If  New Hampshire’s Renny Cushing had his way (D-Hampton) had his way, the State’s motto would be “Do as we say or shut up.”
The radical who announced a bill to end the death penalty now wants to put garbage in a pro-gun bill.

 

A proposed commission to study gun violence has been called both “a stroke of genius” and “underhanded and unethical” by state representatives on either side of the issue.

Meanwhile, state Rep. Renny Cushing, D-Hampton, who sponsored the amendment creating the commission, effectively replacing a pro-gun bill, called his move a “common-sense approach” to begin a discussion on guns and gun safety.

The issue places gun control back on the House docket one week after a divisive debate on a background check bill that was killed on the House floor.

It was a surprise move before the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee when Cushing, the co-chairman, introduced the amendment on Thursday. The Cushing amendment passed 12-6, largely along party lines.

The sponsor of the pro-gun bill, Rep. J.R. Hoell, R-Dunbarton, had introduced a floor amendment last week on the background check bill to create a study committee. That amendment, like the one introduced by Cushing on Hoell’s bill this week, replaced the background check bill in total.

“I saw that Representative Hoell wanted a committee to study this issue, and when that went down I started thinking about the bills that were coming before us,” Cushing said of the committee. “His bill seemed like the most logical bill to attach (the amendment) to.”

Cushing said “it’s time we have a conversation about this, and I thought it was important to set up a commission that has that as its purpose.”

Hoell, however, wasn’t having any of it.

His bill, aimed at allowing Vermont residents to carry concealed weapons in New Hampshire without a permit, was “hijacked” by Cushing, he said.

“They can do what they did,” he said of the committee’s vote, “but it does not follow established procedure.”

He said the amendment was introduced after a public hearing on his bill, which therefore provided no public input.

Hoell also takes great exception to the makeup of the commission. Three members would be chosen by House Speaker Terie Norelli, one by Senate President Chuck Morse. Gov. Maggie Hassan would appoint a gun control advocate and a retail firearms business owner.

One representative each from the Gun Owners of New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police and the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence would also serve on the commission.

Hoell views only the representatives from the Republican-controlled Senate and the Gun Owners of New Hampshire to be pro-gun advocates. “At a minimum,” when the bill comes to the House floor, “we are going to seek to modify it to be a balanced committee.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Elaine Andrews-Ahearn, D-Hampton Falls, said Friday she was “absolutely thrilled” with the amendment. Andrews-Ahearn filed the original background check bill that was killed last week. Andrews-Ahearn is a co-sponsor of Cushing’s amendment.

“What an absolute stroke of genius,” she said. “I am ecstatic, over the moon, you name it. I am so encouraged.”

As the amendment heads to the House floor — expected either next week or the week after — Hoell said he’s getting ready.

“It’s a game of chess. That’s the best analogy. There will be a floor fight on this,” he promised.

Andrews-Ahearn said Cushing will be ready.

“He’s the master of the floor fight. He understands the parliamentary process,” she said. “I think people are going to be super-attentive that they vote properly on this bill.”
Source: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20140228-NEWS-402280377

Yes, Democrats are masters at dirty tricks and deeds, aka “the parliamentary process,” got to give credit where credit is due.