Concealed Carry in National Parks Suspended—
NRA Files Motion To Appeal
GRASSROOTS ALERT, Vol. 16, No. 11 03/20/09


Concealed Carry in National Parks Suspended—

NRA Files Motion To Appeal



On Thursday, March 19, a federal district court in Washington, D.C. granted anti-gun plaintiffs a preliminary injunction against implementation of the new rule allowing law-abiding citizens to defend themselves by carrying a concealed firearm in national parks and wildlife refuges.

In Thursday’s ruling, Federal District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued the preliminary injunction against the Department of the Interior rule that took effect on January 9, 2009. The revised rule allowed individuals to carry concealed firearms for self-defense in national parks and national wildlife refuges located in states that allow the carrying of concealed firearms.

Today, NRA filed a notice of appeal in Federal District Court to oppose the preliminary injunction.



Congressmen Send Attorney General Letter Opposing Reinstatement Of Failed 1994 Gun and Magazine Ban: On Wednesday, in a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, 65 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Congressman Mike Ross (D-Ark.), expressed their opposition to the reinstatement of the failed 1994 ban on semi-automatic firearms and ammunition magazines. These congressmen cited numerous studies that proved the 1994 ban was ineffective, and they strongly urged Attorney General Holder to stop his effort and instead focus on the enforcement of existing gun laws.




The Ongoing Mexico Crisis -- Blaming American Gun Owners: Congress has jumped in with both feet when it comes to the crisis of violence in Mexico, and the usual suspects are once again blaming American gun owners and American gun laws. This week there were two more hearings, one in the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Drugs and Crime, and the other in the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Western Hemisphere. In both cases, anti-gun politicians such as Senators Dick Durbin and Dianne Feinstein, and Congressman Eliot Engel, blamed American gun laws for the crisis. Fortunately, in both hearings, gun rights supporters in Congress stood up for American gun owners.



Wayne LaPierre on Fox News with Glenn Beck: NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre was a guest on the Glenn Beck program on Fox News, Wednesday, March 18, 2009. Wayne and Glenn discussed Attorney General Holder’s recent announcement that he wants to resurrect the failed semi-automatic firearm and magazine bans. They also talked about the preposterous claim being made by gun control congressmen and senators that our Second Amendment, and not the corruption within the Mexican government, is the cause for the violent crime caused by Mexican drug lords.

Click here to view Wayne LaPierre’s speech on the Glenn Beck Program.


Which Administration figure represents the biggest threat to gun owner's rights today?



Wesley Clark Blames American Gun owners for Crisis in Mexico: Joining in the chorus of other anti-gun politicians blaming gun owners for Mexican violence, former Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark said, “The real problem here, and the Mexican government, the people I’ve talked to in the Mexican government, recently say the problem Mexico has is we’re sending weapons into Mexico . . .”









Military Surplus Cartridge Case Issue Resolved: This week, the Department of Defense (DoD) informed NRA-ILA that fired military small arms cartridge cases are once again eligible for sale, following a temporary suspension in such sales instituted last week. NRA-ILA began discussions with DoD shortly after the suspension took effect, and we were assured from the beginning that efforts were underway to resolve the issue favorably.



Illinois Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit: This week, the Illinois Supreme Court dismissed yet another reckless lawsuit aimed at putting firearms manufacturers out of business. Adames v. Beretta was dismissed under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act of 2005 (PLCAA). The court’s order affirmed the original trial court judgment in the case.

This is the second judicial decision in 2009 upholding a dismissal under the PLCAA. Ten days ago, the U.S. Supreme Court denied appeals in the cases of New York v. Beretta and District of Columbia v. Beretta.



HSUS Tries To Slip One Past Country Fans: The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the most radical animal “rights” and anti-hunting organization in the country, has been quietly trying to get Carrie Underwood voted Entertainer of the Year via the Academy of Country Music. The problem is, a large percentage of country music fans are also gun owners and hunters who do not like Carrie Underwood’s active support for HSUS. And HSUS knows it.



Volunteers Needed In Phoenix For 2009 NRA Annual Meetings: The 2009 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will be an exciting weekend, as thousands of NRA members will come together May 15-17, 2009, in Phoenix, AZ. You can contribute to the success of our meeting by participating as an Annual Meeting Volunteer.



Insurance Mandates for Gun Owners Are Against Second Amendment -- Update on the Second Amendment Book Bomb: With the Obama White House and others pushing for new forms of gun controls, Independent Institute Research Fellow Stephen P. Halbrook was recently interviewed by Glenn Beck on Fox News Channel on the new efforts to force gun owners to purchase a $1 million insurance policy in order “to qualify” for their Second Amendment rights.



Grassroots Minute Video:



STATE ROUNDUP (Please click to see any updates on states not listed below.)

ALABAMA: Alabama Worker Protection Bill to be Heard on Wednesday, March 25! House Bill 362 is expected to be heard on Wednesday, March 25 in the House Commerce Committee. HB 362 would protect your right to lawfully transport and store firearms in a privately-owned and locked motor vehicle while parked in publicly accessible parking lots controlled by your employer or a business you frequent. Please contact the members of the House Commerce Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to vote in favor of HB 362 without any further exemption amendments. Contact information can be found by clicking here.

ARKANSAS: Numerous Pro-Gun Bills Need Your Help Today! Time is quickly running out on the legislative session in Arkansas, and several bills still need your help. Wednesday, April 1, is the adjournment date for the General Assembly (we mistakenly reported it was Friday, March 20), so there will soon be no time left for action on all of the NRA-supported measures below. Your efforts to pass these bills is critical at this time. For more information about these bills and how to take action on their behalf, please click here.

Your Help is Needed Today to Protect Arkansas’ Hunting Heritage! The Arkansas General Assembly is wrapping up this year’s legislative session, and one of NRA’s top priorities, Senate Joint Resolution 3, needs your support! SJR 3 seeks to amend the Constitution of the State of Arkansas to recognize that citizens of the state have a right to hunt and fish. Passage of SJR 3 would allow the citizens of Arkansas to vote on this amendment, which would ensure that the right to hunt and fish would be protected for future generations. SJR 3 is the culmination of years of hard work by Senator Faris and NRA, and we are committed to passing this amendment this year. While the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission has opposed similar proposals in the past, this year, after careful negotiations, the Commission has removed its objections. The House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee will soon consider SJR 3. It is critical that NRA members and fellow sportsmen contact the Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to support SJR 3. Contact information can be found by clicking here.

COLORADO: Important Pro-Gun Bill Heading to Senate Floor in Colorado! On March 17, House Bill 1180 was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill now heads to the Senate floor where it could be considered any day. HB1180 would exempt Colorado concealed handgun permit holders from the background check requirement for the transfer of a firearm. Please contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge them to support HB1180, without any amendments, when it comes before them for a vote. Contact information for your State Senator can be found by clicking here.

CONNECTICUT: “Micro-Stamping” Bill Heard in Hartford Gun owners spoke loudly on March 16 in Hartford at the hearing on Senate Bill 353, a bill which would ban the sale of all semi-automatic handguns not equipped with so-called “micro-stamping” technology. Thank you to the hundreds gun owners who took time from work and their busy lives to stand up and say "NO" to yet another misguided anti-gun bill. Members of the Joint Committee on Judiciary must vote on SB353 by Friday, April 3 in order for the bill to advance. Thank you again to all who have made their voices heard. If you haven't yet done so, please be sure to contact the members of the Joint Committee on Judiciary, as well as your State Legislators, and urge them to oppose SB353! Contact information for the members of the committee can be found here. Contact information for your State Representative can be found by clicking here. Please click here to find contact information for your State Senator.

No-Net-Loss Passes Environment Committee On Wednesday, March 18, House Bill 5209 passed out of the Environment Committee. Thank you for contacting members of the Environment Committee in support of HB5209. This critical pro-hunting bill would ensure hunters in Connecticut that their public hunting acreage will never decrease. Simply stated, if enacted, additional lands would have to be opened to hunting when land currently open to hunting is closed. We encourage you to once again contact members of the Environment Committee and thank them for preserving our hunting rights by voting yes on HB5209. To find contact information for the members of the Environment Committee, please click here.

