrender!" (Galaxy Quest)
Favorite song: Never Say Die! (Petra)
I sent the members of the judiciary committee a scolding letter for not giving the bill a hearing. At this point there is finger pointing on both sides about whose responsibility it was to secure the hearing. But I have managed to get one committee member to commit to reaching out to the others to give the bill a hearing. Still no promises, just a little gasp of air.
So keep hammering your own local senators and reps about passing this bill or making another one like it in the house. And hammer the judiciary committee to make sure they know you want a hearing. And, hammer Senator McCann and ask him to personally reach out to the committee members to make sure a hearing gets scheduled. (I get the impression he was just waiting on the process, and that won't get the job done.)
Who's going to the GTA Gene Curtis Memorial Fun Shoot?
ME!!! ;D
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Senator McCann website no longer working, How are you reaching him? Does he have a email?
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senatormccann <at> gmail ... you know the rest (I don't want to copy it verbatim where it gets scraped and spammed...)
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Who's going to the GTA Gene Curtis Memorial Fun Shoot?
I wont be making it this year, bit to far away for me now.
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Who's going to the GTA Gene Curtis Memorial Fun Shoot?
I wont be making it this year, bit to far away for me now.
Same here.
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I understand, and am understandably disappointed. This may be the only time this year that I get to make a trip this long to play with airguns. Sometimes life is just darned inconvenient.... it will be five hours each way for me. And with no "free to me" hotel available any closer than 90 miles, I'm hoping for untraditionally good weather!!
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Who's going to the GTA Gene Curtis Memorial Fun Shoot?
I wont be making it this year, bit to far away for me now.
Same here.
What? How much farther is this than Kentucky was? This site is actually closer for me time/distance wise.
Very disappointed you won't be there.
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What? How much farther is this than Kentucky was? This site is actually closer for me time/distance wise.
Very disappointed you won't be there.
I'll really miss seeing you guys too. It's actually quite a bit further (4-5 hours) for us. I don't trust my 11 year old truck for a drive that far.
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I messaged all the people on the assignments and also my local officials again.
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I messaged all the people on the assignments and also my local officials again.
Cool! I'll be doing another blast in a few days as well. By the time this is done, they will all be buying airguns. ;D
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I messaged all the people on the assignments and also my local officials again.
Cool! I'll be doing another blast in a few days as well. By the time this is done, they will all be buying airguns. ;D
Agreed, they will be dreaming about air rifles in their sleep!
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Update - no updates. I've been emailing the senator for new information or any new ideas for a path forward. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the governor is pushing for a 72-hr. waiting period for all firearm purchases to avoid some nastier legal conundrums. That's all I'll say about that. More emails sent....
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Update - no updates. I've been emailing the senator for new information or any new ideas for a path forward. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the governor is pushing for a 72-hr. waiting period for all firearm purchases to avoid some nastier legal conundrums. That's all I'll say about that. More emails sent....
Yeah, he's all over the place lately. Pretty pathetic, he's getting desperate.
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I have yet to get a response from anyone that i have emailed. >:(
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Update <sigh>
Our bill SB2583 is sitting in assignments, where it was when we started. The sponsor has apparently committed political suicide when he went independent, so we pretty much have no sponsor. And a different bill has been sent to the governor's desk that would require a 72-hour waiting period for all firearms.
.....if I was a drinking man.....
So at this point I have just decided to email all the senators to try to drum support for SB2583, using the 72-hour bill for how ridiculous it is. Since I have a life, I'm sending the emails whenever I have time to.
It's a weak strategy, but it's the only one I have right now. Spring legislative session is over, so no actual motion of the bill will happen anytime soon. But maybe we get get a little favor somewhere.
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Update <sigh>
Our bill SB2583 is sitting in assignments, where it was when we started. The sponsor has apparently committed political suicide when he went independent, so we pretty much have no sponsor. And a different bill has been sent to the governor's desk that would require a 72-hour waiting period for all firearms.
.....if I was a drinking man.....
Speechless lol Gives you the itch to move.... but i am stubborn til the end.
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Posting this inquiry to members who enjoy repairing air rifles as a hobby or as a professional, please reply. Thank you, Peter