States with updates this issue: Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
ANTI-GUN MAYORS PLOT DEMISE OF GUN RIGHTS
Fresh off his appearance at a recent hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he railed against prohibiting the release of sensitive gun trace data for his efforts to sue the firearm industry out of existence, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) is not relenting in his anti-gun crusade. As reported by The New York Times (April 19, 2006) and elsewhere, a dozen mayors are planning to convene at the Mayor’s residence next week to discuss "reducing gun violence." Among the attendees will be Anthony Williams, Mayor of "Gun Ban City," a.ka., Washington, D.C. However, based upon the Bloomberg’s recent screeds against NRA, and in favor of gun control, coupled with the roster of anti-gun mayors planning to join Hizzoner, the outcome of this meeting is easily predictable-a united call for more restrictions on the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Like most anti-gun politicians, Bloomberg blames violence in his city on guns from other jurisdictions, and thus, is campaigning to enact additional federal gun control laws. Rather than acknowledging the reams of evidence that no gun control law anywhere has ever reduced crime and that enforcing existing law against criminals does, Bloomberg prefers to score cheap political points by scapegoating law-abiding gun owners for the acts of criminals.
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP
While Bloomberg is working to erode our rights, NRA is concentrating on strengthening them. There are a number of pro-gun bills pending in Congress that require your action. Please review these legislative initiatives and be sure to contact your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121, and your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121, and urge him or her to cosponsor and support these measures. Additional contact information can be found using the "Write Your Reps" feature at
•S. 1082/H.R. 1288
-Legislation to repeal the draconian D.C. gun ban and restore the right of lawful District residents to own firearms to defend themselves and their families.
• H.R. 4547
-Federal legislation requiring recognition of out-of-state Right-to-Carry permits.
• H.R. 5013/S. 2599
-Legislation to prohibit the confiscation of lawfully owned firearms during states of emergency. Would guarantee legal recourse for victims of illegal gun seizures.
• H.R. 5092
-This bill would improve BATFE’s process for punishing FFLs and establish guidelines for BATFE investigations. This bill was drafted in large part to address recent BATFE abuses at Richmond, Va.-area gun shows highlighted in hearings before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommitee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.
• H.R. 5005
-This measure will codify congressional policies, roll back restrictions, and correct errors in federal firearm laws.
Again, please contact your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and urge them to cosponsor and support these measures. For additional information on these bills, please visit www.NRAILA.org.
SIGNS, SIGNS, EVERYWHERE SIGNS
It has been estimated that well-placed campaign signs can account for four percentage points on Election Day. Think back to the 2000 presidential election, where 537 votes in Florida separated George W. Bush from Al Gore, and four points seems like a landslide! While you are focused like a laser beam on the November 7 election, some gun owners may not be aware of what’s at stake for the future of the Second Amendment on Election Day.
To help us raise gun owner awareness of the impending election, and to market NRA’s campaign efforts, we have produced two colorful, patriotic campaign yard signs featuring our "I’m the NRA & I Vote" and "Vote Freedom First!" slogans. These high quality signs are bold, durable, and easy to assemble. Everything needed to assemble the sign is contained in one compact package, and all components made in the USA.
Each sign costs a very reasonable $14.95, or you can order a combination pack of both signs for $24.95 (includes shipping and handling).A portion of the proceeds goes directly to NRA-ILA to assist our efforts to protect, preserve, and strengthen our Second Amendment rights!
By proudly displaying your NRA yard sign, and showing your support for the Second Amendment, you will greatly enhance our ability to deliver victory for pro-gun candidates on November 7!
Please call (866) 869-6389
or visit www.nrailasigns.org to order your NRA yard signs TODAY!
PLAN TO ATTEND FREE MILWAUKEE GRASSROOTS WORKSHOP!
The NRA-ILA Grassroots Division will host its FREE Grassroots Workshop in conjunction with NRA’s Annual Meetings in Milwaukee. This Workshop has been a regular part of NRA’s Annual Meetings for a decade. At this event, you will hear from NRA officers, NRA staff, and your fellow NRA members on what you can do in your own community to ensure victory for the Second Amendment in this year’s elections.
