Grassroots Alert: Vol. 15, No. 18 5/2/2008

Time For Public Comment On New Rules For Guns In National Parks

New York City Lawsuit Against America’s Firearm Industry Blocked:  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has delivered a major blow to New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg’s lawsuit aimed at bankrupting the firearms industry, by ruling on April 30 that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) of 2005 blocks the city’s lawsuit against a host of gun makers and distributors.

Renewed Attack on Privacy of Gun Buyers:  This week, anti-gun U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) registration legislation that would invade the privacy rights of law-abiding gun owners. 

NRA Intervenes In Lawsuit To Defend Wolf Delisting:  NRA moved today with other sportsmens’ organizations to intervene in a federal lawsuit with significant implications on the hunting community.  Radical anti-hunting groups like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) filed suit to overturn the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to remove the northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf from the Endangered Species List.  This delisting is a long-overdue decision that would finally allow Montana, Wyoming and Idaho to manage wolves through regulated hunting.

Outrage Of The Week:  Anti-Gun Political Correctness Runs Amok On Campus:  This week’s outrage comes courtesy of Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO where 40 faculty members submitted an open letter in opposition to the establishment of a firearm safety and awareness group on campus.  The faculty members claimed that the group, Gun Awareness and Marksmanship Education (G.A.M.E), would only contribute to the “cycle of violence in the world.”   They further stated that “The chartering of G.A.M.E on the campus of Saint Louis University, we believe, is not in keeping with the Jesuit and Christian values of loving and forgiving one another in a world full of hatred and violence.”

ILA Dinner and Auction At Annual Meetings:  The Institute for Legislative Action will hold its Second Annual Dinner and Auction in conjunction with the NRA Annual Meetings in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday evening, May 16^th. 

Plan To Attend Free Louisville Grassroots Workshop!  The NRA-ILA Grassroots Division will host its FREEGrassroots Workshop in conjunction with NRA’s Annual Meetings in Louisville.  This Workshop has been a regular part of NRA’s Annual Meetings for more than a decade.  At this event, you will hear from NRA officers, NRA staff, and your fellow NRA members on what you can do in your own community to ensure victory for the Second Amendment in this year’s elections.

Additional Grassroots Event Planned For Louisville!  In addition to the FREEGrassroots Workshop being held in conjunction with NRA’s Annual Meetings in Louisville, the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division is holding an additional FREE Special Session in Louisville.

Volunteers Needed for 2008 NRA Annual Meetings:  The 2008 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will be an exciting weekend as thousands of NRA members will come together May 16-18, 2008, in Louisville, KY.  You can contribute to the success of our meeting by participating as an Annual Meeting Volunteer.

Stop BATFE Abuses -- Urge Your Congressman To Cosponsor H.R. 4900: Continuing concern about the treatment of firearm dealers by BATFE has caused members of the U.S. House of Representatives--with NRA-ILA’s full support--to push for new and improved reform legislation.  That push has taken the form of H.R. 4900 -- the “Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act.

Help Protect Your Right to Self-Defense!  Last month, Florida became one of a handful of states to enact a law to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners to keep a firearm in their vehicle for personal protection.  Unfortunately, this law is facing opposition by large corporate giants such as Disney, Walmart, Publix, and several others.  They have even filed a federal lawsuit to try to overturn this important self-defense law.  NRA is committed to fighting for the rights of gun owners in Florida and across the country but we can’t fight these attacks alone!  We need your help to ensure that all the hard work by the pro-gun community, and all that was accomplished in Florida, isn’t defeated by those who want to destroy our rights.  Please consider making a contribution TODAY and join NRA in protecting the Second Amendment!  To contribute, please click here.

STATE ROUNDUP  (please click to see any updates on states not listed below.)

ALABAMA:  “Handgun Permit Confidentiality” Passes House!  House Bill 700, “Handgun Permit Confidentiality” legislation, has already passed the House and on Tuesday, April 29, it had its second reading in the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.  HB700 would restrict public access to the records of concealed handgun permit holders and prohibit their publication.  It is imperative that you contact your State Senator in support of HB700 today! Your State Senator can be reached at (334) 242-7800. To identify your State Senator, or for more contact information, please click here.

ARIZONA:  Two critical Right-to-Carry Bills Stuck in Senate!  House Bill 2389, clarifies where an individual may carry a firearm visibly or concealed in a mode of transportation other than public transit.  House Bill 2634 would allow for a person whose civil rights have been restored to obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm with certain restrictions.  Please contact the members of the Senate Rules Committee today and respectfully urge them to support these critical measures!  For committee member contact information please click here. 

