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Grassroots Alert: Vol. 11, No. 21 5/28/2004

CELEBRATING MEMORIAL DAY

This weekend, our country will celebrate Memorial Day.  We`ll cookout, relax, and visit with friends and family.  But this holiday weekend is about more than barbeques, swimming pools, and family get-togethers.  As we celebrate the Memorial Day Weekend, let us keep in mind what we are "celebrating"--those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that Americans, and people around the world, would be able to reap the benefits of freedom.

Sadly, too many in our own country seem to have forgotten the one freedom that we as Americans enjoy; the one that protects all our other freedoms--the Second Amendment.  And it is under attack like never before.  Those who fought and died on the battlefield did so to protect our country, our way of life, our freedom.  It is now our calling, and our responsibility, to pick up that mantle and ensure that future generations never fail to realize how blessed we are to live in a country like the United States, a country whose Constitution guarantees its citizens` freedom, including the right to lawfully own firearms.

This weekend, think about our great country and the freedom we enjoy.  Think about our men and women in uniform, and the sacrifices they are making for all of us.  Remember those who paid the ultimate price in defense of that freedom.  As we celebrate their countless contributions and selfless sacrifice, let us pledge to one another that we will continue to carry that torch of freedom in defense of the Second Amendment.

WE LIKE IKE

Tomorrow, May 29, the formal Dedication Ceremony for the World War II Memorial is taking place on the Mall in Washington, D.C.  The Memorial is the first national memorial dedicated to all who served during the Second World War. The memorial was established by the American Battle Monuments Commission, and "honors all military veterans of the war, the citizens on the home front, the nation at large, and the high moral purpose and idealism that motivated the nation`s call to arms."

As the 60th-anniversary of the Allied invasion to liberate Europe approaches, NRA members are encouraged to watch the A&E television network`s new docudrama Ike: Countdown to D-Day, on Memorial Day, May 31, at 8:00 p.m. EST.  The movie stars NRA Life Members Tom Selleck and Gerald McRaney, and examines the role of General Dwight D. Eisenhower (himself an NRA Life Member), and the details of the events leading up to June 6, 1944.

SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR SIGNS ONE-GUN-A-MONTH REPEAL

NRA-ILA is pleased to announce that Governor Mark Sanford (R) has signed HB 3442, repealing South Carolina`s restrictive "one-gun-a-month" law. The law limited the rights of law-abiding citizens by prohibiting handgun purchases with the establishment of a 30-day waiting period between purchases.

"This is a great day for law-abiding firearm owners in South Carolina," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. "On behalf of NRA`s four million members, I would like to thank Governor Sanford and the South Carolina Legislature for recognizing the importance of abolishing this unnecessary restriction on the Second Amendment.

"Gun rationing laws represent gun control in its worst form--they are designed solely to restrict law-abiding gun ownership. Today, South Carolina has taken a big leap forward in furthering freedom for law-abiding citizens," concluded Cox.

FBI REPORTS VIOLENT CRIME DOWN AGAIN IN 2003

On May 24, the FBI released preliminary crime statistics indicating that in 2003 the number of violent crimes in the U.S. decreased 3.2% from the previous year. Because the nation`s population rose between 2002-2003, the FBI`s report implies an even greater decrease in the violent crime rate (the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people).  The nation`s violent crime rate has dropped every year since 1991.

There were decreases in three of the four categories of violent crime.  The number of rapes and robberies both decreased by 1.9%, while the number of aggravated assaults decreased by 4.1%.  The number of murders increased 1.3%, but until the final figures are published this Fall, and factored against the 2003 population count, it will be unclear what change, if any, there was in the murder rate, which, in recent years has decreased to a level not seen since the mid-1960s.

The increase in the number of murders, FBI said, was driven by a 15.7% increase in cities with populations under 10,000, and a 10.8% increase in cities with populations between 10,000 and 24,999.  Murders increased 0.2% in big cities, decreased 6.5% in suburban counties, and decreased 4.7% in rural counties.