We will also discuss how you can work with your local Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC). Your EVC is a local NRA member who is working with the various pro-gun campaigns in his area to provide critically-needed volunteer support for a variety of activities, including: phone banks, precinct walks, literature drops, voter registration drives, Get Out The Vote & Election Day activities, etc. EVCs also promote NRA-ILA’s legislative agenda at the federal and state levels.
With the 2006 campaign season in full swing, it is critical that we start implementing our grassroots battle plan to ensure we are ready to meet these electoral challenges head on as Election Day 2006 approaches. Rest assured, the anti-gunners are already doubling their efforts to ensure the defeat of pro-Second Amendment candidates in critical elections across the country, so we must ensure we are prepared to defeat their efforts at every turn.
Workshop details are:
NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop-FREE!
Friday, May 19, 2006, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
(Registration & free continental breakfast-8:00 - 9:00 a.m.)
Hilton Milwaukee City Center
Crystal Ballroom
509 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53203
To reserve your seat, or for more information
, please call NRA-ILA at (800) 392-VOTE (8683). You may also register on-line at www.nraam.org/seminars/grassroots.asp. We hope to see you in Milwaukee on Friday, May 19!
NRA-ILA "MIX N’ MINGLES"
Much is at stake in this year’s elections; we will decide if we continue to move ahead on the path of pro-gun reform, or, if we will revert to the dark Clinton-Gore years. In order to ensure continued success for the Second Amendment, we must elect pro-gun lawmakers to office this election season.
To ensure victory for our pro-gun candidates this election year, NRA-ILA will be hosting FREE NRA-ILA "Mix N’ Mingles" across the country. These events will provide NRA members with training on what they can do locally to propel candidates to victory this election season. The meetings also provide attendees the opportunity to meet and socialize with lawmakers, candidates, and their staffs; NRA-ILA Headquarters staff; and fellow area NRA members-and to earn FREE NRA fraternal items such as hats, pocketknives, buttons, etc. "Mix N’ Mingles," including materials, food, beverages, and NRA items, are FREE!
Mix N’ Mingle events are scheduled for:
- Eau Claire, WI -- 05/23/06
-Ashland, WI -- 05/24/06
NRA members
who have access to the Internet can go to www.nraila.org/workshops/ to reserve their seats on-line. NRA members are encouraged to check this website address frequently to see if any upcoming "Mix N’ Mingles" are scheduled in their area. NRA members may also contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) for details and to reserve their seats.
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.***)
States with updates this issue: Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
ALABAMA: Don't forget! This Monday, April 24th is the NRA-hosted Second Amendment Rally featuring Governor Bob Riley (R)! Please be sure to join fellow NRA members and special guest, NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox, for an important announcement that will be of interest to all Alabama gun owners and sportsmen! This promises to be an exciting event that should not be missed! Please make plans to attend this free event! Mark your calendars for Monday, April 24 at 1:00 p.m., at White Oak Plantation Resort, located at 5215 County Road 10, Tuskegee, Alabama 36083. Directions to the Resort can be found at http://www.whiteoakplantation.com/ or by calling (334) 727-9258.
ARIZONA:
On April 17, Governor Napolitano signed
HB 2074, which will require Arizona to recognize the concealed handgun permits from all 46 states in the nation that issue concealed carry permits and makes Arizona one of the vast majority of Right-to-Carry states that does not require a renewal training course to be completed when renewing a permit. Unfortunately, on the same day, Governor Napolitano vetoed SB 1425 that prohibits the government from restricting firearms possession or sale during states of emergency. Finally, The Arizona Department of Game and Fish is hosting two area meetings to discuss locations for a new shooting range in Northern Arizona. Your presence is needed to help show support for a new local shooting range! (1) Tuesday, April 25, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Pinewood Country Club, located at 395 E Pinewood Boulevard, Munds Park, 86017; (2) Thursday, April 27, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Don Hoel’s Cabin Motel located at 9440 N. Highway 89A, Sedona, 86336. Please mark your calendar for these dates, and spread the word to your family, friends, and fellow sportsmen! Come out and help support the future of Arizona’s hunting heritage and shooting sports! For more information contact Mark Meyer at (480) 967-1343 or via email at [email protected].
