National Parks To Allow Right-To-Carry
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), through the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has announced the final amended version of its changes to rules on carrying of firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges. DOI’s move will restore the rights of law-abiding gun owners who wish to transport and carry firearms for lawful purposes on most DOI lands, and will make federal law consistent with the state law in which these public lands are located. NRA led the effort to amend the existing policy regarding the carrying and transportation of firearms on these federal lands.
Brady Brag is Baloney: It is a simple matter of fact, beyond dispute, that for years prior to passage of the Brady Act, the organization now known as the Brady Campaign called for a waiting period on handgun sales and vigorously opposed the establishment of the National Instant Check System (NICS). The anti-gun group, when known as Handgun Control, Inc., ranted and raved against instant check legislation proposed by Rep. Bill McCollum (R-Fla.) in the late 1980s, and by Rep. Harley O. Staggers (D-W. Va.) in 1991.
Personal Security Is a Personal Responsibility—St. Louis City Leader Says Police Ineffective, Tells Residents to Get Armed: Violent crime is on the rise in St. Louis, and at least one city leader has a solution to the problem: more armed, law-abiding citizens.
Got a New Rifle? Get a Top-Ranked Sight and Help NRA-ILA: AR-15s and similar rifles are flying off gun store shelves these days. If you’re one of the buyers, here’s your chance to put a top-of-the-line red dot sight on your new rifle - and at the same time, help defend all your guns against anti-gun groups and the Obama administration.
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This is a great opportunity to get an Aimpoint CompM4 at a special price and help NRA-ILA defend our firearms freedoms. The Aimpoint CompM4 is currently used by the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force as the M68 Close Combat Optic. It is also in service with the Navy and the Marine Corps.
The Founder’s Second Amendment:Origins of the Right to Bear Arms, by Stephen P. Halbrook--Donate to NRA-ILA and Get Your Copy Now! Stephen Halbrook’s The Founders’ Second Amendment is the first book-length account of the origins of the Second Amendment, based on the Founders’ own statements as found in newspapers, correspondence, debates, and resolutions. Mr. Halbrook investigates the period from 1768 to 1826, from the last years of British rule and the American Revolution through the adoption of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and the passing of the Founders’ generation. From the British seizure of guns in Boston to the Founders’ own use of guns in their private lives, his book offers the most comprehensive analysis ever of the arguments behind the drafting and adoption of the Second Amendment, and the intentions of the men who created it.
To contribute to NRA-ILA and receive your copy of this remarkable book, please click here.
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STATE ROUNDUP (please click to see any updates on states not listed below.)
GEORGIA: Anti-Gun Ordinance Defeated in Madison County! On Monday, November 24 the Madison County Board of Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to defeat a proposed ordinance that would have banned the discharge of a firearm within 300 feet of a residence. If passed, this measure could have had disastrous effects on Madison County’s hunters and recreational shooters. Because of overwhelming turnout from freedom-loving patriots, the county was forced to move the meeting to a location that could accommodate the hundreds of pro-gun attendees. Thank you to all of the NRA members who attended Monday’s hearing or contacted the Board of Commissioners to express their opposition to the proposed measure. Without you, this victory could not have been possible.
NEW JERSEY: “One-Gun-A-Month” Gun Rationing Scheme to be Voted on Next Week! On Monday December 8 the New Jersey Senate Law and Public Safety Committee will vote on S1774. S1774 would prohibit law-abiding citizens who have already undergone an extensive background check from purchasing more than one handgun within a 30-day period. This legislation would do little to impact crime because criminals do not purchase firearms from dealers and they do not submit to background investigations. S1774 treats law-abiding citizens like criminals simply for exercising their Constitutional right to own, purchase or sell firearms. Please contact the members of the Law and Public Safety Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to oppose S1774. Contact information can be found here.
