No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.12.6/151 - Release Date: 10/28/2005
Marines Face New Qualification Course: Marines must now qualify on a
course that involves more than the traditional known-distance target
shooting. (I think I detect a bit of Gunsite influence, via one member
of the list.)
http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,78716,00.html?ESRC=marine.nl
---
More Gun Bans Proposed In Massachusetts: Due to poor reporting, it's
difficult to tell exactly which gun are slated for the latest
infringements in the state where Minutemen once fired on British troops
who had come to seize their weapons.
http://www.dailyfreepress.com/media/paper87/news/2005/10/26/News/Bill-Proposed.To.Ban.cop.Killer.Handguns-1034328.shtml
---
Illinois Senate Overrides Veto: As Illinois gun owners struggle to
regain some semblance of the RKBA, the state senate has overridden the
governor's veto of a bill that would block municipalities from imposing
stricter standards than state law on the transport of firearms in
vehicles. The bill now moves back to the House, which must also override
the veto for the bill to become law.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisstatenews/story/CB116D11C2A5F732862570A8000F9E2F?OpenDocument
---
Wisconsin CCW Bill Given Good Odds For Passage: Capitol insiders believe
that this year's bill to create licensed CCW in Wisconsin will not only
have enough votes to pas but enough to override the governor's
anticipated veto. Current controversy is centering on the privacy provision.
http://www.channel3000.com/news/5197737/detail.html
---
Ohio Congresswoman Completes CCW Training: Congresswoman Jean Schmidt
has successfully completed the mandatory training for her Ohio CHL and
expressed her support for reform of that state's CCW law.
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article2784.html
---
Another Look Back At The "AWB": John Lott re-examines the numbers in the
wake of the sunset of the federal ban on cosmetically impaired firearms.
http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20051027-094155-8948r.htm
---
This Sounds Familiar: Like one of his predecessors (who never became
certified as a peace officer in California), William Bratton required a
CWP when he became chief of that department. Attorney Chuck Michel and
the California Rifle & Pistol Association obtained all the documentation
of that permit and point out the hypocrisy of os issuing to the chief
when common citizens are denied the same right.
http://www.calgunlaws.com/modules.php?name=NukeNews&file=article&sid=429
---
Privilege In Alabama: Citing his prior career as a prosecutor, a former
Alabama governor, just indicted on corruption charges, received
permission to continue carrying a firearm.
http://www.nbc13.com/politics/5197599/detail.html
---
More From The Hypocrisy Department: Ward Churchill, a self-proclaimed
Native American professor who likened the victims of the 9-11 attacks to
Nazis, has a speaking engagement at a community college in Washington.
The school electronically deleted his right arm and a Kalashinikov rifle
from the Churchill photograph it posted on its website.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=47120
---
Larry Pratt On Brazil Firearm Referendum: GOA's Larry Pratt comments on
the crushing defeat of Brazil's referendum to outlaw private ownership
of firearms, revealing some of the election's international character.
http://www.voicesmag.com/Archives/Analysis/oct2005/brazilians_no_gun_ban_102805.htm
---
Bill Would Expand British Home-Defense Rights: A bill has been
introduced that would give British homeowners more leeway in defending
their homes.
http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=2160292005
---
Canada, Don't Blame American Guns: John Lott takes on claims by Canadian
politicians that American firearm manufacturers and lax regulation in
this country are responsible for fierarm-related crime in their country.
http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/issuesideas/story.html?id=ef2f258a-b6bb-4f85-b1cc-cdcdf3218c24
---
Common Sense From Down Under?: The top criminal statistician of
Australia's New South Wales province notes that firearm ownership is
rising and that there is no definitive evidence that a decade of
restrictive firearms laws has done anything to reduce weapon-related crime.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/gun-laws-fall-short-in-war-on-crime/2005/10/28/1130400366681.html
---
South African Gun Owners May Sue Government Minister: The Black Gun
Owners' Association (BGOA) has threatened to sue Safety and Security
Minister Charles Nqakula. BGOA charges that the government is unfairly
denying blacks the right to own guns by turning down their license
applications.
http://www.citizen.co.za/index/article.aspx?pDesc=9614,1,22
---
From GOA:
As Harriet Miers Withdraws Her Nomination For The Supreme Court...