CONNECTICUT:
The anti-gunners are up to their old tricks. Faced with the possibility of the defeat ofHouse Bill 5818 in the Public Safety Committee, anti-gun advocates have resorted to attaching the language to Senate Bill 105 -- an unrelated bill that has already been approved by the Public Safety Committee. As we have reported, the language of HB 5818 will make it a crime to fail to report the loss or theft of a firearm within 72 hours from when you "knew or should have known" of the theft.This is extremely dangerous for law-abiding gun owners and must be stopped! It would subject gun owners to criminal investigation and jeopardy of prosecution even if they report the theft, as a court will now be given the ability to decide whether the firearm was stored in such a manner that provided "substantial and unjustifiable risk" that it would be stolen. Even worse, if the police recover the firearm before the gun owner has discovered it missing and makes the report, it will be considered automatic evidence of violation of this proposed law, as well as an illegal transfer. Conviction of the "illegal transfer," which is a felony, would permanentlyend your right to own a firearm! In response to the large number of phone calls coming in from gun owners, Connecticut Against Gun Violence has put out desperate pleas to the anti-gun crowd asking them to write, e-mail and call lawmakers in an effort to drown out your voice!If you have not contacted your legislators yet, we ask you to do it TODAY! Urge them to OPPOSE HB 5818 and SB 105. If you have already contacted your legislators, be sure to encourage fellow gun owners and sportsmen to do the same! The general phone number for the House of Representatives is (860) 240-0400 and for the Senate is (860) 240-0500.
INDIANA:
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, May 2. NRA members are encouraged to head to the polls and vote for those candidates who support our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Please be sure to encourage your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to do the same. For information about voting in Indiana, please use the following link www.in.gov/sos/elections. For NRA-PVF endorsement information, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683). Further information will be posted soon to the NRA-PVF website at
www.NRAPVF.org.Be sure to "Vote Freedom First!" on Tuesday, May 2!
LOUISIANA:
On Wednesday, the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee reported out HB 36 by Representative Pete Schneider (R-90) & HB 760 by Representative Steve Scalise (R-82), two NRA-backed bills amending the state’s emergency powers laws to prevent New Orleans-style gun confiscations in the event of another natural disaster in Louisiana. The committee also reported out HB 89 by Representative Eric LaFleur (D-38) & Representative Troy Hebert (D-49), NRA-supported "Castle Doctrine" legislation similar to Florida’s landmark law passed in 2005. All of these measures will be considered by the full House next week. Please contact your State Representatives and urge them to support HB 36, HB 89, and HB 760. On Thursday, the House approved HB 1097 by Representative Eric LaFleur (D-38) & Representative Don Cazayoux (D-18), advancing this important measure to the Senate for consideration. HB 1097 is an NRA-supported measure granting immunity from civil lawsuits to crime victims who lawfully use force to defend themselves. Please call your Senator and urge them to support HB 1097. Also, on Thursday, the Senate Natural Resources Committee approved SB 30 by Senator Joe McPherson (D-39), the NRA-backed "No Net Loss" of state-owned public hunting lands bill. The full Senate is expected to vote on the measure next week. Please contact your State Senators and urge them to approve SB 30. To contact your state lawmakers, call the PULS line at (225) 342-2456 (from the Baton Rouge area) or (800) 256-3793 (outside the Baton Rouge area). For further contact information for the House of Representatives please use the "member contact" feature at the following link http://house.louisiana.gov/.
MAINE:
As early as Monday, April 24, the State House will consider critical pro-gun legislation and your State Representatives need to hear from you! The NRA-backed "Tardy Amendment," proposed by Representative Josh Tardy (R-25), adds vital provisions to LD 1938, correcting the problem of relinquished firearms being damaged and sometimes never returned to the owner after a "bad faith" order is terminated. Please contact your State Representative toll-free at (800) 423-2900 today and respectfully ask him or her to support the Tardy Amendment and to protect your Second Amendment rights. If you need help identifying your State Representative please use the "Write your Representatives" feature found at www.nraila.org/.
