With Labor Day now behind us, the unofficial kick-off of the campaign season has begun. Although the 2008 elections may seem a long way off, as states jockey for coveted presidential primary slots, the 2008 elections have begun in earnest, and earlier than ever. Five states are hosting elections this November (Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia). These elections will be used by political prognosticators and the anti-gun media to foreshadow the 2008 elections, so it is critical that we succeed in electing pro-gun candidates to office this year.
For those of you in these five states, and those of you who won’t have candidates on the ballot until next year, click the title above to find out what you, as a leader in the pro-gun rights grassroots movement, should be doing between now and Election Day.
National Gathering Of Conservatives To Feature NRA Grassroots Seminar: Conservatives from around the country will convene in Reno, NV, October 11-13, for the 2007 "Conservative Leadership Conference" (CLC). In addition to the numerous training seminars and political discussions featuring some of the nation's most prominent political figures and movement leaders, NRA-ILA Grassroots Director Glen Caroline will be conducting a seminar titled: "Grassroots Lobbying: Turning Up The Heat." For more information on CLC '07 and to register, please visit http://www.clc07.com/.
Register To Vote For THIS YEAR'S Elections! With the 2007 election season in full swing in five states (Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia), it is critical that gun owners and gun rights supporters register to vote in advance of state deadlines.
To assist you in registering to vote this year, NRA-ILA has a number of tools available. Please click here: www.nraila.org/ActionCenter/GetInvolvedLocally/VoterInformation.aspx?st and choose your state to find out all the voter registration dates, deadlines, and requirements for this year's elections. Click here: https://ssl.capwiz.com/nra/e4/nvra/?action=formhere to print a voter registration application that you can complete and return by mail, please. You may also obtain voter registration information by calling the ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683).
Let's make sure that we in the pro-Second Amendment community do all we can in registering to vote and voting this year!
STATE ROUNDUP (please click to see any updates on states not listed below.)
CALIFORNIA: Lead Ammunition Ban Sent to Governor’s Desk! On Thursday, September 6, the Assembly passed Assembly Bill 821, which would ban the use of lead ammunition for hunting in areas occupied by California condor. The bill is now on its way to the desk of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) for his consideration. This ban would have disastrous repercussions on California’s rich hunting tradition. Please contact Governor Schwarzenegger and respectfully urge him to protect hunting across the Golden State by vetoing AB 821. Governor Schwarzenegger can be reached by phone at 916-445-2841, fax at 916-445-4633, or visit http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email to send him an email.
Microstamping Legislation Heads to Governor’s Desk! The California Assembly voted 43-29 to pass Assembly Bill 1471 on Monday, September 10. The bill now moves to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) desk for his consideration. This legislation requires that after a certain date, the make, model, and serial number of the firearm be microstamped onto the interior surface or internal working parts of all handguns in such a manner that those identifiers are imprinted onto the cartridge case upon firing. Under AB1471, the manufacture, sale, and transfer of handguns that do not include their identifying information would be a crime. Please contact the Governor and respectfully urge him to veto AB1471. Governor Schwarzenegger can be reached by phone at (916) 445-2841, fax at (916) 445-4633, or visit http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email to send him an email.
Emergency Powers Bill Passes Senate, Heads to Governor! By a vote of 21-16, the California Senate passed Assembly Bill 1645 on Wednesday, September 5. AB1645 will protect law-abiding gun owners during a declared state of emergency from the seizure or confiscation of any lawfully carried or possessed firearm or ammunition. The bill is now on its way to the desk of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) for his consideration.
California Lost or Stolen Bill Left for Dead This Session! Assembly Bill 334 was moved to the inactive file when the California Assembly shut down for the first half of the legislative session on Tuesday, September 11. The bill now becomes a two-year bill that can be revived when the 2008 segment of the session begins. AB 334 would make it a crime, for any person whose handgun is stolen or irretrievably lost, not to report the theft or loss to a local law enforcement agency within 5 working days after his or her discovery of the theft or loss; or within 5 working days after the date he or she should have reasonably known of the theft or loss. Thank you for your hard work and efforts in preventing the passage of this unwarranted piece of anti-gun legislation. Please continue checking back for any updates on this and other threats to our Second Amendment freedoms.
MARYLAND: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service is observing National Hunting & Fishing Day on Saturday, September 22 from 10 am to 5 pm at Schrader’s Bridgetown Manor in Henderson, MD. National Hunting and Fishing Day is a great way to introduce youth and newcomers to outdoor sports while teaching them about the important role that hunting and fishing play in Maryland’s wildlife conservation programs. This event includes many fun activities and is free of charge. For more information please contact Patricia Allenat [email protected] or call 410-221-8838 ext.107 or on the web at www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/NHFD/index.asp.
NEW JERSEY: The Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs, NRA’s State Association, is hosting its annual “NRA Day at the Range.” The event will be held on Saturday, September 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Cherry Ridge Range, off Canistear Road in Highland Lakes, NJ. Offered at no charge, the event is open to anyone interested in learning about the shooting sports and activities in which NRA members participate. A light breakfast and a full lunch will be served and all equipment is provided. Pre-registration is required for all attendees. To register or to get more details about the event, contact John Donovan at [email protected] go to www.anjrpc.org for directions to the range and for further information about ANJRPC.
NEW YORK: The Sportsmen’s Association for Firearms Education Inc. (S.A.F.E.) will be hosting its “2007 Right-to-Carry Conference & Second Amendment Rally” on Sunday, September 23, 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 the North side of LIE between exits 53 & 55). In attendance at the event will be: Wayne R. LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President; John Sigler, NRA President; Bob Barr, Former Member, U.S. House of Representatives and NRA Board Member; Jim Fotis, Executive Director, Law Enforcement Alliance of America; and John L. Cushman, S.A.F.E. President and Founder, and NRA Board Member.
Attendees will get the latest information on the Right-to-Carry nationwide and locally. You will meet and network with fellow sportsmen and women concerning your civil rights and those of your children and grandchildren. This conference will raise issues of concern and give suggested courses of action with local and national leaders of Second Amendment organizations and legislators from all levels of government. You will also have a chance to win valuable prizes in drawings limited to attendees only. Admission and parking are free, and the event is open to your family and friends.
TEXAS: On Saturday, September 22, 2007, Students for the Second Amendment and the Collegiate Firearms Instructor Program will host the third annual Alamo City Shooting & Outdoor Sportsfest. The event will take place at the National Shooting Complex, 5931 Roft Rd., San Antonio (attendees are asked to enter the complex from Gass Rd). The Sportsfest is open to the public, and families, youth groups, and student groups are all encouraged to attend. Admission is free for youngsters aged 18 and younger and just $5.00 for adults. Activities will include: Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, and Muzzleloading Shooting, Field Archery, Cowboy Action Shooting, Fishing and Hunting activities, Wildlife Education Displays, a Climbing Wall, Historic Firearm Demonstrations, Living History Reenactors, Map & Compass activities, and much more. You can register for the event at: www.shootingsportscamp.com/register.htm. Volunteers are needed to help staff the firing ranges and fields, and help is also needed with administrative activities. To volunteer, please visit: www.shootingsportscamp.com/volunteer.htm. For additional information, please contact Damaso Torres by phone at (210) 674-5559, or by e-mail at [email protected].
