Back in April, we covered the bill shortly after it was introduced. At the time, we could proudly pat nine House members from the Commonwealth on the back for their support of the bill. Since then, more came on to co-sponsor, including Reps. Mike Fitzpatrick, Lou Barletta, and Tom Marino.

Based on a rule vote yesterday, it appears that the majority of the Pennsylvania lawmakers plan to support the bill.

These lawmakers deserve our thanks for their support in the vote:

Rep. Mike Kelly (R-3)
Rep. Jason Altmire (D-4)
Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-5)
Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-6)
Rep. Pat Meehan (R-7)
Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-8)
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-9)
Rep. Tom Marino (R-10)
Rep. Lou Barletta (R-11)
Rep. Mark Critz (D-12)
Rep. Charlie Dent (D-15)
Rep. Joe Pitts (R-16)
Rep. Tim Holden (D-17)
Rep. Tim Murphy (R-18)
Rep. Todd Platts (R-19)

These are the lawmakers who voted against us on the rule:

Rep. Bob Brady (D-1)
Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-2)
Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-13)
Rep. Mike Doyle (D-14)

Three Pennsylvania lawmakers serve on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: Reps. Pat Meehan (PA-7), Todd Platts (PA-19), and Mike Kelly (PA-3). As the committee that has been leading the investigation into the the Obama Administration’s ATF program to knowingly sell guns to criminals who passed them directly into the hands of Mexican drug cartels, the results of their work could directly impact Pennsylvania gun stores and gun owners. Some media reports indicate that the Administration is now considering the elimination of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and we know that they have pursued more regulations on gun shops in response to Mexican drug violence.

Here, Rep. Meehan questions the ATF staff responsible for the operation to try and get to the bottom of the program that purposefully put guns in the hands of criminals.

Rep. Meehan talked to Cam Edwards of NRA News last night to discuss his call for Attorney General Eric Holder to testify.

Here’s a video of Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) speaking about his role, along with other members of Congress, in the landmark Heller & McDonald cases and the need for BATFE reform, a bill which he is co-sponsoring this year.

Congressmen Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) have introduced vital legislation that will enable millions of permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling outside their home states.

There are now only two states that have no clear legal way for individuals to carry concealed firearms for self-defense.  Thirty-nine states have shall-issue permit systems that make it possible for any law-abiding person to obtain a permit, while most of the others have discretionary permit systems.

H.R. 822 would make a major step forward for gun owners’ rights by significantly expanding where those permits are recognized.

Dozens of states have passed carry laws over the past 25 years because the right to self-defense does not end when one leaves home.  However, interstate recognition of those permits is not uniform and creates great confusion and potential problems for the traveler. While many states have broad reciprocity, others have very restrictive reciprocity laws. Still others deny recognition completely.

H.R. 822 would solve this problem by requiring that lawfully issued carry permits be recognized, while protecting the ability of the various states to determine the areas where carrying is prohibited. The bill would not create a federal licensing system; rather, it would require the states to recognize each others’ carry permits, just as they recognize drivers’ licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards. Rep. Stearns has introduced similar legislation since 1995.

In the few weeks since its introduction, H.R. 822 has added over 120 cosponsors. Click here to see if your Congressman is a cosponsor. However, more support is needed to make this bill a higher priority.

If your Congressman is not yet a cosponsor, respectfully urge him or her to support the fundamental right to self-defense by becoming a cosponsor of H.R. 822. If your Representative is already a cosponsor, please offer your thanks for his or her support.

These members of Pennsylvania’s delegation have signed on to support the bill as of 4/8/11:

Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.)
Rep. Mark Critz (D-Pa.)
Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.)
Rep. Tim Holden (D-Pa.)
Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.)
Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.)
Rep. Todd Platts (R-Pa.)
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.)
Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.)

Some of our local supporters have seen firsthand what these groups will do when they come through our neighborhoods.  In 2008, after a busload of supporters from groups like MoveOn were brought in from New York, every John McCain sign on their street was ripped apart and the frames bent out of shape so they could not easily be reused for pro-Second Amendment candidates.

One local anti-gun politician in California cited her desire for higher campaign donation limits after New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg made the maximum donation to her re-election campaign.  In an interview, she reported that he was funneling money into the campaign accounts to members of his anti-gun group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns.  Did you know that he has hundreds of allies here in Pennsylvania?  And they have their sights set on taking their fight to the top – one of his earliest anti-gun allies is running for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 15th district.

