alan
Member
NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 13, No. 26 06/30/06
States with updates this issue: Alaska, California, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
U.N. GUN BAN CONFERENCE UPDATE
With the "U.N. Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects" having begun on Monday, June 26, here are some of the "highlights" (and "lowlights) of the week's events.
Day One, Monday, June 26: U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan claims the Conference's purpose was not to ban "law abiding citizens right to bear arms..." However, others in the anti-gun cabal obviously disagree, as evidenced by this statement from Indonesia's representative: "We believe that no armed group outside of the State should be allowed to bear weapons. We also believe that regulating civilian possession of Small Arms/Light Weapons will enhance our efforts to prevent its misuse. In our view, the issue of ammunition should also be addressed in the context of the ProgramME of Action because in the absence of ammunition, small arms and light weapons pose no danger." Regardless of Annan's statement, the topic of "regulation" of civilian possession is obviously still alive.
Day Two, Tuesday, June 27: U.S. Under Secretary of State Robert Joseph. Joseph politely but forcefully gave the U.S. "red lines" -- issues which the U.S. strongly opposes and will not allow into any Conference report or recommendations. These include interference with Americans' Right To Bear Arms, a U.N. ban on transfer of arms to freedom fighters and international regulation of ammunition. The U.S. also said it was not ready to commit to any future conferences on small arms. As Joseph noted later, "The U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights of our citizens to keep and bear arms, and there will be no infringement of those rights..The United States will not agree to any provisions restricting civilian possession, use or legal trade of firearms inconsistent with our laws and practices."
Day Three, Wednesday, June 28: A new draft of the U.N. "Small Arms" Conference "final" report became public. Unfortunately, the draft contained provisions on two issues the U.S. considers "red lines" and will not accept -- a U.N. ban on transfer of arms to freedom fighters and international regulation of ammunition. The proposed document also calls for U.N. meetings on "small arms" up to and including additional conferences in 2008, 2010, and 2012! The U.S. is opposed to these constant meetings which seem to rehash the same issues.
Day Four, Thursday, June 29: The Swiss Small Arms Survey (an anti-gun think tank) released its book supporting international regulation of ammunition. Although the U.S. continues to strongly oppose the inclusion of ammunition in any Conference report, several countries insist on pushing the concept. In another development, the President of the Conference appointed three "facilitators" to work on the text of the final report. The so-called facilitators are from Switzerland, Columbia and Japan.
America's gun owners must continue to be vigilant and to take action on this front. For additional information on the U.N.'s attempt to impose its anti-gun will on the U.S. and around the world, please visit www.NRAILA.org, where daily postings tracking the U.N. Conference can be found. Also, please visit www.stopUNgunban.org, or call (800) 672-0636. This site provides valuable information and an opportunity to order Wayne LaPierre's new book The Global War On Your Guns. The book spells out a chilling warning that gun owners in the United States and abroad must heed, and exposes a far-reaching scheme to pass a global ban on civilian ownership of arms--including YOURS! Help stop the U.N.'s attempt to thwart our Freedom. Please visit the site or call the toll-free number today!
NRA NOT ALONE IN ITS IRE AGAINST U.N.
As noted in the previous story, America's gun owners are no doubt most focused on U.N. efforts to promote transnational anti-gun laws. However, that is just the tip of the iceberg. In addition to recent oil for food, sex, and corruption scandals at the world body, a story in today's Washington Times notes that Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are promoting legislation to withhold U.S. contributions to the U.N. Among the reasons cited for these actions are: recent remarks by a U.N. bureaucrat that the U.S. government needs to do more to defend the U.N. to the American public; displeasure with the makeup of the U.N.'s Human Rights Council that includes some of the world's most notorious human rights abusers and sponsors of terrorism; and the U.S. goal of implementing a proportional voting system on financial matters, where member-nations' votes would be commensurate with the percentage of dues they contribute.