Also, this week House Bill 2629, which clarifies how and when a firearm may be displayed for defensive purposes, passed out of the Committee of the Whole and will now likely be heard on Third Reading early next week in the full Senate.  Please contact your State Senator today and respectfully urge them to support this important right to self-defense measure.  You can find your State Senator by clicking here.  Finally, earlier this week, Governor Janet Napolitano (D) vetoed House Bill 2630, which would have reduced the penalty for carrying a concealed handgun without a permit to a petty offense.

Join NRA Board Member at Luncheon and Book Signing!  You are cordially invited to an event with NRA Board Member Grover Norquist.  Grover will be in Tucson, Arizona on Monday, May 5^th, at the Doubletree Inn, for a luncheon and book signing of his new book, “Leave us Alone: Getting the Government’s Hands off Our Money, Our Guns, Our Lives.”  Please call Paula Maxwell at (520) 321-1492 for more information.

In addition, former NRA president Sandra Froman will be the keynote speaker at the Arizona State Rifle & Pistol Association’s Annual Banquet and raffle.  The event will take place tomorrow, Saturday, May 3, 2008 at El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium, 552 N. 40th Street in Phoenix.  For tickets and more information, please e-mail [email protected], call (602) 524-4437, or visit the ASRPA website at www.asrpa.com. 

Forest Service Plan Designates OHV Use in Kaibab National Forest:  The Forest Service is accepting public comments until May 9th in advance of preparing a proposal for the management of off-highway vehicle (OHV) use in the Kaibab national Forest.  Game retrieval off-road will be allowed with certain restrictions.  Electronic comments can be posted at the Forest's website:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/travelmanagement/index.shtml  or to the Williams Ranger District, 742 South Clover Road, Williams, AZ 86046-9122.  You may contact Linda Martin, Travel Management Team Leader, at (928) 635-5614, or by e-mail at [email protected].  In order to assure that sportsmen's interests are anchored in this planning process, it is important that hunters take the time to submit comments.

CALIFORNIA:  Attention California Gun Owners: Make Your Voice Heard and Help Fight the Assault on Ammunition Sales!  The California Assembly is currently considering a bill (Assembly Bill 2062) that, if passed, will have dire consequences for California’s law-abiding gun owners.  As scheduled, AB2062 will be heard on Wednesday, May 7 in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  This egregious attempt to water down your rights as law-abiding gun owners would require all gun owners to obtain a permit to buy handgun ammunition and would impose severe restrictions on the private transfers of handgun ammunition.  Under AB2062, it would be unlawful to privately transfer more than 50 rounds of ammunition per month, even between family and friends, unless you are registered as a “handgun ammunition vendor” in the Department of Justice’s database.  Please make your voice heard to today to stop these attacks on your Second Amendment rights.  To find out what you can do to help, please click here.

Management of Public Lands Under Review in California:  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is beginning to revise the Caliente Resource Management Plan (RMP) that guides the management of approximately 600,000 acres of public land within Kings, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Ventura, and western Kern counties.  Hunting and recreational shooting are allowed on these lands.  The current RMP was completed in 1997.  A copy is available for reference at: www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield/Programs/planning/rmpcontents.html.  The public is invited to submit ideas on how these public lands should be managed and used into the future.  Comments may be submitted via email by sending them to: [email protected], or by mailing them to:  RMP Revision, Bureau of Land Management, 3801 Pegasus Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93308.  Comments will be accepted through May 5.  In order to assure that sportsmen's interests are anchored in this planning process, it is important that hunters and recreational shooters take the time to submit comments.

COLORADO:  Prairie Dog Hunting Ban Defeated!  Thanks to your calls and attendance at last week’s meeting of the Colorado Wildlife Commission in Junction City, a proposed ban on prairie dog hunting was defeated by a 9 to 0 vote ensuring that the necessary hunting of these animals can continue.  While radical anti-hunting/animal rights groups targeted prairie dog hunting as cruel, it is a traditional sporting activity and necessary management tool, especially for ranching interests in the state.  Please call Commission members and thank them for protecting your right to hunt. You can reach the members of the Commission at (303) 297-1192.

DELAWARE:  “Landowner Liability Protection Act” Delayed in Committee!  As we reported last week, House Bill 341, “Landowner Liability Protection Act,” was scheduled for a vote in the House Housing & Community Affairs Committee, but was delayed because of opposition from the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association.  HB341 would ensure that landowners who allow public hunting access incur no liability for property damage or personal injuries caused by hunters -- regardless of whether the damage occurs on or off the landowner's property.  If HB341 is not enacted, landowners will continue to deny access to hunters for fear of being sued. Please contact the members of the House Housing & Community Affairs Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to support this crucial piece of legislation.  To find contact information for the committee members, please click here.