Gun owners must ask President Bush for a SOLID constitutionalist!
Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://www.gunowners.org
Friday, October 28, 2005
You've no doubt heard the news: Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination
for the U.S. Supreme Court. From the little we have been able to glean
about her views and record, this is probably a good thing for us.
So now we're back to square one -- the President will need to find a
replacement for the retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Once again, we need to raise our voices and remind President Bush that
we do not want someone who is simply a friend of his but is, rather, a
friend of the Constitution.
In months past, news reports have indicated that Attorney General
Alberto Gonzales is currently on the President's "short list." That's
not encouraging. Readers can go to
http://www.gunowners.org/a071105.htm on the GOA webpage to see our
analysis of Gonzales' anti-gun record.
As we have previously reported, there are several sitting justices who
would make excellent choices for the new vacancy. For example, Justice
Janice Rogers Brown is one of the most recently confirmed judges to the
federal courts. Brown was confirmed by the Senate in June by a 56-43 vote.
As a Justice on the California Supreme Court, Brown referred to
Roosevelt's New Deal as our "own socialist revolution." In regard to
taxpayer supported welfare, she said that, "Theft is theft even when the
government approves of the thievery."
On gun rights, Brown sounds like a modern-day Annie Oakley. She used
language from an amicus curiae brief that was submitted by Gun Owners of
California to argue against Los Angeles' ban on gun shows.
And her most extensive Second Amendment scholarship appeared in the case
involving the California ban on semi-automatic firearms (Kassler v.
Lockyer). In a decision upholding the California ban on certain
semi-autos (the so-called "assault weapons"), she faulted the U.S.
Supreme Court for picking and choosing which rights it liked.
She most definitely came down on the right side, stating that the
individual right to keep and bear arms is a "right expressly guaranteed
by the Bill of Rights."
There are other conservative judges who are currently on the federal
bench who also have a high regard for the U.S. Constitution. Judge
Samuel Alito, Jr., in the Third Circuit, has argued that Congress has no
right to regulate the private possession of machine guns. There is Edith
Jones in the Fifth Circuit who understands that our
"unalienable rights were given by God to all our fellow citizens."
And in the Ninth Circuit, Judge Alex Kozinski has chided his liberal
colleagues for falling prey to the popular delusion that we are "better
off leaving all weapons in the hands of professionals on the government
payroll." He cites chapter and verse, showing how gun control has been
used to subjugate blacks in the South, as well as other minorities all
across the world.
"All too many of the other great tragedies of history -- Stalin's
atrocities, the killing fields of Cambodia, the Holocaust, to name but a
few -- were perpetrated by armed troops against unarmed populations,"
Kozinski said. "Many could well have been avoided or mitigated, had the
perpetrators known their intended victims were equipped with a rifle and
twenty bullets apiece, as the Militia Act required here."
[To see Kozinski's entire dissenting opinion against the California
semi-auto ban, go to
http://www.gunowners.org/op0326.htm on the GOA
website.]
Finally, there's also Justice Sam Cummings in the Fifth District. He
wrote the superb opinion in the Emerson case, which declared that Dr.
Timothy Emerson's Second Amendment rights were violated by a 1994 law
which prohibits persons under restraining orders from possessing
firearms. There is no appeal in such proceedings, and they often amount
to little more than a rubberstamp by a local magistrate.
The point should be clear. There are good judges who can fill the void
on the Court. Despite his friendship with Alberto Gonzales, the
President should be reminded that millions of people did not flock to
the polls to defeat Al Gore and John Kerry just so he could appoint
liberal anti-gunners to the high court.
ACTION: Please contact President Bush and urge him to nominate a
constitutionalist to the Supreme Court. And remind him that American gun
owners do NOT want Alberto Gonzales, or anyone like him, to sit on the
Court.
You can visit the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center at
http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send the President the
pre-written message below. You can also contact the President using any
of the following mediums:
Comment line: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
E-Mail:
[email protected]
--- Pre-written letter ---
Dear President Bush:
With the withdrawal of Harriet Miers' nomination, you are once again
faced with a tremendous opportunity to appoint a SOLID constitutional
scholar who truly understands the rule of law and respects the Bill of
Rights.