NRA APPLAUDS CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS FOR INCLUDING
GUN OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN THEIR "AMERICAN VALUES AGENDA"
The NRA is pleased by Tuesday's announcement by House Congressional leaders to include gun ownership rights as part of their 2006 "American Values Agenda".
"On behalf of our four million NRA members nationwide, we deeply appreciate the House Republican leadership for recognizing the fundamental importance of protecting law-abiding Americans' Second Amendment rights," said Chris W. Cox, NRA's chief lobbyist. "We strongly encourage and endorse these pro-gun bills as part of the their "American Values Agenda.'"
"Family, faith, patriotism and hard work bind us together as Americans. Our laws should reflect those priorities, and House Republicans are committed to the American Values Agenda, policies that stress the core values on which our nation was built," said House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.).
House Republican leaders have put together a package of "pro-freedom" bills slated for votes this summer and fall. Two of those measures are H.R. 5092 and H.R. 5013, bills that are also among NRA's top legislative priorities.
H.R. 5092 is the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) Modernization and Reform Act of 2006." This measure would make critical changes in the way BATFE enforces federal firearm laws. H.R. 5092 was introduced after abuses were exposed in several BATFE oversight hearings by the House Crime Subcommittee held this spring.
H.R. 5013, the "Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act", would prohibit the confiscation of legal firearms from law-abiding citizens during national emergencies, barring practices like those employed by officials in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The NRA recently passed a similar measure into state law in Alaska, Idaho, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, and Louisiana.
"NRA members, gun owners and sportsmen across the country should contact their congressmen, urging them to support these pro-gun bills. No matter what the circumstances, lawful gun owners have the right to possess their firearms in their homes. That's what this legislation ensures," concluded Cox.
HOUSE OVERTURNS MANDATORY GUN LOCKS PROVISION
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to overturn the federal requirement that federally licensed firearm dealers provide a "secure gun storage or safety device" (e.g., trigger locks, cable locks, gun safes, gun cases, lock boxes, etc.) with the sale and/or transfer of every handgun. The amendment, offered to a larger appropriations bill, was sponsored by U.S. Representative Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.), and passed by a vote of 230-191. This legislation has yet to be considered by the U.S. Senate.
SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR 2005 NRA-ILA VOLUNTEER AWARDS
The "Jay M. Littlefield Memorial NRA-ILA Volunteer of the Year Award" is an annual honor that recognizes an NRA member who demonstrates exceptionally meritorious activism in defense of our Second Amendment rights. Similarly, the "NRA-ILA Volunteer Organization of the Year Award" is bestowed upon a group that has gone above and beyond the call of duty in defending our freedom over the past year. Nominations for these honors for last year (2005) should be submitted to: NRA-ILA Volunteer Awards, c/o Ryan Irsik, NRA-ILA Grassroots Division, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030. Nominations may also be faxed to Ryan at (703) 267-3918, or e-mailed to [email protected]. All nominations must be submitted by NRA members in good standing and be accompanied by a one-page description of why the nominee is deserving. Winners will be selected by NRA-ILA staff, and will be acknowledged at this Fall's NRA Board of Directors Meeting. The deadline for submissions is July 7, 2006.
NRA-ILA "MIX N' MINGLES"
Much is at stake in this year's elections; we will decide if we continue to move ahead on the path of pro-gun reform, or, if we will descend to the dark Clinton-Gore years. In order to ensure continued success for the Second Amendment, we must elect pro-gun lawmakers to office this election season.
To ensure victory for our pro-gun candidates this election year, NRA-ILA will be hosting FREE NRA-ILA "Mix N' Mingles" across the country. These events will provide NRA members with training on what they can do locally to propel candidates to victory this election season. The meetings also provide attendees the opportunity to meet and socialize with lawmakers, candidates, and their staffs; NRA-ILA Headquarters staff; and fellow area NRA members-and to earn FREE NRA fraternal items such as hats, pocketknives, buttons, etc. "Mix N' Mingles," including materials, food, beverages, and NRA items, are FREE!
