HB 1131 Clobbered in Committee

South Dakota Gun Owners E-mail Alert
PO Box 3845, Rapid City, SD 57709
(605) 737-5583
LibertyTeeth@sdgo.org http://www.SDGO.org

(Tuesday, February 3, 2004) – Hats off to all our members! Thanks to your strong opposition to HB 1131, the Airport Gun Ban bill was defeated 9 to 1.

HB 1131 would have ratified on the state level the airport “gun free zones” created by unconstitutional, bureaucratic federal regulations. The sponsors argued that the bill was beneficial because it provided a state misdemeanor charge while current federal regulations mandate a felony.

SDGO Communications Director Zach Lautenschlager presented the only testimony against the bill, pointing out that federal prosecutors would hardly refrain from charging with a felony just because there was a “lesser charge” on the state level. In some cases, a person could even be charged with both, if the misdemeanor were put on the books.

This misguided bill died in committee largely because of the numerous “vote NO” messages from members of South Dakota Gun Owners. Even notorious anti-gunner Rep. Tom Hennies voted against the bill. Keep up the good work!

Voting against HB 1131:

Rep. Thomas Deadrick

Rep. Richard Engels

Rep. Gary Hanson

Rep. Tom Hennies

Rep. Chris Madsen

Rep. Sean O’Brien

Rep. Jim Peterson

Rep. Matthew Michels

Rep. Matt McCaulley

Voting for HB 1131:

Rep. Joni Cutler

“Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and the keystone of independence.” – George Washington

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