----- Original Message -----
From: GRNC Communications
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 1:48 AM
Subject: GRNC Alert 08-05-03: NRA Lawyer Sues Pro-Gun Activists
Grass Roots North Carolina, P.O. Box 10684, Raleigh, NC 27605, 919-664-8565, www.grnc.org GRNC Alert Hotline: (919) 562-4137
GRNC Alert 08-05-03:
NRA Lawyer Sues Pro-Gun Activists
Are NRA lawyers trying to silence GRNC?
Is your group next?
[Analysis] Since 1994, state-level gun rights organization Grass Roots North Carolina has overseen the passage of a "shall-issue" concealed handgun law and a concealed handgun reciprocity bill. More importantly, the organization has killed more than a dozen gun control bills-some backed by national gun control groups-ranging from mandatory gun storage laws to gun show restrictions.
NRA BACKS REGISTRATION & CONFISCATION SCHEME
Because GRNC refuses to compromise on principles, however, conflicts have sometimes arisen between GRNC and the NRA when the NRA has endorsed anti-gun legislation or politicians. (For a summary, go to http://www.grnc.org/nra_sellout/nra_sellouts.htm ).
Most recently, NRA lobbyists signed off on SB 919, a North Carolina bill which stands to register and confiscate guns under the guise of combating "domestic violence." Worse, because the actions occur at "ex parte" or emergency hearings-in which a defendant may not have an opportunity to defend himself-the registration and confiscation schemes deny defendants access to due process of law. According to the Raleigh "News & Observer," only GRNC stood tall in opposition to the bill.
GUN CONTROL MEASURES THE NRA APPROVED IN SB 919:
* A judge is required to “catalog†(register) a defendant’s guns, even if the complaint is dismissed as invalid.
* Under some circumstances, a judge may order a defendant’s firearms seized even if the defendant never had an opportunity to present his case.
* Sheriffs can even charge the gun owner unspecified fees for storing seized firearms.
IS NRA DOING TO GRNC WHAT CITIES DID TO GUN MAKERS?
In the past four months alone, GRNC has twice exposed NRA sellouts to gun owners: First, when NRA secretly gutted and rendered useless a concealed handgun reciprocity bill drafted by GRNC activists. Just weeks after that, GRNC opposed the "domestic violence" bill supported by the NRA. (For a history of NRA support of anti-gun measures, go to http://www.grnc.org/nra_sellout/nra_sellouts.htm ).
Given GRNC's nine year history of exposing NRA sellouts, the NRA has a strong interest in silencing what it regards as a thorn in its side. So imagine our surprise when, on July 16, NRA lawyer Dan Zavodil filed a "defamation of character" lawsuit against Grass Roots North Carolina based on alleged private comments about an NRA lobbyist (U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, case #CA 03-906-A). Even more telling, although the NRA lawyer issued an arbitrary July 18, 2003 "deadline" by which GRNC's president was supposed to comply with his demands, he filed the lawsuit on July 16, BEFORE HIS OWN "DEADLINE" HAD EXPIRED. Does this sound like someone interested in settling a lawsuit?
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
* CONTACT THE NRA and let them know that you don’t want your membership dues used to sell out gun rights and silence legitimate pro-gun activists. Regretfully, the only way to get the message across is to convince them that their abuses will cost them money. GRNC has always encouraged gun rights supporters to join the NRA and to keep memberships even when the NRA has undermined the Second Amendment. This time, however, the NRA is going to far. While GRNC does not advocate any particular action, that means annual membersnot Life membersmay consider resigning their memberships. Life members and others might consider letting the NRA know that they will not contribute a dime to the organization for as long as it compromises gun rights.
* CONTACT NRA BOARD MEMBERS listed below and let them know what the organization they direct has been up to.
* FIGHT THE LAWSUIT by donating to the Rights Watch Activist Defense Fund, care of Rights Watch International, PO. Box 10684, Raleigh, NC 27605. Because RWI is a chartered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductible. Bear in mind that if GRNC and RWI don't have enough money to fight the lawsuit, the fact that it is frivolous will be moot. Moreover, it will encourage the NRA to use the same tactics against other pro-gun activists who refuse to "toe the line." To donate using a credit card, go to http://www.rightswatch.org/help_the_good_fighthtm
* USE GRNC’s AUTOMATED E-MAIL: Go to http://www.grnc.org/nra_sellout/ and sign your name. In just a few minutes, you can send e-mails to the NRA and many of its board members.
