States with updates this issue: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
UPDATE ON NRA’S LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
This week, in a landmark victory for NRA and law-abiding gun owners, Judge Carl J. Barbier of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana denied the City of New Orleans’ motion to dismiss NRA’s lawsuit against the city. Further, Judge Barbier held that the Second Amendment does apply to law-abiding residents in the State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans. Incredibly, the City of New Orleans persisted in desperately clinging to its anti-gun agenda by contemptuously arguing just the opposite--that the Second Amendment does not apply to residents in the State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans.
NRA first filed suit after Hurricane Katrina, when firearms were confiscated from law-abiding New Orleans residents. Former New Orleans Police Chief Eddie Compass issued orders to confiscate firearms from all citizens. With that one order, the means of self-protection that innocent victims had during a time of widespread civil disorder was stripped away.
NRA filed suit in federal court and won a preliminary injunction ending these illegal gun confiscations. After the City of New Orleans failed to comply with the court’s ruling and falsely claimed that the gun confiscations never occurred, NRA filed a motion for contempt that included an order directing all seized firearms be returned to their rightful owners.
After strenuously denying the illegal confiscations for months, on March 15, 2006, Mayor Nagin and the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) finally conceded in federal court that the seized firearms were stored in two trailers. The city then agreed in court to a process by which law-abiding citizens would be able to file a claim to receive their confiscated firearms. However, few firearms were returned because the NOPD never notified gun owners how to claim their guns, and turned many away citing impossible standards for proof of ownership.
Today’s ruling sets the stage for a continued legal fight in which NRA will be forced to expend additional resources to fight back the anti-gunner’s blatant and shameful attempts to ignore the Second Amendment. The case will now move to discovery and pre-trial preparation.
Rest assured, we will keep you informed of future developments regarding this case.
ALERT US TO, AND ATTEND, TOWN HALL MEETINGS!
Congress is currently on its Summer District Work Period and will be out of session until September 5. During this time, your Senators and Representative will be back home in their respective states and districts.
Many lawmakers use this time to hold town hall meetings, where they can report on what they’ve been doing in Washington, and take questions from their constituents. These meetings offer a tremendous opportunity for you to personally voice your strong support for a number of pro-gun bills pending in Congress.
Please contact your lawmakers’ district offices and ask when they plan to hold their town hall meetings during the break. If you do not know the number for your lawmakers’ district offices, you can use the “Write Your Representatives” tool at www.NRAILA.org, or call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.
If you get a chance to meet with your lawmakers, please urge them to cosponsor and support the following measures, and to bring these bills up as soon as possible when they return to Washington:
• H.R. 5092-Improves BATFE’s process for punishing the few FFLs who violate the law, and establishes 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-Codifies congressional policies, rolls back restrictions, and corrects errors in federal firearm laws.
• H.R. 1384-Removes several antiquated and unnecessary restrictions imposed on interstate firearms business since 1968.
• H.R. 1288/S. 1082-Repeals the draconian D.C. gun ban and restores the right of lawful District residents to own firearms to defend themselves and their families.
• H.R. 4547/S. 3275-Allows 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.
In addition to attending town hall meetings and speaking out in support of our Right to Keep and Bear Arms, please forward the dates, times, and locations of any town hall meetings to your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners, and to the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division, so we may compile this information and share it with the pro-gun community. Please forward this information to the Grassroots Division by calling (800) 392-8683, by faxing to (703) 267-3918, or by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. Also, please take advantage of this recess to try and schedule personal meetings with your lawmakers and/or their staff in their district offices to discuss these issues.
For tips on effectively communicating at town hall meetings, please go to the “Write Your Representatives” feature at www.NRAILA.org and click “Communication With Your Lawmakers.”
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:
- 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
- Joplin, MO 09/16/06
- Green Bay, WI 09/21/06
- Towson, MD 09/23/06
- Henderson, NV 09/26/06
- Asheville, NC 09/28/06
- Norwich, CT 09/30/06
- Rock Hill, SC 09/30/06
- Stockton, CA 09/30/06
- New Hartford, NY 10/05/06
- Albuquerque, NM 10/10/06
- Tucson, AZ 10/12/06
- Columbus, OH 10/14/06
- Eagan, MN 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.
NEW NRA-ILA YARD SIGN NOW AVAILABLE!
