Act Immediately To Block BATFE Long Gun Sales Reporting!
If you're one of the nearly 71 million Americans who live in the four southwest Border States, some of your gun purchases could soon be reported to the federal government. And whether you live in one of those states or elsewhere, your help is needed now to stop the federal government's plan to register Americans' gun purchases.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is demanding the authority to require all of the 8,500 firearm dealers in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to report all sales of two or more semiautomatic rifles within five consecutive business days, if the rifles are larger than .22 caliber and use detachable magazines. For example, a dealer would have to tell the government every time a deer hunter in Sacramento or Amarillo finds a good deal on a pair of semi-auto .30-06s like the popular Remington 7400.
Senator Grassley Presses BATFE On Project Gunrunner: Pointing to documentation that guns used by Mexican nationals in a shootout with Border Patrol agents were allowed to be sold under suspicious circumstances with the knowledge of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) is calling on the agency to fully respond to his inquiries into the case. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was killed in that encounter on Dec. 14 of last year.
Volunteers Needed For 2011 NRA Annual Meetings In Pittsburgh: The 2011 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will be an exciting weekend, as thousands of NRA members will come together April 27--May 1, 2011, in Pittsburgh, PA. You can contribute to the success of our meeting by participating as an Annual Meetings Volunteer.
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.)
ARIZONA:Northern Arizona Shooting Range Comes Under Fire
After nearly 17 years of effort to locate and acquire a site suitable for a shooting range near Flagstaff, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGF) purchased the privately-owned Foster Ranch located within the Coconino National Forest. Because the site is not far from the Walnut Canyon National Monument, opposition surfaced over the effect on the Monument's wildlife and visitors from the sound of gunfire. AZGF wildlife studies have concluded that harm will not come to wildlife and the agency has stated that it will incorporate sound-dampening measures in the design and construction of the shooting range.
One of the groups rallying opposition to the range is the Center for Biological Diversity which, not long ago, launched a campaign to have lead ammunition banned nationwide. The opponents were successful in persuading the city of Flagstaff to pass a resolution opposing the range and have now set their sights on the Coconino Board of Supervisors to do the same.
In spite of this intense pressure, AZGF is standing firm on its commitment to have a shooting range constructed and opened to the public and law enforcement agencies by 2013. But to do this, AZGF needs to show strong community and public support for the Northern Arizona Shooting Range.
REQUESTED ACTION: If you live in Coconino County, please contact your Supervisor and urge him or her to support the Northern Arizona Shooting Range at Foster Ranch. Contact information can be found here. The Foster Ranch property is the only site available for a shooting range in reasonable proximity to Flagstaff.
In the near future, AZGF will be hosting an open house to discuss the design of the range. NRA will notify you when that information becomes available and will ask that you attend the open house as another way of showing support.
Lake Havasu Travel Management Plan Will Affect Motorized Access for Hunters 
The Bureau of Land Management is developing a Travel Management Plan (TMP) to designate the routes that will remain open to the use of motorized vehicles by the public. The Federal lands involved in the TMP are located below I-40 in Arizona and California, north, east, and south of Lake Havasu City, including parts of the California shoreline and south within 5-7 miles of the Bill Williams River. The public comment period on this TMP closes on February 28. Comments may be e-mailed to [email protected] or by completing the comment form on BLM's Arizona State website at www.blm.gov/az. Click on Lake Havasu. For further information you may call Myron McCoy at 928-505-1216 or write to [email protected].
The TMP provides four alternatives for motorized access:
Alternative A: No Action. Alternative A describes the current management of BLM-administered public lands in the planning area. The current management would continue to occur if no new decisions are made to alter it.
Alternative B: Protection. Alternative B emphasizes minimal human use and influence, and enhanced protection of remoteness and primitive recreation.
Alternative C: Proposed. Alternative C would provide an optimal balance between authorized resource use and the protection and long-term sustainability of sensitive resources within the planning area.
Alternative D: Access. Alternative D places an emphasis on maximum resource use and a more flexible, permissive resource management approach.
