On Thursday, May 10, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5326--the appropriations bill for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies fiscal year 2013--by a vote of 247-163.

One of the most important ways that Congress has protected the Second Amendment is through a number of general provisions included in various appropriations bills.  We are happy to report that 11 provisions to protect the Second Amendment were included in the bill.

In an effort to capitalize on the Trayvon Martin shooting, this week, Reps. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, threatened to offer a so-called "Trayvon Amendment" that would cut funding to states with "stand your ground" laws.  The legislators quickly reversed course when they learned the motion would likely be ruled out of order.

The group Media Matters for America hates NRA.  Few organizations have more strongly proclaimed their disdain for our right to keep and bear arms and self-protection.  

According to a recent FoxNews.com op-ed piece by acclaimed author and scholar John R. Lott, Jr., in April alone, the George Soros-backed Media Matters ran no fewer than 32 articles on its website attacking NRA.

Thanks to your votes, Richard Mourdock has won the Republican primary election for U.S. Senate in Indiana defeating 36-year incumbent, Sen. Richard Lugar. 

Since the 1990s, Sen. Lugar has become notorious for his zealous support of gun control schemes and his fervent anti-gun positions. 

. . . to sort simple statistics incorrectly?  The answer is, "Just a handful of busy beavers at the Violence Policy Center (VPC)."  In April, VPC posted a press release on its website titled "Massachusetts Has Lowest Gun Death Rate in Nation," the gist of which is that states with lower gun ownership and stronger gun control laws had the lowest rates of gun-related death in 2009, and vice versa. 

Governor Branstad Announces Lifting of Iowa Traditional Ammo Ban

On Friday, May 10, Governor Terry Branstad announced that he will nullify the traditional ammunition ban in Iowa.  In July 2011, the Iowa Natural Resources Commission imposed the ban--after the topic was debated and resoundingly rejected by the legislature--following the enactment of the first dove-hunting season since 1918.  The NRC slipped in the ban on the use of all traditional ammunition while setting bag limits and other regulations with regard to the reenacted Iowa dove-hunting season.

CALIFORNIA: Update on Pro- and Anti-Gun Legislation Heard in the Senate and Assembly Committees 

ILLINOIS: Your Help is Needed to Expand Hunting Opportunities

NEW MEXICO: Update on Right-to-Carry Reciprocity

CALIFORNIA: Support Needed for Continued Operation of Gun Club

LOUISIANA: Constitutional Amendment Needs Your Help Today 

NORTH CAROLINA: 2012 Legislative Session Begins 

FLORIDA: Governor Scott Signs Three Pro-Gun Bills into Law

MICHIGAN: House Committee to Consider Repeal of Handgun Permit-to-Purchase and Registration

OKLAHOMA: True Emergency Powers Language and Firearms Omnibus Bill Head to Governor 

GEORGIA: Governor Deal Signs NRA-Backed Legislation into Law

MINNESOTA: Governor Signs Important Pro-Hunting Legislation  into Law

PENNSYLVANIA: Outage to State Gun Check System This Month

HAWAII: Important NRA Instructor Liability Bill Awaits Governor’s Approval

MISSISSIPPI: Governor Signs More Pro-Gun Legislation into Law

VIRGINIA: NRA-Endorsed Candidate Ousts MAIG Mayor in Quantico

IOWA: Senate Democratic Leadership Snubs the Second Amendment

MISSOURI: Time Running Out for Firearm Legislation

ILLINOIS: Common Sense Ammunition Purchase Reform Legislation Sent to Governor

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Time Running Out for Senate Action on Permitless Carry Legislation

WISCONSIN: 

Attend One of Our FREE NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshops:  To ensure pro-Second Amendment Governor Scott Walker wins his recall election on June 5, we need your help!  Learn how you can get actively involved in our efforts to ensure Gov. Walker is re-elected at one of our free NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshops.  Workshops will be held in Green Bay on May 14, Rothchild on May 15, and Eau Claire on May 16.

These meetings are absolutely free and beverages and snacks will be provided.  The events will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m.  Please make plans to attend and please encourage your fellow NRA members to attend as well.

To register for one of these free events, please click one of the links below or call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683).

We look forward to seeing you at one of our Workshops!

Monday, May 14, 2012
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Stadium View Banquet Hall & Conference Center
1963 Holmgren Way
Green Bay, WI 54304
920-884-3159
To register for this workshop, please click here. 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Gander Mountain--Rothchild
1560 County Road
Rothchild, WI 54474
715-355-5500
To register for this workshop, please click here.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Gander Mountain--Eau Claire
6440 Sculy Drive
Eau Claire, WI 54701
715-834-4594
To register for this workshop, please click here.