Second Amendment Not About Firearms: John Longnecker responds to people=20
who don't like guns.

http://mensnewsdaily.com/blog/longenecker/
---

"Not Guilty" Verdict In Road-Rage Shooting: After a judge threw out an=20
earlier conviction, a Florida man, who claimed self-defense, was=20
acquitted in a shooting that resulted from a road-rage incident.

http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=3D/20050806/NEWS/208060351/1=
001/news01
---

Do Protection Orders Work?: Chicago-area article claims that they do,=20
unless the person enjoined is suicidal. (Suicidal or not, a piece of=20
paper does not strike me as a sufficient form of self-defense.)

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dsnews/071nd3.htm
---

Utah Women Enjoy Trap Shooting: Article favorably describes a recent=20
woman-only trap shooting event in Utah.

http://www.harktheherald.com/modules.php?op=3Dmodload&name=3DNews&file=3Dar=
ticle&sid=3D61492&mode=3Dthread&order=3D0&thold=3D0
---

New Zealand Police Gear Up As Citizens Are Disarmed: As New Zealand=20
erodes the rights of its citizens to keep and use firearms, its police=20
officers are upgrading to Bushmaster XM15 carbines.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=3D1&ObjectID=3D10339694
---

Meanwhile, In Australia...: Australian prohibitionists are upset that=20
the state of Tasmania has more than twice as many licensed firearm=20
owners as the national average.

http://www.themercury.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,16177362%255E346=
2,00.html
---

From The NRA-ILA:

NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 12, No. 31 8/5/05

S. 397 UPDATE

As we reported last week, thanks to your great efforts, the U.S. Senate=20
passed S. 397--the  "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act"--by a=20
strong bipartisan vote of 65-31!  This action represents a MAJOR first=20
step toward ending the anti-gun lobby's extreme and immoderate attempts=20
to bankrupt the firearm industry through reckless, predatory lawsuits,=20
and was a ground breaking step forward for law-abiding firearm=20
manufacturers, retailers and owners in this country.

There has been some discussion this week concerning two amendments to S.=20
397.  The first, by Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.), requires federally=20
licensed dealers to provide a "secure gun storage or safety device" with=20
the sale/transfer of every handgun (it does not apply to long guns).=20=20
The measure, which passed by a vote of 70-30, does not require gun=20
owners to use the device, does not apply to private transfers, and does=20
not create any new civil liability for gun owners who choose not to use=20
these storage devices. Virtually all new handguns today are sold with=20
some type of secure storage or safety device.  The amendment has no=20
significant impact on current law.

The other amendment, by Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), passed by a margin=20
of 87-11, and was offered this year (as it was in 2004) in a successful=20
attempt to defeat Sen. Edward Kennedy's "armor piercing" ammunition=20
amendment that would have banned all centerfire rifle ammunition.  By=20
providing an alternative to Sen. Kennedy's amendment, pro-gun senators=20
were able to marshal the votes to defeat the Kennedy amendment.

Here's what this amendment does:

* The amendment (section 6 of the bill) restates the existing=20
prohibition (in 18 USC Sec. 922(a)) on manufacture, or on sale by=20
manufacturers, of "armor piercing ammunition," except for government=20
use, for export, or for use in testing or experimentation authorized by=20
the Attorney General.  This law has been in effect for nearly two decades.

* It increases the mandatory minimum sentence for the use of "armor=20
piercing ammunition" in a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime.=20=
=20
Use of armor piercing ammunition in a crime of violence or drug=20
trafficking crime is already a federal offense punishable by 5 years in=20
prison; the amendment increases the penalty to 15 years, and authorizes=20
the death penalty if the ammunition is used in a murder.

* It directs the Attorney General to conduct a study "to determine=20
whether a uniform standard for the testing of projectiles against Body=20
Armor is feasible."  In fact, we know such a standard is "feasible"=20
because the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has been testing=20
projectiles against body armor since the early 1970s, and has regularly=20
written and updated the standards for testing projectiles against=20
armor.  NIJ's research has saved lives by improving the design and=20
manufacture of body armor.  (NIJ standards and background information=20
are available online at http://www.justnet.org/testing/bodyarmor.html=20
<http://www.nranews.org/UM/T.asp?A2.24.1806.9.4167237>.)

Here's what this amendment does not do:

* The amendment does not give the Attorney General (or anyone else) any=20
new authority to ban ammunition.

* The amendment does not change the definition of "armor piercing=20
ammunition."  Under current law (18 USC Sec. 921(a)(17)(B)), ammunition=20
is only "armor piercing" if it has a bullet that "may be used in a=20
handgun" and that is made entirely from certain hard metals such as=20
tungsten, steel, bronze or depleted uranium; or if the bullet is=20
"designed and intended for use in a handgun" and has a jacket that=20
weighs more than 25% of the weight of the projectile.  The current=20
definition has been in place for more than 12 years.

