War on Drugs, or on Gun Owners’ Rights?
As the issue of Mexican violence continues to boil over, it has become clear that for many anti-gun politicians, the war on drugs and the war on gun owners’ rights are the same thing.
This past week, there were two more hearings in Congress on the topic of Mexican drug cartels. That brings the total to eight hearings so far, and there are field hearings already set to take place in Phoenix and Houston.
U.S. Senator Defends American Gun Owners—Again: As reported above, and in last week’s Grassroots Alert, the attempt to blame America’s lawful gun owners and its gun laws for the horrific violent acts of Mexican drug cartels continues, spurred on by Secretary of State Clinton and her foray south of the border.
Fortunately, gun owners do have some advocates in congress.
NRA Files Second Amended Complaint in Heller v. D.C.: NRA filed a second amended complaint in Dick Anthony Heller et al v. District of Columbia in U.S. District Court. NRA and other plaintiffs are asking the court to issue a preliminary and permanent injunction to prevent the D.C. Council from implementing laws that violate the Second Amendment and from enforcing its prohibitions on the possession of commonly owned firearms.
Palin Names NRA Director As Attorney General: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (R) has named NRA Director Wayne Anthony Ross to be the state Attorney General. Ross, who formerly served as an NRA Vice President, serves on a number of committees, including Ethics, Gun Collectors, and Legal Affairs. He has served previously as Alaska’s Assistant Attorney General.
Plan To Attend Free Phoenix Grassroots Workshop! With anti-gun forces aligned against us at all levels of government, America’s gun owners can expect a barrage of anti-gun measures like we have not seen in decades. In order to meet these challenges head on, we must redouble our efforts to beat back attempts by the anti-gunners to erode our Second Amendment freedom.
Volunteers Needed In Phoenix For 2009 NRA Annual Meetings: The 2009 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will be an exciting weekend, as thousands of NRA members will come together May 15-17, 2009, in Phoenix, AZ. You can contribute to the success of our meeting by participating as an Annual Meeting Volunteer. To volunteer or to see how you can get involved, please click here.
Help Defend Your Gun Rights One Easy Click At A Time: We now have a 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! It’s the NRA-ILA Toolbar, and you can make a difference by downloading and using it.
Show your support, stay connected to your NRA-ILA, and raise valuable contributions for our defense of the Second Amendment by downloading and using this free toolbar! Please click here to download your toolbar now!
Insurance Mandates for Gun Owners Are Against Second Amendment: For the latest update on the Second Amendment Book Bomb, please click here.
Grassroots Minute Video:
STATE ROUNDUP (Please note the only items listed below are those that have had recent action. For other updates on state legislation, please go to the state legislation section at www.NRAILA.org, and check each week’s issue of the Grassroots Alert.”)
ARIZONA: BLM Travel Management Plans Will Eliminate or Restrict Motorized Game Retrieval The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is in the process of designating roads and trails where motorized travel will be restricted on BLM lands in Arizona. BLM's Tucson Field Office recently released a travel management plan for the Middle Gila Canyons, which proposed that cross-country motorized travel for hunting or to retrieve game be prohibited. BLM is taking public comment on the plan until Friday, May 8. For more information and how to take action, please click here.
Free Phoenix Grassroots Workshop! The NRA-ILA Grassroots Division will host its FREEGrassroots Workshop in conjunction with NRA’s Annual Meetings in Phoenix. For more information or to register, please click here, or contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.
ARKANSAS: Numerous Pro-Gun Bills Need Your Help Today! Time is quickly running out on the 2009 Arkansas legislative session, and several bills still need your help. Friday, April 10 is the adjournment date for the General Assembly. Your efforts to pass these bills is critical at this time. For more information about these bills and how to take action, please click here.
Your Help is Needed Today to Protect Arkansas’ Hunting Heritage! Senate Joint Resolution 3 needs your support! SJR 3 seeks to amend the Constitution of the State of Arkansas to recognize that citizens of the state have a right to hunt and fish. The House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee will soon consider SJR 3. It is critical that NRA members and fellow sportsmen contact the Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to support SJR 3. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
CALIFORNIA: Several Gun Bills Scheduled for a Hearing Three bills affecting our Second Amendment freedoms have been scheduled for hearings in Sacramento. To learn more about these bills and how to take action, please click here.
