NRA-ILA GRASSROOTS ALERT
Vol. 19, No. 04 01/27/12 Act Now to Stop Obama/Holder Gun Registration Scheme Recently, a federal district court in Washington, D.C. issued a ruling upholding an Obama administration policy that requires federally licensed firearms retailers in states bordering Mexico to report multiple sales of semi-automatic rifles. The case was brought by two NRA-backed firearm retailers and by the National Shooting Sports Foundation acting on behalf of its affected members. Plaintiffs have already filed an appeal—but while we await the outcome, your help is urgently needed in seeking congressional action to end this illegal policy.
Devised by Attorney General Eric Holder's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the plan requires all of the 8,700 firearm dealers in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to report all sales of two or more semi-automatic rifles within five consecutive business days, if the rifles are larger than .22 caliber and use detachable magazines.
"A Significant Indictment" of DOJ's "Integrity": In a move that stunned members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the chief of the criminal division in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona has cited his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination and refused to testify.  Outrage of the Week: Politician Attacks Sheriff's Support of Self-Defense: During an Oct. 31 press conference following the attempted rape of a woman walking her dog by a convicted felon, Spartanburg County, S.C., Sheriff Chuck Wright didn't mince words. "It's too bad someone with a concealed weapons permit didn't walk by. That would fix it," Wright said. Wright then repeatedly told his constituents "I want you to get a concealed weapons permit." To hammer the point home he held up a fanny pack, saying, "They make this right here where you can conceal a small pistol in them."
Second Amendment Weekend at Cabela's in Dundee, MI: Join NRA-ILA Headquarters staff February 10-11th, 2012, for a weekend of important grassroots education for gun owners. 2012 is undoubtedly the most critical election year ever for our Second Amendment rights and we must redouble our efforts to guarantee victory on Election Day. Please make plans to attend NRA-ILA's FREE Grassroots Workshop and NRA University to learn what you can do to become a better activist in the fight to protect and promote the Second Amendment! Grassroots News Minute Video: To view this week's "Grassroots News Minute" video, please click here:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIYkRmi2TjE STATE ROUNDUP (Please note the only items listed below are those that have had recent action. For other updates on state legislation, please go to the state legislation section at www.NRAILA.org, and check each week's issue of the Grassroots Alert.) For additional information, please click on the links provided.
GEORGIA: Pro-Hunting Bill Passes Unanimously in Senate Committee!
On January 25, NRA-backed Senate Bill 301 passed unanimously in the state Senate Natural Resources & the Environment Committee! This bill now goes to the Senate floor. SB 301 would allow Georgians to use lawfully-possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms for hunting. Currently, Georgia law permits the use of suppressors for all shooting activities except for the taking of game.
State Senator Introduces NRA-Backed Legislation to Prohibit Destruction of Firearms
On January 27, state Senator Don Balfour (R-9) introduced NRA-backed legislation, Senate Bill 350. This bill would require local and state police authorities to return seized firearms, not currently being held as evidence in a criminal investigation, to the lawful owner if able. If the lawful owner is not found or unable to take possession of the firearm, SB 350 would require these agencies to sell these firearms at a public auction or to a licensed firearms dealer. SB 350 has been assigned to the state Senate Judiciary Committee, but a hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
IOWA: Traditional Ammunition Protections Move Forward in Des Moines
On January 26, the state House Natural Resources Committee passed House Joint Resolution 2001 by a 17 to 4 vote. HJR 2001, which is the House companion of Senate Joint Resolution 2001, is now headed to the House floor for consideration. SJR 2001 and HJR 2001 would rescind the Iowa Natural Resources Commission's unjustified and dangerous regulation banning the use of traditional ammunition for dove hunting. SJR 2001, which has passed in the state Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee, is currently awaiting Senate floor action.
