Another Bloomberg-MAIG Lie About Gun Shows
This week, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's gun control advocacy group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG), began running television ads urging Congress to "close the gun show loophole." Page 34 of MAIG's Blueprint for Federal Action on guns says that the group supports H.R. 2324 and S. 843 -- bills that would require NICS checks on private sales of firearms at gun shows, and which also contain provisions designed to drive gun shows out of business.
MAIG's ads claim "The Columbine school massacre ... killers got their guns because of a gap in the law, called the 'gun show loophole.'" And in a related press release, MAIG claims "All four guns used in the Columbine shootings were bought from private sellers at gun shows."
The claims are lies, of course. For starters, one of the Columbine criminals' four firearms was not acquired at a gun show. More to the point, however, the other three firearms, while bought at a gun show, were bought for the criminals by a straw purchaser -- a woman who was not prohibited from possessing or acquiring firearms, and who therefore would have passed a NICS check, if she had bought the firearms from a licensed dealer.
D.C. Voting Bill Pulled From House Consideration: Last week we reported that the U.S. House of Representatives was preparing to consider H.R. 157, the "District of Columbia Voting Rights Act," which proposes to give the nation's 30th most populous city a vote on the House floor.
U.S. Supreme Court Issues Decision to Protect Hunting Media: This week, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal animal cruelty law so broadly written that it would criminalize the distribution of hunting videos and magazines under many circumstances. The 8-1 ruling in U.S. v. Stevens is a big win for NRA, and for hunters across America. A brief submitted by NRA was cited in the majority's opinion.
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!
Special NRA-ILA Seminar Planned For Charlotte! In addition to the FREE Grassroots Workshop being held in conjunction with this year's Annual Meetings, the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division is holding a FREE "In Their Own Words" Special Seminar.
Trigger The Vote Chairman, Chuck Norris, Coming To Charlotte! Chuck Norris, legendary action star and the Honorary Chairman of our "Trigger the Vote" voter registration campaign, is coming to the NRA Annual Meeting in Charlotte next month. He will be a featured speaker at the Friday Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum. Chuck and his wife Gena will be Guests of Honor at the NRA-ILA Friday Dinner Auction, and they will also host a book-signing in the Exhibit Hall on Saturday. Click here to see a brief interview with Chuck about his new book, and plan to see him in Charlotte! NRA-ILA will be conducting an on-site voter registration drive at the Annual Meetings as well.
ILA Dinner and Auction At Annual Meetings: The Institute for Legislative Action will hold its Fourth Annual Dinner and Auction in conjunction with the NRA Annual Meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday evening, May 14th.
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.
Another Way To Get Involved--Join NRA's Facebook Group: Internet social networking has exploded in recent years, and websites such as Facebook attract millions of users. This on-line community fosters a connection between its users, and allows distribution of user-generated content (like pictures, profiles, music, video, and text).
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: 2010 Legislative Session Comes to a Close Last week brought the end of the 2010 legislative session in Montgomery, during which time two important bills were enacted into law. The most recent, House Bill 2, repeals the section of the Alabama statute that prohibits the possession, sale, receipt, or use of short barreled rifles and shotguns. These firearms are already legal under federal law when properly registered. House Bill 330, "No-Net-Loss" legislation also passed and now requires that the state maintain at least the same level of available public hunting land that currently exists. Governor Riley (R) signed HB330 into law on Monday, March 22. Thank you to all of the NRA members answered the call in support of these critical measures. NRA will continue to push this issue and other Second Amendment items during the 2011 legislativesession.
CALIFORNIA: Long Gun Registration and Other Anti-Gun Bills to be Heard Wednesday, April 28! On Wednesday, April 28, the Assembly Appropriations Committee will hear Assembly Bill 1810 and Assembly Bill 2223. The committee members need to hear from you today regarding these continued attacks on our Second Amendment rights. AB1810 would establish a registration system, similar to the one currently in place for handguns, for all newly-acquired long guns. Under AB1810, the make, model and serial number of the firearm as well as the identifying information of the purchaser would be recorded and kept on file by the California Attorney General's office. AB2223 would outlaw the use of lead shot when shooting or hunting in state-run wildlife management areas. There is no scientific evidence justifying this proposed ban. It is intended only to discourage hunting in California and that is why the Humane Society of the United States is in full support. AB1810 and AB2223 are very serious threats to the rights of California's law-abiding gun owners and must be defeated. Please contact the members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and strongly voice your opposition to AB1810, and AB2223. Contact information can be found here.