NRA members can be particularly pleased about the downward trend in violent crime. Criminologists and other experts routinely attribute the trend, in part, to stronger law enforcement and sentencing policies adopted in the states during the 1990s, in many cases with the active support of NRA.  The anti-gun groups, however, must have read the FBI`s report with mixed emotions. Because they profess an interest in reducing violent crime, they doubtless were pleased. On the other hand, the fact that violent crime keeps going down while the numbers of guns, gun owners, and Right-to-Carry states are increasing undercuts their anti-gun mantra  that crime is caused by guns, in and of themselves, and not the criminals.

BRADY CAMPAIGN`S COMPLAINT DISMISSED

Early this week, the Senate Ethics Committee officially dismissed a complaint lodged by the gun-ban group, the Brady Campaign, against U.S. Senator Larry Craig (R-Id.).  The Brady Campaign`s feeble complaint centered around the fact that Senator Craig sponsored the Protection of Lawful Commerce In Arms Act (S. 659/S. 1805) while serving as a member of  NRA`s Board of Directors. 

To most observers, the complaint was seen as nothing more than desperate, politically motivated sabre rattling.  Thankfully, in considering the issue, the Ethics Committee put politics aside and came down on the side of common sense. 

Confirming that the Brady Campaign`s petty contention was unwarranted, the Ethics Committee informed them that, "After careful consideration of your letter, of the provisions of Senate Rule 37 and other relevant standards, and of all the information before the Committee in this matter, it appears that your complaint lacks substantial merit.  Therefore, the Committee intends no further action with respect to this matter, which is hereby dismissed."

WILL MICHIGAN FOLLOW MINNESOTA`S LEAD?

With overwhelming support from the legislature, Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) recently signed legislation establishing a Minnesota dove hunting season for the first time since 1946. A similar bill to bring dove hunting to Michigan--HB 5029--awaits action from Governor Jennifer Granholm (D).

In an historic bipartisan vote in March, the Michigan Senate passed HB 5029 by a 22 to 15 vote. In November, the Michigan House of Representatives voted 64 to 44 in favor of establishing the first dove hunting season in state history.

"Mourning doves are America`s most popular and abundant game bird. Michigan sportsmen should have the same opportunity as people in Minnesota and 39 other states to participate in one of America`s oldest and most cherished pastimes this fall," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. "On behalf of tens of thousands of Michigan members, hunters, and sportsmen, NRA urges Governor Granholm to follow Minnesota`s lead in establishing a dove hunting season."

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade organization representing the sporting goods industry, forecasts a $115 million addition to Minnesota`s economy with the establishment of a dove hunting season. One Minnesota sporting goods store alone predicts a $1 million boost in sales with a dove season. Similar benefits are predicted for Michigan`s economy if this legislation is signed into law.

"Bringing a dove season to Michigan does more than provide new hunting opportunities--it will boost the economy by expanding tourism, increasing spending and creating jobs across the state," added Cox. "Signing this law will benefit all Michiganders, not just those who participate in the shooting sports." Michigan members should call Governor Granholm at (517) 373-3400, and respectfully urge her to sign HB 5029.

A LOOK AT THE STATES

LOUISIANA
This week, the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee approved SB 837, NRA-backed Right-to-Carry Reciprocity legislation. The bill now moves to the full House for final consideration. SB 2, the NRA-supported Right-to-Hunt, Fish, and Trap constitutional amendment, was recommitted to the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee for technical review of the proposed ballot language. The committee reported the bill out this week and it now awaits final consideration by the House. Please contact your State Representatives and urge them to support SB 837 and SB 2.  Contact information for lawmakers is available at www.legis.state.la.us.  Also, the Senate Judiciary C Committee reported out an amended version of SB 523 this week. As introduced, the bill banned the possession of firearms within 1,000 feet of Mardi Gras parades and similar events. NRA-ILA successfully amended the bill so that now it simply creates enhanced penalties for illegally carrying a firearm and using it to commit a crime of violence near such venues. SB 523 now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

Have a safe Memorial Day weekend,
and please remember those who have
paid the ultimate price to protect our freedom!

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.