CONTACT YOUR LAWMAKERS IN SUPPORT OF S. 397 AND H.R. 800
As regular readers of the "Grassroots Alert" know, in the recent past we have frequently reported on the need for passage of S. 397 and H.R. 800, the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act."
With time drawing short before your legislators adjourn for the "Summer District Work Period" (August 1-September 5), it is imperative that you continue to contact your U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative and ask them to cosponsor and support this critically important legislation--without any anti-gun amendments--and put a halt to these reckless lawsuits once and for all. Again, please be sure to contact your lawmakers immediately and urge them to support this legislation. And be sure to let them know that you consider any votes in support of anti-gun amendments to this legislation as votes against the bill itself.
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 and your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121.
ALERT US TO AND ATTEND TOWN HALL MEETINGS!
Congress` "Independence Day District Work Period" is scheduled for July 4-July 8. During this time, your Senators and Representative 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 take questions from their constituents. These meetings offer a tremendous opportunity for you to personally voice your strong support for S. 397 and H.R. 800--the Senate and House versions of the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act," and S. 1082 and H.R. 1288--the Senate and House versions of the "District of Columbia Personal Protection Act." 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 get a chance to meet with your lawmakers, be sure to: Urge Your Senators To Cosponsor And Support S. 397/H.R. 800 and S. 1082/H.R. 1288.
In addition to attending 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].
TEXAS GOVERNOR PERRY SIGNS ALL NINE NRA-BACKED BILLS
In the June 3, edition of the Grassroots Alert, we wrote that the Texas Legislature had adjourned sine die on May 30, after passing an unprecedented number of pro-gun bills to protect hunting, benefit our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, further reform the state`s Right-to-Carry law, and--at the same time--expand your right to self-defense without a license.
We are happy to report that, late last week, Texas Governor Rick Perry (R) signed all nine of the NRA-ILA supported bills!
Commenting on the signings, NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox, stated, "We would like to thank Governor Perry for signing these bills. The great state of Texas, once again, leads the way to protect and strengthen the rights of all law-abiding citizens."
Governor Perry concurred and in summation stated: "The right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right of every law-abiding citizen in our country. This legislation will clarify existing firearms laws, enhance protections for law-abiding gun owners and reduce barriers for gun ownership."
PETA`S TREATMENT OF ANIMALS
The fanatical anti-hunting group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), made headlines recently, not for "ethically" treating animals, but for killing them.
Last week, two PETA employees were each charged with 31 felony counts of animal cruelty, and nine misdemeanor counts related to illegal disposal of dead animals and trespassing, after authorities found them dumping the dead bodies of 18 animals they had just picked up from a North Carolina animal shelter in a dumpster. According to The Associated Press, 13 more dead animals were found in a van registered to PETA. Veterinarians and animal control officers reportedly stated that PETA workers promised they would find homes for the dogs and cats relinquished to their care, rather than euthanize them.
SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR 2004 NRA-ILA VOLUNTEER AWARDS
The "NRA-ILA Jay M. Littlefield Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award" is an annual honor that recognizes an individual 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.
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.
Nominations for these honors for last year (2004) should be submitted to: NRA-ILA Volunteer Awards, c/o Jennifer Bradey, NRA-ILA Grassroots Division, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030. Nominations may also be faxed to Jennifer at (703) 267-3918, or e-mailed to [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is July 1, 2005.
A LOOK AT THE STATES
(****For all of the action items below, you can find contact information for your legislators by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org. As always, thank you for your support****)
CALIFORNIA
Anti-gun legislation, Senate Bill 357, is expected to be heard in the Assembly Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, June 28. Recently amended, this bill requires that all handgun ammunition carry a unique serial number engraved on both the bullet and the case and be registered to the purchaser. SB 357 bans the manufacture, transfer, and possession of non-serialized handgun ammunition after July 1, 2009, and possession of non-serialized ammunition would be a crime. SB 357 would also require ammunition vendors and manufacturers to register with the Department of Justice. Please contact members of the Committee and ask them to oppose SB 357. For a list of committee members and their contact information, please go to www.nraila.org/CurrentLegislation/Read.aspx?ID=1652-L. Assembly Bill 996 has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. AB 996 would require all retailers to display and sell ammunition in a manner that is only accessible by an employee, not the purchaser. Any violation of this measure would result in a misdemeanor. This bill has been voted down twice during the 2005 Legislative Session because existing law already makes it a crime to sell ammunition to a minor, or ammunition designed for a handgun to anyone less than 21 years of age. Please contact members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and ask them to oppose AB 996. Assembly Bill 352 is expected to be considered by the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, June 28. AB 352 expands the definition of "unsafe handguns" to include semi-automatic pistols that are not designed and equipped with an array of microscopic characters which identify the make, model, and serial number of the pistol by imprinting the characters on each cartridge case when the firearm is discharged. This legislation could essentially ban all semi-automatic pistols commonly used by California gun owners. Please contact members of the Senate Public Safety Committee and ask them to oppose AB 352.
