Five Big Wins for Gun Owners in House Spending Votes
This week, the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved amendments blocking the use of federal funds to implement two controversial schemes by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and it rejected amendments proposing two of gun control groups’ other top priorities. In addition, the full House adopted a provision protecting gun possession on Army Corps of Engineers land.
First, on Wed. July 13, by a vote of 25 to 16, the committee approved Rep. Denny Rehberg’s (R-Mont.) amendment to the 2012 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies appropriations bill, prohibiting the BATFE from requiring firearm dealers in states bordering Mexico to file reports on certain rifle sales. The Justice Department had announced earlier in the week that the BATFE would soon begin requiring dealers to file the reports on individuals who buy two or more detachable-magazine semi-automatic rifles larger than .22 caliber within a period of five business days.
“For more than a decade, efforts to track rifle purchases and create a national gun registry have failed to gain support in Congress, so the ATF is working to implement these regulations using rules written by unelected bureaucrats,” Rep. Rehberg said. "I'm going to keep this government accountable to the people."
BATFE WILL TAKE STEP TOWARDS NATIONAL GUN SALES REGISTRATION; NRA WILL TAKE BATFE TO COURT: On Monday, July 11, the Obama administration announced that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will soon begin requiring firearm dealers in the southwestern border states to file “multiple sale” reports on detachable-magazine rifles larger than .22 caliber. Under the plan, each dealer will be required to report, to the BATFE, any sale of two or more such rifles to a single individual with a period of five business days.
NRA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT WAYNE LAPIERRE STANDS UP FOR AMERICAN GUN OWNERS AT THE UN: NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre drew a line in sand on behalf of American gun owners at the United Nations Thursday. LaPierre spoke to the UN’s Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Preparatory Committee, the group drafting an international treaty that will supposedly control all non-nuclear arms, worldwide, including civilian firearms. He told the audience of delegates from approximately 150 UN member states that the NRA would vehemently oppose any UN treaty that in any way restricts American gun owners’ rights. (To watch the speech, please click here.)
LaPierre made the position of NRA and American gun owners clear. “The NRA will fight with all of its strength to oppose any ATT that includes civilian firearms within its scope,” he stated emphatically.
NEW NRA LIFE OF DUTY PROGRAM HONORS AND ASSISTS THOSE WHO PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM’S WAY: NRA recently announced the launch of a bold program created exclusively for America’s military and law enforcement personnel. Called “NRA Life of Duty,” the initiative encompasses a new class of sponsored NRA membership, a state-of-the-art on-line network and a digital magazine—designed for those who make their living defending the American way of life.
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).
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.
Hunting Opportunities to be Expanded on National Wildlife Refuges in Eight States
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is proposing to open Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota to deer and turkey hunting for the first time, while expanding hunting activities at nine other refuges in eight states. These states include: Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Minnesota, Iowa, Utah and Texas. If approved, the proposal would provide additional public hunting opportunities in fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997.
Please let the Service hear your voice of support for this rulemaking. To comment on the proposed hunting rule changes online, or to read the full text of the rule go to www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FWS-R9-NSR-2011-0038-0001 Comments can be submitted by clicking on the orange box in the upper right-hand corner of the page. The comment period closes August 4, 2011.
The U.S. Forest Service has prepared an environmental assessment to address safety concerns that led to an emergency closure of approximately 132 acres of forest land located on the Boulder Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. The environmental assessment provides three alternatives for the project to consider. Alternative A would leave the land unchanged and Alternative C would close the land to all shooting. Under Alternative B, a shooting range would be constructed and then managed and supervised under a special use permit by an organization, concessionaire or club. It is imperative that you send comments to the Forest Service in support of Alternative B. The environmental assessment is open for public comment until July 29.
IOWA: Natural Resources Commission Bans Traditional Ammunition for Dove Season
On July 14, the Iowa Natural Resources Commission gave final approval to the establishment of a dove season to begin on September 1. However, the Commission added an amendment that will now ban the use of lead shot when dove hunting. Please contact Governor Terry Branstad (R) today and urge him to once again step in and stop this attack on traditional ammunition.
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 Signs Comprehensive Gun Bill into Law!
On July 8, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (D) signed into law a vitally important measure expanding a variety of firearm rights for Missouri gun owners! Among the provisions in this critical bill include lowering Missouri's Right-to-Carry age from the nation’s highest, 23 years of age, to 21. House Bill 294 also addresses a number of other Right-to-Carry issues important to Missouri’s law-abiding gun owners. Please contact state Representative Jeannie Riddle (R-20), state Senator Brian Munzlinger (R-18) and Governor Jay Nixon to express your appreciation.
NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop in Sedalia, Missouri on August 9th!
Join NRA-ILA staff on Tuesday, August 9th, for an evening of important grassroots education. With what has already been a very busy 2011, we must redouble our efforts to ensure we're prepared to meet the opportunities and challenges we will face in Missouri. Please make plans to attend NRA-ILA's FREE Grassroots Workshop to learn what you can do to become a better activist in the fight to protect and promote the Second Amendment!
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Governor Vetoes Self-Defense Bill
On July 13, Governor John Lynch (D) vetoed Senate Bill 88, an important self-defense reform bill that would have removed a person’s duty to retreat from an attacker/intruder. This bill passed overwhelmingly in both chambers of the General Court and Governor Lynch’s veto is a disappointment to gun owners and a disservice to all law-abiding citizens of the Granite State. A veto override of SB 88 is expected to take place when the General Court reconvenes in September.
WISCONSIN: Right-to-Carry a Reality in Wisconsin! Find Out More at Our Upcoming Briefing! Attend a FREE Workshop to learn about the Wisconsin Right-to Carry legislation recently signed into law by Governor Scott Walker. During this workshop you will also learn about how you can support the senators who voted for Right-to-Carry during the upcoming recall elections. Please make plans to attend one of our events and encourage your fellow NRA members and Second Amendment supporters to attend as well!
WYOMING: Delisting of Recovered Wolf Populations Moves Forward in U.S. House
The National Rifle Association and a coalition of sportsmen’s groups sent a letter to Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Interior and Environment, and committee member Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) concerning the delisting of recovered wolf populations from the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The letter supports efforts in advancing Section 119 of the 2012 Interior-Environment Appropriations bill, which was approved yesterday by the House Appropriations Committee.
The section would eliminate the possibility of judicial review of any Department of the Interior decision to delist recovered wolf populations in Wyoming or in the Western Great Lakes region from the ESA if the relevant state enters an agreement with the Secretary of the Interior that authorizes the state to manage wolves. This will help prevent anti-hunting extremists from continuing to abuse the judicial system in order to further their emotion-driven agenda.
“Delisting recovered wolf populations in Wyoming and the Great Lakes Region would restore scientific wildlife management and balance to these ecosystems,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA’s chief lobbyist. “Hunters are the true conservationists and wolves simply need to be managed through regulated hunting like so many other species. Americans understand that scientists, not judges, should make these critical wildlife management decisions and this is what Section 119 ensures.”
