COMPASS CHANGES DIRECTION
As you know, on September 22, NRA filed a motion in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana to block authorities from confiscating law-abiding citizens' firearms in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. On September 23, the Court sided with NRA and issued a restraining order to bar further gun confiscations from law-abiding victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
The controversy over gun confiscations erupted when The New York Times reported that the New Orleans Superintendent of Police Eddie Compass directed that no civilians in New Orleans will be allowed to have guns and that "only law enforcement are allowed to have weapons." ABC News quoted New Orleans' Deputy Police Chief Warren Riley, saying, "No one will be able to be armed. We are going to take all the weapons."
This week--fast on the heels of the restraining order--Compass abruptly resigned his post. At the same time, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin's office was quick to distance itself from the statements made by Compass and Riley.
The one big question that remains to be answered is who actually issued the controversial confiscation order in the first place.
Under Nagin's leadership, the city's murder rate increased and there were frequent reports of corruption within the police department. In addition, during the region's wide-spread, post-Katrina violence, looting, and civil unrest, roughly 250 police officers deserted their posts. Amidst the anarchy, a television crew filmed police officers apparently participating in the looting of a store.
MORE THAN 100 ATTEND INAUGURAL
"FIREARMS LAW & THE SECOND AMENDMENT" SYMPOSIUM
On Saturday, September 24, an unprecedented showcase of wisdom, knowledge, and insight on the Second Amendment occurred at George Mason University School of Law in Arlington, Va.--site of the first ever "2005 Firearms Law & The Second Amendment Symposium." Sponsored by GMU's Law Students for the Second Amendment and co-hosted by The NRA Foundation and the NRA's Civil Rights Defense Fund, this day-long event was a scholarly discussion of America's First Freedom, the Second Amendment, and its historical and present day applications.
The day's sessions covered everything from the devastating role civilian disarmament played in the genocidal campaign in Sudan (David Kopel) and the racist roots of gun control in the United States (Prof. Robert Cottrol and Don B. Kates), to the latest economic study of Right-to-Carry legislation (Prof. Carl Moody), and the appalling lack of self-defense rights in Great Britain (Prof. Joyce Lee Malcolm).
Early in the program, GMU Law's own Professor Nelson Lund set the tone, noting that the term "people" as used in the Second Amendment cannot refer to "states" any more than the term "arms" refers to "the upper limbs of the human body."
Although the hosts invited more than half a dozen panelists who take issue with the Founding Fathers' intent to provide an individual right to keep and bear arms, only historian Saul Cornell of Ohio State accepted, aptly noting at the outset of his remarks that he felt like a priest attending his first Bar Mitzvah! Arguing that a historian's job is sometimes to make things more complex, Prof. Cornell suggests that the Second Amendment is really "an individual right exercised collectively," like the right to vote or to serve on a jury. But one of his conclusions at the symposium was that, today, the Second Amendment is more relevant as part of America's "culture wars" than it is with respect to public policy.
Two of the more topical points of discussion at the event centered on NRA's recent victory in securing a temporary restraining order against New Orleans' illegal campaign of gun confiscation after Hurricane Katrina, and Weyerhaeuser's corporate policy of prohibiting its employees from legally storing firearms in their vehicles in the company's parking lot in direct violation of Oklahoma state law. These were not just theoretical discussions, as the panelists who covered these issues--Stephen Halbrook in the New Orleans case and Larry Johnson in the Weyerhaeuser case--are both actively involved with the respective litigation.
Larry Johnson, counsel in the Weyerhaeuser case, told a story that illustrates just how much gun laws in Washington, D.C. have changed since his youth. While waiting for his flight to leave National Airport in the 1950s, Mr. Johnson took in many of the capital's sights--the FBI building, the Smithsonian, and even the White House--all while toting his hunting rifle. He wasn't questioned until a White House security guard saw him outside the gate cradling his rifle. Not knowing what tone the conversation would take, Johnson was surprised when the guard merely told him to open the rifle's action! It's not hard to imagine what that conversation would be like today.
