States with updates this issue (click state to be routed directly to story): Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming.
SUPPORT NATIONAL
RIGHT-TO-CARRY RECIPROCITY BILL
U.S. Representative Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) recently introduced H.R. 4547—a national Right-to-Carry (RTC) reciprocity bill that would honor state carry licensees nationwide. The bill would allow any person with a valid carry permit or license issued by a state to carry a concealed firearm in any other state if they meet certain criteria. The bill would not create a federal licensing system; it would simply require the states to recognize each other’s carry permits, just as they recognize drivers’ licenses.
For more information on the bill, please visit www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?ID=189.
Please be sure to contact your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121, and urge him or her to cosponsor and support H.R. 4547!
DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE
TO OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY
Good news! Once again, you have chance to own a piece of political history, straight from the closely fought 2004 presidential campaign! Due to the high demand for the “That Dog Don’t Hunt” banner described in last week’s Grassroots Alert, another banner is being offered on E-Bay.
This distinctive NRA banner, measuring eight feet long and four feet high, crisscrossed the battleground states in the final weeks of the contest, and was a significant part of NRA’s 2004 election strategy. Displayed at NRA rallies and gun shows, the banner sent a simple but effective message: Despite his attempt to pander to sportsmen, John Kerry had a 20-year record of hostility toward the Second Amendment. These NRA rallies were crucial in turning out enough voters to give President Bush victories in pivotal battleground states such as Ohio and West Virginia.
The banner is in very good condition and, whether sought after by a gun owner, political memorabilia collector, or someone hoping to educate others on truly effective political communications, represents a valuable piece of political history.
NRA-ILA Executive Director and NRA Political Victory Fund chairman Chris W. Cox has signed the banner.
The auction ends tomorrow, February 25. If you’d like to own this banner, please visit http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:11&item=7744848145 and place your bid.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN MILWAUKEE!
Once again NRA is seeking volunteers to help at the 2006 NRA Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, May 17-21. To a large degree, the success of each year’s NRA Annual Meeting is dependent on the contributions of our volunteers. And you can be a part of that successful effort this year!
A number of volunteers are needed to help with set-up on Wednesday and Thursday, May 17 and 18, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During the actual exhibit and meetings¾Friday through Sunday¾volunteers will work in the NRA Store, at our Membership Services Booth and at the Airgun Range. There are a number of additional volunteer opportunities as well.
To volunteer or for more information, visit any of NRA’s web sites or the Annual Meeting site (www.nraam.org), or contact NRA Field Representative, Scott Taetsch, at (262) 392-2716, or Dennis Eggers, Central Region Director, at (270) 522-0909. Their respective e-mail addresses are: [email protected] and [email protected].
D.C. PERSONAL PROTECTION ACT—
A TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY
As we continue to note, one of NRA-ILA’s top legislative priorities in Congress continues to be the passage of S. 1082 and H.R. 1288—the Senate and House versions of the “District of Columbia Personal Protection Act.” This legislation seeks to restore the constitutionally-guaranteed Second Amendment rights of the residents of the District of Columbia.
The need for this corrective legislation is obvious. Since 1977, the District has banned the possession of all handguns not acquired and registered before that year. D.C. law also prohibits keeping an assembled rifle or shotgun in the home, effectively outlawing the use of firearms for lawful self-defense. And despite these Draconian gun control laws, Washington, D.C., consistently has one of the highest murder rates in the nation.
Please be sure to contact your U.S. Senators and Representative and ask them to cosponsor and support S. 1082 and H.R. 1288.
For a list of Senate cosponsors, please visit
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN01082:@@@P.
For a list of House cosponsors, please visit
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR01288:@@@P.
You can call your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121, or your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121.
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.***)
States with updates this issue (click state to be routed directly to story): Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming.
