Congress Could Consider National Carry Bill Soon!
As we have been reporting, H.R. 822, the “National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011”, is on the move in the U.S. House of Representatives. On September 13, House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security held a hearing on H.R. 822. The House could consider H.R. 822 in the next few weeks, so it is critically important that you contact your U.S. Representative immediately about this vital legislation.
Unfortunately, not only do we have to continuously battle the ignorance and misrepresentation by our anti-gun opponents, but also by some so-called “pro-gun” organizations.
This bill is GOOD for gun owners.
This bill ENHANCES Americans’ right to self-defense by enabling millions of permit holders to exercise their right to self-defense while traveling outside their home states.
There is currently only one remaining state (Illinois) that has no clear legal way for individuals to carry concealed firearms for self-defense. H.R. 822 would require states to recognize each others' lawfully issued carry permits, just as they recognize driver's licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards.
D.C. Court Upholds Controversial Gun Restrictions: This week, a dividedfederal appeals court upheld the District of Columbia's controversial ban on semi-automatic rifles and so-called “large capacity” magazines, but asked a lower court to reconsider certain aspects of its gun registration system.
Silence from the Naysayers: To those who’ve heard the repetitive song of the gun control crowd, the hysterical refrain is a familiar one: “more handguns and more freedom will lead to more crime and more violence.”
Polar Bear Trophy Bill Passes Committee: On October 5th, 2011, the House Natural Resources Committee passed Rep. Don Young’s (R- Alaska) bill to allow the importation of legally hunted polar bear trophies (H.R. 991) by voice vote. H.R. 991 would allow Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to issue import permits for polar bear trophies legally taken in sport hunts in Canada, prior to listing of world-wide polar bear populations under the Endangered Species Act.
Last Chance to Register and Attend the 2011 Firearms Law & the Second Amendment Symposium: The 2011 “Firearms Law & the Second Amendment Symposium,” sponsored by The NRA Foundation, will be held next Saturday, October 15, 2011, at the University of San Diego Law School.
This year’s Symposium will feature some of the most noted Second Amendment attorneys and scholars in the country, including Stephen P. Halbrook, Ph.D.; David Kopel, Research Director, Independence Institute; Chuck Michel, Senior Counsel, Michel & Associates; and many others. Focusing on recent developments in our nation’s courts regarding the Second Amendment, speakers will discuss and debate current Second Amendment scholarship and related issues. Topics discussed will range from the history of the Second Amendment to current Second Amendment litigation in California and across the nation, to the nuts and bolts of legal practice in defending gun owners' civil rights.
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 1,201,000 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.
ARIZONA: NRA Victory in Battle with Environmental Groups Over Use of Lead Ammunition for Hunting in Arizona Strip
In a major legal victory, a federal judge ruled recently in favor of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and threw a lawsuit filed by the radical environmental group, Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) out of the U.S. District Court in Phoenix, Arizona. The case is Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Bureau of Land Management, et al. Among other things, the Court ruled that CBD had waived its claims concerning BLM’s failure to assess the alleged impact of lead ammunition on condors because “[i]t did not argue that BLM was required to include the potential effects of lead ammunition in [BLM’s] analysis of environmental impacts.”
BLM Proposes Closing One-Half Million Acres to Target Shooting
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a plan for the future management of nearly 1.4 million acres located southwest of Phoenix in parts of Maricopa, Pinal, Pima, Gila and Yuma counties. Of that total, over 486,000 acres are within the Sonoran Desert National Monument which the BLM proposes to close to target shooters. The public comment period for this plan is open through November 25. Please attend one of the scheduled meetings to show support for keeping public lands open for all of the public, including target shooters, and to learn more about how this plan will affect your future enjoyment of these lands.
COLORADO: Management Plan for Public Lands Will Affect Target Shooting
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a resource management plan (RMP) for 500,000 acres managed by the agency’s Colorado River Valley Field Office located in Silt and responsible for the counties of Eagle, Garfield, Pitkin, Roult, Mesa, and Rio Blanco. The comment period is open until December 16 and BLM will announce in advance public meetings regarding the RMP. If you enjoy target shooting on these lands, it is extremely important that you review the plan to determine how it will affect your future access for target shooting. Please attend at least one of the public meetings and take time to e-mail comments to the BLM.
Additional BLM Management Plan for Public Lands in Will Also Affect Target Shooting
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released another resource management plan (RMP) and this one on approximately 378,000 acres managed by the agency’s Field Office in Kremmling. The public lands are within Grand, Jackson, Summit and parts of Larimer and Eagle Counties. The RMP can be viewed by clicking here. The public comment period is open until December 16 and BLM will announce in advance public hearings on the RMP. Please attend at least one of the public meetings and take the time to e-mail your comments to the BLM.
KENTUCKY: Subcommittee Meets Next Tuesday to Discuss Sandhill Crane Hunting
On Tuesday, October 11, a subcommittee of eight members will meet to discuss the proposed plans for Kentucky’s new sandhill crane hunting season. Already approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this subcommittee is the final step before the proposed plan can go into effect. If all goes as planned, the sandhill crane hunting season could begin as early as December 17. Please contact members of the Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee and urge them to support the proposed plan for the sandhill crane hunting season.
LOUISIANA: Early Voting Begins Saturday, October 8!
This Saturday, October 8, Louisiana will begin the early voting process for the October 22 Primary Election. The early voting process will run through October 15. National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund candidate ratings and endorsements are now available. To see where your candidates stand on our Second Amendment rights and make the best possible decision, please go to www.NRAPVF.org.
NEVADA: Public Meeting to be Held Regarding Guns in State Parks
The Nevada Division of State Parks will hold a public hearing on the Nevada Administrative Code change of regulation to allow for the carrying of firearms in state parks, due to the 2011 statutory changes mandated in Assembly Bill 282. This public hearing will be held on October 12 in Carson City. If you cannot attend the hearing, please submit written comments to the Nevada State Parks Division by October 12.
NEW JERSEY: New Jersey State Association Banquet
Gun rights attorney and author Evan Nappen will be the keynote speaker at the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs (ANJRPC) combined Annual Meeting Banquet and Friends of NRA Dinner & Auction on October 15. The event will be held at the Gran Centurions in Clark. ANJRPC is the official NRA State Affiliate in New Jersey.
WISCONSIN:NRA Letter to Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen Regarding the Implementation of the Wisconsin Concealed Carry Law
On Wednesday, October 5, NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox sent a letter to Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen expressing concerns about the implementation of the Wisconsin Personal Protection Act. Click here to read the letter.