ILLINOIS: Banning Guns By Zip Code A new piece of anti-gun legislation needs to be noted. Whether a sign of desperation, or an indication of how ridiculous the anti-gun movement has become, House Bill 1966 was amended this week to become a ban on countless semi-automatic pistols, rifles, shotguns, and .50 caliber rifles. While not a new concept among the gun-ban crowd, the scope of this proposed ban would be unique, to say the least. Rather than ban these firearms statewide, or even within a specific municipality, this bill would ban firearms based on zip codes! Six zip codes, in fact, all within the City of Chicago, would be singled out for this ban. Needless to say, NRA opposes this measure, but we can’t help but wonder if the next attempt at passing a gun ban in Illinois will target specific blocks, or maybe even addresses. This only goes to show that those who oppose our Right to Keep and Bear Arms will never stop trying to come up with new, and quite often ridiculous, ideas for promoting their anti-freedom agenda. Please contact your State Representative and urge him or her to oppose HB 1966. Contact information can be found by clicking here.


Update on Anti-Gun Bill HB48 House Bill 48, a bill that would eliminate most private transfers of handguns, was not brought up for a vote this week. This legislation would require virtually all private handgun transfers to be processed through a licensed firearm dealer, even those occurring between persons with state-issued Firearms Owner’s Identification (FOID) Cards. The law already requires all private transfers to be carefully recorded—with information such as the date of transfer and serial number of the handgun to be maintained for 10 years. HB 48 would require the additional step of processing almost all private transfers through a federally licensed dealer. Even if you plan on selling a handgun to a neighbor you’ve known for 20 years, or to a cousin you’ve known your whole life, under HB 48, you and the purchaser would be required to go to a federally licensed firearm dealer to complete the transfer. The House could take up this bill any day. Please continue to contact your State Representative TODAY and urge him or her to OPPOSE HB 48. Contact information can be found by clicking here.


News Report for 2009 Legislative Session Several bills of importance to Illinois’ gun owners are currently making their way through the General Assembly. For more information, please click here.


KANSAS: HCR 5017, Right to Keep and Bear Arms Constitutional Amendment up in Kansas Legislature On March 18, the Kansas House Federal and State Affairs Committee passed out House Concurrent Resolution 5017. This resolution is a constitutional amendment to guarantee an individual right to keep and bear arms. This House resolution is the companion bill to the Senate Concurrent Resolution 1611, sponsored by State Senator Mike Petersen (R-28). These identical bills are crucial in the quest to protect Kansans’ individual right to keep and bear arms as an individual right. Please contact your State Representative and State Senator and encourage them to support these critical constitutional amendments. Contact information for your State Legislators can be found here.

Kansas Senate Committee Passes SCR 1611, Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment

On March 20, the Kansas Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 1611. This bill, sponsored by State Senator Mike Petersen (R-28), is a constitutional amendment to guarantee an individual right to keep and bear arms. The House version of this bill, House Concurrent Resolution 5017, is the companion bill to SCR 1611. These identical bills are crucial in the quest to solidify Kansans’ right to keep and bear arms as an individual right. Please continue to check your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates.

KENTUCKY: The Fate of Two Pro-Gun Bills Rest in the Hands of the Kentucky State Senate Leadership! Unfortunately, the Kentucky legislature played party politics in Frankfort the last two days of the working session and two pro-gun bills may have failed as a result. Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27 are the only two legislative days left after the veto session to consider these pro-gun bills, so it is critical that Senate Leadership hear from you today. Please contact Senate Leadership and respectfully urge them to take up House Bill 419 on Thursday, March 26. Ask them to attach the NRA-backed amendment and send it to the full Senate for consideration. The NRA-backed amendment would strip HB 419 of its original language and would require universities to comply with current Kentucky Code allowing gun owners to keep their firearms in a locked vehicle on public and private property. Also, please respectfully urge Senate Leadership to bring HB 358 with no additional amendments to the floor for consideration by the full Senate. HB358 has been amended to contain the original language from HB 419. This bill would now permit citizens to carry firearms for self-defense while engaged in hunting, fishing, trapping, and other activities, and would clarify that citizens may do what is necessary for self-defense in the case of a wild animal attack, without fear of unjustified prosecution. At this time all legislators are back and forth between the capitol and their districts, so please take the time to use all the contact information. For contact information, please click here.

MARYLAND: Ammunition Registration Bill Pulled from Consideration in Maryland! On March 17, the Maryland State Police issued a request to the House Judiciary Committee to pull House Bill 1446 from consideration. This bill would have required that any person engaged in the business of selling ammunition maintain extensive records on all sales, including the date of sale, purchaser’s full name, address, date of birth, and form of ID used, as well as the type and quantity of ammunition purchased. The bill would have also forced a business that sells ammunition to allow the inspection of the sales record by a law enforcement officer upon request. HB 1446 was tantamount to firearm registration, would have done nothing to stop crime, and would have only increased the size and bureaucratic scope of the Maryland State Police. Thank you to all of the NRA members who voiced their opposition to HB1446. Without you, this victory would not have been possible.

Update on Pro- and Anti-Gun Legislation House Bill 296 and House Bill 302, both high priority matters for Governor Martin O’Malley (D) and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown (D), have passed the House and are pending in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. These bills require the subject of a final or temporary protective order to surrender his or her firearms to law enforcement until the order expires. Unlike federal law, which allows a person to find other places to dispose of his or her firearms while an order is in effect, these bills would require law enforcement to seize someone’s firearms, even if the subject of the order had no opportunity to participate in the hearing. Domestic abuse is tragic and deplorable, but these bills deny due process to those who have not been convicted of a crime. Under this legislation, a victim of false allegations who had no opportunity to contest those charges in court cannot defend himself at home or simply possess his own guns for any other lawful purpose. Simply put, HB296 and HB302 trample upon Marylanders’ due process rights. An NRA-backed bill, House Bill 359, failed to make it past a full house vote. HB359 would allow an eligible citizen who has had a temporary or final protective order issued on their behalf to be issued a concealed handgun permit by the Secretary of State Police. This would have ensured that law-abiding Marylanders facing a serious threat of abuse could exercise their Right-to-Carry for self-defense. We thank our members for voicing their support for HB 359. Please contact your State Senator and express your concern regarding HB 296 and HB 302. Contact information can be found by clicking here.

Proposed Bill Attacks Hunting in Maryland! On March 18, the Maryland House Environmental Matters Committee held a hearing on House Bill 1309, and will vote on the bill in the near future. HB 1309 would arbitrarily expand the hunting “safety zone” from 150 yards to 300 yards from any occupied building. HB 1309 is sponsored by Delegate Barbara Frush (D-21) and Delegate James Hubbard (D-23A), two anti-hunting legislators whose goal is to end all hunting in Maryland. We must make our voices heard if we are going to defeat this anti-hunting measure and protect the future of hunting in Maryland. Please contact your Delegate Immediately and respectfully urge them to oppose HB 1309. Contact information can be found below.


Animal “Rights” Extremists Seeking to Abolish Trapping in Maryland As we have reported, animal “rights” extremists like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) are trying to ban regulated trapping in Maryland. House Bill 831 would effectively prohibit recreational trapping in Montgomery County and also limit the authority of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to manage wildlife in that county. HB831 was heard on March 20 by House Environmental Matters Committee. This is not merely a county bill, as it has been introduced into the Maryland General Assembly and was be heard by the House Environmental Matters Committee. If passed, it will not only affect Montgomery County, but will establish a statewide precedent that takes trapping out of the hands of DNR, trappers and landowners. If this precedent is established, it will become much easier to expand these prohibitions even statewide. HB 831 would prohibit the use of live hold, foot trap and body-gripping traps by anyone in Montgomery County except an authorized agent of the DNR. This will prevent state wildlife officials, trappers and private landowners from using the most effective and humane trapping tools currently available to manage furbearers. This will influence the DNR’s ability to manage wildlife and nuisance wildlife complaints and also place an unrealistic financial burden on state government and private landowners. Landowners would no longer be allowed to use these tools to trap nuisance animals on their property; they would be forced to hire agents of DNR to handle their problems. A ban on trapping will also negatively affect game populations, as predator populations will not be effectively managed. Since HB831 was only heard it is vital that you contact the members of the House Environmental Matters Committee TODAY and respectfully ask them to oppose HB 831. Contact information can be found below. The future of scientific wildlife management in Maryland may depend on it. This is one step toward allowing emotion, not science, to dictate wildlife management practices. Maryland's sportsmen must fight to ensure this precedent is not set.

Castle Doctrine Self-Defense Bill Still Pending in Maryland Legislature Please contact the members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee TODAY and respectfully encourage them to bring SB 420 up for a vote. On March 4, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee held a hearing on the Senate version, Senate Bill 420, but no vote was taken. Please contact the members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee TODAY and respectfully encourage them to bring SB 420 up for a vote. Contact information can be found here.