Mix N' Mingle events are scheduled for:
- Addison, IL 07/15/06
- Lakemoor, IL 07/18/06
- Reading, PA 08/12/06
- Libby, MT 08/15/06
- Great Falls, MT 08/17/06
- Billings, MT 08/19/06
- Seymour, IN 08/24/06
- South Bend, IN 08/26/06
- Aurora, CO 08/26/06
- Lincoln, NE 09/09/06
- Dublin, OH 10/14/06
- St. Cloud, MN 10/16/06
NRA members who have access to the Internet can go to www.nraila.org/workshops/ to reserve their seats on-line. NRA members are encouraged to check this website address frequently to see if any upcoming "Mix N' Mingles" are scheduled in their area. NRA members may also contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) for details and to reserve their seats.
A LOOK AT THE STATES
(***For all of the action items below, you can find contact information for your legislators by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org. For information on NRA-PVF candidate endorsements, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683), or visit www.NRAPVF.org. If you go to the NRA-PVF site, you will have to provide your NRA member ID number to access the site. Your NRA member ID number can be found on the front of your NRA magazine or on your NRA membership card. Your ID number on the magazine's mailing label is the 10-digit number that follows the code: #07901. Examples of how to find your ID number can also be found at www.NRAPVF.org on the login page accessed by choosing your state. As always, thank you for your support.***)
States with updates this issue: Alaska, California, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
ALASKA
On June 20, Governor Frank Murkowski (R) signed SB 274, important legislation pertaining to the disposal of forfeited, surplus, and/or unclaimed firearms. Under existing law, the state must dispose of forfeited, surplus, or recovered but unclaimed firearms and ammunition by selling or trading them to a licensed dealer. Firearms and ammunition that are not "serviceable," "safe," or "legal" shall be destroyed. SB 274, sponsored by Senator Fred Dyson (District I-R), extends the requirements to local municipalities as well as the state and removes the very subjective reference to "serviceable" and "safe." The bill requires firearms and ammunition that are sold, to be done so at a public sale, not limited solely to dealers. SB 274 will allow trade-ins for credit on new firearms as well as donations and transfers between law enforcement agencies. However, it does not guarantee that all firearms would be made available to the public. Firearms disposed of in any "non-sale" methods must be reported to the legislature annually during budget review sessions in the interest of oversight. A special thank you to all NRA members for your calls and e-mails in support of SB 274 during the legislative session!
CALIFORNIA
The State Senate is now on vacation until August 7, and AB 352, sponsored by Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-42), and AB 2714, sponsored by Assemblyman Alberto Torrico (D-20), are on hold for a vote until the Senate reconvenes. AB 352 would require that serial numbers, make, and model numbers be micro-stamped into the interior surface or internal working parts of all handguns produced after a certain date. AB 2714 would ban the sale of ammunition through the mail or internet. Please continue to contact your Senator and urge him or her to protect law-abiding gun owners by voting against AB 352 and AB 2714. For more information on both of these bills, please visit www.calnra.com/.
DELAWARE
Earlier this year, Delaware's efforts to join the ranks of the vast majority of states by becoming a "shall-issue" Right-to-Carry state, through passage of HB 359, appeared to be on the fast track for success. However, due to political games played by anti-gunners, the result was the introduction of a number of "killer amendments" designed to defeat the bill and further intrude upon the privacy of the lawful citizens of the State of Delaware. In the end, the chances of one of the truly onerous amendments being attached to the bill was too great a risk to take on behalf the law-abiding citizens of Delaware. NRA-ILA will be publishing "grades" for all of the major candidates for public office this November, and rest assured, HB 359 will be high among the issues considered when those grades are assigned.
