Heller Decision Ramps Up Media's Anti-Gun Hysteria
|
For years, anti-gunners have claimed that there's a gun-related epidemic in our country, and for once, they're right. It's not gun-related crime though. An epidemic is something that is common and spreading rapidly; gun-related crime has been diminishing for 15 years. What is common and spreading now is a condition one could call "anti-gun anxiety," or AGA. Apparently, it has been brought on by the U. S. Supreme Court ruling in Heller that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear handguns and other arms, and that the right existed before the Constitution was written and is not conditioned on a person's relationship to a militia. |
NRA Lawsuits In Illinois And California Having Effect: As we reported last week, in the wake of the historic Supreme Court ruling that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess firearms that is not limited to militia service, the NRA filed five lawsuits challenging local gun bans in San Francisco, and in Chicago and several of its suburbs.
New "I'm a Bitter Gun Owner and I Vote!" Yard Signs Available Now: By now, you've all heard the Barack Obama "bitter" quote: "And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." This offensive and misguided quote probably struck a nerve with you. Well, we've created a new yard sign that will send a message from all of you "bitter" gun owners to Obama this election season with our own slogan: "I'm a Bitter Gun Owner and I Vote!"
Proposal To Increase Hunting At Wildlife Refuges: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is planning to add one wildlife refuge to the list of refuges open to hunting and to increase hunting at six other refuges.
Seeking Nominations For 2007 NRA-ILA Volunteer Awards: The "Jay M. Littlefield Memorial NRA-ILA Volunteer of the Year Award" is an annual honor that recognizes a 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.
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."
Grassroots Minute Video: To view this week's "Grassroots Minute" video, please click here: mms://media.streamtoyou.com/nra/2008/ilamin062708.wmv.
STATE ROUNDUP (please click to see any updates on states not listed below.)
ALABAMA and GEORGIA: Management Plan for Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge Released for Public Comment: A plan for the management of the Eufaula Refuge over the next 15 years is open for public comment until July 21. The Refuge spans two counties in Georgia and two in Alabama and currently offers hunting for deer, waterfowl, mourning dove, and small game. Two of the four management options would consider adding a youth wild turkey quota hunt and an alligator hunt in the next four years. The plan with the management options can be found at http://southeast.fws.gov/planning. Comments may be submitted to the Refuge at 367 Highway 165, Eufaula, AL 36027-8187 or electronically to [email protected]. For further information, you may call 334-687-4065. It is important that the Refuge receives support from the area's hunting community for its existing hunt programs and its proposal to increase hunting opportunities in the future.
ARIZONA: Important Pro-Gun Bill Heads to Governor's Desk! House Bill 2389 is on its way to the desk of Governor Janet Napolitano (D) for her consideration. Simply stated, HB2389 makes it clear under Arizona statute that you may carry a firearm by means of any transportation - other than public transportation - without a concealed carry permit. Please contact Governor Napolitano TODAY and respectfully urge her to sign HB2389 into law. Remember, the Governor has already vetoed a number of NRA-supported measures such as HB2629, the defensive display of a firearm clarification; HB2630, which would have lowered the penalty to a petty offense for carrying a firearm without a permit; and SB 1106, the lifetime CCW bill, so it is imperative that you make your voice heard in support of HB2389. Governor Napolitano can be reached toll-free by dialing 1-(800) 253-0883, via fax at (602) 542-1381, or visit http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp to send email.
CALIFORNIA: Two Anti-Gun Bills Awaiting Action! The California Senate is considering two anti-gun bills which attack our Second Amendment freedoms. Assembly Bill 2235 is awaiting consideration by the Senate Appropriations Committee. This bill would prohibit the sale of handguns other than "owner-authorized (or "smart") handguns"-- that is, handguns with a permanent, programmable biometric feature that renders the firearm useless unless activated by the authorized user. No proven, viable handgun of this type has ever been developed. Assembly Bill 2948 could be headed for action on the Senate floor any day. Introduced by State Assembly Member Mark Leno (D-13), this dangerous bill would ban the sale of firearms and ammunition on the property or inside the buildings that comprise the Cow Palace. Please contact your State Senator and the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to oppose these threats to our Second Amendment freedoms. Contact information can be found here.