“NRA--FREEDOM’S FRONTLINE”
As you’ve been reading in the Grassroots Alert, NRA-ILA has been offering two yard signs for sale featuring our “I’m the NRA & I Vote” and “Vote Freedom First” slogans. Sales of these signs have been brisk and have greatly aided our efforts to raise gun owner awareness of the impending election, to market NRA’s campaign efforts, and to raise the funds we need to accomplish our goals this year.
Due to the popularity of these two signs, NRA-ILA has designed a third sign that is now available! Our newest yard sign highlights our newest slogan: “NRA--Freedom’s Frontline”. Made of the same high quality materials, the new “Freedom’s Frontline” sign is bold, durable, and easy to assemble. Everything needed to assemble the sign is contained in one compact package, and all components are made in the USA.
Whether you wish to purchase a single sign for $14.95, a two-sign combination pack for $24.95, or our latest offer--a combination of ALL THREE signs for $37.45 (includes shipping and handling), a portion of the proceeds will go directly to NRA-ILA to assist our efforts to protect, preserve, and strengthen our Second Amendment rights!
To see the latest “NRA--Freedom’s Frontline” sign and to order your NRA yard signs, please call (866) 869-6389 or visit www.nrailasigns.org.
NRA CLUB UNIVERSITIES
The NRA is hosting 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.--whatever is most pertinent to attendees--so they can benefit from their peers’ experiences.
The remaining 2006 Club Universities will be held: 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: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
ALASKA
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, August 22! For more information on voting in Alaska, please use the following link: http://ltgov.state.ak.us/elections/. Be sure to “Vote Freedom First”!
CALIFORNIA
Senate Bill 59, sponsored by Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-27), was defeated by a vote of 40-34 on the Assembly Floor. Forty-one votes were necessary to pass the bill. SB59 would have expanded the definition of the term "firearm" to include the frame or receiver of the gun for purposes of the offense of failure to report a stolen or lost firearm. This bill would have also made it a crime for any person whose handgun is stolen or irretrievably lost to not report the theft or loss to a local law enforcement agency within five working days after his or her discovery of the theft or loss; or within five working days after the date he or she should have reasonably known of the theft or loss. SB59 would also have allowed local governments to impose even stricter reporting requirements. To see how your State Legislators voted on SB59, please visit: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_59&sess=CUR&house=B&author=lowenthal. A special thank you to all NRA members for your calls and emails against SB59 during the legislative session!
CONNECTICUT
So many people showed up to oppose a proposed firearms discharge ordinance in Montville that the fire marshal was forced to end the town council meeting. Mayor Joseph Jaskiewicz’s (D) proposed ordinance would severely limit the rights of recreational shooters or those who might be faced with using a firearm for personal protection, and would threaten to shut down safe shooting ranges. The proposal would also 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,” and would prohibit hunting and any recreational shooting by those under 16 that does not take place on an “authorized” range. The town council decided to pull the proposal from the agenda and will consider it at a later date when a larger space is found to accommodate those who wish to speak on the proposal. A special thank you to those gun owners and sportsmen who attended the meeting to make their voices heard! It is imperative that NRA members continue to contact Mayor Jaskiewicz at (860) 848-3030 Ext. 301 and urge him to withdraw his anti-gun proposal. To contact your Town Council member to ask him or her 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 threat to the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in the Town of Montville!
MICHIGAN
The “2nd Annual Friends of the NRA Michigan Celebrity Shoot” will be held on Saturday, September 9! Please come join us as we get warmed up for hunting season by shooting with local celebrities, or just come for dinner. Also enjoy our many gun raffles and limited edition NRA commemorative items in our live and silent auctions! The “NRA Michigan Celebrity Shoot” is being held September 9, at the Detroit Gun Club (DGC), in Commerce Township. This is a 100-target shotgun fun shoot that includes 50 targets of Sporting Clays, 25 targets of Skeet, and 25 targets of Trap. All targets, shells, lunch, and steak dinner is included! Everyone will also receive a 4”x 6” squad photo.
Some of the celebrities that attended last year were: former Hall of Fame Detroit Tiger pitcher, Mickey Lolitch; former Detroit Red Wing, Dennis Hextall; State Senator Nancy Cassis (R-15); and Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard (currently running for U.S. Senate against anti-gun Debbie Stabenow); among many others. This is a great time to gather and shoot with pro-NRA celebrities, while also raising money to protect and promote the shooting sports for future generations! Money raised at “Friends of the NRA” events go toward educational programs, with 50% of the money staying in Michigan to be made available for pro-Second Amendment worthy causes in the form of grants. ADVANCE TICKET SALES ONLY - NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT! To buy your tickets, or for further information, please contact Jerry Kraus, Chairman of Oakland County Friends of the NRA, at (248) 706-1513, or by e-mail at [email protected].