ILLINOIS: Pending House Votes on Three Anti-Gun Bills in Illinois
Three anti-gun bills passed on January 24 in the state House Rules Committee and could be voted on at anytime when the House convenes on January 31. House Bill 1294 seeks to ban countless semi-automatic handguns, rifles, and shotguns, many parts for them, as well as .50 caliber rifles and ammunition. House Bill 1599 would classify countless semi-automatic handguns, rifles, and shotguns as "semi-automatic assault weapons," and would classify as "high capacity ammunition" any "ammunition of .50 or more caliber." House Bill 1855 would create penalties for individuals who have had their firearms stolen if they fail to report the theft in an arbitrarily determined time-frame. Please contact your state Representative TODAY and urge him or her to protect your Second Amendment rights and oppose HB 1294, HB 1599, and HB 1855!
INDIANA: Senate Public Policy Committee Passes Charity Gaming Legislation Crucial to Friends of NRA Events!
On January 25, the Senate Public Policy Committee passed Senate Bill 315 by a 9 to 1 vote. This bill will come up for a vote in the Senate as early as Monday. SB 315 will streamline the licensing and reporting process for charity gaming events, such as Friends of NRA banquets. These policy changes would greatly improve the ability of Friends of NRA committees to comply with Indiana charitable gaming laws in a timely and less cumbersome fashion, while protecting the personal information of Friends of NRA volunteers.
NRA-Backed Pro-Hunting Legislation Passes Committee and Goes to the Senate Floor!
Today, NRA-backed Senate Bill 243 passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 7 to 1 vote! This bill will now go to the full Senate for a floor vote. SB 243 would allow Hoosiers to use lawfully-possessed suppressors (also referred to as silencers) on firearms for hunting. Currently, Indiana law permits use of suppressors for all shooting activities except for the taking of game. Enactment of SB 243 would ensure that hunting is treated the same way as other shooting activities with respect to the use of suppressors, and allow hunters to reap the many benefits suppressor use provides.
NEBRASKA: Critical Castle Doctrine Bill Heard in Committee
On January 25, Legislative Bill 804 was heard by the Judiciary Committee. This bill would create a presumption in the favor of a person who uses force against an intruder who has, or is attempting to, unlawfully and forcibly enter a dwelling or occupied vehicle. In such cases, deadly force would be presumed to be necessary for defense of those within the premises.
NEW JERSEY: Assembly Committee to Consider Ammo Ban & More
On Monday, January 30, the New Jersey Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee is scheduled to consider Assembly Bill 588 and Assembly Bill 1013. A588 is cleverly disguised as police safety legislation aimed at armor piercing ammunition (which is already prohibited under federal and state law). The measure actually opens the door to a sweeping ammunition ban by an unelected public official by executive fiat. Common hunting, target, and self-defense ammunition would be subject to ban, along with BB's, airgun pellets, and non-metallic ammunition like plastic airsoft pellets, if the Attorney General decides that they pose a threat to the safety and well being of law enforcement.
NEW MEXICO: Pro-Gun Legislation Being Considered by Legislature!
Several pro-gun reform measures are on the move in this year's thirty-day session which began on January 17. Senate Bill 26 would allow New Mexico residents to purchase long guns in non-contiguous states and residents of non-contiguous states to purchase long guns in New Mexico. SB 26 received an executive message from Governor Susana Martinez and has been ruled germane to the budget-only legislative session.
NORTH CAROLINA: Forsyth County Commissioners Postpone Vote on Carrying Concealed in County Parks!
At its meeting on January 23, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners was slated to vote on allowing concealed carry in county parks. Currently, both open and concealed carrying of firearms is banned in all Forsyth County parks, and there has been heated debate over the effect enactment of any new laws would have on citizens and visitors alike. Due to intense arguments on both sides, the county commissioners decided to postpone any action on this measure until they meet again on Monday, February 13.
OHIO: Reserve your seats for the 2012 Buckeye Bash and discover the "inside story" behind "Fast & Furious!"
Former NRA President Sandra Froman is the keynote speaker for this year's event and will reveal what's really going on in the gun-running scandal rocking the Obama administration. Plus, she'll discuss the future of gun rights in America, and the dangers that lie ahead for all of us.
Buckeye Firearms Foundation will be holding this year's fundraiser at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin, Ohio, on Saturday, February 11, and they promise that you're in for a treat. Enjoy a great meal, participate in fun games and raffles, and join in on silent and live auctions for great items, like valuable firearms, artwork, collectibles, gun gear, knives, jewelry and more! Click here (http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/Buckeye-Bash) for more information and to get your tickets now!
