NRA-ILA GRASSROOTS ALERT
Vol. 18, No. 12 03/25/11
Recently, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) -- who in the early 1990s was the House sponsor of the Brady Act and the federal "assault weapons" and "large" magazine ban of 1994-2004, and the ill-fated, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink "Brady II" bill -- introduced S. 436, the multi-faceted "Fix Gun Checks Act of 2011." Its simplistic and misleading title aside, this bill dispels any doubt about the goal gun control supporters have had in mind ever since they began harping about "closing the gun show loophole" more than a decade ago.
Schumer's "fix" bypasses the question of gun shows altogether. In fact, the term "gun show" appears nowhere in his bill. S. 436 proposes that virtually all private transfers, regardless of location, be subject to National Instant Criminal Background Check System checks. The exceptions would be extremely narrow; in many cases, even lending someone a firearm would be subject to federal regulation.
Investigations Into BATFE Accelerate: As the BATFE faces an increasing array of questions about its activities in the "Fast and Furious" and "Project Gunrunner" programs, the scandal has taken its first political casualty and President Obama has finally commented directly on these problems.
Dove Hunting Ban Lifted In Iowa: This week, both houses of the Iowa Legislature passed, and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (R) signed, legislation into law authorizing a mourning dove hunting season. This NRA-backed legislation passed both houses of the state legislature with broad bi-partisan support despite heavy opposition of anti-hunting groups such as the Humane Society of the United States. With this historic expansion of hunter opportunity, the legislature and Governor have further exemplified their steadfast commitment to sportsmen and gun owners.
Plan To Attend Free Grassroots Workshop At NRA's Upcoming Annual Meetings In Pittsburgh, PA! In anticipation of a hectic legislative session at both the federal and state levels, and in order to lay the foundation for a successful campaign season in 2012, NRA-ILA will be hosting a FREE Grassroots Workshop on Friday, April 29, in conjunction with NRA's Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh.
Panelists Announced For Special ILA Seminar! In addition to the FREE Grassroots Workshop being held in conjunction with this year's Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh, the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division will be holding a Special Seminar.
ILA Dinner and Auction At Annual Meetings: The Institute for Legislative Action will hold its Fifth Annual Dinner and Auction in conjunction with the NRA Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday evening, April 29th.
The Fifth Annual NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction will allow you to show your continued support for NRA-ILA, and enjoy a great evening filled with good food, friends, and an excellent live and silent auction.
This year, the auction will be held at Heinz Field. Don't miss your opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind firearms, original artwork, knives, hunts and wines. This is also a great chance to meet NRA officers and ILA staff.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact John Commerford, 703-267-1141 or visit www.nraila.org/ilaauction.
Volunteers Needed For 2011 NRA Annual Meetings In Pittsburgh: The 2011 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will be an exciting weekend, as thousands of NRA members will come together April 27--May 1, 2011, in Pittsburgh, PA. You can contribute to the success of our meeting by participating as an Annual Meetings Volunteer.
Another Way To Get Involved--Join NRA's Facebook And Twitter Groups: Internet social networking has exploded in recent years, and websites such as Facebook and Twitter attract millions of users. This on-line community fosters a connection between its users, and allows distribution of user-generated content (like pictures, profiles, music, video, and text).
STATE ROUNDUP (Please note the only items listed below are those that have had recent action. For other updates on state legislation, please go to the state legislation section at www.NRAILA.org, and check each week's issue of the Grassroots Alert.)
COLORADO: Colorado's "Permitless Carry" Bill Defeated in Senate Committee
On March 23, House Bill 1205 was defeated in the Senate State, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee. HB 1205 would have allowed residents to carry concealed handguns without permits as long as they were legally eligible to purchase and possess firearms. Despite this defeat, the NRA will continue to urge lawmakers and the Governor to support this pro-gun legislation in the future. The NRA strongly supports the constitutional right of Coloradans to carry a firearm for self-defense. Please contact members of the Senate State, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee who opposed the bill and respectfully express your disappointment that they voted against HB 1205. Contact information for these committee members can be found here.