MINNESOTA: Another Gun Registration Bill Introduced On Thursday March 5, State Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-7) introduced Senate File 1165, in yet another attempt to end private firearm transfers in Minnesota. SF 1165 is the companion bill to House File 953, previously introduced by State Representative Michael Paymar (DFL-64B). SF 1165, like HF 953, was designed to not only regulate the sale of firearms at gun shows, but to regulate the sale of firearms between all law-abiding persons, across Minnesota. SF 1165 only affects law-abiding gun owners, and will in no way keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Also contained in SF 1165, is a de facto registration system created by requiring the records of all transfers to be maintained by the state, which would be made available to all authorities, including for use in “civil” cases. SF 1165 would also remove the permit holder exemption from a background check and even increase the waiting period from five to seven days. SF 1165 is a direct attack on Minnesotans’ Second Amendment rights and needs to be stopped! Please contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and respectfully urge them to oppose this divisive bill. Their contact information can be found here.

Pro-Hunting Reform Advancing in Legislature Senate File 1225 is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Monday, March 23. SF 1225, introduced by State Senators Satveer Chaudhary (DFL-50), Tom Saxhaug (DFL-3), and Gen Olson (R-33), would allow hunters to have uncased and unloaded long guns or a bow with an unnocked arrow in a motor vehicle. Under current Minnesota law, a hunter leaving his or her deer stand cannot legally accept a ride in a motor vehicle, no matter what the circumstances may be, without his or her gun or bow in a case. Please contact the members of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee and voice your support for SF 1225. Contact information can be found here.


MONTANA: Self Defense Reform Bill Awaits Action by the Senate Judiciary Committee! House Bill 228, the NRA-backed self-defense bill, is waiting executive action by Senate Judiciary Committee. It is crucial that NRA members and pro-gun activists continue to call the Senate Judiciary Committee and their State Senators and urge them to support HB 228! House Bill 228, sponsored by State Representative Krayton Kerns (R-58), is a broad piece of legislation that provides a number of specific protections for law-abiding citizens. The provisions of HB 228, clarify and expand the fundamental right of self-defense and protect law-abiding citizens from undue prosecution should they ever have to exercise the right. For a section-by-section analysis of HB 228 to help you better understand and communicate with legislators, please visit http://progunleaders.org/Self-defense/. Please contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge them to vote for HB 228. You may call (406) 444-4800 to leave a message for your Senator and for the Judiciary Committee. You may also use the “online message form” located here. When contacting legislators, it is important that you be as respectful and courteous as possible. If you need help identifying your legislator, please click here. To view a roster of committee members, please click here

NEVADA: Self-Defense Bill Still Needs Your Help! Assemblyman Harry Mortenson (D-42) introduced Assembly Bill 288, the long-anticipated Castle Doctrine self-defense measure. AB 288 has been read for the first time and is currently awaiting a hearing in the Assembly Judiciary Committee. AB 288 would permit a person who is behaving lawfully to use deadly force in self-defense against someone who is attempting to commit a felony and who is unlawfully, forcefully, and without provocation intruding onto property where the defender has a right to be. The defender would not have to retreat and would be protected from civil liability. This critical legislation could be heard at any time between now and April 10. We are looking for witnesses to attend this hearing from both Carson City and Las Vegas. If you are interested in helping out, please send us an email at state&local@nrahq.org. Please contact your State Legislator today and urge him or her to support AB 288. For contact information or help identifying your State Legislator, please click here. Please continue to check your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates on this important legislation.

NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Assembly Passes Two Pro-Hunting Measures! On Monday, March 16, the New Jersey Assembly passed two pro-hunting bills, which would significantly expand hunting opportunities for sportsmen in the Garden State. A1669 would authorize bow hunting on Sundays during the respective deer season dates set by the State Fish and Game Code, on State wildlife management areas and private property. Last October, the Senate version (S802) passed the full Senate. A1669/S802 now head to the desk of Governor Jon Corzine (D) for his consideration. A595 would reduce the distance from 450 feet to 150 feet of an occupied building for a person possessing a nocked arrow for the purpose of hunting. A595 now heads to the Senate where it awaits a committee assignment. It is crucial that New Jersey’s hunters stand-up and make their voices heard! Please contact Governor Corzine TODAY and respectfully urge him to sign A1669/S802. The Governor can be reached by phone at (609) 292-6000 or visit www.state.nj.us/governor/about/contact/ to send email. Also, please contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge them to expand outdoor opportunities and support the true stewards of the land, New Jersey sportsmen, by voting for A595. Contact information for your State Senator can be found by clicking here.


NEW MEXICO: New Mexico Legislature Wraps Up Saturday, March 21 The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn sine die at noon on Saturday, March 21. Last-minute action is expected on House Bill 105 and Senate Bill 608, NRA-backed restaurant carry legislation sponsored by Representative John Heaton (D) and Senator George Munoz (D). We will be reporting the final results for these bills over the weekend! Please continue to check your email and www.NRAILA.org for the final outcome from the New Mexico legislature.


NEW YORK: Albany County Wants to Register Your Ammunition Local Law “A”, a proposal that would regulate the purchase of ammunition in Albany County, introduced by Albany County legislators Phillip Steck (D), Douglas Bullock (D) and Wanda Willingham (D) is pending consideration in the Law Committee of the Albany County Legislature. Local Law “A” would require that a valid firearms license be shown when purchasing ammunition. The law would also mandate that retailers keep a record of ammunition sales, including the type, caliber, and quantity of the ammunition, the make, model and serial number of the firearm it is for, as well as the purchaser’s name and address. As if that is not enough, Local Law “A” would also create a secondary method of gun registration for both long guns and handguns. Local Law “A” has been sent to the Law Committee. Congress has tried ammunition registration in the past, only to discover that it was not only ineffective for law enforcement, but also completely unmanageable due to the sheer volume of transactions. Ammunition registration creates huge record keeping requirements and provides no useful benefits for law enforcement; which is why it was repealed at the federal level by the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986. Please contact the members of the Law Committee and the County Legislators TODAY and respectfully voice your opposition to Local Law “A.” Contact information for the members of the Law Committee can be found by clicking here. County Legislators can be reached by phone at (518) 447-7168 or fax (518) 447-5695. For contact information on all of the members of the Albany County Legislature, please visit: http://www.albanycounty.com/departments/legislature/legislator.asp?id=165.


NORTH CAROLINA: NRA Working to Introduce “Castle Doctrine” Self-Defense Bills NRA is still working with State Representative Mark Hilton (R-96) and State Senator Andrew Brock (R-34) to introduce “Castle Doctrine” self-defense bills, which would allow law-abiding citizens to use the force they deem necessary against a violent criminal attacker to protect themselves wherever they have a legal right to be. The bill would also provides civil immunity for those who defend themselves from criminal attack. Please contact your State Legislators and respectfully urge them to cosponsor “Castle Doctrine” self-defense legislation when it is introduced and to support passage of this critical reform. Contact information can be found here.

Update on Two Important Pro-Gun Bills House Bill 269 and House Bill 270 were scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary III Committee on Thursday, March 19. HB 270, introduced by State Representatives Mark Hilton (R-96), Fred Steen (R-76), Justin Burr (R-67), and George Cleveland (R-14), has been deferred to sub-committee for further discussion. HB 270 would eliminate the prohibition on Right-to-Carry permit holders carrying their lawfully concealed firearms into a restaurant that serves alcohol. NRA testified in support of this measure, and we will work to ensure it is reconsidered by the full committee. HB 269, introduced by Representatives Mark Hilton (R-96), Justin Burr (R-67), George Cleveland (R-3), and Jim Gulley (R-103), has been held over due to drafting issues. If enacted, HB 269 is intended to allow those with Right-to-Carry permits to carry their firearms in state parks. This bill will likely be heard again once the drafting issues are resolved. Please continue to check your email and www.NRAILA.org for further action and updates on these bills.

NORTH DAKOTA: North Dakota Park Carry Bill Unanimously Passes Senate! On Tuesday, March 17, the North Dakota Senate unanimously passed House Bill 1389, without any amendments. HB 1389 will now be considered by Governor John Hoeven (R), whose signature is required for final approval. HB 1389 would allow concealed carry permit holders to carry their firearm in state parks. Current North Dakota law prohibits permit holders from carrying in state parks. If signed by the Governor, HB 1389 would correct this problem and enable permit holders to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense in state parks. Thank you to all those who contacted their State Legislators during this process.


