Utah Shooting Sports Council Information Alert for all members and supporters.  2/10/09
For latest information always check the USSC website http://UtahShootingSports.com

PLEASE FORWARD THIS ALERT TO EVERYONE INTERESTED IN UTAH FIREARMS ISSUES.
— Tribune recognizes USSC success
— Utah Legislature update
— Pro-gun bills
— Anti-gun bills
— Other gun bills
— Invisible work that USSC does
— Thank you volunteers!
— Next Gun Show- St. George this weekend, Feb 14-15th
— Concealed Weapons Permit class available at the gun show
— USSC Website

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TRIBUNE RECOGNIZES USSC SUCCESS
Everyone of the USSC members and supporters who read these alerts and contacts elected officials when necessary shares in the credit for our success! Thank you all!

The USSC’s chairman/ lobbyist Clark Aposhian was featured in a Salt Lake Tribune article http://www.sltrib.com:80/ci_11538746.  In mentioning the USSC’s success and the supporters who call and e-mail legislators the Tribune said :

"It’s Aposhian’s ability to educate even those who oppose concealed carry that gives him his power at the Legislature. That, and the ready ranks of gun-rights activists who can fill a committee hearing or inundate a lawmaker’s e-mail in-box more quickly than just about any group.
The strategy’s proof is in the policy. Lawmakers finally forced the University of Utah to allow concealed guns on campus and they defeated the Appeals Court nomination of Judge Robert Hilder, who made an unpopular ruling in that battle."

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UTAH LEGISLATURE UPDATE

We are now on the 15th day of a 45 day session.  You can check the latest status of all the guns bills on the USSC website: http://utahshootingsports.com/

The deadline has passed for introduction of new bills, so we know that there are 10 gun bills (unless something is hidden in another topic) to deal with. See the list below for details.

You have a chance to make your views heard to Committee members and your Representatives or Senators.  YOUR phone calls and emails or attendance at a Committee hearing may help a bill pass or fail.  Politicians like to get re-elected, so they tend to listen when a lot of people want a bill passed or failed.

USSC tries not to bother you if a bill does not need everyone to get involved.  But, PLEASE ACT IMMEDIATELY when we send a “USSC URGENT ACTION ALERT” asking you to make calls or send emails, or show up.  We know that everyone will need to work really hard to get SB 78 (the “parking lot” bill) passed in the House this year! Be ready.

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PRO-GUN BILLS
Six of the bills are pro-gun rights bills, reflecting USSC working with sponsors to protect and expand legal ownership and use of guns in Utah:

SB 78 Protection of Constitutionally Guaranteed Activities in Certain Private Venues- Once again this bill is run by our friend, Sen. Mark Madsen. This is USSC’s TOP PRIORITY bill for this session. This bill will enforce the right of law abiding citizens to have guns (as well as Bibles, Books of Mormon; bumper stickers, etc) in their vehicles for lawful purposes, even if their employers want to keep them out.  (Remember the AOL workers who were fired when these permit holders were seen moving a gun from one car to another to go target shooting after work?) Employers’ parking lot gun bans also (unintentionally) render permit holders defenseless all day as they cannot carry their legal self defense weapons to or from work.  Critics allege that this would make workplaces more dangerous, but criminals already ILLEGALLY violate employer gun bans, so their rules only disarm victims, not criminals.
We applaud Sen. Madsen for getting similar bills through the Senate in the last two sessions, only to die in the House. We expect to get it passed this year, and similar bills have already passed in at least eight other states, with several more working on them. YOUR HELP WILL BE NEEDED TO GET THIS THROUGH THE HOUSE THIS YEAR!  Watch for alerts on this.

HB 25 Gun Dealer Penalty Amendments- by pro-gun stalwart Rep. Curt Oda fixes some conflicts between Utah and Federal laws regarding FFL dealer record keeping.  This USSC supported bill has already passed both the House and Senate and is on the way to the Governor for his approval.

HB 204 Concealed Firearms Instructor Amendments- also by Re. Curt Oda, requires Utah CWP instructors to be residents of Utah.  Reportedly a few out of state instructors are not teaching the proper course, which will jeopardize recognition of Utah permits, and BCI claims they are unable to properly regulate those instructors.  This is necessary to ensure continued widespread recognition of Utah CWPs.  USSC supports.

HB 336 Concealed Firearm Amendments by Rep. Carl Wimmer is not yet complete, but USSC is working closely with Rep. Wimmer on this one.