* Please distribute this alert to all pro-gun organizations and networks.
CONTACT THESE NRA REPRESENTATIVES
* NRA Institute for Legislative Action at: [email protected]
* NRA Board of Directors Members using the addresses below or GRNC's automated e-mailer at http://www.grnc.org/nra_sellout/
Mr. Sanford M. Abrams 25 Cotswold Court, Owings Mills MD 21117-1275 [email protected]
Dr. Thomas P. Arvas 7905 Spain Rd NE, Albuquerque NM 87109-3117 [email protected] et
Mr. Scott L. Bach P.O. Box 651, Newfoundland NJ 07435 [email protected] [email protected]
Mr. William A. Bachenberg Bethlehem PA [email protected]
Mrs. M. Carol Bambery 1124 S. Geneva Drive, DeWitt MI 48820-9537 [email protected]
Hon. Bob Barr 3760 Sixes Road, Ste. 126, PMB 247, Canton GA 30114 [email protected]
Mr. Wilbert G. Bauer 209 Someday Road, Boerne TX 78006-7024
Dr. David E. Bennett, III 11828 Caribou Avenue, NE, Albuquerque NM 87111-7215 [email protected] Hon. David O. Boehm 2470 East Avenue, Rochester NY 14610
Hon. Bill K. Brewster 601 13th St. NW, Suite 410S, Washington DC 20005-3864
LTC Robert K. Brown 5735 Arapahoe Avenue #A-5, Boulder CO 80303-1340 [email protected] Mr. David A. Butz 65 Oak Grove Drive, Belleville IL 62221-2535
Dr. David I. Caplan 247 SE 3rd Avenue, Delray Beach FL 33483-4511
Mr. Ron L. Carlisle Rt. 1, Box 55, Kopperl TX 76652-9716
Mr. J. William Carter P O Box 2127, Fredericksburg TX 78624
Mr. Donald M. Causey 9300 S. Dadeland Blvd #605, Miami FL 33156-2721 Causey@HuntingReport com
Mrs Patricia A. Clark 25 Point O Rocks Road, Newtown CT 06470-1933 [email protected]
Mr. Jeff Cooper Gunsite Ranch, Paulden AZ 86334
Mr. Allan D. Cors 7413 Georgetown Court, McLean VA 22102-2123 [email protected]
Mr. Charles L. Cotton 110 Eagle Lakes Drive, Friendswood TX 77546-5852
Prof. David G. Coy 1020 Brookside Drive, East Adrian MI 49221-3248 [email protected]
Hon. Larry E. Craig 313 Senate Hart Bldg., Washington DC 20510
Hon. Barabara L. Cubin 2241 Belmont Road, Casper WY 82604-4649 barbara.cubin@mail ouse.gov
Mr. John L. Cushman 107 Truberg Avenue, Patchogue NY 11772-1748 jcushman juno.com Mr. William H. Dailey 1528 6th Ave., Moline IL 61265-2049 whdaileylaw ompuserve.com
Mr. H. Tom Davison 2304 Oxford, Bryan TX 77802-1941
Mr. Donn C. DiBiasio 1284 North Main Street, Providence RI 02904-1830
Ms. Diana Dunigan 161 Mackay Drive, Brunswick GA 31525-2862 [email protected] Mr. Manuel Fernandez P O Box 7832, Mission Hills CA 91346-7832
Ms. Sandra S. Froman P O Box 36228, Tucson AZ 85740-6228 [email protected]
Mr. Thomas F. Gaines 947 Ithaca Court, Chula Vista CA 91913-3011
Ms. Marion P. Hammer P O Box 7530, Tallahassee FL 32314-7530 [email protected]
Lt. Philip Hemphill 418 Simpson Circle, Clinton MS 39114-3418 [email protected] te.ms.us
Mr. Charlton Heston 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax VA 22030-9400
Mr. Steve Hornady P O Box 1848, Grand Island NE 68802-1848 [email protected] [email protected]
Ms. Susan Howard P O Box 1456, Boerne TX 78006-1456
Mr. Roy Innis 817 Broadway, 3rd Floor New York NY 10003-4809 [email protected] [email protected]
Mr. Joaquin Jackson 1010 N. Bird Street, Alpine TX 79830-3206