In addition to the effects this TMP will have on recreational access, the BLM does not intend to allow the use of vehicles for game retrieval off designated routes. If you hunt or enjoy other recreational activities on these lands, it is important that you review the maps and comment on how these alternatives will affect your access and ability to retrieve downed game.
COLORADO:Self-Defense Reform Bill Defeated in Committee
Senate Bill 77 was defeated in the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee by a partisan 3 to 2 vote on Wednesday, February 9. This bill would have rectified the noticeable omission of businesses in current self-defense law. Sponsored by state Senator Kevin Grantham (R-2), SB 77 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.
Thank you to all NRA members who contacted the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee.
FLORIDA: Stopping Firearms Preemption Violations by Local Government Officials Help STOP local governments across Florida from violating state law. Senate Bill 402 was heard on February 8 in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and PASSED by a vote of 3 to 2. SB 402 would provide penalties for government officials, local governments and agencies that willfully and knowingly violate the state firearms preemption law. There are no penalties currently in the law. House Bill 45 was also heard on February 8 in the House Criminal Justice Subcommitteeand PASSED by a vote of 10 to 4. Like SB 402, HB 45 would provide penalties for government officials, local governments and agencies that willfully and knowingly violate the state firearms preemption law. To see how the members of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee voted and for further background information on SB 402 and HB 45, please click here. Thank you for all the e-mails to your state Senators and state Representatives.
Public Comment Sought on New Refuge Proposed in Central Florida
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing the creation of a new national wildlife refuge that would encompass more than 150,000 acres in portions of Polk, Osceola, Indian River, Okeechobee, and Highlands counties in Central Florida. The proposed Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area is billed as a partnership between federal, tribal, state, and local governments, along with ranchers and other landowners and private organizations. The Service has stated that it will work with willing landowners to acquire the land in a variety of ways, including direct purchase, conservation easements, leases, and cooperative agreements.
It is unknown at this time how this proposal will affect hunting and other public recreation on lands to be acquired. Four public meetings were held to provide the public an opportunity to hear a presentation about the proposal, to ask questions and to submit comments, ideas, and concerns.
The Service will use public comments in the development of the refuge plan. Information about the proposal can be found at http://www.fws.gov/southeast/greatereverglades/. Comments can be e-mailed to [email protected]. The comment period closes February 28.
INDIANA:Major Firearm Legislation on the Move in Indiana's General Assembly!
After the winter storm cancelled most meetings and brought the General Assembly to a standstill, the state Senate returned to pass NRA Board Member and Senator Johnny Nugent's (R-43) Parking Lot bill (SB 411) on second reading. Then on Tuesday, February 8, both Senate Bill 94 and Senate Bill 411 passed third reading and have now sent to the Indiana House of Representatives for their consideration. Senate Bill 94 would allow citizens of Indiana to purchase a long gun in any state, and allow a citizen of any other state to purchase a long gun in Indiana, so long as both states allow said purchase. Senator Nugent's SB 411 would clarify and strengthen last year's Parking Lot firearm protection bill by putting an end to abusive corporate firearm policies that currently place onerous restrictions on Hoosier employees who lawfully store firearms in their personal vehicles. NRA will keep you up-to-date on these bills as they continue moving through the Indiana General Assembly.
