GUN BAN GROUPS HOLD "FAST AND FURIOUS" FORUM
Working with the nation's top anti-gun activists to divert attention from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' "Fast and Furious" scandal, U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), ranking member on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, held a "forum" on Thursday, June 30 to address what he sees as too narrow a focus in the ongoing investigation of the controversial program by the committee's chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.).
Not surprisingly, Cummings and his allies contend that Mexico's violent crime problem is due to the supposed lack of gun control laws in the U.S. NRA and others haverefutedthis ridiculous claim on numerous occasions.
This forum comes just weeks after Chairman Issa held a series of hearings on the reckless operation that pushed Arizona gun stores to sell thousands of guns to suspicious buyers, despite objections from dealers and BATFE field agents alike.
BLOOMBERG FLAT-OUT LIES IN NEW AD CAMPAIGN: This week, the most visible gun control advocate in this country, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, appeared on MSNBC and CNN, promoting his new TV ad urging that Congress impose so-called "terrorist watchlist" gun control legislation. The ad features an edited portion of the well-known video of a scraggly-looking al Qaeda misfit claiming -- falsely -- that jihadists can buy machine guns at gun shows in the United States, without a background check.
PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR SIGNS NRA-BACKED CASTLE DOCTRINE INTO LAW: This week, Governor Tom Corbett (R) signed Pennsylvania Castle Doctrine legislation into law. This common-sense measure permits law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against attackers in their homes and any place where they have a legal right to be. It also protects individuals from civil lawsuits by attackers or attackers' families when force is used.
CHICAGO'S TOP COP: THE RACIST ROOTS OF GUN RIGHTS? Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, newly appointed by anti-gun Mayor Rahm Emanuel, has wasted no time in sharing his views on Chicagoans' individual right to keep and bear arms. Less than a month after his approval by the City Council, McCarthy attended a service at St. Sabina's Church (a parish led by anti-gun extremist Father Michael Pfleger) and made a speech claiming that a lack of restrictive gun control laws is "government sponsored racism."
WARNING -- ANTI-GUN SURVEY OF FIREARMS DEALERS UNDERWAY! If you are a federally licensed dealer in firearms, you may recently have received a survey questionnaire from gun control supporter Dr. Garen Wintemute, of the University of California, Davis.
URGE YOUR U.S. SENATOR TO SIGN SEN. MORAN'S LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OPPOSING THE U.N. ARMS TRADE TREATY: NRA will be in full 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.
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.
On May 1, 2011, our brave Navy SEALS provided America with an historic event that will forever be seared in our memories: the killing of Osama bin Laden -- the mastermind behind the September 11 terrorist attacks on our nation.
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.)
For additional information, please click on the links provided.
DELAWARE:Gun "Buy Back" Legislation Sent to the Governor!
Yesterday, Senate Bill 25 passed in the state House by a 21 to 19 vote, with one person not voting. This legislation had been recently pulled from committee - after previously being tabled - and brought to the House floor for consideration in a final effort before session ended for the year. SB 25 will now be sent to Governor Jack Markell for his consideration. Please contact Governor Markell and urge him to veto this irresponsible and wasteful legislation.
New Management Plan Will Address Hunting in Bombay Hook NWR
The US Fish and Wildlife Service will be writing a new plan to guide management of Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. The 16,000-acre refuge is located in Kent County, DE and provides opportunities for hunting deer, turkey, small game, and waterfowl. In its announcement about the plan, the Service stated that it recognizes the importance of Bombay Hook to the hunter because hunting opportunities are decreasing due to increasing private land development. The Service is inviting the public to suggest how it can improve the current hunting program. Those suggestions will be taken into account when the Service drafts a management plan, which will be open for public comment at a later date. The website for Bombay Hook is http://www.fws.gov/northeast/bombayhook. Comments and suggestions are being received in this first phase of the planning process until September 1 and can be emailed to [email protected]. Please include "Bombay Hook NWR" in the subject line. For further information, you may call 302-653-9345.
