States with updates this issue: Colorado, Connecticut, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
PREPARING TODAY TO PROTECT FREEDOM TOMORROW
With the dog days of summer upon us, thoughts tend to turn to family, vacation, swimming pools, and barbeques. Yet, while they may seem like a long way off, the 2006 elections are barely three months away! In recent election cycles, gun owners have enjoyed tremendous successes. But none of our victories have happened by accident. It takes careful long-term advance planning to ensure victory for the Second Amendment on Election Day.
As in every election year, two things will win this year’s elections for gun owners--votes and hard work. And no pro-Second Amendment candidate can do without both. Be assured the anti-gun crowd is hoping you don’t turn out in support of our candidates.
If you are not currently registered to vote, or if you have recently moved, please make sure you register to vote at once. And please ensure every one of your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners are registered voters as well. For information on voter registration requirements, deadlines, and applications for your state, contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) or visit the “Register to Vote” section at www.NRAILA.org.
The second part of our formula for electoral success is actively volunteering your time to the campaigns of candidates who support our rights. This is where your NRA-ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC) becomes integral to our efforts. Your EVC is an NRA member--just like you--who spearheads our volunteer campaign activities in your congressional district.
For more than a decade, EVCs have been acting as the liaison between NRA members and gun owners in your district and various pro-freedom campaigns. The main role of an EVC is to provide these campaigns with dedicated, educated volunteers to assist with phone banks, literature drops, precinct walks, voter registration drives, Election Day activities, and other volunteer campaign activities. Your EVC is also the link in your area to assist with NRA-ILA’s legislative agendas at the federal, state, and local levels.
Even if you can spare only a few hours here and there, your EVC needs to hear from you. To identify and contact your EVC, please visit www.NRAILA.org, or call the ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683). While most congressional districts are currently covered by an EVC, there are still vacancies we are trying to fill. If you are interested in serving as your district’s EVC, or simply want to learn more about the program, please call ILA Grassroots and ask to speak to your state’s Grassroots Coordinator. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE. CONTACT YOUR EVC TODAY!
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 revert 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, fellow 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:
- Reading, PA 08/12/06
- Libby, MT 08/15/06
- Great Falls, MT 08/17/06
- Billings, MT 08/19/06
- Seymour, IN 08/24/06
- South Bend, IN 08/26/06
- Aurora, CO 08/26/06
- St. Joseph, MO 09/14/06
- Green Bay, WI 9/21/06
- Towson, MD 09/23/06
- Norwich, CT 09/30/06
- Rock Hill, SC 09/30/06
- New Hartford, NY 10/05/06
- Tucson, AZ 10/12/06
- Dublin, OH 10/14/06
- St. Cloud, MN 10/16/06
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.
YOUR ACTION IS REQUIRED
ON THE FOLLOWING FEDERAL LEGISLATION
There are a number of other pro-gun bills pending in Congress that require your action. With the House out for its “Summer District Work Period,” your U.S. Representative will be back home in his or her respective district. Please contact your Representative’s district offices and urge your Representative to cosponsor and support these measures, and to bring these bills up as soon as possible when they return to Washington. You can also contact your Representative at (202) 225-3121. In addition, please call your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121, and urge them 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 the few FFLs who violate the law, and it would 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 Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.
• H.R. 5005-This measure will codify congressional policies, roll back restrictions, and correct errors in federal firearm laws.
• H.R. 1384-This bill would remove several antiquated and unnecessary restrictions imposed on interstate firearms business since 1968.
• H.R. 1288/S. 1082-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/S. 3275-Legislation that 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 he or she meets certain criteria. Importantly, the laws of each state governing where concealed firearms may be carried would still apply within its borders.
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 CLUB UNIVERSITIES
The NRA is hosting three FREE Club Universities this year across the country. Club Universities are daylong seminars designed to show clubs the benefits of being affiliated with the NRA. The forum affords clubs the opportunity to learn and discuss: integrating NRA programs that strengthen your club and community; special benefits to clubs (range services, NRA endorsed insurance, etc.); and networking between local clubs and state associations. All clubs and state associations are invited to attend the Club Universities.