MICHIGAN:Resolution to Continue to Allow Hunting in Huron-Manistee National Forest Passes Committee
House Concurrent Resolution No. 2 was unanimously approved by the House Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Committee on Tuesday, February 8. This resolution expresses opposition to the imposition of a ban on firearm hunting in certain areas of the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Currently, the U.S. Forest Service allows firearm hunting in all of the Huron-Manistee National Forest. HCR 2 would prevent the Forest Service from banning usage, which could set a precedent for limiting people's right to hunt and enjoy access to other public land. For more information on this issue, please click here. Please contact your state Representative and respectfully urge him or her to support House Concurrent Resolution No. 2. Contact information can be found here. If you need help identifying your elected officials, click here.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Legislation to Strengthen Current Preemption Law Introduced! New Hampshire currently has a firearms preemption law, but that has not stopped some local governments from passing gun control ordinances in the name of stopping criminal activity. Recently introduced, House Bill 334 would give the New Hampshire legislature exclusive authority and jurisdiction by statute over the sale, purchase, ownership, use, possession, transportation, licensing or permitting, taxation, or other matters pertaining to firearms, firearms components, ammunition, or firearms supplies in the state. This important legislation also specifically states that no public or private entity shall prohibit the possession of firearms on any property owned, in whole or in part, by the state, or an agency, political subdivision, committee, or other governmental unit thereof, unless expressly authorized in statute. While a hearing has not been set for HB 334, your NRA will continue to keep you posted on the status of HB 334. In the meantime, please contact your state Representative(s) and urge him or her to support HB 334. For contact information or help identifying your state Representative, please click here.
NEVADA:Contact Your Sheriff Today on Behalf of the Nevada Campus Protection Act
On Thursday, February 17, the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association will meet to form an opinion on Bill Draft Request 742. This important legislation would enable Nevada Concealed Firearms Permit holders to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense on college campuses. State law allows each individual college or university president to determine their respective carry policies, but not one currently allows permit holders to exercise this constitutional right. Permit holders are statistically among the most law-abiding citizens in the country, but we will still need your Sheriff's support for BDR 742 to remedy this injustice and restore the right to self-defense on college campuses. Please contact your Sheriff today and urge him to support BDR 742 at the upcoming February 17th meeting and testify in support when it comes up for a hearing in the Nevada Legislature. Contact information can be found here.
PENNSYLVANIA:PennsylvaniaFederation of Sportsmen's Clubs' Spring Convention to be Held March 11-13! You are cordially invited to attend the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs' (PFSC) Spring Convention hosted by the Central Division of the PFSC at the Best Western Country Cupboard Inn in Lewisburg, March 11 – 13. The PFSC was formed in 1932 to ensure proper protections of Pennsylvania's wildlife resources, habitat, outdoor heritage and Second Amendment rights. Registration is due March 1. To see an agenda of the PFSC's Spring Convention and registration form, please click here.
Philadelphia Passes Measure to Close Fictional "Florida Gun Loophole"
Philadelphia's City Council passed Legislative File 100722, a measure to close the so-called "Florida Gun Loophole," by a unanimous 17 to 0 vote. LF 100722 states that Philadelphia will not recognize out-of-state concealed carry licenses held by Pennsylvania residents. This proposal not only violates Pennsylvania's state firearms preemption law. The only targets of the measure are those who have taken the proper steps to legally obtain a concealed carry permit, while doing nothing to prohibit criminals who carry illegal guns every day. Any state permit that Pennsylvania agreed to recognize had to meet or surpass the current standards set forth by Pennsylvania's permit system. To say that anyone holding any of these recognized permits must be a criminal couldn't be farther from the truth. LF 100722 is expected to be recalled and reconsidered at the next city council meeting on February 17. We must take advantage of this opportunity to stop LF 100722 by flooding calls into the Philadelphia City Council and your state legislators urging them to OPPOSE LF 100722. Their contact information can be found here.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Right-to-Carry Reform Legislation to be Heard Soon!
House Bill 3292, the Right-to-Carry reform bill introduced by state Representative Mike Pitts (R-14), will likely be heard in the House Judiciary Committee's General Laws Subcommittee on Thursday, February 17. This legislation seeks to make a number of positive reforms to the current permit system, including expanding where a permit holder may lawfully carry, as well as improving the current laws regarding recognizing permits issued by other states. We will continue to alert you to developments regarding this bill, but in the meantime, please encourage your Representative to sign on as a cosponsor. If he or she has already signed on, please be sure to express your thanks. Contact information can be found here.
