SOUTH DAKOTA PROPOSES WORKING HOLIDAY HONORING GENERAL JOE FOSS
The South Dakota Legislature recently approved a bill designating April 17 as a working holiday, in honor of former NRA President Joe Foss.
Joe Foss grew up near Sioux Falls, S.D. As an ace Marine fighter pilot in World War II, General Foss was credited with shooting down 26 enemy planes, and was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Medal of Honor. Among his many extraordinary achievements, Foss was a founder of the South Dakota Air National Guard, a Representative in the South Dakota Legislature, the first Commissioner of the American Football League, and Governor of South Dakota.
As NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre said, "He was an ace fighter pilot, a state governor, a war hero, a TV star, a sports commissioner, a Christian leader, and a man beloved by all. And he was our president. General Foss defined heroism for servicemen since World War II. And for generations, he made American patriotism something to be proud of. He fought for what he believed in, and those causes are better for it."
We congratulate the Foss family on this much deserved honor.
PLAN TO ATTEND FREE PITTSBURGH GRASSROOTS WORKSHOP !
The NRA-ILA Grassroots Division will host a FREE Grassroots Workshop in conjunction with NRA`s Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh. This Workshop has been a regular part of NRA`s Annual Meetings for a decade. At this event, you will hear from NRA officers, 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 2004 elections 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 2004 approaches. Rest assured, the anti-gunners are already re-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, April 16, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
(Registration & free continental breakfast-8:00 - 9:00 a.m.)
Allegheny Ballroom II Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh Hotel
1000 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222
To reserve your seat, or for more information, please call NRA-ILA at (800) 392-8683. You may also register on-line at http://www.nraam.org/seminars/grassroots.asp. We hope to see you in Pittsburgh on Friday, April 16!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 133rd NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS & EXHIBITS!
The 2004 NRA Annual Members Meetings and Exhibits will be held in Pittsburgh, Pa., April 16-18, and your NRA is looking for dedicated members to volunteer and assist with various projects necessary to stage another successful Annual Meeting. The NRA Annual Meeting is the most exciting and satisfying NRA event of the year, and by joining our team of volunteers, you will play an integral role in putting the NRA`s best foot forward, while we are in the national spotlight.
There are several areas where you can volunteer: Membership Services, Fraternal Sales, Exhibitor Registration, Firearms Safety Inspection, and Airgun Range.
NRA staff, Annual Meeting Exhibitors, and the tens of thousands of your fellow NRA members attending the Annual Meeting will greatly appreciate any time or assistance you can lend. If you would like to volunteer your time, or would like more information, please contact: Brian Hyder, Eastern Region Director, NRA Field Operations Division, 144 Hailey Drive, Franklin, NC, 28734, Office: (828) 524-9480, e-mail: [email protected].
NRA-ILA GRASSROOTS ELECTION WORKSHOPS
In preparation for the 2004 elections, NRA-ILA is hosting FREE Grassroots-Election Workshops across the country. These Workshops provide NRA members with training on what they can do locally to ensure pro-gun candidates are elected to office in 2004. The meetings also provide a venue for lawmakers, candidates, and their staffs to reach out to NRA members and explain their positions on our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Upcoming Workshops are slated for:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - 4/16/04
(in conjunction with NRA`s Annual Meetings)
South Portland, Maine - 5/1/04
Reading, Pennsylvania - 5/20/04
Allentown, Pennsylvania - 5/22/04
NRA members who are interested in attending should contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) for details and to reserve their spots. NRA members who have access to the Internet can also go to www.nraila.org/workshops/ to reserve their spots on-line.
SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR 2003 NRA-ILA VOLUNTEER AWARDS
The "Jay M. Littlefield Memorial NRA-ILA Volunteer of the Year Award" is an annual honor that recognizes an NRA member who demonstrates exceptionally meritorious activism in defense of our Second Amendment rights. Similarly, the "NRA-ILA Volunteer Organization of the Year Award" is bestowed upon a group that has gone above and beyond the call of duty in defending our freedom over the past year. Nominations for these honors for last year (2003) should be submitted to: NRA-ILA Volunteer Awards, c/o Suzie Roulette, NRA-ILA Grassroots Division, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030. They can also be faxed to Suzie at (703) 267-3918, or e-mailed to [email protected]. All nominations must be submitted by NRA members in good standing and be accompanied by a one page description of why the nominated individual or organization is deserving. Winners will be selected by NRA-ILA staff, and will be acknowledged at this Fall`s NRA Board of Directors Meeting. The deadline for submissions is July 1, 2004.
