SUIT HIGHLIGHTS NEED TO PASS S. 397 IN U.S. HOUSE
Yet another example of the need to pass S. 397 surfaced this week in Washington, D.C., as the Supreme Court Monday refused to block a lawsuit against firearm manufacturers.
Washington D.C.'s "strict liability" law holds any manufacturer of any firearm liable if one of their guns is used in the commission of a crime. The statute is one of the most egregious in the nation, putting the entire industry at risk if one of their products is used in the commission of a crime in D.C.
A filing by former Solicitor General Ted Olson, (lead counsel for the gun manufacturers in Beretta v. District of Columbia), countered the decision, telling the justices, "The District of Columbia's statute threatens ... gun manufacturers with draconian penalties based on their lawful out-of-state commercial activity--and on the criminal misconduct of third parties over whom the manufacturers have no control."
It is critical that you continue to contact your U.S. Representative and urge him/her to pass S. 397 (as passed by the Senate) in the U.S. House. It's time to put a stop to these meritless, rapacious lawsuits once and for all.
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. Representative at (202) 225-3121.
We can and will achieve our mutual goal of finally enacting this common sense law, but only with your continued assistance. Please help us finish the job once and for all by contacting your U.S. Representative in Washington and urging him/her to support the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" as passed by the Senate.
NRA ENDORSES JERRY KILGORE FOR GOVERNOR
The NRA-Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) endorsed Jerry Kilgore for Governor of Virginia at a series of press conferences across the state yesterday.
NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre stated to supporters at yesterday's events, "NRA is endorsing Jerry Kilgore because we can trust him to preserve freedom in the Old Dominion. When the line was drawn in the sand, and we were all forced to choose freedom or reject it, Jerry Kilgore stood for freedom. Tim Kaine, on the other hand, surrendered our gun rights and used our hard-earned taxpayer dollars to cozy up to Bill Clinton and Rosie O'Donnell."
Based on past support and a firm pledge to continue to protect our Second Amendment rights and outdoor legacy, Jerry Kilgore earned an "A" rating from the NRA-PVF.
"As the top law enforcement officer in Virginia, former Secretary of Public Safety and a former public prosecutor, Jerry Kilgore was the lead advocate for strict prosecution of violent criminals. He knows that to reduce crime you don't pass gun control laws that only affect law-abiding Virginians; you enforce the existing laws that put violent criminals behind bars for a very long time," LaPierre added.
"As a lifelong hunter and gun owner, and as a member of the NRA, it is my great honor to have received the endorsement of the NRA," Jerry Kilgore stated. "Gun owners in Virginia have a clear choice this year. My opponent has spent his life working against gun owners, and has earned an "F" from the NRA. I have spent my life defending the Second Amendment, and have earned an "A" from the NRA. I am proud to be the candidate who will defend our Second Amendment rights, and who will always stand on the side of gun owners in Virginia."
GUN CRIME PROSECUTIONS UP DURING BUSH ADMINISTRATION
NRA has long maintained that federal gun laws aimed at the criminal misuse of firearms are effective in reducing crime--if they are enforced. President Bush's administration has clearly heard that message and implemented it.
According to data released by a Syracuse University-based research group, Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), prosecutions of federal gun law violations have increased sharply in the Bush Administration.
The data, obtained by TRAC from the Department of Justice, show that federal prosecutions are up across the board in the Bush Justice Department, and that cases filed on gun charges are a primary reason for the increase.
In 2000 there were 5,490 such prosecutions. In 2004 there were 10,937. That increase in gun crime prosecutions makes up almost one-quarter of the total increase in federal prosecutions in that period. The data suggest a significant change in priorities between a Janet Reno vs. a John Ashcroft-run Justice Department: the latter went after criminals who misuse firearms, not law-abiding citizens.
Passing more gun laws targeted at lawful gun ownership will not fight crime. Only by prosecuting criminals who possess and use firearms illegally will we have a decline in gun crime in America. The Bush Justice Department has clearly received and understood this truth.
SPECIAL NEW JERSEY AND VIRGINIA VOTER REGISTRATION ALERT!
For those of you in Virginia and New Jersey, deadlines for registering to vote in this year's election on November 8, are rapidly approaching! Since your states are the only two with elections this year, all eyes will be on you as a precursor to the all-important 2006 elections. If the anti-gunners see any weaknesses in our pro-gun voting bloc in New Jersey or Virginia this year, they will work tirelessly to attempt to expose them in next year's all-important national congressional elections.
In short, we must work to ensure that every gun owner, hunter, and Second Amendment supporter in Virginia and New Jersey is registered to vote in advance of the October 11, 2005 deadline, and then votes on November 8.
