"Nice Try, But No Cigar" For Brady Campaign's Paul Helmke
"The NRA is wrong again," said Brady Campaign president Paul Helmke on Tuesday, in his 176th (and counting) blog post on the left-wing Huffington Post website. Helmke was upset because of three things we pointed out in our annual "More Guns, Less Crime" fact sheet and Grassroots Alert last week.
First, the number of guns has risen to an all-time high. Second, for decades Brady Campaign has repeatedly predicted with unfettered confidence that more guns would necessarily cause crime to rise. But third, the nation's violent crime and murder rates have instead fallen to 35- and 45-year lows, respectively.
Our fact sheet and alert didn't say that crime has gone down because the number of guns has risen. And we didn't even mention that crime has gone down in large part because in the 1990s many states adopted laws that NRA called for, to require violent criminals to spend time behind bars, to increase the length of violent criminals' prison sentences, and to reduce their ability to obtain parole and probation (we'll do that in next year's fact sheet. Thanks for the reminder, Paul).
Draft DOJ Report Faults BATFE, But Not Gun Control: A draft report prepared by the Justice Department Inspector General's Evaluation and Inspections Division calls into question the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives' (BATFE) performance in carrying out the mandates of its Project Gunrunner program, established in 2007 to combat the trafficking of firearms to Mexico. The report also contradictorily suggests that BATFE's ability to meet the program's objectives might be enhanced by federal laws requiring the filing of multiple sales reports on long guns, and requiring some or all private sales of firearms to be screened by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Free Meetings. Free Food. Free Candidate Stickers. Freedom!: We have been reporting in the Grassroots Alert on the activities of our NRA-ILA Campaign Field Representatives (CFRs). Our CFRS have been working for months to ensure that gun owners are registered to vote and actively working to elect pro-gun candidates on November 2.
NRA Freedom Action Foundation Launches 2010 Trigger The Vote Effort -- Honorary Chairman Chuck Norris Stars In New Ad Campaign: NRA's Freedom Action Foundation (NRA-FAF) launched its 2010 "Trigger the Vote" campaign last month, featuring its Honorary Chairman Chuck Norris in a series of advertisements. "Tough Like Chuck," the first in the new series of ads, can be viewed here: www.triggerthevote.org/landing.
"Don't Tread On My Gun Rights" Yard Signs Available Now: We've created a new yard sign that will send a strong message this election season to all who read it: "Don't Tread on my Gun Rights."
Another Way To Get Involved--Join NRA's Facebook And Twitter Groups: Internet social networking has exploded in recent years, and websites such as Facebook and Twitter 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: To view this week's "Grassroots News Minute" video, 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.)
CALIFORNIA, NEW JERSEY, NEBRASKA, TEXAS, OKLAHOMA, NEW MEXICO, AND MINNESOTA:
FWS Releases Refuge-Specific Hunting and Fishing Regulations for National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs): The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a proposed rule for public comment that will add Caddo Lake NWR, Texas to the list of refuges open to hunting. At the same time, the rule will increase hunting opportunities on six NWRs. Modoc NWR, California will add new areas open to migratory bird hunting. Upland game hunting will be opened at Cape May NWR, New Jersey, along with the addition of turkey to big game hunting. Big game hunting will be opened at Fort Niobrara NWR, Nebraska. New lands have been added to Deep Fork NWR, Oklahoma for big game hunting. Bosque del Apache NWR, New Mexico will add turkey to its list of big game species opened to hunting. And, Minnesota Valley NWR, Minnesota is increasing lands and opportunity for migratory bird, upland, and big game hunting.
The rule also contains refuge-specific regulations for other refuges opened to hunting and fishing. The rule can be found at http://www.regulations.gov by typing in the Docket No. (FWS-R9-NSR-2010-0036). This site provides instructions for submitting comments on line. If a NWR is a hunting destination for you, please take a few minutes to review and comment on the hunting regulations that apply to that refuge.
CALIFORNIA:Santa Clara Gun Ban Ordinance Defeated On Tuesday, September 21, 2010, the Santa Clara City Council was scheduled to adopt Ordinance No. 1863, which would prohibit the possession of firearms in city parks (with the only exception being for "peace officers," no exception for unloaded open carry or for CCW holders). But the item was withdrawn from consideration by unanimous vote of the City Council when Santa Clara City Manager Jennifer Sparacino raised legal concerns brought up by a letter received from National Rifle Association ("NRA") and California Rifle and Pistol Association ("CRPA") attorneys. The City Attorney needed more time to review the case law mentioned in the letter. Until then at least, the item is off the agenda. But the city might bring the ordinance back. (The Agenda Report and Opposition Letter are posted at www.calgunlaws.com. For more information please click here.)
