Outrage Of The Week: The Anti-Hunting NRA?!
The American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA) is once again trying to confuse hunters into believing two bold lies: that the NRA does not support hunting, and that AHSA and the Sierra Club do.
In a report released on August 21, AHSA makes the ridiculous argument that NRA is anti-hunting because NRA does not support the same candidates that Sierra Club and other environmental groups support. The problem is, these groups rate candidates on their radical environmental record, not on their support for hunting or for gun owners' rights. In fact, the politicians endorsed by the Sierra Club are a "Who's Who" of the most anti-gun politicians in American history. Gun-ban advocates like Barack Obama, John Kerry, Charles Schumer, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Boxer, Frank Lautenberg, Jack Reed, and Teddy Kennedy have all been endorsed by the Sierra Club. Since Teddy Kennedy wants to ban almost all ammunition used by hunters in America, it is impossible to see how the Sierra Club is supporting hunters by endorsing him.
2008 Gun Rights Policy Conference: This year's Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 26, 27, & 28, at the beautiful Sheraton Crescent hotel. The theme of this year’s conference is “Elect Freedom!”
Help Defend Your Gun Rights One Easy Click At A Time: We are excited to announce a new, revolutionary, yet simple tool that will allow you to stay connected to NRA-ILA and raise valuable contributions to defend our Second Amendment rights without spending a dime! You can make a difference by downloading and using the new NRA-ILA Toolbar.
New NRA T-Shirts Available NOW! We know that by now you’ve probably heard the Barack Obama “bitter” quote. Well, in addition to the new yard sign we designed, we’ve created a way for all of you “bitter” gun owners to wear your message to Obama and all of the other legislators seeking your vote this election season: A new "I'm a Bitter Gun Owner and I Vote!" T-shirt, and our re-designed “I’m the NRA and I Vote” T-shirt!
“I’m A Bitter Gun Owner And I Vote!” Yard Signs Available Now: 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!”
Grassroots Minute Video: To view the most recent “Grassroots Minute” video, please click here: mms://media.streamtoyou.com/nra/2008/ilamin082208.wmv
STATE ROUNDUP (please click to see any updates on states not listed below.)
ALASKA: Alaska Primary Elections, Tuesday, August 26! Tuesday, August 26 is Primary Election Day in Alaska. 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. Early voting has already started and will last through Election Day. For more information about voting in Alaska, please click here. Remember to Vote Freedom First on Tuesday, August 26!
ARIZONA: Arizona Primary Elections, Tuesday, September 2! Tuesday, September 2 is Primary Election Day in Arizona. 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. Early voting has already started and will last through Election Day. For more information about voting in Arizona, please click here. Remember to Vote Freedom First on Tuesday, September 2!
In addition, the Forest Service has begun the process of revising the management plan for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Apache-Sitgreaves is managed as a single forest and encompasses over 2 million acres in east-central Arizona. The latest update about the plan can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/plan-revision/documents.shtml. The update includes information about upcoming public meetings in early September. The purpose of these meetings is to gather public input on desired conditions. Desired conditions are the foundation of the revised plan and “paint a picture” of what the forests look like and provide. A first draft of desired conditions is available for review and input on the website above. This plan will affect how recreation activities--including hunting, recreational shooting, and the use of motorized vehicles--are managed in the future. If you recreate in the Apache-Sitgreaves, it is important that you review the “desired conditions” and submit comments, as well as attend at least one of the public meetings next month.
CALIFORNIA: Management Plan for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges is Open for Public Comment: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has prepared a plan for these refuges encompassing 24,000 acres in the Sacramento Valley, approximately 90 miles north of the city of Sacramento. The plan offers three management alternatives to the present management approach that allows hunting with a focus on youth and disabled hunters. The plan is available for viewing and downloading online at http://sacramentovalleyrefuges.fws.gov. The comment period is open until September 12. Comments can be sent via electronic mail to [email protected]. If you hunt on these lands, please take time to review and comment on the plan.
FLORIDA: Florida Primary Elections, Tuesday, August 26! Tuesday, August 26 is Primary Election Day in Florida. 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. Early voting has already started and will last through Election Day. For more information about voting in Florida, please click here. Remember to Vote Freedom First on Tuesday, August 26!
