Official Bill Info

• Latest Action: Feb 09, 2009 Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

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• Committee Assignment: House Judiciary

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary committee.
• Committee Assignment: House Judiciary - Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary - Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security committee.

Bill Statistics on OpenCongress

Contribution Data

OpenCongress Bill Summary

• In correlation with the restrictions outlined by the 1993 Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, this bill protects and provides context for the possession and use of fire arms, namely in defense of the self or family (or, when relevant, the home) against a reasonably perceived threat of unlawful bodily injury or violent felony. It also holds relevance in light of the H.R.45, the Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009, which seeks to amend the afore mentioned Act of 1993.

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  Here's a summary from OpenCongress.org: In correlation with the restrictions outlined by the 1993 Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, this bill protects and provides context for the possession and use of fire arms, namely in defense of the self or family (or, when relevant, the home) against a reasonably perceived threat of unlawful bodily injury or violent felony. It also holds relevance in light of the H.R.45, the Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009, which seeks to amend the afore mentioned Act of 1993.

Supporting Organizations

• NorthWest Citizens Defense League

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  I know that the organization NorthWest Citizens Defense League supports H.R.17
• McHenry County Sportsmen's Association

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  I know that the organization McHenry County Sportsmen's Association supports H.R.17
• John Birch Society

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  I know that the organization John Birch Society supports H.R.17
• National Association for Gun Rights

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  I know that the organization National Association for Gun Rights supports H.R.17

Most-commented sections of the bill text

• To protect the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms in defense of self, family, or home, and to provide for the enforcement of such right. (18 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "To protect the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms in defense of self, family, or home, and to provide for the enforcement of such right.",
• HR 17 IH (11 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "HR 17 IH",
• (4) The courts have granted immunity from prosecution to police officers who use firearms in the line of duty. Similarly, law-abiding citizens who use firearms to protect themselves, their families, and their homes against violent felons should not be subject to lawsuits by the violent felons who sought to victimize them. (10 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(4) The courts have granted immunity from prosecution to police officers who use firearms in the line of duty. Similarly, law-abiding citizens who use firearms to protect themselves, their families, and their homes against violent felons should not be subject to lawsuits by the violent felons who sought to victimize them.",
• (1) in defense of self or family against a reasonably perceived threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury; (6 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(1) in defense of self or family against a reasonably perceived threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury;",
• (C) The United States Department of Justice found that, in 1989, there were 168,881 crimes of violence for which police had not responded within 1 hour. (5 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(C) The United States Department of Justice found that, in 1989, there were 168,881 crimes of violence for which police had not responded within 1 hour.",

Highest Rated User Comments

• On March 29, 2009, by kbfreedom - Although I completely agree with this bill as well as support it, I am not accepting of the fact that we need to clarify our second amendment RIGHT. This is preposterous to have to ask for our GOVERNMENT to allow us to live by the rights that they are supposedly "sworn" to. If this doesn't go through what will anyone here do about it? Will you petition? Will you impeach those who denied this bill? Or will you all sit back and let another part of your lives be controlled by the government? This is our time to change this weak country, it needs to be a country of educated, involved citizens, not a country of irresponsible naives who sit around and play video games while other countries are getting smarter and stronger and more disciplined.

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  As noted by kbfreedom, a user on OpenCongress.org, on March 29, 2009, "Although I completely agree with this bill as well as support it, I am not accepting of the fact that we need to clarify our second amendment RIGHT. This is preposterous to have to ask for our GOVERNMENT to allow us to live by the rights that they are supposedly "sworn" to. If this doesn't go through what will anyone here do about it? Will you petition? Will you impeach those who denied this bill? Or will you all sit back and let another part of your lives be controlled by the government? This is our time to change this weak country, it needs to be a country of educated, involved citizens, not a country of irresponsible naives who sit around and play video games while other countries are getting smarter and stronger and more disciplined."
• On January 24, 2009, by Patriots - Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can. Samuel Adams

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  As noted by Patriots, a user on OpenCongress.org, on January 24, 2009, "Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can. Samuel Adams"
• On February 24, 2009, by Shootest45 - Democracy is two wolves and a lamb discussing what to have for dinner. A Republic is a well armed Lamb ! !

