U.S. House of Representatives Adopts Right-to-Carry Reciprocity—
All Anti-Gun Amendments Defeated!
On Wednesday, Nov. 16, the ongoing effort to fully vindicate the fundamental, individual right to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense took a major step forward with House passage of H.R. 822, the “National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011.” The bill, sponsored by Reps. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), which has 245 cosponsors, was approved by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 272-154.
Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing on Schumer Registration and Rights Denial Bill: On Tuesday November 16, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism held a hearing on Sen. Charles Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) S. 436. Dubbed by anti-gunners the “Fix Gun Checks Act,” rather than “fix” the current National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the legislation would eliminate private sales and gun shows as we know them and expand the range of persons prohibited from owning firearms.
Twelve Big Wins for Gun Owners: The final conference report on the combined Fiscal Year 2012 Agriculture, Commerce/Justice/Science (CJS) and Transportation/Housing/Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bills—also known as the “Mini-Bus,” was passed by both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate, and has been signed into law.
NRA to Fight Proposed Obama Administration Ban on Recreational Shooting on Public Lands: NRA will fight the proposal by the Obama administration and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to drastically restrict recreational shooting opportunities on public lands. NRA is particularly concerned about the stated motive of this action. A spokesman for the BLM told U.S. News and World Report that the proposed ban was being enacted in response to "urbanites" who "freak out" when they hear shooting on public lands. The spokesman also acknowledged that the impetus for this restriction was not rooted in safety, rather it was introduced to reduce "social conflict."
Internet Rumors About Cerberus, Freedom Group Are Patently False: Recently, an old rumor regarding Cerberus--the private equity firm that owns Freedom group, a holding company that in turn owns a number of firearms manufacturers, including Remington, Marlin, Bushmaster, and DPMS--was in some way tied to George Soros.
This rumor is completely false and baseless.
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: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlyrI3W4lEE
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: 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 public comment period is open until December 16, and BLM will soon announce public meetings regarding this 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 e-mail your comments to the BLM.
Additional BLM Management Plan for Public Lands Will 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 public comment period is open until December 16, and BLM will announce in advance public hearings on this RMP. Please attend at least one of the public meetings and e-mail your comments to the BLM.
MICHIGAN: Gun Hunting Up for Public Comment in Huron-Manistee
The U.S. Forest Service has released a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) that will ultimately determine whether firearm hunting can continue on more than 66,500 acres in Michigan’s Huron-Manistee National Forests. As a result of a September 2010 ruling by the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Forest Service prepared the DSEIS to evaluate the impacts of a proposed ban on firearm hunting and snowmobile use in 14 semi-primitive, non-motorized or wilderness areas of the forest. Public comments must be received by December 21.
TEXAS:Texas Railroad Commission Revises Agency Firearm Policy
Recently, the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) adopted what can only be described as a model state agency policy for employees and visitors who wish to carry firearms. The new policy which was drafted and proposed by Commissioner Barry Smitherman, was approved by the RRC on November 8 and took effect immediately.
WISCONSIN: Two Pro-Hunting Bills Signed into Law
On November 4, Governor Scott Walker signed two pro-hunting bills into law, which will take effect in advance of opening day of hunting season this year. Senate Bill 75 provides common sense legislation to eliminate the Department of Natural Resources’ unnecessary restrictions on hunters, anglers and trappers seeking to improve Wisconsin’s rich hunting heritage. Also, Senate Bill 228 will protect hunters from breaking the law by simply allowing uncased and unloaded firearms, bows and crossbows to be in their motor vehicles.
NRA will be closing at noon next Wednesday, November 23, for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Because of the abbreviated workweek, we will not transmit the Grassroots Alert next week.
Please have a safe and happy Thanksgiving Holiday!
