New Rule On Guns In
National Parks Takes Effect February 22
On February 22, a new law on guns in national parks takes effect. The law repeals a National Park Service rule that has long prohibited Americans from lawfully possessing firearms in national parks for self-defense.
The new law, passed last spring by an overwhelming bipartisan vote in the U.S. Senate, will allow people to possess, carry and transport firearms in national parks, in accordance with state law.
However, many details remain to be worked out. Reports indicate that National Park Service officials are debating issues such as the definition of "federal facilities," where firearms will remain prohibited under a different federal law.
Contact Starbucks And Protect The Right-To-Carry: As we reported last week, the Brady Campaign's latest desperate attempt at relevancy involves a publicity stunt attacking Starbucks for allowing the lawful carry of firearms in its stores as provided for by state law.
Volunteers Needed For 2010 NRA Annual Meetings In Charlotte: The 2010 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will be an exciting weekend, as thousands of NRA members will come together May 14-16, 2010, in Charlotte, NC. You can contribute to the success of our meeting by participating as an Annual Meeting Volunteer.
Get Your Copy of Stephen Halbrook's Freedmen, the Fourteenth Amendment, and the Right to Bear Arms, 1866-1876: Does the Second Amendment apply to the states? The Supreme Court will soon decide that critical question. As that historic day approaches, there's no better time for all Americans to learn more about this issue.
Help Defend Your Gun Rights One Click At A Time: We have a revolutionary yet simple tool that will allow you to stay connected to NRA-ILA and raise valuable contributions to defend our Second Amendment rights without spending a dime! It's the NRA-ILA Toolbar, and you can make a difference by downloading and using it.
Second Amendment March On Washington Scheduled For April: There will be a Second Amendment March in Washington, D.C., on April 19, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attendees will gather on the northeast corner of the Washington Monument grounds at 10:00 a.m., and the entire event will take place there (due to logistics, the event will be more of a "rally" than an actual march).
The event is sponsored and coordinated by the organization "Second Amendment March," whose stated mission is, "to galvanize the courage and resolve of Americans; to petition our elected officials against establishing anti-gun legislation; and to remind America that the Second Amendment is necessary to maintain our right to self defense."
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.)
ALABAMA: Legislation to Repeal Ban on Short Barreled Rifles and Shotguns Advancing! House Bill 2 passed the Senate Industrial Development and Recruitment Committee on Wednesday, February 10 on a unanimous voice vote. The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration. Sponsored by State Representative Jeremy Oden (R-11), HB 2 would amend the Alabama statute that prohibits the possession, sale, receipt, or use of rifles with barrels less than 16 inches long and shotguns with barrels less than 18 inches long. These firearms are already legal under federal law when properly registered. Please contact your State Senator TODAY at (334) 242-7800 and respectfully urge them to support this common-sense legislation. Further contact information can be found by clicking here.
Two Important Pro-Gun Measures Awaiting Consideration Two pro-gun bills are currently awaiting committee action and could reach the House floor as early as next week. Please click here to learn more about them and how you can take action in support.
ARIZONA: Right to Hunt and Fish Constitutional Amendment Introduced! Arizona's Right to Hunt and Fish Constitutional Amendment needs your support. HCR 2008 was recently introduced in an effort to guarantee the future of hunting for generations to come. This measure is currently awaiting a committee hearing and, if passed and ultimately approved by the voters, would make Arizona one of nearly a dozen states with such a constitutional protection. It is critical that you contact your State Representative and respectfully urge him or her to support this important constitutional amendment. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
COLORADO: Partisan Vote Kills State of Emergency Bill Late Wednesday, the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee defeated Senate Bill 51 on a straight party-line 3-2 vote. Sponsored by State Senator Scott Renfroe (R-13), SB51 would have removed the governor's ability to "suspend or limit the sale, dispensing, or transportation" of firearms during a declared state of emergency. Please contact Senator Renfroe and let him know that Colorado's NRA members appreciate his efforts. He can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by phone at 303-866-4451.