FLORIDA: Guns in Parking Lots Law Took Effect Tuesday, July 1! On Tuesday, July 1, House Bill 503 went into effect. Under the new law, any business or employer who violates the constitutional and statutory right of customers or employees to have firearms locked in their private vehicles can now be punished. Also, under this new law, business owners will benefit from immunity from liability if guns stored in vehicles in the businesses parking lot are used to cause harm on the business property. THE LAW APPLIES TO ALL BUSINESSES, ALL CUSTOMERS & EMPLOYEES. For more information, please click here.
GEORGIA: Right-to-Carry Reform Bill Took Effect Tuesday, July 1! House Bill 89 went in to effect on Tuesday, July 1. This NRA supported measure makes numerous improvements to Georgia's Right-to-Carry laws and represents the most comprehensive pro-gun reform measure to be enacted in nearly 20 years. Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call in support of HB89. Your action played a pivotal role in the enactment of this much-needed legislation. Without you this victory would not have been possible.
Georgia Primary Elections, Tuesday, July 15! Tuesday, July 15 is Primary Election Day in Georgia. Please be sure to 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 Georgia, please click here. Remember to Vote Freedom First on Tuesday, July 15!
ILLINOIS: Make Your Voice Heard for Gun Rights in Lake County! For more than a year now there has been an effort in Illinois to pass resolutions in support of the Second Amendment at the county level. Although two counties passed resolutions in 2003, the real effort to promote this program began last March, while pro-gun activists were traveling to IGOLD (Illinois Gun Owners' Lobby Day) in Springfield. Currently, 82 of the state's 102 counties have passed resolutions supporting the Second Amendment. In Lake County, there is a petition drive to promote passage of a resolution, which has already collected approximately 3,000 signatures. In light of the recent Supreme Court of the United States ruling that the Second Amendment protects an individual right, many of the 20 remaining counties, including Lake County, should be interested in showing their support of our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. If you wish to help with this effort in Lake County you can sign a petition supporting the passage of a resolution or you can contact members of the Lake County Board and urge them to support passage of a resolution supporting the Second Amendment. For information on petition locations and how to contact the county board, please click here.
Attention Illinois Gun Owners: Please join featured speaker, Dr. Suzanna Hupp, and NRA-ILA Grassroots Division Director, Glen Caroline at "The Second Amendment Freedom Rally" in Chicago on Friday, July 11, 2008! Sponsored by the Illinois State Rifle Association and IllinoisCarry.com, this historic event will allow all law-abiding gun owners to stand together, in the heart of downtown Chicago, and celebrate the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision formally recognizing the Second Amendment as an individual right!
In response to the Supreme Court's ruling, Governor Blagojevich was quoted as saying; "I want express my extreme disappointment with the decision issued today by the Supreme Court," and, "I am an advocate for common sense gun laws." The Supreme Court says we've been right all along, but Governor Blagojevich thinks he knows better. Come to "The Second Amendment Freedom Rally" and show the anti-gun governor that Illinois gun owners side with the Supreme Court, not him.
The event will be held July 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the James R. Thompson Center, located at 100 W. Randolph Street, in Chicago. For more information, details on transportation, and parking options, please contact the Illinois State Rifle Association at (815) 635-3198, or go to www.chicagorally.isra.org/. Don't miss this first-of-its-kind rally in the history of Chicago!
KENTUCKY: Please Submit Your Application Today for a Kentucky NRA Specialized License Plate! The Kentucky specialized NRA license plate provides an ideal opportunity to showcase your pride as an NRA member and your steadfast dedication to preserving our cherished Second Amendment freedoms. Your support of this program will help ensure hunting and shooting traditions in the Bluegrass State for generations to come. The Kentucky Department of Motor Vehicles will only produce the plates if it receives at least 900 applications for the NRA license plate. The initial application fee is $28.00. For information on where to send your payment and where to submit your application, please click here.
NEVADA: Important Information for Right-to-Carry Permit Holders! As many of you have been made aware, as of Tuesday, July 1, Nevada CCW permits will no longer qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This action is a result of Nevada's loss of exemption due to an audit conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) in 2004 which uncovered a number of Brady Law violations. NRA has recently learned that the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association (NVSCA) will be discussing the possibility of asking BATFE for another audit of the Nevada CCW permit process prior to their scheduled July 17 quarterly meeting. According to NVSCA Executive Director Frank Adams, he believes that Nevada could pass a new audit, however, the request to BATFE must be given the green light from all seventeen sheriffs. Please take the time to contact your Sheriff immediately and ask that they join with their fellow sheriffs when this matter comes before them! The contact information for your Sheriff, as well as all seventeen, can be found on the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association website at www.nvsca.com/agency_links.html. For more information, please click here.