COLORADO: Sportsmen Are Being Pushed from the Denver Area's Last Remaining Training Ground for Hunting Dogs! Significant acreage in Chatfield State Park and Cherry Creek Park near Denver was originally designated for training hunting dogs making these parks vital assets to the sporting dog community for many years. Colorado sportsmen and women are now being pushed out of these hunting dog-training areas with plans to convert them to dog parks that would prohibit most training activities. The hunting dog community has protected these parks for many years, and has tried to leave as little impact on the natural environment as possible in order to ensure it mimics actual hunting terrain. Chatfield State Park has a comment form with three alternatives listed. Alternative B provides the best protection for the sporting dog community, which segments approximately 24.5 acres for training out of 75 total acres. Please go to the following link and submit comments in support of Alternative B: http://parks.state.co.us/SiteCollectionImages/parks/Landing/DOLA/DOLA_OH_Chatfield.pdf. It would also be appropriate to convey your displeasure with the general plan to significantly reduce the area for hunting dog training. Cherry Creek Park also has three alternatives, but none of the alternatives provide adequate protection for sporting dog training. Please go to the following link and voice your concern over the exclusion of training areas for hunting dogs: http://parks.state.co.us/SiteCollectionImages/parks/Landing/DOLA/DOLA_OH_CherryCreek.pdf. Your voice is essential to protect Colorado's great sporting dog heritage! A proper place to train hunting dogs is becoming harder to come by around the country and the remaining land must be preserved. Do not allow this blatantly anti-hunting action by the Colorado State Parks Board to stand without a fight!
CONNECTICUT: Hunting Fee Reduction Signed into Law! On Thursday, April 15, Governor Jodi Rell (R) signed House Bill 5545 into law. HB5545, one of several bills introduced to aid gun owners, will impose a modest reduction to the recent fee increases associated with hunting and fishing licenses approved during last year's legislative session. With many families struggling to afford basic necessities in this difficult economy, it's important that we keep hunting accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status. In addition, there have been recent experiences in other states that show lower license fees generate more revenue for conservation and the state by giving lower-income earners the opportunity to buy a license they might not otherwise be able to afford, thereby broadening the base of hunters. Because of declining numbers of hunters, overpopulation of species like the whitetail deer, and decreased revenue for conservation projects, it simply makes sense to lower hunting license fees. Thank you to all of the NRA members who took action in support of HB5545. Without you, this victory would not have been possible.
GEORGIA: Two Pro-Gun Bills to be Heard Soon in Georgia! Two important pro-gun bills (Senate Bill 291 and Senate Bill 308) could be considered at anytime. SB291 has been assigned to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. This bill would allow a person lawfully licensed to carry a concealed firearm the right to carry in all non-secure areas and while dropping off or picking up passengers at an airport or airport facility. Also included in the bill is a provision that would make the license renewal process much easier by basically creating an automatic renewal. Instead of the licensee having to remember to renew, the probate court will be required to send out renewals 90 days before expiration. SB308 has been assigned to the House Committee on Judiciary Non-Civil. This bill would reform Georgia's concealed carry laws so that a concealed carry license would enable the person to carry any weapon, openly or concealed. SB 308 would also allow concealed carry license holders to carry in more places by repealing the broad and vague "public gathering ban." No action is needed at this time, but please continue to check www.NRAILA.org for updates on this important legislation.
