Guns and Gear

State Lawmakers Prep Gun Control Policies For 2016

Kerry Picket Political Reporter
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State lawmakers are scheduled to consider stricter firearms policies when they return to their respective capitol buildings in January.

In Illinois, a bill introduced by a Democratic state lawmaker in late December would revoke a citizen’s firearms owner ID card and result in the seizure of the individual’s firearms, if the person’s name is added to the FBI terror watch list.

A Nevada Democratic state senator announced a similar bill on Dec. 14 that would “prohibit those on the Federal No-Fly List from purchasing firearms in Nevada.” The bill echoes legislation that recently failed to pass Congress.

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s operatives are also pushing to get an initiative on the 2016 Nevada ballot that would criminalize private transfers of firearms. Bloomberg-funded groups are heading to other states like Maine and Arizona to propose similar gun control initiatives.

Similarly, a New Mexico Democrat state representative pre-filed a measure for the new year that would criminalize non-licensed dealer firearm transfers at gun shows.

In New York state, two Democratic lawmakers proposed a bill last week that would limit ammunition purchases. The legislation would cap ammunition buys to twice the capacity of the firearm during a 90-day period.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring’s move to revoke the commonwealth’s concealed carry firearm reciprocity with 25 different states goes into effect on Feb. 1.

Not all upcoming gun policies are restrictive. As of Jan. 1, Texas concealed carry license holders will be able to open carry in their state. And by August, Texas concealed carry holders will be allowed to carry legally on college campuses.

A panel commissioned by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie after a woman’s brutal murder suggested the Garden State should bring further clarity to its laws as well as knock down burdensome regulations on law-abiding gun owners. Christie endorsed the commission’s suggestions.

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