Right-to-Carry Reform Bill Needs Your Help House Bill 1348, introduced by State Representative Duane DeKrey (R-14), is in the Senate Government and Veterans Affairs Committee. HB 1348 originally would have allowed concealed carry permit holders to carry on university campuses in North Dakota, removing such facilities from the prohibited list. However, the bill was amended significantly in House action. HB 1348 now addresses a different issue, focusing on a storage problem for students who were forced to check their firearms into security "storage lockers" which have become full. The bill allows students to store their guns in campus apartments and parking lots. The legislation does not deal with campus dorms or fraternity/sorority houses. Even though HB 1348 has been changed, it does effectively address a storage problem that campuses across the state have been dealing with. Please contact the members of the Senate Government and Veterans Affairs Committee and voice your support for HB 1348. For contact information, please click here.


SOUTH DAKOTA: Governor Signs Bill Repealing Waiting Period! On Friday, March 13, Governor Mike Rounds (R) signed Senate Bill 70, just three days after it was passed in the House of Representative by a vote of 67 to 1. Sponsored by State Senator Larry Rhoden (R-29), SB 70 will remove the mandatory post-purchase 48-hour waiting period that was previously in place for those who did not have a valid permit to carry a concealed handgun. Thank you to all of the NRA members who contacted their legislators during this process and urged them to support this pro-gun reform. Without you, this victory would not have been possible.

TENNESSEE: NRA-Backed Bills Still Moving Through the Legislature The following is an update on NRA-backed bills that are currently working through the legislature. Please contact your State Senator and State Representative and respectfully urge them to support all of the NRA-backed bills listed below without any restricting amendments. For contact information or help identifying your State Legislators, please click here. For Tennessee Legislature Committee information please visit http://www.capitol.tn.gov/committees/.

TEXAS: Parking Lot Legislation to be Considered Any Day! On March 17, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee reported out Senate Bill 730 sponsored by State Senator Glenn Hegar (R-18). SB 730 is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate any day. Simply stated, this NRA-backed legislation would permit employees to transport and store lawfully-possessed firearms in locked, private motor vehicles while parked at work. Please contact your State Senator and urge him or her to support SB 730 with no gutting amendments. To contact your State Senator, please click here for contact information. If you need help identifying your State Senator, please click here.

House Bill 1301, Parking Lot Legislation To Be Heard On March 23 The Texas House Public Safety Committee will consider HB 1301 by Rep. Stephen Frost (D), the House companion bill to SB 730, on Monday, March 23. HB 1301 would prevent employers from making you choose between your personal safety and keeping your job. Big business and industry representatives will pull out all the stops to defeat this measure. It's time to find out whether your State Representatives stand with corporate executives who make decisions about your personal safety from a boardroom, or whether your elected officials stand with hard-working Texans who simply wish to exercise their right to lawfully transport firearms in their cars and trucks -- a right recognized under state law that employers' "No Firearms" policies clearly conflict with. Please contact members of the House Public Safety Committee and urge them to support HB 1301 with no gutting amendments. Contact information for the committee can be reached by clicking here.

VIRGINIA: Wrap-Up of 2009 Virginia Legislative Session Three pro-gun bills (HB1851, HB2144, and SB1035) were approved by the Virginia Senate on Wednesday and are now on their way to the desk of Governor Tim Kaine (D) for his consideration. For more information about these bills, please click here. Please contact Governor Kaine TODAY and respectfully urge him to sign HB1851, HB 2144, and SB1035. The Governor can be reached by phone at (804) 786-2211, by fax at (804) 371-6351, or email ima@governor.virginia.gov. Several anti-gun bills failed to pass this session. To learn more about them, please click here.


WEST VIRGINIA: West Virginia Pre-Emption Clean up Bill up in the Senate Senate Bill 621, introduced by Senator John Unger (D-16), is a technical clean up to the state's preemption law. The bill will correct a small problem with a statute that was being exploited by the City of Martinsburg to ban the carrying and possession of firearms on all city-owned property. The passage of this bill will remove the confusing language and make Martinsburg's ordinance null and void. SB 621 now resides in the Senate Judiciary Committee waiting for a vote. Please contact your State Senator Today and respectfully urge them to support this important piece of legislation. Find your legislator’s contact information here.


WYOMING: Attention Wyoming NRA members: You are cordially invited to attend the Lincoln Day Dinner being held at the Sheridan, WY Holiday Inn Convention Center on Saturday, April 4, 2009. The dinner, sponsored by the Sheridan County Republican party, is proud to have Mr. David Keene, NRA Second Vice President and Chairman of the American Conservative Union, as its featured speaker. Mr. Keene is recognized as one of the chief spokesmen for conservative principles and politics and is regularly featured on a variety of radio, TV, and print media. The dinner will commence at 5:30 PM with cocktails and a silent auction followed by dinner at 7:00 PM and David's presentation at 8:00 PM. Raffle tickets, at $10 each, will be available for a Montana Rifle Co. woodland rifle in Cal. .300 WSM, stainless steel, pre 1964 Winchester type action and exhibition grade American walnut stock.

Tickets for the dinner are $60.00 each and can be obtained by calling Stewart Schumacher at (307) 672-5600 or Carole Perkins at (307) 751-4992. Please consider joining us for an evening with a distinguished speaker and future NRA President.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Today in a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, 65 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Congressman Mike Ross (D-AR), expressed their opposition to the reinstatement of the failed 1994 ban on semi-automatic firearms and ammunition magazines. These congressmen cited numerous studies that proved the 1994 ban was ineffective, and they strongly urged Attorney General Holder to stop his effort and instead focus on the enforcement of existing gun laws.

NRA would like to thank Congressman Ross for his leadership on this effort. We will continue to work with Members of Congress from both parties on this important issue.

View the letter: http://www.nraila.org/media/PDFs/AWBLettertoHolder309.pdf

Monday, March 09, 2009

Fairfax, Va. – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court denied consideration of New York City and Washington, D.C. lawsuits, New York v. Beretta and Lawson v. Beretta, respectively, that tried to hold American gun manufacturers responsible for the acts of criminals. The Court 's order leaves standing a pair of decisions by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and District of Columbia Court of Appeals, both of which found that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), enacted in 2005, prevents these types of lawsuits against lawful firearms manufacturers and dealers.

“Big city mayors conceived these lawsuits to try and litigate American gun manufacturers – who President Roosevelt referred to as “the arsenal of democracy” – out of business,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA chief lobbyist. “NRA has always believed the courts would agree with Congress that the PLCAA rightfully stops these reckless and politically motivated lawsuits.”

In 2000, New York City, Washington, D.C. and several individual plaintiffs sued gun manufacturers, based on the idea that although they manufactured a legal product, forcing them to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in legal fees just to prove their innocence in court would drive them into bankruptcy. In addition to being based on a bogus legal theory, these lawsuits endangered American armed forces and law enforcement. During congressional debate over the PLCAA, the Department of Defense agreed with the NRA that bankrupting U.S. gun makers and making us dependent on foreign countries like France, Russia or China for small arms is a threat to America’s domestic and international security.

“We are pleased that the courts have recognized the misguided intent of these lawsuits,” concluded Cox. “ America’s law-abiding firearms manufacturers must be protected from reckless suits that have no legal merit.”

Federal Court Sides With NRA and Workers
GRASSROOTS ALERT, Vol. 16, No. 7 02/20/09


Federal Court Sides With NRA and Workers

This week, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously in support of an Oklahoma law allowing employees to store legally owned firearms in locked, private motor vehicles while parked in employer parking lots. This decision upholds NRA-backed legislation passed in 2004.


“This is a victory for the millions of American workers who have been denied the right to protect themselves while commuting between their homes and their workplace,” said NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. “Their effort to overturn the law was aimed at skirting the will of the American people, and the intent of legislatures across this country while eviscerating Right-to-Carry laws. This ruling is a slap at the corporate elitists who have no regard for the constitutional rights of law abiding American workers.”




University Opens Off-Campus Range For Student Use: Kudos to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, where it was recently announced that students will be allowed to use the university’s off-campus firearm ranges to shoot. The two ranges, used primarily to train the university’s police officers, will permit the use of rifles, shotguns, and handguns during designated shooting hours.



Rumors and the Economic Stimulus Bill: As we reported last week, we are still receiving many inquiries about supposed provisions in the federal economic stimulus bill that would negatively affect our Second Amendment rights. These include rumors that the bill would designate interstate highways as national parks, or impose ammunition encoding and new ammunition taxes. Fortunately, and contrary to what you may have heard, there are no provisions in this bill prohibiting firearms or ammunition anywhere, or for anyone.