Mr. David C. Jones 155 Covert Lane, Ellisville MO 63021-4603 [email protected] Ms. D. Cynthia Julien 37A Pheasant Run, Smithfield RI 02917-2535
Mr. David A. Keene 5899 Parenham Way, Alexandria VA 22310-5301 keened@carmengrp com
Mrs. Sue King 515 Timber Terrace, Houston TX 77079-2463 [email protected]
Mr. Herbert A. Lanford, Jr. 6530 Davidson Road, K-6, Columbia SC 29209-1736
Mr. Michael A. Lee P O Box 540, Denmark ME 04022-0540
Mr. Karl A. Malone 301 W 100 S, Salt Lake City UT 84101-1209
Ms. Carolyn Meadows 2665 Holly Spring Road NE, Marietta GA 30062
Mr. John Milius Warner Bros., Bldg. 81, Room 215, Burbank CA 91522
Mr. William A. Miller, Jr. P O Box 1992, Beckley WV 25802-1992
Mr. James D. Nicholson 7305 Arbor Oaks Drive, Dallas TX 75248-2203 [email protected]
Mr. Grover Norquist 718 N. Carolina Avenue, SE, Washington DC 20003-1359 [email protected] [email protected]
LTC Oliver L. North 22570 Markey Court, Suite 230, Dulles VA 20166-6915 [email protected]
[email protected]
Mr. Theodore Nugent 4133 W. Michigan Avenue, Jackson MI 49202-1862 [email protected]
Dr. David A. Oliver 16537 Winter Leaf Drive, Wildwood MO 63011-1824 [email protected]
Det. Lance R. Olson 705 William Avenue, Marengo IA 52031-1047
Mr. Ernie Padgette 11719 Blue Smoke Trail, Reston VA 20191-3701 [email protected] Mr. James W Porter, II P O Box 128, Birmingham AL 35201-0128 [email protected]
Sheriff Jay Printz 226 Marcus St, Hamilton MT 59840-3144 [email protected]
Mr. Todd J. Rathner 802 E. Hedrick Drive, Tucson AZ 85719-2531 [email protected]
Mrs. Edie P. Reynolds 3709 Marlin Court, Raleigh NC 27604-3319
Chief Kayne B. Robinson 3100 St. Johns Road, Des Moines IA 50312-4529
Col. Wayne A. Ross P O Box 101522, Anchorage AK 99510-1522 [email protected]
Mr. Carl T. Rowan, Jr. 2910 Fessenden St., NW, Washington DC 20008-1025 [email protected]
Mr. Don Saba P O Box 42486, Tucson AZ 85733-2486 [email protected]
Mr. Robert Sanders Punta Gorda FL
Mr. Ronald L. Schmeits 200 S. 2nd Street, Raton NM 87740-3908
Mr. Harold W. Schroeder 24 Irwinwood Road, Lancaster NY 14086-2415 BIGBUD9 @aol.com Mr. John C. Sigler 11 Waterwheel Circle, Dover DE 19901-6261 [email protected]
Mr. Bruce Stern 935 White Plains Road, Trumbull CT 06611-4547
Mr. Jim Supica P O Box 14040, Lenexa KS 66285-4040 [email protected]
Dep. Dwight D. Van Horn 27859 Quincy Street, Castaic CA 91384-3530 ddvanhor @aol.com
Mr. Robert L. Viden, Jr. 318 N. Delsea Drive, Glassboro NJ 08028-1497
Hon. Harold L. Volkmer 719 Country Club Drive, Hannibal MO 63401-3035
Mr. Howard J. Walter P O Box 39, Flat Rock NC 28731-0039 [email protected]
Mr. J. D. Williams Keystone Road, Pearsall TX 78061
Mr. Robert J. Wos 10100 Boston Road, North Royalton OH 44133-6123 [email protected]
Hon. Donald E. Young 2111 Rayburn House Office Bldg., Washington DC 20515
From: GRNC Communications
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2003 1:48 AM
Subject: GRNC Alert 08-05-03: NRA Lawyer Sues Pro-Gun Activists
Grass Roots North Carolina, P.O. Box 10684, Raleigh, NC 27605, 919-664-8565, www.grnc.org GRNC Alert Hotline: (919) 562-4137
GRNC Alert 08-05-03:
NRA Lawyer Sues Pro-Gun Activists
Are NRA lawyers trying to silence GRNC?
