Anniversary of Historic Heller Decision
Today, June 26, marks the one-year anniversary of the landmark D.C. v. Heller case, in which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Washington, D.C.’s handgun ban and affirmed that the Second Amendment protects an individual right. The Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects “the individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation. This meaning is strongly confirmed by the historical background of the Second Amendment.”
Yet despite this great victory, we can’t rest on our laurels. Those who would still deny our Second Amendment freedoms are always looking for ways to thwart our success and reverse that decision. And while the case affirmed that the Second Amendment prohibits the federal government, and federal entities such as Washington, D.C., from banning handguns for self-defense, the decision did not resolve the separate question of whether the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments.
Piracy And The Right To Self Defense: Last month we reported on the arming of merchant mariners to allow them to defend their crews and ships from pirate attacks. We noted that, with the increase in pirate attacks on the high seas, many are now realizing that firearms and armed citizens can be as effective a criminal deterrent at sea, as they are on land.
Pending Federal Legislation Needs Your Support: 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.
Seeking Nominations For 2008 NRA-ILA Volunteer Awards: The “Jay M. Littlefield Memorial NRA-ILA Volunteer of the Year Award” is an annual honor that recognizes an NRA member who demonstrates exceptionally meritorious activism in defense of our Second Amendment rights. Similarly, the “NRA-ILA Volunteer Organization of the Year Award” is bestowed upon a group that has gone above and beyond in defending and promoting our rights over the past year. Nominations for these honors for last year (2008) should be submitted to: NRA-ILA Volunteer Awards, c/o Andrew Dysart, NRA-ILA Grassroots Division, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030. Nominations may also be faxed to Andrew at (703) 267-3918, or e-mailed to [email protected]. All nominations must be submitted by NRA members in good standing, and be accompanied by a one-page description of why the nominee is deserving. Winners will be selected by NRA-ILA staff and will be acknowledged at this Fall’s NRA Board of Directors Meeting. The deadline for submissions is July 6, 2009.
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: Urgent! The Arizona Senate & House Needs To Hear From You Today! There are only a few days left before the 2009 Arizona legislative session is over, so keep the calls and emails going! Please contact your State Senator by phone and email to respectfully urge them to support HB2474 with only the Gould drafted and NRA supported amendments.
It is urgent that you also contact your State Representatives by phone and email to urge them to vote to support SB1113, SB1168 and SB1243 on the floor in their current forms. Respectfully, let your Representatives know that a vote for a hostile amendment on ANY NRA-supported bill is a vote against the Second Amendment! Contact information for your State Representative can be found by clicking here. The word is the Senate will be working on Saturday, June 27. This could be an opportunity to personally tell your Senator how important these bills are to you. In order to confirm the Senate is working Saturday, please call the main number at (602) 926-3559 or Toll Free at 1-800-352-8404. The address to the capitol is 1700 W. Washington St. and there is free parking adjacent to it. For more detailed information about the bills listed above, please click here.
CALIFORNIA: Two Anti-Gun Bills Scheduled to be Considered Next Week! Assembly Bill 962 and Senate Bill 585 are scheduled to be considered on Tuesday, June 30. AB962 will be heard in the Senate Public Safety Committee and SB585 will be considered by the Assembly Public Safety Committee. Click here to learn more about these bills. Please contact the members of the Senate Public Safety Committee and urge them to oppose AB962. Also, please contact the members of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety and insist that they defeat SB585. Contact information can be found here.
NRA Comments To California Fish and Game Commission Regarding Extended Lead Ammo Ban: As a result of action taken by the California legislature, a ban was imposed on the use of lead ammunition for hunting large game in areas inhabited by the California condor. This week the California Fish and Game Commission accepted public comment on a proposal to extend the ban to all hunting in condor habitat areas. Final action will occur at the Commission’s August meeting. Please click here to see the comments that NRA submitted in strong opposition to the latest effort to extend a lead ammunition ban statewide.
DELAWARE: Gun Records Protection Bill Heads to the Governor’s Desk On Wednesday, June 24, the Delaware State House unanimously passed Senate Bill 139, with two members absent. SB 139 would provide legal purchasers of firearms a source of redress in the Delaware court system if their firearms purchase records are improperly handled or stored by the Delaware State Police. It would also allow the successful party seeking an injunction to recover his or her attorney’s fees and court costs. The bill now moves to Governor’s desk for his consideration. Please contact Governor Jack Markell (D) TODAY and urge him to support this crucial piece of legislation. Contact information can be found here.
ILLINOIS: Anti-Gun Groups Launch Campaign Against Important Gun Reform Anti-gun groups are mounting a campaign urging the Governor to veto HB182. This important pro-gun reform bill, would simply change the “Unlawful Use of Weapons (UUW)” law, adding "dwelling" and "dwelling of another" where a person has been invited with permission to possess a firearm, to the list of exemptions in which a law-abiding citizen is currently restricted from carrying a firearm. Please contact Governor Quinn TODAY and respectfully urge him to sign this critical reform. To contact the Governor, please call 312-814-2121 or click here to send email.