Prof. Bob Cottrol and other experts addressed the issue of firearms and civil rights; Prof. Cottrol argued that the Second Amendment served three purposes: 1) defense of one's self; 2) defense of the state; and 3) defense of one's self from the state. Prof. Cottrol also added a bit of levity, describing himself as a Humphrey Democrat who supports "issuing ‘gun stamps' so poor people can have access to quality firearms."
The inaugural "2005 Firearms Law & The Second Amendment Symposium" was a success, and as Eric Swartz, President of GMU Law Students for the Second Amendment noted, it is an event they hope to repeat every year. We will be sure to keep you updated on future plans to organize the 2006 symposium--and we would encourage law students to contact NRA-ILA for assistance in starting similar groups on their own campuses.
(Look for a more complete recap of this event in an upcoming issue of your NRA magazine--likely in January.)
CONTINUE TO URGE PASSAGE OF S. 397 IN U.S. HOUSE
As you know, the U.S. Senate passed S. 397--the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act"--by a strong bipartisan vote of 65-31! This action represents a great victory and a vitally important first step toward ending the anti-gun lobby's shameless attempts to bankrupt the firearm industry through reckless, predatory lawsuits. It also represents a crucial step forward for law-abiding firearm manufacturers, retailers, and owners in this country.
With Congress now back in session, it is critical that you once again contact your U.S. Representative's Capitol Hill office in Washington, D.C., and urge him/her to pass S. 397 as passed by the Senate!
You can find contact information for your elected officials by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org, or you can call your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121.
We can and will achieve our mutual goal of finally enacting this common sense law, but only with your continued assistance. Please help us finish the job once and for all by contacting your U.S. Representative in Washington and urging him/her to support the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" as passed by the Senate.
A LOOK AT THE STATES
(****For all of the action items below, you can find contact information for your legislators by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org. As always, thank you for your support.****)
CALIFORNIA
Assembly Bill 996, authored by Assemblymember Ridley-Thomas (D - Los Angeles), is now on the Governor's desk. AB 996 would require all retailers to display and sell ammunition in a manner that is only accessible by an employee, not the purchaser. Any violation of this measure would result in a misdemeanor. Please contact Governor Schwarzenegger's office and urge him to oppose this onerous legislation further restricting our rights! The Governor can be reached at
(916) 445-2841. The Governor has until October 9 to sign or veto this legislation, so your immediate action is needed!
FLORIDA
SB-206 & HB-129 have been introduced in Florida and are Supported by NRA and Unified Sportsmen of Florida. SB-206, by Senator Durell Peaden (R-2) (Identical HB-129), "prohibits specified persons, employers, and business entities from establishing, maintaining, or enforcing any policy or rule that prohibits a person from parking motor vehicle on property set aside for such purpose when secured firearm or firearms are being lawfully transported and stored in the motor vehicle; and provides for specified immunity from liability for businesses." SB-206 amends 790.25, 27.53. HB-129, "Lawful Ownership, Possession, and Use of Firearms and Other Weapons" was introduced by Representative Dennis Baxley and is cosponsored by Representatives Bob Allen (R-Merritt Island); Greg Evers (R-Milton); Gayle Harrell (R-Pt. St. Lucie); Paige Kreegel (R-Punta Gorda); Mitch Needelman (R-Palm Bay); Joe Negron (R-Stuart); Julio Robaina (R-Miami); Ray Sansom (R-Ft. Walton Beach); Dwight Stansel (D-Live Oak; Baxter Troutman (R-Winter Haven). It is IDENTICAL to SB-206. HB-125 was also introduced and is supported by NRA and Unified Sportsmen of Florida. An identical Senate companion bill SB-208 has been filed by Senator Carey Baker (R-Eustis). HB-125 by Representative Greg Evers (R-Milton), is cosponsored by Representatives Bob Allen (R-Merritt Island); Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala); Nancy Detert (R-Venice); Gayle Harrell (R-Pt. St. Lucie); Will Kendrick (D-Carrabelle); Mitch Needelman (R-Palm Bay); Julio Robaina (R-Miami); Ray Sansom (R-Ft. Walton Beach); and Baxter Troutman (R-Winter Haven). HB-125 requires subagents appointed by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the sale of hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and permits to provide individuals seeking such licenses and permits the opportunity to register to vote or to update a voter registration; requires supervisors of elections to provide such subagents with the necessary voter registration applications; and provides penalties. We will keep you informed as these bills progress in the Florida legislature.
