McDonald v. City of Chicago 

On November 16, the NRA filed its brief with the U.S. Supreme Court as Respondent in Support of Petitioner in McDonald v. City of Chicago. The NRA brief asks the U.S. Supreme Court to hold that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment. 

The McDonald case is one of several that were filed immediately after last year's decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, in which the Court upheld the Second Amendment as an individual right and struck down Washington, D.C.'s ban on handgun possession, as well as the capital city's ban on keeping loaded, operable firearms for self-defense in the home. 

The follow-up cases were filed by NRA and other organizations against Chicago and several of its suburbs.  Each of these suits was aimed at the same goal: establishing that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments as well as the federal government.

Arming Ships and Repelling Pirates:  It was widely reported this week that the Maersk Alabama -- the American-flagged ship that was captured by pirates last April -- came under attack for the second time in seven months as Somali pirates once again tried to hijack the ship early Wednesday morning off the Somalia coast. 

The NRA Online Advisory Panel:  A few weeks ago, we launched a brand new service -- the NRA Online Advisory Panel --  a community of our most active and loyal supporters. 

Another Way To Get Involved:  Online Social Networking:  Internet social networking has exploded in recent years.  Websites such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter attract millions of users.  These on-line communities foster a connection between their users, and allow distribution of user-generated content (like pictures, profiles, music, video, and text).  

Help Defend Your Gun Rights One Click At A Time:  We have a revolutionary yet simple tool that will allow you to stay connected to NRA-ILA and raise valuable contributions to defend our Second Amendment rights without spending a dime!  It's the NRA-ILA Toolbar, and you can make a difference by downloading and using it.

STATE ROUNDUP  (Please note the only items listed below are those that have had recent action.  For other updates on state legislation, please go to the state legislation section at www.NRAILA.org, and check each week's issue of the Grassroots Alert.") 

INDIANA:  Brookville Bans Firearms on all City Property!  In a startling move, the Brookville town council passed Ordinance No. 6-2009 banning firearms on all property owned or leased by the town.  NRA contacted the town attorney, who informed us that the ordinance could be repealed if residents spoke out against it.  Please contact members of the town council at 765-647-3322 and let them know you want a town meeting to revisit and repeal this ordinance!  For more information on the ordinance and additional contact information please click here.

MISSOURI: City of St. Robert Passes Discharge Ban!  The Board of Aldermen of the City of St. Robert recently passed an ordinance banning the discharge of any "projectile device" within the city limits.  Unfortunately, this ordinance makes no exemption for the use of a firearm in self-defense, even in one's own home. Please contact your city aldermen and let them know you want the act of self-defense within the city limits to be protected and exempted in this ordinance! For more information on the scope of this ordinance ways to contact your City Aldermen, please click here.

SOUTH CAROLINA:  "Second Amendment Weekend" to be Held November 27 and 28! South Carolinians will celebrate more than just Thanksgiving next week.  The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving this year, November 27 and 28, will be the second annual "tax holiday" on firearm purchases in the Palmetto State.  Dubbed the "Second Amendment Weekend," this concept was the brainchild of State Representative Mike Pitts (R-14).  Last year's inaugural "tax holiday" saw a tremendous surge in firearm purchases, and this year could be just as successful.  The original "tax holiday" law was passed as part of a larger bill, but when that law was struck down by the state Supreme Court, this year's "Second Amendment Weekend" was restored within the state budget.  This restoration was only for this year, so next year, NRA will work with Representative Pitts to make the "Second Amendment Weekend" a permanent annual event.

TENNESSEE:   City of Oakland Removes Anti-Gun Resolution from Agenda!
Thanks to your efforts, Resolution 11.09.01, which would have banned the possession of firearms (even by those possessing Right-to-Carry permits) in city and historical parks, was removed from the City of Oakland's agenda on Thursday.   This anti-gun resolution received overwhelming opposition by NRA members, sportsmen and gun owners.  We would like to thank those who made their voices heard!