NRA Headquarters staff will be present to speak about various NRA programs including competitive shooting, youth/women’s programs, ranges and Eddie Eagle. Other staff representatives will give information on grants, club recruiting and legislative initiatives. Speakers’ presentations will be geared toward how clubs can implement and grow programs at the local level and the benefits clubs receive from program delivery.
The forums will conclude with roundtable discussions on current issues clubs face. These can include suburban encroachment, databases, member attrition, etc.¾whatever is most pertinent to attendees¾so they can benefit from their peers’ experiences.
The three 2006 Club Universities will be held: August 12, in Ashley, OH; August 26, in Mt. Kisco, NY; and September 16, in Santa Ana, CA. Admission is FREE and meals are provided. Each university runs from 9:00 a.m., to 5:00 p.m., preceded by a continental breakfast and followed by an afternoon reception.
More information for any of the 2006 Club Universities can be found online @ www.nrahq.org/clubs/club_university. Please register for this event via e-mail: [email protected], or phone: (800) 672-3888, x1345.
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. For information on NRA-PVF candidate 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 login page accessed by choosing your state. As always, thank you for your support.***)
States with updates this issue: Colorado, Connecticut, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
COLORADO
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, August 8! Absentee ballots may be requested, and early in-person voting started July 29. For more information about voting in Colorado, please us the following link: www.elections.colorado.gov/DDefault.aspx?tid=1. Be sure to “Vote Freedom First!”
CONNECTICUT
In an effort to settle a dispute between two neighbors over a private shooting range, Montville Mayor Joseph Jaskiewicz acknowledged in the New London newspaper The Day that he is working with the town attorney to draft a proposal to restrict shooting in Montville. The newspaper characterized the Mayor’s plan as an ordinance that would outlaw the discharge of a firearm “within 500 feet of an occupied building, near livestock, pets or people, or land designated as a nature preserve, conservancy or town park.” Despite attempts to view the proposed language, NRA has thus far been denied the opportunity. But, as described in the article, the proposal could only be interpreted as a prohibition of most types of recreational shooting and would outlaw the discharge of a firearm for personal protection. It is imperative that NRA members contact Mayor Jaskiewicz at (860) 848-3030 Ext. 301, and urge him to drop his proposal. The measure could be introduced to the Town Council as early as August 14. Also be sure to contact your Town Council members to ask them to oppose Mayor Jaskiewicz's anti-gun proposal, please use the following link: www.townofmontville.org/CMS/default.asp?CMS_AreaID=122 or call (860) 848-1349. Please keep checking your email and www.nraila.org/ for future updates on this new threat to the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in the Town of Montville!
Don’t forget, the 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, August 8! For more information about voting in Connecticut, please use www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/VoterGuide/VoterGuide.htm. Be sure to “Vote Freedom First!”
MICHIGAN
The Citizens for Wildlife Conservation, a coalition formed to protect hunter’s rights, needs your assistance in spreading the word to defeat the anti-dove hunting ballot measure. Help defend your hunting heritage on November 7 by voting to defeat the proposed dove hunting ban referendum. For more information, visit www.cwcmi.org. Also, the Michigan Chapters of Safari Club International will be holding a benefit dinner and auction on Wednesday, August 16 in Livonia, MI. Tickets are $40.00 per person and the proceeds will assist the campaign to defeat the dove hunting ban referendum. Checks should be made out to SCI-Flint Chapter. For more details or to RSVP, please contact Marc Somers at (586) 295-9457.
MISSOURI
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, August 8! For more information about voting in Missouri, please use the following link: www.sos.mo.gov/elections/s_default.asp?id=voters. Be sure to “Vote Freedom First!”
NEBRASKA
On August 9, the Nebraska State Patrol will be holding a hearing to discuss the rules and regulations of the new Right-to-Carry legislation that was recently passed in Nebraska. All NRA members are encouraged to attend and express their opinions. The hearing will be at 10:00 a.m., August 9, in the Auditorium of the Nebraska Department of Roads, 1500 Nebraska Highway 2, Lincoln, Nebraska. Should you be unable to attend, please contact the Nebraska State Patrol at (402) 479-4933 to voice your approval of Nebraska Right-to-Carry and remind them this is for law-abiding individuals, not criminals.