Two Concealed Carry Reform Bills Introduced in the Golden State! Assembly Bill 357 would create a “shall issue” concealed handgun permit system in California by removing the stipulation that an applicant must show cause as to why they should be issued a permit to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense. This bill has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Public Safety and a hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 14. Assembly Bill 1167 would require that the California Department of Justice enter into reciprocity agreements with other states so that permit holders in California can exercise their self-defense rights while traveling and permit holders from recognized states can carry while in California. AB1167 has not yet been assigned to a committee. Please continue checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates on AB357 and AB1167.
Ammunition Registration Proposal Withdrawn in Long Beach! Due to overwhelming opposition from the pro-gun community, the Long Beach City Council decided not to draft an ordinance that would have required ammunition retailers in Long Beach to register ammunition purchasers. Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call in opposition to this attack on our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Without you, this victory would not have been possible. While this is certainly a notable win, anti-gun forces are sure to try once again. Please continue checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates on this issue.
CONNECTICUT: “Micro-Stamping” Bill Heard in Hartford Gun owners spoke loudly on Monday, March 16 in Hartford at the hearing on Senate Bill 353, a bill which would ban the sale of all semi-automatic handguns not equipped with so-called “micro-stamping” technology. Members of the Joint Committee on Judiciary must vote on SB353 by Friday, April 3, in order for the bill to advance. If you haven't yet done so, please be sure to contact the members of the Joint Committee on Judiciary, as well as your State Legislators, and urge them to oppose SB353! Contact information for the members of the committee can be found here. Contact information for your State Representative can be found by clicking here. Please click here to find contact information for your State Senator.
No-Net-Loss Passes Environment Committee On Wednesday, March 18, House Bill 5209 passed out of the Environment Committee. This critical pro-hunting bill would ensure that public hunting acreage in Connecticut will never decrease. If enacted, additional lands would have to be opened to hunting when land currently open to hunting is closed. We encourage you to once again contact members of the Environment Committee and thank them for preserving our hunting rights by voting yes on HB5209. To find contact information for the members of the Environment Committee, please click here.
IDAHO: Workplace Protection Bill Needs Your Help! The recently drafted “Employer Liability Act” would prohibit an employer from banning the lawful storage of firearms in an employee’s locked vehicle. This bill has not yet been assigned a bill number and time is running out for it to pass this session. Please contact the members of the Idaho House of Representatives TODAY and respectfully urge them to support the “Employer Liability Act.” Click here for contact information for the members of the Idaho House of Representatives.
Has Your Employer Decided That Your Second Amendment Rights Do Not Apply? Right now in Idaho and across the nation, employers are telling their employees they can no longer exercise their constitutional rights. Businesses are trying to prohibit law-abiding gun owners from keeping their legally-owned firearm stored in their personal vehicles while parked in publicly accessible parking lots. Do you have a company memo, email, message, reprimand or any other information pertaining to firearms on company property? Let us know! We value your membership and ask for your help in our effort to protect our Second Amendment rights. For more information, please click here.
Motorized Access in Boise National Forest Under Review The Emmett Ranger District of the Boise National Forest is working on a travel management plan that will designate what roads and trails will be opened in the future to motorized access. Particular attention is being paid to the Bull Creek and Silver Creek trails. The Ranger District is inviting public comment, which will be used in the decision making process. What roads and trails remain open or closed will affect hunters' access to these lands. Those who hunt in this National Forest need to get directly involved in this planning process. Two letters written by the District Ranger providing more detailed information can be found by clicking here or here. Please send comments to Emmett Ranger District, 1806 Highway 16, Room 5, Emmett, Idaho 83617. Comments may also be sent via email to [email protected].
ILLINOIS: HB48 Defeated in the House of Representatives! On Wednesday, March 25, House Bill 48 was defeated on the House floor by a vote of 55 to 60, with one State Representative voting present. HB 48 would have required virtually all private handgun transfers to be processed through a licensed firearm dealer, even those occurring between individuals with state-issued Firearms Owner’s Identification (FOID) Cards. Thank you to all those members who contacted their State Representative and helped defeat this bill. Without you this victory would not have been possible.
Another Anti-Gun Bill Goes Down! On Thursday, March 26, House Bill 179 was defeated by a vote of 54 to 62. HB 179 would have expanded the mandatory firearm storage law. This expansion would have made it a Class A misdemeanor for the firearm owner if a minor without a Firearms Owners Identification (FOID) card gains access to and used a firearm to cause death or great bodily harm. Thank you to all those members who contacted their State Representative and helped defeat this bill. Without you this victory would not have been possible.