Sunday hunting legislation, supported by the “Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen,” the “National Shooting Sports Foundation” and NRA, was “raised” by the Connecticut General Assembly’s Environment Committee this week in Hartford. This means that the committee has agreed to hold hearings on the concept, which would allow the Department of Environmental Conservation to designate areas where hunting on Sunday on private property may be permitted in order to control overpopulation of species. The hearing could be held as early as next week, so it is critical that you contact your lawmakers and urge them to make this legislation a priority. Also since session began a few weeks ago, the Public Safety and Security Committee and the Judiciary Committee have been “raising” various firearm-related proposals, including last year’s lost or stolen firearm reporting requirement, which now contains a long gun registration scheme. New this year is a bill to ban guns by color. The “colored handgun” ban bill would prohibit the sale, transfer, and possession of any handgun that is “coated with a color other than chrome, military camel, black, gray or nickel.” Not satisfied by caliber or capacity restrictions, the anti-gun crowd now wants to outlaw guns by color. Please contact your legislators and ask them to oppose this senseless restriction! In addition, please plan on attending what promises to be one of the largest and most successful “Friends of NRA” events in the country on March 24, 2006, in Southington. Limited edition firearms, knives, art prints, and other collectibles will be offered for sale, at auction, or given away in special drawings. 50% of the net proceeds from the event will go to qualified projects in Connecticut, with the remaining 50% benefiting national programs. The event will take place at the beautiful Aqua Turf Restaurant on Mulberry St., in Southington. It will start at 6:00 p.m. and will feature a delicious meal prepared by the Aqua Turf. For tickets, directions, or more information, please call Chairman Ray Hanley at (203) 264-4899.
HB 129, sponsored by Representative Dennis K. Baxley (R-24), was deferred this week in the Judiciary Committee. HB-129 protects your right to have a gun in your car for lawful purposes. HB-129 establishes penalties for these ARROGANT CORPORATIONS who think they can control what private property you have in your private vehicle.
HB 998, sponsored by Representatives Tom Graves (R-12), passed the House Public Safety Committee and now sits in the House Rules Committee. HB 998 would protect the rights of all Georgians who carry firearms in their vehicles for protection and other lawful purposes, thereby stopping businesses from controlling what private property you have in your personal vehicle.
House Bill 2996 (Ito, D-48), a measure that would lift the greater than 10 round magazine ban, has passed out of the Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee and is slated to be heard before the House Judiciary Committee. The deadline to be heard in the committee is Friday March 3, so it is vital that NRA members contact the Chair, the Co-Chair and full Judiciary Committee members, and ask that they hear the bill before the deadline. It is also important that members of the pro-gun community testify in person before the committee! If you want immediate e-mail notification of the hearing (if the bill is scheduled to be heard), please contact Max Cooper of the Hawaii Rifle Association at [email protected]. For a list of Judiciary Committee contact information, please visit the NRA-ILA Hawaii state update at: www.NRAILA.org.
HB 686, sponsored by State Representative Bill Sali (R-21) and State Senator Gerry Sweet (R-20), adds to existing law an exemption from sales tax for certain fees and membership dues related to nonprofit hunting or shooting sports organizations. HB 686 passed out of House Revenue and Taxation committee Thursday, February 23, but with opposition and a close vote. It is now on its way to the House Floor. Please contact members of the House of Representatives and ask them to vote in support of HB 686. House members can be reached by calling (800) 626-0471.
On Thursday, the Illinois House of Representatives failed to pass HB 4694, sponsored by Representative Deborah Graham (D-78), the mandatory storage bill that would leave otherwise law-abiding gun owners criminally liable if they store their personal protection firearms in a manner that is not approved by law. While good news, this anti-personal protection bill is far from defeated, as it was kept viable by a procedural maneuver. HB 2414, sponsored by Representative Edward Acevedo (D-2), which seeks to ban countless semi-automatic handguns, rifles, and shotguns, as well as .50 caliber rifles, is also still pending, and could be voted on any day. Finally, HB 4693, a handgun dealer licensing bill sponsored by Representative Deborah Graham (D-78), is also still pending. Please continue to contact your State Representative and urge him to vote against HB 2414, HB 4693, and HB 4694. As for pro-gun legislation, the House passed HB 4529, sponsored by Representative John Bradley (D-117), on Wednesday with a vote of 80-29-4 (4 lawmakers voting “Present”). This bill would allow FOID card applicants to sue the Illinois State Police if that agency fails to act on applications within the 30-day time period mandated by state law. This bill is now in the Senate, so be sure to call your State Senator and urge him to support HB 4529. The contact phone number for your State Representative is (217) 782-8223. The contact phone number for the State Senate is (217) 782-5715.
