States with updates this issue: Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New York, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, and, Washington.
OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR SIGNS
NRA-BACKED “CASTLE DOCTRINE” BILL INTO LAW
Today, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry (D) signed HB 2615, the NRA-backed “Castle Doctrine” self-defense bill, into law.
“I want to thank Governor Brad Henry for signing this victims’ rights bill into law,” said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. “When you’re confronted by a criminal, you don’t have the luxury of time. This bill states that if victims choose to stand their ground and fight, their decision will not be second-guessed by the State of Oklahoma. The ability to protect yourself, your children, or your spouse from harm is important, whether you’re in your home or outside.”
HB 2615 simply states that if a criminal breaks into your home, your occupied vehicle or your place of business, you may presume he is there to do bodily harm and you may use any force necessary against him. It also removes the “duty to retreat” if you are attacked in any place you have a legal right to be.
Further, HB 2615 provides protection from criminal prosecution and civil litigation for those who defend themselves from criminal attack. The “Castle Doctrine” bill met with overwhelming, bipartisan support, passing 96-2 in the state House and 83-4 in the Senate. Oklahoma joins eight other states that have signed similar legislation into law this legislative cycle.
“On behalf of all NRA members in Oklahoma, I want to thank Governor Brad Henry for signing this important bill into law. I’d also like to thank the bill’s chief sponsors, Representative Kevin Calvey (R-94) and Senator Harry Coates (R-28), for their leadership in passing this vital measure,” concluded Cox. “The ‘Castle Doctrine’ bill is about putting the law back on the side of the victim, the way it’s supposed to be.”
BASELESS CONCLUSION OF BRADY REPORT CHALLENGED
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) called the conclusions of a gun tracing report issued by the anti-gun Brady Center “ludicrous” and referred those who want an unbiased explanation about the relevance of trace data to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE).
Commenting on the Brady Center’s latest conspiracy-theory propaganda, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane said, “‘Without a Trace’ shows anti-gun groups are without a clue. This so-called report is the last gasp of a desperate extremist group that remains intent on pursuing junk lawsuits against a critical U.S. industry—despite the clearly stated will of the American people through the actions of Congress and state legislatures to block such lawsuits.”
Keane went on to cite numerous cases of support for maintaining restrictions on the release of BATFE gun trace data. “Law enforcement supports the restrictions. BATFE supports the restrictions. Congress and the President support the restrictions. The only people who want to lift the restrictions are the lawyers at gun ban groups, and New York City Mayor Bloomberg.
“You don’t have to ask us, ask the experts,” concluded Keane, referring to multiple quotes and documents previously released by the BATFE that support restricting the release of trace data to the public.
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP
There are a number of pro-gun bills pending in Congress that require your action. Please review these legislative initiatives and be sure to contact your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121, and your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121, and urge him or her to cosponsor and support these measures. Additional contact information can be found using the “Write Your Representatives” feature at www.NRAILA.org.
• H.R. 5092-This bill would improve BATFE’s process for punishing FFLs and establish guidelines for BATFE investigations. This bill was drafted in large part to address recent BATFE abuses at Richmond, Va.-area gun shows highlighted in hearings before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommitee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.
• S. 2599/H.R. 5013-Legislation to prohibit the confiscation of lawfully owned firearms during states of emergency. Would guarantee legal recourse for victims of illegal gun seizures
• H.R. 1384-This bill would remove several antiquated and unnecessary restrictions imposed on interstate firearms business since 1968.
•S. 1082/H.R. 1288-Legislation to repeal the draconian D.C. gun ban and restore the right of lawful District residents to own firearms to defend themselves and their families.
• H.R. 4547-Federal legislation requiring recognition of out-of-state Right-to-Carry permits.
• H.R. 5005-This measure will codify congressional policies, roll back restrictions, and correct errors in federal firearm laws.
Again, please contact your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and urge them to cosponsor and support these measures. For additional information on these bills, please visit www.NRAILA.org.
NRA-ILA “MIX N’ MINGLES”
Much is at stake in this year’s elections; we will decide if we continue to move ahead on the path of pro-gun reform, or, if we will descend to the dark Clinton-Gore years. In order to ensure continued success for the Second Amendment, we must elect pro-gun lawmakers to office this election season.