NEBRASKA
Lincoln Mayor Seng’s (D) two proposed anti-gun ordinances will be voted on by the City Council at the Monday, August 21 meeting. Proposal 06-140 would make it illegal for some citizens to own a firearm within the city limits by re-classifying certain misdemeanor offenses to “serious misdemeanor” offenses, and proposal 06-141 would make it illegal for all Right-to-Carry permit holders to carry their firearm in the City of Lincoln or Lancaster County facilities. It is critical that NRA members attend the August 21 meeting, and contact the Lincoln City Council to voice their opposition to these anti-gun proposals! If passed, these proposals could create a patchwork system of laws and regulations in each city and town throughout Nebraska regulating who is qualified to carry or possess a firearm, and whether or not Right-to-Carry is even allowed within the city limits. It is important that Council members recognize the importance of a uniform statewide system of concealed carry. Please contact the City Council members at (401) 441-7515 and ask them to oppose proposals 06-140 and 06-141, and to continue to oppose any attempt to infringe on their citizens’ Right-to-Carry. Again, the City Council meeting will be held on August 21, at 1:30 p. m., at the County-City Building, located at 555 S. 10th Street, Lincoln, 68508. For further contact information on each of the council members, please use the following link: http://www.ci.lincoln.ne.us/city/council/lista.htm. To view proposal 06-140, please visit: www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/council/agenda/2006/080706/06140.pdf. To view proposal 06-141 please, visit: www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/council/agenda/2006/080706/06141.pdf.
In addition, On August 22, the Kearny City Council is holding a public hearing to discuss lifting its current ban on carrying concealed firearms within the city limits. We are encouraging all NRA members to attend this hearing and voice their support for lifting Kearny’s current ban on carrying concealed firearms and bring Kearny in line with current state law. The meeting will be held on August 22, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, located at 18 East 22nd Street (City Council meetings are also televised live on Cable Channel 6). If you are unable to attend the hearing, please contact the city council members at (308) 233-3216 and ask them to lift this ban. To view the City Council’s website, please visit http://ne-kearney.civicplus.com/index.asp?ID=2.
NEW MEXICO
Your help is needed at the upcoming National Police Shooting Championships that will be held at Shooting Range State Park west of Albuquerque from Thursday, September 28 to Thursday, October 5. Event organizers are looking for volunteers to assist as line officers, safety officers, target runners, and scorers. An organizational meeting for interested volunteers will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, out at the range. For directions, please visit http://www.cabq.gov/openspace/shootingrange.html, and scroll down to “Map.” If you cannot attend the meeting but are still in interesting in volunteering, please contact Neil Terry at (505) 873-6604.
NEW YORK
The Parks & Recreation Committee of the Suffolk County Legislature has just “discharged without recommendation” Intro. Resolution No. 1738-2006, which would permanently close the Suffolk County Trap & Skeet Range and cancel the existing contract with the vendor who is operating the range. This bill will now go before the entire Suffolk County Legislature on Tuesday, August 22, at 3:30 p.m. The hearing will be held in the Rose Caracappa Auditorium of the William H. Rodgers Legislative Building, located at 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, New York 11787. THIS WILL MOST LIKELY BE OUR LAST CHANCE TO DEFEAT THIS BILL! Please arrive early and sign in to speak against this proposal. Supporters need to make a strong showing that there are many people who want this range to stay open. Please make a concerted effort to attend and to speak against this proposal. If you are unable to attend this hearing please contact Mr. Bill Lindsay, the Presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature, as soon as possible at (631) 854-9611, or by fax at (631) 854-9687, and respectfully urge the rejection of IR-1738-2006. For further contact information on the Suffolk County Legislature, please use the following link: www.co.suffolk.ny.us/legis/.
In addition, 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.
Attendees 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.
WISCONSIN
Registration for the NRA and Future Wisconsin Sportsmen’s Conference is filling up fast! This event is open to the public, and the cost is $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 NRA-ILA Grassroots Division Director, Glen Caroline, and your fellow NRA members, for socializing 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.
WYOMING
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, August 22! For more information on voting in Wyoming, please use the following link: http://soswy.state.wy.us/election/election.htm. Be sure to “Vote Freedom First”!