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A LOOK AT THE STATES
FLORIDA
SB-1156, a bill which will stop government lawsuits against shooting ranges, PASSED the Senate 33-6 and now moves on to theHouse. HB-155 a bill which prohibits gun registration PASSED the Senate 29-9. HB 155 is supported by the Florida Police Chiefs Associations, the Florida Sheriffs Association, the Florida Police Benevolent Association and the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association. The previous version of HB-155 was amended in the Senate and must now go back to the House for final passage. Please contact your legislators and respectfully urge them to support SB 1156 and HB 155. You can find contact information for your Legislator by using the "Write Your Representatives" feature at www.NRAILA.org.
LOUISIANA
A number of anti-gun bills have been introduced in the House by Representative Cedric Richmond (D-New Orleans), including: HB 241, requiring the creation of a "ballistic imaging" database for every handgun sold in the state; HB 243, requiring all handguns to be registered with the state after purchase; HB 244, a Louisiana version of the Clinton gun ban, which actually affects more firearms and would require current owners of any gun falling under the ban to register them with the state and obtain a license to lawfully keep them; and HB 245, banning private firearms transfers at gun shows. The Legislature convenes on March 29. All of these measures have been referred to the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. A list of committee members is available at http://house.louisiana.gov/H-Reps/cjcommittee.asp. Please contact committee members at (225) 342-6945 and urge them to oppose all of these bills.
MARYLAND
Now is the time to keep the pressure on! HB 1298, sponsored by Delegate Neil Quinter (D-13), the Maryland "Assault Weapons Ban" of 2004, could be voted on by the House of Delegates at any time. Please call your Delegates, especially those on the House Judiciary Committee, and urge a "no" vote on HB 1298. Contact information for your Delegates can be found by using the "Write Your Representatives" feature at www.NRAILA.org or by calling the General Assembly Information Line at (410) 841-3000. Please make the call today!
MISSOURI
On March 15, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard Senate Bill 1332. Sponsored by Senator Harold Caskey (D-31), this bill authorizes the sheriff of every county to pay the costs and expenses for activities related to the issuing of handgun carry permits from the sheriff`s revolving fund. This legislation will fix the Right-to-Carry funding problems outlined by the Supreme Court in its recent decision by allowing sheriffs in all counties to issue Right-to-Carry permits. The committee is expected to act on SB 1332 soon. It is vital that you contact the Judiciary Committee members, and your own Senator, and tell them to support SB 1332. The main information number is (573) 751-3824.
NEW YORK
Always looking for an opportunity to ban guns, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan), is attempting to use anti-terror legislation as a vehicle for his previously failed efforts to outlaw .50 caliber firearms. After a "stand-alone" bill banning this type of firearm (A 7039) was approved by the Assembly, it hit a roadblock in the GOP-controlled Senate, where so far the measure has been met with little support. In an attempt to deflect attention from Assembly Democrats` unwillingness to pass the anti-terror package already approved by the Senate, Silver has now said he will introduce his own package of anti-terror bills which includes a ban on .50 caliber firearms. Costing thousands of dollars, measuring 4-5 feet in length, and weighing 22-34 pounds, .50 caliber rifles are much too expensive and cumbersome for common criminals, and although claims have been made that these have become the weapon of choice for terrorists, there is absolutely no evidence to support these claims. Not a single incident of criminal misuse of a .50 caliber firearm can be cited in the United States to date, and people who own these firearms are law-abiding competitive marksmen and collectors. Please contact your lawmakers today and urge them to oppose efforts to ban .50 caliber firearms! You can find contact information for your Representatives by using the "Write your Representatives" feature, at www.NRAILA.org.
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia University reinstated the most successful rifle team in NCAA history this week after $100,000 was appropriated by the Legislature. Please contact your legislators and thank them for supporting the proud traditions of the WVU championship rifle team. You can find contact information for your Legislators by using the "Write Your Representatives" feature at www.NRAILA.org.