To ensure victory for our pro-gun candidates 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:
- Eau Claire, WI -- 05/23/06
- Ashland, WI -- 05/24/06
- Jackson, MS -- 06/03/06
- Wallkill, NY -- 06/10/06
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.
SIGNS, SIGNS, EVERYWHERE SIGNS
It has been estimated that well-placed campaign signs can account for four percentage points on Election Day. Think back to the 2000 presidential election, where 537 votes in Florida separated George W. Bush from Al Gore, and four points seems like a landslide! While you are focused like a laser beam on the November 7 election, some gun owners may not be aware of what’s at stake for the future of the Second Amendment on Election Day.
To help us raise gun owner awareness of the impending election, and to market NRA’s campaign efforts, we have produced two colorful, patriotic campaign yard signs featuring our “I’m the NRA & I Vote” and “Vote Freedom First!” slogans. These high quality signs are bold, durable, and easy to assemble. Everything needed to assemble the sign is contained in one compact package, and all components made in the USA.
Each sign costs a very reasonable $14.95, or you can order a combination pack of both signs for $24.95 (includes shipping and handling). A portion of the proceeds goes directly to NRA-ILA to assist our efforts to protect, preserve, and strengthen our Second Amendment rights!
By proudly displaying your NRA yard sign, and showing your support for the Second Amendment, you will greatly enhance our ability to deliver victory for pro-gun candidates on November 7!
Please call (866) 869-6389 or visit www.nrailasigns.org to order your NRA yard signs TODAY!
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: Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New York, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, and, Washington.
ARKANSAS
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, May 23, and early voting has already started! To see if early voting is being conducted at your county clerk’s office, please use the following link www.sosweb.state.ar.us/elections/elections_pdfs/county_clerks.pdf. 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 information about voting in Arkansas, please use the following link www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections_voting_arkansas.html. For NRA-PVF candidate information and endorsements, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683), or visit www.NRAPVF.org. If you go to the NRA-PVF site, you will have to provide your NRA member ID number to access the site. Your NRA member ID number can be found on the front of your NRA magazine or on your NRA membership card. Your ID number on the magazine’s mailing label is the 10-digit number that follows the code: #07901. Examples of how to find your ID number can also be found at www.NRAPVF.org on the log-in page accessed by choosing your state. Be sure to “Vote Freedom First!” on Tuesday, May 23!
IDAHO
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, May 23 and absentee voting has already started! For information about voting in Idaho, please use the following link www.idahovotes.gov/. 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 candidate information and endorsements, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683), or visit www.NRAPVF.org. If you go to the NRA-PVF site, you will have to provide your NRA member ID number to access the site. Your NRA member ID number can be found on the front of your NRA magazine or on your NRA membership card. Your ID number on the magazine’s mailing label is the 10-digit number that follows the code: #07901. Examples of how to find your ID number can also be found at www.NRAPVF.org on the log-in page accessed by choosing your state. Be sure to “Vote Freedom First!” on Tuesday, May 23!
KENTUCKY
Primary election day is Tuesday, May 16. NRA members are encouraged to head to the polls and vote for those candidates who support our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. For more information about voting visit http://elect.ky.gov/registrationinfo/. Please be sure to encourage your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to do the same. For NRA-PVF candidate information and endorsements, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683), or visit www.NRAPVF.org. If you go to the NRA-PVF site, you will have to provide your NRA member ID number to access the site. Your NRA member ID number can be found on the front of your NRA magazine or on your NRA membership card. Your ID number on the magazine’s mailing label is the 10-digit number that follows the code: #07901. Examples of how to find your ID number can also be found at www.NRAPVF.org on the log-in page accessed by choosing your state. Be sure to “Vote Freedom First!” on Tuesday, May 16!
