Brady Campaign Continues Slide Into Irrelevancy
The notion that lemmings deliberately hasten their demise by rushing into the sea may be a myth, but the anti-Second Amendment group and its spokesmen really are scurrying through a series of blunders that may hasten their steady march to irrelevancy.
In 2008, in District of Columbia v. Heller, the group's two theories about the Second Amendment were rejected by the Supreme Court, one of them by five justices and the other by all nine. In 2009, they tried, with no success, to frighten America about tourists carrying guns for protection in national parks.
This year, they've insulted their most powerful ally, President Obama, for not setting aside the economy, the war, and his social agenda to push for gun control legislation Congress does not support. They've given the states their worst "Brady grades" ever, even though violent crime continues to decrease. And, they've badgered the Starbucks coffee company for allowing customers to legally carry firearms in its stores.
Plan To Attend Free Grassroots Workshop At NRA's Upcoming Annual Meetings In Charlotte, NC! With the 2010 elections rapidly approaching there will be no better time than during NRA's Annual Meeting to ensure we are prepared to register pro-gun voters, mobilize them for action, and turn them out to vote on ELECTION DAY!
Indiana Governor Signs Legislation Protecting Workers' Right to Self-Defense: This week, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (R) signed NRA-backed legislation allowing employees to store legally-owned firearms in locked, private motor vehicles while parked in employer parking lots.
Your Help Is Needed In Support of BATFE Reform Bills S. 941 And H.R. 2296:
As we've been reporting for months, 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" 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.
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.
Join The NRA Online Advisory Panel: Last November, the NRA introduced a new service and community for our members, the NRA Online Advisory Panel. Inside this community, NRA members can vote and comment on Second Amendment issues, see how they compare to Congress, and track key legislation. The panel now has more than 10,000 members. The opinions and feedback of the Online Advisory Panel are helping to guide the strategy and agenda of the NRA heading into a critical political cycle. If you're not already a member of this growing community, you don't know what you're missing. We hope you will take a moment to join today by clicking HERE.
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. These on-line communities foster a connection between their users, and allow distribution of user-generated content (like pictures, profiles, music, video, and text).
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).
Grassroots News Minute Video: We recently debuted a new and improved format for the "Grassroots News Minute" video! To view the current video in its new format, please click here:
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: Legislative Update for Alabama Three pro-gun bills are currently pending action. To learn more about these bills, click here.
ARIZONA: Numerous Pro-Gun Bills on the Move! As session continues in Phoenix, numerous NRA-supported bills continue to move forward. To learn about these bills and how you can take action in support of them, please click here.
COLORADO: Self-Defense Reform Defeated House Bill 1094 was defeated in the State House Judiciary Committee by a 6-5 vote on Monday, March 15. Sponsored by State Representative Cory Gardner (R-63), HB1094 would have extended Colorado's self-defense law to places of business. This legislation would have permitted all employees to defend themselves by any means of force, including deadly force, if they had reasonable belief that an intruder had committed or intended to commit a crime during unlawful entry. The exclusion of businesses in the current self-defense law has been a noticeable omission, which this bill would have addressed. Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call in support of HB1094. Rest assured, NRA will continue to fight to pass this much-needed reform.
Massive Colorado Wilderness Proposal Threatens Hunter Access and Wildlife Habitat H.R. 4289, sponsored by U.S. Representative Diane DeGette (D-1), would designate 850,000 acres of additional land in Colorado as wilderness area. In light of the fact that all mechanized means of transportation, including bicycles and game carts, are prohibited in wilderness areas, this would dramatically curtail hunter access to these vast areas. In addition, wilderness designation ends virtually all active wildlife and habitat management methods employed by state and federal biologists on all other lands. This could not come at a worse time for Colorado with the forest devastation being caused by the pine beetle. Wildlife officials must retain all means necessary to combat invasive species and actively manage for wildlife and forest health.