HB 1028, sponsored by Representative Eric Koch (R-65), prohibits employers from enforcing policies that ban employees from lawfully possessing firearms in locked vehicles on employers’ property, further enhancing your right to self-defense. HB 1028 was amended to exclude the parking lot language, and now moves to the Senate floor. Please call your Senator at (317) 232-9600 and ask him or her to support this important legislation!
Senate Bill 418, “The Personal and Family Protection Act” sponsored by Senator Phil Journey (R-26), has passed the Senate. SB 418 is scheduled for a vote in the House on Thursday, March 9, bringing Kansans another step closer to personal protection. The Second Amendment needs YOUR help! We are asking you to take 10 minutesout of your day to do the following: First, call your State Representative at (785) 296-2456 and ask him or her to support SB 418; and second, start contacting Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D), toll-free at (877) 579-6757, local (785) 296-6240, via e-mail at www.ksgovernor.org/comment.html, or by fax at (785) 368-8788, and respectfully ask her to sign SB 418 when it reaches her desk. Ask your friends, family members, and co-workers to help get the word out to their State Representative and Governor Sebelius. The time has come for Kansans to be trusted to protect themselves and their loved ones!
After amendments proposed by anti-gun legislators were defeated, House Bill 290, the “Gun Owner Protection Act,” sponsored by Representative Robert Damron (D-39), passed the full House by a vote of 89-7. This critical legislation ensures the names of Right-to-Carry license holders are not released to the public. It allows law-abiding citizens to keep lawfully-transported firearms locked in their personal vehicles while parked on company property. HB 290 also prohibits government officials from regulating lawful firearm ownership during a state of emergency. An NRA-backed amendment was adopted allowing concealed firearm license holders to use their license as a substitute for the background check on gun purchases, as it is done in 19 other states. This important legislation now moves to the Senate. Please contact your State Senators and ask them to support HB 290, the “Gun Owner Protection Act.” House Bill 236, “Castle Doctrine” legislation, sponsored by Representative J.R. Gray (D-6), passed the full House on Friday, February 24, by a vote of 84 to 4. Please contact your State Senator and ask him or her to support HB 236, and oppose all amendments. All members of the Kentucky General Assembly can be reached at (502) 564-8100.
H.4552, “an Act Protecting the Rights of Target Shooters,” has passed the House of Representatives. H.4552 is the “Precision Sports Legislative Reform Bill,” which will protect the rights of target shooters in the Commonwealth. This bill now has moved onto the Senate. This proposal would create a new definition in Section 121, Chapter 140, for “Single Action Revolver.” In addition, H.4552 would exempt any “Single Action Revolver” and “any firearm solely designed and sold specifically for formal target shooting competition,” from the testing requirements in Section 123 of Chapter 140. NRA-ILA and the Gun Owners Action League are urging all of their members to contact their state Senator and ask them to pass H.4552 with no amendments, as soon as possible. For further information concerning your state senator, please go to http://wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php and look at the reference for Senator in General Court.
MISSISSIPPI
This week, the Senate Judiciary A Committee reported out HB 1141 by Representative Warner McBride (D). This NRA-supported bill contains three major pro-gun elements: (1) language allowing hunting to continue on land annexed by a local government - even if the city or county bans the discharge of firearms within its limits; (2) a prohibition on New Orleans-style gun confiscation in the unfortunate case of any future natural disaster in the state; and (3) a provision that allows employees, under certain circumstances, to transport and store loaded firearms in their personal vehicles while parked on property controlled by their employer. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. It is critical that you contact your State Senators early next week and urge them to support HB 1141 and to resist any attempts to gut the bill with restrictive amendments. You can find contact information for your Senator by visiting www.mississippi.gov. Please also e-mail Senator Charlie Ross (R), chairman of the Judiciary A Committee, at [email protected] and thank him for his important leadership and key support on HB 1141.
Special elections will be held on Tuesday, February 28. Voter turnout is expected to be low, and NRA members are encouraged to head to the polls and vote for those candidates who support our Second Amendment rights. For NRA-PVF endorsement information, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at
(800) 392-VOTE (8683). Further information will be posted soon to the NRA-PVF website at www.NRAPVF.org. Be sure to “Vote Freedom First!” on Tuesday, February 28!