MISSOURI:
On April 24, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear Castle Doctrine legislation, HB 1461 (Ruestman, R-131). This critically important bill ensures Missourians will not have a duty to retreat when confronted by a violent attacker, nor can a victim be sued for using justifiable force to defend himself or herself. Please contact the Senate Judiciary Committee members and strongly encourage them to protect your right to self-defense by supporting HB 1461! Please use the following link
www.senate.state.mo.us/06info/comm/judi.htm for a list of the Senators who are assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The phone number for the General Assembly is (573) 751-3824.
MICHIGAN:
This week the House Judiciary Committee passed
HB 5142, sponsored by Representative Tom Casperson (R-108), HB 5143, sponsored by Representative Rick Jones (R-71), HB 5153, sponsored by Representative Leslie Mortimer (R-65), and HB 5548, sponsored by Representative Tim Moore (R-97), which make up the important "Castle Doctrine" package. This legislative package will help the citizens of Michigan by clarifying the rights and duties of self-defense and the defense of others within one’s home and/or occupied vehicle and provide immunity from civil liability for self-defense actions. The "Castle Doctrine" package will now be heard by the full House as early as Monday, April 24. Please start contacting your State Representative and ask him or her to support HB 5142, HB5143, HB 5153, and HB 5548 as passed by the House Judiciary Committee. The general phone number to the House of Representatives is (517) 373-0135. Also, on Thursday, March 23, Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) signed HB 4642, which allows an individual licensed to carry a concealed firearm to legally carry, possess, use, or transport a firearm belonging to another individual licensed to carry a concealed firearm, as long as the individual’s firearm is properly licensed and inspected under this act. This new law goes into effect July 1, 2006.
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Two important pieces of pro-gun legislation sponsored by State Senator Peter E. Bragdon (R-11) will be heard on the State House floor next week.
SB 318, would reform "Castle Doctrine" laws so that: (1) a person would have the right to meet force with force to protect himself or herself and family members regardless of their location, and (2) there would be no "duty to retreat" from any place a person may lawfully be. SB 348, known as "Emergency Powers" legislation, would prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies or their agents from confiscating firearms from law-abiding citizens or prohibiting the transport, sale, carrying, and use of firearms during declared state emergencies, except in the course of enforcing laws against criminal possession or use of firearms.Please contact your State Representative today and respectfully ask him or her to choose your personal protection over partisan politics by voting in favor of SB 318 and SB 348. You can reach your State Representative by phone at (603) 271-2548.It is unreasonable for victims of a crime to have to worry about being arrested or prosecuted if they use force to defend themselves or their family! Citizens throughout New Hampshire are counting on you to contact your State Representative TODAY!
NORTH CAROLINA: Early voting started April 13 and ends April 29 for the 2006 Primary elections to be held Tuesday, May 2. NRA members are encouraged to head to the polls and vote for those candidates who support our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Please be sure to encourage your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to do the same. For a list of early voting locations in your area, please contact your county election official or use the "Additional one stop voting locations" feature found at www.sboe.state.nc.us/ for county election official contact information. For NRA-PVF endorsement information, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683). Further information will be posted soon to the NRA-PVF website at http://www.nrapvf.org/.Be sure to "Vote Freedom First!" on Tuesday, May 2!
OHIO:
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, May 2. NRA members are encouraged to head to the polls and vote for those candidates who support our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Please be sure to encourage your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to do the same. For information about voting in Ohio, please use the following link www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/ElectionsVoter/ohioElections.aspx. For NRA-PVF endorsement information, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683). Further information will be posted soon to the NRA-PVF website at http://www.nrapvf.org/.Be sure to "Vote Freedom First!" on Tuesday, May 2!
