States with updates this issue: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island.
NRA AND NEW ORLEANS REACH AGREEMENT ON RETURN OF FIREARMS CONFISCATED DURING KATRINA
NRA has negotiated an agreement with New Orleans regarding the firearms seized from lawful owners during and after Hurricane Katrina. The issue is pending before the federal court in the case NRA v. Mayor Ray Nagin. On March 15, 2006, lawyers for both sides informed the court that positive settlement negotiations were occurring. After months of stonewalling, the city of New Orleans has now admitted that it holds a number of firearms, and that owners of firearms which may have been confiscated may contact the Property and Evidence Division of the New Orleans Police Department in any of the following ways: by telephone, at (504) 658-5503; by mail, sent to: New Orleans Police Department, Property and Evidence, 400 North Jefferson Davis Parkway, New Orleans, LA 70119; or in person at the same address. Please be patient as records are incomplete, and the police are currently understaffed. Records are most accessible if you can supply your gun’s serial number. Claims can be made based on proof of ownership, or, lacking such documents, an affidavit that the item belongs to you. For those who go through the above process, whether successfully or unsuccessfully, NRA would be interested in hearing your comments on what occurred. Please contact NRA Grassroots at 800-392-8683 or by email at https://secure.nraila.org/Contact.aspx.
GUN SHOW BAN PROPOSAL DEFEATED
On February 28, the Glendale (California) City Council considered and overwhelmingly rejected a proposed ordinance brought by Mayor Rafi Manoukian (D) that would have banned gun shows from taking place at the Glendale Civic Center. The Council meeting was packed with NRA members and national supporters of the show.
Currently, the Glendale Gun Show takes place at the Glendale Civic Center four times per year. The show features various firearm-related collectibles, along with antique and modern firearms. Thousands of people and families attend the event, one of the last of its kind in Los Angeles County. For more information on the gun show you can visit www.glendalegunshow.com.
The proposal was apparently precipitated by a solicitation from a California-based gun ban advocacy group that has been working to spread its gun ban agenda. The Mayor had the City Attorney prepare a report on the legality of the proposed ordinance. The City Attorney’s report concluded that the City could legally enact such a ban, but it was based on misinformation from the gun control group. The City Attorney referenced lawsuits that involved challenges to these types of ordinances, and concluded that the cases had been resolved against the gun shows, so there was no legal obstacle to adopting the ordinance.
In a letter to the Council, lawyers for NRA pointed out that this was inaccurate. While certain gun ban advocacy groups have been spreading this misinformation to local governments, the truth is that the NRA supported Nordyke v. Alameda civil rights violation litigation is alive and well, having survived a post-appeal motion to dismiss brought by the defendant, the County of Alameda. The gun show promoter’s First Amendment claims in the Nordyke case were found to be viable, and the plaintiffs are now conducting discovery to satisfy the court. It should be a relatively simple matter to establish the evidence that the court has held necessary to substantiate the First Amendment claim in the Nordyke case. At that point Alameda County would face a claim for millions of dollars in lost revenue, damages, and the plaintiff's attorney’s fees. Individual Supervisors also face a potential punitive damages award.
Once he was made aware of the still-pending litigation by the NRA, the City Attorney changed his conclusion. In any event, the Council would have voted against the proposal, as there was clear support for the right to choose to own a gun for self-defense. Faced with sure defeat, the mayor withdrew the proposal!
GRADING ON A CURVE
In last week’s Grassroots Alert, we reported on the annual ritual of the Brady Campaign issuing its “grades” to states based on the group’s opinion of state gun laws. To reinforce the silliness of the Brady Campaign’s grading system, one only needs to look at the group’s grade for Washington, D.C., released this week.
In breaking from past tradition to “grade” only states, the Brady Bunch gives the District a “B,” citing the city’s law on juveniles possessing guns, its egregious ban on keeping an assembled firearm in the home for self-defense, and its lack of a Right-to-Carry provision. Noticeably absent on the list of criteria for D.C. earning a “B” was the city’s handgun ban.
As noted by ILA Grassroots Director Glen Caroline, “In debating representatives from the Brady Bunch for years, I’ve heard them claim to support gun ownership for self-defense in the home. But they voice no support for repealing this Draconian law. Once again, the Brady Campaign speaks out of both sides of its mouth; calling for gun bans when it suits their agenda and ignoring their past support of existing gun bans when politically expedient. They rate an “A+” for hypocrisy.