PENNSYLVANIA
The Philadelphia 76ers and police officials on Tuesday held a press conference announcing a guns-for-tickets program. The one-week program opened Wednesday. Anyone can bring a working gun into a city police station and exchange it for a voucher good for a pair of tickets to an upcoming 76ers game, no questions asked! So, if you are a criminal and you want to see a free game while getting rid of your old gun just stop by the police station this week, drop it off, and enjoy the game! “If we get one (gun), it’s a successful program,” said Billy King, the team’s president. “If we get one, if we get a thousand, whatever we get that’s going to be good enough.” Sitting at a table with 15 guns ranging from semi-automatic rifles to small handguns, Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson said the program wasn’t only for illegal guns. He would be happy if law-abiding citizens turned in their firearms, too. Johnson also stated, “Any gun that can kill needs to be taken off the streets.” Too bad Johnson can’t focus on taking criminals off the streets.
SOUTH CAROLINA
This week, Representative Mike Pitts (R-14), introduced H. 4681, which would remove the ability of local governments to restrict the use, sale, or transportation of firearms during a state of emergency, and would also prohibit SLED from releasing the personal information of Right-to-Carry (RTC) permit holders unless the request for the information is part of an investigation by law enforcement. This legislation would prevent outrageous abuses of power such as that which happened in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when local authorities decided they should disarm law-abiding citizens, leaving countless people helpless to defend themselves against violent criminals during a time of virtual anarchy. It would also prevent anti-gun newspapers from harassing law-abiding RTC permit holders by publishing their personal information. Please contact your Representative and urge him to co-sponsor and support H. 4681. Also, please continue to contact your Senator and urge him to support H. 4301, the “Castle Doctrine” bill sponsored by Representative G. Murrell Smith (R-67), that would remove the “duty to retreat” if a law-abiding person is attacked anywhere that person may lawfully be. State Representatives can be reached at (803) 734-2010, and Senators can be reached at (803) 212-6200.
Texas will hold primary elections on Tuesday, March 7. NRA members are encouraged to head to the polls and vote for those candidates who support our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Please be sure to encourage your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to do the same. You can vote early between February 21-March 3. For a list of early voting locations in your area, please contact your county election official. Please visit www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/index.shtml for county election official contact information. For NRA-PVF endorsement information, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683). Further information will be posted soon to the NRA-PVF website at www.NRAPVF.org. Be sure to “Vote Freedom First!” on Tuesday, March 7!
House Bill 447 sponsored by Joseph Krawczyk (R-Bennington-2-1) and Mary Morrissey (R-Bennington-2-2), has passed the House Fish, Wildlife, and Water Resources Committee. This important legislation would stop the haphazard regulations of firearms discharge by local municipalities. H 447 now advances to the House floor for a vote any day. Please contact your State Representative at (802) 828-2228 and ask him or her to support H 447.
HB 162, sponsored by Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-31), passed the House with a vote of 74-22. This bill allows law-abiding citizens to keep lawfully transported firearms locked in their personal vehicles while parked on property controlled by their employer. HB 162 was referred to the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice, and the bill could be considered as early as next week. Please contact your Representative at (804) 698-1500 and ask him or her to support HB 162. The imminent domain shooting range bill, HB 1537, sponsored by Delegate Chris Saxman (R-20), will be heard by the Senate Courts of Justice. This legislation provides that upon condemnation of a sport shooting range, the condemnor shall provide another location within a reasonable distance and provide for the total replacement of land, facilities. Please contact your Senator at (804) 698-7410 and strongly encourage him or her to support HB 1537!
House Bill 78, the Alaska-style carry reform measure sponsored by Representative Becket Hinckley (R-41), passed the House with a 37 to 23 vote on Friday, February 24. Anti-gun activists are lobbying hard against this bill. It is very important for you to contact your State Senator to tell him or her to vote ‘YES’ on HB 78. You can reach your legislators by calling the Voter Hotline at (866) 996-8683 or in Cheyenne, call (307) 777-8683.