LOUISIANA: Employee Rights Protection Act Goes into Effect! Senate Bill 51, NRA-backed legislation that passed during the recent session of the Louisiana Legislature and was signed into law by Governor Bobby Jindal (R), took effect last Friday, August 15. Now known as Act No. 684, the law reaffirms the rights of law-abiding Louisianans to transport and store lawfully possessed firearms in locked, privately-owned motor vehicles, including while traversing or parking in any parking lot, parking garage or other parking area. Property owners, tenants, public or private employers, and businesses may not prohibit the transportation or storage of firearms in motor vehicles in their parking lots or garages if those areas are accessible to the general public. These entities may only regulate the transportation and storage of firearms in secure parking areas if they meet certain conditions. For a summary of the provisions of Act No. 684, please click here. Please report any violations of this law to NRA-ILA's Grassroots Office.
MARYLAND: Maryland State Senator Ulysses Currie Criticizes D.C. Gun Ban Ruling! In the Friday, August 15 issue of the Maryland Gazette, beleaguered State Senator Ulysses Currie (D-25) criticized the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling that Washington, D.C.’s handgun ban was unconstitutional and still believes that the Second Amendment is NOT an individual right. The Maryland State Senator was quick to criticize the National Rifle Association’s support for the higher court’s ruling, declaring that he has little doubt that court’s decision will make life more dangerous for Washington, D.C.’s communities already suffering from epidemic gun violence. The Senator also suggests that because the Second Amendment was written more than two centuries ago that we should change the Constitution in order to suit his interpretation and ethics. We wonder if the Senator wants to change any other Amendments to the Bill of Rights not to his liking?
To view the article, please click here. Please contact Senator Currie TODAY and respectfully voice your opposition to his misguided statements. Click here for contact information for Senator Currie.
Baltimore City Council Violates Preemption, Passes Lost or Stolen Ordinance! On Monday, August 11, the Baltimore City Council approved legally questionable legislation that would force law abiding gun owners to report the loss or theft of their firearm to the Baltimore City Police within 48 hours. Any person who violates this ordinance will be subject to a $250 fine. To view the ordinance, please click here. This past session, both the Maryland House Judiciary Committee and Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee defeated similar legislation (House Bill 880 and Senate Bill 585) put forward by the Baltimore delegation. Please contact Mayor Sheila Dixon TODAY and respectfully urge her veto this illegal attack on the Second Amendment. Mayor Dixon can be contacted by phone at (410) 396-3835, by fax at (410) 576-9425, or email [email protected].
MISSISSIPPI: Jackson Councilman Proposes Gun Sales Ban! Councilman Kenneth Stokes (D-Ward 3) has stated that he will be submitting an ordinance for the council’s consideration to ban the sale of firearms in pawnshops within Jackson’s city limits. In 1987 and in 2006, the Mississippi Attorney General’s office ruled in favor of gun rights activists when faced with similar ordinances. Current Attorney General Jim Hood made comments in 2006 stating, “counties and municipalities may not adopt any ordinance restricting the possession, transportation, sale, transfer or ownership of firearms or ammunition or their components.” Mississippi law requires that all pawnshops follow federal firearm laws, and they are required to perform criminal background checks on all persons who purchase a firearm. An ordinance of this nature clearly violates the states firearms preemption law, and the previous opinion of the Attorney General confirms this. Please contact the members of the city council and urge them not to support such an egregious attack on the rights of law-abiding gun owners in Jackson. To find contact information for the council members, please click here.
NEW JERSEY: Wall Township Seeking to Destroy New Jersey’s Hunting Heritage! In an attempt to further erode New Jersey’s rich hunting heritage, the Wall Township Committee passed on first reading an ordinance that will prohibit a person from having a loaded firearm or nocked arrow while within 650 feet of any building, school playground or municipal park. Current New Jersey statues set the limit at 450 feet. This 200-foot increase will dramatically impact your access to hunting and will encourage further restrictions in the future. On Wednesday, September 10 the ordinance will be considered for final passage. Please attend the Wall Township hearing and voice your opposition to this unnecessary and restrictive regulation. The hearing will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Wall Township Municipal Building located at 2700 Allaire Road. If you are unable to attend, please call the Township Committee at (732) 449-8444 and respectfully urge the Committee to oppose this ordinance.
WEST VIRGINIA: Martinsburg, West Virginia Continues to Violate State Law! Last Thursday, August 14, the Martinsburg City Council passed an ordinance (#2008-26) banning the possession of firearms in any city-owned buildings. This ordinance amended a previous ordinance passed in 2005. The original ordinance banned the carrying of firearms openly or concealed on all city owned property. The newly passed ordinance limits this ban to city owned buildings. While an improvement over the original 2005 ordinance, these actions by the City Council are in clear violation of current state law that prohibits a municipality from passing any ordinance regulating firearms or ammunition in any manner. Please contact the Mayor and City Council members and encourage them to bring Martinsburg back into conformity with current state law and repeal these ordinances. Please click here to contact the council members.