SOUTH CAROLINA:
This week, the House Judiciary Committee passed H 4681, introduced by Representative Mike Pitts (R-14), but drastically weakened the legislation. As originally introduced, this bill would remove the ability of local governments to restrict the use, sale, or transportation of firearms during a state of emergency, and would also prohibit South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) from releasing the personal information of Right-to-Carry (RTC) permit holders unless the request for the information is part of an investigation by law enforcement. While the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee strengthened the provision dealing with restrictions on local governments two weeks ago, the full Judiciary Committee stripped out the language that would protect the privacy of permit holders. The Sun-News (Myrtle Beach) reported Bill Rogers, Executive Director of the S.C. Press Association, called the measure that sought to protect the privacy rights of law-abiding gun owners, "[A] dangerous first step." One must ask how protecting the privacy of law-abiding citizens can be called "a dangerous first step," but this position is certainly not surprising, as the "mainstream" media has a long history of open hostility toward the Second Amendment. Not satisfied with continually abusing the protections guaranteed under the First Amendment, it would appear that at least some representatives of the South Carolina media would like to expand their attacks on our Right to Keep and Bear Arms to include attacks on the right to privacy of honest citizens who choose to exercise their right to defend themselves against violent, predatory criminals by acquiring a Right-to-Carry permit. Others argued that attorneys need to know if someone involved in a court case might be carrying a firearm. Of course, law-abiding permit holders are not a threat to attorneys, and violent criminals who might actually pose a threat don’t bother to apply for permits they will not be issued and they are already prohibited from possessing a firearm. If this legislation is to become law this year, it needs to be passed next week. Please contact your State Representative and urge him or her to reinstate the language stripped out by the Judiciary Committee that will protect the privacy of law-abiding permit holders, and to support passage of H 4681. In addition, the South Carolina Senate has yet to act on H 4301, the "Castle Doctrine" legislation that would remove the "duty to retreat" if a law-abiding citizen is attacked anywhere that person may lawfully be. This legislation passed the House in February with overwhelming bi-partisan support, and virtually no opposition, while similar legislation has already passed in a number of states this year. South Carolina needs to be added to this growing list!Please contact your State Senator and urge him or her to support H 4301, and promote its passage through the Senate. The general phone number for the House of Representatives is (803) 734-2010, and State Senate can be reached at (803) 212-6200.
VIRGINIA:
On April 18, by a vote of 6-2, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors approved a ban on the use of buckshot within the county. If this prohibition is allowed to move forward, only shotguns loaded with slugs will be allowed for hunting in Prince William County. This illogical and unnecessary action taken by a majority of the Board of Supervisors can only be viewed as a blatant anti-hunting and anti-gun attack on law-abiding gun owners and hunters. In fact, the Code of Virginia does not authorize the action taken by the Board, and this proposed regulation is in direct conflict with the Commonwealth’s Constitutional protection of the Right to Hunt, Fish and Harvest Game. Please contact the Board members and ask them to reconsider the outright ban on buckshot. Also, politely remind Board members it would be irresponsible to enact a regulation with the knowledge that such a measure is unconstitutional and not authorized by Virginia statute. The Board of Supervisors will meet again on Tuesday, April 25, to officially prohibit the use of buckshot in Prince William County. Please plan on attending the meeting, as citizens will be afforded the opportunity to speak for three minutes on any matter. Please be sure to forward this information to your family, friends and fellow Second Amendment supporters! Mark your calendars for the Prince William County Board of Supervisors Meeting, Tuesday, April 25, 2006, at 2:00 p.m., to be held at the McCoart Government Center (1 County Complex Court in Prince William). Please use the following link to find contact information for the Board of Supervisors, www.pwcgov.org/default.aspx?topic=040016000030000442
WEST VIRGINIA:
Early in-person voting started April 19 and ends May 6 for the 2006 Primary elections to be held Tuesday, May 9. NRA members are encouraged to head to the polls and vote for those candidates who support our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Please be sure to encourage your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to do the same. Early in-person voting will be held in designated areas within your County Courthouse. For more information about early in-person voting please to go the following website www.wvsos.com/elections/voters/absenteemethods.htm. For NRA-PVF endorsement information, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683). Further information will be posted soon to the NRA-PVF website at www.NRAPVF.org.Be sure to "Vote Freedom First!" on Tuesday, May 9!