LOUISIANA: Bill Aiding Visually Impaired Hunters Heads to Governor’s Desk! House Bill 39 is en route to the desk of Governor Bobby Jindal (R) for his consideration. HB39 would authorize the use of laser scopes by visually impaired hunters. Please contact the Governor TODAY and respectfully urge him to sign HB39 into law. Please click here to email Governor Jindal.
NEBRASKA: Proposal Requiring Fingerprinting for Firearm Sales Put on Hold for Three Weeks At Tuesday afternoon’s Omaha City Council hearing, the proposed ordinance to require fingerprinting for all gun sales to “secondhand stores” was tabled for three weeks to allow for further review. This ordinance, if passed, would require gun stores to fingerprint anyone who sells a firearm to the store. It is important that you use this time to contact the City Council and urge them to oppose this proposal. Please contact the members of the City Council and respectfully voice your opposition to this measure. Contact information can be found here.
NEVADA: Nevada Will No Longer Recognize Utah and Florida Right-to-Carry Permits Effective, July 1, Nevada will no longer recognize Right-to-Carry permits from Utah or Florida. They have, however, added Ohio and West Virginia as recognized states. Each May, the Nevada Department of Public Safety conducts an audit of states and their Right-to-Carry laws for the purpose of determining which states it will recognize. The Nevada DPS dropped Utah because it does not have a live fire requirement, which is a part of Nevada's training requirements. Florida will no longer be recognized because its permits are now valid for seven years instead of five. The Nevada DPS and the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs will be hosting their annual Right-to-Carry forum in Carson City in August with a teleconference feed to Las Vegas. We encourage all members to attend this informational meeting. Details will be forthcoming. Please continue checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates.
NEW YORK: Another Micro-Stamping Bill Introduced in New York State Senate As reported last week, State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31) has introduced a new micro-stamping bill, Senate Bill 6005. This new bill contains language that would remove the requirement that in-state manufacturers may only produce micro-stamp equipped semi-automatic handguns. Though this narrow amendment may address one problem for New York manufacturers, there are still numerous reasons for gun makers and gun owners to strongly oppose this bill. We will keep you updated as to any movement in the Senate. Please continue checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates.
New York State Senate May Consider Numerous Anti-Gun Bills! While last day of session was set for Monday, June 22, the Senate returned to Albany to act on unfinished business. Law-abiding gun owners, hunters and sportsmen should stay tuned, as numerous anti-gun measures were pending action when the Senate leadership battle commenced and they could be taken up at any time. To learn more about these bills, please click here.
NORTH CAROLINA: Three Pro-Gun Bills Awaiting Action As we reported last week, Senate Bill 928, North Carolina’s “Castle Doctrine” bill, is currently stalled in the House Judiciary I Committee. House Bill 473, which would allow magistrates with a Right-to-Carry permit to carry concealed firearms into courthouses while on official business, is awaiting consideration in the House. Finally, House Bill 1132, legislation dealing with Right-to-Carry permit renewals, passed the Senate on Wednesday and the bill now returns to the House for concurrence. To learn more about these bills and how to take action in support of them, please click here.
Bill to Regulate Dog Owners and Breeders Scheduled to be Heard by Senate Finance Committee! The Senate Finance Committee will hear Senate Bill 460 on Tuesday, June 30 at 1:00 P.M. in room 544 of the Legislative Office Building. This is yet 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. Please take a moment and 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. A strong showing by NRA members and concerned dog owners is important for this hearing, so if you can, please plan to go to Raleigh to attend the meeting of the Senate Finance Committee. If you are unsure about how to get to Room 544, please inquire at the Welcome Desk in the main building at 16 West Jones Street.
TENNESSEE: Localities Already Opting-Out of Park Carry Law! As anticipated, Tennessee counties and municipalities have started to opt-out of the park carry law passed by the Tennessee General Assembly during the 2009 session. Please contact your local officials and respectfully ask them not to create a confusing patchwork of laws that will close off local parks to law-abiding permit holders, who simply wish to be able to protect themselves and their families. If you have any information on Tennessee counties and municipalities taking steps to opt-out of this important self-defense law, please contact the NRA-ILA’s State and Local Affairs Division. Contact information can be found here.
WISCONSIN: Youth Hunting Bill Heading to Governor’s Desk for Consideration! On Thursday, June 18, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 167 by a voice vote. SB167 now heads to the desk of Governor Jim Doyle (D) for his consideration. SB167 would establish a mentored hunting program in the Badger State. Please contact Governor Doyle at 608-266-1212 and urge him to sign this important piece of legislation. Also, please contact your State Legislators and thank them for passing SB167. You can find your legislators contact information by clicking here.