HAWAII: Emergency Powers Bill Heads to Governor's Desk! On Friday, April 16, the Hawaii Senate voted 21-0 to pass Senate Bill 358. The bill now heads to the desk of Governor Linda Lingle (R) for her consideration. SB358 would prohibit the seizure of firearms or ammunition during a government-invoked state of emergency as a result of a disaster. SB358 languished last year when it was introduced, and was propelled forward after the February tsunami warning when the members of the Legislature were deluged with calls from NRA members and gun owners worried that their guns might be confiscated, similar to the post-Hurricane Katrina incidents. Please contact the Governor TODAY and respectfully urge her to sign SB358 into law. Governor Lingle can be reached by phone at 808-586-0034.
IOWA: Governor Culver's Signature Still Needed to Make Iowa a "Shall Issue" State! Time is running out for Governor Culver (D) to sign Senate File 2379, and anti-gun forces are actively urging Governor Culver to VETO the bill. Senate File 2379 would make Iowa a "shall issue" concealed carry state and would require sheriffs to issue a permit to carry a concealed weapon to all applicants, unless they are subject to certain specific disqualifiers. Senate File 2379 was a huge victory for gun owners in the Hawkeye State but it won't become law without the Governor's support. Please contact Governor Culver TODAY at (515) 281- 5211 and respectfully urge him to sign this important pro-gun legislation into law.
KANSAS:Governor Signs Castle Doctrine Clean Up Bill! On Monday, April 19, Governor Mark Parkinson (D) signed Senate Bill 381 into law. This bill, more commonly known as "castle doctrine" legislation, will make important corrections to Kansas' current self-defense statute. NRA has diligently worked with the legislature in both chambers to make sure that Kansas citizens' self-defense rights are clearly articulated to minimize the chances that the State Supreme Court will misinterpret the legislature's intent. Please contact Governor Parkinson and your legislators to thank them for their hard work and support for this important self-defense clean up bill. For your legislator's contact information click here. Governor Parkinson's contact information can be found here.
MARYLAND: 2010 Legislative Session Comes to an End! The General Assembly has adjourned for the 2010 session and Maryland's firearm owners were able to defeat three anti-gun bills while gaining a major victory for gun owners with the passage of Senate Bill 411. SB 516 would have designated certain firearms as "assault weapons" and would have prohibited the possession, transfer or receipt of these firearms by law-abiding Maryland residents. SB 645 and HB 820 would have required anyone wanting to purchase a handgun to possess a "Handgun Permit to Purchase". The permits, which could be denied by the Maryland State Police, would be required before a federally licensed dealer could transfer a handgun to a purchaser. After gun owners packed the Committee rooms, the House Judiciary Committee defeated HB 820 and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee never brought SB 645 up for a vote. The General Assembly did however pass one pro-gun bill, Senate Bill 411, which provides civil immunity from damages when force, including deadly force, is used and reasonable under the circumstances to repel an attack in the person's dwelling or place of business. SB411 is currently awaiting the Governor O'Malley's (D) signature so please contact him by phone at 1 (800) 811-8336 and respectfully urge him to sign SB 411.
PENNSYLVANIA: Please Attend the 5th Annual Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally! Please join NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, and other Second Amendment activists and patriots to voice your support for our cherished firearm freedoms. On Tuesday, April 27, at 10 a.m., at the State Capitol in Harrisburg, Second Amendment supporters will gather in solidarity for our gun rights. Don't miss this great opportunity to meet with legislators and urge them to stand up for and support the Second Amendment by passing pro-gun measures currently pending action in the legislature. For more information and to register, please visit www.2ARally.com. Note: attendees must pre-register.
TENNESSEE: Restaurant Carry Reform Bills Head to House and Senate Floors On Tuesday, April 20, House Bill 3125 passed the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee by a vote of 20-6. Unfortunately, an anti-gun amendment has been attached to this bill. After much debate over the course of two committee meetings, this legislation now heads to the House Calendars and Rules Committee to be scheduled for a floor vote. HB3125 would enable a person who has a valid Right-to-Carry permit to carry a firearm for self-defense in restaurants where alcohol may be served, as long as the permit holder is not consuming alcohol or is not otherwise prohibited by posting provisions. The companion bill to HB3125, Senate Bill 3012 skipped the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, thus sending it straight to the Calendars and Rules Committee. SB3012 is anticipated to be heard on Thursday, April 29, on the Senate floor. Please contact your State Legislators and respectfully urge them to remove the anti-gun amendment from HB3125. Also, please ask them to support SB3012. Contact information for your State Legislators can be found here.
