Update On Pending Federal Legislation
There are a number of pro-gun bills pending in Congress that require your attention and action. Please review these legislative initiatives and be sure to contact your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121, and your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121, and urge them to cosponsor and support these measures. Additional contact information can be found using the “Write Your Representatives” feature at www.NRAILA.org.
NRA Appeals Seventh Circuit Ruling to U.S. Supreme Court: This week, NRA filed a petition for certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of NRA v. Chicago. The NRA strongly disagrees with the decision issued by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, holding that the Second Amendment does not apply to state and local governments.
Tennessee Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto: This week, in a strong reaffirmation of the self-defense rights of Tennesseans, the Tennessee House and Senate successfully overrode Governor Phil Bredesen’s (D) veto of House Bill 962. This NRA-supported bill will enable law-abiding Right-to-Carry permit holders to carry firearms for self-defense in restaurants that serve alcohol, provided the permit holder is not consuming alcohol. HB 962 passed both the House and Senate with broad bipartisan support, but Gov. Bredesen vetoed the bill on May 28, disappointing more than 200,000 Right-to-Carry permit holders in his state. While an override of the veto needed only a simple majority vote to pass, it cleared both chambers with overwhelming, bi-partisan support. Passage of the measure will allow law-abiding Tennesseans to protect themselves and their families. This measure was overridden in the House on Wednesday by a margin of 69-27, and in the Senate on Thursday by a margin of 21-9.
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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: Three Arizona Pro-Gun Bills Need Your Help! We have the opportunity to pass a number of pro-Second Amendment bills this year, but need your help. Please contact the members of the Senate and Senate Judiciary Committee and respectfully ask them to hear and pass House Bill 2474, Senate Bill 1243, and Senate Bill 1113. For more information about these bills, please click here. Your polite phone calls and emails urging the Senate to stay in session and hear these bills could make a huge difference in whether or not they become law. Please contact your State Senators and respectfully voice your support for HB2474, SB1243, and SB1113. For contact information, please visit www.azleg.gov.
CONNECTICUT: Legislature Adjourns With Important Pro-Hunting Bill Heading to Governor’s Desk! On Wednesday, June 3, the Connecticut Legislature adjourned. However, before adjourning, the legislature passed House Bill 5875 and sent it to Governor Jodi Rell (R) for her consideration. HB 5875 contained a “no-net-loss” amendment requiring that for every acre of public hunting land that is closed for any reason, an acre must be opened. We are also proud to report that several anti-gun and anti-hunting bills were defeated in committee. To learn more about these bills, please click here. Please call Governor Jodi Rell and respectfully urge her to sign HB 5875 into law. The Governor can be reached by phone at 800-406-1527 or 860-566-4840 (Hartford) or email [email protected].
ILLINOIS: Pro-Gun Reform Bill Heading to Governor’s Desk! On Friday, May 29, House Bill 182 passed the Illinois House by a vote of 90 to 28. The bill now heads to Governor Pat Quinn (D) for his consideration. This legislation would simply change the Unlawful Use of Weapons (UUW) law, adding “dwelling” to the list of exempted areas where a law-abiding citizen is restricted from carrying a firearm. While “abode” is currently one of the exempted areas, under Illinois law, “abode” is strictly interpreted to mean only one’s actual home, and applies only to those who live there. Please contact Governor Quinn TODAY and respectfully urge him to sign this critical reform. Contact information for the Governor can be found by clicking here.
KANSAS: Kansas State Rifle Association Annual Meeting to be Held June 7! The Kansas State Rifle Association (KSRA) will be having its annual members meeting and shooting festival on June 7. Members are highly encouraged to attend the meetings, which will be followed by a barbeque lunch and shooting events. Detailed locations for the event can be found here.
LOUISIANA: Attack on the Second Amendment Defeated in Louisiana! Senate Bill 72 was defeated on Tuesday, June 2. This bill would have watered down the recent law that prohibits employers from denying Louisianans the right to transport and store lawfully possessed firearms in locked, privately-owned motor vehicles, including while traversing or parking in any publicly accessible parking lot, parking garage or other parking area. Please contact the members of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice who voted to defeat SB72 and thank them for standing up for our rights. Contact information can be found here.
Management Plan Includes Hunting Opportunties for Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge The Fish and Wildlife Service has released a draft management plan for Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge located 5 miles west of Houma, Louisiana. The plan describes three separate management options that will guide decisions on the Refuge for the next 15 years. Hunting, fishing and other wildlife dependent activities are addressed. The plan can be reviewed online at: http://southeast.fws.gov/planning/. For additional information please contact Paul Yakupzack at 985-853-1078 or send your comments to him at [email protected]. If you hunt in Louisiana, please give your support to increased hunting opportunities on this Refuge.
NEVADA: Governor’s Veto of Apprentice Hunting Bill Overridden! On May 31, the Nevada Senate followed the lead of the House and unanimously overrode Governor Jim Gibbons’ (R) veto of Assembly Bill 246. The vote came shortly after the Governor had announced he was considering overturning his own veto. AB246 will establish an apprentice hunting license that enables prospective hunters who are at least 12 years old to try their hand at hunting before completing a hunter education course. Apprentice hunters would have to be directly supervised in the field by a mentor who is at least 18 years old and who holds a valid Nevada hunting license. Please contact your Legislators and thank them for their support for this important legislation and the future of hunting in Nevada. You may find your legislators and their contact information by clicking here.