In the 8th district, anti-gun incumbent Patrick Murphy has accepted raised more than 40% of his direct campaign funds from people outside of Pennsylvania.  The total, edging up near 3/4 of a million dollars from outside of our borders, is 70% more than the next closest incumbent seeking re-election, according to a recent study of Pennsylvania Congressional race donations.

These are just a few of the examples of why we need NRA members to lend a hand to pro-gun candidates.  Just an hour or so at a phone bank will allow you to reach 40 potential voters to remind them to turn out for our rights on Election Day.  An hour delivering yard signs will help raise name recognition to candidates among hundreds or potentially thousands of voters who drive past those key locations every day.  Do you have a special skill that could benefit a candidate?  Maybe helping create a new website or building larger wooden signs could extend your impact on a race.

These are just a few of the ways that NRA members can help take back our elections and put the right people in office who will vote to protect the rights we cherish.  We don’t need the values of paid staffers from New York City or Washington making our decisions for us.  But, in order to overcome their influence, we all need to give a little something.

Rob Ciervo HAS been endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund, and his opponent decided to vote against gun owners & self-defense advocates on every single vote of his (hopefully) short legislative career. He is running to represent Newtown, Yardley, Lower Makefield & parts of Upper Makefield in State House District 31. Incumbent Rep. Santarsiero’s grade is now a D, and he has run to anti-gun groups seeking their support for his campaign. Gun owners in and around this area can support Rob Ciervo’s campaign by visiting his website.

Tommy Tomlinson running for re-election to Senate District 6 is now rated B+ and is NOT endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund. His recent vote to restrict the reciprocity agreements of concealed carry license holders was an unexpected vote against gun owners in Southeast Pennsylvania. If you’d like to contact Sen. Tomlinson and ask him why he voted against sportsmen in his district, his office number is (717) 787-5072 and his email address is rtomlinson@pasen.gov.

Here are all of the endorsed candidates on ballots in Bucks County & the rest of Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional district:

Federal
US Senate – Pat Toomey
Congress – Mike Fitzpatrick

State
Governor – Tom Corbett

State House

• Marguerite Quinn
• Frank Farry
• Rob Ciervo
• Paul Clymer
• Gene DiGirolamo

State Senate

• Chuck McIlhinney

“On November 2nd, I urge all Pennsylvania NRA Members and gun owners in the 4th District to vote Jason Altmire for Congress,” Cox concluded.

The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is endorsing Pat Meehan for election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District this November.

“Pat Meehan will be a staunch defender of the Second Amendment freedoms of law-abiding gun owners, hunters and sportsmen in Pennsylvania and across America,” said Chris W. Cox, chairman of NRA-PVF.

Meehan believes the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to own and use firearms. He supports national right-to-carry reciprocity and efforts to reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Meehan opposes reenacting the Clinton gun and magazine ban and believes sportsmen should have access to federally-owned or administered lands for hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational shooting.

Pat Meehan’s commitment to preserving the Second Amendment has earned him an “AQ” rating and the endorsement of the NRA-PVF.

“On November 2nd, I urge all Pennsylvania NRA Members and gun owners to vote Pat Meehan for Congress,” Cox concluded.

Meehan’s opponent has previously held an F rating and has made gun control a key issue in his legislative efforts this year.

The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is endorsing Charlie Dent for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District this November.

Chris W. Cox is NRA’s chief lobbyist. He also serves as chairman of NRA-PVF. The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund is responsible for political candidate rankings. These are based on candidate voting records, public statements and responses to NRA-PVF questionnaires.

This race is vitally important for gun owners since Congressman Dent’s opposition is working with New York’s Mayor Bloomberg to bring more gun control to Pennsylvania. His opponent is the last of the Bloomberg allies to seek higher office in Pennsylvania this year.

In the meantime, please take a few minutes to thank the members of the legislative branches of government who worked on our behalf to encourage the Supreme Court toward this position.