Colorado State University Seeking to Outlaw Concealed Carry on Campus On Wednesday, January 20, Colorado State University (CSU) formally announced a draft proposal to prohibit firearms on all CSU campuses. Exempt from the ban would be firearms used by law enforcement and military personnel and by the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. This draft policy will be brought up for consideration at the CSU Board of Governors meeting on Tuesday, February 23. A copy of the draft can be found at www.safety.colostate.edu/files/weapons_policy_draft_01_15_10.pdf. It is important that Colorado's NRA members tell CSU's President that the policy must uphold Colorado law and allow permit holders to carry concealed handguns for self-defense. Please contact President Tony Frank TODAY by phone at 970-491-6211 or e-mail [email protected] and respectfully urge him to comply with Colorado law.
CONNECTICUT: Several Important Bills Pending Action in Hartford A number of bills of interest to gun owners and sportsmen have been introduced and are currently awaiting consideration. Please click here to learn more.
ILLINOIS: Anti-Gun Bill Could Be Voted on Any Day! Anti-gun extremists in Illinois have been increasingly frustrated with their inability to pass legislation attacking our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Faced with the possibility that they will be dealt a devastating defeat in the Supreme Court case of McDonald v. City of Chicago, efforts have been made to revive House Bill 180, which seeks to establish a state-based licensing scheme for all Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders (who are already licensed by the federal government) that sell handguns. That would cover the vast majority of FFL holders in Illinois. Please contact your State Representative TODAY and urge them to oppose HB180. Contact information for your State Representative can be found by clicking here. HB180 could be voted on at any time so please make your voice heard soon.
INDIANA: Important Gun Bills on the Move in the Indiana Senate! On Tuesday, February 9, the State Senate Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters passed House Bill 1065 and House Bill 1068. Both bills now head to the Senate floor for second reading as early as Monday, February 15! To learn more about these bills and how to take action on their behalf, please click here.
IOWA: Help Make Iowa A Shall-Issue Concealed Carry State! Earlier this week, legislation was introduced in Des Moines that would, among other things, change Iowa from a "May-Issue" state to a "Shall-Issue" state and require law enforcement to issue a Permit to Carry a concealed weapon to all applicants who are not subject to narrowly-drawn disqualifiers. HF 2255 has been referred to the Committee on Public Safety for consideration but a hearing date has not yet been scheduled. It is important that you contact your legislators today and respectfully urge them to support HF 2255. To find contact information for your legislator please click here.
KENTUCKY: Bill Protecting Concealed Carry Licenses for Military Personal Advancing House Bill 19 recently passed the House unanimously with a vote of 95 to 0. HB19 would allow military personnel who are on active duty to renew their concealed carry licenses early and via mail. It also allows for those military personnel whose licenses expire while on active duty to renew licenses within 90 days after the end of their deployment, with no late fees or other penalties. HB19 is in the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection Committee. Please contact committee members and respectfully urge them to support HB19. Contact information can be found here.
MARYLAND: Update on Proposed "Assault Weapons" BanOn Wednesday, February 3, State Senator Michael Lenett (D-19) introduced Senate Bill 516, a bill that would designate certain firearms as "assault weapons" and would prohibit the possession, transfer or receipt of these firearms by law-abiding Maryland residents. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. With no coherent reason to ban semi-automatic firearms by honest, law-abiding residents in Maryland, SB516 is nothing more than posturing by an extreme anti-gun politician looking to take away our Second Amendment rights. Please contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully request that he or she oppose Senate Bill 516! For contact information please click here.
"Castle Doctrine" Bills Introduced! Two Maryland state senators have introduced separate legislation to codify the "Castle Doctrine" in Maryland state law. Senate Bill 386, sponsored by State Senator Nancy Jacobs (R-34), would provide civil immunity to a person who uses force, including deadly force, against anyone who enters the person's dwelling or business with the intent to commit first, second or third degree burglary or a crime of violence. Senate Bill 411, sponsored by State Senator Thomas Middleton (D-28), would provide immunity from damages when force, including deadly force, is reasonable under the circumstances to repel an attack. Both bills have been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee where they await a hearing. Please contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge them to protect your right to self-defense by supporting SB386 and SB411. For contact information, please click here.
