What's in the works?

Things have been quiet the last few weeks. Too quiet. So I set out to see what kind of surprises our politicians have in the works for us.

Senator/Congressman really should not be a full time job. It makes them feel like they're not doing their "job" if they aren't strapping Americans with one sort of legislation or another. Trust us, guys and gals, we'd rather you do nothing.

Okay, so what did I dig up this morning?

HR 2555 - The Homeowners Defense Act is rearing it's ugly head. This one will end up being a government takeover of the Homeowners Insurance Industry. Fun, fun, those of us who live inland will get to pay to insure others' beach-front property.

HR 45 - Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act. The stated purpose of this one is to "To provide for the implementation of a system of licensing for purchasers of certain firearms and for a record of sale system for those firearms, and for other purposes." Read further and "certain firearms" means all handguns and any semiautomatic firearm that can accept any detachable ammunition feeding device.

In order to purchase or possess a firearm, you would need to submit an application to the Attorney General's Office. The Application requires the following information for you to be issued a license.

1. a current, passport-sized photograph of the applicant that provides a clear, accurate likeness of the applicant
2. the name, address, and date and place of birth of the applicant
3. any other name that the applicant has ever used or by which the applicant has ever been known
4. a clear thumb print of the applicant, which shall be made when, and in the presence of the entity to whom, the application is submitted
5. with respect to each category of person prohibited by Federal law, or by the law of the State of residence of the applicant, from obtaining a firearm, a statement that the individual is not a person prohibited from obtaining a firearm
6. a certification by the applicant that the applicant will keep any firearm owned by the applicant safely stored and out of the possession of persons who have not attained 18 years of age
7. a certificate attesting to the completion at the time of application of a written firearms examination, which shall test the knowledge and ability of the applicant regarding:
   

(A) the safe storage of firearms, particularly in the vicinity of persons who have not attained 18 (B) the safe handling of firearms;
(C) the use of firearms in the home and the risks associated with such use;
(D) the legal responsibilities of firearms owners, including Federal, State, and local laws relating to requirements for the possession and storage of firearms, and relating to reporting requirements with respect to firearms; and
(E) any other subjects, as the Attorney General determines to be appropriate

8. an authorization by the applicant to release to the Attorney General or an authorized representative of the Attorney General any mental health records pertaining to the applicant

9. the date on which the application was submitted; and

10. the signature of the applicant

HR 2159: Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009. This one would give almost limitless power to the Attorney General to decide who can buy or transfer a firearm.

There's more, but that's probably enough to chew on for a Sunday morning and I have to get ready for church.

God Bless.