If the murder capital of the nation, which has had a virtual ban on handgun ownership for decades, receives a grade as high as “B” by the Brady Campaign, this should be one test that states should strive to fail.
Please be sure to continue to contact your U.S. Senators and Representative and ask them to cosponsor and support S. 1082 and H.R. 1288--the Senate and House versions of the “District of Columbia Personal Protection Act,” that seeks to repeal the D.C. handgun ban.
PLAN TO ATTEND FREE MILWAUKEE GRASSROOTS WORKSHOP!
The NRA-ILA Grassroots Division will host its FREE Grassroots Workshop in conjunction with NRA’s Annual Meetings in Milwaukee. This Workshop has been a regular part of NRA’s Annual Meetings for a decade. At this event, you will hear from NRA officers, NRA staff, and your fellow NRA members on what you can do in your own community to ensure victory for the Second Amendment in this year’s elections.
We will also discuss how you can work with your local Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC). Your EVC is a local NRA member who is working with the various pro-gun campaigns in his area to provide critically-needed volunteer support for a variety of activities, including: phone banks, precinct walks, literature drops, voter registration drives, Get Out The Vote & Election Day activities, etc. EVCs also promote NRA-ILA’s legislative agenda at the federal and state levels.
With the 2006 elections in full swing, it is critical that we start implementing our grassroots battle plan to ensure we are ready to meet these electoral challenges head on as Election Day 2006 approaches. Rest assured, the anti-gunners are already re-doubling their efforts to ensure the defeat of pro-Second Amendment candidates in critical elections across the country, so we must ensure we are prepared to defeat their efforts at every turn.
Workshop details are:
NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop-FREE!
Friday, May 19, 2006, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
(Registration & free continental breakfast-8:00 - 9:00 a.m.)
Hilton Milwaukee City Center
Monarch Ballroom
509 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53203
To reserve your seat, or for more information, please call NRA-ILA at (800) 392-VOTE (8683). You may also register on-line at www.nraam.org/seminars/grassroots.asp. We hope to see you in Milwaukee on Friday, May 19!
NRA-ILA “MIX N’ MINGLES”
How often do you get the opportunity to mix n’ mingle with NRA-ILA Headquarters staff and fellow NRA members in your community, to earn FREE NRA items, and to assist with the efforts of candidates seeking office in your area? Well, in preparation for the 2006 elections, you will have the opportunity to do just that.
This election year, NRA-ILA will be hosting FREE NRA-ILA Mix N’ Mingles across the country. These events will provide NRA members with training on what they can do locally to propel candidates to victory this election season. The meetings also provide attendees the opportunity to meet and socialize with lawmakers, candidates and their staffs, NRA-ILA Headquarters staff, and fellow area NRA members--and to earn FREE NRA fraternal items such as hats, pocketknives, buttons, etc. Mix N’ Mingles, including materials, food, beverages, and NRA items, are FREE!
Mix N’ Mingle events are scheduled for:
- Lorain, OH -- 04/08/06
- Eau Claire, WI -- 05/23/06
- Ashland, WI -- 05/24/06
NRA members who have access to the Internet can go to www.nraila.org/workshops/ to reserve their seats on-line. NRA members are encouraged to check this website address frequently to see if any upcoming “Mix N’ Mingles” are scheduled in their area. NRA members may also contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) for details and to reserve their seats.
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: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island.
CONNECTICUT
SB 605 could be voted on as early as this coming Monday, March 20. SB 605 allows the Department of Environmental Protection to designate areas that would be open to Sunday hunting on private property. Unfortunately, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Environment Committee omitted important language when drafting SB 605. As drafted, the bill would regrettably apply only to bow hunters and would not include individuals who hunt with firearms. NRA anticipated SB 605 would include rifles and shotguns. Without an amendment, Sunday hunting in Connecticut will not be open to individuals who hunt with rifles and shotguns. Please call the Co-Chairmen of the Environment Committee, Senator Bill Finch (D-22), at (800) 842-1420, and Representative Richard Roy (D-119), at (800) 842-8267, and ask them to support expanding Sunday hunting opportunities beyond bow hunting only. In addition, please plan on attending what promises to be one of the largest and most successful Friends of NRA events in the country, next Friday, March 24, 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 Street, 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.