It is vitally important that hunters send comments to the Service in support of continuing the hunting programs, and particularly for those who hunt on the refuge to let the Service know how these programs can be improved.
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.
INDIANA:Five Critical Pro-Gun Reforms Take Effect July 1!
2011 was the most successful pro-gun legislative session in the Hoosier State's recent history, as the Indiana General Assembly passed and Governor Mitch Daniels signed into law five NRA-supported bills that will expand and protect the rights of lawful gun owners. As of July 1, Hoosiers are protected from employer anti-gun workplace discrimination; have the ability to purchase a long gun in any state that allows such sales; transport a firearm to a shooting range without a state-issued permit; know that wherever one might travel throughout Indiana, the same firearm laws and freedoms apply evenly across local boundaries; and are able to carry a loaded firearm on their person on off-road vehicles on private property.
IOWA: Make Plans To Attend The Second Annual "Second Amendment Rally" hosted by Iowa Firearms Coalition and NRA
This event will take place on July 23, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., at Big Springs Range Complex, 4945 Hwy 146, in Searsboro. The event will feature an NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop, shooting, training, pro-Second Amendment lawmakers and speakers, and more! The event is free to attend and range fees will be waived with IFC or NRA membership. For more information or to RSVP, please visit www.iowafc.org/2arally.
MISSOURI: Governor Jay Nixon Still Needs to Take Action on Omnibus Pro-Gun Bill!
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 Nixon and ask him to sign HB 294 into law!
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Self-Defense Bill Heads to Governor
On June 22, the Conference Committee report for Senate Bill 88 was adopted in the state House and Senate. SB 88, which will strengthen an individual's right to self-defense, is now headed to Governor John Lynch (D) for consideration. Please contact Governor Lynch and urge him to sign SB 88 into law.
NORTH CAROLINA: Governor Perdue Signs NRA-Backed Omnibus Gun Bill into Law
On June 23, Governor Bev Perdue (D) signed into law House Bill 650. 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 other states, and makes other improvements. Please contact Governor Bev Perdue and thank her for signing into law House Bill 650 and her continued support of the Second Amendment in North Carolina.
OHIO:Concealed Carry Reform Bill Signed into Law
On June 30, Governor John Kasich signed both Senate Bill 17 and House Bill 54 into law. SB 17 is important concealed carry reform legislation and HB 54 will provide individuals a pathway to restore their firearm rights. Please thank state Senator Tim Schaffer and state Representatives Ron Maag and Jarrod Martin for sponsoring these pro-gun bills. Also, please thank the companion bill sponsors, state Representative Danny Bubp (R-88) and state Senator Jason Wilson (D-30).
PENNSYLVANIA: Sunday Hunting Legislation Assigned a Bill Number
House Bill 1760 would remove the prohibition on Sunday hunting, an old blue law left on the books in just a handful of states. Hunters pump millions of dollars into habitat restoration and conservation and they are primarily responsible for healthy ecosystems throughout Pennsylvania. If your state Representative is not already listed as a cosponsor of this legislation, please urge him or her to become a cosponsor.
Bill Attacking Sporting Tradition Remains Active
With the final days of the legislative session quickly winding down for the summer recess, Senate Bill 626 remains on the Senate Calendar for possible consideration by the Pennsylvania Senate. Animal "rights" activists are again actively lobbying for this legislation to be considered this week. This legislation is an unjustified attack by animal "rights" extremists who want to criminalize and ban organized bird shoots in Pennsylvania. Please continue to contact your state Senator TODAY and urge him or her to protect Pennsylvania's sporting traditions and OPPOSE SB 626.
WISCONSIN: State Legislature Passes Landmark Right-to-Carry Legislation
Both chambers of the Wisconsin state legislature have voted to approve one of the nation's strongest Right-to-Carry license bills, by solid bipartisan margins. Senate Bill 93 now goes to Governor Scott Walker (R) for his expected signature. When signed, it will leave Illinois as the only state that provides no way for citizens to carry concealed firearms for self-protection outside their homes or places of business. Please contact Governor Walker and urge him to sign this important legislation.
