U.S. SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE PASSES SHELBY AMENDMENT PROTECTING TRACE DATA SECURITY
NRA-ILA welcomed the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee’s action yesterday to reinstate language commonly known as the Tiahrt Amendment into the Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bill. The amendment, offered by Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), passed with broad bipartisan support. This language would keep sensitive firearm trace information in the hands of law enforcement and out of the hands of politicians and special interest groups to use to further their anti-gun crusades. The committee also rejected a Lautenberg-Feinstein Amendment that would have gutted the Shelby Amendment.
ANTI-HUNTING INSLEE-LOBIONDO POLAR BEAR AMENDMENT DEFEATED: NRA applauds this week’s Congressional vote to defeat the Inslee-LoBiondo Amendment to H.R. 2643, the House Interior Appropriations bill. The amendment was defeated 188-242.
“The defeat of the Inslee-LoBiondo Amendment is a significant victory for hunters and another demoralizing defeat for the anti-hunting Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA),” declared NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. “The anti-hunting lobby persists in their effort to try to ban hunting, species by species everywhere, even though the science and the facts are not on their side. Well today, those anti-hunting extremists lost.”
NRA COMMENTS ON SUPREME COURT DECISION IN WISCONSIN RIGHT-TO-LIFE CAMPAIGN FINANCE SUIT: NRA commends this week’s decision by the United States Supreme Court that limits the reach of the Bi-Partisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA) in its restriction of pre-election advertising. The NRA filed an amicus brief in the Wisconsin Right-to-Life case.
RAISING AWARENESS ON-LINE: PERSON-TO-PERSON-TO-PERSON NETWORKING: Internet social networking has exploded in recent years. Websites such as MySpace, YouTube, and Facebook attract millions of teens and young adults. These on-line communities foster a connection between their users, and user-generated content (like pictures, profiles, music, video) is all the rage with young adults, often to the bewilderment of their elders.
Until recently, this has been unexplored territory for NRA’s grassroots efforts. Not anymore!
MAKE YOURSELF HEARD AT TOWN HALL MEETINGS! Congress will be on its Independence Day District Work Period next week. During this time, your Senators and Representative will be back home in their states and districts.
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.
NOW CASTING FOR “THE ALASKA EXPERIMENT”: Ricochet Television, a major network television producer, is conducting a nationwide search to find daring outdoorsmen and women to take part in a brand new adventure docu-series for an undisclosed high profile cable network. The television series will be shot on location in Alaska and is about survival in the great outdoors. A wilderness expert will assist the cast once they are selected. Hunting with firearms, building shelter, preparing for the cold, and gathering food are an integral part of the new show. Adventurers interested in applying should call (888) 7CASTING, or log onto www.TheAlaskaExperiment.com for the application and more information.
CONTRIBUTE TO NRA-ILA AND RECEIVE DISCOUNTED THEME PARK TICKETS! Thanks to the generosity of Anheuser-Busch, NRA-ILA has the opportunity to make available a limited number of single-day passes to one of the Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks in the United States. These passes are valid through April 2008, and are good for a one-day adult or child admission into SeaWorld Orlando, San Antonio or San Diego; Busch Gardens or Adventure Island in Tampa Bay; Busch Gardens or Water Country USA in Williamsburg.
To make a contribution and get your tickets, please visit https://secure.nraila.org/buschgardens.aspx.
(Contributions to NRA-ILA are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for Federal Income tax purposes.)
SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR 2006 NRA-ILA VOLUNTEER AWARDS
The “Jay M. Littlefield Memorial NRA-ILA Volunteer of the Year Award” is an annual honor that recognizes an NRA member who demonstrates exceptionally meritorious activism in defense of our Second Amendment rights. Similarly, the “NRA-ILA Volunteer Organization of the Year Award” is bestowed upon a group that has gone above and beyond the call of duty in defending our freedom over the past year. Nominations for the 2006 honors should be submitted to: NRA-ILA Volunteer Awards, c/o Suzanne Anglewicz, NRA-ILA Grassroots Division, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030. Nominations may also be faxed to Suzanne at (703) 267-3918, or e-mailed to [email protected]. All nominations must be submitted by NRA members in good standing and be accompanied by a one-page description of why the nominee is deserving. Winners will be selected by NRA-ILA staff and will be acknowledged at this Fall’s NRA Board of Directors Meeting. The deadline for submissions is July 13, 2007.