FLORIDA:  Management Plan for Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge is Opened for Comments:  The Fish and Wildlife Service has drafted a 15-year management plan for the 21,500-acre Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.  Deer and feral hog hunting is provided on the refuge.  The four management alternatives would either maintain hunting opportunities at current levels or expand those opportunities to turkey hunting.  It is important to the future of hunting on this refuge that hunters in the community and in the state review the draft plan and submit comments to Cheri Ehrhardt, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, PO Box 6504, Titusville, FL 32782 or e-mail to [email protected].  The plan can be viewed at http://fws.gov/southeast/planning.  Comments are due by May 23.

GEORGIA:   Still No Action Taken on Critical Self-Defense Bill!  In April, the Georgia legislature passed House Bill 89 and sent it to Governor Sonny Perdue (R) for his consideration.  This NRA-supported measure makes numerous improvements to Georgia’s Right-to-Carry laws and represents the most comprehensive pro-gun reform measure to pass in nearly 20 years.  Unfortunately, Governor Perdue has yet to sign this important legislation into law.  Please continue contacting Governor Perdue and respectfully urging him to sign this important legislation at (404) 656-1776 or via email by clicking here.  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is looking into the amount of support for this important bill, so please click here to find out how you can make your voice heard TODAY!

ILLINOIS:  Anti-Gun Bill Heads to Full Senate!  On Thursday May 1, the Illinois House of Representatives passed House Bill 5191.  This dangerous bill would create a new path that the anti-gun community could take in order to revoke FOID cards from gun owners with children.  Your FOID card could be revoked if a minor is able to gain access to your firearm on more then one occasion, or if the government has decided (with little opportunity for a challenge) that your child has met the basic criteria for a severe or major mood disorder or severe conduct disorder, in which case your FOID card would also be revoked. Much of this revocation process can be based on allegations that may not be supported by independent judicial findings, or "documented" cases where the FOID Card holder is unable to challenge or appeal the "documentation".   HB5191 will now head to the State Senate and we must let our opposition be known.  Please call your State Senator and urge him or her to defeat this outrageous bill.  You can find the contact information for you State Senator by clicking here.

IOWA:  Iowa Legislative Wrap-Up  On Friday, April 26, the Iowa General Assembly adjourned for the 2008 legislative session. Unfortunately, with this being an election year, legislators chose not to move forward on two important pro-Second Amendment and hunting-related bills. On a positive note, Senate File 2230 passed the General Assembly and was signed by Governor Chet Culver (D).  SF2230 authorizes the issuance of non-resident turkey and deer hunting licenses to people with physical disabilities or a terminal illness.

LOUISIANA:  State Legislature Faces Important Decisions in Coming Days!  This past week, the Louisiana state legislature discussed three important pro-gun bills.  Senate Bill 142, the NRA-backed Right-to-Carry permit confidentiality bill, was reported out of the Senate Judiciary B Committee and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.  House Bill 199, Louisiana’s “Campus Carry” bill, would allow Right-to-Carry holders to protect themselves on college and university campuses and removes the state "gun-free school zones" for permittees. HB199 will now be heard in by the full House.  Also, Senate Bill 51, which would clarify that current state law allowing Louisianans the right to protect themselves and to possess lawfully owned firearms in their private motor vehicles would supercede policies adopted by business owners or employers prohibiting the transportation or storage of guns in locked cars and trucks parked in their parking lots.  SB51 has yet to be voted on in the Senate.  It is imperative that we protect the future of Louisiana’s right-to-carry laws.  Please contact the members of the state legislature TODAY and urge them to support this important pro-Second Amendment bills.  To find contact information for the members of the State House and Senate, please click here.

Plan for Red River National Wildlife Refuge Includes Hunting:  The Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a draft plan for the Red River National Wildlife Refuge, a unit of the North Louisiana Complex.  Plans to expand current hunting opportunities are included in the Service's proposal for managing the refuge over the next 15 years.  Comments will be accepted until May 14th and can be sent via electronic mail to:  [email protected].  The plan is available for review at http://southeast.fws.gov/planning, or may be mailed to Tina Chouinard, Natural Resource Planner, Fish and Wildlife Service, 6772 Highway 76 South, Stanton, TN 38069.  In order to assure that sportsmen's interests are anchored in this planning process, it is important that hunters take the time to submit comments.

MICHIGAN:  Registration Reform Assigned to Senate Committee!  House Bill 4490 sponsored by State Representative Paul Opsommer (R-93) and House Bill 4491 introduced by State Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-103) have passed the House and have been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.  A hearing date has not been scheduled yet.  The bills would repeal the required "safety inspection" for newly obtained handguns.  Michigan law requires anyone who comes into possession of a pistol to take it to the police or sheriff’s department for a safety inspection.  The requirement of a safety inspection is a burdensome waste of time for law-abiding gun owners and the bills will end that inconvenience.  Please contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and respectfully urge them to support these necessary pieces of legislation. For committee member contact information please click here.

