Iowa Becomes 42nd State to Legalize Silencers
Governor Branstad Signs HF2279 Into Law
In an update to yesterday’s story about support for gun mufflers in Iowa and New Hampshire, Iowa’s governor has signed the proposed legislation into law, making suppressors legal for civilian ownership.
Iowa has become the 42nd state to legalize suppressors. House File 2279, a bill introduced by Rep. Matt Windschitl and Rep. Terry Baxter, recently passed the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee on March 2, 2016 by a wide margin of 11-2. The bill moved through the Iowa Senate without issue, and has now been signed by Governor Terry Branstad.
After three years of efforts by the American Suppressor Association, the National Rifle Association, and the Iowa Firearms Coalition to educate lawmakers on the benefits and realities of suppressors, HF 2279 was met with positive response.
This victory in Iowa is bringing hope to the eight other states where suppressors are still illegal for civilians to own. As part of their “No State Left Behind” campaign, the American Suppressor Association will now turn its attention to those states, including California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York.
Joshua Waldron, CEO of SilencerCo, says “SilencerCo has been a strong supporter of the American Suppressor Association since its inception. We’re proud of the hard work they have put behind HF 2279 along with the help of the NRA and the Iowa Firearms Coalition. Because of the determination and educational push by these groups, Iowans can now enjoy the same rights as are held by law-abiding citizens in 41 other states.”
There is also proposed legislation to remove suppressors from the purview of the National Firearms Act (NFA) altogether through the Hearing Protection Act.
Iowa and New Hampshire See Support for Suppressors
Legislation Pending to Allow Wider Silencer Adoption
In addition to the pending nationwide Hearing Protection Act, several state bills are on deck to allow suppressor use for hunting in New Hampshire and suppressor ownership in Iowa. Members of the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation involved in the Sportsman’s Caucus attended silencer demo shoots this month to learn more about how these highly-regulated (for some reason) devices can help protect shooters and those around them.
On March 7, members of the New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus attended a suppressor demonstration at Sig Sauer Academy in Epping, New Hampshire. The event offered an opportunity to educate members of the Caucus on firearm suppressors. The educational demonstration came just two days prior to a hearing on HB 500 (a bill allowing suppressors for hunting purposes) in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where it was reported out by a unanimous 4-0 vote.
On March 17, HB 500 cleared the Senate, by a unanimous 23-0 vote, and now heads back to the House for concurrence. Continue reading
Gee Whiz – Secret Service Says No Guns at Republican Convention
Here is a real shocker. As we guessed in our comment on our previous post about a petition to allow firearm carry at the Republican National Convention, the Secret Service does not want a bunch of random armed people around the event. They are apparently still expecting a fair turnout of loons, as Cleveland shells out a $1.5M brokerage fee to AON Risk Services for a $10M “protest insurance” policy for the event.
The Secret Service says only authorized law enforcement will be allowed to carry firearms at the Republican Party nominating convention, ignoring an online petition calling for convention attendees to also be permitted to carry them.
The petition, started anonymously last week on Change.org, has attracted the signatures of over 50,000 people who said they want the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, which is hosting the convention, to reverse its ban on weapons.
The Secret Service, which is responsible for security at the July event, said in a statement that only “authorized law enforcement partners…may carry a firearm inside of the protected site.”
“Individuals determined to be carrying firearms will not be allowed past a predetermined outer perimeter checkpoint, regardless of whether they possess a ticket to the event,” the statement added.
The three remaining Republican U.S. presidential candidates have each advocated allowing people to openly carry firearms. Both Texas Senator Ted Cruz and businessman Donald Trump have criticized so-called gun-free zones, especially schools, saying those policies make the sites less safe.
Many of those sharing the petition on Twitter are less interested in the issue for reasons of defending 2nd Amendment rights to firearms than pushing the Republican Party on its adherence to the issue.
Firearms were also banned at the previous Republican convention, which was held in Tampa in 2012.
There are already concerns that this year’s convention will be testier than usual, especially if no Republican presidential candidate has emerged as the party’s nominee.
Petition to Allow Firearm Carry at GOP Convention Gaining Traction
Petition for Republican Convention: Let Them Carry Guns
Chris Hannas
VOA News
March 27, 2016
The three remaining Republican U.S. presidential candidates have each advocated allowing people to openly carry firearms, and an online petition is challenging them to stand behind those policies and call for firearms to be allowed at the party’s nominating convention in July.
Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena is hosting the convention, but has a policy banning any weapons from the facility. It is allowed to do so under law in the state of Ohio, where people can otherwise openly carry guns.
Both Texas Senator Ted Cruz and businessman Donald Trump have criticized so-called gun-free zones, especially schools, saying those policies make the sites less safe.
Trump said in December he would abolish gun-free zones on his first day in office, while Cruz told supporters in December the zones only create places where an attacker knows people will be unarmed. Ohio Governor and presidential candidate John Kasich last year eliminated gun-free zones at the state’s National Guard facilities.
[Nearly 45,000] people have signed the Change.org petition that says the candidates should call on the Cleveland arena to suspend its no-gun policy, for the National Rifle Association to condemn it, and for Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus to be ready to relocate the entire convention if guns are not allowed. Continue reading
Martin Zacha Named to NSSF Board of Governors
Industry Group in Charge of SHOT Show Gets New Board Member
The NSSF Board of Governors has announced the appointment of its newest board member, Martin Zacha, Vice President, Ammunition Products for Vista Outdoor. Vista Outdoor is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets. The company operates in two segments, Outdoor Products and Shooting Sports, and has more than 40 well-recognized brands that provide consumers with a range of performance-driven, high-quality and innovative products.
Prior to his role with Vista Outdoor, Zacha was Vice President of ATK’s Sporting Group. He has more than 30 years of experience in operations management in ammunition and outdoor accessories, including time spent as the Director of Operations for 5.56mm ammunition, primers and high explosives at Winchester Ammunition’s Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. In his role with Vista Outdoor, he leads all ammunition business operations, including engineering, supply chain, distribution, product development and supporting functions at factories in Anoka, Minnesota, and Lewiston, Idaho. He and his teams are also responsible for identifying and executing sourcing opportunities.
Team GunLink is proud to be NSSF Media members and congratulates Mr. Zacha on his appointment to the NSSF Board. Continue reading
Shooting Illustrated to Join NRA Publications Available to Members
The family of magazines (publications, not the things that people in Rio Linda call “clips”) available to National Rifle Association members is growing this May.
Starting on May 1st, in addition to the current lineup of American Rifleman, American Hunter, and America’s 1st Freedom, members will be able to choose Shooting Illustrated as the publication that is included with their membership. Shooting Illustrated features new product previews, tests and analysis from the top writers in the industry, offering their expert insight into all facets of shooting.
GunLink has confirmed that existing members will be able to change their current subscription to Shooting Illustrated if they desire at any time after May 1 by to emailing membership@nrahq.org or by calling the membership hotline at 800-672-3888.
Don’t forget that May 1st is also the start of increased membership dues rates through recruiters. As you should have heard by now, general membership dues have gone up, but recruiters were given an extension to continue offering the old discounted rates until April 30. After that, even those rates will go up, so there is still time to save money by joining or renewing here – just in time to attend the NRA Show.
