JUNEAU — A bill introduced in the Alaska House on Wednesday would make it a misdemeanor for a federal official or agent to try to enforce any new restrictions on gun ownership.
HB69, from House Speaker Mike Chenault, was introduced the same day that President Barack Obama unveiled a package of executive orders and legislative proposals aimed at curbing gun violence.
Obama’s proposals, which follow last month’s deadly shooting at a Connecticut school, include background checks for all gun sales and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. His 23 executive orders touched on such things as gun safety, background checks and mental health.
Chenault, in a news release, said work on his bill began before Obama’s announcement Wednesday.
“Tragedy is not a license for federal encroachment on constitutionally protected freedoms,” he said. “We can all agree that what happened in Newtown, Conn., was an absolute tragedy. But what we fundamentally disagree on is how you meet the challenge it presented.
“The president is using it to further his liberal agenda to try and disarm and disenfranchise law-abiding Americans from their enshrined Second Amendment rights,” he said. “No one should be comfortable with that, regardless of where you sit on the issue.”
His bill would deem unenforceable federal laws, orders, rules or regulations enacted or effective on or after the effective date of his bill that seek to ban or restrict ownership of a semi-automatic firearm or magazine, or that require a firearm, magazine or firearm accessory be registered. The bill says any federal official, agent or employee who tries to enforce any such provisions is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
Chenault, R-Nikiski, said he is building on a measure that passed the state Legislature in 2010, that exempted personal firearms, accessories or ammunition manufactured in Alaska from federal law or regulation, including registration.
HB69 has an immediate effective date, but Chenault plans to work with a House committee to make the effective date retroactive to Jan. 1, should the bill pass.
The measure had at least 11 Republican co-sponsors by late Wednesday afternoon.
Comments (143)
Add comment“Tragedy is not a license for
“Tragedy is not a license for federal encroachment on constitutionally protected freedoms,”
And the Democrats wonder why year after year they take a beating in the local elections and are doing so poorly that they switch sides.
But if feel...
But I feel so much safer now that you can only have 10 round magazines instead of 13 or 15. This will make a huge difference. New York (with the highest gun violence in US) has limited it to 7 rounds. You can have a 10 round mag, but you can only keep 7 rounds in it. This is some awesome legislation here. I'm so proud of Joe Biden, solving America's gun violence problems in 30 days, Wow!!
hun? what its ok for alaskan
hun? what its ok for alaskan kids to be at the recieving end of high capicity rounds?
Chenault, take a breath will ya, there is no infringe on anyone's right to own a gun.
Chenalult is doing what the leadership of the NRA is doing - raising cash
To paraphrase Ozzy
It sure seems like we're going off the rails on a crazy train.
Bearing Arms
Obama is causing Americans to arm-up at rates unprecedented in modern times. Record sales of guns and ammo have led to nationwide shortages as concerned people assert their constitutional rights and arm themselves in response to the Obama Government gun control efforts.
abnotey
better question, look whos behind obama, draw back the curtin see the wizard why its puppet master george soros
Really?
this so asinine it is embarrassing. when speech interferes with peaceable assembly we regulate it, when privacy infringes on the ability to identify criminals we regulate it, when religion imposes its beliefs we regulate it. All constitutional rights. GROW UP.
Arms Buildup
Obama goes into history as the president responsible for the largest arms-buildup in American history.
"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good" -- George Washington
New Business Idea!
Alaska can be to guns what Nevada was to gaming.
2014 can't come soon enough
2014 can't come soon enough
sefisher-I agree, then we can
sefisher-I agree, then we can get rid of that back stabbing, freedom hating Begich.
As for the proposed legislation, it should be a FELONY.
In Texas...
...they are pushing for a felony. They always TRY to be bigger.
what a joke
It is apparent the reaction to Chenault's bill is exactly what he wanted. He has made himself into a super hero in the eyes of some. Yet he actually proposed nothing functional. His proposal would not actual stop any enforcement of federal laws in Alaska. It simply claims the Federal Employee would be committing a misdemeanor. Which is some bizarre notion that the State of Alaska can interfere with a federal employee doing their job. This legislation does not nullify any aspect of any future federal laws. A person who in possession of the items would still be in violation of the federal law and having to fight the law itself.
The only thing this bill will do is put the State of Alaska in court trying to prove the loosing position on who (Federal or State) is the higher authority.
Chenault is playing Alaskans as chumps as they listen to his well conceived rhetoric that will keep him in Juneau.
Pres. Obama is not trying to
Pres. Obama is not trying to disarm Americans.
Rather than wasting everyone's time, and the public's money, Chenault should have listened to Obama’s announcement.
good lord.
We're not responsible...
...for Chenault. We are responsible for Munoz. Watch very carefully to see if she votes for this piece of madness, should it ever come to a vote.
Thank you, Rep. Chenault .
P.S.
Make it a Felony.
Latitude you are right.
Latitude you are right.
