Strategy Change In Wisconsin: This year's bill to create licensed CCW in
Wisconsin would have permits issued directly by the attorney general's
office, rather than sheriffs. Wisconsin's sheriffs have been among the
opponents of licensed CCW in that state.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/aug05/347883.asp
---

LAPD Cracks Down On Private-Party Transfers: The Los Angeles Police
Department has initiated a pilot program of prosecuting firearm owners
who bypass state requirements to route all private-party transfers
through licensed dealers, very few of whom are left within the city of
Los Angeles.

http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E3006339,00.html
---

Rule Five Reminder: This time it was a Tucson PD unmarked vehicle
stolen, along with one firearm, while the plainclothes officers were
eating lunch. The vehicle is reported to have been locked. To comply
with Arizona law, private citizens have to leave firearms in vehicles to
enter restaurants that serve alcohol. Arizona has the highest rate of
auto theft in the nation. (Rule Five: Maintain control of your firearm.)

http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/metro/88523.php
---

Taking An Attitude To A Gunfight: A Minnesota man disarmed two would-be
robbers, fatally shooting one in the process. He held the second one at
gunpoint until police arrived. (What you've got between your ears will
usually make a bigger difference than what you got in your hand.)

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5554911.html
---

Howard Nemerov vs. Michael Barnes: Howard Nemerov exposes the Brady
Bunch's Michael Barnes and Barnes's attack on the Protection of Lawful
Commerce in Arms Act.

http://www.chronwatch.com/content/contentDisplay.asp?aid=16066
---

From The NRA-ILA:

NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 12, No. 32 8/12/05

ATTEND TOWN HALL MEETINGS AND
URGE PASSAGE OF S. 397 IN U.S. HOUSE

As you know, the U.S. Senate recently passed S. 397--the  "Protection of
Lawful Commerce in Arms Act"--by a strong bipartisan vote of 65-31!
This action represents a great victory and a vitally important first
step toward ending the anti-gun lobby's shameless attempts to bankrupt
the firearm industry through reckless, predatory lawsuits.  It also
represents a crucial step forward for law-abiding firearm manufacturers,
retailers and owners in this country.

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

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

The amendment only restates the existing prohibition on manufacture, or
on sale by manufacturers, of "armor piercing ammunition," except for
government use, for export, or for use in testing or experimentation
authorized by the Attorney General.  This law has been in effect for
nearly two decades.  It increases the mandatory minimum sentence for the
use of "armor piercing ammunition" in a crime of violence or drug
trafficking crime.  Use of armor piercing ammunition in a crime of
violence or drug trafficking crime is already a federal offense
punishable by 5 years in prison; the amendment increases the penalty to
15 years, and authorizes the death penalty if the ammunition is used in
a murder.  It also directs the Attorney General to conduct a study "to
determine whether a uniform standard for the testing of projectiles
against Body Armor is feasible."  In fact, we know such a standard is
"feasible" because the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has been
testing projectiles agaist body armor since the early 1970s, and has
regularly written and updated the standards for testing projectiles
against armor.  NIJ's research has saved lives by improving the design
and manufacture of body armor.

The amendment does not give the Attorney General (or anyone else) any
new authority to ban ammunition, nor does it change the definition of
"armor piercing ammunition."  Under current law, ammunition is only
"armor piercing" if it has a bullet that "may be used in a handgun" and
that is made entirely from certain hard metals such as tungsten, steel,
bronze or depleted uranium; or if the bullet is "designed and intended
for use in a handgun" and has a jacket that weighs more than 25% of the
weight of the projectile.  The current definition has been in place for
more than 12 years. And finally, the amendment does not create any kind
of new ammunition ban.  The only ammunition that is banned as "armor
piercing" is ammunition that fits the current definition, and neither
the amendment nor the study would change the definition.

As the battle now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives, it is
critical that you once again contact your U.S. Representative and urge
him/her to pass S. 397, as passed by the Senate!

With Congress out for its  "Summer District Work Period" (through
September 5), your Senators and Representative will be back home in
their respective states and districts.  Many lawmakers use this time to
hold town hall meetings, where they can report on what they've been
doing in Washington, and take questions from their constituents.  Now is
the time for you to personally voice your strong support for S. 397 (in
addition to S. 1082 and H.R. 1288--the Senate and House versions of the
"District of Columbia Personal Protection Act").  Please contact your
lawmakers' district offices and ask when they plan to hold their town
hall meetings during the break.  If you do not know the number for your
lawmakers' district offices, you can use the "Write Your
Representatives" <http://www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials/> tool at
www.NRAILA.org <http://www.NRAILA.org/>, or call the NRA-ILA Grassroots
Division at (800) 392-8683.

If you get a chance to meet with your lawmakers, be sure to:  Urge Your
U.S. Representative To Support S. 397; And Urge Your U.S. Senators And
Representative To Cosponsor And Support S. 1082/H.R. 1288.

In addition to attending meetings and speaking out in support of our
Right to Keep and Bear Arms, please forward the dates, times, and
locations of any town hall meetings to your family, friends, and fellow
firearm owners, and to the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division, so we may
compile this information and share it with the pro-gun community.
Please forward this information to the Grassroots Division by calling
(800) 392-8683, by faxing to (703) 267-3918, or by sending an e-mail to
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>.

