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Grassroots Alert: Vol. 11, No. 24 6/18/2004

GOVERNOR GRANHOLM SIGNS MICHIGAN DOVE HUNTING BILL!

With strong support from gun owners and sportsmen across Michigan, today Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) signed legislation (HB 5029) legalizing dove hunting for the first time in nearly a hundred years.  Michigan becomes the 41st state with an established dove hunting season.

"Michigan`s hunters and sportsmen have long awaited this historic day," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox.  "On behalf of tens of thousands of Michigan NRA members, I want to thank Governor Granholm for recognizing the importance of dove hunting to sportsmen and signing this law. 

"I would especially like to acknowledge the hard work of bill sponsor Representative Susan Tabor (R-71) and supporters in the Legislature.  And, as always, a special thanks is extended to the countless NRA members and gun owners who made phone calls and sent letters in favor of bringing dove hunting to Michigan."

This year`s dove season will bring an estimated $87 million to Michigan`s economy. Michigan is the second state this year to establish a dove hunting season.  Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) signed a similar law last month.

"NRANEWS" TO AIR ON SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO

On June 17, NRA took its recently debuted news venture nationwide as Executive Vice President Wayne R. LaPierre launched NRANews on SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

NRANews.com, a new source of news and information for nearly four million National Rifle Association members and 65 million American gun owners, and SIRIUS Satellite Radio, known for delivering news and information, announced yesterday an agreement to broadcast NRANews` live three-hour news program daily from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. EST on SIRIUS Channel 126.  The show will be rebroadcast the following morning from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. EST on SIRIUS Right Channel 142.

Subscribers to NRANews.com or SIRIUS Satellite Radio will hear breaking news and in-depth reporting on important issues, with commentary by newsmakers, lawmakers, political pundits, journalists, and noted authors.

If you are a SIRIUS subscriber, please be sure to tune in to the show daily.  Of course, you may also access the show via the internet at www.NRANews.com.

Rest assured we`ll keep you informed of any developments in future issues of the Grassroots Alert.

CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS IN OPPOSITION TO CLINTON GUN BAN REAUTHORIZATION

Ten years ago, as part of his omnibus crime bill, Bill Clinton succeeded in convincing a bare majority in Congress that law-abiding Americans could not be trusted to own certain semi-automatic firearms.  On September 13, 2004, the Clinton gun ban is due to expire, and gun prohibitionists are now working to get Congress to extend, and even expand, this ban.  As September approaches, we must remain vigilant to any attempt by the anti-gunners to reauthorize this legislation.  Already, Representative Michael Castle (R-Del.), and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) have introduced bills to do just that--H.R. 3831 and S. 2498, respectively.

The stage is now set for a showdown, and you can be sure we`re in for a sustained political battle over the next three months!  Our opponents will continue to work at every turn to try and accomplish their anti-gun goals, and we need to be proactive!  Please visit NRA-ILA`s informative website-- www.ClintonGunBan.com --and learn the facts about this debate, which has too long been driven and dominated by falsehoods and emotion.  And please continue to forward this website to others who need to know both the history and the truth about this issue.  Then, please immediately contact your Representative and Senators and urge them to oppose H.R. 3831 and S. 2498, or any other legislation seeking to extend the so-called "assault weapons" ban.  You can find contact information for your elected officials by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org, or you can call your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121.

NOT IN TOWN ON ELECTION DAY?  WANT TO VOTE EARLY?  NRA CAN HELP!

In elections, every vote matters.  And once again, as this year`s elections are expected to be extremely close, it is critical that every NRA member and pro-Second Amendment supporter exercises his right to vote in order to protect our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

Even if you can`t vote in person on November 2, your voice can still be heard!

Most states allow voters to cast their ballot early (either in-person or by mail).  And every state allows absentee voting if you plan to be away on Election Day—November 2.  To make sure the vote of every Second Amendment supporter is counted this year, NRA is providing a free service that will  make voting easier in the 2004 general election.  Working with HelpingAmericansVote.Org™, a non-partisan service, we are providing you with information about early voting and absentee voting options that will make your participation easier. 

In addition to the information you will need to vote early or via absentee ballot, you can also use this service to register to vote, or to update your voter registration to reflect a recent change in residence.  To access this site, please go to www.NRAILA.org, and click on the NRA-ILA HelpingAmericansVote icon and select your state, or you can go directly to the site at http://NRA.HelpingAmericansVote.org.  Please forward these links to your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners, and encourage them to take advantage of this service to ensure that the voices of America`s 65 million gun owners are heard loudly and clearly in this year`s critically-important elections!

We can`t take even a single pro-gun vote for granted this year.  Please visit http://NRA.HelpingAmericansVote.org and make sure your vote is cast to support your gun  rights.

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. Nominations may 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 nominee 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.

A LOOK AT THE STATES

ARKANSAS
On June 22, several primary run-off elections will be held. To find out about NRA-PVF endorsed candidates, please call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683).

CALIFORNIA
The Ammunition Sales Registration Bill, SB 1152, would require any person engaged in the retail sale of ammunition to record the date, the name, address, and date of birth of the transferee, a thumbprint, and make the information available to peace officers. This bill would also outlaw the sale of ammunition to a person under 18 years of age. This bill is currently on the Senate floor and could be voted on at any time. Please contact your Senators and respectfully urge them to oppose this bill!  You can find contact information for your legislators by using the "Write Your Representatives" feature at www.NRAILA.org.   

DELAWARE
This week, the State Senate approved House Bill 69, which allows for the use of modern, more effective, projectiles to be used in the hunting of deer with muzzle-loading, black-powder rifles. The bill now goes to Governor Ruth Ann Minner (D) for her signature.  Please call and thank those legislators who were instrumental in the passage of this bill, including the bill`s sponsors, Representative Nancy Wagner (R-31), and Senator Nancy Cook (D-15), as well as Senator David McBride (D-13) for his support of the bill.  Please be sure to call these legislators and thank them for their efforts.  You can find contact information by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org

ILLINOIS
The DuPage Forest District Board will soon consider a proposal to build a public range in DuPage County.  Chicago anti-gunners have been vigorously opposing the construction of the range. It is important that you contact the board members today, and tell them that you support building a range in DuPage County. There are two things you must do: First, call the Forest Preserve HQ at (630) 933-7200 and politely tell the operator that you want to leave a message with the board in support of building a range in DuPage County. Then, send an e-mail to each of the following board members, telling them that you support the building of a range in DuPage County: Marsha Murphy, [email protected] ; Joe Cantore, [email protected]; Wally Brown, [email protected]; Gwen Henry, [email protected]; Carl Schultz [email protected]; Roger Kotecki, [email protected]

PENNSYLVANIA
On June 22, legislation calling for a constitutional amendment to guarantee Pennsylvania citizens the Right to Hunt and Fish will be voted on in the Senate Judiciary Committee.  HB 1512, introduced by Representative Matt Baker (R-68), would add a clause to the Pennsylvania Constitution to protect the right to hunt and fish as long as all laws and regulations affecting the sport are upheld.  Seven  states, including Alabama, Minnesota, Virginia, and Vermont, have enacted constitutional amendments ensuring this right for its citizens.  Please contact your state Senator and ask him to support this important legislation.

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.