STATE ROUNDUP(please click to see any updates on states not listed below.)
ARIZONA: Firearm Legislation at Arizona Governor’s Desk! Awaiting Governor Janet Napolitano’s (D) consideration is Senate Bill 1251, that would require government entities to comply with a long-standing statute that requires them to provide for temporary and secure storage of firearms when they prohibit citizens from possessing firearms in government-operated public establishments or at public events. Please contact Governor Napolitano and urge her to sign SB 1251. The Governor can be reached by calling 1-800-253-0883 or visit http://www.azgovernor.gov/ to send an email message.
CALIFORNIA: Update on California AB821 (lead ammunition ban) and AB1471 (microstamping)! On Tuesday, June 26, two Golden State anti-gun, anti-hunting measures passed committee and are now making their way through the California Senate. Assembly Bill 821 would ban the use of lead ammunition for hunting in various hunting zones around the state that incorporate condor range and require hunters to switch to non-lead substitutes. Assembly Bill 1471 would require that the make, model, and serial number be microstamped onto the interior surface or internal working parts of all handguns in such a manner that those identifiers imprint onto the cartridge case upon firing. Please contact your State Senator today and respectfully urge him or her to oppose AB821 and AB1471. Contact information for your State Senator can be found by clicking here.
COLORADO: Hearing Scheduled for Ouray County Noise Ordinance! A hearing has been scheduled for Monday, July 2 at 4:00 pm at the Ouray County 4-H Event Center located at 22739 Hwy. 550 in Ridgway to address Ordinance 07-02. The ordinance seeks to restrict noise levels to a maximum of 55 decibels (db) and 50 db at night (normal conversation is about 60 db). This ordinance would effectively ban anyone from target shooting on his or her own property, because they would exceed the decibel levels emanating beyond property boundaries. Please make plans to attend this hearing and voice your opposition to this attack on our Second Amendment rights. If you are unable to attend, please contact the members of the County Board of Commissioners at (970) 325-7320 and respectfully urge them to defeat Ordinance 07-02.
Hunting and Recreational Shooting Restrictions Proposed on BLM Land! Hunting and recreational shooting is being targeted by the Bureau of Land Management in south central Colorado near Salida. If you hunt, target shoot, use motorized vehicles, hike and/or camp on these public lands, the proposal will affect you. It is important that BLM hear from you. The management plan and information on how to submit comments can be found at: http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/travel_mgmt/arkansas_river_travel0.html
DELAWARE: Governor Signs Two Vital Pro-Gun Bills! Thanks to the hard work and effort by our members, House Bill 175 and Senate Bill 93 were signed by Governor Ruth Minner (D) on Thursday, June 28. House Bill 175 would protect our Second Amendment rights by prohibiting any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful sale, possession, transfer, transport and carry of firearms during a state of emergency. Senate Bill 93 will allow hunters to hunt with a handgun instead of a shotgun during the regular shotgun season.
MASSACHUSETTS: “One-Gun-A-Month” Bill Still Looming In Massachusetts! House Bill 3991, filed by Governor Deval Patrick (D), is still pending in the Judiciary Committee. This proposal would prohibit law-abiding Massachusetts gun buyers from purchasing more than one firearm per month. Please contact the Judiciary Committee members today and respectfully urge them to oppose H 3991 and any other proposal that limits the rights of lawful gun owners. Also, please contact Governor Patrick and politely ask him to withdraw this anti-gun legislation. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
MICHIGAN: “No-Net-Loss” Legislation Heading to Senate Floor! House Bill 4597, “No-Net-Loss” legislation, is heading to the Senate floor for consideration. This bill will protect Michigan’s valuable hunting tradition by ensuring that today's total acreage of public hunting lands is not reduced. Please contact your State Senator at (517) 373-2400 and respectfully urge him or her to pass HB4597 to protect Michigan’s hunting heritage.