HB 357 Firearms Amendments- also by Rep. Carl Wimmer clarifies possession of firearm on real property and lawful transportation in vehicles by law abiding citizens. USSC Supports.

HB 431- Amendments to General Government Law- by Rep. Stephen Sandstrom is a Public Range Access bill, aimed at ensuring that shooting ranges built with public funds are available for use by the public. USSC strongly supports this.

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ANTI-GUN BILLS-
SB 96 by Sen. Scott McCoy would prohibit issuing Utah Concealed Weapon Permits to non-residents.  That is unacceptable, and USSC believes we have the votes to stop that one.

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OTHER GUN BILLS
Three bills are not obviously good or bad, and we will follow these closely:

SB 227 by anti-gun Senator Scott McCoy will probably mess with CWP fees.  NO WAY!  We should not be charged taxes or fees to exercise constitutionally protected rights.  Further, the permit holder is paying to prove their innocence.  If anything CWP fees should be repealed and background checks funded by fines on criminals caught illegally carrying guns!

HB 162 by Rep. Newbold is probably about permits for non-U.S. citizens.  We believe that after discussions with USSC that the sponsor will drop this bill.

SB 45 by Sen. Goodfellow would create a special process for retired cops to get and renew CWPs at no cost with none of the paperwork hassle like other citizens.  This bill was based on misinformation provided to the sponsor. USSC OPPOSES this one, and after discussion with USSC it appears that this one is dead.

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INVISIBLE WORK THAT USSC DOES
USSC works hard in the background to defend and advance gun rights in Utah, not just sending out alerts to tell people what is going on in the Legislature.  Here are some examples:

–  Meeting with Senator Bennett’s staff to work on securing federal funding for a new shooting range at the University of Utah.  And, we asked his support for national reciprocity for concealed weapons permit, which he reportedly agreed to become a co-sponsor.
– Meeting with the Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives to seek his cooperation with getting SB 78 (the “parking lot bill”) an up or down vote in the House this year, after the House failed to act on it for the last two years.  He noted major opposition from the business community to this bill and we are not sure if he will support us on this or not.  More on this later.
– Meeting with sponsors of gun bills, and working closely with our friends on the drafting and advancement of bills we have requested. 
– USSC board members also met with sponsors of bills we oppose or have questions about.  We think that two of the bills which we would not support will be dropped as a result.
– Meetings and close contacts between USSC leaders and other Utah gun rights activists and the NRA to work together on issues we agree on, and plot strategy to advance our common agenda.

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THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS
A special “THANK YOU!” to all the volunteers who have worked the USSC table at the gun shows.  And, to everyone who helped transcribed the hundreds of new email addresses to help spread the word among gun owners.  Remember, USSC is an all volunteer organization and when everyone pitches in to do whatever they can to help, we can be successful!  Let’s all keep it up!

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NEXT GUN SHOW IN ST. GEORGE THIS WEEKEND February 14-15

Take your spouse to a romantic weekend in warm and scenic St. George, and while there you can attend the gun show and even get “his and hers” Concealed Weapons Permits after taking the class there.  It will be a memorable Valentines Day!

Crossroads of the West has a show at the Dixie Center this weekend. Bring along those guns you would like to learn more about, or get an appraisal on, or maybe sell.
Get a $1.00 off coupon for show admission from http://www.crossroadsgunshows.com/guncoupn.htm

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CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT CLASS AVAILABLE AT THE GUN SHOW
One highly respected instructor is Curtis Spain of Concealed Carry Specialists. He will teach four classes at the Crossroads Gun Show, providing the photos and fingerprinting as well as the classroom training. We recommend that anyone even considering applying for a permit take a course like this, to find out about the limits, obligations, advantages and disadvantages of carrying a concealed weapon for self defense. Classes will start promptly at 11:00 AM Saturday and 11:00 AM Sunday, and take about three hours.  Registration can be done in person, but be there at least 15 minutes prior to class to take care of the paperwork.  Cost is $50 for complete package with class, fingerprints and photos.  This instructor has probably taught more CWP holders than any other instructor in Utah, and does an excellent job.  The classroom near the entrance to the show, and you do not need to get into the show to attend the class.  Call (801) 568-0197 with any questions.  USSC appreciates t!
he continuing support from Curtis and his classes!

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USSC WEBSITE-
http://UtahShootingSports.com includes frequent updates of gun related news stories from Utah and around the nation. There are daily updates on gun related bills during the Legislative Session. You can sign up for our Alerts, or remove your name, or change your email address (add the new one and delete the old one).

Thanks for your time!