SOUTH DAKOTA:Legislation to Remove an Outdated Gun Control Provision
Heads to Committee
House Bill 1079 is expected to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, February 16, at 10 a.m. The intent of this provision is to clean up South Dakota's firearm code and to remove provisions that became obsolete with the passage of the federal Firearms Owners' Protection Act (FOPA) in 1986. Originally, the federal Gun Control Act banned interstate sales of firearms, but contained an exception for long gun transactions occurring between federally licensed dealers (FFLs) and residents of contiguous states. Such sales could occur only if "the purchaser's State of residence permit[ted] such sale or delivery by law." FOPA, however, removed both the contiguous states limitation and the requirement that the purchaser's state of residence specifically authorize the purchase. South Dakota has enacted no barriers to interstate sales, so HB 1079 would not change the current law under which South Dakota FFLs can sell long guns to residents of other states that don't limit their residents' right to purchase. South Dakota residents can also buy long guns from FFLs in other states that do not discriminate against non-residents. Please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and respectfully urge them to support HB 1079. Contact information for the committee members can be found here.
VIRGINIA: Five Pro-Gun Bills Pass in the House of Delegates!
On Tuesday, February 8, the Virginia House of Delegates 
unanimously passed five pro-gun bills which have now been sent to the Senate and assigned to the Senate Courts of Justice Committee. The first, House Bill 1411, would change the penalty for a first offense in which an individual is convicted of recklessly handling a firearm while engaged in hunting. Current law states that a first offense could result in loss of your hunting or trapping license for life. This bill would establish the loss not to exceed five years, with any subsequent offense revoking the license for one year to life. The House also passed House Bill 1552, which would provide clarification for the Clerk of Court, staff and concealed carry applicants in regards to the proper issuance of the copy of the temporary certified application. It would instruct the court to mail the temporary permit application to the applicant within five business days of the 45-day period. The third, House Bill 1856, would allow for a concealed handgun permit holder to obtain a replacement permit in the event that the original permit is lost or destroyed. The fourth, House Bill 1857, would clarify existing law and include permanent orders to the Pentagon as criteria for required documentation of residence for military personnel who are attempting to purchase a firearm in the Commonwealth. And finally, House Bill 1573 would seek to codify a version of "Castle Doctrine," which would allow lawful occupants of a dwelling to use any degree of physical force, including deadly force, against an intruder who has committed an overt act against him, without the fear of civil liability. The NRA will continue to keep you informed on these bills and any potential hearing date in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee.
WASHINGTON: Legislation to Legalize Suppressors Passes State House
On Monday, February 7, House Bill 1016 passed the House of Representatives by an 88 to 4 vote. This legislation has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Washington law does not regulate the possession of firearm suppressors. However, it is currently a gross misdemeanor crime for any person to use a suppressor. HB 1016 would legalize the use of suppressors, as long as the suppressor is legally registered and possessed in accordance with federal law.
WEST VIRGINIA:Two NRA-Backed Bills Introduced in West Virginia State House
On Wednesday, February 9, two pro-gun bills were introduced in the House of Delegates. House Bill 3084 would clarify the training requirements for concealed carry applicants, such as the misunderstanding about the existence of a "live fire" requirement. The second, House Bill 3085, would prohibit physicians from making unrelated inquiries into a patient's status of firearm ownership. At this time there is no scheduled action for these bills. For more information on these bills, please click here. Please contact your Delegate and respectfully urge him or her to support the passage of House Bill 3084 and House Bill 3085. To locate your legislator and find their contact information, please click here.
WYOMING: Workplace Protection Bill Passes State House, Moves to Senate
On Wednesday, February 9, the Wyoming House of Representatives passed House Bill 207 by a 36 to 23 vote, with one excused. This workplace protection legislation would prohibit employers from firing employees who safely and lawfully store a firearm in their privately owned, locked vehicle while on an employer's publicly accessible parking lot. Wyoming citizens who choose to carry a firearm for self-defense during their commute to and from work would no longer be forced to leave their firearms at home for fear of losing their jobs. HB 207 successfully passed the House after removal of hostile amendments which would have altered it from original form. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Please contact your state Senator and respectfully urge him or her to support HB 207 in its current form. To find your state Senator and their contact information please click here.