NEBRASKA: Alliance City Council Attacks Right-to-Carry! On Thursday, June 21, the Alliance City Council passed Ordinance #2571, a measure to ban Right-to-Carry in the Municipal Building Complex, the Fire Station, the Alliance Learning Center, and the Utility Facility. There is still time to defeat Ordinance #2571. It will be discussed again at the next City Council meeting at 7:00 pm on Thursday, July 5 in the School Administration Building at 1604 Sweetwater Ave. Please contact the members of the Alliance City Council at (308) 762-5400 to respectfully urge them to vote NO on Ordinance #2571.
NEW JERSEY: Bill to Reorganize Fish & Game Council Heads to Assembly Floor! A3275, a bill that seeks to drastically change the membership of the Fish & Game Council from six sportsmen and three farmers who represent various geographical regions of the state to seven political appointees recommended by the Governor, is now heading to the full Assembly. The bill passed the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee by a 5-2 vote on Thursday, June 14. Animal “rights” extremists testifying in support of A3275 derided hunting as a “15th century” means to wildlife management and touted this legislation as a “21st century” tool for wildlife management. They also expressed their desire to rid the Fish & Game Council of anyone with a “hunter driven background.” Please contact your State Assembly member at (800) 792-8630 and respectfully urge him or her to vigorously oppose this anti-hunting legislation. To identify your Assembly member, please click here.
OHIO: “Castle Doctrine” Bill Introduced in the Buckeye State! Legislation has been introduced in Ohio that would restore the most basic of fundamental rights: self-defense. State Senator Steve Buehrer (R-1) and State Representative Lynn Wachtmann (R- 75) have introduced Senate Bill 184 and House Bill 264, a package that restores the right of individuals to respond in force in defense of their lives and family without fear of civil lawsuits by criminals injured or killed while attacking law-abiding victims. Please contact your State Senator at (614) 466-4900 and your State Representative at (614) 466-3357 and respectfully urge him or her to support SB 184 and HB 264.
OREGON: Oregon Emergency Powers Provision Heads to Governor’s Desk! House Bill 2370, a Homeland Security-related bill containing an amendment prohibiting any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful sale, possession, transfer, transport and carry of firearms during a state of emergency, passed the Oregon Legislature and is now headed to the desk of Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) for his expected signature.
PENNSYLVANIA: Pennsylvania “Landowner Liability Protection Act” Heading to Governor! House Bill 13, the “Landowner Liability Protection Act,” is headed to the desk of Governor Edward Rendell (D) after passing the Senate 50-0. HB13 will give added protection to a landowner who either directly or indirectly invites or permits any person to use his property for recreational purposes. The landowner would not incur liability for any injury to persons or property caused while hunting. Please contact the Governor’s office TODAY at (717) 787-2500 and politely urge him to sign this vital piece of legislation.
Pennsylvania “Lost or Stolen” Legislation Fails in Committee! House Bill 29, a bill that would make it a crime to fail to report the loss or theft of a firearm to police within 24 hours of discovering the firearm missing, failed to pass in the House Judiciary Committee earlier this week. Thank you to all of our members that took the time to call their legislators in opposition to this bill! Even though this threat is over for now, please continue to contact your state legislators at their district offices to remind them to oppose HB 29 when it comes up in the Fall.
TEXAS: Texas Governor Signs Disabled Hunter Measure! Recently, Governor Rick Perry (R) signed House Bill 308, legislation that allows a legally blind hunter who is accompanied by a sighted partner to use projected laser sighting devices in order to hunt more effectively and safely. Before the passage of this new law, blind hunters were accompanied by a sighted person who helped to identify game, ensure that a safe shot was available and engage in the truly daunting task of gazing over the hunter’s shoulder and making a best guess as to whether the rifle or handgun was properly aligned with the animal’s vital area in order to ensure a clean, humane harvest. Disabled hunters already face enough challenges when they enter the field. HB 308 will encourage more disabled sportsmen to pursue their love of hunting.
