CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS IN OPPOSITION TO CLINTON GUN BAN REAUTHORIZATION
Congress will be on its Summer District Work Period from July 26 through Labor Day. That means that the gun-banners have just 10 working days left during which to push "assault weapons" legislation if they hope to get a vote before the September 13 "sunset" of the Clinton gun ban. With time running out, the anti-gunners and their media sympathizers are becoming desperate. We must remain vigilant against any attempt to reauthorize this legislation. We can expect the gun prohibitionists to mount a major offensive battle and now, more than ever, it is critical that we remain active! Please visit NRA-ILA`s website -- www.ClintonGunBan.com -- to learn the facts about this debate. 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 any legislation seeking to extend the "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, or your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121.
RULING MUDDLES MINNESOTA RIGHT-TO-CARRY LAW
In a controversial July 13 decision, Ramsey County District Judge John Finley ruled that Minnesota`s concealed carry law was unconstitutional. At issue was the constitutionality of the common practice of "bundling" different types of legislation.
The ruling seems to parallel the increasingly common trend of activist judges who exploit their position to forward a political agenda. In this case, the gun-banners tracked down the most anti-gun judge they could find and filed in his jurisdiction, banking on a favorable decision.
At present, however, permits are still being issued and Minnesota Attorney General Michael Hatch has said he will appeal Finley`s ruling.
Rest assured that NRA-ILA will keep you apprised of any developments in this evolving story.
CHALLENGE TO OHIO CARRY LAW IS REJECTED
On July 13, the Ohio Supreme Court unanimously, and without comment, dismissed a lawsuit that challenged the state`s new Right-to-Carry law.
The suit, filed by the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, was based on the implausible claim that county sheriffs do not have the resources to conduct thorough background checks of permit applicants.
Representative Bill Seitz (R-30), a member of the House Criminal Justice Committee, was pleased with the court`s dismissal. "I am satisfied that Ohio took the constitutional and lawful first steps toward joining 44 other states [that have some type of carry laws]."
NRA-ILA applauds the responsible and appropriate action of the Ohio Supreme Court.
NRA-ILA YARD SIGNS NOW AVAILABLE
Now you can proudly show your support for NRA and the Second Amendment this election season by displaying your very own NRA-ILA yard sign.
Available in two colorful, patriotic designs, these high quality signs are bold, durable, and easy to assemble.
Proceeds from the sale of the signs provides much needed funding for our efforts to protect, preserve and strengthen our Second Amendment rights.
For more information and to purchase the signs, please visit www.nrailasigns.org.
NRA-ILA GRASSROOTS ELECTION WORKSHOPS
With the 2004 elections in full swing, 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 7/17/04
-Waco, Texas 8/05/04
-North Dallas, Texas 8/07/04
-South Bend, Indiana 8/07/04
-Fort Mitchell, Kentucky 8/07/04
-W. Columbia, South Carolina 8/14/04
-Charleston, South Carolina 8/17/04
-Charlotte, North Carolina 8/19/04
-New Bern, North Carolina 8/21/04
-Aurora, Colorado 8/26/04
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.
NOT IN TOWN ON ELECTION DAY?
WANT TO VOTE EARLY?
NRA CAN HELP!
Once again, 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 a single pro-gun vote for granted. Please visit http://NRA.HelpingAmericansVote.org and make sure your vote is cast to support your gun rights.
A LOOK AT THE STATES
GEORGIA
Tuesday, July 20, is primary election day in your area so please be sure to get out and vote! To find out more information and about NRA-PVF endorsed candidates, please call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683).
ILLINOIS
While the General Assembly has been involved with trying to straighten out the state`s budget mess, your NRA has been working to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners in Illinois. Language has been introduced that will eliminate the database that the Illinois State Police has created to track lawful purchasers of firearms. The current legislative vehicle for this effort is SB 2188, which was originally introduced as a bill to establish a Right-to-Carry system for retired members of the law enforcement community. SB 2188 has now been amended to simply eliminate the unauthorized database established by the Illinois State Police. A vote on this legislation is imminent, so it is critical that Illinois gun owners and their friends and family contact their State Representatives and Senators immediately and urge them to support SB 2188. Representatives can be reached by calling (217) 782-8223, and Senators can be reached by calling (217) 782-4517.
MISSISSIPPI
During the 2004 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature, Representative Warner McBride (D-Courtland) and Senator Walter Michel (R-Jackson) worked to pass SB 2623, which created a specialized license plate for supporters of the National Rifle Association. The specialized tags cost $31, with $24 of that total being deposited into the NRA Foundation State Fund Account for Mississippi to be used for Foundation-related projects such as youth hunter education, firearms safety training, and shooting range development. For further information and to view a sample of the NRA plates, please visit www.NRAILA.org and click on the "alerts in your state" section under "Action Alerts." The Mississippi Tax Commission is charged with producing the plates, which can be ordered through your county tax collectors office. According to state law, 200 license plates must be pre-sold before the Tax Commission can begin mass production. If you are interested in becoming one of the first 200 NRA supporters in the State of Mississippi to receive a specialized tag, please complete the order form found at www.nraila.org/images/mstag.pdf and make out a check for $31.00 to the Mississippi Tax Commission. Send your completed form and check to: Mr. Dick Kingsafer, Senior Field Representative, National Rifle Association, 178 West Bay Drive Lumberton, MS 39455.Please keep a copy of your order form for your records. NRA will notify you once 200 plates have been sold and your tags have been shipped to your county tax collectors office for pick up. Thank you for your support.
NEW YORK
Lawmakers will return to Albany for a one-day session on Tuesday, July 20. It is not expected that they will come to any agreement on the continuing budget stalemate. It is important that you contact your lawmakers and remind them of your continued opposition to the renewable pistol license scheme contained in Governor Pataki`s (R) proposed budget. For contact information, please use the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org.
NEW YORK CITY
As expected, this week Mayor Bloomberg (R) approved the fee hikes for gun licenses. The City Council overwhelmingly agreed to the increases on a vote of 47-3. This increases pistol licenses to $340 and long gun licenses to $140 for three years.
NORTH CAROLINA
The North Carolina General Assembly has passed two NRA-backed bills. The first, HB 817, eliminates the need for Right-to-Carry permit holders to acquire a Permit to Purchase before purchasing a handgun in North Carolina. The second, SB 464, establishes an NRA license plate for North Carolina vehicles. These bills are now on Governor Mike Easley`s (D) desk, awaiting his expected signature. Finally, Tuesday, July 20, is Primary Election Day in North Carolina. While the NRA-Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is in the process of notifying NRA members about endorsements in their districts, members can also contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) for this information.