FLORIDA: STOP Local Governments from Violating State Law in Florida
On March 21, committees on both sides of the state legislature passed identical preemption-strengthening bills. Senate Bill 402 passed in the Senate Community Affairs Committee and House Bill 45 was passed in the House Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee. Both SB 402 and HB 45 would provide penalties for government officials, local governments and agencies that willfully and knowingly violate the state firearms preemption law, since there are currently no penalties in state law. To see how the committee members voted, please click here.
STOP Doctors Violating Patients' Gun Privacy Rights in Florida
On March 23, Senate Bill 432 was scheduled to be heard in the Senate Health Regulation Committee, but due to a heavy agenda and attempts by a couple of state senators to gut the bill, the committee delayed consideration. SB 432 would stop anti-gun doctors from asking children and parents if they own guns and then telling them to get rid of their guns. It further stops doctors from denying care to children if the parents refuse to answer questions about gun ownership. SB 432 will be heard at the next meeting of the Senate Health Regulation Committee. Please continue to check your e-mail for notification on this next meeting.
HELP Restore Rights to Concealed Weapons License Holders in Florida
House Bill 517, introduced by state Representative Chris Dorworth (R), was previously passed in the House Judiciary Committee. HB 517would make much-needed changes to the Florida "Right-to-Carry" law -- also known as the Concealed Weapons Licensing law -- and it would also conform Florida's firearms purchase law with federal law. To see how the committee members voted, please click here.
GEORGIA: Legislation to Reform Right-to-Carry Assigned to House Committee
Senate Bill 102 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, but at this time, no hearing has yet to be scheduled. SB 102 includes a number of reforms to the current Right-to-Carry law including, allowing persons to carry in school zones while picking up or dropping off someone or while waiting to do same, eliminate the fingerprinting requirement for carry license renewals, and place the burden on the medical professionals treating the individual and not the judge in relation to the mental health disease prohibitions. For more information on how this legislation would affect your Right-to-Carry in Georgia, please click here. Please contact members of the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee and respectfully urge them to support SB 102. Contact information for this committee can be found here.
HAWAII: You are Invited to Attend the Hawaii Rifle Association's Annual Mee...
This Sunday, March 27, the NRA's state association, the Hawaii Rifle Association (HRA), will be hosting its annual members meeting at the Kokohead Shooting Complex at the "LIFE" shooting bay (first action shooting bay). For those who would like to come and are current members of HRA, please respond to HRA President Harvey Gerwig via e-mail at hghawaii@gmail.com. If you are not a member of HRA and would like to join at the event, there will be a membership table available at the Shooting Complex on Sunday.
ILLINOIS: "Assault Weapons" Ban Still Scheduled for Third Reading in the House!
Anti-gun legislators in Springfield are still threatening law-abiding gun owners across Illinois with an attack on the Second Amendment. House Bill 1294, a ban on so-called "assault weapons," is currently on its Third Reading in the state House of Representatives and could be taken up at any time. Please contact your state Representative TODAY and urge him or her to stand up for your Second Amendment rights and oppose HB 1294 when it comes up for a vote. This legislation is a direct attack on law-abiding gun owners and your opposition needs to be heard! To locate your state Representative's contact information please click here.
IOWA: Dove Hunting Ban Lifted in Iowa
On March 24, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed legislation into law authorizing a mourning dove hunting season. This NRA-backed legislation passed both houses of the state legislature with broad bipartisan support despite the heavy opposition of anti-hunting groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). With this historic expansion of hunting opportunities, the Governor has further exemplified his steadfast commitment to sportsmen and gun owners. For further information on this monumental occasion, please click here.
Stand Your Ground and Emergency Powers Reform Bills Need Your Help!
