Two-thirds of State Attorneys General
Support Second Amendment Incorporation
Two-thirds of the nation’s attorneys general have filed a “friend of the court” brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case of NRA v. Chicago and hold that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This bi-partisan group of 33 attorneys general, agrees with the NRA’s position that the Second Amendment protects a fundamental individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms in the home for self-defense, disagreeing with the decision recently issued by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
NRA Sends Letter To Senate Judiciary Committee Expressing Strong Concerns Over Sotomayor's Record On The Second Amendment: NRA has reviewed Judge Sotomayor’s Second Amendment record and has serious concerns about her views. Out of respect for the confirmation process, NRA has not yet announced an official position on Judge Sotomayor’s nomination. We expect that the Senate Judiciary Committee will aggressively question Judge Sotomayor on her past rulings and judicial philosophy.
Senate Passes Amendment Protecting Knife Owners: Late Thursday, the Senate unanimously passed anamendment to the Federal Switchblade Act as part of the Homeland Security appropriations bill. The amendment, authored by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), changes the federal law under which one agency had tried to redefine many common knives as switchblades.
Second Amendment Rights Protected In Public Housing: Gun owners and Second Amendment advocates earned a victory this week as the House Financial Services Committee considered and adopted an amendment offered by Representative Tom Price (R-Ga.) to protect the Second Amendment rights of public housing residents.
Another Way To Get Involved: Online Social Networking -- Internet social networking has exploded in recent years. Websites such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter attract millions of users. Recent estimates are that two out of every three Americans visit social networking websites, and roughly 90% of teenagers have profiles on at least one of these sites. These online communities foster a connection between their users, and allow distribution of user-generated content (like pictures, profiles, music, video, and text).
NRA has been a part of this social technology for some time now, operating on each of these venues. By actively participating in these new media, we are able to reach out to more potential members and supporters than ever before.
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.
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 Important Pro-Gun Bills on Governor’s Desk! Last week, the Arizona Senate passed Senate Bill 1113 by a vote of 19-8 and sent it to Governor Jan Brewer (R) for her consideration. SB1113 would allow concealed carry permit holders to take concealed handguns into restaurants that serve alcohol, provided they are not consuming. SB1113 joins two other bills, Senate Bill 1168 and Senate Bill 1243, that have already made their way to the Governor. SB1168 would permit a law-abiding individual to store their firearms in their locked motor vehicle while parked on a publicly accessible parking lot controlled by their employer or a business they frequent. SB1243 would clarify the statutory definition of defensive display of a firearm. Please contact the Governor TODAY and respectfully urge her to sign SB1113, SB1168, and SB1243 into law. Governor Brewer can be reached by phone at (602) 542-4331, toll-free at 1-(800) 253-0883, or click here to send email.
CALIFORNIA: Bill to Restrict Ammunition Sales Takes a Step Forward Earlier this week, the Senate Public Safety Committee passed Assembly Bill 962. The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. No hearing date has been scheduled. Simply stated, AB962 would place severe restrictions on the purchase and sale of ammunition in the Golden State. Please contact the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to oppose AB962. Also, please call your Senator and ask them to oppose AB962. Contact information can be found here.
Bill Seeking to End Gun Shows in California to be Considered Next Week The Assembly Public Safety Committee passed Senate Bill 585 last week. SB585 now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee where it will be considered on Wednesday, July 15. This legislation would prohibit the sale of firearms and ammunition on the property or inside the buildings that comprise the Cow Palace. SB585 is a stepping-stone to banning gun shows on all publicly-owned property in California. It is imperative that you stand up and respectfully make your voices heard! Please contact the members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and urge them to oppose SB585. Contact information can be found here.
Fish and Wildlife Service Management Plan Includes Hunting in the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a management plan for the 7000-acre Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, located southeast of Alturas, California. The draft plan evaluates four alternatives for managing the refuge over the next 15 years. Common to all the alternatives is the implementation of a hunting and fishing program. Comments on the plan are being accepted until Friday, July 30 and can be submitted by email to [email protected]. The plan can be viewed online at http://www.fws.gov/modoc. For additional information please call 530-233-3572. It is important for the Service to receive support for maintaining and enhancing hunting opportunities on national wildlife refuges, especially in light of continuing efforts by animal “rights” extremists to close refuges to hunting. Please take a few minutes to review the draft plan and submit comments.
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. Recently, 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. To read the comments that the NRA submitted in strong opposition to the latest effort to extend a lead ammunition ban statewide, please click here.
San Diego School Board Shuts Down JROTC Air Rifle Program As we reported in February, the San Diego School Board voted to end the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) shooting program in San Diego schools. The very skilled San Diego High School JROTC marksmanship team is on its second trip in three years to the National Junior Olympic Three-Position Air Rifle Championship at Camp Perry. Unfortunately, because of anti-gun bias, this year will be its last. This valuable program, which helps foster the future of our Second Amendment freedoms, shooting sports, and safe firearms training, will end once the team returns from Camp Perry. To read a SignOnSanDiego.com article about the JROTC shooting program, please click here. Please contact the members of the school board at (619) 725-5550 and respectfully voice your disapproval with their action and ask them to reconsider their decision. Email addresses for the school board members can be found here.
