Record-Setting Crowd Attends Phoenix Grassroots Workshop!
This morning, 375 staunch, pro-gun patriots attended the standing room only NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop, held in conjunction with NRA's Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Phoenix -- double the attendance from last year's Workshop in Louisville, Ky.! Though most attendees were home state Arizonans, NRA members represented states from across the country. Diversity in geography notwithstanding, all were united in the singular mission of learning what more they could do to affect legislative change this year and prepare for the 2010 midterm elections.
Anti-Gun Blacklist Bill Introduced in U.S. House: Fresh on the heels of a disturbing paper from the Department of Homeland Security, characterizing gun owners as rightwing extremists, on April 29 U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) introduced H.R. 2159, which he calls the "Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009."
Amendment II If By Sea: On May 11, the Washington Times reported on congressional testimony in support of arming merchant mariners to allow them to defend their crew and ships from pirate attacks.
Stephen Halbrook Keynotes Rally on Second Amendment Rights: Independent Institute Research Fellow Stephen P. Halbrook was the keynote speaker before an audience of 1,000 people at the Fourth Annual Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally that was held on April 21st in the State Capitol Building of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in Harrisburg, Pa. Dr. Halbrook is the author of the Independent Institute's bestselling book, The Founders' Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear Arms, that has formed the basis for the Second Amendment Book Bomb.
2009-2010 Hunting Regulations for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is planning to change existing regulations for migratory game bird, upland game, and big game. These changes will implement portions of the Refuge's management plan, approved in 2006. The Refuge encompasses 240,000 acres in a mostly continuous 261-mile stretch of Mississippi River floodplain in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Approximately 187,000 acres of the area are open to all hunting. The regulations will be changed to affect zones closed to waterfowl, or all hunting, and require the immediate retrieval of waterfowl taken during hunting.
You may view the proposed rule at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/uppermississippiriver. Clicking on "current topics" will take you to a press release, fact sheets, and the proposed rule. Public comments must be received by May 28, and can be sent electronically to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Or, you may mail comments to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: RIN 1018-AW48; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203. For further information, you may call 507-452-4232. If you hunt in this expansive refuge, you are encouraged to review the proposed changes and send your comments to the FWS.
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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: Parking Lot Bill Passes House, Heads to Senate!
On Wednesday, May 13, the Arizona State House passed House Bill 2474 by a 41 to10 vote (with 9 not voting). The bill now heads to the Senate, where it awaits a committee assignment. HB 2474 would permit law-abiding individuals to store firearms in locked motor vehicles while parked on publicly accessible parking lots controlled by their employers and businesses they frequent. This bill will protect your right to keep a firearm in your car, making it possible to have a firearm for protection, or to transport a firearm in your care for purposes of hunting or target shooting, when driving to or from these businesses. Thank you, for all of your support. Your calls and e-mails helped make a difference. At this time, no further action is needed on behalf of HB 2474. Please continue checking your e-mail and www.NRAILA.org for updates.
COLORADO: Important Pro-Gun Reform Heading to the Governor!
On Monday, May 4, the Colorado State House concurred with the Senate version of House Bill 1180. HB 1180 will now head to Governor Bill Ritter (D) for his consideration. HB 1180 would exempt Colorado concealed handgun permit holders from the background check requirement for the transfer of a firearm. Please contact Governor Ritter at (303) 866-2471 and urge him to sign House Bill 1180.
CONNECTICUT: "No-Net-Loss" Legislation Heading to the House Floor!
House Bill 5209 is currently awaiting action on the House floor, and could be heard at any time. If enacted, this important legislation would guarantee that the current level of available public hunting lands would be maintained. We encourage you to contact members of the Connecticut House of Representatives and urge them to preserve your hunting rights by voting "Yes" on HB5209 without amendments. To find contact information for all of the members of the Connecticut House of Representatives, click here.
FLORIDA: Tax Imposed on Second Amendment Rights!