MICHIGAN
Important legislation has been sent to Governor Jennifer Granholm's (D) desk! On June 29, the "Castle Doctrine" package comprised of HB 5142, by Representative Tom Casperson (R-108), HB 5143, by Representative Rick Jones (R-71), HB 5153, by Representative Leslie Mortimer (R-65), HB 5548, by Representative Tim Moore (R-97), SB 1046, by Senator Alan Cropsey (R-33), as well as SB 1185, by Senator Ron Jelinek (R-21), overwhelmingly passed the State Legislature and is now en route to the Governor. This legislative package will help the citizens of Michigan by clarifying the rights and duties of self-defense and the defense of others within one's home and/or occupied vehicle and provide immunity from civil liability for self-defense actions. Along with the "Castle Doctrince" package, Senate Bill 1105, sponsored by Senator Michelle McManus (R-35), and House Bill 5192, sponsored by Representative Scott Hummel (R-93) are also headed to the Governor. SB 1105 makes it easier for new participants to become involved in our hunting heritage by allowing them to hunt with a licensed adult for up to two years without taking lengthy hunter education courses. HB 5192 drops the hunting age from 14 to 12 for big game and 12 to 10 for small game. Please contact Governor Granholm TODAY at (517) 373-3400 or (517) 335-7858 and urge her to support "Castle Doctrine" legislation, SB 1105, and HB 5192.
NEW JERSEY
By a vote of 7 to 1, the Jersey City Council passed its "one-gun-a-month" handgun rationing scheme at its June 28 Council meeting, but unanimously defeated its "junk gun" ban, which is being re-drafted a second time and will be re-introduced at a future date. After a heated debate between gun rights activists and anti-gun extremists, City Council President Mariano Vega, Jr. admitted that the gun rationing ordinance "is feel-good legislation that will probably not reduce crime, but we have to start somewhere, so I am voting yes." The lone vote against the rationing scheme came from Councilman Michael Sottolano ([email protected]) (201) 547-5098). Members are encouraged to contact Councilman Sottolano and thank him for his courage and integrity. Ordinance # 06-082 bans the purchase of more than one handgun per month, and leaves Jersey City residents unable to defend themselves if their firearm requires repair or is stolen within four weeks of purchase. The ordinance will become effective 20 days after passage, upon signing by the Mayor. The ordinance violates New Jersey's preemption law, which forbids municipalities from regulating where the state has already spoken. The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs (NRA's New Jersey State affiliate) has vowed to challenge the illegal ordinance in Court, and CeaseFire New Jersey executives threatened at the hearing to organize a defense on behalf of Jersey City using pro-bono services of a major New Jersey law firm.
NEW YORK
On June 13, introductory resolution IR-1738-2006 was introduced in the Suffolk County Legislature by Legislator Kate Browning. It would stop all ongoing actions and efforts to reopen the Suffolk County Trap & Skeet Range. The range is scheduled to reopen on July 15, 2006, but if this resolution passes out of the Parks & Recreation Committee and is brought to the floor of the full County Legislature, it may not open at all. At the last Parks & Recreation Committee meeting held on June 21, the Committee decided to table IR-1738-2006 and bring it up for discussion once again at the next Parks & Recreation Committee meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for August 2, at 11:00 a.m., at the Suffolk County Legislative Building, Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788, (631) 853-4000. Please plan to attend this meeting, and please call your Legislator and urge the Committee members to oppose IR-1738-2006. The Suffolk County Legislature can be reached at (631) 853-4074 or by visiting www.co.suffolk.ny.us/legis/. Ms. Browning is not giving up her fight on her resolution and only large numbers of people can and will influence the members of this committee, of which Ms. Browning is a member. We can, and we must, persuade the committee and/or the County legislature to do the right thing and reopen the Suffolk County Trap & Skeet Range. If the County government wasn't enough to deal with, a group called the Long Island Pine Barrens Society claims it has jurisdiction over whether or not the Suffolk County Trap & Skeet Range can reopen. The Pine Barrens Society has already decided to sue if the Suffolk County Trap & Skeet Range is reopened. The next meeting of the Pine Barrens Society is scheduled for Wednesday, July 19, which is four days after the Suffolk Range is scheduled to open. Please keep checking your e-mail and www.NRAILA.org for updates on this important issue.