LOUISIANA
On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary “C” Committee reported out two NRA-supported bills: HB 89 by Representative Eric LaFleur (D-38) & Don Cazayoux (D-18), the “Castle Doctrine” bill creates presumptions in law for the use of force against intruders in your home, car, or place of business and explicitly states in law that you have no "duty to retreat" from criminal attack if you are in a place where you have a legal right to be; and HB 760 by Representative Steve Scalise (R-82), that prohibits the confiscation of firearms from law-abiding citizens during a future state of emergency or natural disaster. These bills now move to the full Senate for consideration. Please contact your State Senators and urge them to support HB 89 and HB 760. To contact your State Senator, call the PULS line at (225) 342-2456 (from the Baton Rouge area) or (800) 256-3793 (outside the Baton Rouge area).
MASSACHUSETTS
Important pro-gun legislation, H.4552, sponsored by Representative Frank Hynes (D-Plymouth-4) has passed the House and has been stuck in the Senate since February. Anti-gun advocates have been heavily lobbying the office of Senate President Robert Travaglini (D-First Suffolk, Middlesex) in an attempt to water down the bill with amendments. H.4552, “An Act Protecting the Rights of Target Shooters,” would do the following: create a new definition in Section 121, Chapter 140 for “Single Action Revolver,” using the same language taken from the identical exception passed in California; exempt certain “Single Action Revolvers” and precision target handguns, “any firearm solely designed and sold specifically for formal target shooting competition,” from the testing requirements in Section 123 of Chapter 140; and place in a statute the language already passed in 1998 that exempts “any firearm lawfully owned or possessed under a license issued under said Chapter 140 on or before October 21, 1998.” Your action is critical in protecting the Second Amendment Rights of Massachusetts’ gun owners! Please contact Senate President Travaglini today at (617) 722-1500 or email [email protected] and ask him to move the bill forward without any amendments!
MICHIGAN
On May 16, SB 1046, “Castle Doctrine” legislation sponsored by Senator Alan Cropsey (R-33), is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee. This legislation will help the citizens of Michigan in two important ways: first, it protects your right to self-defense, and ensures you do not have a “duty to retreat” from a violent attacker; and second, it gives immunity from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force. Please call the Senate Judiciary Committee at (517) 373-3760 and respectfully ask them to support SB 1046. Also, NRA-ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator Jerry Kraus (MI-9) would like to invite you to attend the “Michigan Celebrity Shoot” that is being organized by the Oakland County Friends of the NRA. Celebrities that attended last year included Dennis Hextal of the Detroit Red Wings; Mickey Lolitch of the Detroit Tigers; State Senator Nancy Cassis (R-Mich.-15); Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, who is running against Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) for the U.S. Senate; 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 and celebrities for a day of shooting, while raising money for the Friends of the NRA! The event will be held on Saturday, June 24, at 10:30 a.m., at the Detroit Gun Club, 2775 Oakley Park Road, Walled Lake, MI 48390. Admission prices vary and advance tickets are required. For ticket information and additional information, please contact Jerry Kraus by phone at (248) 706-1513 or by e-mail at [email protected]
MISSOURI
The Missouri General Assembly session is getting ready to adjourn for the year and the Senate has yet to take action on HB 1461, the critically important “Castle Doctrine” reform bill. HB 1461, introduced by Representative Marilyn Ruestman (R-131), protects your right to self-defense and ensure Missourians do not have a “duty to retreat” from a violent attacker. Please contact Senate President Michael Gibbons at (573) 751-2853 and politely request HB 1461 receive a full floor vote this week! Also, please respectfully remind Senator Gibbons that without this important protection, innocent crime victims in Missouri can be sued by their violent attacker for defending themselves and their family! Please be sure to have your family, friends, and fellow Second Amendment supporters call Senator Gibbons as well.
MONTANA
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, June 6 and absentee voting has already started! For information about voting in Montana, please use the following link http://sos.state.mt.us/ELB/Voter_Information.asp#absentee. 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 candidate information and endorsements, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683), or visit www.NRAPVF.org. If you go to the NRA-PVF site, you will have to provide your NRA member ID number to access the site. Your NRA member ID number can be found on the front of your NRA magazine or on your NRA membership card. Your ID number on the magazine’s mailing label is the 10-digit number that follows the code: #07901. Examples of how to find your ID number can also be found at www.NRAPVF.org on the log-in page accessed by choosing your state. Be sure to “Vote Freedom First!” on Tuesday, June 6!