Banning Guns by Zip Code House Bill 1966 was amended last week and now calls for a ban on countless semi-automatic pistols, rifles, shotguns, and .50 caliber rifles in targeted zip codes! All six zip codes fall within the City of Chicago. This ban is a blatant infringement on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens based solely upon where they live. Please contact your State Representative and urge him or her to oppose HB 1966. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
KANSAS: State Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment Passes House, Will be Placed on 2010 Ballot! Earlier this week, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1611, providing for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing an individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms passed the House. Please thank your State Representative today if he/she supported this important legislation. Contact information for your Representative can be found here.
KENTUCKY: Update on Pending Pro-Gun Legislation in the Bluegrass State As we have reported, the Kentucky Legislature was playing party politics with your gun rights. Because of that, two pro-gun advancements failed to pass. However, we are pleased to report that one made it to the desk of the Governor and was signed into law. Please click here for more information.
MAINE: Private Transfer of Firearms Under Attack in Augusta! LD985 would require that a federally licensed gun dealer facilitate all sales, transfers, and loans of firearms. Dealers could subject these transactions to a fee that cannot exceed $10. LD814, among other things, would require that a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check be performed by a federally licensed gun dealer prior to all sales or transfers of a firearm at a gun show. Please contact the members of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to oppose LD985 and LD814. Contact information can be found here.
MARYLAND: Anti-Hunting Bill Defeated in Maryland! House Bill 1309 was pulled by the Maryland House Environmental Matters Committee. HB1309 would have arbitrarily expanded the hunting “safety zone” from 150 yards to 300 yards from any occupied building. Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call to action against this bill. Without you, this victory would not have been possible.
Sunday Hunting Legislation Falls Short House Bill 663 was defeated last week by the House Environmental Affairs Committee. HB663 would have removed restrictions on a person’s ability to hunt deer on specified Sundays on private property in Baltimore County. We would like to thank all of the legislators and NRA members who stood in support of HB663.
MINNESOTA: Another Gun Registration Bill Introduced On Thursday, March 5, State Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-7) introduced Senate File 1165, in yet another attempt to end private firearm transfers in Minnesota. No action has been taken. SF 1165 is the companion bill to House File 953. SF 1165, like HF 953, was designed to not only regulate the sale of firearms at gun shows, but to regulate the sale of firearms between all law-abiding persons, across Minnesota. Also contained in SF 1165, is a de facto registration system created by requiring the records of all transfers to be maintained by the state, which would be made available to all authorities, including for use in “civil” cases. SF 1165 would also remove the permit holder exemption from a background check and even increase the waiting period from five to seven days. SF 1165 is a direct attack on Minnesotans’ Second Amendment rights and needs to be stopped! Please contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and respectfully urge them to oppose this divisive bill. Their contact information can be found here.
MISSOURI: Missouri’s Annual “Gun Rights Rally” Returns to the Capitol! It's time once again for the annual Missouri Gun Rights Rally Day! Please don't miss this opportunity to join with fellow NRA members and other law-abiding Missouri firearm owners as we continue our efforts to protect and further enhance our Right to Keep and Bear Arms! Together we have made great strides in the ongoing battle to protect our freedoms, but there is still a lot of work to be done. For more information, please click here.
MONTANA: Self Defense Reform Bill Awaits Action by the Senate Judiciary Committee! House Bill 228, the NRA-backed self-defense bill, is waiting executive action by Senate Judiciary Committee. It is crucial that NRA members and pro-gun activists continue to call the Senate Judiciary Committee and their State Senators and urge them to support HB 228! House Bill 228, sponsored by State Representative Krayton Kerns (R-58), is a broad piece of legislation that provides a number of specific protections for law-abiding citizens. The provisions of HB 228 clarify and expand the fundamental right of self-defense and protect law-abiding citizens from undue prosecution should they ever have to use a firearm in self-defense. For a section-by-section analysis of HB 228 to help you better understand and communicate with legislators, please click here.
NEVADA: Self-Defense Bill Still Needs Your Help! Assembly Bill 288, the long-anticipated Castle Doctrine self-defense measure is currently awaiting a hearing in the Assembly Judiciary Committee. AB 288 would permit a person who is behaving lawfully to use deadly force in self-defense against someone who is attempting to commit a felony and who is unlawfully, forcefully, and without provocation intruding onto property where the defender has a right to be. The defender would not have to retreat and would be protected from civil liability. This critical legislation could be heard at any time between now and April 10. We are looking for witnesses to attend this hearing from both Carson City and Las Vegas. If you are interested in helping out, please send us an email at state&[email protected]. Please contact your State Legislator today and urge him or her to support AB 288. For contact information or help identifying your State Legislator, please click here.