Because legislative budget officials have refused to allow the Division of Licensing to use its trust funds to hire necessary staff and upgrade equipment, the Concealed Weapons and Firearms Licensing program is in crisis. The situation has been created by the legislature and anti-gun budget staffers, who refused to allow gun owners' money to be used to administer the gun owner program -- as required by law -- then confiscated the money for their own political purposes. IN DOING SO, THEY HAVE CREATED A SECOND AMENDMENT TAX. Please contact Governor Charlie Crist (R) at [email protected] TODAY and urge him to oppose this new tax.
IDAHO: Successful 2009 Legislative Session Comes to a Close
Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter (D) has signed Senate Bill 1112, the last pro-gun bill to reach his desk during this year's legislative session. SB 1112 permits concealed firearm permit-holders to carry at daycare facilities. For more information on this bill and all those signed by Governor Otter during this session, please click here. Thank you, to all those who called their legislators this session in support of these bills.
LOUISIANA: Gun Ban Hearing Re-Scheduled, Campus Carry Bill Passes in Committee The House Committee on Administration of Justice will hear House Bill 387 on Tuesday, May 19. HB 387 was originally scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, May 12, but was delayed due to a full legislative calendar. HB 387 would establish far-reaching restrictions on semi-automatic firearms (describing them as "assault weapons") and ammunition magazines. On a more positive note, House Bill 27 passed the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice by a 9 to 6 vote. Sponsored by State Representative Ernest Wooten (R-105), HB 27 would allow Concealed Handgun License holders to carry firearms for self-defense on college campuses. A floor vote has not been scheduled at this time. Please contact the members of the House Committee on Administration of Justice, and respectfully urge them to oppose HB 387 and to support HB 27. To contact them, please call (225) 342-6945 or use their e-mail addresses listed here.
Hunting Opportunities in Management Plan for Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has released a management plan for the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge. The 24,000 acre refuge is contained within the corporate limits of New Orleans, and is the largest refuge in an urban area in the United States. It is one of the last remaining marsh areas adjacent to the south shores of Lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne. Three management alternatives have been presented to the public for review and comment. The preferred management approach preferred by FWS, Alternative B, would open the refuge to some hunting opportunities. Comments must be submitted by May 26th to Mr. Pon Dixson, Deputy Project Leader, Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 61389 Highway 434, Lacombe, LA 70445 or to [email protected]. A copy of the plan is available at http://southeast.fws.gov/planning/ It is important for the FWS to receive public support for opening the refuge to hunting. Please take a few minutes to send comments to Mr. Dixson.
MINNESOTA: Restrictive Gun Show Amendment Defeated!
During the 2009 Legislative Session, State Representative Michael Paymar (DFL-64B) made numerous attempts to infringe Second Amendment rights, specifically attacking guns shows and your right to sell firearms to friends and family. Representative Paymar's most recently attempted to attach an amendment to HF 1132 that would have outlawed private transfers at gun shows. Thanks to your help, this unnecessary and restrictive amendment was defeated on the House floor by a vote of 91 to 41. Thank you, to all who contacted their Representatives about this divisive amendment.
NEBRASKA: Important Pro-Gun Reform Bill Heads to Governor's Desk as Range Protection Progresses! LB 430 passed final reading by a vote of 45 to 3 and now heads to the governor for consideration. LB 430 clarifies that a Right-to-Carry permit holder may carry a concealed firearm in any city, county, or municipality, and it prevents local jurisdictions from prohibiting lawful carry by permit holders anywhere not prohibited by state law. Please call your state senators and thank them for supporting LB 430 and strengthening our Second Amendment rights in Nebraska.
NEW MEXICO: BLM Hosting a Shooting Area Clean-Up Day Near Santa Fe: The Bureau of Land Management has scheduled Sunday, May 31st to clean up a shooting area and other areas off of Buckman Road near Santa Fe beginning at 9am. Local sponsors and supporters of the clean up include: Outdoorsman, Tina's Range Gear, Santa Fe County, CH2MHill & Western Summit, Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency, and Las Campanas Homeowners Association. For further information about the clean up please click here.
NEW YORK: Albany County Considering Ammunition Registration Law!