For information on voter registration dates, deadlines, requirements, and applications for New Jersey's and Virginia's elections this year, please call the ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) or visit www.NRAILA.org.
VISIT NRA-ILA WEBSITE DEDICATED TO DEFEATING PROPOSITION H--
SAN FRANCISCO GUN BAN
As you've been reading in the Grassroots Alert for months, on November 8, San Francisco voters will go to the polls to vote on Proposition H--a citywide gun ban.
To educate and mobilize Bay Area pro-gun supporters, NRA-ILA unveiled a new website dedicated exclusively to exposing the truth about Proposition H. The website-- www.StopSanFranban.com -- is designed to provide you with one-stop-shopping for the information and tools you will need to ensure Proposition H is defeated on November 8.
Among the many features at www.StopSanFranban.com are: information on the proposed ban; sample letters and tips for identifying and writing letters to the editor of area newspapers; information on the benefits of firearm ownership for self-defense and the ineffectiveness of gun bans in reducing crime; voter registration links; e-mail sign-ups; and more.
If Proposition H passes on November 8, it will become the most restrictive gun control law in the nation; even more restrictive than the egregious Washington, D.C., gun ban that NRA-ILA is currently working to overturn in Congress! The only thing standing in the way of Proposition H passing is you!
The first thing San Francisco residents must do to ensure Proposition H is defeated is register to vote. If you are not currently registered, you can get more information by choosing the "Voting Center" link at www.StopSanFranban.com. Then, be sure to forward this link to your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners, both inside and outside of San Francisco, to ensure the collective voices of America's gun owners are heard loudly and clearly in the months leading up to, and especially on, November 8! Those of you who don't live directly in San Francisco, but reside nearby, should visit www.StopSanFranban.com frequently for updates on what you can do locally to ensure this deplorable proposition is defeated.
Please visit www.StopSanFranban.com today to help us prevent San Francisco from becoming the next Washington, D.C.!
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
Assembly Bill 996, authored by Assemblymember Ridley-Thomas (D - Los Angeles), is now on the Governor's desk. 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. Please contact Governor Schwarzenegger's office and urge him to oppose this onerous legislation further restricting our rights! The Governor can be reached at (916) 445-2841. The Governor has until October 9 to sign or veto this legislation, so your immediate action is needed!
FLORIDA
Here's your chance to speak your mind on proposed FWC (Florida Wildlife Commission) rule changes! There are numerous proposed regulations upon which you may wish to comment. One involves your right to concealed carry on Wildlife Management Areas. It is item (10) 68A-15.004. You may access the comments section at the link below:
www.myfwc.com/commission/RuleChangeForm.htm.
GEORGIA
Attorney General Thurbert Baker (D) announced an addition to Georgia's program of reciprocal agreements with firearms permit holders from other states. Georgia will recognize firearms permits issued by Alaska, which further reciprocates in recognizing firearms licenses with the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
NEW JERSEY
NRA President Sandy Froman is scheduled to be keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the "Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs" (ANJRPC) on Sunday, October 16, 2005, at approximately 11:20 a.m., at the Bridgewater, N.J. Marriott Hotel, 700 Commons Way, Bridgewater, N.J. 08807 ( marriott.com/property/abouthotel/default/sosbw?WT_Ref=mi_left ). NRA members are invited to attend. Events preceding and following Ms. Froman's speech are open to ANJRPC members only (to join, see www.anjrpc.org/Membership.htm). Seating is limited and cannot be guaranteed. ANJRPC is NRA's official state affiliate in New Jersey.
NEW YORK
The Sportsmen's Association for Firearms Education Inc. (S.A.F.E.) will be hosting its "2005 Right-to-Carry Conference & Second Amendment Rally" on Sunday October 16, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (doors open at 12:00 noon). The event will be held at the Sheraton, Long Island, 110 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, Smithtown, NY, (631) 231-1100, (on Motor Parkway on North side of LIE between exits 53 & 55). In attendance at the event will be: Wayne R. LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President; John C. Sigler, NRA First Vice President; Randy A. Daniels, New York Secretary of State; Jim Fotis, Executive Director, Law Enforcement Alliance of America; and John L. Cushman, S.A.F.E. President and Founder, and NRA Director. At the conference, you will get the latest information on the Right-to-Carry on Long Island, meet and network with fellow sportsmen, raise issues of concern with local and national leaders of Second Amendment organizations and local legislators, and win valuable prizes in drawings limited to attendees only. Admission and parking is free and the event is open to your family and friends.