PENNSYLVANIA: Votes on Pro-Gun House Bills Postponed until February
On January 24, the state House Judiciary Committee was scheduled to vote on two very important firearm bills. Unfortunately, the votes on House Bill 1523 and House Bill 1668 have been delayed until next month. Please continue to call AND e-mail your state Representative urging him or her to support HB 1523 and HB 1668. These much-needed pro-gun bills would make critical changes to enhance Pennsylvania's firearm laws.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Employee Protection Legislation Introduced in Pierre!
On January 23, NRA-backed legislation that would prohibit employers from preventing employees from lawfully storing firearms in their locked personal vehicles was formally introduced in the state House of Representatives. Introduced by House Speaker Val Rausch (R-4) and sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Russell Olson (R-8), House Bill 1132 will address a long standing issue for South Dakotans. Please contact your state legislators today and urge them to cosponsor and support HB 1132.
TENNESSEE: House Companion Employee Protection Bills Filed
On January 25, we reported that two NRA-drafted employee protection bills were filed in the Tennessee Senate, Senate Bill 2992 and Senate Bill 3002. We are pleased to announce that the House companion bills were filed on January 26. House Bill 3560 and House Bill 3559 are NRA-drafted bills that would prevent employers from discriminating and enforcing policies against the storage of lawfully-owned firearms in employees' locked private motor vehicles parked at work.
VIRGINIA: Senate Passes Historic Sunday Hunting Legislation!
On January 26, in a victory for sportsmen throughout the Commonwealth, the Virginia Senate passed legislation to repeal the comprehensive ban on Sunday hunting by a 29 to 11 vote. This bipartisan action will now send Senate Bill 464 to the House of Delegates for committee assignment and further consideration. Those Senators who voted to allow Sunday hunting in Virginia voted to preserve Virginia's treasured hunting heritage, honor essential private property rights and provide an enormous annual economic stimulus without spending a single dollar of taxpayer money.
House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee Passes Five Pro-Gun Bills!
On January 27, the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee passed five pro-gun bills: House Bill 20, House Bill 22, House Bill 26, House Bill 375 and House Bill 940. These bills will all now be sent to the floor of the House of Delegates for consideration. It is important that you contact your Delegate today and urge him or her to support these bills when they come up for a vote.
Planning Process Underway for James River National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is writing a new management plan for the James River National Wildlife Refuge which is located along the James River in Prince George County, eight miles southeast of Hopewell and thirty miles southeast of Richmond. The 4,325-acre refuge is open to deer hunting. The USFWS is inviting public comments to help shape management decisions on the refuge for the next fifteen years. Once a plan is drafted it will be made available for public review and comment. The Service has identified several preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities, including the amount and distribution of public use. If you want to become involved in the planning process, you may submit comments to fw5rw_evrnwr@fws.gov. Please include "James River CCP" in the subject line. For further information you may call Meghan Carfioli, the Planning Team Leader, at 804-829-5413.
WASHINGTON: Two Pro-Gun Bills Could be Heard in House Committee on Monday
House Bill 1508, a shooting range protection bill, and House Bill 2471, a background check reform bill, are scheduled for an executive session and could be voted on by the House Judiciary Committee this Monday, January 30, at 1:30 p.m. in Hearing Room A of the John L. O'Brien Building in Olympia. House Bill 1508 is a vital shooting range protection bill, introduced by state Representatives Dean Takko (D-19), Tim Probst (D-17) and Kevin Van De Wege (D-24). Shooting ranges are critical to competitive and recreational shooters, hunters, law enforcement, and individuals who just want to practice for self-defense.
WEST VIRGINIA: Four NRA-Backed Bills Introduced in the Mountain State
Pro-gun West Virginia legislators have introduced four NRA-backed bills already with at least one more bill expected to be introduced in the very near future. SB 149, SB 353 and SB 370 have been sent to the state Senate Judiciary Committee for its consideration. SB 144 has been sent to the state Senate Natural Resources Committee for its consideration. For more information on these bills please click on the above link.
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