MICHIGAN
NRA-ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC) Jerry Kraus (MI-9) would like to invite you to attend the "Michigan Friends of NRA Celebrity Shoot" with celebrities such as Dennis Hextal from the Detroit Red Wings, and Mickey Lolitch from the Detroit Tigers, among others! Jerry has coordinated several events, and participated in several Celebrity Shoots, in the past, and this year`s event promises to be a success. So come on out and join your fellow shotgun shooters for a day of shooting while raising money for the Friends of the NRA! The event will be held on Friday, August 5, at 10:30 a.m. at the Detroit Gun Club, 2775 Oakley Park Road, Walled Lake, MI 48390. Admission prices vary, for ticket information and additional information, please contact Jerry Kraus by phone at 248-706-1513 or by e-mail at [email protected].
NEW YORK
Lawmakers returned to Albany today, one day past their scheduled recess, to complete bills still under negotiation. The good news is that at press time, the Senate had not acted on several NRA-opposed measures, including A 673, which creates the crimes of failure to store a firearm "safely" and criminally negligent storage of a firearm; A 2302, which would prohibit the retail sale of a handgun that does not contain a "child proofing" or integrated safety device; A 4471/S 2590, which would ban the sale, use and possession of .50 caliber firearms; A 2345, which would impose new restrictions on firearm dealers, and two bills which would expand the state`s ban on so-called assault weapons: A 2466 and S 5504. Though legislators will be heading back to their districts, all of these bills remain alive during the recess. We will keep you informed of any plans by the legislature to return to Albany. Also, a special election will be held on Tuesday, June 28. If you are a registered voter, you are eligible to participate in this election! For more information on the candidates in this election, please call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division (800) 392-8683. Voter turnout is expected to be low, so it`s more important than ever that you vote on Tuesday, June 28!
OHIO
The Columbus City Council, led by Safety Committee Chair Michael C. Mentel, will be hosting a public hearing concerning legislation that would ban semi-automatic firearms. This legislation goes much further than the recently expired federal semi-automatic ban, making it the worst of its kind. The proposed measure does nothing more than strip law abiding-citizens of their Constitutional Right to Keep and Bear Arms. It is vital that NRA members attend this hearing and voice their opposition to this egregious act brought on by Mr. Mentel and other council members. Please be sure to spread the word to family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to do the same. The hearing will be held on Thursday, June 30, at 5:00 p.m. on the 2nd Floor of the Council Chambers at 90 West Broad Street in Columbus. Please plan on arriving early, as speaker slips will be given out from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will only be accepted until 5:00 p.m. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please call the Columbus City Council at (614) 645-7380 to voice your opposition.
WISCONSIN
AB 56, the "Reckless Lawsuit Preemption Bill," is NRA-supported legislation which protects firearms-related businesses and organizations from reckless lawsuits intended to hold them liable for the criminal or negligent acts of others over whom they have no control. Anti-gun forces have attempted to use these lawsuits in order to bankrupt firearm businesses and to seek regulations and prohibitions through activist courts that they have been unable to enact through the State Legislature and Congress. With the passage of AB 56, Wisconsin will become the 34th state to have enacted this critical protection of our firearm`s heritage. AB 56 could be heard on the Senate floor at anytime. It is essential that you continue calling your State Senator and ask him/her to strongly support AB 56. You can reach the Wisconsin State Senate at (608) 266-2517.