I want to urge you, in the strongest of terms, to realize Alberto
Gonzales is NOT that man! As one who respects the Constitution and the
Bill of Rights (especially the Second Amendment), I hope that you will
not appoint someone who holds views similar to those of Gonzales.
You made an excellent choice in putting Justice Janice Rogers Brown on
the federal bench. She understands the Second Amendment protects an
individual right, and she realizes that the Supreme Court is supposed to
interpret, not make, the laws.
I hope that you will nominate either her or someone like her to the
Supreme Court -- such as Judges Samuel Alito, Jr. (in the Third
District), Alex Kozinski (in the Ninth District), or Sam Cummings (in
the Fifth District). Thank you.
Sincerely,
****************************
---
From JPFO:
ALERT FROM JEWS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FIREARMS OWNERSHIP
America's Aggressive Civil Rights Organization
October 28, 2005
GUN OWNERS, 1 - ATF, 0
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS
We're proud to announce a major breakthrough in the long battle to curb
the abuses of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The Congressional Research Service (CRS), an arm of the U.S. Congress,
has issued a memo telling the world what we've always said
http://www.jpfo.org/batfearticles.htm): that ATF "experts" use
arbitrary, made-up standards when they bring charges against gun owners
and testify against us in court.
You can read the CRS report here:
http://www.jpfo.org/ATFguntests.pdf
Read it carefully. Notice something important. Although the CRS did an
investigation of its own, it relied heavily on information that came
straight from gun-maker Len Savage and JPFO.
THIS REPORT ALMOST GOT BURIED!
Although JPFO does not lobby Congress or urge anyone else to, JPFO's
work and Len's was instrumental in bringing this report into the world.
We're proud of that fact.
But YOUR work was instrumental, too, if you were one of the many
Americans who asked their representatives to get a copy of the ATF's
testing procedures manual.
No such ATF manual exists. One after one, at gun owners' urging,
congressmen asked the CRS to get the manual. The CRS asked the ATF to
produce the manual. And they hit a wall.
Then something ominous happened. For several weeks, the CRS, urged on by
a frantic Justice Department, planned to bury this information.
Why? Because these revelations could potentially overturn hundreds, even
thousands, of criminal prosecutions of innocent gun owners, going back
decades.
But YOU kept pushing. And you did it on your own.
Finally the CRS had no choice but to reveal the truth: the ATF simply
"makes it up as they go along."
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
The CRS memo changes nothing by itself. It has no legal force. But it is
the first light Congress has shone on the ATF in 23 years. It is a
_beginning_. It is a tool concerned
gun owners -- and defense attorneys -- can use.
It's also a demonstration of the truth of two well-known quotations
about the power of the grassroots.
"When I feel the heat, I see the light." -- Sen. Everett Dirksen
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it's the only thing that can." --
Margaret Mead
Now, what the future holds is, in part, up to you. Take action!
1) READ the CRS report.
2) SHARE IT. Circulate the link to it on email lists. Post the link on
your blog. Let the world know. Think of two dozen -- or a hundred --
friends who need to see the report
and share it with them.
3) ASK QUESTIONS. "How can I get more gun-rights groups involved in
this?" "When is Congress going to curb the ATF?" "What can I do about
it?" "What should ALL gun owners do about it?" "What can defense lawyers
do with this report?"
"Do I know any lawyers or abused gun owners who should get a copy of this?"
4) BUILD FORCES to demand that this report be acted upon and not ignored.
The CRS report isn't dramatic. The language is calm and legalistic. It
has no force in law. The drama comes when this report inspires OUTRAGE
and ACTION.
Thanks to Len Savage, JPFO, and a few hundred gun owners, you now have
proof that backs what abused gun owners have been shouting all these years.
Now ... run with it.
If American gun owners take this memo and demand action upon it, this
little report will be bigger than the recent pro-gun vote in Brazil,
bigger than forcing FEMA to allow firearms into refugee settlements.
This has the potential to lead to the dismantling of one of the worst
agencies of the federal government.
Even if it doesn't lead to the end of the ATF, it could still stop the
ruin of thousands of gun owners' lives and the abuse of millions of gun
owners' rights.