DELAWARE
Next Wednesday, March 22, the House Public Safety Committee will be considering HB 359, sponsored by Deborah Hudson (R-12), the Delaware “shall issue” concealed carry permit bill, which would grant law-abiding citizens, who have met all requirements, the Right-to-Carry a firearm concealed for personal protection. Your State Representative needs to hear from you. Please call or e-mail your Representative next Tuesday or Wednesday and voice your strong support for HB 359. You can find contact information for your lawmaker by visiting www.legis.state.de.us/LEGISLATURE.NSF/Lookup/ContactInfo_Home?open. Please be sure to make the call or write this e-mail! The future of Concealed Carry in Delaware depends on it!
HAWAII
SB 600 was passed out of the House Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee today and is now on its way to the House Judiciary Committee (no hearing date is scheduled). This proposed draft voids the current SB 600 and replaces it with the language from House Bill 2996, sponsored by Representative Ken Ito (D-48), which repeals the greater than 10-round magazine ban. Please contact your legislator at (808) 587-0666 and urge him or her to support SB 600. To find out more, please contact Dr. Max Cooper (who is also an NRA-ILA EVC) with the Hawaii Rifle Association at [email protected]. For a list of House Judiciary Committee contact information, please visit the NRA-ILA Hawaii state update section of www.NRAILA.org.
IDAHO
On Wednesday, March 15, the Senate Judiciary Committee refused to pass Senate Bill 1441, legislation that would strengthen Idaho’s current self defense laws by providing civil immunity to a person who has used justifiable force in self-defense. Sponsored by Senator Joyce Broadsword (R-2) and Senator Melvin Richardson (R-32), this important piece of legislation was, instead, sent to the Senate Floor for amending, where opponents are expected to modify the bill. Please contact your State Senator and ask him or her to oppose any amendments that would open the door for criminals to bring lawsuits against their victims. House Bill 686 has passed the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee and is advancing to the Senate floor. HB 686, sponsored by State Representative Bill Sali (R-21) and State Senator Gerry Sweet (R-20), helps protect non-profit hunting and shooting sports organizations in Idaho. Please take a moment to call them to let them know you are a constituent and you support HB 686. Also, please contact your State Senator and ask him or her to vote in favor of HB 686 and SB 1441 with no amendments! Messages for your State Senator may be left at (208) 332-1000 or (800) 626-0471 for citizens outside the Boise area. E-mail your State Senator by clicking on their name at the following link www.legislature.idaho.gov/senate/membership.cfm. Last week, Senate Bill 1401 passed the Senate with a unanimous 34-0 vote. Thanks to your recent calls, this important legislation passed out of the House Transportation and Defense Committee on March 14. SB 1401 is now headed to the House Floor. Sponsored by State Representative Bill Sali (R-21) and State Senator Gerry Sweet (R-20), SB 1401 is NRA-sponsored “Emergency Powers” legislation that will prevent government officials from imposing restrictions on the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transport, storage, display, or use of firearms and ammunition during a state of emergency. Most citizens are aware that some government officials were stripping law-abiding citizens of their firearms in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. This bill will ensure that such abuses will never occur in the State of Idaho. Please contact your State Representative today and ask him or her to support SB 1401 when it comes before them on the House Floor. A list of State Representatives can be found at: www.legislature.idaho.gov/house/membership.cfm. To find out who your State Representative is, please visit: www.legislature.idaho.gov/who'smylegislator.htm.
ILLINOIS
Illinois will hold primary elections on Tuesday, March 21. 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. For NRA-PVF endorsement information, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683). Be sure to “Vote Freedom First!” on Tuesday, March 21!
KANSAS
On Tuesday, March 14, Senate Bill 418, “The Personal and Family Protection Act,” passed the Kansas House of Representatives by a vote of 90 to 33! This important legislation, sponsored by Senator Phil Journey (R-26), was then approved by the Senate on a vote of 30-11 the next day, Wednesday, March 15. SB 418 is now on the Governor’s desk. Please contact Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) toll-free at (877) 579-6757, locally at (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. And please ask your family, friends, fellow firearm owners, and co-workers to help out by calling Governor Sebelius. The time has come for Kansans to be trusted to protect themselves and their loved ones!