See part 2
States with updates this issue: Alaska, California, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
U.N. GUN BAN CONFERENCE UPDATE
With the "U.N. Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects" having begun on Monday, June 26, here are some of the "highlights" (and "lowlights) of the week's events.
Day One, Monday, June 26: U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan claims the Conference's purpose was not to ban "law abiding citizens right to bear arms..." However, others in the anti-gun cabal obviously disagree, as evidenced by this statement from Indonesia's representative: "We believe that no armed group outside of the State should be allowed to bear weapons. We also believe that regulating civilian possession of Small Arms/Light Weapons will enhance our efforts to prevent its misuse. In our view, the issue of ammunition should also be addressed in the context of the ProgramME of Action because in the absence of ammunition, small arms and light weapons pose no danger." Regardless of Annan's statement, the topic of "regulation" of civilian possession is obviously still alive.
Day Two, Tuesday, June 27: U.S. Under Secretary of State Robert Joseph. Joseph politely but forcefully gave the U.S. "red lines" -- issues which the U.S. strongly opposes and will not allow into any Conference report or recommendations. These include interference with Americans' Right To Bear Arms, a U.N. ban on transfer of arms to freedom fighters and international regulation of ammunition. The U.S. also said it was not ready to commit to any future conferences on small arms. As Joseph noted later, "The U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights of our citizens to keep and bear arms, and there will be no infringement of those rights..The United States will not agree to any provisions restricting civilian possession, use or legal trade of firearms inconsistent with our laws and practices."
Day Three, Wednesday, June 28: A new draft of the U.N. "Small Arms" Conference "final" report became public. Unfortunately, the draft contained provisions on two issues the U.S. considers "red lines" and will not accept -- a U.N. ban on transfer of arms to freedom fighters and international regulation of ammunition. The proposed document also calls for U.N. meetings on "small arms" up to and including additional conferences in 2008, 2010, and 2012! The U.S. is opposed to these constant meetings which seem to rehash the same issues.
Day Four, Thursday, June 29: The Swiss Small Arms Survey (an anti-gun think tank) released its book supporting international regulation of ammunition. Although the U.S. continues to strongly oppose the inclusion of ammunition in any Conference report, several countries insist on pushing the concept. In another development, the President of the Conference appointed three "facilitators" to work on the text of the final report. The so-called facilitators are from Switzerland, Columbia and Japan.
America's gun owners must continue to be vigilant and to take action on this front. For additional information on the U.N.'s attempt to impose its anti-gun will on the U.S. and around the world, please visit www.NRAILA.org, where daily postings tracking the U.N. Conference can be found. Also, please visit www.stopUNgunban.org, or call (800) 672-0636. This site provides valuable information and an opportunity to order Wayne LaPierre's new book The Global War On Your Guns. The book spells out a chilling warning that gun owners in the United States and abroad must heed, and exposes a far-reaching scheme to pass a global ban on civilian ownership of arms--including YOURS! Help stop the U.N.'s attempt to thwart our Freedom. Please visit the site or call the toll-free number today!
NRA NOT ALONE IN ITS IRE AGAINST U.N.
As noted in the previous story, America's gun owners are no doubt most focused on U.N. efforts to promote transnational anti-gun laws. However, that is just the tip of the iceberg. In addition to recent oil for food, sex, and corruption scandals at the world body, a story in today's Washington Times notes that Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are promoting legislation to withhold U.S. contributions to the U.N. Among the reasons cited for these actions are: recent remarks by a U.N. bureaucrat that the U.S. government needs to do more to defend the U.N. to the American public; displeasure with the makeup of the U.N.'s Human Rights Council that includes some of the world's most notorious human rights abusers and sponsors of terrorism; and the U.S. goal of implementing a proportional voting system on financial matters, where member-nations' votes would be commensurate with the percentage of dues they contribute.
