The NRA won’t support Arizona’s new gun bill

[DonViejo]

A new Arizona bill is trying to make it a crime to enforce federal gun laws. Even the NRA wants no part of this

BY ALEX SEITZ-WALD

Arizona is a place where you can get a family photograph with Santa holding an AK-47, where state lawmakers point pink pistols at reporters, and where men tote AR-15s to political protests. And if one state representative gets his way, gun-loving Arizonans won’t have to worry about pesky federal gun control laws, because it will be illegal to enforce them.

Republican state Rep. Steve Smith proposed a bill last week that would prohibit public officials in the state from following any federal gun laws or regulations, fearing an effort by the Obama administration to impose harsh new restrictions on firearms. That means no background checks, no restrictions on automatic weapons or grenade launchers, and no prohibition on sale to the mentally ill, unless the state enacts its own restrictions, none of which are laid out in Smith’s bill.

While there is no penalty specified for state and local officials who follow federal law, federal judges or law enforcement agents would face felony charges punishable by up to a year in state prison. “Here’s a line in the sand: Thanks, but no thanks. Stay out with your federal regulations you’re going to impose on us,” Smith said.

HB 2291 would almost certainly be unconstitutional, as federal law trumps state law, and Smith acknowledged that there would probably be legal challenges that would have to be worked out in the courts. But he appears to be trying to get around this problem by making his legislation apply only to firearms that are manufactured in and never leave the state of Arizona, presumably in an attempt to thwart the Commerce Clause, which allows Congress to regulate interstate trade. Still, the Supreme Court has not been sympathetic to similar arguments.

And the Constitution isn’t Smith’s only problem; he’s catching some friendly fire too. Todd Rathner, an Arizona resident who sits on the board of the National Rifle Association, told the Capitol News Service that he doesn’t like the bill because of what it would do to gun dealers, who must receive federal licenses and comply with federal regulations.

-snip-

http://www.salon.com/2013/01/22/even_the_nra_wont_support_arizonas_new_gun_bill/

[1StrongBlackMan]

1. Finally, a moment of truth ...

Todd Rathner, an Arizona resident who sits on the board of the National Rifle Association, told the Capitol News Service that he doesn’t like the bill because of what it would do to gun dealers, who must receive federal licenses and comply with federal regulations.

But I thought the NRA was about protecting the individual's "right" to bear arms; not the interests of gun dealers/manufacturers.

[atreides1]

3. It's about time the truth came out!

And it's from a credible source...one of the NRA's very own board members!!!

[atreides1]

2. Be realistic

If they placed a prohibition on selling guns to the mentally ill...most of the gun stores in Arizona would go out of business...

[still_one]

4. Is Arizona proud of their representatives who pass unconstitutional laws

That cannot be enforced

Do they consider that well spent time and money

Last time I looked their real estate was screwed, and their economy has problems

[reverend_tim]

5. no, but then keep in mind, that our residents in the big retirement communities came from other states

These communities are a large source of votes for the republican party. Other states are more liberal because grandpa and grandma moved to AZ.

[still_one]

6. Sounds a lot like the Florida demographic, but regardless, one would think that they the populous no

Matter their political position would not like their representatives wasting the states money on worthless legislation

[davidpdx]

7. Even crazy has it's limitation

Who'd of thought....