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Grassroots Alert: Vol. 11, No. 25 6/25/2004

REPRESENTATIVE TIAHRT UNDER ATTACK
FOR PROTECTING OUR RIGHTS AND PRIVACY!

U. S. Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), has recently come under attack from anti-gun media and gun control advocates for offering an amendment to the 2005 Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations Bill that would preclude the disclosure of personally identifying data about the nation`s gun owners.  The information--multiple handgun purchase data and firearm trace data--is being sought in various reckless civil lawsuits against the firearms industry.

While the House Appropriations Committee approved the measure on a bipartisan vote of 42-19, there was shrill opposition from some quarters.  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R), decried the decision, calling it "an outrage" and an "end run" by the NRA that would take away the ability to "hold gun manufacturers liable."  Of course, the Brady Campaign wasted no time in lambasting Rep. Tiahrt and voicing their opposition to the bill, agreeing with Bloomberg and sharing his "outrage" that this private information will not be made publicly available.

Rep. Tiahrt introduced the amendment in response to a recent New York City court ruling that said the city could use federal gun records in its "public nuisance" lawsuit against the firearms industry.  The amendment bars some federal gun records for use in civil lawsuits, but still allows the information to be made available to law enforcement and prosecutors, and for bona fide criminal investigations.

Charles Knapp, a spokesman for Rep. Tiahrt said the bill is designed to protect law enforcement by preventing sensitive information about gun investigations from leaking to the public.  "The better good is served in protecting law enforcement and criminal investigations into people who have potentially broken the law," Mr. Knapp said. "A gun trafficker who`s under investigation and has access to this information is basically tipped off." 

Even the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), the Fraternal Order of Police, and New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly oppose release of this information, arguing that the databases contain information (such as names of buyers of traced guns) that could identify officers or informants, and could jeopardize ongoing investigations.  And does anyone doubt the willingness of some members of the media to publish this information as they have done with concealed carry permit lists in some states?

Even worse, the information included in these reports includes the name, address, make, models, and serial numbers of the guns purchased, and, if released, could provide criminals with a shopping list of your guns with your address!

Far from attacking Rep. Tiahrt, all freedom loving, pro-Second Amendment Americans (especially those in Kansas) should thank him for his commitment to protecting our rights and his willingness to do so even in the face of the anti-gunners` offensive.  Please contact Rep. Todd Tiahrt this week and thank him for his support of our gun rights and our right to privacy.  You can find contact information for Rep. Tiahrt by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org, or you can call his office at (202) 225-6216, or e-mail him at http://www.house.gov/tiahrt/email.htm.

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

In elections, votes matter.  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 ballots 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.

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 propel pro-gun candidates to victory 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:

-Norwich, Connecticut  07/17/04

-Waco, Texas   08/05/04

-North Dallas, Texas  08/07/04

-South Bend, Indiana  08/07/04

-Fort Mitchell, Kentucky 08/07/04

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 seats.  NRA members who have access to the Internet can also go to www.nraila.org/workshops/ to reserve their seats on-line.

A LOOK AT THE STATES

NEW YORK
Lawmakers headed back to their districts this week, with no agreement on a budget in sight.  They are slated to return in 6 weeks. In the meantime, please contact your legislator, in their district office, to get their positions and status regarding pro-hunting and pro-gun legislation.  You can find contact information regarding your lawmaker by using the "Write Your Representatives" feature at www.NRAILA.org.

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.