US Senate
Bob Casey

• Facebook

Arlen Specter

• Twitter – @SenArlenSpecter
• Facebook

US Congress
Jason Altmire

• Facebook

Christopher Carney

• Twitter – @ChrisCarneyPa10
• Facebook

Charlie Dent

• Twitter – @DentforCongress
• Facebook

Jim Gerlach

• Twitter – @JimGerlach
• Facebook

Tim Holden

• Twitter – @TimHoldenPA17
• Facebook

Paul Kanjorski

• Twitter – @kanjo4congress
• Facebook

Patrick Murphy

• Facebook

Tim Murphy

• Twitter – @RepTimMurphy
• Facebook

Joe Pitts

• Twitter – @JoePitts4PA
• Facebook

Todd Platts

• Facebook

Bill Shuster

• Twitter – @RepBillShuster
• Facebook

Glenn Thompson

• Twitter – @CongressmanGT
• Facebook

State Officials
Tom Corbett

• Twitter – @CorbettforGov
• Facebook

Joe Scarnati

Karen Boback

• Facebook

Michele Brooks

Bryan Cutler

• Twitter – @RepBryanCutler
• Facebook

Bill DeWeese

Glen Grell

• Facebook

Rob Kauffman

• Facebook

Mark Keller

• Facebook

John Maher

Daryl Metcalfe

• Twitter – @DarylMetcalfe

Merle Phillips

Kathy Rapp

RoseMarie Swanger

• Facebook

Will Tallman

• Facebook

Katie True

• A rated Congressman Bill Shuster may be facing a new opponent in November. No Democrat filed to run in time for the May 18 primary, so now one man is waging a write-in campaign to be included in the general election.
• $10 for Liberty candidate Congressman Charlie Dent is showing some early signs of success over his opponent who is working with NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg to shut down gun shows.  Gun owners can’t afford to fall asleep at the wheel, though.  This seat is being targeted by the White House to flip over to anti-gun.
• Charlie Cook has reclassified PA-12 as leaning Republican after recent polling data about voter enthusiasm was released.  With either candidate in the special election, gun owners win since both scored As on their NRA questionnaires.
• NRA has released select endorsements for the primary elections in May.
• Pennsylvania has lost more Congressional seats than any other state from its peak representation.  We have lost a seat for a record number of apportionment count cycles – 8, and that will grow to 9 after this year’s Census is completed.  This makes a big difference in our state elections because the legislature and governor will be charged with passing the redistricting legislation that could severely impact how gun owners fare at the federal level.

The only Pennsylvanian to compete in the challenge is NRA A rated Rep. Bill Shuster (PA-9). If you want to help him out – and keep up with his view of what’s happening in DC – then follow him @RepBillShuster.

The competition is a March Madness-style event with each week’s competition being narrowed down to the best performers. They launched on Monday with 56 competitors – most are House members, but a few House committee groups signed on as well. The first week’s round is to drive up Twitter followers. Future competitions will focus on Facebook and YouTube outreach.

Because social media is such a great way to interact with lawmakers and their staff, gun owners are encouraged to join in as followers. You can make sure they see your opinions and get feedback when they vote on issues that matter to you.

Charlie Cook, the non-partisan analyst, has billed Pennsylvania’s Congressional races some of the most competitive in the country. Two districts – PA-7 and PA-12 – are rated complete toss-ups. This means the ground game of candidates will make the difference. For the two major candidates in PA-12, they are on an accelerated schedule with a special election on May 18. In PA-7, it is an open seat that has been held by both the GOP and Democrats in recent years. We know the Democratic nominee, state Rep. Bryan Lentz, is rated F.

In the leaning Democratic category, we have four seats: PA-3, PA-8, PA-10, and PA-11. In the 3rd & 8th districts, both of those incumbent Democrats have a lousy record on gun rights – rated F and D+ in the last election, respectively. In the 10th, things look slightly better should Democrat Chris Carney hold on to his seat with his previous rating of B. NRA members should also expect that Paul Kanjorski will hold on to his endorsement in the 11th because of his strong A rating from past votes. However, should the winds shift in the district to toss-up, his opponent Lou Barletta is a re-match from 2008 who was also rated A.

For the GOP, they only have one seat that “leans” to their party, and it is PA-15. If the political winds prevail and gun owners lend a hand to their friend in office, Rep. Charlie Dent, then we would keep an A rated seat from flipping to the hands of an opponent who is working with Michael Bloomberg to bring New York City gun control to Pennsylvania.

In the likely category, Republicans again only have one seat in their favor. The good news for gun owners is that it is for PA-6, held by endorsed and A rated Rep. Jim Gerlach.

Again, for the Democrats in the likely category, they stand a good chance of holding onto two seats – PA-4 and PA-17. Once again, gun owners won’t necessarily lose with these trends because both Democratic incumbents are A rated. In PA-17, the likely GOP challenger is also A rated. Any change in the tide shouldn’t impact the district’s sportsmen in any serious way.