Big Brother’s New Target: Tracking Firearms (H.R. 45): As we previously reported, last month, U.S. Representative Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) sponsored H.R. 45, also known as “Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act.” The bill is, at its core and as its name implies, a licensing and registration scheme.


The measure calls for all handgun owners to submit to the federal government an application that shall include, among many other things: a photo; an address; a thumbprint; a completed, written firearm safety test; private mental health records; and a fee. And those are only some of the requirements to be licensed! To read more, please click here.




Volunteers Needed In Phoenix For 2009 NRA Annual Meetings: The 2009 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will be an exciting weekend, as thousands of NRA members will come together May 15-17, 2009, in Phoenix, AZ. You can contribute to the success of our meeting by participating as an Annual Meeting Volunteer.






The Latest On The Second Amendment Book Bomb: On America’s Bill of Rights Day (December 15), the Second Amendment Book Bomb was launched by the Independent Institute to communicate the importance of the Second Amendment for the protection of liberty. With your help, constitutional rights can continue to be pushed to the top of national book bestseller lists, making a loud and clear statement that our Second Amendment right to arms is unalienable!

STATE ROUNDUP (please click to see any updates on states not listed below.)

ALABAMA: Emergency Powers Legislation Passes House, Heads to Senate! Yesterday, House Bill 225, introduced by State Representative Marc Keahey (D-65), passed the House by a vote of 101-0. It now moves to the Senate where it awaits a committee assignment. HB 225 would protect our Second Amendment rights by prohibiting any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful sale, possession, transfer, transport and carry of firearms during a state of emergency, such as occurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Please contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge them to vote for HB 225. Please click here to find contact information for your State Senator.


Several Pro-Gun, Pro-Hunting Measures Advancing in Alabama! Four pro-gun, pro-hunting bills are currently making their way through the Alabama Legislature. House Bill 362, sponsored by State Representative Craig Ford (D-28) is awaiting consideration by the House Commerce Committee. This pro-gun bill states that no person or employer may prohibit a law-abiding citizen from possessing a firearm in a locked motor vehicle while parked on private property. House Bill 225 was passed unanimously yesterday by the House, 101-0. It now moves to the Senate where it awaits a committee assignment. Introduced by State Representative Marc Keahey (D-65), HB 225 would protect our Second Amendment rights by prohibiting any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful sale, possession, transfer, transport and carry of firearms during a state of emergency, such as occurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Yesterday, House Bill 432 was passed by the House Judiciary Committee. It now heads to the House floor for a vote. This pro-gun bill, sponsored by State Representative Jack Page (D-29), would require that records relating to pistol permits would be kept from public disclosure and made available for law enforcement purposes only. House Bill 328 successfully passed out of the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee. The bill now moves to the House floor for consideration. HB 328, “no-net-loss” legislation, will ensure hunters in the state of Alabama that their vast hunting acreage will never decrease. This bill requires that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources maintain the level of available public hunting land that currently exists. Simply stated, it requires that additional lands be opened to hunting if land that is currently open to hunting is closed. Please continue checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates on these bills. We will alert you when and if the need for action arises.


ALASKA: Anti-Hunting Ordinance Defeated in Gustavus, Alaska! On Thursday, February 12, the Gustavus City Council defeated a proposed ordinance to ban the discharge of centerfire rifles within 300 feet of any road. This ordinance was being pushed as a “safety” measure but it really was nothing more than an anti-hunting effort. As you will recall, the Council passed an illegal and unenforceable ordinance last July outlawing the taking of big game within 300 feet of a city-maintained road. Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call in opposition to this outrageous attack on our Second Amendment freedoms. Without you, this victory would not have been possible.


ARIZONA: Firearms Bills Pending Action in the Legislature Several bills, both pro-gun and anti-gun are currently awaiting action in the Arizona Legislature. Due to a budget crisis, these bills have not yet been assigned to committees, however, we encourage our members to get an early start and call their legislators. To learn more about these bills and how to take action, please click here.


Worker Protection Bill Pending Action House Bill 2474, sponsored by State Representatives John Kavanagh (R-8) and Frank Antenori (R-30), is currently pending in the Arizona State Legislature. HB 2474 would protect your right to lawfully transport and store firearms in your privately-owned locked motor vehicle while parked in publicly accessible parking lots controlled by your employer or a business you frequent. On Wednesday, February 18, the Tenth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upheld an Oklahoma statute that protects the rights of employees to store firearms in locked vehicles in publicly accessible parking lots. The proposed Arizona bill is very similar to the Oklahoma law and should withstand any similar challenges that might be launched. Click here for the Oklahoma alert. Please call your State Legislator TODAY and help get HB 2474 signed into law by respectfully urging them to support HB 2474. Contact information for your State Representative can be found by clicking here. To find contact information for your State Senator, please click here.


Bill Proposed to Change Requirements to Become Fish & Game Commissioner House Bill 2235, sponsored by State Representatives Jerry Weiers (R-12), David Gowan (R-30), Steve Montenegro (R-12) and Daniel Patterson (D-29), is currently in the House of Representatives Natural Resources and Rural Affairs Committee. HB 2235 will change the requirements to become a fish and game commissioner to ensure that true hunters are being represented on the board. This bill would require that prospective appointees have possessed a hunting or fishing license for at least 5 of the last 7 years. This regulation ensures that hunters are making decisions for other hunters and appointees would have a true understanding of Arizona’s rich hunting heritage. HB 2235 will be heard in committee on Monday, February 23 and it needs the NRA’s support to pass. We have an opportunity to bolster hunting and we need your help. Please call the members of the House of Representatives Natural Resources and Rural Affairs Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to support HB 2235.

ARKANSAS: House Passes Bill Permitting Right-to-Carry in Churches On Thursday February 11, House Bill 1237, authored by pro-gun State Representative Beverly Pyle (R-83), passed the Arkansas House by a vote of 57 to 42 and was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. HB 1237 would permit churches to decide for themselves whether they will allow Right-to-Carry permit holders to carry their firearms while attending church. Currently, state law singles out churches as the only private property where firearms are prohibited. Please contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and respectfully urge them to support this important piece of legislation. Committee members can be contacted through the email addresses listed here or via phone at (501) 682-2902.


Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment Continues Rolling Forward On Wednesday February 10, Senate Joint Resolution 3, introduced by pro-gun State Senator Steve Faris (D-27), was amended to include NRA-supported language and now has the support of both the NRA and the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission. SJR 3 would amend the Constitution of the State of Arkansas to recognize that the people have a right to hunt and fish. Passage of SJR 3 by the General Assembly would allow the voters of Arkansas to decide if hunting and fishing will be protected for future generations. This measure is critical, as anti-hunting groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) will one day turn their sights on Arkansas in their efforts to eliminate our nation’s long-standing traditions of hunting and fishing. Please contact your State Representative and State Senator and urge them to support SJR 3 and guarantee the future of Hunting and Fishing in the Razorback State. To find contact information for your State Legislators, please click here.


Anti-Gun Bill Stuck in Committee! House Bill 1215 has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where a hearing date has yet to be set. Please continue to contact the members of the committee and urge them to oppose this divisive piece of legislation. HB1215, sponsored by State Representative Barry Hyde (D-40), would dramatically increase the potential penalties a municipality may levy for the “unsafe discharge of a firearm.” This legislation unfairly singles out violators of discharge ordinances to be potentially charged with an unclassified misdemeanor, potential fines up to $10,000 (20 times greater than the law allows for other ordinance violations, and equal to the federal fine for possessing an unregistered machine gun), and potential jail time for as long as 90 days. While there are certainly places where discharging a firearm may not be appropriate, this penalty treats discharge violations in a disproportionate manner. The potential penalty for all other purely municipal ordinance violations--no matter how dangerous the behavior might be--would remain $500 for a first offense. Please contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to oppose HB1215. Committee members can be contacted through the email addresses listed here or via phone at (501) 682-2902.


U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Seeking Public Comments to Expand Hunting Opportunities! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is writing a new management plan for the White River National Wildlife Refuge, which lies in the floodplain of the White River near where it meets the Mississippi River and spans Desha, Monroe, Arkansas, and Phillips Counties. The plan will set the direction of the refuge for the next 15 years. The Service is asking for suggestions and information from the public on the scope of issues to consider in the planning process. The due date for comments is Monday, March 9 and comments can be emailed to Mike Dawson at mike_dawson@fws.gov. He can be reached by phone at (601) 965-4903 and by fax at (601) 965-4010. Details about an open house meeting will be announced in the local media. Hunting is allowed in the refuge and it will be addressed in the new plan. To ensure that hunting has a solid future in this refuge, it is important for those who hunt in Arkansas and in this refuge to get engaged in this planning process.


