2009 Firearms Law & The Second Amendment Symposium
The 2009 “Firearms Law & The Second Amendment Symposium” will be held on Saturday, September 12, at Northwestern University Law School, in Chicago, Illinois. This event will be sponsored by The NRA Foundation and the Northwestern University chapter of the Federalist Society.
Capitalizing on recent developments in our nation’s federal courts regarding the Second Amendment, panelists will discuss and debate current Second Amendment scholarship and related issues. The symposium will feature top Second Amendment scholars and attorneys, such as Profs. Nelson Lund of George Mason University, Nicholas Johnson of Fordham University, Michael O'Shea of Oklahoma City University, David Kopel of the Independence Institute (a frequent contributor to NRA magazines), historian Clayton Cramer, and more. Panelists will discuss key topics such as “original intent” versus the “living Constitution,” the scope and future of the Heller decision.
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.”
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.”)
ILLINOIS: Governor Signs Two Pro-Gun Reform Bills Despite the urging of anti-gun groups, Governor Pat Quinn (D) signed House Bills 182 and 3714. HB 182 will simply change the “Unlawful Use of Weapons” (UUW) law, allowing a law-abiding citizen to carry a firearm in his dwelling or in the dwelling or on the land of another person where he has been invited. Governor Quinn also signed HB 3714, which states that as a condition of probation and conditional discharge, a person shall automatically be prohibited from possessing a firearm only if the offense was either a felony, or a misdemeanor that “involved bodily harm.” For more information on these bills please click here.
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: Tennessee Park Carry Law Goes into Effect Tuesday, September 1st!
On Tuesday, September 1, the local carry provision of the new Tennessee Park carry law, goes into effect. This law enables law-abiding Right-to-Carry permit holders to carry a firearm for self-defense in state and local parks. The state park component of this bill went into effect on June 12, but the local park carry effective date was delayed until September 1 to give local municipalities time to study the issue. Local government bodies have had the opportunity to opt out of the law prior to the effective date. While a majority of Tennessee localities chose not to restrict permit holders, a few voted to opt out of by passing ordinances and resolutions that ban the possession of firearms in local parks, creating arbitrary boundaries that prohibit law-abiding permit holders from protecting themselves. For a list of the counties and municipalities that have opted out please click here.
The City of Knoxville Changes the Hearing Date for Consideration of Park Carry BillThe Knoxville City Council has decided to move its meeting date to Thursday, September 3, at 5:00 p.m. At this time, council members will consider an ordinance that, if passed, would remove a long-time ban on the possession of firearms within city parks. The meeting will be held at the City County Building located at 400 Main St. It is imperative that you not only make plans to attend this hearing, but also contact Mayor Bill Haslam at (865) 215-2040 and the City Council members at (865) 215-2075 and voice your support for overturning the ban on your right to self-defense in local parks. Please get there early to sign up to speak - this may be our last opportunity!
Knox County May Consider Opting Out Of Local Park Carry Legislation Knox County will more than likely place the opt-out resolution on the agenda for the week of September 21. The specifics for the meeting will be made final on September 9, and we will be sure to keep you updated with that information. In the meantime, please contact the Knox County Mayor and County Commissioners at 865-215-2534 and respectfully urge them to oppose any county ordinance that would prohibit law-abiding permit holders from carrying a firearm for self-defense while visiting local parks. For more contact information please click here.
VIRGINIA: ANOTHER VOLUNTEER KICK-OFF MEETING SCHEDULED! 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, and serve 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 Virginia! To ensure we are prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities we will face this election season, NRA-ILA is hosting a free volunteer kick-off meeting in Leesburg, on Sept. 16th! At this meeting, 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! This meeting is absolutely free and beverages and light snacks will be served. The event will run only about 60-90 minutes. NRA-ILA Grassroots Director Glen Caroline will also be in attendance.
Here are the details for the Leesburg meeting on Sept. 16th:
Wednesday, September 16th
7:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn Leesburg at Carradoc Hall
1500 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-771-9200 http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/WASLE/transportation?start=1
To register for this free event, please click here, or call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683).
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!
