FINAL COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN
ON CLINTON GUN BAN—
Take Nothing For Granted!!!!
With Congress set to come back from its Summer District Work Period on September 7, only a handful of legislative days remain before the Clinton gun ban is due to expire on September 13.
With time running out, two things are certain:
- The anti-gunners will re-double their efforts to expand and extend the ban (in fact, next week, the Brady Campaign will once again roll out its typical and ongoing dog-and-pony PR show to blame inanimate objects for the acts of criminals) , and
- we can not take anything for granted!
We have come too far in the past 10 years not to pull out all the stops in the next week and a half to ensure that this ban expires as Congress intended, and becomes nothing more than a sad footnote in America`s history.
Therefore, we are once again urging you to keep the heat on your lawmakers to ensure they know that their voting constituents do not want to see this ban extended even one second longer than its scheduled demise on September 13.
Once again, please visit NRA-ILA`s website —http://www.clintongunban.com/ —to have all the facts about this debate. And even if you`ve done so before, please forward this website to others who need to know both the history and the truth about this issue. Then, as you have been doing, please immediately contact your U.S. Representative and your U.S. Senators and urge them to oppose any legislation seeking to extend the Clinton gun ban.
You can find contact information for your elected officials by using the "Write Your
Representatives" tool or you can call your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121, and your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121.
Working together in these last few legislative days before September 13, we can ensure that our mutual and tireless efforts over the past decade pay off with the abolition of Bill Clinton`s repressive gun ban!
NRA-ILA COMING TO A
BATTLEGROUND STATE NEAR YOU!
By now, you are no doubt aware that this year`s presidential and congressional elections will be won or lost in the so-called battleground states and battleground districts. To ensure NRA members are actively engaged in the most critical races in the country, NRA-ILA`s Grassroots Division remains in full swing hosting its Grassroots-Election Workshops. Below is the schedule for upcoming Workshops:
-Savannah, Georgia 9/18/04
-Anchorage, Alaska 9/25/04
-Burnsville, Minnesota 9/25/04
-Overland Park, Kansas 9/25/04
-Wasilla, Alaska 9/27/04
-Monticello, Minnesota 9/28/04
-Fairbanks, Alaska 9/29/04
-Bellevue, Washington 9/30/04
-Flagstaff, Arizona 10/2/04
-Spokane, Washington 10/2/04
-Pensacola, Florida 10/2/04
-Orlando, Florida 10/4/04
-Fort Myers, Florida 10/5/04
-Coral Gables, Florida 10/7/04
It is critical that we have a strong showing at these Workshops to propel our pro-gun candidates to victory on November 2!
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.
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 featuring our "I`m the NRA & I Vote" and "Vote
Freedom First!" slogans, 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 (800) 388-8755 now and order your signs while supplies last! Of course, you may still purchase signs by visiting www.nrailasigns.org.
NOT IN TOWN ON ELECTION DAY?
WANT TO VOTE EARLY?
NRA CAN HELP!
Once again, the November election is 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 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.OrgTM, 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 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 every one of your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners is a registered voter. 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 even 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
ALASKA
Once again, out-of-state animal rights extremists are seeking to force their will on Alaskans by seeking to ban the use of bear management techniques commonly used by the Department of Fish and Game. Funded largely by fanatical anti-hunting groups such as Greenpeace and P.E.T.A., this ballot measure would, in addition to restricting the methods used by hunters to attract bears, ban the intentional feeding of bears for the purpose of photography or viewing and prohibit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game from live trapping and relocating problem bears. If found in violation of this proposed law, one could spend a year in jail and face a hefty $10,000 fine for each offense. It`s time to say "NO" to a radical agenda that would tie the hands of Alaska`s professional game biologists from utilizing one of the most effective game management tools available. It`s time to say "NO" to extremists that seek to punish law-abiding Alaskans for protecting their children and pets from predatory bears and it`s time to say "NO", once and for all, to out of state interests that would deny local control or public involvement on an issue of this importance. Please be sure to encourage your family, friends, and fellow sportsmen to vote "NO ON BALLOT MEASURE 3" in the November 2 election.
ARIZONA
The Arizona Primary Election is Tuesday, September 7. 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 September 7 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.
