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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/6/gun-rights-advocates-swarm-annapolis-fight-omalley/ Looks like they had a pretty good turn out in MD. Here's to hoping for the same in Trenton.

I attended the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee session for NJ Bill S2430 this morning in the State House Annex. For those of you who are not aware of the content of this Bill, it can be found here: http://www.njleg.sta...500/2430_I1.HTM This Bill is submitted under a notion of focusing on mental health in an attempt to veil this: “Although New Jersey has strict gun control laws, these laws are easily circumvented because of the lack of similar federal laws. In order to provide more safety for New Jersey residents, the federal government must reinstate its ban on assault weapons which expired on September 13, 1994 and must expand background check requirements for gun purchases to include all sales and transfers” BLANKET ACCEPTANCE of anything the Federal government enacts for gun control! Now, the Committee postponed a vote on the Bill today and only took testimony, both for and against the Bill. I believe this was, in part, due to flooding the legislature with calls and faxes last week! Based on my observations during testimony, I can tell you body language and comments and questioning from the Committee members shows there is already a bias towards gun control (no surprise). It was also clear that the Committee is uneducated about firearms. Further, the supporters for the Bill were present in mass numbers – about every civic coalition, organization, and group you can think of; a couple of mayors (Roselle and Plainfield), a city councilman…. Senator Lesniak stacked the room well. Sure, some of the Bill supporters went on record saying it’s not about the guns, but their whispers before the testimony began were very different I will say in absolution. The problem with this Bill is the way it is dangerously, and probably very purposefully written, to have broad-sweeping gun control, yet is being “marketed” as a Bill that creates the Governor’s Study Commission on Violence for which mental health is a key driver. Fact of the matter, the way this Bill is written is that there will be no study of real facts, figures, expert testimony, or any form of hard, tangible evidence regarding the effects of gun control on violence. There would be no point for the Study Commission to address that aspect because passing of this Bill would be blanket adoption of whatever the Federal government enacts against gun rights! This is not what New Jersey firearms enthusiasts want, and this is not the message Governor Christie delivered in his speech on January 17th. This is a CONTRIVED BASTARDIZATION trying to be ramrodded through the legislature!!! Because this was not voted today, there is time for each and every one of you to make your position known to the legislature! Please contact EVERYONE I list below and tell them 1) you oppose the gun control element of Bill S2430; 2) that you wish for them to vote against this Bill as it is currently written; and, 3) you want, as constituents of this State, any Study Commission on Violence to include due representation from New Jersey firearms enthusiasts. Please email, write, fax, and call the following legislature members: The entire Law and Public Safety Committee (these are those who will vote the Bill!): Senator Donald Norcross: http://www.njleg.sta...BIO.asp?Leg=324 Senator Linda R. Greenstein: http://www.njleg.sta...BIO.asp?Leg=329 Senator Christopher Bateman: http://www.njleg.sta...BIO.asp?Leg=304 Senator James W. Holzapfel: http://www.njleg.sta...BIO.asp?Leg=334 Senator Nicholas J. Sacco: http://www.njleg.sta...BIO.asp?Leg=140 The Bill Sponsors: Senator Raymond J. Lesniak: http://www.njleg.sta.../BIO.asp?Leg=61 Senator Shirley K. Turner: http://www.njleg.sta.../BIO.asp?Leg=47 Senator Jim Whelan: http://www.njleg.sta...BIO.asp?Leg=301 Senator Sandra B. Cunningham: http://www.njleg.sta...BIO.asp?Leg=290 Senator Joseph F. Vitale: http://www.njleg.sta...BIO.asp?Leg=175 Now let’s get down to some brass tacks here everyone… There were about a dozen of us present in opposition of the Bill. A dozen. We were outnumbered about 2.5:1 in testimony. I absolutely salute and applaud Frank Jack Fiamingo and the NJ2AS for being there, for speaking, for representing the interests of New Jersey firearms enthusiasts, for fighting the cause… But I’m going to be straight here, as any real Jersey boy is, IT IS NOT ENOUGH! Why? Because not only must you battle the issue, you must battle the stigma placed upon groups like the NJ2AS. It, frankly, dilutes their effectiveness because of this State's historic position on firearms. Do you want to know who the Committee listened to from those that opposed the Bill on the basis of gun control? THE AVERAGE JOE! It was testimony given by CITIZENS that the Committee took most interest in. Paying sufficient attention to what was being said to then ask follow up questions! Don’t let me simply synopsize this, listen to the entire proceedings yourself here: http://www.njleg.sta...030AM-M0-1.wma! Of course you must wait into about two-thirds in before opposing testimony. A warning to Veterans, you may be offended by Senator’s Lesniak’s position citing his service in the US Army. Others, you will likely be as offended as I was that the Senator could be there long enough to make sure to hear all his supporters, but then left before those of us against the gun control element finished testimony. Nevertheless, the salient point is that CITIZENS got their attention. We need more New Jersey CITIZENS who are also members of the firearms enthusiast community of this State to attend these sessions and give testimony – i.e., share your thoughts and feelings, deliver the counter message! A dozen is not enough when they come by the bus load from the opposite side. Many of you will proclaim it’s not possible because of work, but I work too and took vacation time in order to attend and I’m certainly not local to Trenton... This is an important issue to me. Is it not to you, my fellow New Jersey firearms enthusiasts??? Please contact the above list of legislature members every day until the Bill is voted on, and if you can, please come help resist the passing of the 23 gun control Bills in-person at the legislative sessions!

http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve/?File_id=9a9270d5-ce4d-49fb-9b2f-69e69f517fb4 All 122 pages, the proposed bill as submitted http://www.thegunmag...013-summary.pdf The "list" and summary Handout given to reporters/political figures/attendees during the press conference annoucing the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 yesterday. EDIT : Now updated properly There would be grandfathering of a lawfully possessed weapon prior to the bill signed date Bayonet and Flash Suppressor would no longer count as evil features. The pistol grip alone would be enough to classify a SA rifle as an "Assault Weapon" and therefore would be banned.