CALIFORNIA: Statewide Ban on Lead Ammunition Could Be Around the Corner! The California Fish and Game Commission is considering a statewide ban on the use of lead ammunition for hunting. Two years ago, a bill was signed into law that imposed a ban on the use of lead ammunition for hunting in areas occupied by the California condor. Through its hunting regulations, the Commission extended the ban to include .22 rimfire ammunition and expanded the boundaries where the ban applies. Given this track record, the Commission is likely to be receptive to expanding the ban to the borders of the state. From the beginning, proponents of the current ban have wanted to ban lead ammunition statewide. The California condor was simply being used by the anti-hunters and anti-gunners to carry out this agenda and they have already achieved a partial ban. The next step is to take it statewide. If they are successful, they will push to ban the use of lead ammunition for everyone, not just hunters. There is no scientific evidence that lead ammunition is the source of lead affecting the health of condors released to the wild and there is no scientific evidence that lead ammunition is a risk to human health and the environment in California. What is evident is that there is a group of environmental extremists who have friends on the Commission who will not stop until the most affordable, available, and ballistically superior ammunition is banned in your state. They know the damage that such a ban will do to both hunting and shooting participation. Please contact the members of the Fish and Game Commission TODAY and respectfully request that they oppose all efforts to extend the ban on lead ammunition. The Commission can be contacted by phone at (916) 653-4899, by fax at (916) 653-5040, or email fgc@fgc.ca.gov.


CONNECTICUT: All-Out Attack Waged on Shooting Ranges! The Connecticut Public Safety and Security Committee may soon consider proposed legislation that has the potential to shut down every shooting range in the state of Connecticut. The deadline for this bill to pass out of the committee is rapidly approaching. The proposal would require range owners/operators to register with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and allow the Commissioner to promulgate new range regulations at any time. Regardless of any new regulations, the Commissioner has the power to shut down a range without cause simply by deeming it “unsafe.” If the future implications of this proposal aren’t bad enough, it would also put almost every existing range out of business immediately for non-compliance under the standards set forth by this proposal. Make no mistake, the intent of this proposed legislation is to force the closure of existing ranges and to prevent any new ranges from opening. As you know, shooting ranges provide a valuable community service by providing law-abiding citizens with a safe place to shoot. Ranges used exclusively by law enforcement would be exempt from the regulations. If this is truly about safety, why should the range safety standards for law enforcement and civilians be any different? It is imperative that you contact your lawmakers today and respectfully ask them to oppose this proposed bill! As the Department of Public Safety serves at the pleasure of Governor Jodi Rell (R), it is also critical that you call her TODAY and urge her administration not to support this direct attack on law-abiding gun owners and recreational shooters. No bill number has been assigned yet, but we will keep you posted on any further action that is taken in the coming weeks. Please continue checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates. To contact Governor Jodi Rell call her at 860-566-4840 (Greater Hartford Area), 800-406-1527 or email Governor.Rell@ct.gov. For contact information for your State Representative, please click here. For contact information for your State Senator, please click here.


“Micro-Stamping” Legislation Raised by the Joint Committee on Judiciary! On Monday, February 9, the Joint Committee on Judiciary met to consider the issue of “micro-stamping” technology and its potential use on firearms. After discussing the issue, the bill was “raised.” Micro-stamping is an unproven technology that would require identifying information (such as the make, model, and serial number) of a firearm to be etched into the firing pin and breech face in such a manner that those identifiers are imprinted on the cartridge case upon firing. The technology can easily be defeated with common household tools, has no public safety value, and adds substantially to the cost of the firearm. This is a “raised” bill, which means the concept was discussed and the committee voted in favor of drafting a bill for consideration. A bill number has not yet been designated. We will be sure to provide further details when drafting is complete and a hearing date is set. Please continue to check your e-mail and www.NRAILA.org for further updates.


Package of Anti-Gun Legislation Could Be Heard Soon! Connecticut lawmakers could soon consider a package of proposals unveiled by Governor Jodi Rell (R), State Senate Minority Leader John McKinney (R-28) and State House Minority Leader Larry Cafero (R-142). These proposals will have an enormous negative impact on Connecticut's hunters, sportsmen and law-abiding gun owners, both economically and otherwise. House Bill 6371 is currently in the Joint Committee on Environment and would double most hunting and fishing licenses and fees and eliminate the Conservation Fund, a fund spent on only wildlife conservation expenditures. Senate Bill 837 is in the Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding and simply stated, would double pistols license fees. Senate Bill 839 is in the Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections and would transfer operations of the currently independent Board of Firearm Permit Examiners to the Department of Public Safety. This action, if approved, would take away the autonomy of the Board and would mean that if an applicant were denied his license he would have to appeal to the very body, the Department of Public Safety, which rejected the application. Please contact Governor Rell and your lawmakers TODAY and respectfully urge them to oppose these bills. Tell them that it's unfair of them to balance the budget at the expense of your constitutional rights! For contact information for your State Representative, please click here. Please click here for contact information for your State Senator. Governor Rell can be reached by phone at 860-566-4840 (Greater Hartford Area), toll-free at 800-406-1527, or email Governor.Rell@ct.gov.


IDAHO: Pro-Gun Bill on the Move! On Thursday, February 12, House Bill 65 was unanimously passed out of the House State Affairs Committee. It now heads to the House floor for consideration. Sponsored by State Representative Joe Palmer (R-20A), this pro-gun bill would permit law-abiding Idahoans to purchase firearms in non-contiguous states. It would also permit non-residents to purchase long guns in Idaho. As the law currently stands, residents of Idaho can only purchase firearms from immediately surrounding states. With the passage of HB65 a resident of Idaho would now be allowed to purchase a firearm in any of the 49 other states. This bill affects only rifles and shotguns, as federal law prohibits interstate handgun sales. Handguns can only be purchased from a dealer in one’s state of residence. An additional benefit is that out-of-state visitors would be able to purchase long guns while in Idaho. We will keep you alerted as to when there is any further movement on HB65. Please continue to check www.NRAILA.org and your e-mail for updates throughout the legislative session.


Attack on Right-to-Carry Pending in Idaho! Senate Bill 1112 amends existing laws relating to daycare licenses in the state of Idaho and has a provision that infringes upon your Second Amendment Rights. If you are a parent and you value your right to protect yourself and your children, we need your help to defeat this bill! Originally, Senator Corder sought NRA’s advice on drafting legislation and was supplied with suitable language that would have protected the self-defense rights of law-abiding Idahoans. Senator Corder changed our recommended language and now the bill inhibits your rights to possess a firearm. SB1112 would make it illegal for a mother picking up her child to be carrying a handgun in her vehicle if it were determined the parking lot were part of “the premises,” even if she had a permit to carry. A spouse or family member of an in-home daycare facility who holds a Right-to-Carry permit would be prohibited from returning home during “normal operating hours” with their firearm. This would even apply to citizens who carry as a work requirement, such as a security guard. NRA strongly opposes SB1112 as the language stands now. Please contact the members of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to oppose SB1112. Contact information can be found here.

INDIANA: Indiana Parking Lot/Worker Protection Bill Passes Senate, Heads to House! Earlier this week, the Indiana Senate passed Senate Bill 11 by a 42-8 vote. The bill now heads to the House where it awaits a committee assignment. SB 11, sponsored by State Senator Johnny Nugent (R-43), would prevent businesses and individuals from adopting or enforcing a policy/rule that prohibits a law-abiding citizen from legally possessing a firearm locked in their motor vehicle while on private property. Please continue checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates on this bill.

MARYLAND: Anti-Gun Bill Pending Action in the Maryland Senate! Senate Bill 144 was introduced last month and now awaits action in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Simply put, SB144 requires subjects of final and temporary protective orders to surrender their firearms to law enforcement until the order expires. Unlike the federal law that prohibits gun possession in these circumstances, this bill would allow seizure even after a hearing where the person being restrained had no opportunity to participate, and requires guns to be seized by police; federal law allows a person to find other places to dispose of his guns while an order is in effect. Information from the governor’s office, as reported by WBAL TV, states that there are in excess of 6,700 final protective orders and 382 temporary orders on file with the state. Only 75, barely over 1%, involve gun owners. Though domestic abuse is undeniably tragic, this legislation is an unnecessary overreaction. Under this bill, a victim of false allegations who had no opportunity to contest those charges in court cannot defend himself at home or simply possess his own guns for any other lawful purpose. Please continue checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for updates on this bill.


