Grassroots Update -- May 2, 2022

After several failed attempts by gun rights activists to achieve Constitutional Carry in the Sunshine State, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis "has taken on the hot-button issue," according to WSVN News, vowing "big changes" before he leaves office. This includes Constitutional Carry, the report said. Anti-gun Democrat Agriculture and Consumer Services chief Nikki Fried, who is running to replace DeSantis, called the governor's remarks "absurd political pandering."

State Legislation:

California: More anti-gun bills were considered in committee this week and passed;
Colorado: Edgewater proposal to enact draconian gun measures being discussed;
Missouri: HB1463 has been referred to another Senate Committee;
New Hampshire: Senate passes HB1636;
Oklahoma: HB3144 passes Senate;
Georgia: NRA-PVF endorses Brian Kemp for GA governor;
Biden Administration: Steve Dettelbach's nomination for ATF Director sent to US Senate;
Judicial: Palmer v. Sisolak-appealed to Ninth Circuit.

Congressional Activity

H.R. 6945, No Retaining Every Gun in a System That Restricts Your (REGISTRY) Rights Act, has been introduced by Texas Representative Michael Cloud with 44 co-sponsors. This bill would mandate that FFL's that go out of business destroy their sales records. The chance of it being considered in Speaker Pelosi's House of Representative is zero, unfortunately.

The Outdoor Recreation Act, S.3266, introduced by U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) and Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) on Dec. 2. Information on this bipartisan outdoor recreation bill can be found here.

Discretionary spending for FY2022: The Biden Administration is asking Congress to increase spending for combatting "the Gun Violence Public Health Epidemic." Part of these funds will be given to the states and localities to "improve background check systems" and "incentivize State adoption of gun licensing laws." Firearms Policy Coalition has a website dedicated to stopping this bill.

The House of Representatives passed gun control legislation using two bills: HR8, a "universal background check" bill and HR1446, a bill that would allow the FBI "NICS" check to be delayed indefinitely without "proof" that the buyer is not eligible to purchase. The votes were 227-203 for HR8 and 219-210 for HR1446. .....