As previously reported, House Study Bill 18 (now House File 320), "Emergency Powers Reform" and House File 7 (now House File 573), passed out of the House Public Safety Committee and survived the recent legislative "funnel." HF 320 would prohibit any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful possession, carrying, transfer, transportation or use of any firearm or ammunition during a state of emergency, such as occurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana. HF 573 would also remove a person's "duty to retreat" from an attacker, allowing law-abiding citizens to stand their ground and protect themselves or their family anywhere they are lawfully present. Now, HF 320 and HF 573 both need your help to receive consideration on floor of the state House. It is essential that you contact your state Representative immediately and urge him or her to convince the leadership in the state House to act on these important bills before the end of next week (April 1) -- the last legislative "funnel."
MARYLAND: Legislative Attack on Maryland's Firearm Dealers Ends in a Victory ...
After last week's defeat of House Bill 1043 in the House Judiciary Committee, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee changed course and decided it will no longer bring Senate Bill 161 to the Senate floor for consideration. Both HB 1043 and SB 161 would have allowed the Secretary of State Police (or designee) to reject the state-regulated firearms dealer's license application if it was determined that someone whose license was previously suspended or revoked was involved. It would have also unnecessarily duplicated recordkeeping and other requirements that have been in place at the federal level since 1968. Several provisions redundantly mirrored federal law and where it did not mirror federal law, it imposed restrictions significantly greater than those already in place. To read more about this victory, please click here.
MONTANA: Permitless Carry Legislation Moves to Senate Floor
On March 21, NRA-supported House Bill 271, was passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 7 to 5 vote. This "permitless carry" bill now moves to the Senate floor for consideration. Also on March 21, the Senate Judiciary Committee tabled House Bill 174 and House Bill 384. Please contact your state Senator today and respectfully urge him or her to support HB 271. All legislators may be contacted by calling (406) 444-4800. If you need help identifying your state Senator, please click here. To read more about HB 271, HB 174 and HB 384, please click here.
NORTH CAROLINA: House Consideration of Right-to-Carry Reform Delayed Until Tuesday,...
Originally scheduled for March 23, House Bill 111 is now scheduled to be heard on the floor of the state House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 29. This critical pro-gun reform bill is still facing the threat of being watered down on the floor of the state House and needs your immediate help. House Bill 111 would remove the prohibition on Right-to-Carry permit holders carrying firearms into restaurants that serve alcohol. It would also remove the ability of local governments to prohibit the lawful carrying of firearms by permit holders into parks. The NRA is also currently working with state Representative Leo Daughtry (R-26) to remove divisive language added in an attempt to sabotage the bill. H 111 was previously amended in subcommittee with language to allow servers in restaurants to ask patrons who order an alcoholic beverage whether they are carrying a concealed firearm. This amendment was proposed by state Representative Debra Ross (D-38). Please continue contacting your state Representative and urge him or her to support H 111 only after the removal of the Ross amendment and without any other anti-gun amendments. To locate your state Representative and their contact information, please click here.
NORTH DAKOTA: North Dakota's Worker Protection Bill Expected to be Heard in Senat...
On March 22, the Senate Industry, Business, and Labor Committee took testimony regarding House Bill 1438, but action isn't expected until next week. This bill passed in the North Dakota House of Representatives by a resounding 82 to 12 margin on February 21. HB 1438 would allow North Dakota employees to legally store their firearms in locked personal vehicles on publicly accessible parking lots without fear of being fired. Businesses have no legitimate interest in micromanaging the lawful contents of one's private vehicle. Please contact members of the Senate Industry, Business, and Labor Committee today and urge them to support HB 1438 and resist and anti-gun amendments. Contact information can be found by clicking here.
OKLAHOMA: Update on the State Legislature's Actions on Pro-Gun Bills
The Oklahoma Legislature continues to take action on a number of bills of interest to firearm owners in the Sooner State. Legislation recently moving forward includes the "Fraudulent Firearms Purchase Prevention Act", "Firearm Owner Privacy Protection Act", the "Parking Lot/Worker Protection" expansion bill, and open carry legislation for those 18-years old and older. For more information on these bills, please click here. Your NRA will continue to inform and update you about these and other bills throughout this legislative session. So please continue to check your e-mail and www.NRAILA.org for updates.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Legislation to Remove an Outdated Gun Control Provision Signed into...