The solid category is the only one where the GOP bests the Democrats this year, with a count of 5-4. The safe Democratic seats – PA-1, PA-2, PA-13, and PA-14 – are all F rated incumbents. Unless a political earthquake happens, these seats will all remain in the hands of candidates who are bad news for the Second Amendment and hunting rights. The safe Republican seats, on the other hand, are a much better picture for sportsmen. Those seats are: PA-5, PA-9, PA-16, PA-18, and PA-19. All are held by candidates with an A rating, save PA-19 whose incumbent is still a well-rated A-.

In the races for US Senate and Governor, Cook has billed both races as solid toss-ups.

Week 4
Jim Gerlach
Congressman Jim Gerlach has been targeted by many groups to try and flip this A rated seat to less friendly opposition. The seat leans Democratic by voter registration, so it will draw many outside groups who want to defeat this Republican Congressman. In fact, out-of-state groups have been airing attack ads throughout the Philadelphia-area media markets consistently since last year.

On gun rights issues, Congressman Gerlach has been working on our behalf recently, including signing on to a brief in the McDonald case to support the incorporation of the Second Amendment. With major political initiatives from President Obama’s agenda likely to take the back burner after the elections, we need to make sure that gun rights don’t become a target in Congress. Representative Gerlach will make sure we’re protected in Washington, DC.
Contribute ** Volunteer

The first major mention came from GOP candidate Tim Burns on Twitter earlier this month when he mentioned his Sunday activities that included buying ammunition. Though in PA-12, gun owners know that the Second Amendment isn’t a partisan issue, as evidenced by not only Murtha’s great record on the issue, but also through the tweets of the Democratic candidate. Mark Critz followed up a few days later letting us know that he had plans to stop by a local Friends of the NRA dinner. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it in time, but he did write to us and let us know that he will not miss out on the next one!

But now the pro-gun talk has moved off of Twitter and onto the airwaves. With this first commercial in the race, Burns makes gun rights a top issue:

Click here to view the embedded video.

NRA-ILA has sent questionnaires to candidates around the state, and we look forward to seeing answers from each of the special election candidates and their primary day opponents. At least based on new media antics, it looks like gun owners in Southwest Pennsylvania might have a ballot full of good choices.

District 17
Dave Argall, Republican

• Twitter – @ArgallCongress
• Facebook

Frank Ryan, Republican

• Twitter – @FRYAN1951
• Facebook

Allen Griffith, Republican

• Facebook

Josh First, Republican

• Facebook

District 18
Tim Murphy, Republican

• Facebook
• YouTube

District 19
Mike Smeltzer, Republican

• Twitter – @Smeltzer4Rep
• Facebook

That wraps it up for our candidate social media home series! We hope you’ve added some of these folks to Facebook, Twitter, or any of the other social networking sites you frequent so you can keep tab on what the candidates looking for your vote have to say.

District 12
Tim Burns, Republican

• Twitter – @TimothyBurns
• Facebook

Bill Russell, Republican

• Twitter – @Russell2010
• Facebook
• YouTube

Mark Critz, Democrat

• Twitter – @critz4congress
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Ryan Bucchianeri, Democrat

• Twitter – @Bucchianeri
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Flickr
• MySpace

Ron Mackell, Democrat

• Twitter – @RonMackell4Rep
• Facebook

District 13
Dee Adcock, Republican

• Twitter – @Adcock4Congress
• Facebook
• Flickr

Josh Quinter, Republican

• Twitter – @Josh_Quinter
• Facebook
• YouTube

Brian Haughton, Republican

• Twitter – @brianhaughton
• Facebook
• Flickr

District 15
Charlie Dent, Republican

• Twitter – @DentforCongress
• Facebook
• YouTube

John Callahan, Democrat

• Facebook
• YouTube

District 16
Joe Pitts, Republican

• Twitter – @JoePitts4PA
• Facebook
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

Lois Herr, Democrat

• Twitter – @herr2010
• Facebook

We’ll feature more candidates in the future.

For one, I really love this idea from one blogger itching to make a difference right now:

Conservatives/Libertarians/Independents are, by this point, acutely aware of the need to remove Democrats from office. This takes money. Lots and lots of money. As someone who is woefully underemployed, I don’t have large stashes of cash to send to candidates, so I was thinking that the best option would be to contribute $10 every week to a candidate of my choice until the election.

Obviously, his focus is a partisan one. However, the idea of choosing one or more candidates for regular donations throughout the course of an election year is not a bad one. In fact, it’s a great one! It doesn’t matter if the donations are small, they make a difference!

