Hearing On “Fast And Furious” Uncovers Serious Failure At BATFE
The congressional hearings held this week by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform revealed that the gun smuggling investigation known as “Fast and Furious” that was implemented out of the Phoenix Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) office was conducted in a reckless manner that led to the illegal sale of thousands of firearms. Many of those firearms ended up in the hands of Mexican drug cartels and other criminals, and may have contributed to the death of Border Patrol agent Brian Terry.
Some of the most important findings of the hearing and the investigative report compiled by the Committee staff include:
- BATFE knowingly allowed as many as 2,500 firearms to be sold illegally to known or suspected straw purchasers. One of those purchasers accounted for over 700 illegal guns.
- BATFE ordered its agents working the program not to arrest illegal gun buyers or to interdict thousands of guns that were allowed to “walk” into criminal hands.
- Senior BATFE officials in Washington were regularly briefed on the operation and approved of the tactics employed.
- BATFE agents who opposed the operation and who raised objections were told to “get with the program” and threatened with job retaliation if they continued their opposition.
A number of BATFE agents who were assigned to “Fast and Furious” testified about the operation.
NRA TO ATTEND ARMS TRADE TREATY MEETING: NRA will be in attendance at the UN’s Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) “Preparatory Committee” meeting in New York, July 11-15. The so-called “Prep. Com.” will be laying the ground work for a final negotiation session in 2012. NRA’s message will be simple and strong – an ATT which in any way, shape or form affects the constitutional rights of American gun owners is simply unacceptable. Civilian firearms must not be within the scope of an ATT. There will be no compromise on this crucial point.
ANTI-HUNTING CAMPBELL-DEFAZIO AMENDMENT VOTED DOWN IN CONGRESS: A proposal by Congressmen John Campbell (R-Calif.) and Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) to prohibit necessary and legal practices used to effectively manage wildlife and predator species was overwhelmingly defeated this week in the House of Representatives. The amendment to H.R. 2112--the Agriculture appropriations bill--was strongly opposed by NRA and other pro-hunting organizations. It was pushed by the Humane Society of the United States and other radical anti-hunting groups.
DRUNKEN RESEARCH? For most people, it’s just common sense that it is never a good idea to consume alcoholic beverages to the point that one’s judgment and physical capabilities are impaired, particularly if one is going to operate a vehicle or other machine, such as a firearm.
But for Garen Wintemute, the longtime gun control-advocacy junk researcher at the University of California at Davis, who promotes himself as “one of the world’s foremost experts on gun-related violence,” talking about alcohol and guns in the same breath is just another way to do what he most likes to do--expressing his feeling that guns and gun owners are inherently unsafe--and getting paid for doing it.
SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR 2010 NRA-ILA VOLUNTEER AWARDS: The NRA-ILA “Jay M. Littlefield Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award” is an annual honor that recognizes an NRA member who demonstrates exceptionally meritorious activism in defense of our Second Amendment rights. Similarly, the “NRA-ILA Volunteer Organization of the Year Award” is bestowed upon a group that has gone above and beyond in defending and promoting our rights over the past year. Nominations for these honors for last year (2010) should be submitted to: NRA-ILA Volunteer Awards, c/o Krista Cupp, NRA-ILA Grassroots Division, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030. Nominations may also be faxed to Krista at (703) 267-3918, or e-mailed to [email protected]. All nominations must be submitted by NRA members in good standing and be accompanied by a one-page description of why the nominee is deserving. Winners will be selected by NRA-ILA staff and will be acknowledged at this Fall’s NRA Board of Directors Meeting. The deadline for submissions is July 1, 2011.
URGE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO COSPONSOR H.R. 822, THE NATIONAL RIGHT-TO-CARRY RECIPROCITY ACT: Congressmen Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) have introduced vital legislation that will enable millions of permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling outside their home states.
NRA JOINS AMERICA IN THANKING OUR NAVY SEALS!!! There are certain points in American history when time stops and everyone remembers where they were. Some of these are due to tragic event; others to extraordinary achievements.
ANOTHER WAY TO GET INVOLVED--JOIN NRA ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER: 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: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZrsd4KIgfo
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.)
For additional information, please click on the links provided.
ALABAMA:Fraudulent Firearms Purchase Prevention Signed by Governor
The Alabama Legislature’s 2011 session adjourned sine die at midnight on June 9, but not before Governor Robert Bentley signed into law House Bill 450. HB 450 protects lawful firearm retailers from illegal gun sting operations such as those by anti-gun New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Also, Senate Bill 369, Forever Wild Reauthorization constitutional amendment, will be placed on the 2012 general election ballot.
ILLINOIS: Senate Passes Firearm Owners Identification Card FOIA Exemption Bill!
On May 20, the state Senate passed House Bill 3500, which would ensure that the personal information of those who have applied for or received a Firearm Owners Identification Card shall not be disclosed. Governor Pat Quinn’s (D) approval is still needed on this legislation so please continue to contact the Governor and urge him to sign HB 3500 into law.
LOUISIANA:One Pro-Gun Bill Sent to the Governor and Another Awaiting a Final Vote
On June 15, the state House unanimously passed Senate Bill 39 and sent it to Governor Bobby Jindal (R) for his signature. SB 39 would clarify that Louisianans may purchase long guns in any state, and allow citizens of other states to purchase long guns in Louisiana, so long as both states allow such purchases. Please contact Governor Jindal and urge him to sign SB 39 into law. Also, House Bill 489, removal of six-month residence status requirement for concealed handgun permit applicants, passed in committee and will soon be considered on the Senate floor. Please contact your state Senator and urge him or her to support HB 489.
