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Grassroots Alert: Vol. 8, No. 19 5/11/2001

PRESIDENT BUSH TO UNVEIL PLAN TO FIGHT GUN CRIME

Various news stories report that on Monday,President Bush will be inPhiladelphia to unveil a new "national initiative" on Federal anti-crime efforts. Details of the President's proposal have not yet been made public, but the new initiative is expected to feature an expansion of the NRA-supported"Project Exile" prosecution model that provides for the vigorous enforcement of existing laws against violent criminals. Today's issue of theWall Street Journal also reports the Bush proposal will include the hiring of 113 newassistant U.S. Attorneys to prosecute armed criminals. Once this proposal is unveiled, we will report relevant details in future FAX Alerts.

SENATOR MCCAIN ON THE BIG SCREEN

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) could be coming to a movie theater near you this summer. McCain is slated to appear in public service announcements (PSAs) in theaters in 44 states, where he will tout his support for the use of trigger locks on personally-owned guns. NRA supports thevoluntaryuse of locking devices depending on gun owners' personal circumstances.

These PSAs, to air in 210 cities, are being bankrolled to the tune of $250,000 by "Americans for Gun Safety" -- one of the newer groups in the gun control movement -- which, despite its stated support for the rights of gun owners, has cited licensing and registration as its long-term goal. In an interview with CBS's Bryant Gumbel on May 9, McCain responded to Gumbel's question concerning his current views on registration and waiting periods by noting he does not currently support such schemes, but would be "open to any suggestions or ideas," and that, "It'd have to be proven to me that those are effective." McCain, you'll recall, recorded TV commercials in support of anti-gun ballot initiatives in Colorado and Oregon last year, and is a co-sponsor [along with Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.)] of a "compromise" gun show bill that we reported on in last week's FAX Alert. The McCain/Lieberman bill is expected to be introduced soon in the U.S. Senate

MEDIA BIAS DEMONSTRATED AGAIN

The May 8 issue of theWashington Post ran anAssociated Press story of a May 7 incident in an Alaska school, where a man stabbed four children in an elementary school. The children reportedly were stabbed in the neck and were all in serious condition. What's telling, though, ishow thePost chose to cover this criminal atrocity. The piece, which was five paragraphs long, appeared buried on page A6. Other media outlets ignored the story entirely. ThePost, which regularly editorializes in favor of a national ban on handguns, would no doubt have covered a shooting incident much more prominently. As always, NRA members must remain vigilant of media bias in local media outlets and stand ready to respond.

YOUR GRASSROOTS DIVISION IN ACTION IN KC

During NRA's Annual Meetings in Kansas City, Mo., next week, the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division will be hosting two events on Friday, May 18. The first event is the "NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop," which will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. The Workshop will discuss how NRA members and gun owners can take on a more active role in defense of the Second Amendment and encourage others to do the same. Later that afternoon, Grassroots staff will be meeting with approximately two dozenElection Volunteer Coordinators (EVCs) to discuss the EVC program and discuss how EVCs can more effective in organizing volunteers to advance ILA's legislative and political goals.If you are planning to attend the Annual Meetings, and want more information on the morning Workshop, or want to attend, please call ILA Grassroots at (800) 392-8683 to reserve your seat. (The EVC meeting is open only to EVCs.)

We will be reporting on the Annual Meetings' events and the accompanying Grassroots meetings in a subsequent issue of the FAX Alert.

A LOOK AT THE STATES

ALABAMA

HB 430

, NRA-backed legislation that safeguards Alabama's long-established shooting ranges for future generations, has been approved by the Legislature and now awaits consideration by Governor Siegelman (D). Please call Governor Siegelman at (334) 242-7100 and urge him to sign HB 430. The Legislature also approved SB 122 -- Right To Carry reciprocity -- to allow law-abiding permit holders from other states to legally carry their firearms in Alabama.

ALASKA

On April 28, the Alaska Legislature approved a joint resolution supporting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Joint Resolution 17 urges President George Bush to reverse the anti-gun ownership policies of the Clinton Administration. Please call your lawmakers or send them a note thanking them for standing up for our rights. Contact your lawmaker by using our "Write Your Reps" feature.

DELAWARE

Thanks in large part to a strong showing by gun owners and sportsmen at the State Capitol on Tuesday, May 8, SB 100, the gun registration/gun show restriction bill came up for a vote in the Senate and was tabled. Thank you to all gun owners who participated in this event!

HAWAII

In the final hours of the 2001 session of the Hawaii Legislature, Sen. Brian Kanno (D-20) slipped in wording to HB 1211 that forces your doctor or clinic to disclose any of your mental health information to the police after you've signed the waiver required for a firearms permit. HB 1211 also seeks to allow your county police to reject your permit application and seize your firearms for trivial mental health reasons, such as chronic pain or even grief over a death in the family. Please contact Governor Ben Cayetano (D) at (808) 586-0034 and urge him to veto HB 1211.

KANSAS

House Bill 2599, NRA-supported Range Protection legislation, is awaiting consideration by Governor Bill Graves (R).

MAINE

LD 259, a bill amending the current concealed carry permit system to grant reciprocity to carry permit holders from other states is awaiting Governor Angus King's (I) expected signature.

MINNESOTA

The State Senate will soon take a FINAL vote on SF 1481. If passed, SF 1481will allow trained, law-abiding citizens to obtain a permit to carry a handgun concealed for self-defense outside the home. Please call your State Senators at (651) 296-0504 and urge them to support amending Right To Carry language to SF 1481.

TENNESSEE

On Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13, a pro-gun rally in support of our Second Amendment freedoms will be held at the State Capitol in Nashville. The "Freedom Rally" will begin at 1:00 p.m., on the steps of the State Capitol. Please make plans to attend and show your support.

TEXAS

On Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13, the Second Amendment Sisters will hold an "Armed Informed Mothers" rally on the steps of the Capitol Building in Austin from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mothers, please show your support for our fundamental right to protect ourselves and our families by attending and bringing your family you to this important event. For more information, contact Melanie Cook at (877) 684-7553 or visit www.2aSisters.net/tx.

Please have a safe and happy Mother's Day!!!

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.