In a corollary to Everett Dirksen's famous remark, we always say "Attack
their pension to get their attention." ATF agents are just working men
and women who want to make a living and retire comfortably. Threatening
their security is the best way to force them to behave.
And make no mistake. Despite the polite language, the revelations in
this report are a major threat to ATF power.
Now ... our next step is to make sure that nobody tolerates ATF abuses.
We must keep the light shining on the CRS report until every defense
lawyer, judge, and leader in the land is aware of it.
Then we must absolutely refuse to tolerate anyone who tolerates ATF abuses.
Finally, after decades, WE, the American gun owners, are in a position
to take initiative and control.
Will you stand with JPFO and Len Savage? Or will you let the ATF get
away with its abuses when the power to stop them has finally been placed
in your hands? Your freedom is up to you.
The Liberty Crew
========================================
JPFO mirror site:
http://www.jpfo.net
========================================
LET JPFO KEEP YOU INFORMED -- Sign up today for JPFO Alerts!
Just send a blank e-mail to
[email protected]
========================================
Regain your freedom - download the song "Justice Day" today!
http://www.rebelfirerock.com/downloadjd.html
========================================
Original Material in JPFO ALERTS is Copyright 2005 JPFO,
Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce this alert in full,
so long as the following JPFO contact information is included:
Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership PO Box
270143 Hartford, Wisconsin 53027
Phone: 1-262-673-9745
Order line: 1-800-869-1884 (toll-free!)
Fax: 1-262-673-9746
Web:
http://www.jpfo.org/
========================================
---
From NRA-ILA:
NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 12, No. 43 10/28/05
PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS
"PROTECTION OF LAWFUL COMMERCE IN ARMS ACT"
Landmark NRA Victory Now Law
On Wednesday, President George W. Bush signed into law the NRA-backed
"Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" (S. 397) to end politically
motivated lawsuits designed to bankrupt law-abiding American firearm
manufacturers and retailers. S. 397 passed both chambers in Congress
with broad bipartisan support.
"This is an historic day for freedom. I would like to thank President
Bush for signing the most significant piece of pro-gun legislation in
twenty years into law. History will show that this law helped save the
American firearms industry from collapse under the burden of these
ruinous and politically motivated lawsuits," said NRA Executive Vice
President Wayne LaPierre.
In late July, the U.S. Senate approved the measure 65-31. Last week,
the U.S. House overwhelmingly passed the bill 283-144. The new law is a
monumental victory for NRA and its members.
"What we witness today is the culmination of a seven-year effort that
included a comprehensive legislative and election strategy," stated
NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. "We had to work hard to change
the political landscape to allow for passage of this landmark
legislation. As always, our members were up to the task. It was key
electoral victories in 2000, 2002 and 2004 that helped pave the way for
passage of this law.
"The Bush administration was a vital ally during debate on Capitol
Hill. I would also like to thank Senators Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and Max
Baucus (D-Mont.) and Congressmen Rick Boucher (D-Va.) and Cliff Stearns
(R-Fla.) for doing a yeoman's job as lead co-sponsors of this
legislation. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.),
Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Senate Republican
Conference Chairman Rick Santorum (R-Penn.) ought to be commended for
their steadfast leadership during Senate deliberations," added Cox.
In recent years, 33 states have passed similar legislation outlawing
reckless lawsuits intended to bankrupt the gun industry. However, this
new law creates judicial uniformity in all courts across the United States.
"This law will help preserve the American firearms industry and also
help preserve American manufacturing jobs. American companies will
cease to make products if they continue to be sued every time a violent
criminal they do not know, have never met, and cannot control, misuses a
legal, non-defective product. This is a significant step toward saving
millions of manufacturing jobs," concluded LaPierre.
VIRGINIA & NEW JERSEY ELECTION ALERT
In less than two weeks, on Tuesday, November 8, Virginia and New Jersey
will hold elections. NRA members in these states are encouraged to head
to the polls and vote for those candidates who support our Right to Keep
and Bear Arms! And please be sure to urge your family, friends, and
fellow firearm owners to vote on November 8, as well.
