We have to move fast again. HB1174 gets voted on 3-14-07

FROM RMGO.ORG


They call you paranoid when you say you don't like lists -- especially
when those lists have anything to do with a
constitutional right.

The press, liberal politicians (both Republican and Democrat), even
your neighbor. It's a way to tell you "Sit down and
sit in the back of the bus."

But what happens when government compiles lists of citizens?

Just today, a Virginia newspaper published a list of every -- EVERY --
concealed carry permit holder in Virginia.

How can they do that??!?

Easy: Virginia has a statewide list.

Much like Colorado is debating right now.

Colorado's list is even worse, as it puts permit holders in a criminal
database -- right along with murderers, rapists and
other thugs.

It means you're treated like a criminal, all because you wanted to
carry a concealed handgun to protect yourself, your
family or your loved ones.

You've gone through the ridiculously beaurucratic process of getting
the (expensive), government mandated training,
applying (with hefty application fee), being fingerprinted, and then
waiting to see if big brother will LET you carry a
concealed handgun.

This, among myriad other reasons, is why a permitless system like
Vermont and Alaska citizens enjoy is what every citizen
in the U.S. should enjoy. Imagine the metamorphisis of behavior in the
crime centers of New York, Los Angeles, Detroit,
etc. In the two states that don't require a "Big-Brother-May-I" before
practicing the "bear arms" portion of our
constitutional, individual right, you aren't on a list so government
can't publish it. But we'll make the full "Vermont
Law" argument at another time.

That the list exists is reprehensible, and opens up the door to all
kinds of mischief.

What about the lady on this Virginia list who got a permit because her
ex-boyfriend is stalking her? He'll now make sure
he's armed.

The publishing of these names, however, is fortuitous in its timing.

Tomorrow morning, the Colorado Senate is expected to debate HB1174,
which permanently allows sheriffs to enter concealed
carry permit holders into a criminal database. We MUST defeat this
bill.

If we defeat this bill, the practice of entering permit holders into a
criminal database will sunset this summer.

Capitol insiders reported overhearing the Denver Police Department
lobbyist say they didn't have the votes to pass HB1174
as is, and that therefore Chiefs of Police/Sheriffs lobbyists would try
to amend the bill to make it more palatable to the
two Republican Senators who aren't solidly against this bill, Sens.
Kester and Taylor.

Both Taylor and Kester are still stinging from the response they got
when they voted for the anti-gun bill SB34. You can
read about that at:
http://www.rmgo.org/alerts/2007-kestertaylor.shtml

We welcome the rest of the gun rights community to our side, as they
ignored this issue in 2003 when the concealed carry
law was passed. Now let's hunker down to kill this bill.

What you can do:

Call the two marginal Republican Senators on this bill -- Sen. Jack
Taylor at (303) 866-5292 and Sen. Ken Kester at (303)
866-4877. You can e-mail Sen. Kester at ken.kester.senate@state.co.us
(Taylor does not use e-mail).

Next, call or e-mail your State Senator (especially if he/she is a
Republican) to make certain he/she votes against this
monstrosity of a bill.

GOP State Rep. Al White, the main sponsor of this bill, is finding out
just how the gun community is united against HIS
bill. We must make sure there are no more Republican defections on
this issue.

Then, if you are really mad about this issue, call or e-mail your
county sheriff. The County Sheriffs of Colorado (CSOC)
are the main organization driving this bill, so don't let your sheriff
weasel out of responsibility -- unless your sheriff
raised a big stink with CSOC, they are guilty by their inaction.

Urge everyone you can to vote against HB1174, in ANY form.

Dudley Brown
Executive Director

Direct Office Line 970-842-3006
Toll-free line 888-874-3006
Mobile Phone 970-380-3006