Another Mayor Drops Membership in
"Mayors Against Illegal Guns"
Since its creation, Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) has signed up a large number of committed anti-gun politicians to its ranks. It has also signed up some politicians who failed to realize the true anti-gun nature of MAIG. A number of those mayors have resigned their membership when they learned the truth.
This past week, yet another mayor, Village of Walton Hills, Ohio Mayor Marlene Anielski (R), has resigned her membership. Mayor Anielski informed the Buckeye Firearms Association of her decision, reporting that she had not realized the real agenda of MAIG. In fact, she reported, she and her husband are NRA life members!
With the ongoing effort by MAIG to mislead the public and even its own members on its true agenda, it is no surprise that some mayors are choosing to leave the group. How many more mayors don't know what MAIG is really all about?
All NRA members should ask: Is my mayor a member of MAIG? If you do not know, check the list here.
If your mayor is on the list, contact his or her office and politely let him or her know you are opposed to his or her membership in Mayor Bloomberg's radical anti-gun organization.
Now Is The Time To Make Yourself Heard At Town Hall Meetings! Congress has now adjourned to start the Summer Recess and will return after Labor Day. During this Summer Recess, your Senators and Representative will be back home in their states and districts.
Many lawmakers use this time to hold town hall meetings, and take questions from their constituents. These meetings offer a tremendous opportunity for you to schedule personal meetings with your lawmakers and/or their staff in their district offices to respectfully discuss your strong support for the Second Amendment.
Triggering The Vote! With each election, Americans go to the polls and make decisions that affect -- for better or worse -- the future of freedom in America.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 72 percent (142 million) of the eligible voting age citizen population (197 million) were registered to vote in 2004. This means that as many as 55 million people were eligible to vote, but unregistered -- and therefore did not participate in the November 2004 elections. Far too many gun owners and hunters are among them.
2009 Gun Rights Policy Conference: This year's Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 25, 26, & 27, at the beautiful Airport Renaissance hotel. The theme of this year's conference is "Challenges Ahead."
Your Help Is Needed In Support of BATFE Reform Bills S. 941 And H.R. 2296
As we reported in May, Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) have introduced S. 941, the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2009" in the U.S. Senate. Representatives Steve King (R-Iowa) and Zack Space (D-Ohio) have introduced a companion bill -- H.R. 2296 -- in the U.S. House. The bills would roll back unnecessary restrictions, correct errors, and codify longstanding congressional policies in the firearms arena. These bipartisan bills are a vital step to modernize and improve BATFE operations.
Nevada: Clark County Shooting Park Needs Your Support! The Clark County Shooting Park is a 3,000 acre park outside of Las Vegas that is devoted entirely to the shooting sports. It was created by an Act of Congress that transferred land to Clark County from the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Not long after the transfer, some local residents filed a lawsuit to close down the shooting park. The federal judge dismissed their charges, but ordered the BLM to complete some environmental studies.
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.")
CALIFORNIA: Two Dangerous Anti-Gun Bills Still Alive in Sacramento The status of Assembly Bill 962 and Senate Bill 585 has not changed since the California General Assembly re-convened on Monday, August 17, so it is imperative that you continue to contact your Assembly members in opposition to these bills. AB962 would make it a crime to privately transfer more than 50 rounds of ammunition per month, even between family and friends, unless you are registered as a "handgun ammunition vendor" in the Department of Justice's database. AB962 would also require fingerprinting for all sales, and ban on-line ammunition purchases. SB585 would prohibit the sale of firearms and ammunition on the property or inside the buildings that comprise the Cow Palace, a stepping-stone toward banning gun shows on all private property in California. It is imperative that you stand-up and respectfully make your voices heard! Please contact your State Senator and respectfully urge him or her to oppose AB962 and please contact your Assembly member and ask that he or she vote to defeat SB585. Contact information can be found here.
ILLINOIS: Continue To Contact Governor Quinn To Sign Pro-Gun Bill 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 where a law-abiding citizen is currently restricted from carrying a firearm. Please continue to contact Governor Quinn (D) TODAY and respectfully urge him to sign this critical reform. To contact the Governor, please call 312-814-2121 or click here to send an e-mail.
MICHIGAN: Second Amendment event at Cabelas! National and local experts will give presentations on gun ownership and your Second Amendment rights on Saturday, August 29th, 2009, at the Cabelas store located at 110 Cabela Blvd. East, Dundee, MI. The presentations will be held in the second floor Whitetail, Moose, Mallard, and Grouse Classrooms, from 8:45 a.m.-5:00 p.m., with repeating sessions throughout the day. For more information, please call 734-529-4700, or visit http://www.cabelas.com/retail-2/--cabelas--en--content--community--aboutus--retail--retail_stores--dundee--dundee.html.shtml
NEVADA: Clark County Shooting Park Needs Your Support The Clark County Shooting Park is a 3,000 acre park outside of Las Vegas that is devoted entirely to the shooting sports. It was created by an Act of Congress that transferred land to Clark County from the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Not long after the transfer, some local residents filed a lawsuit to close down the shooting park. The federal judge dismissed their charges, but ordered the BLM to complete some environmental studies. An Environmental Assessment with a "Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI) has been completed and is open for public comment until Wednesday, September 2. The same people who sued the shooting park, along with their allies, plan to bury BLM with letters demanding a more extensive environmental analysis as another form of harassment against the shooting park. Since comments are not limited to Nevada residents, we are asking that NRA members from around the country send comments to BLM in order to counter comments by the shooting park's opposition. A large number of supportive letters will also positively influence BLM decisions on other shooting areas and ranges nationwide. If you shoot recreationally, it is important the BLM hear from you. Gun control advocates and radical environmental activists are trying to shut down shooting ranges or keep them from opening across the country, so it is important that BLM hear from you. Please take a few minutes to send Mr. Bob Ross, BLM Las Vegas Field Manager, your comments supporting the Environmental Assessment and recommending that the FONSI be approved and that the environmental review process be completed. His address is: 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130. The environmental assessment is available online at http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html.