NEW YORK
The Sportsmen's Association for Firearms Education Inc. (S.A.F.E.) will be hosting its "2005 Right-to-Carry Conference & Second Amendment Rally" on Sunday October 16, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (doors open at 12:00 noon). The event will be held at the Sheraton, Long Island, 110 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, Smithtown, NY, (631) 231-1100, (on Motor Parkway on North side of LIE between exits 53 & 55). In attendance at the event will be: Wayne R. LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President; John C. Sigler, NRA First Vice President; Randy A. Daniels, New York Secretary of State; Jim Fotis, Executive Director, Law Enforcement Alliance of America; and John L. Cushman, S.A.F.E. President and Founder, and NRA Director. At the conference, you will get the latest information on the Right-to-Carry on Long Island, meet and network with fellow sportsmen, raise issues of concern with local and national leaders of Second Amendment organizations and local legislators, and win valuable prizes in drawings limited to attendees only. Admission and parking is free and the event is open to your family and friends.
TEXAS
Attorney General Greg Abbott (R) has negotiated, and Governor Rick Perry (R) has signed, a Concealed Handgun License reciprocal agreement with the State of Alaska. For more information, please visit http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/alaskareciprocity.pdf.
VIRGINIA
The "Virginia Shooting Sports Association" (VSSA), NRA's Virginia state affiliate, cordially invites you to attend its Annual Meeting and "NRA Shooting Sports Clinic" tomorrow, Saturday, October 1, 2005. The Annual Meeting and Shooting Sports Clinic will take place at Holiday Lake 4-H Education Center, located on Rt. 723, Appomattox, Virginia. Spend the day shooting air rifles, shotguns, and high power rifles. Then stay for dinner and hear about VSSA's accomplishments during the past year. The NRA Shooting Sports Clinic is open to VSSA members and non-VSSA members alike, and is a great opportunity to introduce your children or adult friends to the shooting sports. Lodging is available at the center. For additional information on lodging, and meals, please call the VSSA Office at (540) 672-5848 or visit the VSSA web site at www.myvssa.org/am.htm.
WISCONSIN
A bill was recently introduced in the Wisconsin legislature that will eliminate barriers to recruiting new hunters. AB 677 is landmark legislation similar to what NRA is pursuing in other states. Among other things it will lower the state's minimum hunting age. Currently, no one in Wisconsin can hunt until they are 12 years old. In fact the law prevents them from even receiving firearms instruction at a range until they reach that age. AB 677 eliminates both of these barriers thus allowing parents to determine when their kids are ready to learn marksmanship and begin to hunt. Studies have shown that states that make youth wait until they are 12 to begin hunting are recruiting new hunters at a much slower rate than states that allow parents to make that decision. The other component to AB 677 is that it will allow a new hunter of any age to hunt under the supervision of an experienced hunter prior to taking hunter safety. This mentoring provision will allow experienced hunters to take friends and family into the field to introduce them to the sport when the opportunity arises. Currently, a potential new hunter has to complete hunter safety prior to their first hunt, something that is often not logistically possible. This barrier makes it very difficult to introduce new adult hunters into our heritage. The provisions of AB 677 are critical if we want to continue the proud hunting traditions of Wisconsin. Wisconsin members are strongly encouraged to call their legislature at (800) 362-9472 to voice their strong support for AB 677.