We can and will achieve our mutual goal of finally enacting this common
sense law, but only with your continued assistance.  Please help us
finish the job once and for all by contacting your U.S. Representative
and urging him/her to support the  "Protection of Lawful Commerce in
Arms Act," and send the bill to President Bush.

SOMETIMES THE ENEMY WEARS CAMOUFLAGE

You might have recently heard of a new organization claiming to
represent hunters and gun owners.  The new group calls itself the
American Hunters and Shooters Association, a friendly sounding name
designed to earn the trust of gun owners and hunters.  The reality is
that AHSA is nothing more than the enemy in camouflage.

At first glance, everything about AHSA sounds just fine.  They even have
one useful tool on the website, a history of wildlife conservation laws
in America--strange thing is it was lifted nearly word for word from
www.NRAILA.org <http://www.NRAILA.org/>.

In their "Firearms Safety and Training" section we begin to see some
curious remarks.  For instance in the "Range Safety" section they never
once mention that firearms should always be pointed downrange, the first
rule in range safety.  Another section recommends that shooters use
steel wool to clean the barrels of their guns, an idea that makes most
gunsmiths cringe.  The rest of their safety tips appear to be written by
someone who has never hunted.  Never once do they mention the three
basic rules of safe gun handling by which all shooters know and abide.

A look deeper into the AHSA website quickly reveals that this is no
hunters' rights group.  You quickly realize that they want to allow the
FBI to keep records on law-abiding citizens who buy guns and put an end
to gun shows as we know them.  Not to mention the fact that they want to
regulate .50 caliber rifles in the same way that machine guns are regulated.

The most telling thing about AHSA is its leadership.  A quick look at
their website shows that Bob Ricker is listed as AHSA Executive
Director.  Readers will remember that Ricker is a former NRA employee
who switched sides and has actively worked for gun control groups for
many years now.  A few years ago, Ricker was part of an attempt to sell
out your rights by brokering a deal with the most anti-gun
administration in history.  He then appeared with Bill Clinton in a
White House photo-op.  Most recently Ricker was paid by a Virginia based
anti-gun group, where he lobbied to shut down gun shows and put further
restrictions on gun owners.

A little further down in the leadership section John Rosenthal is listed
as President of the AHSA Foundation.  Rosenthal is one of the founders
of the Massachusetts based group Stop Handgun Violence, a group that has
been a major force in passing some of the most Draconian state gun laws
in the nation.  Gun laws that Rosenthal would like to see exported to
other states.

With leadership like that, there is no doubt about the true goals of
AHSA.  They are trying to fool hunters and gun owners with a soft
sell--a la John Kerry--while working behind the scenes to end the sport
that we all love.  I fully expect that in the 2006 elections we will see
anti-gun Congressional candidates boasting about their AHSA
endorsements.  Unfortunately, some gun owners will be fooled by this
ploy, so help us spread the word that AHSA isn't what it claims to be.

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"
<http://www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials/> tool at www.NRAILA.org
<http://www.NRAILA.org/>.  As always, thank you for your support.****)

CALIFORNIA
The California Legislature reconvenes from summer recess on Monday,
August 15.  Upon adjournment, anti-gun Assembly Bill 352 was re-referred
to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.  It is expected to be
considered on Monday, August 15.  AB 352 expands the definition of
"unsafe handguns" to include semi-automatic pistols that are not
designed and equipped with an array of microscopic characters which
identify the make, model, and serial number of the pistol by imprinting
the characters on each cartridge case when the firearm is discharged.
This legislation could essentially ban all semi-automatic pistols
commonly used by California gun owners.  Please contact members of the
Senate Committee on Appropriations and ask them to oppose AB 352.  For a
list of committee members and their contact information, please visit
www.sen.ca.gov <http://www.nranews.org/UM/T.asp?A2.24.1814.10.4167237>.
Assembly ill 996 is on the Senate Floor where it is likely to pass, and
will soon be back on the Assembly Floor for a final vote.  AB 996 would
require all retailers to display and sell ammunition in a manner that is
only accessible by an employee, not the purchaser.  Any violation of
this measure would result in a misdemeanor. This bill has been voted
down twice during the 2005 Legislative Session because existing law
already makes it a crime to sell ammunition to a minor, or ammunition
designed for a handgun to anyone less than 21 years of age. Please
contact members of the Senate and Assembly and ask them to oppose AB
996.  Senate Bill 357 sponsor Senator Joseph Dunn (D-34), is postponing
further hearings on this bill until next year.  This means that, if the
legislature passes it in 2006 and the Governor signs it, SB 357 could
not become law until January 1, 2007.  The amended version of this bill
requires that all handgun ammunition carry a unique serial number
engraved on both the bullt and the case and be registered to the
purchaser.  SB 357 bans the manufacture, transfer, and possession of
non-serialized handgun ammunition after July 1, 2009, and possession of
non-serialized ammunition would be a crime.  SB 357 would also require
ammunition vendors and manufacturers to register with the Department of
Justice.  Despite postponement, please continue contacting members of
the Assembly and ask them to oppose SB 357.  Postponement of SB 357 can
be canceled at anytime and hearings would continue on short notice.  For
Assembly and Senate members' contact information, please visit
www.assembly.ca.gov
<http://www.nranews.org/UM/T.asp?A2.24.1814.11.4167237> or
www.sen.ca.gov <http://www.nranews.org/UM/T.asp?A2.24.1814.10.4167237>.