Is your group next?
[Analysis] Since 1994, state-level gun rights organization Grass Roots North Carolina has overseen the passage of a "shall-issue" concealed handgun law and a concealed handgun reciprocity bill. More importantly, the organization has killed more than a dozen gun control bills-some backed by national gun control groups-ranging from mandatory gun storage laws to gun show restrictions.
NRA BACKS REGISTRATION & CONFISCATION SCHEME
Because GRNC refuses to compromise on principles, however, conflicts have sometimes arisen between GRNC and the NRA when the NRA has endorsed anti-gun legislation or politicians. (For a summary, go to http://www.grnc.org/nra_sellout/nra_sellouts.htm ).
Most recently, NRA lobbyists signed off on SB 919, a North Carolina bill which stands to register and confiscate guns under the guise of combating "domestic violence." Worse, because the actions occur at "ex parte" or emergency hearings-in which a defendant may not have an opportunity to defend himself-the registration and confiscation schemes deny defendants access to due process of law. According to the Raleigh "News & Observer," only GRNC stood tall in opposition to the bill.
GUN CONTROL MEASURES THE NRA APPROVED IN SB 919:
* A judge is required to “catalog†(register) a defendant’s guns, even if the complaint is dismissed as invalid.
* Under some circumstances, a judge may order a defendant’s firearms seized even if the defendant never had an opportunity to present his case.
* Sheriffs can even charge the gun owner unspecified fees for storing seized firearms.
IS NRA DOING TO GRNC WHAT CITIES DID TO GUN MAKERS?
In the past four months alone, GRNC has twice exposed NRA sellouts to gun owners: First, when NRA secretly gutted and rendered useless a concealed handgun reciprocity bill drafted by GRNC activists. Just weeks after that, GRNC opposed the "domestic violence" bill supported by the NRA. (For a history of NRA support of anti-gun measures, go to http://www.grnc.org/nra_sellout/nra_sellouts.htm ).
Given GRNC's nine year history of exposing NRA sellouts, the NRA has a strong interest in silencing what it regards as a thorn in its side. So imagine our surprise when, on July 16, NRA lawyer Dan Zavodil filed a "defamation of character" lawsuit against Grass Roots North Carolina based on alleged private comments about an NRA lobbyist (U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, case #CA 03-906-A). Even more telling, although the NRA lawyer issued an arbitrary July 18, 2003 "deadline" by which GRNC's president was supposed to comply with his demands, he filed the lawsuit on July 16, BEFORE HIS OWN "DEADLINE" HAD EXPIRED. Does this sound like someone interested in settling a lawsuit?
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
* CONTACT THE NRA and let them know that you don’t want your membership dues used to sell out gun rights and silence legitimate pro-gun activists. Regretfully, the only way to get the message across is to convince them that their abuses will cost them money. GRNC has always encouraged gun rights supporters to join the NRA and to keep memberships even when the NRA has undermined the Second Amendment. This time, however, the NRA is going to far. While GRNC does not advocate any particular action, that means annual membersnot Life membersmay consider resigning their memberships. Life members and others might consider letting the NRA know that they will not contribute a dime to the organization for as long as it compromises gun rights.
* CONTACT NRA BOARD MEMBERS listed below and let them know what the organization they direct has been up to.
* FIGHT THE LAWSUIT by donating to the Rights Watch Activist Defense Fund, care of Rights Watch International, PO. Box 10684, Raleigh, NC 27605. Because RWI is a chartered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductible. Bear in mind that if GRNC and RWI don't have enough money to fight the lawsuit, the fact that it is frivolous will be moot. Moreover, it will encourage the NRA to use the same tactics against other pro-gun activists who refuse to "toe the line." To donate using a credit card, go to http://www.rightswatch.org/help_the_good_fighthtm
* USE GRNC’s AUTOMATED E-MAIL: Go to http://www.grnc.org/nra_sellout/ and sign your name. In just a few minutes, you can send e-mails to the NRA and many of its board members.
