HOUSE CRIME SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS
HEARING ON NATIONAL RIGHT-TO-CARRY BILL
On Tuesday, Sept. 13, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security held a hearing on H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011.
The bill, introduced earlier this year by Congressmen Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) and cosponsored by more than 240 of their colleagues, would enable millions of permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling outside their home states.
Subcommittee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) opened the hearing by saying the legislation is needed because state laws on right to carry reciprocity are "confusing, vary widely and can subject otherwise law-abiding citizens to frivolous prosecution." He also argued that permit holders' fundamental Second Amendment rights were at stake, noting that "this legislation recognizes that the right to bear arms does not stop at the state line."
OBAMA MISINFORMATION MACHINE GEARS UP: In a clear sign the 2012 presidential election campaign is in full swing, the Obama campaign launched a new website this week: AttackWatch.com.
The purpose of the site is to give Obama supporters a way to report "attacks" on the president, implying that any criticism is based on lies or misinformation.
2011 FIREARMS LAW & THE SECOND AMENDMENT SYMPOSIUM: The 2011 "Firearms Law & the Second Amendment Symposium," sponsored by The NRA Foundation, will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2011, at the University of San Diego Law School.
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 1,191,000 fans as of this week!
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: Your Gun Rights Under Attack
The California Legislature adjourned on September 9, but not before sending four anti-gun bills to Governor Jerry Brown (D) for consideration. Assembly Bill 144 would ban the open carrying of an unloaded handgun, Assembly Bill 809 would require the registration of newly purchased long guns, Senate Bill 427 would allow law enforcement to collect sales records from ammunition retailers among other things, and Senate Bill 819 would allow the DOJ to use the Dealer Record of Sales funds to help pay for enforcement of California firearm possession laws. On a positive note, Senate Bill 610, which would standardize the application process for a permit to carry a concealed handgun, also made it to the Governor's desk. Please contact Governor Brown today and urge him to VETO AB 114, AB 809, SB 427 and SB 819, as well as SIGN into law SB 610.
NRA/CRPAF Reveal Obstruction of Lead Ammunition Research Probe but Efforts to Obtain Information Continue
NRA and California Rifle and Pistol Association Foundation (CRPAF) representatives made presentations to the California Fish and Game Commission at its June 30 meeting. These presentations revealed the numerous obstacles frustrating the NRA/CRPAF's pursuit of underlying data behind taxpayer-funded "research" that is being used to advocate proposed lead ammunition bans in California and in other states. The NRA and CRPAF are asking the Commission to assist in getting the information needed to evaluate the legitimacy of the "research" behind the proposed lead ammunition bans.
IDAHO: Attend Free NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop at Cabela's in Boise, Idaho on September 21! Please join NRA-ILA staff this 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).
KENTUCKY: Sandhill Crane Hunting Season Approved by Feds
With approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, plans for Kentucky's new sandhill crane hunting season now move toward the final hurdle, the General Assembly review process. A subcommittee of eight members has been formed and will meet on October 11 to discuss the proposed plans for this hunting season. Please contact members of the Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee and urge them to support the proposed plan for the sandhill crane hunting season.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: State House Overrides Veto on Self-Defense Bill
On September 13, the state House voted to override the Governor's veto of Senate Bill 88, "Castle Doctrine" legislation. SB 88 is now law and will go into effect in sixty days. Please check the roll call votes to see how your legislators voted and thank them if they supported SB 88.
PENNSYLVANIA: HSUS to State Anti-Hunting Call-in-Day
When the state Senate reconvenes on Monday, September 19, the anti-hunting extremists of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) will stage an "End Live Pigeon Shoots Call-in-Day" to members of the state Senate. The HSUS "Call-in-Day" is in support of immediate action on Senate Bill 626, legislation prohibiting organized bird shoots. It's crucial that your state Senator hears your voice over the emotional pleas of the anti-hunting zealots. Please contact your state Senator and urge him or her to protect Pennsylvania's sporting traditions by opposing SB 626.
WASHINGTON: Time is Running Out; Hunters Must Speak Now
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has imposed a ban on the use of traditional (lead) ammunition for all upland bird hunting on all WDFW pheasant release sites across the state. It is critical that hunters and sportsmen participate in the 2012-2014 season-setting process to prevent this ban from being implemented again. The WDFW is in the initial public comment phase of the process, which will end this Tuesday, September 20. Please submit your comments via e-mail or regular mail. Please also visit the WDFW website and take the "2012-2014 Hunting Season Development Survey."