For up-to-the-minute campaign information, and to see what you can do to
help elect pro-Second Amendment candidates, members are strongly
encouraged to visit the NRA-Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) website,
www.NRAPVF.org. The site is loaded with all of the critical information
you'll need to make informed decisions on Election Day, November 8.
Included on the site are news stories, articles from NRA's magazines,
NRA-PVF press releases, polling information, and a listing of NRA-PVF
candidate grades and endorsements.
In addition, you will find our multimedia section--
www.nrapvf.org/Multimedia/Default.aspx --which houses easy-to-access ads
that are suited for distribution among your fellow NRA Members! If
you're already an NRA member, you will be able to visit the special "NRA
Members Only" section with features exclusive to you. Simply log in with
your NRA member number (the number is printed on your membership card
and on the cover of your magazine). Once logged in, members will have
special access to NRA-PVF screen savers and wallpaper, a convenient
display of the candidate grades for your lawmakers, and a "Build Your
Own e-Precinct" section.
NRA members who have not received NRA-PVF endorsement information should
visit the website, or call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800)
392-VOTE (8683) for additional candidate information. This information
was also contained in the November issue of your NRA magazine.
Please be sure to go to the polls on Tuesday, November 8, and "Vote
Freedom First!" by supporting the pro-Second Amendment candidates in
your area. Your vote could make the difference!
NRA AND FREEDOM WIN AGAIN:
FEMA Changes Gun Policy in Temporary Housing Units in Louisiana
Following concerns raised by NRA, the Federal Emergency Management
Authority (FEMA) has changed its policy regarding firearm ownership in
temporary housing units, as storage and possession of firearms are no
longer banned at FEMA temporary housing. FEMA officials notified NRA
attorneys last weekend that FEMA is in the process of revamping firearms
rules for temporary housing parks for all disasters, but that they were
taking "immediate steps to address this (ban)" at the FEMA Park in
Baker, La.
NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre welcomed this move saying,
"It is wrong to force citizens to give up their constitutional rights in
order for them to get a needed federal benefit. Our constitutional
rights must be preserved even in the face of a natural disaster, a
pandemic, or a terrorist attack.
"The Second Amendment must never be the first casualty of disaster. The
breakdown of law and order in the aftermath of a disaster is exactly the
kind of situation where the Second Amendment was intended to allow
citizens to protect themselves. After Hurricane Katrina hit, and
lawlessness prevailed across the region, many victims depended on their
guns for survival against the roving bands of thugs, looters and rapists."
NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox added: "NRA-ILA worked with FEMA
authorities to help right this injustice. We're pleased that FEMA has
formally changed its regulations nationwide on the possession and
storage of firearms by law-abiding victims of disasters in their
temporary housing parks. We're glad a potential lawsuit could be avoided."
The controversy erupted after the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's
Department asked FEMA to ban all firearms at temporary trailer shelters
where victims of Hurricane Katrina were staying rent-free while they
found permanent housing. NRA began working with FEMA officials to
reverse this policy as soon as the directive was issued.
This is the second major victory for NRA and gun owners in Louisiana
following Hurricane Katrina. Earlier, the New Orleans Police Department
was ordered to cease and desist its gun confiscation operations by the
United States District Court for the Eastern District in Louisiana. NRA
is now working to review and modify language in emergency statutes in
Louisiana and other states to ensure gun confiscations do not happen again.
"NRA-ILA will address this at the state and federal levels, and efforts
are currently underway. The media images of lawlessness are the most
compelling images to help us make this argument. When disaster hits,
911 is nonexistent. It is wrong for government to take away the only
tool for survival--a lawfully owned firearm--that victims have under
these circumstances," concluded Cox.
VISIT NRA-ILA WEBSITE DEDICATED TO DEFEATING PROPOSITION H--
SAN FRANCISCO GUN BAN
As you've been reading in the Grassroots Alert for months, on November
8, San Francisco voters will go to the polls to vote on Proposition H--a
citywide gun ban. If Proposition H passes, it will become the most
restrictive gun control law in the nation; even more restrictive than
the egregious Washington, D.C., gun ban that NRA-ILA is currently
working to overturn in Congress! The ordinance would ban residents from
possessing any handgun and they would be forced to turn over their
handguns within 90 days. The sale, manufacture, transfer, and
distribution of all firearms would be prohibited!