* Please distribute this alert to all pro-gun organizations and networks.
CONTACT THESE NRA REPRESENTATIVES
* NRA Institute for Legislative Action at: [email protected]
* NRA Board of Directors Members using the addresses below or GRNC's automated e-mailer at http://www.grnc.org/nra_sellout/
Mr. Sanford M. Abrams 25 Cotswold Court, Owings Mills MD 21117-1275 [email protected]
Dr. Thomas P. Arvas 7905 Spain Rd NE, Albuquerque NM 87109-3117 [email protected] et
Mr. Scott L. Bach P.O. Box 651, Newfoundland NJ 07435 [email protected] [email protected]
Mr. William A. Bachenberg Bethlehem PA [email protected]
Mrs. M. Carol Bambery 1124 S. Geneva Drive, DeWitt MI 48820-9537 [email protected]
Hon. Bob Barr 3760 Sixes Road, Ste. 126, PMB 247, Canton GA 30114 [email protected]
Mr. Wilbert G. Bauer 209 Someday Road, Boerne TX 78006-7024
Dr. David E. Bennett, III 11828 Caribou Avenue, NE, Albuquerque NM 87111-7215 [email protected] Hon. David O. Boehm 2470 East Avenue, Rochester NY 14610
Hon. Bill K. Brewster 601 13th St. NW, Suite 410S, Washington DC 20005-3864
LTC Robert K. Brown 5735 Arapahoe Avenue #A-5, Boulder CO 80303-1340 [email protected] Mr. David A. Butz 65 Oak Grove Drive, Belleville IL 62221-2535
Dr. David I. Caplan 247 SE 3rd Avenue, Delray Beach FL 33483-4511
Mr. Ron L. Carlisle Rt. 1, Box 55, Kopperl TX 76652-9716
Mr. J. William Carter P O Box 2127, Fredericksburg TX 78624
Mr. Donald M. Causey 9300 S. Dadeland Blvd #605, Miami FL 33156-2721 Causey@HuntingReport com
Mrs Patricia A. Clark 25 Point O Rocks Road, Newtown CT 06470-1933 [email protected]
Mr. Jeff Cooper Gunsite Ranch, Paulden AZ 86334
Mr. Allan D. Cors 7413 Georgetown Court, McLean VA 22102-2123 [email protected]
Mr. Charles L. Cotton 110 Eagle Lakes Drive, Friendswood TX 77546-5852
Prof. David G. Coy 1020 Brookside Drive, East Adrian MI 49221-3248 [email protected]
Hon. Larry E. Craig 313 Senate Hart Bldg., Washington DC 20510
Hon. Barabara L. Cubin 2241 Belmont Road, Casper WY 82604-4649 barbara.cubin@mail ouse.gov
Mr. John L. Cushman 107 Truberg Avenue, Patchogue NY 11772-1748 jcushman juno.com Mr. William H. Dailey 1528 6th Ave., Moline IL 61265-2049 whdaileylaw ompuserve.com
Mr. H. Tom Davison 2304 Oxford, Bryan TX 77802-1941
Mr. Donn C. DiBiasio 1284 North Main Street, Providence RI 02904-1830
Ms. Diana Dunigan 161 Mackay Drive, Brunswick GA 31525-2862 [email protected] Mr. Manuel Fernandez P O Box 7832, Mission Hills CA 91346-7832
Ms. Sandra S. Froman P O Box 36228, Tucson AZ 85740-6228 [email protected]
Mr. Thomas F. Gaines 947 Ithaca Court, Chula Vista CA 91913-3011
Ms. Marion P. Hammer P O Box 7530, Tallahassee FL 32314-7530 [email protected]
Lt. Philip Hemphill 418 Simpson Circle, Clinton MS 39114-3418 [email protected] te.ms.us
Mr. Charlton Heston 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax VA 22030-9400
Mr. Steve Hornady P O Box 1848, Grand Island NE 68802-1848 [email protected] [email protected]
Ms. Susan Howard P O Box 1456, Boerne TX 78006-1456