Nevada’s Mentored Hunting Bill Needs Your Help! As we have reported, Assembly Bill 246 was heard by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, but no vote has been taken. AB246 establishes an apprentice hunting license that allows prospective hunters 12 years old and older to try their hand at hunting before completing a hunter education course. Please continue to contact the members of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and respectfully urge them to vote for AB246 to move it for a full Assembly vote. In particular, kindly contact the Committee Chair, Chairman Jerry Claborn (D-19), and ask that he schedule a vote on the bill as soon as possible. Contact information can be found here.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Pro-Gun Reform to be Voted on in Concord! House Bill 398 was not voted on this week. HB398 would repeal R.S.A. 644:13, a state law that mandates that written permission be granted by the Chief of Police or governing body if one wishes to discharge a firearm within certain areas defined as the “compact part” of a town. Please contact your State Representative TODAY and respectfully urge them to support HB398 when it comes before them for a vote. Contact information for your State Representative can be found by clicking here.
NEW MEXICO: Three Pro-Gun Bills Fall Short in New Mexico as Legislature Adjourns The New Mexico Legislature adjourned sine die on Saturday, March 21. Thanks to your phone calls and emails, three NRA-backed measures made tremendous progress through the legislative process, but fell just short of passing: Senate Bill 608/House Bill 105, New Mexico’s restaurant carry legislation, and Senate Bill 507, a bill that would have eliminated the two-hour refresher course for certain Concealed Handgun Licensees. We fully intend to pursue similar measures in future legislative sessions!
NEW YORK: Update on Albany County’s Attack on Ammunition Sales On Monday, March 23, Local Law “A” was tabled in the Law Committee of the Albany County Legislature and sent to the County Attorney, Craig A. Denning, for an opinion. Local Law “A” would require that a valid firearms license be shown when purchasing ammunition. The law would also mandate that retailers keep a record of ammunition sales, including the type, caliber, and quantity of the ammunition, the make, model and serial number of the firearm it is for, as well as the purchaser’s name and address. As if that is not enough, Local Law “A” would also create a secondary method of gun registration for both long guns and handguns. Please continue checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates on Local Law “A.”
NORTH CAROLINA: NRA Working to Introduce “Castle Doctrine” Self-Defense Bills NRA is still working with State Representative Mark Hilton (R-96) and State Senator Andrew Brock (R-34) to introduce “Castle Doctrine” self-defense bills, which would allow law-abiding citizens to use the force they deem necessary against a violent criminal attacker to protect themselves wherever they have a legal right to be. The bill would also provide civil immunity for those who defend themselves from criminal attack. Please contact your State Legislators and respectfully urge them to cosponsor “Castle Doctrine” self-defense legislation when it is introduced and to support passage of this critical reform. Contact information can be found here.
News on Pending Pro-Gun Legislation Three pro-gun bills are currently making their way through the North Carolina Legislature. To learn more about these bills and how to take action, please click here.
NORTH DAKOTA: North Dakota Park Carry Bill Unanimously Passes Senate!On Tuesday, March 17, the North Dakota Senate unanimously passed House Bill 1389, without any amendments. HB 1389 will now be considered by Governor John Hoeven (R). HB 1389 would allow concealed carry permit holders to carry their firearm in state parks. Current North Dakota law prohibits permit holders from carrying in state parks. If signed by the Governor, HB 1389 would correct this problem and enable permit holders to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense in state parks. Thank you to all those who contacted their State Legislators during this process.
Right-to-Carry Reform Bill Needs Your Help House Bill 1348 is in the Senate Government and Veterans Affairs Committee. HB 1348 originally would have allowed concealed carry permit holders to carry on university campuses in North Dakota, removing such facilities from the list. However, the bill was amended significantly in House action. HB 1348 now focuses on a storage problem for students who were forced to check their firearms into security "storage lockers" which have become full. The bill will allow students to store their guns in campus apartments and parking lots. The legislation does not deal with campus dorms or fraternity/sorority houses. Even though HB 1348 has been changed, it does effectively address a storage problem that campuses across the state have been facing. Please contact the members of the Senate Government and Veterans Affairs Committee and voice your support for HB 1348. For contact information, please click here.