MISSISSIPPI
Thanks to your phone calls and e-mails, gun owners achieved unprecedented success this legislative session! This week, the Senate gave final approval to SB 2426, the NRA-backed “Castle Doctrine,” and self-defense reform legislation sponsored by Senator Charlie Ross (R-Brandon) and Ralph Doxey (R-Holly Springs). Also this week, the House took final action on HB 1141 by Representative Warner McBride (D-Courtland). This NRA-backed bill contains language: (1) allowing hunting to continue on land annexed by a city or county, even if that locality has an ordinance banning the discharge of firearms within its limits; (2) prohibiting the seizure and confiscation of firearms by local officials during any future natural disaster; and (3) permitting employees to transport and store firearms in their locked private vehicles while parked on their employer’s property in certain circumstances. SB 2075, NRA-supported “No-Net-Loss” of public hunting land legislation, sponsored by Senator Lynn Posey (D-Union Church), awaits final action in a conference committee that is working out differences between the Senate- and House-passed versions of the bill. Congratulations Mississippi NRA members! The Legislature is expected to adjourn sine die on April 2.
NEW MEXICO
Late last week, Governor Bill Richardson (D) signed HB 622, finalizing action on nearly $1.4 million for the planning, design, and construction of improvements to Shooting Range State Park in Albuquerque, where the NRA National Police Shooting Championships will be held starting in September of 2006. During the 30-day budget session of the New Mexico Legislature, NRA-ILA and the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association worked to obtain funds for improvements to the range so that it will be prepared to host the competition later this fall. Because this is a public-use facility, the shooting sports community will benefit from these improvements for years to come. The Governor dedicated money from his portion of available capital outlay money for this project, and the following members of the Albuquerque delegation also requested funds specifically for this project. Please take a moment to send a note of thanks to all those involved in making this happen: Governor Bill Richardson; Senator John Ryan (R-10); Senator James Taylor (D-14); Senator Shannon Robinson (D-17); Senator Bill Payne (R-20); Senator Kent Cravens (R-21); Senator Joe Carraro (R-23); Representative Eric Youngberg (R-23); Representative Al Park (D-26); Representative Larry Larranaga (R-27); Representative Jimmie Hall (R-28); Representative Tom Anderson (R-29); Representative Kathy McCoy (R-22); Representative Bill Rehm (R-31); and Representative Justine Fox-Young (R-30). For contact information please visit http://legis.state.nm.us/lcs/legislatorsearch.asp.
OKLAHOMA
On Tuesday, March 14, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 2696 on an overwhelming vote of 94-1! HB 2696, sponsored by Representative Trebor Worthen (R-87), will eliminate any threat of restrictions being imposed on lawful uses of firearms or ammunition during a state of emergency. On Wednesday, March 15, House Bill 2615, the “Stand Your Ground Law,” passed the House of Representatives on a vote of 96 to 2! HB 2615, sponsored by Representative Kevin Calvey (R-94), recognizes that the citizens of Oklahoma have the right to expect absolute safety in a place that he or she has a right to be. Both HB 2696 and HB 2615 are now advancing to the Senate. Please contact your State Senator and ask him or her to support HB 2696 and HB 2615. The general phone number for the Oklahoma State Senate is (405) 524-0126.
RHODE ISLAND
The House Judiciary Committee members could vote on H 7114, sponsored by Representative Edith Ajello (D-3), at any time. This proposal would make it illegal to buy, sell, or transfer more than one handgun in a 30-day period, and sets up a centralized handgun registry with the State Police. Similar laws have been tried in other states, failing miserably in reducing crime. In fact, South Carolina’s law was such a failure that lawmakers have since repealed it! Licensed dealers are already required to report multiple handgun purchases to federal, state, and local law enforcement, and Rhode Island already has a one-week waiting period on all firearm purchases, and all purchasers must undergo a criminal background check. This legislation is a senseless attack on law-abiding gun owners. Please contact your Representative TODAY and urge him or her to oppose H 7114! You can call (401) 222-2466 and ask to be connected to your legislator, or you may visit the Rhode Island General Assembly web page at: www.rilin.state.ri.us/ for additional contact information.