CALIFORNIA
Anti-gun legislation, AB50, which would ban the sale and possession of .50 caliber rifles, SB1140, the Negligent Storage Bill, and SB1152, the Ammo and Fingerprint Registration Bill, all passed out of the California Legislature, and are now headed to the Governor`s desk. It is critical that you contact Governor Schwarzenegger (R), respectfully asking him to VETO all three anti-gun bills. Please contact him at State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA, 95814, Phone: (916) 445-2841, Fax: (916) 445-4633.
FLORIDA
On Tuesday, the resounding cry of pro-gun voters reverberated throughout Florida in the 2004 Primary election! All three NRA-PVF- and Unified Sportsmen of Florida (USF)-endorsed candidates in the Florida Congressional races won handily—Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-4) captured 90.0 percent of the vote, Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R-9) received 84.5 percent, and Rep. Adam Putnam (R-12) won with 92.3 percent. In the Florida Senate, NRA-PVF- and USF-endorsed incumbent state Senator Steve Wise (R-5) won with ease with 80.4 percent of the Republican party vote. NRA members were the deciding factor in many Florida House races, where a few faces were decided by a handful of votes. Thirteen of the 14 NRA-PVF- and USF-endorsed candidates won their primary elections, and there is no doubt that NRA and USF members and fellow firearm owners contributed to the victories. The most important victory in the Florida House was the Democratic primary in District 36. Incumbent and NRA-PVF- and USF- endorsed Democrat, Sheri McInvale, was opposed by "Million" Mom/Brady Campaign activist and liberal party insider, Marni Berger. Rep. McInvale won by 51 votes! This, no doubt, is a victory for gun owners that can only be attributed to NRA and USF members and gun owners, who proved that anti-gun extremists are out of touch with the community and law-abiding gun owners. They have no place in our halls of freedom. With only two months until the 2004 elections, NRA and USF members will be the deciding factor in thousands of state legislative races, the U.S. House, 34 U.S. Senate races, 11 Governors` races and the Presidential election. For more information on the election results, NRA and USF members can call the Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.
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 QUESTION 2" on this initiative on November 2.
MARYLAND
On Saturday, October 9, from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., the Baltimore County Game & Fish Protective Association, Inc. (BCGF), is hosting its first annual "NRA Day." This free event, also sponsored by numerous pro-gun organizations and companies, will be held rain or shine at the BCGF on Northwind Road in Parkville. Firearms training will be provided by NRA Certified Instructors, and shotgun, handgun, rifle, and air gun shooting will be offered. A free moon bounce will be offered for the kids, and numerous prizes will be awarded. Earlier that day, BCGF will be hosting an "NRA Day" Trap Tournament as well. For more information, please call (410) 668-2171.
NEVADA
The Nevada Primary Election is Tuesday, September 7. 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 September 7 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.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
On Saturday, September 4, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., make plans to attend Skip`s Gun & Sport Shop`s Labor Day Weekend 45th Anniversary Event in Bristol (837 Lake Street) as it celebrates 45 years in business! Festivities include a kids` archery contest (with prizes for every shooter), Paintball and Airsoft Challenges, and free "5 Alarm" chili for those willing. Skip`s will be offering big "in store" sales all weekend. Governor Craig Benson (R), U.S. Representative Charlie Bass (R-02), and Executive Councilor for the Governor, Ray Burton, will be in attendance, as will a representative from the Pemi Fish & Game Club. While there, be sure to meet your NRA-ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC), Scott Newhall, who will be hosting an "NRA-ILA Information Table," where he will be providing information on how you can become more politically active in your community. Scott is an NRA member who, in his volunteer leadership capacity as EVC, assists pro-gun candidates with phone banks, literature drops, voter registration drives, precinct walks, and other campaign activities. He also works with and organizes volunteers to affect firearm-related legislation in New Hampshire and on Capitol Hill. Please be sure to stop by the ILA table to meet your EVC and learn how you can make a difference in this year`s elections. For information/questions regarding this event, please contact EVC Scott Newhall at (603) 536-1345, www.ScottNewhall.com, or via e-mail at: [email protected].
NRA will be closed on Monday, September 6, in observation of Labor Day.
Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!
