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The Hearing Protection Act has been attached to the SHARE Act, a sportsman’s omnibus bill with a lot of pro-gun features. Among those features, the SHARE Act (Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act) would do the following: Moves silencers/suppressors from Title II to Title I status. Enhances the Firearms Owners Protection Act (FOPA) language to... [Read More]

The post National Legal Update: Hearing Protection Act Rolling Into Bigger Bill appeared first on U.S. & Texas LawShield.

[This story was updated on Friday, June 16 after Gov. Abbott took action on several bills late on June 15. Also, please see the note regarding the availability of legislative-update seminars at the bottom of this post.] Recently, I covered several pro-gun bills that needed the governor’s signature. Where do things stand? Since the last update, Governor... [Read More]

The post Several More Gun Bills Become Law in Texas appeared first on U.S. & Texas LawShield.

      The 85th Texas Legislature adjourned on May 29, and in the session, legislators passed several bills that enhance gun-owners’ rights in the state. Following are descriptions of several bills that have passed the Legislature and have either been signed or are awaiting Gov. Abbott’s signature: [This item was updated on Sept. 1 to reflect the... [Read More]

The post Texas Legislative Wrap-Up: More Great News for Gun Owners appeared first on U.S. & Texas LawShield.

 Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed Senate Bill 16, which significantly reduces the cost of a License to Carry. At $140, the fee for an original Texas license was among the highest in the nation. The passage of SB 16 brings the fees down to among the lowest, slashing the cost of an original license by... [Read More]

The post Gov. Abbott Signs Bill Lowering LTC Costs to $40 appeared first on U.S. & Texas LawShield.

New regulations, new fees, and mountains of red tape could endanger the livelihood of current Illinois firearms dealers, and deter prospective owners from starting new ones to take their place, under Senate Bill 1657, which has now been approved by an Illinois House committee. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), will, among... [Read More]

The post Illinois House Committee Passes Dealer Licensing Bill appeared first on U.S. & Texas LawShield.

A proposed bill in Michigan would eliminate the state’s license to purchase or acquire a handgun. Under current law, Michiganders cannot purchase, carry, possess or transport a pistol or other handgun without first having obtained a license for it. This includes acquisitions by purchase, gift or inheritance. A License to Purchase is not needed for... [Read More]

The post Michigan Bill Would Make Handgun Registration Optional appeared first on U.S. & Texas LawShield.

U.S. Law Shield of Oklahoma Independent Program Attorney Robert Robles points out that three notable Senate bills involving firearms have been sent to Republican Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin for signature. She signed the first, SB 40, into law May 15. Dubbed the “Point, Don’t Shoot” bill, SB 40 protects an individual who points a firearm... [Read More]

The post Trio of Oklahoma Bills Land on the Governor’s Desk appeared first on U.S. & Texas LawShield.

Members of the Florida House and Senate hammered out an agreement to improve the state’s “stand-your-ground” law as time was running out on the state’s legislative session. Senate Bill 128, sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island), was approved late on May 5. It now awaits the signature of Republican Gov. Rick Scott. The bill... [Read More]

The post Florida Legislature Reaches Agreement on Change to SYG Law appeared first on U.S. & Texas LawShield.

[Updated on Tuesday, May 9: SB 40 passed the state Senate on May 8 by a vote of 35-8  and is now awaiting action from the governor. You can call the governor’s office at (405) 521-2342 to let her know where you stand.] The so-called “Point, Don’t Shoot” bill has landed on Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin’s desk. Senate Bill 40... [Read More]

The post Oklahoma “Point, Don't Shoot” Bill Headed for Governor's Desk appeared first on U.S. & Texas LawShield.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has signed a controversial “campus carry” bill, satisfied that it resolves the reasons he vetoed a similar measure last year. Deal, a term-limited Republican who plans to retire, signed House Bill 280 on Thursday, May 4. His signature drew praise from Second Amendment supporters seeking to enhance security for students, faculty,... [Read More]

The post Surprise! Georgia Governor Signs Campus Carry Bill appeared first on U.S. & Texas LawShield.

    Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has signed a controversial “campus carry” bill, satisfied that it resolves the reasons he vetoed a similar measure last year. Deal, a term-limited Republican who plans to retire, signed House Bill 280 on Thursday, May 4. His signature drew praise from Second Amendment supporters seeking to enhance security for... [Read More]

The post Deal Signs Campus Carry; Is Your Everyday Carry Affected? appeared first on U.S. & Texas LawShield.

A Birmingham-area church wants to create its own police force to protect its 4,000 members, schools and ministries. The Alabama Senate approves. Civil libertarians do not. In April, the state senate voted 24-4 on a bill to let 4,000-member Briarwood Presbyterian Church create a police department. Church officials say it would be similar to forces at... [Read More]

The post Alabama Church Seeks to Create Own Police Force appeared first on U.S. & Texas LawShield.