In the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands last week, H.R. 4289 received a hearing where many concerns were expressed to subcommittee members. Sportsman advocate, Congressman John Salazar (D-3), registered opposition during his testimony by saying, "I cannot support simply imposing wilderness on my constituents… I believe it must be negotiated and worked out with all the various stakeholders to reach a consensus." It is essential that Coloradans thank Congressman Salazar for taking a stand on this critical issue. Echoing some of the Congressman's concerns, representatives of the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service testified that much more study is necessary prior to the passage of H.R. 4289.
There are already 110 million acres of wilderness in the United States. These are areas often accessible only to the most able-bodied or those who have the time and resources to dedicate to lengthy pack trips. Diminishing access to hunting lands is one of the primary reasons for decreasing hunter recruitment and retention rates. The NRA will continue to defend existing access to public hunting lands throughout America. Please play a role in this ongoing effort by contacting your congressman today and registering your opposition to H.R. 4289. Contact information can be found here.
CONNECTICUT: Gun and Hunting Bills Awaiting Consideration Three bills of importance to Connecticut's gun owners and sportsmen are currently pending consideration in Hartford. To learn more about these bills and how to take action, please click here.
FLORIDA: REPORT: ROUND 8 & 9 GUN REGISTRATION WILL BE STOPPED BY PASSAGE OF BILL On Tuesday, March 16th SB-530 by Sen. Thad Altman (R) and HB-315 by Rep. Mike Horner (R) were each heard on their respective floors. SB-530 and HB-315 are bills to STOP Florida adoption agencies from forcing potential adoptive parents to register their firearms with the agency as a condition of adoption. Further, it stops agencies from forcing these parents to follow gun control regulations regarding storage of firearms and ammunition created by the agency. HB-315 came up on the House Floor and Passed by a vote of 112-0. It was then sent to the Senate where it was substituted for SB-530. Following debate on the Senate Floor it Passed by a vote of 38-2. To learn more, please click here.
INDIANA: Governor Signs Monumental Pro-Gun Reform! On Thursday, March 18, Governor Mitch Daniels (R) signed House Bill 1065 into law. This vital piece of legislation will protect Hoosiers against firearm confiscation during natural disasters, such as occurred in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. HB1065 also prevents law-abiding gun owners from being wrongfully terminated from their jobs for having locked firearms in their vehicles while at work. NRA would like to thank the strong team of pro-gun legislators who worked overtime to see HB1065 through to passage and to the Governor's desk. To see the list of those lawmakers who fought for our rights, please click here.
Gun Permit Database Privacy Protection Act Becomes Law! On Friday, March 12, Governor Mitch Daniels (R) signed House Bill 1068, the Gun Permit Database Privacy Protection Act, into law. No longer will newspapers and other members of the public have access to Indiana's database of state gun permit holders. Several State Legislators were instrumental in the passage of this much needed bill. To thank these defenders of the Second Amendment, please click here.
KANSAS: Management Plan Underway for Quivira National Wildlife Refuge The Fish and Wildlife Service has announced its intent to prepare a plan to guide management of the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. The Refuge was established in 1955 to provide wintering and migration stopover habitat for migratory birds. The 7,000-acre refuge is located in Stafford, Rice, and Reno Counties and provides a variety of recreational opportunities, including hunting. Public comments can be submitted until March 26th and emailed to [email protected]. For further information please call 303-236-4378. The Service is seeking information and suggestions on the scope of issues to consider in developing the plan. It is important that hunters let the Service know what changes should be made to the current hunting programs.
KENTUCKY: Legislative Update for the Bluegrass State Several pro-gun bills are on the move in Kentucky. To learn more, please click here.
MONTANA: Dangerous Ballot Initiative, I-160, Threatens Wildlife Management and Montana's Hunting Future! I-160 proposes to eliminate trapping on public land in Montana, which would devastate the scientific wildlife management strategies implemented by State wildlife biologists and detrimentally impact hunting. Without trapping, used to control predator populations, an unacceptably high toll will be taken on the game species we hunt, such as waterfowl, upland birds, deer, and antelope. Make no mistake, the radical animal "rights" activists who want to ban trapping today will seek to ban hunting tomorrow. All sportsmen must stand in opposition to this extremist agenda. To learn more about I-160 and threat that it poses, please click here.