COLORADO: Forest Service Invites Public Comment on Proposed Shooting RangeRecreational shooting is increasing in popularity on the Pawnee National Grassland as the population on the Colorado Front Range grows. To be responsive to the needs of shooters looking for a safe place to shoot, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests/Pawnee National Grassland is proposing to construct a shooting range on three acres of forestlands between Ault and Briggsdale, north of Colorado State Highway 14. The proposal is for a 100-yard range with eight to ten shooting positions. The site would be open to the public seven-days-a-week from dawn until dusk. The area would include an access road and parking lot, bermed shooting area, informational kiosk, benches, and shade cover, if constructed as proposed. Both the NRA and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources have made grant money available for the project.
The Forest Service is inviting the public to comment on the project. Please e-mail comments to District Ranger Lori Bell at [email protected]. To be fully considered in the project analysis and to keep the planning process on schedule, please respond by October 7, 2010. As information becomes available, it will be posted online at www.fs.usda.gov/arp. The NRA encourages all of its hunters and shooters in the state to take a few minutes to e-mail the District Ranger expressing support for this project. All too often, the response of land managers towards recreation shooting is negative. In this case, the land manager has become the driving force for establishing a shooting range and it is important that she receives a groundswell of support from sportsmen and women.
KANSAS: Vote YES on 1 November 2nd! A 1905 ruling from the Kansas Supreme Court interpreted Section 4 of the Kansas Constitution to mean that the Right to Keep and Bear Arms only exists as a collective right for those in the militia 
or military and no individual right exists. For that reason, the NRA has worked with the Kansas State Rifle Association, Senator Mike Petersen and the legislature, to pass a Constitutional Amendment during the 2009 legislative session, which provides new language that clarifies Section 4 and guaranteesan individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms. The language reads: "A person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home and state, for lawful hunting and recreational use, and for any other lawful purpose." Our elected officials have done law-abiding Kansans a tremendous service by passing this landmark Constitutional Amendment. Now it is up to YOU to do your part on November 2, 2010 and vote this provision into the Kansas Constitution.
NEW YORK: Sportsmen's Association for Firearms Education Inc. (S.A.F.E.) 2010 Firearm Civil Rights Conference. Please join the Sportsmen's Association for Firearms Education Inc. (S.A.F.E.) for its 2010 Firearm Civil Rights Conference. Special guests include Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President; Ron Schmeits, NRA President; Chris Cox, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action; Ginny Simone, NRA News co-host; and John L. Cushman, S.A.F.E. President and Founder, and NRA Board Member. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Second Amendment issues, both nationally and locally, as well as meet and network with fellow sportsmen and women concerned about their civil rights and how to protect them. Attendees can win valuable prizes in exclusive drawings. Admission and parking are free, and the event is open to your family and friends. The conference will be held Sunday, October 3, 2010, from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. (doors open at 12:00 noon) at the International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers Hall, 370 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY 11788 (On North side of Motor Parkway between exits 53 & 55 of LIE).
S.A.F.E. and Women on Target (WOT) are sponsoring a Women's Only Clinic on Rifle Shooting on Long Island, on Saturday, October 2, 2010, from 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 noon or 12:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event will be held at the Nassau County Indoor Rifle & Pistol Range, located in Mitchell Park, across from the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Earl Ovington Blvd, Uniondale, NY (you can call 516-572-0421 for directions). If you have never shot a firearm before, this is a great opportunity to learn. Experienced instructors will be on hand. This clinic is free and open to all women, regardless of experience. You will learn safe gun handling skills, proper firearm storage techniques, and fundamentals of marksmanship. Admission is FREE. The program includes free coffee and Danish, a firearms safety class, all ammunition and targets, the use of .22 caliber rifles, all safety equipment and certified NRA Instructors. Pre-registration is required by September 26th, 2010 because space is limited. For more information, please call (631) 475-8125.
The Shooters' Committee on Political Education (SCOPE) will be holding its 45th Annual "SCOPE Banquet for 2010," on Friday, October 8, 2010. Featured speakers will include NRA First Vice President David Keene. The Banquet will be held at the Lucarelli's Banquet Center, 1830 Abbott Road, Lackawanna, NY 14218, from 5:30 to 11:00 p.m. There will be many activities, including door prizes, raffles, and auctions. For tickets, reservations, and more information, please visit http://www.scopeny.org/banquet2010.html, or contact Mary Jo Picone (click name for e-mail) by phone at: (716) 566-9597, or by mail at: 111 Marjorie Drive, Tonawanda, NY 14223. Get your tickets now!
PENNSLYVANIA: Discharge Petition for "Castle Doctrine" Bill Delayed Until Next Week As we reported, a discharge petition was filed for House Bill 40, Pennsylvania's "Castle Doctrine" bill. It will now be considered next week. HB40, sponsored by State Representative Scott Perry (R-92), would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against attackers in their home and in any place outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. HB40 would also protect individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker's family when force is used. Please continue to contact your State Representative and respectfully urge them to vote for the discharge petition and to support HB40 on the floor. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