Hunting Included in Plan for Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released a plan that will direct the management of the Atchafalaya Refuge for the next fifteen years. The 44,000-acre Refuge is one of eight refuges managed as part of the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Three options for managing the refuge are addressed in the plan. Alternative A is the current management plan and serves as the basis for comparing Alternatives B and C. In all three options, hunting opportunities will continue and be managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as part of the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area.
The public comment period for the plan is open until June 23, and comments may be emailed to [email protected]. The plan is posted online at: http://southeast.fws.gov/planning under “Draft Documents.” For further information, you may call Ms. Chouinard at 731-432-0981.
Draft Plan for Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge Supports Hunting
The US Fish and Wildlife Service released a draft plan to manage the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. The refuge was established in 1980 and is one of 8 refuges managed as part of the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge System complex. The headquarters for managing the 36,000-acre refuge is near Slidell, Louisiana.
The refuge offers white-tailed deer, squirrel, turkey waterfowl, and hog hunting, as well as fishing. The draft plan presents two management options that differ from the current approach (described as Alternative A). Resource management is the focus of Alternative B and public use activities is the focus of Alternative C. All alternatives would continue hunting programs, but Alternative C would but greater staff time and efforts toward public uses like hunting and fishing.
The draft plan can be found at http://southeast.fws.gov/planning under “Draft Documents.” This site gives you the opportunity to comment by e-mail. The Service is inviting comments on the plan until June 27th. If you have any questions, you may contact the Service at 731-432-0981.
If the Bogue Chitto is a place where you go to hunt and/or fish, please take the time to send the Service an e-mail in support of continuing, and even expanding, hunting and fishing on the refuge.
MAINE:Self-Defense Legislation Goes to Governor
On June 8, the state Senate passed Legislative Document 35, NRA-backed self-defense legislation, sending it to Governor Paul LePage (R) for approval. LD 35 would prohibit an employer from banning an employee with a valid concealed firearms permit from keeping a firearm in the employee's vehicle as long as the vehicle is locked and the firearm is not visible. Please contact Governor LePage and urge him to sign LD 35 into law.
MISSOURI: Firearm Reform Bill Still Waiting for Governor Jay Nixon to take Action
On May 13, House Bill 294 was passed in the Missouri General Assembly and sent to Governor Jay Nixon (D) for his signature. House Bill 294 is a comprehensive firearm reform bill that would address a number of Right-to-Carry issues important to Missouri’s law-abiding gun owners. Please contact Governor Jay Nixon and ask him to sign HB 294 into law!
NEVADA: Two States Added to List of Recognized Right-to-Carry Permits
On July 1, 2011, Arizona and Kentucky will be added to the list of states from which Nevada will recognize concealed carry weapons permits, bringing the new total to fifteen states. This move hopefully signals that the Nevada Sheriffs' and Chiefs' Association is comfortable with allowing more law-abiding non-residents to carry in Nevada.
NORTH CAROLINA:Omnibus Gun Bill Passes Before General Assembly Adjourns
With the North Carolina General Assembly set to adjourn any day, the state Senate acted quickly and passed House Bill 650 on June 15. HB 650 contains “Castle Doctrine” language, Fraudulent Firearms Purchase language, allows Right-to-Carry permit holders to store firearms in their vehicles when parked on the grounds of certain state properties and courthouses, allows for the purchase of rifles and shotguns by North Carolina residents in all of the 49 other states, and makes other improvements. Please contact Governor Bev Perdue (D) and urge her to sign HB 650.
OREGON: Senate Democrats are Trying to Avoid Voting on Concealed Firearm Legislation
House Bill 2797 B-Engrossed was intended to clarify the definition of “readily accessible” for the purpose of prohibition on possessing a readily accessible, concealed handgun within a vehicle, such as a snowmobile, motorcycle, or all-terrain vehicle, passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee bearing no resemblance to the original bill. In response, a minority report has been prepared that includes language very supportive of our Second Amendment rights. Please continue to contact your state Senator and ask him or her to support the pro-gun Senate minority report amendments to HB 2797.
Immediate Action Needed on Concealed Handgun Confidentiality Legislation in Oregon After passing in the state House, Senate Bill 347 now goes back to the state Senate for concurrence. SB 347 includes a provision that would prohibit a public body from releasing information that identifies either an applicant for, or a holder of, a concealed handgun license. Please contact your state Senator TODAY and respectfully urge that he or she demand Senate concurrence with the House amendments to SB 347.
OHIO:Concealed Carry Reform Bill Goes to Governor
Senate Bill 17, which would eliminate the current confusing standards of carrying a firearm in motor vehicles and allow permit holders to carry a firearm for self-defense in restaurants, has been sent to Governor John Kasich (R) for his approval.
TEXAS: NRA-Backed Employee Protection/Parking Lot Legislation Goes to Governor Perry for His Signature as Session Closes!
Over Memorial Day weekend, the Texas House and Senate approved the conference committee report on Senate Bill 321. SB 321 now goes to Governor Rick Perry (R) for his signature! This NRA-backed employee protection/parking lot legislation would prevent employers from enacting and enforcing policies prohibiting employees from storing firearms in their locked private motor vehicles while parked at work. Please contact Governor Perry’s office to thank him for his past support and urge him to sign SB 321 into law.
WISCONSIN: State Senate Votes to Finally Return Right of Self-Defense to Citizens!
On June 14, the state Senate approved one of the nation’s strongest Right-to-Carry laws, Senate Bill 93. Only a floor vote in the state Assembly, which has been scheduled for June 21, stands in the way of finally reversing more than a century of injustice that has deprived Wisconsin’s citizens of the basic right to defend themselves and their families from criminals. It is now time for you to make one last communication on this issue to your state Representative. Ask that he or she vote to pass SB 93, the “Personal Protection Act,” in its current form.