NEW YORK
Registration for the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association (NYSRPA) Annual Meeting has started and is filling up fast! This event is open to the public, and the cost is only $10. Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 10, at the Wallkill Rod and Gun Club, 316 Bruyn Turnpike, Wallkill, NY 12589. Registration starts at 10:00 a.m. The range will be open and there will be displays by gunsmiths, taxidermist, collectors, and more from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Between 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. there will be guest speakers, including NRA First Vice President John Sigler, and food from the annual chicken bake. To register call the NYSRPA office at 800-469-7772 or for more information visit www.nysrpa.org/. Also, in conjunction with the NYSRPA annual meeting, please join the NRA-ILA Grassroots staff and your fellow NRA members, for a couple hours of socializing and protecting freedom at a FREE NRA-ILA Mix N' Mingle. To reserve your spot at the Mix N' Mingle, please call (800) 392-VOTE (8683) or visit www.nraila.org/workshops.
OHIO
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will be holding a hearing for proponent, opponent, and interested testimony with a possible vote on House Bill 347, on Wednesday, May 17 at 9:00 a.m., in Room 121, of the State House. This proposal will streamline an already successful Right-to-Carry law by creating statewide preemption for the regulation of firearms and ammunition--thereby avoiding the current patchwork of firearm laws in Ohio. HB 347 will also fix the most common complaint heard from the more than 60,000 Right-to-Carry license holders--the “plain sight” requirement for a firearm in a motor vehicle. If you’re unable to attend, please contact the Senate Criminal Justice Committee by calling Chairman Jim Jordan at (614) 466-7584.
OREGON
Vote by mail ballots for the May 16 Primary Election have been mailed. If you need help filling out your ballot or haven’t received your ballot please visit www.sos.state.or.us/elections/vbm/vbm_guide.pdf. For NRA-PVF candidate information and endorsements, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683), or visit www.NRAPVF.org. If you go to the NRA-PVF site, you will have to provide your NRA member ID number to access the site. Your NRA member ID number can be found on the front of your NRA magazine or on your NRA membership card. Your ID number on the magazine’s mailing label is the 10-digit number that follows the code: #07901. Examples of how to find your ID number can also be found at www.NRAPVF.org on the log-in page accessed by choosing your state. Don’t forget to return your ballot to your local election office by 8pm on Tuesday May 16 - postmarks do not count!
SOUTH CAROLINA
H 3402 is headed for Governor Sanford’s (R) desk. This legislation would allow the formation of a sportsmen’s caucus, putting South Carolina in the position of becoming the 29th state to establish a state legislative sportsmen’s caucus. Special thanks go to State Representative Mike Pitts (R-14), who introduced this legislation and worked to shepherd it through the General Assembly.
WASHINGTON
The Bellingham City Council is considering an ordinance that would prohibit the discharge of firearms at indoor shooting ranges in the City. According to the language of the ordinance, the City Council is of the opinion that indoor shooting ranges “pose potential dangers to the health, safety and welfare of the community.” This is an outrageous claim--enclosed shooting ranges pose no danger to the community! This proposed ordinance is nothing more than an attack on the rights of Bellingham shooters by the Police Chief and City Council. This proposed ordinance also appears to be an obvious violation of Washington State Law. Section 9.41.300(2) of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) allows cities to restrict the discharge of firearms only “where there is a reasonable likelihood that humans, domestic animals or property will be jeopardized.” The City Council has already quietly held a public hearing on this proposal and has cast a preliminary vote to pass the ordinance. The final hearing will be held at the City Council meeting held at 210 Lottie Street, on Monday, May 15, at 7:00 p.m. This will be the final opportunity for NRA members, shooters, and firearm owners to make their voices heard. Mark your calendars for Monday, May 15, at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please visit: www.cob.org/council/index.htm. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact the Bellingham City Council at (360) 676-6970 or via e-mail at [email protected]. To view the language of the ordinance, go to: ftp://ftp.cob.org/council/packets/2006/05_may/01/packets/01may2006_AB16972.pdf . Do not forget to attend this meeting and help protect the Second Amendment rights of Bellingham City shooters! Please forward this e-mail to your fellow firearm owners!
Have A Happy Mother’s Day!
