AND SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
The Miami Herald, which on several occasions over the years has called for renewal of the Clinton Gun Ban, has done so again, and made some irresponsibly inaccurate claims in the process.
National Gathering Of Conservatives To Feature NRA Grassroots Seminar: Conservatives from around the country will convene in Reno, NV, October 11-13, for the 2007 "Conservative Leadership Conference" (CLC). In addition to the numerous training seminars and political discussions featuring some of the nation's most prominent political figures and movement leaders, NRA-ILA Grassroots Director Glen Caroline will be conducting a seminar titled: "Grassroots Lobbying: Turning Up The Heat." For more information on CLC '07 and to register, please visit http://www.clc07.com/.
Register To Vote For THIS YEAR'S Elections! With the 2007 election season in full swing in five states (Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia), it is critical that gun owners and gun rights supporters register to vote in advance of state deadlines.
To assist you in registering to vote this year, NRA-ILA has a number of tools available. Please click here: www.nraila.org/ActionCenter/GetInvolvedLocally/VoterInformation.aspx?st and choose your state to find out all the voter registration dates, deadlines, and requirements for this year's elections. Click here: https://ssl.capwiz.com/nra/e4/nvra/?action=formhere to print a voter registration application that you can complete and return by mail, please. You may also obtain voter registration information by calling the ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683).
Let's make sure that we in the pro-Second Amendment community do all we can in registering to vote and voting this year!
STATE ROUNDUP (please click to see any updates on states not listed below.)
CALIFORNIA: Lead Ammunition Ban Sent to Governor’s Desk! On Thursday, September 6, the Assembly passed Assembly Bill 821, which would ban the use of lead ammunition for hunting in areas occupied by California condors. The bill is now on its way to the desk of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) for his consideration. This ban would have disastrous repercussions for California’s rich hunting tradition. Please contact Governor Schwarzenegger and respectfully urge him to protect hunting across the Golden State by vetoing AB 821. Governor Schwarzenegger can be reached by phone at 916-445-2841, fax at 916-445-4633, or visit http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email to send him an email.
Microstamping Legislation Heads to Governor’s Desk! The California Assembly voted 43-29 to pass Assembly Bill 1471 on Monday, September 10. The bill now moves to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) desk for his consideration. This legislation requires that after a certain date, the make, model, and serial number of the firearm be microstamped onto the interior surface or internal working parts of all new handguns in such a manner that those identifiers are imprinted onto the cartridge case upon firing. Under AB1471, the manufacture, sale, and transfer of new handguns that do not include their identifying information would be a crime. Please contact the Governor and respectfully urge him to veto AB1471. Governor Schwarzenegger can be reached by phone at (916) 445-2841, fax at (916) 445-4633, or visit http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email to send him an email.
Emergency Powers Bill Passes Senate, Heads to Governor! By a vote of 21-16, the California Senate passed Assembly Bill 1645 on Wednesday, September 5. AB1645 will protect law-abiding gun owners during a declared state of emergency from the seizure or confiscation of any lawfully carried or possessed firearm or ammunition. The bill is now on its way to the desk of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) for his consideration.
IDAHO: Idaho NRA License Plates Available for Sale Monday, September 24! NRA specialty Idaho license plates will be available for sale on Monday, September 24 at your local county auto-licensing office. Thanks to the efforts of former Senator and current Idaho County Commissioner Skip Brandt, State Representative Mike Moyle (R-14), and NRA National Board Member Dwight Van Horn, NRA members in Idaho can now show their NRA pride as well as helping preserve and build roads. A special introduction ceremony will be held on Tuesday, September 25 at the Idaho Correctional Facility on Boise at 1:30 p.m. and all NRA members are encouraged to attend.
MARYLAND: Baltimore Mayor Considering Joining Bloomberg’s Anti-Freedom Lawsuit! According to a Wednesday, September 19 Baltimore Sun article, Baltimore’s Mayor Sheila Dixon may join New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in assaulting lawful firearm dealers. Mayor Dixon is ignoring the true source of crime in her fair city, the criminals, and is focusing her attention on law abiding gun owners. Please contact Mayor Dixon’s office today at (410) 396-3835 or by email at [email protected] and respectfully urge her to enforce the laws on the books, prosecute criminals, and stop infringing on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service is observing National Hunting & Fishing Day tomorrow, Saturday, September 22 from 10 am to 5 pm at Schrader’s Bridgetown Manor in Henderson, MD. National Hunting and Fishing Day is a great way to introduce youth and newcomers to outdoor sports while teaching them about the important role that hunting and fishing play in Maryland’s wildlife conservation programs. This event includes many fun activities and is free of charge. For more information please contact Patricia Allenat [email protected] or call 410-221-8838 ext.107 or on the web at www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/NHFD/index.asp.