CONNECTICUT: Governor Signs “No-Net-Loss” into Law! House Bill 5875, a bill supported by NRA which included a “no-net-loss” amendment, was signed into law by Governor Jodi Rell (R) on Wednesday, July 1. HB5875 contained critical language requiring that for every acre of public hunting land that is closed for any reason, an acre must be opened. Enactment of this law will ensure that public hunting lands in Connecticut will never decrease. Please call Governor Rell today and thank her for signing HB5875 into law. The Governor can be reached by phone at 800-406-1527 and 860-566-4840 (Hartford) or email [email protected].
DELAWARE: Pro-Gun Bill Enacted! On Monday, July 6, Governor Jack Markell (D) signed Senate Bill 139 into law. SB139 will provide gun owners 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 will also allow the successful party seeking an injunction to recover attorney’s fees and court costs. Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call to action in support of SB139. Without you, this victory would not have been possible.
HAWAII: Honolulu Police Commission Searching for New Chief of Police For many years, the Honolulu Police Department has been led by anti-gun Chiefs of Police who have used the Department to lead the anti-gun charge at the State Capitol and within it's own law enforcement agency. The Honolulu Police Commission is currently searching for a new Chief of Police and the NRA feels that that the time is ripe for the pro-gun community to weigh in and politely request that the Commission be receptive to the Second Amendment as they make their choice. Please contact the members of the Honolulu Police Commission and respectfully urge them to take your concerns into consideration as they make this important decision. Contact information can be found here.
GEORGIA: Management Option for Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Calls for Expanded Hunting Opportunities A draft management plan for the Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge has been released for public comment by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 7300-acre refuge is located in Bibb and Twiggs Counties. The plan offers three alternative approaches to managing the refuge for the next 15 years. All three alternatives would continue existing deer and hog hunting. Alternative C would add small game, wild turkey and waterfowl hunts and open the west side of the refuge to hunting once access is provided. The deadline for comments is July 22 and should be sent to Carolyn Johnson, Assistant Refuge Manager at [email protected] or by mail to 718 Juliette Road, Hillsboro, GA 31038. The plan can be viewed on line at http://southeast.fws.gov/planning. For further information, please call 478-986-5441. The Fish and Wildlife Service needs to receive encouragement and support from the hunting community in Georgia that increasing access to the refuge and providing additional hunting opportunities need to be components of the final plan. If you hunting in the refuge, it is imperative that you submit comments in support of Alternative C.
ILLINOIS: Anti-Gun Groups Campaign Against Important Gun Reform Anti-gun groups are 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: Governor Signs Bill Aiding Visually Impaired Hunters! On Monday, July 6, Governor Bobby Jindal (R) signed House Bill 39 into law. This new law will authorize the use of laser sights by visually impaired hunters. HB39 will be effective on August 15, 2009. Currently, visually-impaired hunters are accompanied by sighted persons who help to identify game and engage in the daunting task of gazing over the hunter’s shoulder and help aim the visually-impaired hunter’s rifle or handgun to ensure a clean and humane harvest. HB39 makes great strides toward eliminating the guesswork for visually-impaired hunters and their partners; guesswork that is never faced by sighted hunters looking through the crystal clear glass of their riflescopes.
MASSACHUSETTS: Governor’s Anti-Gun Bill to be Heard on Tuesday, July 14 As we reported in May, Governor Deval Patrick (D) introduced a bill that would have disastrous effects on the Second Amendment rights of Massachusetts’ law-abiding gun owners. This bill, House Bill 4102, is scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, July 14 in the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. House Bill 4102, among other things, would limit firearm purchases to one per 30-day period and require the private transfer of all firearms, even those between family and friends, to be conducted through a federally licensed firearms dealer. Please contact the members of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary TODAY and respectfully urge them to oppose this poorly conceived and unjust attack on law-abiding gun owners’ Second Amendment freedoms. Contact information for the committee can be found here.
NEBRASKA: Fingerprinting Ordinance to be Considered in Omaha As early as Tuesday, July 14, the Omaha City Council will hold a hearing on a proposed ordinance to require fingerprinting for all gun sales to “secondhand stores” (including stores such as Scheels and Guns Unlimited). It is vitally important that all Omaha residents come to the hearing and voice their opposition to this ordinance. It is also important that you use the next few days to contact the City Council and urge them to oppose the proposed ordinance. Please make plans to attend the hearing starting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14 at 1819 Farnam Street, Suite LC-1 in Omaha. Also, please contact the members of the City Council prior to the meeting and respectfully voice your opposition to this measure. Contact information can be found here.
