ATTEND TOWN HALL MEETINGS— OPPOSE EXTENSION OF GUN BAN
As we continue to note, Congress will return from its Summer District Work Period on September 7. That means that the gun-banners have only days left to push for an extension of the Clinton gun ban before it "sunsets" next month. With time running out, we must remain vigilant against any attempts to reauthorize this legislation. As we count down the remaining days, it is critical that we remain active!
During this recess, many of your Senators and Representatives will be back home in their respective states and districts. Many lawmakers use this time to hold town hall meetings, where they can report on what they`ve been doing in Washington, and hold discussions with their constituents. These meetings afford you an opportunity to personally voice your strong opposition to any legislation that seeks to reenact or expand the 1994 Clinton gun ban. Please contact your lawmakers` district offices and ask when they plan to hold their town hall meetings during the break. If you do not know the number for your lawmakers` district offices, you can use the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org, or call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.
If you are able to meet with them, it is critical that you ask your Senators and your Representative to oppose any legislation that seeks to reauthorize the Clinton gun ban. Also, if, during these meetings, you learn of any important positions your lawmakers have on firearm-related issues—especially regarding the Clinton gun ban—please contact the Grassroots Division and let us know.
In addition to attending town hall meetings and speaking out in support of our Right to Keep and Bear Arms, please forward the dates, times, and locations of any town hall meetings to your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners, and to the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division, so we may compile this information and share it with the pro-gun community. Please forward this information to the Grassroots Division by calling (800) 392-8683, by faxing to (703) 267-3918, or by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. Also, please take advantage of this recess to try and schedule personal meetings with your lawmakers and/or their staffs in their district offices to discuss these issues, and share any intelligence with us.
For a current list of these meetings, please visit www.NRAILA.org, choose "Get Involved Locally," and then click the "Event Calendar."
USE TOLL-FREE NUMBER TO ORDER NRA-ILA YARD SIGNS
Now it`s easier than ever to show your support for NRA and the Second Amendment this election season by purchasing your very own NRA-ILA yard signs via our new toll-free order line.
Available in two colorful, patriotic designs, these high quality signs are bold, durable, and easy to assemble.
Proceeds from the sale of the signs provide much needed funding for our efforts to protect, preserve, and strengthen our Second Amendment rights. Please call now and order your signs while supplies last. The toll-free order line number is: (800) 388-8755.
Of course, you may still purchase signs by visiting www.nrailasigns.org.
Let your community know where you stand. Please call or visit the site today!
NEW NRA-PVF WEBSITE REDESIGNED
The NRA-Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) has redesigned its website, www.nrapvf.org, to make it more user-friendly and to provide you with the critical information you`ll need to make informed decisions on Election Day, November 2. Included on the site will be news stories, articles from NRA`s magazines, NRA-PVF press releases, polling information, and everything else needed to make this your year-round election headquarters.
News stories will be updated regularly, keeping you informed with the latest campaign and election news. The NRA-PVF site will help you make a difference with the "Write Your Representatives" and "EVC Locator" options. And, in an effort to make sure your voice is heard on Election Day, NRA-PVF has included a voter registration section and an absentee voting information center. Later, you`ll see candidate grades and endorsements with hyperlinks to campaigns NRA-PVF is supporting.
If you`re already an NRA member, you will be able to visit the special "NRA Members Only" section with features exclusive to you. Simply log in with your NRA member number (the number is printed on your membership card and on the cover of
your magazine). Once in, members will have special access to NRA-PVF screen savers and wallpaper, a convenient display of the candidate grades for your lawmakers, and a brand new "Build Your Own e-Precinct" section.
The 2004 elections are just two months away, and NRA members will be deciding thousands of state legislative races, 435 U.S. House races, 34 U.S. Senate races, 11 Governors` races, and the Presidential race. NRA-PVF needs your help now more than ever. Please go to www.nrapvf.org to get everything you need to Vote Freedom First. And while you`re there, don`t forget to order a yard sign to show your support for America`s first freedom and the NRA.
NOT IN TOWN ON ELECTION DAY? WANT TO VOTE EARLY? NRA CAN HELP!
This year`s elections are just around the corner and, once again, many 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. But remember, some states require individuals to register to vote 30, 45, or even 60 days in advance, so if you haven`t registered, please be sure to do so right away! 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 make sure that every one of your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners is a registered voter. You can forward these links to them 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.
GET YOUR NRA-ILA VISA® CARD, AND DEFEND THE SECOND AMENDMENT WITH EVERY PURCHASE!
As a proud supporter of NRA`s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), you can now carry the card that shows your support with every purchase. The NRA-ILA Platinum Edition® Visa Card offers you a LOW introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers, and with each purchase, you will help support NRA-ILA`s efforts to protect the Second Amendment!
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For additional information, or to apply, please call (866) NRA-VISA ext. 44200.