OREGON: Help Protect Your Right-to-Carry Privacy Rights! Newspapers across the state have been requesting that local sheriffs release information about the identity of individuals who have been issued Concealed Handgun Licenses within their respective counties. Earlier this year, after the Jackson County Sheriff refused a request for similar information from the Medford Mail Tribune, a circuit court in Jackson County ruled that individuals who apply for or have been issued CHLs must document that the license is for personal security reasons in order to be exempt from state public records disclosure laws. The Portland Oregonian reported that in response to this ruling and subsequent requests for information, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office has decided to mail letters to the tens of thousands of individuals who have been issued CHLs by the county, asking them if they obtained their license for personal security reasons and whether they want their information released as part of a public records request. CHLs in Washington County also have the option of answering these questions by visiting the sheriff's office website at http://www.washtech.co.washington.or.us/handgunholder/. The Washington County Sheriff's Office should be commended for recognizing the importance of keeping a personal security decision to obtain a CHL private -- and for developing a mechanism that complies with the court's ruling, but still gives CHLs a choice in the matter. We've also received information that the Coos County Sheriff has done the same for his CHL holders, so bravo to him as well. Members are urged to contact their county sheriff and ask him or her to devise a way to accommodate CHL holders and their privacy concerns as the Washington and Coos County Sheriffs' Offices has done. You can find contact information for your county sheriff's office by visiting http://www.oregonsheriffs.org
PENNSYLVANIA: Pittsburgh City Council Gives Final Approval to Illegal Gun Control Ordinance Earlier this week, the Pittsburgh City Council took a final vote and passed an ordinance that would require gun owners to report the loss or theft of firearm within a 72-hour period or face fines and possible imprisonment. The measure will now go to the Mayor for his signature or veto. This ordinance violates Pennsylvania’s preemption statute; Title 18, Section 6120, “Limitation on municipal regulation of firearms and ammunition.” This section specifically states that, "No county, municipality or township may in any manner regulate the lawful ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of firearms, ammunition or ammunition components when carried or transported for purposes not prohibited by the laws of this Commonwealth." This ordinance may also be in conflict with Article 1, Section 21 of the Constitution of Pennsylvania which states, “The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the state shall not be questioned.” However, the Pittsburgh City Council is thumbing its nose at the Constitution. Councilwoman Tonya Payne (District 6) even had the nerve to say, "Who really cares about it being unconstitutional?" State preemption regulating firearms was enacted by the legislature to avoid the possibility of 2,639 separate firearm laws across the Commonwealth. Without preemption there would be a myriad of local firearm laws making compliance impossible for law-abiding gun owners. Please contact Mayor Luke Ravenstahl (D) TODAY and respectfully urge him to oppose this illegal and unwarranted attack on our Second Amendment rights. The Mayor can be reached by phone at (412) 255-2626, by fax at (412) 255-2687, or email [email protected].
TEXAS: Pro-Gun Bill Introduced in the Lone Star State! The pre-filing of bills for the 2009 legislative session has begun. State Representative Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) has introduced House Bill 267, which would allow Texans to purchase rifles and shotgun in non-contiguous states. Currently, federal law allows the interstate sales of such firearms, but a conflicting Texas law only allows residents to buy long guns in the neighboring states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico. This state law has prevented the FBI and BATFE from approving sales of rifles and shotguns in 45 other states to Texas residents. Please contact your state lawmakers and respectfully urge them to support HB 267 to bring Texas law into line with federal law. Contact information for returning State Senators and Representatives can be found at http://www.house.state.tx.us.
WASHINGTON: Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Approves No Shooting Area On Monday, November 24, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the proposed Chimacum Creek No Shooting Area (NSA). This NSA is located in the Port Hadlock-Irondale area between the Jefferson County Airport to the northwest and Port Townsend Bay on the east. Although the middle of the Chimacum Creek NSA is becoming increasingly developed, areas to the north and west around Chimacum Creek are still undeveloped and the area of the bay included within the eastern portion of the NSA is suitable for waterfowl hunting. Please contact the members of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners at (360) 385-9100 to respectfully voice your disapproval with their action. Kindly remind them that you will remember their vote when you consider them on Election Day.
