Heads Roll In Wake of BATFE "Fast and Furious" Scandal
In the latest development in the on-going Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) "Fast and Furious" scandal, the Department of Justice announced this week the appointment of U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota B. Todd Jones to serve as Acting Director of BATFE, replacing Kenneth Melson. The DOJ also announced that Dennis Burke, U.S. attorney for the district of Arizona, has resigned. And the Wall Street Journal reported that Emory Hurley, the assistant U.S. attorney responsible for the day-to-day operations of "Fast and Furious," has been removed from his post and reassigned to the department's Civil Division.
As we have frequently noted in this Alert, the reckless and utterly failed BATFE operation known as "Operation Fast And Furious" was run out of the BATFE's field office in Phoenix. The bungled operation put thousands of guns into the hands of violent criminals in Mexico.
The more information comes out about "Fast and Furious," the more clear it seems that knowledge of the operation, and approval for it, went higher than the Phoenix field office, or even BATFE. There is clear evidence, uncovered by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee headed by Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), that senior Obama Administration officials were aware of this disastrous operation. And as the evidence continues to mount, it's looking more and more likely that what we're seeing unfold is a large-scale cover-up.
Your Right To Self-Defense Shouldn't End At State Borders: Last week, we reported on H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act Of 2011, and its importance to gun owners.
We noted that there is now only one state (Illinois) that has no clear legal way for individuals to carry concealed firearms for self-defense, and that 40 states now have permit systems that make it possible for any law-abiding person to obtain a permit, while most of the others have discretionary permit systems. (Vermont has never required a permit.) H.R. 822 would make a major step forward for gun owners' rights by significantly expanding where those permits are recognized.
This week, NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox wrote an interesting and informative op-ed for the Daily Caller on why your right to self-defense shouldn't end at state borders and why gun owners and their congressmen should support H.R. 822.
To read the op-ed, please click here.
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).
NRA has been a part of this social technology for some time now, with a presence on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites. By actively participating in these new media, we are able to reach out to more potential members and supporters than ever before.
The current king of on-line social networking is Facebook. NRA's Facebook page continues to be extremely popular. In fact, thanks to you, our page has grown from about 300,000 fans on July 28, 2010 to over 1,181,000 fans as of this week!
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.
CALIFORNIA: State Legislature Sends Anti-Gun Bill to the Governor
On August 29, Senate Bill 819 passed in the California Assembly and will now be sent to the Governor for his consideration. SB 819 would allow the Department of Justice to use the Dealer Record of Sales funds to help pay for programs unrelated to gun purchase clearances. Please contact Governor Jerry Brown (D) and urge him to VETO SB 819.
Pro-Gun Bill Sent to the Governor
The California Senate concurred on NRA-backed pro-gun Senate Bill 610 and it will now go to the Governor. SB 610 would standardize the application process for a permit to carry a concealed handgun and would delete the requirement that a CCW applicant obtain liability insurance as a condition of obtaining a CCW permit.
IDAHO: Attend Free NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop at Cabela's in Boise, Idaho on September 21! Please join NRA-ILA staff on Wednesday, September 21st, for an evening of important grassroots education to learn what you can do to protect our Second Amendment rights in Idaho!
In order to ensure that gun owners are fully engaged to protect our Second Amendment rights, NRA-ILA Staff will discuss how you can take on an even more active role in your community to advance and protect our freedoms. NRA-ILA will provide you with the materials and strategies needed to educate, empower, and engage your fellow gun owners. That's why we hope you will attend NRA-ILA's FREE Grassroots Workshop to learn what more you can do to become a better activist in the fight to protect and promote the Second Amendment! Please encourage your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to attend as well.
NRA-ILA GRASSROOTS WORKSHOP (September 21st, 2011)
Cabela's
8109 W Franklin Road
Boise, ID 83709
(208) 672-7900
6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Snacks and Registration
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop
To register, please click here, or call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at 800-392-VOTE (8683).
MICHIGAN: Attorney General Issues Opinion on Suppressors
On September 2, Attorney General Bill Schuette (R) issued a formal Attorney General Opinion that will allow Michigan residents to possess suppressors in compliance with federal law. Shooters in Michigan, like those in 38 other states, will now have the freedom to choose these useful safety devices.
NEVADA: BATFE Issues Open Letter to FFLs Announcing NICS Exemption
In a letter dated August 26, Arthur Herbert, Assistant Director of the Enforcement Programs and Services Division of the BATFE, announced that concealed carry weapons permit holders will be exempt from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System provided the permit was issued after July 1, 2011. Individuals who hold permits issued before July 1 must go through the renewal process before enjoying the exemption.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Veto Override Expected by State Senate Next Week
Senate Bill 88, Castle Doctrine legislation, was vetoed by Governor John Lynch (D) on July 13. The state Senate will reconvene on September 7 to consider a veto override on SB 88. Please contact your state Senator and urge him or her to override the Governor's veto on SB 88.
NEW YORK: Sportsmen's Association for Firearms Education Firearm Civil Rights Conference
Please join the Sportsmen's Association for Firearms Education (S.A.F.E.) for its 2011 Firearm Civil Rights Conference in Smithtown. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Second Amendment issues, both nationally and locally, as well as meet and network with fellow sportsmen concerned about their civil rights and how to protect them.
PENNSYLVANIA: Attend PA Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs' Fall Convention
You are invited to attend the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs' (PFSC) Fall Convention on September 16-18 at the Radisson Harrisburg Hotel in Camp Hill. The PFSC was formed in 1932 to ensure proper protections of Pennsylvania's wildlife resources, habitat, outdoor heritage and Second Amendment rights.
Hearing on Sunday Hunting Scheduled for September 15
On September 15, the House Game and Fisheries Committee will hold its second public hearing to consider ending the prohibition on Sunday hunting. This hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the East Allen Township Municipal Building in Northampton. Please contact members of the House Game and Fisheries Committee and urge them to support Sunday hunting.
TEXAS: Texas Employee/Parking Lot Protection Bill Took Effect on September 1
NRA-backed Senate Bill 321 took effect on September 1. This measure prohibits most employers from enacting and enforcing bans on employees transporting and storing firearms in their locked, private motor vehicles while parked at work. This important new law recognizes that hard-working Texans' right to self-defense does not end when they drive onto their employers property, and it honors the strong sporting culture of the Lone Star State where employees often hunt or visit the local gun club before or after work.
WASHINGTON: New Fees Imposed to Use Public Lands - Some Hunters May Be Double-Taxed!
Washington hunters may have to pay a new tax in the form of a "Discover Pass," which costs $30 for an annual pass and $10 for a day pass. The state Legislature imposed these new fees to use public lands beginning July 1, 2011. Hunters should contact their legislators and bring to their attention the inequity of this new tax and urge them to support legislation in 2012 to exempt all hunters from the provisions and/or divert more funding to lands used by hunters.