Two Important Maryland Pro-Gun Bills to be Heard on Tuesday! Two important pieces of pro-gun legislation will be heard on Tuesday, February 24 in the House Judiciary Committee. House Bill 470 would repeal the requirement that the Secretary of State Police find that a person has a good and substantial reason to wear, carry, or transport a handgun before issuing a handgun permit. HB 470 is a bi-partisan bill that will ensure Maryland citizens are afforded the right to self-defense enjoyed by citizens in 40 other states. House Bill 682 would require that the Secretary of State Police issue a permit to carry, wear, or transport a handgun within a reasonable time to a person who has successfully completed the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program of the Transportation Security Administration. Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to support HB 470 and HB 682. Contact information can be found here.


MISSISSIPPI: NRA-Backed Legislation Advancing! Two important pieces of NRA-backed legislation have passed the Senate and could be considered by the House Judiciary B Committee at any time. Senate Bill 2036 sponsored by State Senator Merle Flowers (R) would amend the state's emergency powers laws to create additional protections for law-abiding citizens against the confiscation of privately-owned firearms during a future state of emergency or natural disaster. Senate Bill 2306, also introduced by Flowers, repeals a prohibition in the state's Right-to-Carry law on permit holders possessing handguns in certain parks. The current statute makes no distinction between national, state or local parks. Unless this bill passes, permit holders in Mississippi and reciprocal states will not benefit from the recent rule change adopted by the Department of the Interior allowing them to carry in national parks located within the state's boundaries. Please contact members of the House Judiciary B Committee via email and urge them to support SB 2036 & SB 2306. Contact information can be found here.

NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Senate to Consider “One-Gun-A-Month” Bill The New Jersey Senate is scheduled to vote on S1774 next Monday, February 23.

Simply stated, this bill would prohibit an individual from purchasing more than one handgun within a 30-day period. The state already requires an individual to first obtain a permit to purchase – a process which includes an extensive criminal background check and a minimum of 30 days to complete. This bill, as proposed, is just another step that anti-gun legislators are trying to take to erode our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. This anti-freedom bill places arbitrary limits on our Second Amendment rights and would set a dangerous precedent. If passed, this bill gives anti-gun extremists carte blanche to further undermine your right to purchase firearms. Next, it could be one rifle or shotgun per 30-day period or even one handgun per six months or year. It is critical that this legislation be defeated. It is imperative that you stand-up and make your voice heard! Please contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge them to oppose this unwarranted and unjustified attack on our Second Amendment freedoms. Contact information for your State Senator can be found by clicking here.


NEW MEXICO: New Mexico Senate Files Restaurant Carry Legislation! State Senator George Munoz (D-4) has introduced Senate Bill 608, a measure that would permit Concealed Handgun Licensees to protect themselves in establishments that are licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises IF the establishment derives a majority of its annual gross receipts from the sale of food. The measure is somewhat similar to House Bill 105, sponsored by State Representative John Heaton (D-55), which is currently in the House Judiciary Committee. SB 608 has been referred to the Senate Corporations & Transportation Committee. Please contact the committee members listed below at their capitol offices and urge them to support SB 608. Remind them that it is already unlawful to carry a firearm while under the influence of alcohol, and that Concealed Handgun Licensees should not be denied their right to self-defense just because other patrons of a dining establishment can legally choose to consume alcoholic beverages on the premises. Also, House Bill 105 has not yet been set for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee. Please continue contacting the members of the House Judiciary Committee and respectfully urge them to support HB 105 and to ask the Chairman to set the bill for a hearing. Contact information for both committees can be found here.


NEW YORK: Legislature Considering Pistol License Bills! State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31), Chairman of the Codes Committee, has introduced Senate Bill 1598, legislation similar to Assembly Bill 801, that directly targets New York’s law-abiding pistol license holders by requiring licenses be renewed every five years. In addition, it would mandate that all applicants outside New York City complete training and a test before a license may be issued. Keep in mind that a license is required in New York State simply to possess a handgun and in many cases licensees are only allowed to keep a handgun in their homes or businesses or to travel to and from the range. This would mean that most qualified New Yorkers would be required to undergo training and a test still to be denied the right to carry a firearm for the purpose of self-defense. If this proposal is approved, gun owners can expect that a process that is already unfair in most parts of the state will become more so. Please call your lawmakers TODAY and urge them to oppose S1598/A801. State Assembly Members can be reached by phone at (518) 455-4100. To find your Assembly Member, click here. Your State Senator can be contacted through the Senate switchboard at (518) 455-2800. To find your State Senator, please click here.


NORTH CAROLINA: Show Your Pride With an NRA License Plate! In August of 2005, Governor Mike Easley (D) signed into law Senate Bill 464, which established a National Rifle Association license plate for North Carolina motor vehicles. Before the plates will become a reality, we need 300 North Carolinians to commit to purchasing them. While we currently have over 200 members signed up we still need more signatures. Don’t make your fellow members wait any longer, call the number listed below and find out how you too can get you own NRA license plate today. This is a great way for members to show their support for our Second Amendment rights and the NRA. Please contact the NRA Western North Carolina Field Representative, Doug Merrill, at (828) 628-0410, for more information on obtaining an NRA plate. You will need to submit a check for $10.00 for a standard plate, or $40.00 for a personalized plate, in addition to filling out an application.


NORTH DAKOTA: Pro-Gun Advancement Passes House! The North Dakota House of Representatives passed House Bill 1348, sponsored by State Representative Duane DeKrey, by a 48-46 vote Wednesday, February 18. The original legislation would have allowed concealed carry permit holders to carry on university campuses in North Dakota, removing such facilities from the prohibited list. However, the bill was amended significantly in House action. HB 1348 now addresses a different issue, instead focusing on a storage problem for students who were forced to check their firearms into security "storage lockers" which have become full. The bill allows students to store their guns in campus apartments and also permits the guns in those parking lots. The legislation does not deal with campus dorms or fraternities and sororities. HB 1348 now moves to the Senate, but it has not been assigned to a committee yet. Please continue to check your email and www.nraila.org for further updates.

Elk Management Plan for Theodore Roosevelt National Park Released for Public Comment! Until recently, the National Park Service has used park staff or contract sharpshooters to reduce populations of elk and deer within national parks to achieve herd levels that the habitat can support. As a result of NRA's advocacy for the use of hunters to assist in such operations, the Service is now obligated to consider the use of skilled volunteers (e.g. hunters). The Elk Reduction Plan for Rocky Mountain National Park, CO is the first such plan to include skilled volunteers. The Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) plan, which is open for public comment until Sunday, March 15, presents 6 action alternatives. Under Alternative B, skilled volunteers would become part of a pool of available personnel that could assist in the culling operations. Under Alternative E, the Service would look at ways to enhance elk hunting opportunities outside the park, in cooperation with the North Dakota Game & Fish Department, the U.S. Forest Service, and adjacent landowners. Public meetings will be held although specific dates and locations have not been announced. The draft plan is available at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/thro. You may submit your comments using the above website or mail your comments to Superintendent Valerie Naylor, TRNP, Box 7, Medora, ND 58645-0007. Hunters are considered the first conservationists and have been a valuable asset to wildlife managers in keeping wildlife in balance with its habitat and other natural resources. We encourage you to comment on the draft plan and support the use of hunters at TRNP, as well as supporting efforts by the Service and the state of North Dakota to enhance hunting opportunities outside the park.

OKLAHOMA: Campus Carry Bill Stalled in Committee House Bill 1083, sponsored by State Representative Jason Murphey (R-31), is currently held up in the House Public Safety Committee. Without a committee hearing, Oklahoma's Campus Carry bill cannot move to the floor for a vote. Time is running out for a hearing on this bill! HB 1083 permits faculty members and Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) certified and Self Defense Act (SDA) license holders to carry concealed firearms on college and university campus property. This piece of legislation is an important expansion of Oklahoma’s Right-to-Carry freedoms. Please contact the House Public Safety Committee and respectfully indicate your desire to bring HB 1083 for a committee hearing. Representative Murphey and Oklahoma's Campus Carry Bill are depending on you! Contact information for the Committee can be found here.