Cathy Munoz is a member of ALEC. Folks in Juneau need to get rid of her.
abotney, how often have
abotney, how often have Alaskan kids found themselves on the receiving end of a high capacity mag? And for most alaskan kids you dont need high capacity. I can see the headlines now "School shooting in Alaska. Entire school mowed down. The shooter didnt even need to reload. Three kids dead..." More likely would be that Alaskan kids would return fire and drill em. Get real.
Obama did nothing with his
Obama did nothing with his executive orders except abuse his position. Have you read what he decreed? "Release a letter to health care providers clarifying that no federal law prohibits them from reporting threats of violence to law enforcement authorities" So we need to tell doctors that there are no laws against them reporting someone making violent threats? Really? Next wil be one that clarifies for teachers that there are no federal laws that prohibit them from making wrong answers as incorrect and thereby flunking little Johnny. Worthless, but he can claim he took a stand!
Or he was just testing the
Or he was just testing the waters to see how much we would let him get away with abusing his position...
Rights
During the Bush presidency, unprecedented measures were taken to limit free speech and allowed unwarranted arrests and searches of innocent American citizens exercising their first and fourth amendment rights all in the name of preventing terrorism. conservatives wholeheartedly stood behind this attack on our constitution . yes we have a right to bear arms, but with rights come responsibility. our president is not outlawing guns, he's trying to take steps to prevent the mass shootings and become so prevalent in our society today. driving cars, the purchase of cold medications, and even cheese is more regulated an assault weapons, whose only purpose is to kill people. if conservatives are so concerned with personal rights then why do they consistently fight against the rights of homosexuals and a woman's right to choose? this is a contentious issue that needs to be addressed in on a national level. Alaska's part of the United States and we don't get to choose which laws we follow or not. we owe it to the victims of gun violence to try to make our country safer place through meaningful discussion not imediate resistance.
One more time...
The 2nd Amendment "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
What is it about "WELL REGULATED" that people don't get?!?!
comment for latitudinous and catmouse
Latitude and friend, we just had an election. Fifty-nine of the 60 seats were open. We now have the best up-to-date read on what Alaskans think and what we hope to see from our elected leaders.
Latitude, you may want to revisit your old high school Civics textbook. When the Speaker introduces a landmark bill it will come to a vote. If no one wanted this bill to rise to the top they would have had it be a Minority bill.
Rep. Munoz is doing a great job. She has the hardest working office in the Capitol, and I have heard that from other legislators as well as from Cathy's constituents. And all of Southeast is grateful to Juneau for electing her. If we have to fight a capital or (more likely) a legislative session move bill it will be almost entirely because of Rep. Munoz that we can count on the rest of Southeast to help Juneau!
It was the foul-mouthed Shannyn Moore that tied Rep. Munoz to that ALEC group. I guess you can move to Moore's district. Oh, wait, Moore has no district. Moore's posterior could almost be a district in a small state like RI or DE but districts encompASS even more acreage in AK. Instead, Moore is a news commentator so she certainly knows the facts. Sorry about the sticking upper case key there. Doesn't Moore look like Bill Clinton's type?
I thank House Speaker Chenault for this legislation. It is needed and important. This is an historic moment because of it. I am proud of it. Alaskans are proud of Mike Chenault.
Look for Rep. Neuman's stand-your-ground bill (pre-filed earlier) to sail through thanks to Obama. Representatives Chenault, Lynn and Neuman are true Alaskans and great Americans. Many long-time Alaskans employed by the federal government agree with this legislation, and I hope they have the courage to speak up about it. And you can bet that if Senator Begich speaks up at all it will be to agree with these state legislators.
Latitude, are you an out-of-work electrician? You keep urging me to hire you.
So glacierdogs,
are you saying Munoz doesn't have ties to ALEC?
catnmouse
He's not trying to disarm america? So why is/was he trying to arm the cartels? Answer gun control in america. Sad he gives a speach here with the kids all around him, & the photo op huggs. Perhaps he should give a speach in mexico & they can stack all the dead kids he's had a hand in killing there around him there.
Wait a minute...
... The President would like local law enforcement to enforce his federal law? Right? Okay... Didn't he just take Arizona to federal court to tell them that not only could they NOT enforce federal law, they couldn't even ask the most appropriate questions regarding federal law?
Mr. President, you need to decide. Do you want local law enforcement enforcing federal law or do you not want that? Please decide.
islandhopper - woah!
You really, really need to dial down the amount of Glen Beck you listen to.
Seriously though...
You gun nuts are freaking bat[filtered word] crazy. I'm completely at a loss...
You're giving the lunatic fringe a bad name.
Rough Cut -
You're a troll, but really - I would like to know....
If someone followed you for blocks in a car as you were walking home, then got out of that car and got in your face - - - - would you really not respond to that?
It seems to me that the whole 'stand your ground' thing is only applicable if you don't go OUT OF YOUR WAY to provoke a fight in the first place.
Even I would probably swing at someone who folllowed me in a car, then got out and approached me with the intent of starting something. The idea that then the person who followed me, and picked a fight with me, then has the right to shoot me if I fight back makes no sense whatsoever.
Rough Cut -
duplication