To educate and mobilize Bay Area pro-gun supporters, NRA-ILA unveiled a
website dedicated exclusively to exposing the truth about Proposition
H. The website-- www.StopSanFranban.com --is designed to provide you
with one-stop-shopping for the information and tools you will need to
ensure Proposition H is defeated on November 8.
Among the many features at www.StopSanFranban.com are: information on
the proposed ban; sample letters and tips for identifying and writing
letters to the editor of area newspapers; information on the benefits of
firearm ownership for self-defense and the ineffectiveness of gun bans
in reducing crime; voter registration links; e-mail sign-up; and more.
Please be sure to visit www.StopSanFranban.com and then forward this
link to your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners, both inside and
outside of San Francisco, to ensure the collective voices of America's
gun owners are heard loudly and clearly in the weeks leading up to, and
especially on, November 8! Those of you who don't live directly in San
Francisco, but reside nearby, should visit the site frequently for
updates on what you can do locally to ensure this deplorable proposition
is defeated.
Please visit www.StopSanFranban.com today to help us prevent San
Francisco from becoming the next Washington, D.C.!
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. As always, thank you for your support.****)
FLORIDA
Earlier this week, Representative Mitch Needelman (R-31) announced the
filing of House Bill 285, which will preserve the right of citizens to
lawfully possess firearms during an officially declared
state-of-emergency. HB 285 clarifies the authority of the governor
during a declared emergency by asserting that "nothing contained in this
chapter shall be construed to authorize the seizure, taking, or
confiscation of firearms that are lawfully possessed." This bill was
filed to ensure that the unconstitutional stripping of citizens' rights
does not occur during such state-of-emergencies as occurred in
Louisiana. HB 285 has been filed for consideration in the 2006 Session
of the Florida Legislature, slated to convene on March 7, 2006. Also
this week, NRA past president Marion P. Hammer encouraged Floridians to
get involved with Youth Hunting Programs. She stated, "Youngsters are
our future and it's up to us to preserve our hunting heritage byhelping
get more youngsters involved." For information on how to assist in
Florida's Youth Hunting Programs, please visit Florida Fish & Wildlife
Conservation Commission's (FWC) youth hunting website at:
myfwc.com/huntered/YouthHunter/
ILLINOIS
The Illinois General Assembly began its Fall Veto Session this week, and
the Senate voted on Thursday to override Governor Rod Blagojevich's veto
of SB 2104. This critical legislation would establish statewide
standards for the lawful transportation of firearms, thus eliminating
the confusing patchwork of regulations that currently exist. While it is
simply common sense to eliminate the threat of law-abiding citizens
accidentally running afoul of local anti-gun ordinances and restrictions
while traveling to take part in lawful activities such as hunting or
target shooting, anti-gun extremists in Illinois disagree. A group of
lobbyists working for the City of Chicago, Cook County, Governor
Blagojevich, and the gun-banners at the Illinois Council Against Handgun
Violence (ICHV) worked feverishly after the Senate's 38-20 override vote
to try to diminish support for SB 2104 in the House. The Governor has
even ordered the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to work aainst
the interests of hunters and sportsmen by lobbying against SB 2104. A
vote on this bill will be taken in the House next week, so it is
imperative that all Illinois gun owners contact their State
Representatives at (217) 782-8223 and ask them to vote to override the
Governor's veto of SB 2104. In addition to SB 2104, the General Assembly
has two more common-sense pro-gun bills to consider that were vetoed by
Governor Blagojevich. The first, HB 340, would allow law-abiding gun
owners who wish to trade one operating firearm for another to forgo
Illinois's waiting period after successfully passing a background check.
The second, SB 57, is a gun show bill similar to what was signed into
law earlier this year, but which would also mandate the destruction of
the database of lawful firearm transfers currently maintained by the
Illinois State Police. In addition to contacting Representatives about
SB 2104, gun owners need to contact both their State Senators and
Representatives at (217) 782-2000 and ask them t vote to override the
Governor's vetoes of HB 340 and SB 57.