OREGON: Right-to-Carry Reform Bill to be Heard on Tuesday! On Tuesday, February 24, the Oregon House Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on House Bill 2463, NRA-backed Right-to-Carry Reciprocity legislation sponsored by State Representative Arnie Roblan (D-9) and State Representative Wayne Krieger (R-1). The committee will meet at 1:00 p.m. in Room 357 of the State Capitol in Salem. This important legislation will not only grant persons holding out-of-state permits the right to carry a concealed handgun in Oregon - it will also increase the number of states in which Oregon Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHL) are legally recognized. Please contact the House Judiciary Committee and urge them to support HB 2463. Let them know that 37 different states offer some form of reciprocity or recognition for out-of-state carry licenses and Oregon should join them! Contact information can be found here.

TENNESSEE: Memphis News Site Publishes Tennessee Concealed Carry Permit Holder List As we reported last week, Memphis based online news website, CommercialAppeal.com, has posted Tennessee’s right to carry permit holder list online! CommercialAppeal.com apparently feels that the “public’s right to know” outweighs your right to privacy. Their irresponsible decision to publish this list has made it easier for criminals to target law-abiding gun owners. Shockingly when the list was first published, it even included permit holders home address! However, bowing to criticism, CommercialAppeal.com removed the permit holders’ address but still included their full name, birth date, city, zip code, and the issue and expiration date of their permit. Let’s keep the pressure on to have this list removed completely by contacting CommercialAppeal.com IMMEDIATELY, as well as its President and Publisher, Joseph Pepe. CommercialAppeal.com can be reached at (901) 529-2345 or 1-800-444-6397. Joseph Pepe, President and Publisher can be reached at (901) 529-2205 or via email by clicking here. Also, contact your State Legislators TODAY and respectfully urge them to support concealed carry permit holder confidentiality legislation. To find contact information for your State Legislators, please click here. To read NRA Chief Lobbyist and Tennessee native Chris Cox’s letter to the Commercial Appeal, please click here. Also, please vote in the WMCTV.com Memphis web poll located half way down the page at: http://www.wmctv.com/.

Show Your Pride With an NRA License Plate! The Tennessee specialized NRA license plate provides an ideal opportunity to showcase your pride as an NRA member and your steadfast dedication to preserving our cherished Second Amendment freedoms. Your support of this program will help ensure hunting and shooting traditions in the Volunteer State for generations to come. To learn how to order one of these special license plates, please click here.

TEXAS: Attention Texas Gun Owners: Employee Protection/Parking Lot Companion Legislation Filed in House This Week! Last week we reported to you that State Senator Glenn Hegar (R-Katy) had introduced Senate Bill 730, NRA-backed legislation allowing employees to store legally-owned firearms in their locked, private motor vehicles while parked at work. This week, State Representative Stephen Frost (D- Atlanta) filed House Bill 1301, the House companion bill to SB 730! Like SB 730, HB 1301 would prevent employers from making you choose between your personal safety and keeping your job. Big business and industry representatives will pull out all the stops to defeat this measure. It's time to find out whether your State Representatives stand with corporate executives who make decisions about your personal safety from a boardroom, or whether your elected officials stand with hard-working Texans who simply wish to exercise their right to lawfully transport firearms in their cars and trucks -- a right recognized under state law that employers' "No Firearms" policies clearly conflict with. Please call your State Representative in their capitol office and respectfully urge them to co-author and support HB 1301. Be sure to let your State Representative know that the Oklahoma and Louisiana Legislatures have already passed similar laws; it's time that the Texas Legislature do the same. Contact information for House members can be found by clicking here. If you don't know who your State Representative is, you can use the "Find Your Legislator" tool at the same web address. Also, if you have a compelling story to tell your State Representative about your work situation -- a lengthy commute, odd-hour shifts, a potentially dangerous parking situation at work -- by all means, share it with them in an email; but try to keep the communication short and to the point, and be certain to put "Please Support HB 1301" in the subject line of your email so they immediately know what bill you're contacting them about.

VIRGINIA: Update on Two Pending Gun Bills in Richmond Today, the House Militia, Police, and Public Safety Committee passed Senate Bill 1035, sponsored by State Senator Emmett Hanger, Jr. (R-24). It now heads to the full House for consideration. SB1035 would permit a Right-to-Carry permit holder to carry a concealed firearm into a restaurant, provided that they do not consume any alcohol. Language requiring that a permit holder inform an authorized alcohol beverage control manager of the restaurant or club that they are carrying a concealed firearm was removed by the Committee. Currently, concealed carry permit holders dining in restaurants that serve alcohol must leave their firearm at home or locked in their vehicle, where it is at risk of being stolen. Despite passing a background check and possessing a state issued permit to carry, law-abiding permit holders are forced to give up their right to self-defense when dining in establishments that serve alcohol. The need for this legislation is clear. Senate Bill1166, sponsored by State Senator John Watkins (R-10), was defeated last night in the House Militia, Police and Public Safety. This bill would have increased the gun tax charged by the Virginia State Police to run the mandatory background check from $2 to $5, a 150% increase for Virginia residents. For non-state residents, the legislation mandated an increase of 60%, from $5 to $8. Please contact your Delegate TODAY and respectfully urge them to support SB1035 when it comes before them for a vote. Contact information can be found here. Also, thank you to all of the NRA members who took action in opposition to SB1166. Without you, this victory would not have been possible.

HB1851 to be Considered on Monday! On Monday, February 23, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee will consider House Bill 1851, sponsored by Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-31). Simply stated, this NRA-backed bill will exempt active duty military personnel or Virginia National Guardsmen from Virginia’s “one gun a month” law on handgun purchases. It is important that you contact the members of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee and voice your support for this critical bill. Please contact the members of the committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to support SB1851. Contact information can be found here.

WYOMING: Attack on Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Suspended Due to an overwhelmingly negative response from gun owners both in and outside Wyoming, an attempt made earlier this week to drastically limit Wyoming’s Right-to-Carry Reciprocity statute has been suspended for the time being, once again restoring the original Right-to-Carry Reciprocity statute. This break will allow the NRA to review the current statute and develop a plan to bring a bill before the Wyoming State Legislature during the next legislative session to ensure that this never happens again to law-abiding citizens in Wyoming. Thank you for all of your calls and support!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

PUBLIC HOUSING OFFICIALS DROP ILLEGAL BAN ON FIREARMS POSSESSION IN PUBLIC HOUSING


An NRA-led coalition of self-defense civil rights groups including the Second Amendment Foundation and the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA) has prevailed in a Second Amendment lawsuit challenging a ban on firearm possession in San Francisco public housing residences.

“This success is further vindication of the U.S. Supreme Court's Heller ruling upholding the Second Amendment as protecting a fundamental, individual civil right for all law-abiding Americans,” said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox.

The San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA) and the property management company that oversees San Francisco’s public housing projects have agreed to completely remove a lease provision banning guns in the residences.

The City of San Francisco itself legally stipulated that its ordinance banning gun possession on county owned or controlled property cannot be applied to the public housing properties, even though Mayor Gavin Newsom announced at a May 2007 press conference that the new city ordinance would ban gun possession there. By excluding the application of the ordinance and removing the lease provision, the right of public housing residents to choose to own a gun to defend themselves or their families has been restored.

The settlements bring a successful conclusion to the lawsuit, filed June 2008. The decision to repeal SFHA’s lease provisions banning firearms came despite initial claims by Mayor Newsom that the lawsuit would be “absolutely defended,” and comes after initial claims by the San Francisco City Attorney that the lawsuit was “frivolous” and that the City would seek sanctions. No sanctions were sought, nor could they have been.

The San Francisco concessions follow similar gun ban repeals by several Illinois towns that also faced NRA lawsuits filed immediately after the Supreme Court confirmed in late June that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms.

NRA-ILA and CRPA will continue to pursue other cases to resolve the incorporation issue. In fact, a California case challenging a gun show ban ordinance that has been partially funded by the NRA for years (Nordyke v. Alameda County) was recently argued before the ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and a decision is forthcoming.

NRA is preparing additional legal challenges in San Francisco and Los Angeles regarding gun control ordinances that were not challenged in the current lawsuit. In fact, NRA’s lawyers have already placed San Francisco and Los Angeles on notice of pending litigation concerning several other gun banning ordinances. The NRA-led coalition will likely also pursue civil rights actions against California itself as well as several other municipalities to challenge ill-conceived and unconstitutional state and local gun bans in the near future.

"Today is an important victory and a step in the right direction for the residents of San Francisco and for the citizens of California," concluded Cox. “NRA will keep up the fight to make sure the Second Amendment is respected throughout the country."

To view the stipulations and other related documents, please visit www.calgunlaws.com.