VIRGINIA: Governor's Amendments Adopted During Virginia Veto Session! On Wednesday, April 21, members of the Virginia General Assembly returned to Richmond to vote on amendments offered by Governor Bob McDonnell (R) to legislation passed by the General Assembly earlier this year. The Governor offered favorable amendments to two NRA supported pieces of legislation, House Bill 885 and House Bill 1217. By a margin of 71 to 24, the House voted to approve the Governor's amendment with the Senate concurring, 20 to 19 in support of Governor McDonnell's amendment recommending that the General Assembly insert the word "secured" for "locked" in House Bill 885. This will allow any person who may lawfully possess a firearm and is carrying a handgun while in a personal, private vehicle or vessel to keep the firearm secured in a container or compartment in the vehicle or vessel. The House and Senate also voted, 68 to 24 and 32 to 7, respectively, to support Governor McDonnell's amendment striking a non-existent organization named the National Crime Prevention Center from House Bill 1217. The bill allows local school boards to offer firearm safety education programs in the elementary grades. To assist local school boards opting to provide such instruction, the Board of Education must establish a standardized program of firearm safety education for students in the elementary school grades to promote the protection and safety of children. The bill requires that the program objectives incorporate, among other principles of firearm safety, accident prevention and the rules of the NRA's Eddie Eagle GunSafe® program.
Wilderness Topic of Meeting on George Washington National Forest The U. S. Forest Service is hosting a meeting at the Fairfax County Government Center, 7:30pm on Tuesday April 27th to receive public input on a new management plan for the George Washington National Forest. Anti-gun Congressmen Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly succeeded in getting a meeting held in northern Virginia in hopes of rallying public support for setting aside land within the National Forest as wilderness. Wilderness can only be established by Congress, but areas identified for wilderness designation will invariably be managed as if they are wilderness. Wilderness designation prohibits the use of motorized and mechanized vehicles. Where public and hunter vehicular access is allowed now, would not be allowed in a designated wilderness area. The Government Center is at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax 22035 and the meeting will be in conference rooms 9 and 10. Efforts are being made to pack the meeting with environmentalists and anti-hunters. Please take the time to attend the meeting and lend your voice in support of keeping the National Forest open to hunting and other recreational activities. Hunters need more access to huntable areas, not road closures and access restrictions.
Hunting Protected in Management Plan for Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge The Fish and Wildlife Service released a draft plan for managing the 9,000-acre Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. Located near Virginia Beach, the refuge offers hunting opportunities including deer and waterfowl. Two management alternatives are offered and compared to the current plan. Both alternatives would expand hunting opportunities. The plan can be viewed at http://www.fws.gov/backbay. The comment period closes April 30th and comments can be emailed to [email protected]. Please include "Back Bay NWR CCP" in the subject line. It is important that the Service is encouraged by the hunting community, especially those who hunt on this refuge, to protect and expand hunting opportunities. You can count on anti-hunting organizations and individuals to encourage the Service to provide the least possible support for hunting.
Wythe Shooting Range in Need of Volunteers The Wythe Shooting Range near Wytheville in the Jefferson National Forest was closed earlier this year. The unsupervised shooting range was the victim of sufficient vandalism that the Forest Service took action to close it. A meeting about the closure will be held in the Wythe County Sheriff's Office on Monday, April 26. The meeting is open to all those with an interest in having the range reopened and in volunteering support to assist the Forest Service with maintenance and oversight of the range. If you have an interest in becoming a volunteer, your attendance at the meeting would be most welcomed. The meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at 245 South 4th Street in Wytheville. NRA Eastern Regional Director Brian Hyder will be in attendance as well as representatives of Virginia's Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The NRA and the Department provided the funding and technical assistance for the construction of the range. If you can attend or for further information, please contact Mr. Hyder at 276-579-9828.
