The 109th Congress has provided gun owners with some tremendous victories-including passage of the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" in 2005, and in October, legislation to prohibit the confiscation of lawfully owned firearms during states of emergency--to name just a few.
However, in January 2007, control of Congress will change hands, and anti-gun leaders will be in near full control. With the 109th Congress winding down and adjourning by year's end, it is critical that we pull out all the stops to try to pass a top legislative priority -- H.R. 5092, the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) Modernization and Reform Act."
H.R. 5092, sponsored by Representatives Howard Coble (R-N.C.) and Bobby Scott (D-Va.), has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives by an overwhelming bi-partisan 277-131 vote. This legislation was drafted in large part to address BATFE abuses at Richmond, Virginia-area gun shows last year, which were detailed in three oversight hearings by the House Crime Subcommittee this spring. The measure will help curb BATFE's efforts to revoke dealers' licenses for minor paperwork errors, establish new guidelines for BATFE investigations, and improve the appeals process for dealers. It will also provide more accountability and much-needed reform to this federal law enforcement agency.
Please contact your U.S. Senators and urge them to bring H.R. 5092 up for a vote before the 109th Congress adjourns. You may call your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121 or visit senate.gov to write directly to your U.S. senators.
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