Mr. Roy Innis 817 Broadway, 3rd Floor New York NY 10003-4809 [email protected] [email protected]
Mr. Joaquin Jackson 1010 N. Bird Street, Alpine TX 79830-3206
Mr. David C. Jones 155 Covert Lane, Ellisville MO 63021-4603 [email protected] Ms. D. Cynthia Julien 37A Pheasant Run, Smithfield RI 02917-2535
Mr. David A. Keene 5899 Parenham Way, Alexandria VA 22310-5301 keened@carmengrp com
Mrs. Sue King 515 Timber Terrace, Houston TX 77079-2463 [email protected]
Mr. Herbert A. Lanford, Jr. 6530 Davidson Road, K-6, Columbia SC 29209-1736
Mr. Michael A. Lee P O Box 540, Denmark ME 04022-0540
Mr. Karl A. Malone 301 W 100 S, Salt Lake City UT 84101-1209
Ms. Carolyn Meadows 2665 Holly Spring Road NE, Marietta GA 30062
Mr. John Milius Warner Bros., Bldg. 81, Room 215, Burbank CA 91522
Mr. William A. Miller, Jr. P O Box 1992, Beckley WV 25802-1992
Mr. James D. Nicholson 7305 Arbor Oaks Drive, Dallas TX 75248-2203 [email protected]
Mr. Grover Norquist 718 N. Carolina Avenue, SE, Washington DC 20003-1359 [email protected] [email protected]
LTC Oliver L. North 22570 Markey Court, Suite 230, Dulles VA 20166-6915 [email protected]
[email protected]
Mr. Theodore Nugent 4133 W. Michigan Avenue, Jackson MI 49202-1862 [email protected]
Dr. David A. Oliver 16537 Winter Leaf Drive, Wildwood MO 63011-1824 [email protected]
Det. Lance R. Olson 705 William Avenue, Marengo IA 52031-1047
Mr. Ernie Padgette 11719 Blue Smoke Trail, Reston VA 20191-3701 [email protected] Mr. James W Porter, II P O Box 128, Birmingham AL 35201-0128 [email protected]
Sheriff Jay Printz 226 Marcus St, Hamilton MT 59840-3144 [email protected]
Mr. Todd J. Rathner 802 E. Hedrick Drive, Tucson AZ 85719-2531 [email protected]
Mrs. Edie P. Reynolds 3709 Marlin Court, Raleigh NC 27604-3319
Chief Kayne B. Robinson 3100 St. Johns Road, Des Moines IA 50312-4529
Col. Wayne A. Ross P O Box 101522, Anchorage AK 99510-1522 [email protected]
Mr. Carl T. Rowan, Jr. 2910 Fessenden St., NW, Washington DC 20008-1025 [email protected]
Mr. Don Saba P O Box 42486, Tucson AZ 85733-2486 [email protected]
Mr. Robert Sanders Punta Gorda FL
Mr. Ronald L. Schmeits 200 S. 2nd Street, Raton NM 87740-3908
Mr. Harold W. Schroeder 24 Irwinwood Road, Lancaster NY 14086-2415 BIGBUD9 @aol.com Mr. John C. Sigler 11 Waterwheel Circle, Dover DE 19901-6261 [email protected]
Mr. Bruce Stern 935 White Plains Road, Trumbull CT 06611-4547
Mr. Jim Supica P O Box 14040, Lenexa KS 66285-4040 [email protected]
Dep. Dwight D. Van Horn 27859 Quincy Street, Castaic CA 91384-3530 ddvanhor @aol.com
Mr. Robert L. Viden, Jr. 318 N. Delsea Drive, Glassboro NJ 08028-1497
Hon. Harold L. Volkmer 719 Country Club Drive, Hannibal MO 63401-3035
Mr. Howard J. Walter P O Box 39, Flat Rock NC 28731-0039 [email protected]
Mr. J. D. Williams Keystone Road, Pearsall TX 78061
Mr. Robert J. Wos 10100 Boston Road, North Royalton OH 44133-6123 [email protected]
Hon. Donald E. Young 2111 Rayburn House Office Bldg., Washington DC 20515