NEW JERSEY: Legislature Passes Gun Rationing Bill On Friday, June 26, Governor Jon Corzine (D) and his anti-gun cohorts in the New Jersey State Senate passed S1774, a bill that will arbitrarily ration the sale of handguns to one per month. Earlier this year, S1774 was pulled from the Senate floor when the sponsor was unable to garner the necessary 21 votes for passage. This time, taking orders from Governor Corzine, State Senator Fred Madden (D-4) who previously voted “no” and committed to hold firm in that position, switched his vote at the last minute and voted in favor of the gun rationing bill. The bill now moves to the Governor’s desk for his consideration. Please contact Governor Corzine and respectfully urge him to veto this bill and remind him that you will remember his decision on Election Day. Contact information can be found here.
NEW YORK: Micro-Stamping Could Be Heard At Any Time as Balance of Power Changes Once Again The impasse in the New York Senate has ended with one of the original defectors returning to the Democratic caucus in exchange for the top leadership post – Senate Majority Leader. This change returns the balance of power back to the Democrats who surely will focus their efforts on passing Senate Bill 6005, (“micro-stamping” legislation). Even though S6005 contains an amendment removing the requirement that in-state manufacturers could only produce micro-stamp equipped semi-automatic handguns, the bill must be defeated at all costs. It is likely that a vote on S6005 could come at any time. Please continue contacting your State Senators and respectfully urge them to oppose S6005 when it comes before them for a vote. Contact information for your State Senator can be found by clicking here.
NORTH CAROLINA: “Puppy Mill" Bill Pulled from the Senate Floor, Right-to-Carry Reform Bill Heads to Governor On Wednesday, July 8, Senate Bill 460 was pulled from the Senate Floor and referred to the Rules Committee. SB460, legislation promoted by the radical anti-hunting Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is intended to put dog breeders out of business and would likely have a dramatic impact on those who use dogs when hunting. The legislation is both dangerous and unnecessary, as existing laws are already available to address the cruel treatment of dogs. On another note, on Tuesday, July 7, the House concurred with the Senate language on House Bill 1132, ratifying the Right-to-Carry permit renewal improvement bill. This bill states that if a Right-to-Carry permit holder applies to his or her sheriff for renewal of a permit within 90 days of the permit's expiration, and the renewal application is not approved or denied by the expiration date, the permit will remain valid until the renewal decision is final. HB1132 was presented to Governor Bev Perdue (D) on July 8 for her consideration. We would like to thank those members of the North Carolina legislature who supported this important legislation.
OREGON: Opportunity to Expand Hunting Programs in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that it will begin to draft a plan for the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge that will guide refuge management for the next 15 years. The 187,000-acre refuge located in Harney County is one of the largest freshwater marshes in the country. Waterfowl hunting is available on approximately half of Malheur Lake and upland bird hunting is available on approximately one quarter of the refuge. One of the issues that the Service will be addressing is the adequacy of access and facilities for all of the wildlife dependent uses, like hunting and fishing, and opportunities to expand these programs. The Service is inviting comments from the public to gather suggestions and information on the scope of the issues to consider during the planning process. Comments are due by October 15 and can be emailed to [email protected]. Include "Malheur CCP" in the subject line of the message. Public meetings will be held and announced on the refuge's website at http://www.fws.gov/malheur. For further information you may call 541-493-2612. It is important that those who hunt and fish in the refuge to become active participants in the planning process to ensure that sportsmen's interests are well represented in the plan that will be drafted.
TENNESSEE: Your Help is Needed to Prevent Localities From Opting Out of Right-to-Carry Reform! As anticipated, some Tennessee counties and municipalities have started to opt out of the park carry law passed by the Tennessee General Assembly during the 2009 session. To view a list of counties attempting to opt out and to contact them in opposition, please click here. Your swift action is important in ensuring the self-defense rights of Tennesseans wishing to carry a firearm for self-defense in the Commonwealth’s parks.
NRA License Plate Comes to the Volunteer State! Thanks to your support, we were able to meet the 1000 applicant pre-order quota, the minimum requirement set forth by the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Vehicle Services, to manufacture the specialized NRA license plate. The Tennessee NRA specialized license plate will be made available within the next three to six months. For more information on this way to proudly show your support for NRA and the Second Amendment, please click here.
VIRGINIA: This November, Virginia’s elections will be ground zero for the enemies of freedom to try and turn the tide against our gun rights in the Commonwealth, serving as a launching pad for their national gun ban crusade. Our opponents will be pulling out all the stops as a run-up to the 2010 elections. All eyes will be on us! To ensure we are prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities we will face this election season, NRA-ILA will be hosting a series of free volunteer kick-off meetings throughout the Commonwealth. At these meetings, we will lay out our plans for our grassroots election activities in your area and show you how you can help. You will also get to meet and begin working with your NRA-ILA Campaign Field Representative—an NRA-ILA staff person who will be living in your area, coordinating our volunteer activities right through Election Day, Nov. 3! The meetings are absolutely free and beverages and light snacks will be provided. These events will run only about 60-90 minutes. Please join ILA Grassroots Division Director Glen Caroline at the first meeting, scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 6:30 p.m., at the Double Tree Hotel, in Virginia Beach (http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/ORFBNDT-Doubletree-Hotel-Virginia-Beach-Virginia/index.do). Parking is also free! Please make plans to attend! To register for this free event, please click here, or call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683).
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 is now on 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 or click here to send email 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.