Two Sunday Hunting Bills Introduced Two bills that would expand hunting opportunities in Maryland have been introduced and assigned to the House Environmental Matters Committee, where they await a hearing. HB245, sponsored by the Allegany County delegation, would authorize a person to hunt turkey in Allegany County on the last Sunday in April and the first Sunday in May, except for Easter Sunday. HB246, sponsored by both the Allegany County and Garrett County delegations, would allow bowhunting for deer on private property in Allegany County and Garrett County during open season on the last three Sundays in October and the second Sunday in November. Please contact the members of the House Environmental Matters Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to pass HB245 and HB246. Contact information can be found here.
MISSISSIPPI: Sweeping Reforms to Right-to-Carry Law Advance in Legislature On Wednesday, February 10, the Mississippi Senate voted 48 to 3 to pass Senate Bill 2153. Please click here to learn more about SB2153 and how you can take action in support of this much-needed reform.
NEW MEXICO: Pro-Gun Measures Move to Senate Floor! Two important pro-gun bills are currently heading to the Senate floor for consideration. Senate Bill 40 would allow concealed handgun licensees to lawfully carry for self-defense in establishments that are licensed to serve beer and wine for consumption on the premises. Senate Bill 212 would eliminate the two-hour refresher course for concealed handgun licensees. Please contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge them to support SB40 and SB212. Contact information can be found at http://www.nmlegis.gov.
OKLAHOMA: Lifetime Concealed Handgun License Bill Introduced House Bill 3124, legislation that would create an optional lifetime concealed handgun license, has been introduced and referred to the House Public Safety Committee. No hearing date has been scheduled. Please contact the members of the House Public Safety Committee and respectfully urge them support HB3124. Contact information can be found here.
Hunting Included in Management Plan for Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a draft plan with several options for managing the Tishomingo Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. Tishomingo is located in south central Oklahoma and consists of more than 16,000 acres. It was established over 70 years ago to preserve nesting grounds for migratory waterfowl. The draft plan describes three management alternatives, all of which include some level of hunting. Comments on the draft are due Tuesday, March 23 and can be emailed to [email protected]. Include "Tishomingo NWR Draft CCP and EA" in the subject line. Comments can also be faxed to Mr. Lujan at 505-248-6874. The plan can be viewed at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/Plan/planindex.html. For further information please call 505-248-7458. It will be extremely helpful in the planning process if hunters familiar with the refuge can comment on which of the alternatives best reflect the needs and desires of those who hunt on this refuge.
PENNSYLVANIA: Stroudsburg Area School District Could Eliminate High School Rifle Team! Due to tightening budgets, the Stroudsburg Area School District is discussing the possibility of shutting off funding for the Stroudsburg High School rifle team. Unfortunately, the Stroudsburg Area School District may choose to balance the budget on the backs of tomorrow's shooters. Rifle teams, such as this one, help foster the future of our Second Amendment freedoms, shooting sports, and firearms safety training. Please attend the school board's next meeting and voice your support for the high school's rifle team. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, February 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Stroudsburg High School Cafeteria located at 1100 West Main Street. If you are unable to attend, please contact the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John A. Toleno, and the members of the school board TODAY and respectfully make your voice heard. Contact information can be found here.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Worker Protection Bill Referred to Committee House Bill 1169 is tentatively scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, February 16 at 10:00 a.m. in the House Local Government Committee. HB1169 would prevent employers from firing employees or punishing those who lawfully store their guns in locked private vehicles, giving gun owners, hunters and Concealed Pistol License holders a safe, secure and responsible place to store their firearms while at work. Please contact the members of the committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to support this important Second Amendment legislation. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
VIRGINIA: Restaurant Carry Moves Forward as "Gun Show Loophole" Legislation is Carried Over On Tuesday, February 10, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted in favor of a number of pro-gun reform measures supported by NRA and effectively defeated Senate Bill 595 by voting to carry it over until the 2011 session. SB595 would have prohibited the private sales of firearms at gun shows by requiring that all sales conducted at a gun show go through a federally licensed dealer. Click here to learn more.