NEBRASKA: Judiciary Committee to Conduct Study and Public Hearing on Firearm Preemption! The Judiciary Committee will be holding an interim study and public hearing on firearm preemption legislation on Friday, September 28 at 1:30 pm in Room 1113 on the 1st Floor of the Capitol. Firearm preemption laws create a uniform standard across the state by not allowing local governments to pass any ordinance more restrictive than state law. Preemption keeps law-abiding gun owners from mistakenly violating a local law while traveling throughout the state. Please plan on attending the interim study and public hearing to provide the Committee with more information about the critical importance of this legislation and the need for consistent firearms laws throughout the state. If you are unable to attend, you can find contact information for the Committee by clicking here.
NEW JERSEY: The Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs, NRA’s State Association, is hosting its annual “NRA Day at the Range.” The event will be held tomorrow, Saturday, September 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Cherry Ridge Range, off Canistear Road in Highland Lakes, NJ. Offered at no charge, the event is open to anyone interested in learning about the shooting sports and activities in which NRA members participate. A light breakfast and a full lunch will be served and all equipment will be provided. Pre-registration is required for all attendees. To register or to get more details about the event, contact John Donovan at [email protected] go to www.anjrpc.org for directions to the range and for further information about ANJRPC.
NEW YORK: The Sportsmen’s Association for Firearms Education Inc. (S.A.F.E.) will be hosting its “2007 Right-to-Carry Conference & Second Amendment Rally” this weekend, on Sunday, September 23, 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; John Sigler, NRA President; Bob Barr, Former Member, U.S. House of Representatives and NRA Board Member; Jim Fotis, Executive Director, Law Enforcement Alliance of America; 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 are free, and the event is open to your family and friends.
PENNSYLVANIA: Holmesburg Fish and Game Protective Association in Danger! Several months ago, the City of Philadelphia notified the Holmesburg Fish and Game Protective Association that its long time property lease would not be renewed, effective January 1, 2008. Even though a plea was made to City Councilmembers at the Association’s meeting this week, no changes have been made to approve the renewal of the property lease. Please contact Mayor John Street and the members of the City Council to respectfully urge them to renew the contract of the 77 year old Holmesburg Fish and Game Protective Association. Mayor Street can be reached at (215) 686-2181. Contact information for the City Council can be found by clicking here.
TEXAS: Tomorrow, Saturday, September 22, 2007, Students for the Second Amendment and the Collegiate Firearms Instructor Program will host the third annual Alamo City Shooting & Outdoor Sportsfest. The event will take place at the National Shooting Complex, 5931 Roft Rd., San Antonio (attendees are asked to enter the complex from Gass Rd). The Sportsfest is open to the public, and families, youth groups, and student groups are all encouraged to attend. Admission is free for youngsters aged 18 and younger and just $5.00 for adults. Activities will include: Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, and Muzzleloading Shooting, Field Archery, Cowboy Action Shooting, Fishing and Hunting activities, Wildlife Education Displays, a Climbing Wall, Historic Firearm Demonstrations, Living History Reenactors, Map & Compass activities, and much more. You can register for the event at: www.shootingsportscamp.com/register.htm. Volunteers are needed to help staff the firing ranges and fields, and help is also needed with administrative activities. To volunteer, please visit: www.shootingsportscamp.com/volunteer.htm. For additional information, please contact Damaso Torres by phone at (210) 674-5559, or by e-mail at [email protected].
WISCONSIN: Bill Seeks to Make Animal Abuse Equal to Domestic Abuse! Introduced by State Senators Fred Risser (D-26), Tim Carpenter (D-3), and Julie Lassa (D-24), Senate Bill 162 seeks to make “harm or threat of harm” to an animal a form of domestic abuse, potentially meaning the loss of one’s Second Amendment rights. SB 162 is outlandish because it not only equates animals to humans, but it does not include a definition of what “harm or threat of harm” is. Animal “rights” extremists could consider the training of hunting dogs or everyday treatment of dairy cattle to be "abuse." Please contact the members of the Senate Committee of Judiciary and Corrections and respectfully urge them to vote against SB 162 when the time comes. Contact information for the Committee can be found by clicking here.