NEW YORK: Update on Pending Firearm Legislation The 2008 New York State Legislative Session ended on Tuesday, June 24 with several anti-gun bills failing to pass in the State Senate. It is very likely that the legislature will go into a Special Session sometime this summer and we ask that our members please continue visiting www.NRAILA.org and checking your e-mail for updates, as this special session will likely bring up several pieces of firearm related legislation and these bills could possibly be resurrected. For more information about these bills, please click here.
NORTH CAROLINA: Important Bill Needs Your Attention Today! NRA has been working with legislators in Raleigh on Senate Bill 2081, a bill that would make critical changes to North Carolina law in order to get the Tar Heel State in compliance with the federal "NICS Improvement Act," which was signed into law in January of this year. NRA is currently neutral on S 2081, but we have been working closely with State Senator Tony Rand's (D-19) office, as well as other interested parties, to ensure the legislation is crafted appropriately and does not infringe on the rights of law-abiding gun owners. The bill has already been amended to address several areas of concern raised by NRA, and we will continue to work with Senator Rand and others to make sure S 2081 has no significant problems for law-abiding gun owners. Please contact your State Senator and urge him to work with NRA to make sure S 2081 does not adversely affect our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Please also take the time to contact your State Representative with the same message. Both can be reached by phone at 919-733-7928.
PENNSYLVANIA: Attention Hunters: Help Stop the Attack on Our Hunting Heritage! As we have reported, amendments filed by State Representative Daylin Leach (D-149) to Senate Bill 151 and House Bill 1543 could be considered by the House at ANY MOMENT. Simply stated, this legislation would criminalize and ban organized pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania by amending Title 18 ("Crimes and Offenses") of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. Pigeon shooting is an historic and legitimate activity steeped in tradition with many participants throughout the Commonwealth and around the world. Participants are law-abiding, ethical shooting enthusiasts, hunters, and sportsmen who would not tolerate an activity that would constitute cruelty to animals. Pigeon shoots have been part of Pennsylvania's storied hunting heritage for over one hundred years. Now, national animal "rights" extremist groups, led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), have organized and funded efforts in Pennsylvania and around the country to ban this longstanding traditional shooting sport.
These zealots have set their sights on banning all hunting species by species throughout the United States, not just in Pennsylvania. Please contact your State Representative IMMEDIATELY and respectfully ask him or her to protect Pennsylvania's rich hunting tradition by opposing Representative Leach's amendments. Contact information for your State Representative can be found here.
VIRGINIA: Future of Hunting in Northern Virginia to be Discussed at Public Meeting! On Wednesday, July 9, officials from the National Parks Service and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will host a meeting to discuss the future of hunting in Northern Virginia's Dyke Marsh area. Anti-sportsmen groups and local anti-gun politicians have been very vocal in their efforts seeking to ban lawful hunting in Dyke Marsh. Please make every effort to join your fellow hunters and sportsmen at this important meeting and show your support for Virginia's rich hunting heritage! The meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 9 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Belle View Elementary School, 6701 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, 22307. Please be sure to share this information with your family, friends and fellow sportsmen.
WASHINGTON: Target Shooting Topic of BLM Advisory Council Meeting: The Eastern Washington Resource Advisory Council will meet July 16, 2008 at the Folsom Farm site in the Fishtrap Lake Recreation Area, which is managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management. Fishtrap Lake is about 30 miles southwest of Spokane, WA, near the town of Sprague. Target shooting safety will be the primary topic of discussion. The meeting will start at 1:00 p.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend the meeting. An opportunity for public comment to the Council is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The public is encouraged to submit written comments to the Council as well. The Council has 15 members who are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to review planning and proposed activities on federal public land in eastern Washington and provides advice to the BLM and USDA Forest Service. For additional information about the meeting, please contact the Spokane BLM District Office, telephone (509) 536-1200.
NRA will be closed Friday, July 4, in observation of Independence Day.
Please have a safe and happy holiday weekend!