The Albany County Law Committee will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 26, to consider Local Law "A." This measure would require a valid firearm license to be shown when purchasing ammunition for any firearm, and require documentation of the ammunition quantity, type, and caliber; the make, model, and serial number of the firearm the ammunition is intended for; and the purchaser's name and address. We encourage you to attend the May 26 hearing, and respectfully voice your opposition to Local Law "A." Also, please contact the members of the Law Committee and the County Legislators TODAY, and voice your opposition to Local Law "A." For more information on Local Law "A" and how to contact the members of the Law Committee, please click here.
Anti-Gun Bills Advance in New York! In their annual attack on the gun rights of New Yorkers, anti-gun assemblymen came out in full force and passed numerous anti-gun bills. All of these bills will now head to the state senate. It is critical that you contact your state senators and urge them to oppose these oppressive and unnecessary measures. For more information on these bills and how to take action, please click here.
NORTH CAROLINA: North Carolina's "Puppy Mill" Bill to be Heard Soon!
The House Agricultural Committee will soon take up House Bill 733, a bill actively supported by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and intended to put dog breeders and kennel owners out of business. It is imperative that you contact the members of the House Agricultural Committee and voice your opposition to HB 733. Also, please go to http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/House/houseleadership.html and contact the House Leadership and urge them to oppose this bill. For contact information, please click here.
North Carolina's other "Puppy Mill" Bill Heading to the Senate Finance Committee!
On Thursday, April 30, the Senate Commerce Committee passed Senate Bill 460, another bill actively supported by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and intended to put dog breeders and kennel owners out of business. S 460 will now head to the Finance Committee, where a hearing has yet to be scheduled. It is imperative that you contact the members of the Senate Finance Committee TODAY, to voice your opposition to S 460. Contact information for the committee members can be found here.
PENNSYLVANIA: "Lost or Stolen" Ordinance Revived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania!
Earlier this week, Mayor Richard Gray (D) reintroduced a proposal that would require gun owners to report a lost or stolen firearm within a 72-hour period, or face fines and possible imprisonment. If enacted, Gray's proposal would violate Pennsylvania's state preemption law and turn innocent law-abiding victims into criminals. The proposal will be considered by the Lancaster City Council on Tuesday, May 26. A vote by the city council is expected on Tuesday, June 9. Please attend the May 26 City Council meeting to show your support for the Second Amendment and, if possible, voice your opposition to this illegal and unwarranted proposal. For more information on the City Council meeting and additional contact information, please click here.
"Castle Doctrine" Self-Defense Bill Introduced in the Keystone State!
State Senator Richard Alloway (R-33) has introduced critical self-defense reform legislation (Senate Bill 842) to protect the rights of gun owners in Pennsylvania. This "Castle Doctrine" self-defense bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Please contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to support SB 842. Contact information for the committee can be found here
TENNESSEE: Restaurant Carry Bill Passes Senate, Heads to Governor's Desk! The Tennessee Senate approved the General Assembly Conference Committee report 
of House Bill 962, by a 24 to 7 vote. The House passed HB 962 last week by a 66-23 vote. This report removed all arbitrary restricting amendments. HB 962 now heads to Governor Phil Bredesen's (D) desk for his consideration. We would like to thank all of the NRA members who took the time to contact their state legislators in support of this important pro-gun measure. We would also like to thank the sponsors and co-sponsors of HB 962 for their continued support of this important Right-to-Carry reform bill. Please contact Governor Bredesen TODAY and respectfully urge him to sign HB 962. The Governor can be reached by phone at (615)741-2001 or email [email protected].
Show Your Pride With an NRA License Plate!
A special NRA license plate provides an ideal opportunity to showcase your pride as an NRA member and your steadfast dedication to preserving Second Amendment rights. Your support of this program will help ensure hunting and shooting traditions in the Volunteer State for generations to come. The NRA is collecting applications for NRA license plates in Tennessee, but the deadline to apply is fast approaching. For more information, please click here.
VERMONT: Gun Owners Enjoy Another Positive Session in Vermont!
As the 2009 state's Legislative Session comes to a close in Vermont, pro-gun enthusiasts can take credit for gaining ground against animal rights extremists who sought to infringe on Second Amendment rights. Attempts to outlaw "coyote contests" with SB 113 were rebuffed. HB 313 legalizes the purchase of long guns from non-contiguous states. Thank you to all those who contacted their legislators during the session for making your voices heard on these important issues.
