Originally scheduled for yesterday, House
Bill 111 is now scheduled to be heard on the floor of the state House of
Representatives on Tuesday, March 29. This critical pro-gun reform bill is
still facing the threat of being watered down on the floor of the state House
and needs your immediate help.
Introduced by state Representatives Mark
Hilton (R-96), Jeff Barnhart (R-82), Fred Steen (R-76), and Kelly Hastings
(R-110), House Bill 111 would remove the prohibition on
Right-to-Carry permit holders from carrying firearms into restaurants that serve
alcohol. It would also remove the ability of local governments to prohibit the
lawful carrying of firearms by permit holders into parks.
It
is this second provision that is currently under attack. An amendment may be
proposed tomorrow that would prohibit permit holders from carrying firearms into
any park that has ball fields and/or playgrounds. There may be other provisions,
but the proposed amendment has yet to be received by the bill sponsors or NRA
for consideration. Such restrictions are clearly based on anti-gun emotional
arguments, and must be opposed.
The NRA is also currently working with
state Representative Leo Daughtry (R-26) to remove divisive language added in an
attempt to sabotage the bill. H 111 was previously amended in subcommittee with
language to allow servers in restaurants to ask patrons who order an alcoholic
beverage whether they are carrying a concealed firearm. This amendment was
proposed by state Representative Debra Ross (D-38), one of the most virulently
anti-gun legislators in the General Assembly. The Ross Amendment was clearly
intended as a “poison pill,” and was designed to create opposition to the bill.
Nothing in the current law or in H 111 would require a permittee to answer the
server. However, restaurant owners may have concerns regarding potential
liability should they choose to not harass their patrons with intrusive personal
questions.
Please continue contacting your state
Representative and urge him or her to support H 111 only after the removal of
the Ross amendment and without any other anti-gun amendments. To locate your state Representative and
their contact information, please click here.
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