ILLINOIS
Governor Blagojevich (D) has acted on several bills NRA took positions
on this session--some good, some bad.  Signed into law are:  SB 123, an
NRA-backed bill that no longer requires Social Security numbers to be
included on hunting licenses; SB 2103, an NRA-backed bill that makes
improvements to the existing range protection law; and HB 132, an
NRA-backed bill that establishes the waiting periods on firearm
transfers begins when an agreement to transfer is made, rather than when
a background check is called in.  In addition, Blagojevich signed SB
1333, an NRA-opposed bill that imposes new restrictions on gun shows.
The Governor has also vetoed several NRA-backed bills.  They are:  SB
57, which is similar to SB 1333, but included a mandate that the State
Police destroy the database it currently maintains on lawful firearm
transfers; SB 2104, which would set statewide standards for transporting
firearms in vehicles; and HB 340, which woud require the waiting period
on firearm transfers be waived in cases where a law-abiding citizen is
simply trading one operating firearm for another.  Still pending action
by the Governor at this time are:  SB 53, which would allow the
mail-order sale of ammunition to valid FOID card holders; and SB 251,
which would limit the liability a land owner could potentially face if
he allows hunting or hunting-related activities (without charging a fee)
on his property.  NRA will continue to monitor SB 53 and SB 251, and
work to override the Governor's vetoes of SB 57, SB 2104, and HB 340
during the Fall Veto Session in November, so please call your State
Representative and Senator and urge them to work with the pro-gun
community to support our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

NEW YORK
The New York State Rifle and Pistol Association will host the first
annual RPA-PAC fundraising dinner featuring NRA Executive Vice President
Wayne LaPierre, and  NRA 1st Vice President John Sigler.  Please plan to
attend the dinner, which will start at 6:00 p.m., on Saturday, September
17, and will be held at the Holiday Inn, Fishkill, located at I-84, exit
13 at Route 9.  Advance tickets are available for $50 or you can
purchase tickets at the door for $60.  To purchase tickets, please visit
www.nysrpa.org <http://www.nranews.org/UM/T.asp?A2.24.1814.12.4167237>
or call (518) 272-2654 or (800) 469-7772.

OHIO
Come out to the Lorain County Fair and meet your NRA-ILA Election
Volunteer Coordinator (EVC) at the NRA Volunteer Tent!  OH-09 EVC Emory
King is hosting the first ever NRA Volunteer Tent at the fair, which
runs from Monday, August 22-Sunday, August 28.  The fair is located on
Fairgrounds Road a half-mile west of the center of Wellington, Ohio, at
Routes 58 & 18. Emory is an NRA member who, in his volunteer leadership
capacity as EVC, works with and organizes volunteers to affect
firearm-related legislation in Ohio and on Capitol Hill.  He also
assists pro-gun candidates with phone banks, literature drops, voter
registration drives, precinct walks, and other campaign activities.  For
information, questions, or to help out at the tent, please contact EVC
Emory King at (440) 647-4299 or via e-mail at [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>.  (Fair details, such as hours and
events, can be found at www.loraincountyfair.com
<http://www.nrnews.org/UM/T.asp?A2.24.1814.13.4167237>.)  Please be sure
to stop by the NRA Volunteer Tent to meet your EVC and learn how you can
make a difference in the gun control debate.  Emory is also looking for
volunteers to help out at the tent for a few hours, so please contact
Emory and ask how you can help make the NRA Volunteer Tent a huge success!

SOUTH CAROLINA
There will be two special elections held on Tuesday, August 16.  The
first, for State House District 24, is a Republican Primary to determine
who will face Democrat Michelle Shain in a Special General Election on
October 4.  This seat opened when David Wilkins (R) was appointed by
President Bush (R) to become the U.S. Ambassador to Canada.  The second,
for State House District 121, pits Jennifer Bailey (R) against Kenneth
Hodges (D) in a Special General Election to fill the seat left open by
the death of Representative Walter Lloyd (D), who died in April.  NRA
members in these districts are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots
Division at (800) 392-8683, for information on the views these
candidates hold on the Second Amendment.

TEXAS
At the recent Annual Meeting of the American Legislative Exchange
Council (ALEC) in Grapevine, TX, Marion Hammer presented the ALEC
Criminal Justice Task Force with proposed model legislation based on
Florida's landmark "Castle Doctrine" law, that passed in Florida earlier
this year.  Her talk was well-received, and the task force subsequently
adopted the measure without objection.  It will officially become ALEC
Model Legislation in 30 days if there is no objection from the ALEC
Board of Directors.

--
Stephen P. Wenger

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

http://www.spw-duf.info

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