So with that idea in mind, we’re going to profile a different pro-gun campaign around Pennsylvania that could use your financial support each week. Giving just $10 is about the price of two lunches a week. Surely our rights are worth brown-bagging it for two days?

If $10/week is still too steep, considering giving a couple of hours each week, or a full day each month. Your time is worth gold to any candidate, and they could use it just as much as any financial contributions.

Week 1
Charlie Dent
Rep. Dent is facing a serious challenge from a local mayor who has been working with NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg to bring his vision of gun control to Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, Dent’s opponent, as a White House recruit & friend of Bloomberg, is very well funded. This means that donations to Rep. Dent make a tangible difference in the race. These donations will pay for airtime, yard signs, and campaign literature that must cover every inch of the district if we want to send a pro-gun vote to Washington in 2010. This seat is at serious risk of flipping from A rated incumbent to an F rated freshman if we gun owners don’t step up and help our friend in Congress out during this tough time.
Contribute ** Volunteer

District 9
Bill Shuster, Republican

• Twitter – @RepBillShuster
• Facebook
• YouTube

District 10
David Madeira, Republican

• Twitter – @DavidJMadeira
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Flickr

Thomas Marino, Republican

• Twitter – @Marino4Congress
• Facebook

Malcolm Derk, Republican

• Twitter – @derkforcongress
• Facebook
• MySpace
• Flickr

Christopher Carney, Democrat

• Twitter – @ChrisCarneyPa10
• Facebook

District 11
Lou Barletta, Republican

• Twitter – @loubarletta
• Facebook
• YouTube

Chris Paige, Republican

• Twitter – @ChrisPaige10
• Facebook

Paul Kanjorski, Democrat

• Twitter – @kanjo4congress
• Facebook

Corey O’Brien, Democrat

• Twitter – @CoreyDOBrien
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Flickr

We’ll feature more candidates in the future.

UPDATE: Red Name = Removed from Ballot

Federal
3rd District – Kathy Dahlkemper
Erie area gun owners may wish to see this F rated incumbent kicked off the ballot this spring, but it seems highly unlikely. There will be busy GOP primary race, and the winner, with a quality campaign strategy, could knock off the Congresswoman who just barely won her seat in 2008 and has made highly controversial votes since taking office.

7th District – Teresa Touey, Gail Conner, Pat Meehan
In seeking this open seat, it is clear that Democratic candidate and F rated State Rep. Bryan Lentz would rather kick everyone out of the sandbox rather than play the game and let the voters decide. Spearheading a challenge to his fellow party members and the lone candidate across the aisle, Lentz clearly doesn’t want to take any risks in trying to win Rep. Joe Sestak’s seat in Congress.

13th District – Josh Quinter, Brian Haughton, Dee Adcock
In Pennsylvania, challenges to candidates may only be made from members of their own party. That’s why it was a shock to find every single Republican challenged by the same people in the 13th District. After the press called, challengers admitted they were recruited by Democratic incumbent Allyson Schwartz who doesn’t want to face a November race. Rumors have also swirled that Schwartz even contacted firefighter unions around the state and in Washington, DC to pressure former firefighter Brian Haughton off the ballot. As an F rated incumbent with dirty tricks as a campaign strategy, any change will be an improvement for both gun owners and even non-gun owners who simply consider themselves decent people.

17th District – Sheila Dow-Ford
Challenging A rated incumbent Rep. Tim Holden from the left, the signatures from Dow-Ford’s campaign are being challenged by a resident. Even if she remains on the ballot, it’s hard to see how this underdog candidate is competitive in the primary against the Congressman who has kept this seat against many odds. The real race to watch will be in the fall against the likely GOP candidate.

State
Senate District 14
This open seat held by retiring Senator Raphael Musto who maintained an A rating is going to be fierce in the Democratic primary which will likely determine the final winner of the seat. One candidate, Tom Leighton, is working with NYC Michael Bloomberg to bring NYC-style gun control to Pennsylvania. Another, is a solid defender of our rights and traditions – State Rep. John Yudichak. The third Democratic candidate, Michael Saporito is facing the petition challenge, and his presence or removal could make a huge impact in this race.

House District 172
Lining up challengers on both sides, B rated incumbent Rep. John Perzel, might have a rough year. However, a Democrat has challenged the candidacies of three of his opponents on the other side of the aisle – Daniel Collins, Tim Kearney, and Karen Rotondo. That leaves only one candidate, Kevin Boyle, as the only Democrat not challenged. In addition to the Democratic challenger, Republican John McDermott has had his petitions challenged.