NEW YORK
A public hearing has been scheduled for August 7, 2006, for Introductory Local Law No. 3 that would require any person who sells, possesses or transports any air pistol or air rifle to obtain a license and pay an annual fee in the City of White Plains. Any violation of this local law will be a misdemeanor and may require payment of a fine or even result in imprisonment! Mayor Joseph Delfino (R) and the Common Council of the City of White Plains have proposed this anti-gun local law that would effect both businesses and owners of air pistols and air rifles, also known as BB or pellet guns. To stop this proposed anti-gun legislation, attendance at this public hearing is needed! According to the agenda, the public hearing for Local Law No. 3, will be the first item addressed at the Common Council meeting. The public hearing is August 7, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. to be held at the Council Chambers on 255 Main Street. Please contact Mayor Delfino and the Common Council members immediately at (914) 422-1411 and ask them to oppose Introductory Local Law No. 3. To find contact information on your Common Council member, please use the following link www.ci.white-plains.ny.us/council/council.htm.
Additionally, thanks to your efforts, the Suffolk County Trap & Skeet Range finally reopened on July 15. Please show your support by visiting the range located at 165 Gerard Road in Yaphank, New York 11980, (631) 924-5600. The hours of operation are 9:00 a.m., to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
Finally, the Sportsmen’s Association for Firearms Education Inc. (S.A.F.E.) will be hosting its “2006 Right-to-Carry Conference & Second Amendment Rally” on Sunday, October 1, 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 the North side of LIE between exits 53 & 55). In attendance at the event will be: Wayne R. LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President; Bob Barr, Former Member, U.S. House of Representatives and NRA Board Member; Jim Fotis, Executive Director, Law Enforcement Alliance of America; John Faso, Republican Candidate for New York State Governor; John Spencer, Republican/Conservative Candidate for U.S. Senate from New York; and John L. Cushman, S.A.F.E. President and Founder, and NRA Board Member.
If you believe you have the right to own and use firearms lawfully, then you need to attend this conference. You will get the latest information on the Right-to-Carry nationwide and locally. You will meet and network with fellow sportsmen and women concerning your civil rights and those of your children and grandchildren. This conference will raise issues of concern and give suggested courses of action with local and national leaders of Second Amendment organizations and legislators from all levels of government. You will also have a chance to win valuable prizes in drawings limited to attendees only. Admission and parking is free and the event is open to your family and friends.
NEVADA
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, August 15! For more information on voting in Nevada, please use the following link: http://www.sos.state.nv.us/nvelection/. Be sure to “Vote Freedom First!”
PENNSYLVANIA
Next week, the Senate Judiciary Committee will be holding the second in a series of hearings around the state to receive testimony relating to urban violence. The hearing will be held 12:00 P.M. on August 11 at the Allegheny County Courthouse. Additional hearings are scheduled for: Altoona on August 23, at noon at the Penn State Altoona Downtown Conference Center and Harrisburg on September 25, at 10:00 A.M. at 8E-B of the Capitol's East Wing. The August 2, hearing in Philadelphia heard testimony from public officials and anti-gun zealots insisting on new gun control legislation to combat urban crime. Once again, this is a great opportunity for NRA members in the Pittsburgh community to voice their discontent over the lack of enforcement of federal and state firearm laws against violent criminals. If your planning on testifying or need additional information, contact Gregg Warner of Senator Greenleaf's office, (717) 787-6599 or [email protected].
WISCONSIN
Registration for the NRA and Future Wisconsin Sportsmen’s Conference 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, September 9, at the Bluemound Gardens Conference Center, 11703 West Bluemound Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53226. The event begins at 7:00 a.m., with a breakfast buffet. Conference speakers include State Senators Tom Reynolds and Dave Zien, and State Representative Scott Gunderson among others. In conjunction with this event, you'll want to make plans to also 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 beginning at 1:30 p.m. To RSVP, please call (414) 258-1719, or e-mail [email protected]. For more information, please visit www.widigest.com.