NRA APPLAUDS CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS FOR INCLUDING
GUN OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN THEIR "AMERICAN VALUES AGENDA"
The NRA is pleased by Tuesday's announcement by House Congressional leaders to include gun ownership rights as part of their 2006 "American Values Agenda".
"On behalf of our four million NRA members nationwide, we deeply appreciate the House Republican leadership for recognizing the fundamental importance of protecting law-abiding Americans' Second Amendment rights," said Chris W. Cox, NRA's chief lobbyist. "We strongly encourage and endorse these pro-gun bills as part of the their "American Values Agenda.'"
"Family, faith, patriotism and hard work bind us together as Americans. Our laws should reflect those priorities, and House Republicans are committed to the American Values Agenda, policies that stress the core values on which our nation was built," said House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.).
House Republican leaders have put together a package of "pro-freedom" bills slated for votes this summer and fall. Two of those measures are H.R. 5092 and H.R. 5013, bills that are also among NRA's top legislative priorities.
H.R. 5092 is the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) Modernization and Reform Act of 2006." This measure would make critical changes in the way BATFE enforces federal firearm laws. H.R. 5092 was introduced after abuses were exposed in several BATFE oversight hearings by the House Crime Subcommittee held this spring.
H.R. 5013, the "Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act", would prohibit the confiscation of legal firearms from law-abiding citizens during national emergencies, barring practices like those employed by officials in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The NRA recently passed a similar measure into state law in Alaska, Idaho, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, and Louisiana.
"NRA members, gun owners and sportsmen across the country should contact their congressmen, urging them to support these pro-gun bills. No matter what the circumstances, lawful gun owners have the right to possess their firearms in their homes. That's what this legislation ensures," concluded Cox.
HOUSE OVERTURNS MANDATORY GUN LOCKS PROVISION
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to overturn the federal requirement that federally licensed firearm dealers provide a "secure gun storage or safety device" (e.g., trigger locks, cable locks, gun safes, gun cases, lock boxes, etc.) with the sale and/or transfer of every handgun. The amendment, offered to a larger appropriations bill, was sponsored by U.S. Representative Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.), and passed by a vote of 230-191. This legislation has yet to be considered by the U.S. Senate.
SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR 2005 NRA-ILA VOLUNTEER AWARDS
The "Jay M. Littlefield Memorial NRA-ILA Volunteer of the Year Award" is an annual honor that recognizes an NRA member who demonstrates exceptionally meritorious activism in defense of our Second Amendment rights. Similarly, the "NRA-ILA Volunteer Organization of the Year Award" is bestowed upon a group that has gone above and beyond the call of duty in defending our freedom over the past year. Nominations for these honors for last year (2005) should be submitted to: NRA-ILA Volunteer Awards, c/o Ryan Irsik, NRA-ILA Grassroots Division, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030. Nominations may also be faxed to Ryan at (703) 267-3918, or e-mailed to [email protected]. All nominations must be submitted by NRA members in good standing and be accompanied by a one-page description of why the nominee is deserving. Winners will be selected by NRA-ILA staff, and will be acknowledged at this Fall's NRA Board of Directors Meeting. The deadline for submissions is July 7, 2006.
NRA-ILA "MIX N' MINGLES"
Much is at stake in this year's elections; we will decide if we continue to move ahead on the path of pro-gun reform, or, if we will descend to the dark Clinton-Gore years. In order to ensure continued success for the Second Amendment, we must elect pro-gun lawmakers to office this election season.
To ensure victory for our pro-gun candidates this election year, NRA-ILA will be hosting FREE NRA-ILA "Mix N' Mingles" across the country. These events will provide NRA members with training on what they can do locally to propel candidates to victory this election season. The meetings also provide attendees the opportunity to meet and socialize with lawmakers, candidates, and their staffs; NRA-ILA Headquarters staff; and fellow area NRA members-and to earn FREE NRA fraternal items such as hats, pocketknives, buttons, etc. "Mix N' Mingles," including materials, food, beverages, and NRA items, are FREE!