* The amendment does not create any kind of new ammunition ban.  The=20
only ammunition that is banned as "armor piercing" is ammunition that=20
fits the current definition, and neither the amendment nor the study=20
would change the definition.

As you know, the fight now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives,=20
so it is critical that you once again contact your U.S. Representative=20
and urge him/her to pass S. 397!

Members should also express their gratitude to Senate Majority Leader=20
Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), Senator Minority Leader Harry Reid, Senate=20
Majority Whip Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and bill sponsors Sens. Larry=20
Craig and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) for their leadership and stewardship on=20
S. 397.

(For a list of roll call votes on these amendments and final passage of=20
S. 397, please go to www.NRAILA.org <http://www.NRAILA.org/>.  Take note=20
of how your Senators voted, and please thank those who voted in support=20
of gun owners and let those who voted against our rights know that you=20
will keep their votes in mind when they are up for re-election.  BE SURE=20
TO ALSO ATTEND ANY OF YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE'S TOWN HALL MEETINGS=20
DURING THE "SUMMER DISTRICT WORK PERIOD" [Aug. 1-Sept. 5] and encourage=20
him/her to bring up and pass S. 397 as soon as possible.)

ST. LOUIS NAMED SITE FOR NRA's
136th ANNUAL MEETINGS & EXHIBITS

The NRA announced this week it will hold its 136th Annual Meetings and=20
Exhibits in St. Louis, April 13-17, 2007.  During the weekend=20
convention, America's Center will be filled with more than 60,000 people=20
exploring five acres of guns, hunting equipment and outdoor gear.

"St. Louis truly is the gateway to the heartland of America and=20
thousands of NRA members and supporters," said NRA Executive Vice=20
President Wayne LaPierre.  "The Second Amendment stands at the gateway=20
of freedom and there is no better place to celebrate freedom than St.=20
Louis."

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt welcomed the announcement. "This is great=20
news.  Missourians believe in protecting the Second Amendment.  I am=20
delighted that the National Rifle Association has selected St. Louis as=20
the host city for their 136th Annual Meetings and Exhibits," said=20
Governor Blunt.  "This major national event will bring a significant=20
economic boon for hotels, restaurants, and other merchants.  NRA members=20
will experience the superior hospitality of the fine folks of the=20
'Show-Me' state.  I look forward to welcoming the 60,000 plus NRA=20
members and their families to the magnificent city of St. Louis."

LaPierre noted several reasons for selecting St. Louis as the 2007 NRA=20
convention site.   The city is centrally located within a day's drive of=20
1/3 of the U.S. population and 300 miles of 400,000 NRA members.  Ample=20
hotel space, new downtown development, and a multitude of visitor=20
services were also key elements in the decision.

"This has the potential to be the largest convention in NRA history,"=20
LaPierre said.  "We appreciate the warm welcome and excitement of the=20
St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau, and look forward to an=20
outstanding weekend in 2007 in this great city."

Last April, the NRA convention in Houston drew nearly 60,000 NRA=20
members, boosting the local economy by an estimated $20 million.  In=20
2006, the event is scheduled to be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

ALERT US TO AND ATTEND
TOWN HALL MEETINGS!

Congress will be out for its  "Summer District Work Period" through=20
September 5.   During this time, your Senators and Representative will=20
be back home in their respective states and districts.  Many lawmakers=20
use this time to hold town hall meetings, where they can report on what=20
they've been doing in Washington, and take questions from their=20
constituents.  These meetings offer a tremendous opportunity for you to=20
personally voice your strong support for S. 397--the "Protection of=20
Lawful Commerce in Arms Act," and S. 1082 and H.R. 1288--the Senate and=20
House versions of the "District of Columbia Personal Protection Act."=20=20
Please contact your lawmakers' district offices and ask when they plan=20
to hold their town hall meetings during the break.  If you do not know=20
the number for your lawmakers' district offices, you can use the "Write=20
Your Representatives" <http://www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials/> tool at=20
[email protected]=20
<http://www.NRAILA.org%3Ewww.NRAILA.org%3C/A%3E,%20or%20call%20the%20NRA-IL=
A%20Grassroots%20Division%20at%20%28800%29%20392-8683.%3C/P%3E%3CP%3EIf%20y=
ou%20get%20a%20chance%20to%20meet%20with%20your%20lawmakers,%20be%20sure%20=
to:%C2%A0%20Urge%20Your%20U.S.%20Representative%20To%20Cosponsor%20And%20Su=
pport%20S.%20397;%20And%20Urge%20Your%20U.S.%20Senators%20And%20Representat=
ive%20To%20Cosponsor%20And%20Support%20S.%201082/H.R.%201288.%3C/P%3E%3CP%3=
EIn%20addition%20to%20attending%20meetings%20and%20speaking%20out%20in%20su=
pport%20of%20our%20Right%20to%20Keep%20and%20Bear%20Arms,%20please%20forwar=
d%20the%20dates,%20times,%20and%20locations%20of%20any%20town%20hall%20meet=
ings%20to%20your%20family,%20friends,%20and%20fellow%20firearm%20owners,%20=
and%20to%20the%20NRA-ILA%20Grassroots%20Division,%20so%20we%20may%20compile=
%20this%20information%20and%20share%20it%20with%20the%20pro-gun%20community=
%C2%A0%20Please%20forward%20this%20information%20to%20the%20Grassroots%20D=
ivision%20by%20calling%20%28800%29%20392-8683,%20by%20faxing%20to%20%28703%=
29%20267-3918,%20or%20by%20sending%20an%20e-mail%20to%20%3Ca%20href=3D>.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!