NEW JERSEY
The 2005 New Jersey Black Bear Application deadline has been extended to
Sunday, October 30. Please note that you may only apply via the
Internet site, www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/. No paper applications are
being accepted for the 2005 black bear season. If you know someone who
would like to apply for a bear permit, but does not have Internet
access, please remind them that free Internet access is available at any
public library and many other locations. In order to apply for a black
bear permit, you must select a zone in which you would like to hunt, and
you may also need to register for a training seminar if you have not
attended a seminar in a previous year. Registering for the required
black bear training seminar, if not previously taken, is part of the
online application process.
NEW MEXICO
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety has scheduled a public
hearing on proposed rules to implement the 2005 legislative changes to
the "Concealed Handgun Carry Act" (HB 641). Public comments will be
taken on Tuesday, November 1, beginning at 9:00 a.m., at the DPS Law
Enforcement Academy Auditorium, located at 4491 Cerrillos Road in Santa
Fe. Visit www.dps.nm.org/faq/concealed_weapon.htm to obtain a copy of
the proposed rules, or contact the DPS Special Investigations Unit at
(505) 827-9097. Written comments must be submitted to Sharron
Henderson, Department of Public Safety, Special Investigations Division,
4491 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1628, no later than 5:00 p.m.,
on November 1. If you plan on attending the hearing and presenting
verbal testimony or comments, it is strongly suggested that you also
submit written comments atthat time. NRA-ILA and our state affiliate,
the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association, are currently reviewing the
proposed rules and may be submitting written comments, but individual
NRA members and certified instructors are encouraged to participate as
individuals in this process as well.
TEXAS
Lubbock-area NRA members are encouraged to attend pro-gun Representative
Carl Isett's (R-84) town hall meeting this Saturday, October 29. The
free "Coffee with Carl" event will take place from 9:00-11:00 a.m., at
the Ramada Inn in Lubbock, located at 6624 I-27 (the corner of I-27 and
South Loop 289). During the 2005 session of the Texas Legislature,
Representative Isett sponsored and passed legislation reducing Concealed
Handgun License (CHL) renewal fees for senior citizens. He has also
been a leader in the movement to legalize the carrying of a handgun for
protection in your vehicle without a CHL, which the Legislature took an
important step toward with passage of HB 823 this session. Please make
plans to attend and thank Representative Isett for his support and his
work to protect our Second Amendment rights in the Texas Legislature.
Also, on Saturday, November 5, "Students for the Second Amendment" and
the "Collegiate Firearms Instructo Program" will host their third NRA
Shooting Sports Camp, called "The Alamo City NRA Youth Sportsfest." The
event will take place at the National Shooting Complex, in San Antonio,
Tex. from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This event has been designated an
"NRA Day" event. For additional event information, please visit:
www.sf2a.org/NRACamp2005.htm. "Students for the Second Amendment" is in
need of individuals and groups who are interested in participating in
this event as volunteers. Volunteers are needed on the various shooting
ranges and fields. Additionally, a few dozen range officers are needed
to assist the young shooters on the range. Official NRA certification
is not necessary to participate. If you would rather help out in a
different manner, volunteers are need to assist with cooking hot dogs
and hamburgers for the attendees, helping at the NRA
recruiting/informatio booth, as well as set-up the day before the
event. Please come out and support the future of youth shooting and our
future defenders of our most cherished rights. To volunteer your time
or for more information, please contact Damaso Torres, Executive
Director, "Students for the Second Amendment" and the "Collegiate
Firearms Instructor Program," at (210) 674-5559, or via e-mail at
[email protected].
WISCONSIN
After being denied by a single vote in the Assembly during the veto
override session early last year, the citizens in Wisconsin are seeking
another chance to make the Badger State the 39th state to respect the
Right-to-Carry. Please attend the Joint Senate and Assembly Committee
Hearing on Wednesday, November 2, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 411 South, of
the State Capitol, in Madison. Testimony in support of the "Personal
Protection Act" will be given by Texas State Representative Suzanna Hupp
(R-54). If you cannot attend the hearing, please take a moment to call
your State Senator and State Representative at (800) 362-9472 and ask
them to support the "Personal Protection Act" by voting in favor of AB
763/SB 403.
--
Stephen P. Wenger
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