Mix N' Mingle events are scheduled for:
- Addison, IL 07/15/06
- Lakemoor, IL 07/18/06
- Reading, PA 08/12/06
- Libby, MT 08/15/06
- Great Falls, MT 08/17/06
- Billings, MT 08/19/06
- Seymour, IN 08/24/06
- South Bend, IN 08/26/06
- Aurora, CO 08/26/06
- Lincoln, NE 09/09/06
- Dublin, OH 10/14/06
- St. Cloud, MN 10/16/06
NRA members who have access to the Internet can go to www.nraila.org/workshops/ to reserve their seats on-line. NRA members are encouraged to check this website address frequently to see if any upcoming "Mix N' Mingles" are scheduled in their area. NRA members may also contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) for details and to reserve their seats.
A LOOK AT THE STATES
(***For all of the action items below, you can find contact information for your legislators by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org. For information on NRA-PVF candidate endorsements, NRA members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683), or visit www.NRAPVF.org. If you go to the NRA-PVF site, you will have to provide your NRA member ID number to access the site. Your NRA member ID number can be found on the front of your NRA magazine or on your NRA membership card. Your ID number on the magazine's mailing label is the 10-digit number that follows the code: #07901. Examples of how to find your ID number can also be found at www.NRAPVF.org on the login page accessed by choosing your state. As always, thank you for your support.***)
States with updates this issue: Alaska, California, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
ALASKA
On June 20, Governor Frank Murkowski (R) signed SB 274, important legislation pertaining to the disposal of forfeited, surplus, and/or unclaimed firearms. Under existing law, the state must dispose of forfeited, surplus, or recovered but unclaimed firearms and ammunition by selling or trading them to a licensed dealer. Firearms and ammunition that are not "serviceable," "safe," or "legal" shall be destroyed. SB 274, sponsored by Senator Fred Dyson (District I-R), extends the requirements to local municipalities as well as the state and removes the very subjective reference to "serviceable" and "safe." The bill requires firearms and ammunition that are sold, to be done so at a public sale, not limited solely to dealers. SB 274 will allow trade-ins for credit on new firearms as well as donations and transfers between law enforcement agencies. However, it does not guarantee that all firearms would be made available to the public. Firearms disposed of in any "non-sale" methods must be reported to the legislature annually during budget review sessions in the interest of oversight. A special thank you to all NRA members for your calls and e-mails in support of SB 274 during the legislative session!
CALIFORNIA
The State Senate is now on vacation until August 7, and AB 352, sponsored by Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-42), and AB 2714, sponsored by Assemblyman Alberto Torrico (D-20), are on hold for a vote until the Senate reconvenes. AB 352 would require that serial numbers, make, and model numbers be micro-stamped into the interior surface or internal working parts of all handguns produced after a certain date. AB 2714 would ban the sale of ammunition through the mail or internet. Please continue to contact your Senator and urge him or her to protect law-abiding gun owners by voting against AB 352 and AB 2714. For more information on both of these bills, please visit www.calnra.com/.
DELAWARE
Earlier this year, Delaware's efforts to join the ranks of the vast majority of states by becoming a "shall-issue" Right-to-Carry state, through passage of HB 359, appeared to be on the fast track for success. However, due to political games played by anti-gunners, the result was the introduction of a number of "killer amendments" designed to defeat the bill and further intrude upon the privacy of the lawful citizens of the State of Delaware. In the end, the chances of one of the truly onerous amendments being attached to the bill was too great a risk to take on behalf the law-abiding citizens of Delaware. NRA-ILA will be publishing "grades" for all of the major candidates for public office this November, and rest assured, HB 359 will be high among the issues considered when those grades are assigned.
