Author Archive | Scott Landreth

Ohio Representatives Wes Retherford and Ron Hood introduced HB99 on March 12, 2013, in an effort to protect Ohioans from unconstitutional infringements on the 2nd Amendment.  This important bill is finally being given its first hearing Tuesday, April 30, at 4 p.m. ET in room 121 of the State House in Columbus.

Rep. Retherford has asked for a show of support for the bill to help push it through.

Please act now to support your constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms!

1)  Rep. Wes Retherford would like to have a room full of supporters tomorrow.  The opposition will undoubtedly be there and it’s important that they NOT outnumber those of us who appreciate our God-given right to keep and bear arms.  The hearing is at 4 p.m. in room 121 of the Ohio State House located at 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215.  Be there to support HB99 if you can!

2)  If you cannot be there tomorrow, contact the members of the State and Local Government Committee in support of HB99.  http://www.ohiohouse.gov/committee/state-and-local-government

3)  Tell your friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. to do likewise!  There is strength in numbers!

4.) Click the following link to join our 2nd Amendment Preservation Ohio group on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2ndAmendmentOhio/

5.) Visit, Like and Share the Ohio Tenth Amendment Center on Facebook to keep track of Tenth Amendment efforts in Ohio:

https://www.facebook.com/OhioTenthAmendmentCenter

 MORE INFORMATION

HB99 prohibits state law agents from seizing firearms except under carefully prescribed circumstances

Except as provided in division (B) of this section, no agency, or employee or agent of an agency, shall seize or authorize the seizure of any firearm from any person who is lawfully in possession or control of a firearm.

The bill also prohibits any state agency from creating a firearms registry. The bill provides criminal penalties for violators of the act.

Ohio Representatives Ron Young and Andy Thompson introduced HB91 (The Health Care Freedom Act) earlier this month in an effort to honor the will of Ohio voters, who in 2011 voted overwhelmingly in favor of a Health Care Freedom Amendment to the Ohio Constitution.  Imagine their surprise when HB91 was attacked – by a fellow Republican, no less – on the grounds that it…wait for it…violates the Health Care Freedom Amendment of the Ohio Constitution!?!

Of course anyone who is familiar with Ohio’s recently adopted Health Care Freedom Amendment knows that HB91 does no such thing.

Ohio Representative Matt Lynch, who has 30+ years of practicing law under his belt and is one of the 19 cosponsors of HB91,  is among those who are familiar with both the Health Care Freedom Amendment and the Health Care Freedom Act.  Rep. Lynch recently wrote a letter to Committee Chairman Wachtmann in which he accurately pointed out that HB91 does NOT  impose a penalty or fine for the sale or purchase of health care or health insurance nor does it prohibit the purchase or sale of health care or health insurance:

It is abundantly clear that HB91 does not impose any type of civil or criminal penalty.  It also does not assess and “fine”, “tax” or “fee”.  Further there is no “right” to sell insurance in Ohio.  On the contrary courts have long recognized that states may regulate the operation of insurance companies.  Accordingly no rights are “punished” or “discouraged” under the Bill.

HB91 also does not “prohibit” the sale of insurance.  Rather HB91 merely adds a requirement that those selling healthcare insurance in Ohio refrain from accepting any “remuneration, credit or subsidy” as defined in the Bill.  Such a requirement is not unlike the many regulations already found in Chapter 39 of the Ohio Revised Code that must be met by an insurance company doing business in Ohio.

Representative Lynch concludes his letter with his professional opinion that “HB91 does not violate the Ohio Constitution by establishing a sanction in the form of a suspension or forfeiture of a  license to sell health insurance in Ohio.”  Continue Reading →

The 2nd Amendment was front and center in Jefferson City on Monday as not one, but TWO bills aimed at protecting and preserving the 2nd Amendment were approved by Committee in the Missouri House.  Both bills can now be placed on the “Perfection Calendar” for debate by the full House.

Representative Chrissy Sommer introduced HB 162 on January 15, 2013 with the support of 5 co-sponsors.  This bill establishes the Missouri Firearms Freedom Act.  Amendments II, IX and X of the US Constitution as well as Article I, Section 23 of the Missouri Constitution are declared as the authority for the bill which states that a “personal firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in Missouri and that remains within the borders of Missouri is not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.”

Representative Casey Guernsey introduced HB 170 on January 15, 2013 with the support of 60 co-sponsors.  This bill specifies that “a federal official must not enforce a federal firearm law when the firearm is manufactured and remains in the state and that any new federal law banning or restricting ownership of a semi-automatic firearm is unenforceable”.

The bill also affirms the state’s authority to regulate firearms made and owned exclusively within Missouri, and makes it a felony for any federal agent to attempt to enforce a federal regulation on such weapons.   Continue Reading →

The Buckeye State has joined the ever growing list of states that are willing to stand up to unconstitutional federal infringements on the 2nd Amendment.  Ohio Senator Kris Jordan has introduced a bill that would prohibit firearms seizures, registration and bans in Ohio.

SB 36 was introduced on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 with Senator Tim Schaffer listed as a Cosponsor.  In addition to prohibiting the seizure of any firearm from any person who is lawfully in possession or control of a firearm, the bill also  prohibits forced gun registration and includes first degree felony charges to any law enforcement officer (state or federal) or international agent who attempts to enforce a firearm registration or firearm ban.

“These law abiding Ohioans are not the ones to be scared of, rather it is the politicians who say it is their goal to disarm “Mr. and Mrs. America” that we should fear”, said Senator Jordan in reference to remarks made by US Senator Diane Feinstein in a 1995 interview on 60 Minutes.

SB 36 is expected to receive strong support in the Republican controlled Ohio General Assembly and eventually make its way to the desk of Republican Governor John Kasich.  A signature would certainly be expected at this point given Governor Kasich’s recent comments regarding the 2nd Amendment: Continue Reading →

Indiana Senator Dennis Kruse has introduced a bill that would nullify “Agenda 21″ in the Hoosier State.  The bill as introduced, SB 134, provides that “an Indiana governmental entity may not adopt or implement: (1) any policy recommendations relating to the United Nations’ 1992 “Agenda 21″ conference on the environment and development that deliberately or inadvertently infringe on or restrict private property rights without due process; or (2) any other international law or ancillary plan of action that contravenes the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the State of Indiana.”

SB 134 does not currently have any co-sponsors, however a similar bill, HB 1021, was introduced in the Indiana House by Representative Tim Neese back in December of 2012. 

Both bills are currently in committee awaiting further consideration.

The US federal government officially endorsed Agenda 21 in 1992 when President George H. W. Bush signed on to a treaty with 177 other countries that he personally described as ’mammoth’ at a U.N. meeting called the ’Earth Summit’ in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.   Continue Reading →