WISCONSIN FIGHT TO OVERRIDE VETO CONTINUES
As we reported last week, despite the support of the majority of the legislature, rank-and-file police officers, and the people of Wisconsin, on November 18, Governor Jim Doyle (D) vetoed legislation that would allow law-abiding Wisconsin citizens the Right-to-Carry firearms to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Regrettably, Governor Doyle does not trust his law-abiding constituents with the right of self-defense. The Right-to-Carry legislation requires mandatory training, a permit from the sheriff, and a criminal background check. Even polls by Right-to-Carry opponents reveal that a majority of Wisconsinites support this law.
Fortunately, the citizens of Wisconsin have one final opportunity to let their voices be heard on this vitally important issue. On February 3, the State Assembly will vote on whether to override Governor Doyle`s veto of the 2003 Personal Protection Act. The State Senate overrode the veto on January 22, so this is the last chance for Wisconsinites to influence this vote. At this critical time, it is more important than ever that Wisconsin residents contact their Representatives and ask them to do everything in their power to ensure the override of Governor Doyle`s veto. In particular, there are two lawmakers who have not committed to the override— Representative Gary Sherman (D-74), and Representative Amy Sue Vruwink (D-70). It is crucial that you contact these lawmakers, in addition to your own, and urge them to vote to override the Governor`s veto. You can contact Rep. Sherman at (608) 266-7690, or toll free at (888) 534-0074. Rep. Vruwink can be reached at (608) 266-8366, or toll free at (888) 534-0070.
It is also vitally important that supporters of this measure rally at the State Capitol building on Tuesday morning prior to the 10:00 a.m. vote. For a map of the area and parking information, please visit www.ci.madison.wi.us/parking/parking.html
Please take action, and then forward this information to your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners and ensure that they do the same. You can find additional contact information for your Legislators by using the "Write your Representatives" feature at www.NRAILA.org
REDUCING CRIME THROUGH PROSECUTIONS
In a January 29 story in the Deseret Morning News, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) opined that new Justice Department figures support the notion that the best way to fight gun-related violent crime is not to ban guns, but to prosecute criminals. Recently released Justice Department data show that, under the Bush Administration, as federal prosecution of gun crimes increased 68 percent from three years ago, violent crimes dropped by 21 percent.
Commenting on the findings, Senator Hatch said, "Our law enforcement`s tough-on-crime approach parallels what I have always advocated: protect the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms and strictly enforce our gun laws." Senator Hatch went on to say that, "Because of the stepped-up prosecutions, there were approximately 130,000 fewer victims of gun crime and over 980,000 fewer violent crimes in 2001-02 than there were in 1999-2000. Enacting and vigorously enforcing stiff penalties for those who commit crimes with guns deters violent crime."
Hatch added, "This reduction in gun violence is a direct result of the nationwide implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods. In Utah alone last year, over 400 violent individuals were indicted under federal gun laws."
OMNIBUS UPDATE
The U.S. Senate recently passed the fiscal year 2004 omnibus appropriations bill. The bill actually consists of seven unfinished spending bills grouped together, containing literally thousands of separate provisions.
Included in this massive bill is a provision that requires the destruction of approved federal gun background check records within 24 hours, as opposed to the current retention period of up to 90 days. This provision applies only to the records of individuals who have already been cleared through the National Instant Check System (NICS), and does not include applicants whose background check indicates a disqualification.
The measure was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on December 8, 2003.
TWO NRA STATE Y.E.S. EVENTS TO BE HELD, IN PENNSYLVANIA & VIRGINIA
Two of NRA`s State Youth Education Summits (Y.E.S.) will be held this April, the first in Harrisburg, Penn. (April 1-4), and the second in Richmond, Va. (April 22-25).
State Y.E.S. events consist of a four-day scholastic leadership program in the host state`s capital, where students have the opportunity to learn about their state`s history, tour the Capitol building, meet with state legislators, receive an introduction to public speaking and debating, and spend some time at a local range, among other activities.
One student will be selected from each state Y.E.S. program for an all-expenses-paid trip to the national Y.E.S. program in Washington, D.C., this June, where he will tour the Nation`s capital, meet other students from across the country whoshare a common background in the shooting sports, make friendships that last a lifetime, and have the opportunity to compete for $20,000 in college scholarships!