MICHIGAN
Important legislation has been sent to Governor Jennifer Granholm's (D) desk! On June 29, the "Castle Doctrine" package comprised of HB 5142, by Representative Tom Casperson (R-108), HB 5143, by Representative Rick Jones (R-71), HB 5153, by Representative Leslie Mortimer (R-65), HB 5548, by Representative Tim Moore (R-97), SB 1046, by Senator Alan Cropsey (R-33), as well as SB 1185, by Senator Ron Jelinek (R-21), overwhelmingly passed the State Legislature and is now en route to the Governor. This legislative package will help the citizens of Michigan by clarifying the rights and duties of self-defense and the defense of others within one's home and/or occupied vehicle and provide immunity from civil liability for self-defense actions. Along with the "Castle Doctrince" package, Senate Bill 1105, sponsored by Senator Michelle McManus (R-35), and House Bill 5192, sponsored by Representative Scott Hummel (R-93) are also headed to the Governor. SB 1105 makes it easier for new participants to become involved in our hunting heritage by allowing them to hunt with a licensed adult for up to two years without taking lengthy hunter education courses. HB 5192 drops the hunting age from 14 to 12 for big game and 12 to 10 for small game. Please contact Governor Granholm TODAY at (517) 373-3400 or (517) 335-7858 and urge her to support "Castle Doctrine" legislation, SB 1105, and HB 5192.
NEW JERSEY
By a vote of 7 to 1, the Jersey City Council passed its "one-gun-a-month" handgun rationing scheme at its June 28 Council meeting, but unanimously defeated its "junk gun" ban, which is being re-drafted a second time and will be re-introduced at a future date. After a heated debate between gun rights activists and anti-gun extremists, City Council President Mariano Vega, Jr. admitted that the gun rationing ordinance "is feel-good legislation that will probably not reduce crime, but we have to start somewhere, so I am voting yes." The lone vote against the rationing scheme came from Councilman Michael Sottolano ([email protected]) (201) 547-5098). Members are encouraged to contact Councilman Sottolano and thank him for his courage and integrity. Ordinance # 06-082 bans the purchase of more than one handgun per month, and leaves Jersey City residents unable to defend themselves if their firearm requires repair or is stolen within four weeks of purchase. The ordinance will become effective 20 days after passage, upon signing by the Mayor. The ordinance violates New Jersey's preemption law, which forbids municipalities from regulating where the state has already spoken. The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs (NRA's New Jersey State affiliate) has vowed to challenge the illegal ordinance in Court, and CeaseFire New Jersey executives threatened at the hearing to organize a defense on behalf of Jersey City using pro-bono services of a major New Jersey law firm.
NEW YORK
On June 13, introductory resolution IR-1738-2006 was introduced in the Suffolk County Legislature by Legislator Kate Browning. It would stop all ongoing actions and efforts to reopen the Suffolk County Trap & Skeet Range. The range is scheduled to reopen on July 15, 2006, but if this resolution passes out of the Parks & Recreation Committee and is brought to the floor of the full County Legislature, it may not open at all. At the last Parks & Recreation Committee meeting held on June 21, the Committee decided to table IR-1738-2006 and bring it up for discussion once again at the next Parks & Recreation Committee meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for August 2, at 11:00 a.m., at the Suffolk County Legislative Building, Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788, (631) 853-4000. Please plan to attend this meeting, and please call your Legislator and urge the Committee members to oppose IR-1738-2006. The Suffolk County Legislature can be reached at (631) 853-4074 or by visiting www.co.suffolk.ny.us/legis/. Ms. Browning is not giving up her fight on her resolution and only large numbers of people can and will influence the members of this committee, of which Ms. Browning is a member. We can, and we must, persuade the committee and/or the County legislature to do the right thing and reopen the Suffolk County Trap & Skeet Range. If the County government wasn't enough to deal with, a group called the Long Island Pine Barrens Society claims it has jurisdiction over whether or not the Suffolk County Trap & Skeet Range can reopen. The Pine Barrens Society has already decided to sue if the Suffolk County Trap & Skeet Range is reopened. The next meeting of the Pine Barrens Society is scheduled for Wednesday, July 19, which is four days after the Suffolk Range is scheduled to open. Please keep checking your e-mail and www.NRAILA.org for updates on this important issue.
See part 2