A LOOK AT THE STATES
CALIFORNIA
Anti-gun legislation, AB50 which would ban the sale and possession of .50 caliber rifles, passed out of the California Legislature by one vote and is now headed to the Governor`s desk. Please be sure to contact the Governor`s office and respectfully ask him to VETO AB 50. Please remind him that this anti-gun legislation is a huge unfunded mandate on the state, is not supported by law enforcement, will drive law-abiding American businesses into bankruptcy, and will do nothing to fight crime. SB1140, the Negligent Storage Bill, also passed out of the Assembly and is now headed to the Governor`s desk. This bill makes it a crime if a minor gains access to your firearm with or without your permission. Please be sure to contact the Governor`s office, encouraging him to VETO SB 1140. SB1733, the Gun Show Ban, and AJR56, the Assault Weapons Resolution, may be voted on the Assembly floor before the end of session. SB1152, the Ammo Registration Bill, passed out of the Assembly and is currently headed back to the Senate floor for a final vote. It is critical that you contact your Legislators asking them to OPPOSE any anti-gun legislation by voting "NO" on the floor. Please contact your legislators TODAY! You can find contact information by visiting www.NRAILA.org and using the "Write Your Representatives" feature.
FLORIDA
The Florida Primary Election is Tuesday, August 31. Please go to the polls and vote for those candidates who support our "Right to Keep and Bear Arms." And please be sure to encourage your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to vote on August 31 as well. To find out more about the candidates running in these districts, NRA members can call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.
ILLINOIS
Last Friday, August 20, Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) kept his word--and added to his anti-gun credentials--when he vetoed SB 2165. This legislation sought to provide an affirmative defense for a gun owner if he uses a firearm prohibited by local ordinance in defense of himself or others. Fortunately, this fight is far from over. The Illinois General Assembly will hold its Fall Veto Session during the second and third week of November, which will give the pro-self defense community an opportunity to override Governor Blagojevich. Please be sure to contact your lawmakers and urge them to vote to override the Governor`s veto of SB 2165 during the Fall Veto Session. The Senate can be reached by calling (217) 782-4517, and the House can be reached at (217) 782-8223. For additional contact information, please use the "Write Your Representatives" feature located at www.NRAILA.org. On a positive note, Governor Blagojevich did sign SB 2386 into law on July 28. This law prohibits civil suits against a gun owner who uses a firearm to defend himself or others.
MAINE
National animal "rights" groups, led by the Humane Society of the United States, have organized and funded a ballot initiative for the November 2 election that would ban the three traditional methods of bear hunting—baiting, hunting with dogs, and trapping. These groups routinely use ballot measures to curtail hunting throughout the country and have been successful in several states, including banning all trapping in nearby Massachusetts. Please be sure to encourage your family, friends, and fellow sportsmen to vote "NO" on this initiative in the November 2 election. Please note: To fight the anti-bear hunting ballot initiative question on the November 2 ballot, NRA-ILA is hosting a FREE Grassroots-Election Workshop in Augusta on August 28. The Workshop and related materials, including food & drink, are FREE! At the Workshop, you will hear from U.S. Representative Michael Michaud (D) as he discusses the effects of this referendum in your state. You will also hear from organizations in Maine that are working to protect your sporting and outdoors traditions, NRA-ILA representatives, and NRA-ILA Election Volunteer Coordinators (EVCs) on what you can do locally to try to defeat this initiative on Election Day. Your EVC is a local NRA member who is working closely with NRA-ILA to defeat this bear initiative by providing critically-needed volunteer support for a variety of activities. Rest assured, anti-hunting extremists are already working full force in the Pine Tree State to ensure the passage of this initiative. We must be prepared to defeat their efforts at every turn. The Workshop will be held tomorrow, Saturday, August 28, from 9:00 a.m. - Noon, at the Holiday Inn Augusta-Civic Center, 110 Community Drive, Augusta. Registration and breakfast will be from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. For additional information, please call (207) 622-4751.
MARYLAND
This week, the Joint Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review Committee considered the proposed regulations of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) black bear management plan. The plan consists of a limited hunt which would take place this fall in specified areas of Garrett and Allegany counties. Despite solid scientific evidence presented by DNR supporting the need for a limited hunt, and pressure from NRA members and hunters statewide to approve the hunt, the Committee voted 12-7 against the measure. The decision to reinstate the hunt is now in the hands of Governor Robert Ehrlich (R), who says he will overturn the Committee`s ruling. It is imperative that you call Governor Ehrlich and let him know that you favor a black bear hunt! In addition, please let him know that you appreciate his efforts in support of the proposal. Finally, please be sure to thank Governor Ehrlich for his ongoing advocacy of hunters and gunowners in the State of Maryland. Governor Ehrlich can be reached at (410) 974-3901, by e-mail at [email protected], or by mail at Office of the Governor, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., State House, Annapolis, MD 21401.
TEXAS
On August 30, the Texas State Rifle Association (TSRA) and NRA will be presenting a Hunter/Gun Owner Seminar in Stephenville. Speaker`s topics will include hunter safety and general firearm ownership issues. The event will be held in the Community Room of the First American Bank at 2207 West Washington Street, Stephenville. For more information, please contact Carroll Cawyer at 254-968-6439. This event is open to the public and area NRA members are encouraged to attend.