We are currently looking for 20 high school sophomores and juniors from Pennsylvania and Virginia, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, to participate. If you know of students who would be qualified for this exciting program, please help us by telling them about this great opportunity. For more details and an application packet, please contact Lauren Eden at NRA Headquarters at (800) NRA-3888, ext. 1342, or via email, at [email protected].
Please call or e-mail today! Applications MUST be received by February 6 for the Pennsylvania Summit, and by February 27 for the Virginia Summit!
STAY INFORMED & HELP SAVE ILA FUNDS
If you have an e-mail address, but you still receive the NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert every Friday via fax, we encourage you to switch over to our e-mail system. We can send e-mail at virtually no cost, while each fax incurs the cost of a long distance call, not to mention your cost in paper. E-mail also allows you more flexibility in relaying our information to others. If you would like to switch to e-mail delivery, just go to www.NRAILA.org, then follow the instructions through the link called "Sign Up For Email." Once you start receiving our alerts via e-mail, please call the Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683, and let us know so we can take you off the fax system.
A LOOK AT THE STATES
COLORADO
The General Assembly is currently considering House Bill 1208, which would increase resident hunting license fees and provide for automatic increases in the future. NRA-ILA is currently working with legislators in Colorado to find a solution to the Department of Wildlife`s budget issues that is amenable to hunters. HB 1208 was reported to be out of the House Finance Committee yesterday with some favorable amendments, but will need more work on the floor. Please check www.NRAILA.org for updates on this legislation. Also, Senate Bill 158 has been introduced by Senator Ken Gordon (D-35). This bill concerns the mandatory storage of firearms, and has been sent to the State Veterans & Military Affairs Committee. Please call you Senator at (303) 866-2316 and ask him to oppose this measure.
IOWA
National Rifle Association President Kayne Robinson invites you to the Iowa Sportsmen`s Federation Chili Supper on Saturday, February 28. The event will be held in the National Guard Armory, at the Fort Dodge Airport, Fort Dodge, Iowa. Speakers will include WHO Radio personality Jan Mickelson and President Robinson. Please mark your calendar so you won`t miss this unique opportunity to join with fellow Iowa sportsmen in a fun and informative event. Don`t miss out on this chance to discuss issues of importance to law-abiding gun owners and outdoorsmen throughout the state! The doors open
at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $15, and can be purchased at the door. Please RSVP by calling (515)-554-2657.
MICHIGAN
On February 5, the Senate Appropriations Committee will be holding a hearing concerning establishing the first dove hunting season in Michigan history. The bill passed the House of Representatives last November. Please contact your State Senators and respectfully urge them to support the passage of a Michigan Dove Season. Please let them know that Michigan citizens deserve the opportunity to hunt doves, just as hunters in 39 other states currently have. Be sure to tell them that state wildlife biologists, as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, support dove hunting. You can find contact information for your Representatives by using the "Write Your Representatives" feature at www.NRAILA.org.
MISSOURI
The Missouri Supreme Court heard oral arguments on January 22, in the Right-to-Carry case. As you may recall, after the General Assembly overwhelmingly passed HB 349 to establish a "shall issue" permit system last year, a St. Louis Circuit Court struck down the law as unconstitutional. The case was appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court, which will now hand down a decision. Please check www.NRAILA.org regularly for updates on this case. A court decision could come in a few weeks.
NEW YORK
In an attempt to generate revenue and close the state`s enormous budget gap, Governor George Pataki (R) has included in his Executive Budget a proposal that targets, and seeks to profit from, law-abiding gun owners. The provision in budget bills S. 6056/A. 9556 will require handgun licensees to pay a $100 "certification" fee to the state, institutes a five-year expiration period for licenses (currently most jurisdictions issue lifetime licenses), and charges a fee of $25 for each handgun owned. Additionally, this proposal would remove the caps on local processing fees, which means fees can certainly be expected to climb, and in many jurisdictions could price gun owners, sportsmen, and collectors right out of the market. Instead of directly banning handguns, this proposal would simply make it too expensive to own them. Please call (518) 474-8390 or write to Governor Pataki at Executive Chamber, State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224 to express your opposition to his latest attack on gun owners. It is also critical that you contact your lawmakers TODAY to tell them that they must oppose this unfair "TAX" on gun owners! To get contact information for your representatives, please use the "Write your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org