MISSOURI:  Shooting Range Protection Legislation Needs Support in Senate! On Wednesday, April 30, the Senate Agriculture, Conservation, Parks & Natural Resources Committee passed House Bill 2034.  HB2034 is a much needed proposal that would greatly enhance Missouri's shooting range and game preserve protections. If enacted, this important measure will go a great distance in protecting the future of sport shooting in the Show-Me-State. The full Senate could take action on HB2034 as soon as Monday, May 5. Please contact your State Senator and strongly encourage him or her to protect sport shooting and vote for HB2034!  To find your State Senator please click here.

NEBRASKA:   Nebraska Primary Elections, Tuesday, May 13!  Tuesday, May 13 is Primary Election Day in the Cornhusker State.  Please be sure to go to the polls and “Vote Freedom First.”   For candidate ratings and endorsements, please call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) or visit www.NRAPVF.org.  For more information about voting in Nebraska, please click here.   Remember to Vote Freedom First on Tuesday, May 13!

NORTH CAROLINA:  Management Plan for Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge is Opened for Comments:  The Fish and Wildlife Service has drafted a 15-year management plan for Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, a 8,400-acre refuge that spans Anson and Richmond Counties, NC.  Deer, feral hog, turkey and small game hunting is provided on the refuge.  The three management alternatives would either maintain hunting opportunities at current levels or expand those opportunities.  It is important to the future of hunting on this refuge that hunters in the community and in the state review the draft plan and submit comments to Jeffrey Bricken, Refuge Manager, Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, 5770 US Highway 52 North, Wadesboro, NC 28170.  The plan can be viewed at http://southeast.fws.gov/planning and comments may be e-mailed to [email protected].  Comments are due May 22.

RHODE ISLAND:   Anti-Gun (“Microstamping”)Bills Being Heard in Committee!  After being pulled from the agenda of the House Judiciary Committee, House Bill 7834 has been referred to the House Finance Committee.  HB7834, the “microstamping” proposal would ban the sale of semi-automatic handguns not equipped with so-called “microstamping” technology.  HB7834’s Senate companion bill, Senate Bill 2720, is being held up for further study in the Senate Committee on Judiciary.  Please contact the members of the House Finance Committee as well as the members of the Senate Committee on Judiciary IMMEDIATELY and respectfully urge them to oppose H7834 and S2720 respectively!  For committee member contact information please click here.

SOUTH CAROLINA:  Right to Hunt Amendment Still Needs Work!   NRA continues to work with key State Senators in Columbia to fix H 3202, the Right to Hunt and Fish Constitutional Amendment.  Originally, this legislation would have allowed South Carolina voters to vote on an amendment to the South Carolina Constitution that would have recognized the Right to Hunt and Fish for future generations.  This version included two of the most important protections--protecting the right to hunt species "traditionally pursued," and the right to use "traditional methods" for taking game.  In the Senate, however, these critical points were removed through amendments.  Negotiations have led to a new version, which does protect hunting wildlife "traditionally pursued," but still falls short of protecting "traditional methods."  The only way to ensure hunting is fully protected in the Palmetto State is if H 3202 includes language that protects "traditional methods" used for taking game.  Please contact your State Senator and respectfully urge him or her to work with NRA to ensure H 3202 includes specific protections for hunting game "traditionally pursued," as well as for using "traditional methods" for taking game.  To find your State Senator please click here.

WASHINGTON:  BLM Preparing Rules for Target Shooting in Recreation Area:  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Border Field Office, is seeking public comments on a proposal to implement additional rules for target shooting at Fishtrap Lake Recreation Area, a 9000-acre area 30 miles southwest of Spokane near the town of Sprague.  This action is being prompted by complaints from local residents and livestock grazing lessees.  A scoping notice that provides background information and outlines the preliminary issues and alternatives identified by BLM can be found at www.blm.gov/or/districts/spokane/plans.   Click on "Scoping Letter" for information about the management alternatives the BLM is proposing.  Public comments are being sought until May 6, 2008 and may be submitted via email to [email protected] or via postal mail to the BLM Border Field Office, ATTN: Scott Pavey, 1103 N. Fancher Road., Spokane Valley, Washington, 99212-1275.  If you have any questions regarding this proposal, please feel free to call 509- 536-1200.  It is imperative that those who recreationally shoot in the Fishtrap Lake Recreation Area make your views known to BLM.

WEST VIRGINIA:  West Virginia Primary Elections, Tuesday, May 13!  Tuesday, May 13 is Primary Election Day in West Virginia.  Please be sure to go to the polls and “Vote Freedom First.”  For candidate ratings and endorsements, please call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) or visit www.NRAPVF.org.  For more information about voting in West Virginia, please click here.  Remember to Vote Freedom First on Tuesday, May 13!