Information can only be put to good use if it is received in a timely=20
manner.  Our campaign to ensure readers of the Grassroots Alert switch=20
from receiving the newsletter by fax to e-mail is paying off!  However,=20
we still have thousands of Grassroots Alert recipients who receive the=20
weekly Alert via fax.  If you have an e-mail address, but you still=20
receive the NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert every Friday via fax, we encourage=20
you to switch over to our e-mail system.  We can send e-mail instantly,=20
at virtually no cost, while each fax incurs the cost of a long distance=20
call, not to mention your cost in paper.  E-mail also allows you more=20
flexibility in relaying our information to others whom you know, but who=20
aren't on our e-mail list.  If you would like to switch to e-mail=20
delivery, just go to www.NRAILA.org <http://www.NRAILA.org/>, then=20
follow the instructions through the link called "Sign Up For E-mail."=20=20
Once you start receiving the Alert via e-mail, please callthe Grassroots=20
Division at (800) 392-8683, and let us know so we can take you off the=20
fax system.

A LOOK AT THE STATES

(****For all of the action items below, you can find contact information=20
for your legislators by using the "Write Your Representatives"=20
<http://www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials/> tool at www.NRAILA.org=20
<http://www.NRAILA.org/>.  As always, thank you for your support.****)

OHIO
Come out to the Lorain County Fair and meet your NRA-ILA Election=20
Volunteer Coordinator (EVC) at the NRA Volunteer Tent!  OH-09 EVC Emory=20
King is hosting the first ever NRA Volunteer Tent at the fair, which=20
runs from Monday, August 22-Sunday, August 28.  The fair is located on=20
Fairgrounds Road a half-mile west of the center of Wellington, Ohio, at=20
Routes 58 & 18. Emory is an NRA member who, in his volunteer leadership=20
capacity as EVC, works with and organizes volunteers to affect=20
firearm-related legislation in Ohio and on Capitol Hill.  He also=20
assists pro-gun candidates with phone banks, literature drops, voter=20
registration drives, precinct walks, and other campaign activities.  For=20
information, questions, or to help out at the tent, please contact EVC=20
Emory King at (440) 647-4299 or via e-mail at [email protected]=20
<mailto:[email protected]>.  (Fair details, such as hours and=20
events, can be found at www.loraincountyfair.com=20
<http://www.nrnews.org/UM/T.asp?A2.24.1806.12.4167237>.)  Please be sure=20
to stop by the NRA Volunteer Tent to meet your EVC and learn how you can=20
make a difference in the gun control debate.  Emory is also looking for=20
volunteers to help out at the tent for a few hours, so please contact=20
Emory and ask how you can help make the NRA Volunteer Tent a huge success!

VIRGINIA
On Tuesday, August 9, 2005, a public hearing will be held on a proposed=20
Nelson County anti-gun noise ordinance that was tentatively passed by=20
the Board of Supervisors at an "emergency" meeting held in late June.=20=20
As it is currently proposed, this noise ordinance would negatively=20
impact law-abiding hunters and sport shooters in Nelson County.  Please=20
plan on attending the public hearing next Tuesday, August 9, and voice=20
your opposition to the Board of Supervisors' direct attack on your=20
fundamental rights and this misguided noise ordinance.  The meeting will=20
be held at the Nelson County Courthouse in Lovingston, and the public=20
comment period will begin at 7:30 p.m.  Please be sure to alert your=20
fellow hunters, sportsmen, and Second Amendment supporters!

--=20
Stephen P. Wenger

Firearm safety - It's a matter=20
for education, not legislation.

http://www.spw-duf.info

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