TENNESSEE: Update on Pending Legislation in the Volunteer State For an update on NRA-backed bills that are currently working through the legislature, please click here. Please contact your State Senator and State Representative and respectfully urge them to support all of the NRA-backed bills listed without any restricting amendments. For contact information or help identifying your State Legislators, please click here. For Tennessee Legislature Committee information please visit http://www.capitol.tn.gov/committees/.
TEXAS: Important Pro-Gun Bill Passes Senate, Heads to House! On Wednesday, March 25, the State Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 730. Sponsored by State Senator Glenn Hegar (R-18), SB 730 will now head to the House side for committee referral. This NRA-backed legislation would permit employees to transport and store lawfully-possessed firearms in locked, private motor vehicles while parked at work. Thank you to all those who contacted their senator in support of this necessary bill. Please continue to check your email and www.NRAILA.org for further updates.
UTAH: Critical Self-Defense Bills Awaiting Governor’s Consideration in Utah Senate Bill 78, sponsored by State Senator Mark Madsen (R-13), would protect your right to lawfully transport and store firearms in your privately-owned, locked motor vehicle while parked in publicly accessible parking lots controlled by your employer or a business you frequent. House Bill 357, authored by State Representative Steve Sandstrom (R-58), would make it easier for law-abiding citizens to defend themselves without the need to obtain a concealed weapon permit. For more information, please click here. Please contact Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. (R) TODAY and respectfully urge him to sign SB78 and HB357. The Governor can be reached by phone at 801-538-1000, toll-free at 800-705-2464, or by fax at 801-538-1528. To email Governor Huntsman, please visit http://governor.utah.gov/goca/form_comment.html.
VERMONT: Legislative Update for the Green Mountain State Numerous firearm-related bills are currently pending action in Montpelier. To learn more about these bills and how to take action, please click here.
WEST VIRGINIA: Bill to Fix Statewide Preemption Heads to Senate Floor! Senate Bill 621 was passed earlier this week by the Senate Judiciary Committee. SB621 is a technical clean up preemption firearm laws. The city of Martinsburg took it upon themselves to exploit a provision in a section of the statute which they felt authorized them to prohibit the carrying of firearms on all city-owned property. This bill would remove the language being exploited and therefore nullify the Martinsburg ordinance. It was already the determination of the West Virginia legislature to preempt cities, counties, and municipalities to regulate firearms and this bill will once again provide consistency in statute. Please contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge them to support SB621. Contact information can be found here.
WISCONSIN: “Micro-Stamping” Legislation Proposed in the Badger State! State Senator Spencer Coggs (D-6) and State Representative Leon Young (D-16) have introduced a proposal that would ban the sale of all new semi-automatic pistols not equipped with so-called “micro-stamping” technology. While this proposal has not officially been introduced as a bill, supporters are trying to gather co-sponsors. For more information about this attack on our rights, please click here. Please contact your State Legislators TODAY and respectfully encourage them to NOT co-sponsor or support this anti-gun proposal. Click here to find contact information.
Governor Doyle Seeks to Triple Background Check Fee in Wisconsin! Governor Jim Doyle’s (D) budget bill would raise the background check fee on handguns from $8 to $30. Please respectfully urge your state legislators to oppose Governor Doyle’s unfair and unjust gun tax. Your State Senator can be reached by phone at (608) 266-2517. You can reach your State Representative at (608) 266-1501. To identify your legislators and to find more contact information, please click here. We also encourage you to attend hearings on the budget by the Joint Finance Committee and express your opposition to any increase in the background check fee. To view the schedule, please click here.
WYOMING: Please Attend the Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday, April 4! You are cordially invited to attend the Lincoln Day Dinner being held at the Sheridan, WY Holiday Inn Convention Center on Saturday, April 4. The Sheridan County Republican party is proud to have Mr. David Keene, Chairman of the American Conservative Union and NRA Second Vice President as its featured speaker at the dinner. Mr. Keene is recognized as one of the chief spokesmen for conservative principles and policies and is regularly featured on a variety of radio, TV, and print media. The dinner will commence at 5:30 p.m., with cocktails and a silent auction followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. and Mr. Keene’s presentation at 8:00 p.m. Raffle tickets ($10 each) will be available for a Montana Rifle Co. woodland rifle in .300 WSM, featuring a stainless steel, pre-64 Winchester type action, and exhibition grade American walnut stock. Tickets for the dinner are $60.00 each and can be obtained by calling Stewart Schumacher at (307) 672-5600 or Carole Perkins at (307) 751-4992. Please consider joining us for an evening with a distinguished speaker and future NRA President.