NEW YORK: Sportsmen's Association for Firearms Education Inc. (S.A.F.E.) presents the 2009 Firearm Civil Rights Conference: Please join the Sportsmen's Association for Firearms Education Inc. (S.A.F.E.) for its "2009 Firearm Civil Rights Conference"
Sunday, September 13th,
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (doors open at 12:00 noon)
Sheraton Long Island Hotel
110 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway
Smithtown, NY 11788
(631) 231-1100
(on Motor Parkway on the North side of LIE between exits 53 & 55)
Special guests include Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President; Ron Schmeits, NRA President; Dick Anthony Heller, plaintiff in the landmark Heller-v-Washington DC, case;Ginny Simone, NRA investigative reporter on firearms issues, and radio show host; and John L. Cushman, S.A.F.E. President and Founder, and NRA Board Member.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn the latest information about firearm Civil Rights both nationally and locally, as well as meeting and networking with fellow sportsmen and women concerned about their civil rights and how to protect them. Valuable prizes in drawings will be awarded to attendees. Admission and parking are free, and the event is open to your family and friends.
NORTH DAKOTA: Hunters Have Opportunity to Participate in Elk Reduction Plan for Theodore Roosevelt National Park The National Park Service has released its "preferred alternative" for reducing the elk population in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It calls for elk culling to be carried out by qualified federal employees and/or authorized agents. Authorized agents include federal agency personnel and skilled public volunteers, including hunters. The proposal is open for public comment until September 9, and it can be viewed at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/THRO under the "document list" link. Comments can be sent electronically through that site or can be sent to [email protected]. Please send your comments in support of allowing hunters to participate in this endeavor.
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 e-mailed 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 become active participants in the planning process to ensure that sportsmen's interests are well represented in the plan that will be drafted.
PENNSYLVANIA: Bethlehem Area School District Eliminates Funding for Two High School Rifle Teams! Due to tightening budgets, the Bethlehem Area School District has shut off funding for the Liberty High School and Freedom High School rifle teams. Both teams have been in existence for over 40 years and have consistently been given grants by NRA. Please contact the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, and the members of the school board TODAY and respectfully voice your disapproval with their action. Contact information can be by clicking here.
TENNESSEE: Several More Localities are Considering Opting Out of the New Park Carry Law! Several new Tennessee counties and municipalities have started the process of opting out of the new park carry law before its effective date (Tuesday, September 1). We have compiled a list of cities and counties that are considering opting out, or have scheduled hearings on the issue. Please make your voice heard on this issue. The best way to get your opinion through to your local officials is to contact them immediately. Please respectfully urge them to oppose any proposal or resolution that would prohibit law-abiding permit holders from protecting themselves in local parks. The list of municipalities and their contact information can be located here.
Knoxville to consider Removing Gun Ban Ordinance! After previously opting out of the new park carry legislation, the city of Knoxville will considering removing the offending ordinance on Tuesday, August 25. This previously passed ordinance currently prohibits the possession of a firearm for self-defense in local parks, even if you have obtained your permit to carry. It is very important that you attend this meeting. If you are unable to attend, please contact the City Mayor and Council Members and respectfully urge them to support this city ordinance. To contact Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and members of the City Council, please call 865-215-2040.
VIRGINIA: Reloading Clinics: Are you looking for a way to beat the high prices of ammo or are you having trouble finding your favorite ammo in stock at your local gun shop? The Virginia Shooting Sports Association (VSSA), the Official State Affiliate Association of NRA, has the answer. VSSA will be hosting reloading clinics around the Commonwealth starting in September. There will be clinics for both metallic shell reloading and shotgun shell reloading. The courses are designed to enable shooters with little or no prior experience in reloading to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and ability to produce safe, consistent, and accurate reloaded ammunition. The clinics will be held at the Gander Mountain stores in Fredericksburg, Richmond, Roanoke, and Winchester. For more information on cost and dates, go to http://www.myvssa.org/reloading.htm, or e-mail Dave Myers at [email protected]. Class sizes are limited so register today!
WISCONSIN: De Pere City Officials Drop Prohibition on Open-Carry On Tuesday, August 4, the City Council of De Pere repealed the city's prohibition on the open carrying of handguns. De Pere is one of the first cities in Wisconsin to repeal an existing prohibition on open carry in response to Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen's (R) opinion clarifying that open carry is legal in Wisconsin. Other cities are currently reviewing their codes. NRA hopes other cities in the Badger State will follow suit and recognize the right of residents to carry handguns for self-defense. Please contact Mayor Walsh and the members of the De Pere City Council who voted in favor of repealing the ordinance and thank them for their support and recognition of our Second Amendment rights. Contact information can be found here.