NEW YORK: Several County Legislatures Passing Resolutions Opposing Anti-Gun Bills in Albany In recent months, several county legislatures in New York have passed resolutions opposing the package of anti-gun bills pending action in the State Assembly in Albany. This includes bills such as gun and ammo bans, renewal requirements for pistol permits and attacks on lawful firearm retailers and manufacturers. Counties speaking out against these assaults on our freedom include Rensselaer, Niagara, Herkimer, Chenango, and Seneca. If you live in one of these counties please contact your local lawmakers and thank them for speaking out. If your county is not listed here, call your county legislators and encourage them to send a message to Albany, as well!
OKLAHOMA: 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.
OREGON & WASHINGTON: Management Plan Includes Hunting on the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge The Fish and Wildlife Service has released a plan to guide management actions for the next 15 years on the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge, a 6,000 acre refuge along the Columbia River in southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon. The refuge was established to protect habitat for the endangered Columbian white-tailed deer. The preferred management approach calls for opening Crims and Price Islands to waterfowl hunting. One other option would open those islands to waterfowl hunting, but close a small portion of Steamboat Slough to hunting. Public comments can be submitted until Monday, March 29 and emailed to [email protected]. The plan can be viewed at http://www.fws.gov/willapa. For further information please call 360-484-3482. The Service needs to receive support for opening the refuge to hunting. Anti-hunters can be counted on to pressure the Service against it.
PENNSYLVANIA: Borough of Hatboro Schedules Vote on Anti-Gun Resolution! On Monday, March 22, the Borough Council of Hatboro will vote on a resolution that would recommend the State Legislature pass legislation requiring gun-owners to report lost or stolen firearms or face possible fines and imprisonment. Passage of such legislation would potentially turn law-abiding gun owners -- who have already been victimized by theft -- into criminals. Please continue to contact the members of the Borough Council of Hatboro at (215) 443-9100 and respectfully voice your opposition to this resolution. E-mail addresses for the council members can be found here.
TEXAS: Management Plan Includes Hunting on the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge The Fish and Wildlife Service has released a plan to guide management actions for the next 15 years on the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, a 10,000 acre refuge spread across Aransas, Calhoun, and Refugio Counties. The plan proposes two management alternatives to the current management plan (Alternative A). Although Alternative B is the Service's choice, Alternative C calls for significantly expanding all priority public uses, including hunting. Public comments can be submitted until Tuesday, April 13 and emailed to [email protected]. The plan can be viewed at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/Plan/index.html. For further information please call 361-286-3559. It is important that the Service receives support for providing and enhancing hunting opportunities on the refuge. Anti-hunters can be counted on to pressure the Service against it.
TENNESSEE: Two Pro-Gun Bills Move Forward The House Judiciary Committee passed two important pro-gun bills on Tuesday, March 16. House Bill 3125, with an NRA-backed amendment, would enable a person who has a valid Right-to-Carry permit to carry a firearm into restaurants where alcohol may be served, as long as the permit holder is not consuming alcohol or is not otherwise prohibited by posting provisions. House Bill 1808 extends from 60 to 90 days the amount of time that a permit holder has to notify the Tennessee Department of Safety that the handgun permit holder's address has changed. Please contact your State Representative TODAY and respectfully urge them to vote for HB1808, and for HB3125 with the NRA-backed amendment. Contact information for your State Representative can be found here.
Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment Heads to Governor's Desk! Senate Joint Resolution 30 passed the State House on Thursday, March 18 by a vote of 90-1. SJR30 now heads to Governor Phil Bredesen's (D) desk for consideration. This will be one of the final steps in the legislative process to get the Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment on the ballot this November. SJR30 would propose an amendment to the Tennessee Constitution recognizing citizens' right to hunt and fish. It provides truly meaningful protections against the anti-hunting activists who seek to ban all hunting in America. The ultimate adoption of this constitutional amendment would preserve Tennessee's rich hunting and fishing traditions for generations to come. Please contact Governor Bredesen and urge him to sign SJR30. He can be reach by phone at (615) 741-2001 or by email at [email protected].