After unanimously passing in both chambers of the state Legislature, House Bill 1079 was signed into law by Governor Dennis Daugaard on March 18. This legislation, sponsored in the House by state Representative Brian Gosch (R-32) and in the Senate by Senate Majority Leader Russell Olson (R-8), clarifies that residents of non-contiguous states may purchase long guns in South Dakota. For more information on the importance of this bill, please click here.
Commission Set to Vote in April on Proposed Lead Shot Ban
A private landowner filed a petition with the Game, Fish and Parks Commission to ban lead shot for hunting on public roads and rights-of-way. The Commission recently announced that it will vote on the proposal at its April 7-8 meeting in Brandon. Those most affected by such a ban will be upland bird hunters. No evidence has been submitted showing that road hunting for pheasants or other upland game is causing risks to the health of wildlife populations who feed alongside public roads or rights-of-way. If this ban is adopted, it won't be long before a statewide ban on the use of lead ammunition is imposed. The landowner-petitioner has stated that he wants to see lead ammunition banned for all hunting in the state. Contact information for the Game, Fish and Parks Commission can be found here.
TENNESSEE: Pro-Gun Bill Awaits Governor's Approval
On Wednesday, March 23, Senate Bill 519 was sent to Governor Bill Haslam for his consideration. SB 519 would recognize that any employer permitting a person to legally carry a firearm on the employer's property does not constitute an "occupational safety and health hazard" to the employees. SB 519, sponsored by state Senator Mike Bell (R-9), passed in the Senate by a 30 to 1 vote. House Bill 283 is the companion bill to SB 519, sponsored by state Representative Vance Dennis (R-71), which passed in the House by an 82 to 8 vote. Please contact Governor Haslam, urge him to sign SB 519 into law and encourage him to also support parking lot/worker protection legislation. The Governor can be reached by phone at (615) 741-2001 and by e-mail at bill.haslam@tn.gov.
UTAH: Utah Governor Signs Two Important Pro-Gun Bills into Law!
On, March 21, Governor Gary Herbert signed House Bill 75 and House Bill 214 into law. HB 75 clarifies where law-abiding citizens may possess and carry firearms near schools. HB 214 adjusts the fees charged for Concealed Firearm Permits from $35 new and $10 renewal, to $29.75 new and $15 renewal. Please contact Governor Herbert TODAY and thank him for signing into law HB 75 and HB 214. The Governor can be reached by phone at 800-705-2464 (toll-free), or by fax at 801-538-1528. Click here to send Governor Herbert an e-mail.
VIRGINIA: Governor McDonnell Signs Four NRA-Supported Bills
On March 18, Governor Bob McDonnell signed into law three NRA-backed pro-gun reform bills (HB 1552, HB 1856 and HB 1857) which had unanimously passed both chambers of the General Assembly this session. In addition, Governor McDonnell signed "Hunter-Voter" legislation into law on March 16. All four pieces of legislation will become effective on July 1, 2011. To learn about these new laws, please click here.
WASHINGTON: Update on Washington State Patrol AR-15 Letter to Gun Dealers
As previously reported, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) sent a letter to every firearms dealer in the state of Washington as part of an investigation into "a missing/stolen AR-15." It was pointed out to the State Patrol by the NRA that what they were requesting was a virtual mountain of information that would be time-consuming and costly for dealers to accumulate and provide. The NRA suggested to the State Patrol that they attempt to narrow the scope of the information that they are requesting and send out another letter, explaining the situation and clarifying that this is a voluntary request for assistance. Bottom line: Dealers, you are under no legal obligation to respond to the WSP letter. For more information on the actions took while looking into this matter, including a joint letter to the WSP Chief, please click here. The NRA will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as appropriate.
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