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  As noted by Shootest45, a user on OpenCongress.org, on February 24, 2009, "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb discussing what to have for dinner. A Republic is a well armed Lamb ! !"

Highly Rated Blog Articles

• House Roll Call #17 Details - OpenCongress - January 23, 2011 by opencongress.org - Back to Main Bill Page. January 24, 2011 Roll call number 17 in the House. Question On Ordering the Previous Question: H RES 43 Providing for consideration of the resolution (H.Res. 38) to reduce spending through a transition to ... -

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  As noted by opencongress.org on January 23, 2011, "Back to Main Bill Page. January 24, 2011 Roll call number 17 in the House. Question On Ordering the Previous Question: H RES 43 Providing for consideration of the resolution (H.Res. 38) to reduce spending through a transition to ... - " (http://www.opencongress.org/vote/2011/h/17)
• Army's top general visits Ft. Leonard Wood : News ... - January 03, 2011 by Connect Mid-Missouri - Local News - Army's top general visits Ft. Leonard Wood. by Daniel Winn. Posted: 1 hr, 17 mins ago. save. send. print · Daniel Winn. Daniel is a KRCG news reporter and anchor. read more » · Become a Fan · Follow Us · Contact Daniel &mid

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  As noted by Connect Mid-Missouri - Local News on January 03, 2011, "Army's top general visits Ft. Leonard Wood. by Daniel Winn. Posted: 1 hr, 17 mins ago. save. send. print · Daniel Winn. Daniel is a KRCG news reporter and anchor. read more » · Become a Fan · Follow Us · Contact Daniel &mid" (http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=562996)
• President Obama to sign new food safety law : News : UpNorthLive.com - January 03, 2011 by Up North Live - Local News - President Obama to sign new food safety law. Posted: 1 hr, 17 mins ago. save. send. print. Get News Alerts. Sign up to receive news alerts and deals: News Best Deals. Stay updated: Become a Fan · Follow Us · Subscribe · RSS. 0. comment

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  As noted by Up North Live - Local News on January 03, 2011, "President Obama to sign new food safety law. Posted: 1 hr, 17 mins ago. save. send. print. Get News Alerts. Sign up to receive news alerts and deals: News Best Deals. Stay updated: Become a Fan · Follow Us · Subscribe · RSS. 0. comment" (http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=562591)

Highly Rated News Articles

• Follow the Horror Trail - October 31, 2009 by Inquirer.net - Rating: HR 17. Japanese tunnels at the Baguio Botanical Park (Centennial Park). Another relic from World War II. Rating: S 18. ...

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  As noted by Inquirer.net on October 31, 2009, " Rating: HR 17. Japanese tunnels at the Baguio Botanical Park (Centennial Park). Another relic from World War II. Rating: S 18. ... " (http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/sim/sim/view/20091031-233296/Follow-the-Horror-Trail)
• Putin opens door to return as Russia president - September 10, 2009 by Yahoo! News - NOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia (Reuters) – Russia's Vladimir Putin on Friday gave his strongest indication yet that ...

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  As noted by Yahoo! News on September 10, 2009, "NOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia (Reuters) – Russia's Vladimir Putin on Friday gave his strongest indication yet that ..." (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090911/ts_nm/us_russia_putin_election)
• Netanyahu in Europe: Hopes for Renewed Peace Talks - August 25, 2009 by Kevin Sites in the Hot Zone - It certainly doesn't qualify as a breakthrough, but after months of deadlock and mutual recrimination, ...

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  As noted by Kevin Sites in the Hot Zone on August 25, 2009, "It certainly doesn't qualify as a breakthrough, but after months of deadlock and mutual recrimination, ..." (http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/08599191885800)