NEW YORK: Anti-Gun Bills Advance in New York! Numerous anti-gun bills are pending consideration in the State Senate that would have dire consequences for New York’s law-abiding gun owners. It is critical that you contact your State Senators immediately and urge them to oppose these oppressive and unnecessary measures. For more information on these bills and how to take action, please click here.
Micro-Stamping Bill Heads to Senate Floor in Albany! Senate Bill 4397 passed the Senate Codes Committee and is headed to the Senate floor where it could be considered as soon as Monday, June 8. S4397 would ban the sale of all semi-automatic handguns not equipped with micro-stamping technology. Not only would this bill have disastrous effects on firearm sales in the state, but several major firearm manufacturers would be forced to close shop in New York and many jobs would be lost because these companies would not be able to produce handguns not equipped with micro-stamping technology. It is imperative that you contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge them to OPPOSE S4397! Your State Senator can be contacted through the Senate switchboard at (518) 455-2800. To find your State Senator, please click here. Also, please email NRA-ILA’s State & Local Affairs Division at state&[email protected] and let us know what response you are getting from your State Senator considering S4397.
Join NRA President Ron Schmeits at the 2009 New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Annual Meeting! The New York State Rifle & Pistol Association (NYSRPA) will be holding its Annual Meeting on Saturday, June 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Wallkill Rod and Gun Club located at 316 Bruyn Turnpike in Wallkill. We encourage NRA members to register early as this event will sell out fast! Here is your chance to meet this year’s keynote speaker, NRA President Ron Schmeits, as well as enjoy a day of fun with the whole family at the range! This event is free and open to the public, however, do not wait to reserve your $15.00 ticket for the chicken bake or you risk missing out on some great food! Tickets must be purchased in advance by 12:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 9. Contact the NYSRPA office toll-free at 800-469-7772 to purchase tickets or visit http://www.nysrpa.org/ for more information.
PENNSLYVANIA: Vote on Lancaster “Lost or Stolen” Ordinance Expected on Tuesday, June 9! As previously reported, Mayor Richard Gray (D) has 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. Please make plans to attend the June 9 City Council meeting to show your support for the Second Amendment and, if possible, voice your opposition to this illegal and unwarranted proposal. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Council’s Chambers in the Southern Market Building located at 100 South Queen St. in Lancaster. If you are unable to attend please click here to learn how you may contact the City Council Members.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Two Pro-Gun, Pro-Hunting Bills Marching Forward! On Tuesday, June 2, Governor Mark Sanford (R) signed Senate Bill 593 into law. The bill will allow Right-to-Carry permit holders to keep a firearm in their vehicles when on school property. SB 593 is now in effect. Please contact Governor Sanford to thank him for signing SB 593. To contact the Governor, please call (803) 734-2100 or visit http://www.scgovernor.com/contact/email/default.htm to send an e-mail. Also, House Bill 3483, the Right to Hunt & Fish Constitutional Amendment, passed and will now be in the hands of the voters of South Carolina, who will be able to vote on the proposed amendment in November 2010.
TENNESSEE: Tennessee Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto of HB 962 In a strong reaffirmation of the self-defense rights of Tennesseans, the Tennessee House and Senate have successfully overridden Governor Phil Bredesen’s veto of House Bill 962. This NRA-supported bill will enable law-
abiding Right-to-Carry permit holders to carry firearms for self-defense in restaurants. Please contact the legislators who supported HB 962 and thank them for their support of our self-defense rights. To contact supporting members of the House please click here, and to contact supporting Senators please click here.
Three Pro-Gun, Pro-Hunting Measures Awaiting Governor Bredesen’s Action To learn more about these measures which will help advance our Second Amendment freedoms and hunting heritage, please click here.
Time is Running Out to Get Your 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, June 30, to apply is fast approaching. For more information, please click here. Hurry, time is running out!
WASHINGTON: Hunting Will Be Topic of Management Plan for Columbia National Wildlife Refuge The Fish and Wildlife Service is beginning to write a management plan for the 30,000 acre Columbia National Wildlife Refuge located in the arid Columbia Basin of south-central Washington State in both Grant and Adams Counties. The Refuge is an important stopover and wintering ground for migratory birds and waterfowl. Hunting is allowed and the management plan will be considering if and how hunting opportunities will be expanded, developed or modified. The Service is inviting comments about what the plan should contain. In addition, a public open house will be held June 16 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the City of Othello's Municipal Building (City Hall), City Council Chambers located at 500 East Main Street, Othello, WA 99344. Written comments can be sent via email to [email protected] Additional information is available at http://www.fws.gov/mcriver or you may call 509-488-2668. If you hunt on this Refuge, it is especially important to be involved at the beginning of plan development to ensure that your interests are fully taken into consideration.