Belle Meade Considers Right-to-Carry Ban On Wednesday, March 17, the Belle Meade Board of Commissioners considered Ordinance 2010-2, legislation that would ban any person with a handgun carry permit from carrying within the city limits. A read on the ordinance was deferred until next month so the city attorney's office can do further research. This ordinance would give criminals a free hand in Belle Meade by disarming law-abiding citizens; it is also a clear violation of Tennessee's preemption statutes. Please continue to voice your opposition to Ordinance 2010-2 by contacting the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Board of Commissioners TODAY and respectfully urge them to oppose this illegal and ill-conceived proposal. Contact information can be found here.
VERMONT: Mentored Hunting Bill Passes House, Heads to Senate On Thursday, March 18, the Vermont House passed H. 243, a bill that would establish a mentored hunting license that would allow prospective hunters to try their hand at hunting before completing a hunter education course. Apprentice hunters would have to be directly supervised in the field by a mentor who is at least 21 years-old and who holds a valid hunting license. Experience in more than two dozen other states shows that this kind of mentored hunting program is exceptionally safe and will bring many new hunters into the field. There is no reason to believe that the citizens of Vermont will prove to be the exception to this outstanding track record. Please call your State Senator and encourage them to support H. 243. Contact information for the Vermont General Assembly can be found by clicking here.
VIRGINIA: Numerous Pro-Gun Bills Heading to the Governor's Desk On Monday, March 1, the Virginia State Senate voted to approve four NRA-supported bills: House Bill 8, House Bill 637, House Bill 871 and House Bill 1256. These bills will now go to Governor Bob McDonnell (R) for his consideration. To learn more about these bills and how you can contact the Governor on their behalf, please click here. On March 10, four pro-gun bills (HB109, HB505, HB885, and HB1191) were passed by the Virginia Senate. They are now en route to the desk of Governor Bob McDonnell (R) for his consideration. SB334 is also still pending the Governor's consideration. To learn more about these bills and how you can contact the Governor on their behalf, please click here.
Virginia Department of Forestry Accepting Public Comment on Concealed Carry in State Forests! The Virginia Department of Forestry is currently accepting public comment on the proposed amendment to Virginia State Forest Regulation 4VAC10-30-170, which would allow concealed carry permit holders the ability to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense in Virginia's state forests. Public comments will be accepted by the Virginia Department of Forestry until Friday, April 16. Please click here to submit comments respectfully urging the Virginia Department of Forestry to amend the Administrative Code and to support the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Virginians. Also, please attend a public hearing scheduled for Thursday, March 4 at 1:00 p.m. to show your support for this proposed amendment. The hearing will be held at the Buckingham Agriculture Center Auditorium located at 13360 West James Anderson Highway, in Buckingham.
WEST VIRGINIA: Hunting is a Major Feature in Plan for New River Gorge National River The National Park Service has released a general management plan (GMP) for the New River Gorge, a 70,000-acre park along the New River in south central West Virginia. The important aspect of this plan is that hunting will be permanently protected. Although hunting had been a discretionary activity in the park, its future was not threatened until the Service began a planning process which ignited efforts by anti-hunters to close the park forever to hunting. In response to that threat an amendment was inserted into the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 which was signed into law a year ago. It changed the discretionary "may" to the authorized "shall." Therefore, all five of the management options addressed in the plan include this hunting mandate. The plan can be viewed on line at http://parkplanning.nps.gov. Select New River Gorge, West Virginia to bring up the plan. Public comments are being accepted until April 2nd and can be sent on line per the instructions given with the plan. Although the National Park Service is now required to open the park to hunting, it is still important for hunters to review each of the alternatives as they address hunting and submit comments.
