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The Missing Links: I neglected to paste in the links to a couple of
articles in yesterday's mailing. Here they are.
Ohio CCW Advocate Dies:
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060303/NEWS0104/603030409/1060/NEWS01
Rule Two Reminder:
http://www.nydailynews.com/03-03-2006/news/crime_file/story/396341p-335939c.html
---
Former Nuclear-Plant Guard Stole Rifle, Sight: A Former Wackenhut
employee is under arrest for stealing a Bushmaster M4-A3 rifle and a
"thermal" sight from the Florida nuclear plant where he had been
employed. He apparently sold the items in Michigan. (When someone offers
a deal that seems too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.)
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/florida/news-article.aspx?storyid=53139
---
Competition vs. Training, Another Point Of View: Those who know me are
aware of my concerns that "action pistol" competition engenders bad
tactics. An instructor from Valhalla Training Center offers his opinions.
http://www.imakenews.com/valhalla/e_article000517782.cfm?x=b6R7t95,b3mc6Ctb
---
Teddy Jacobson On Mouse Guns: Teddy presents more of his unique
opinions. (Personally, I would rather trust my life to a Kahr pistol
than a mouse gun.)
http://actionsbyt.blogspot.com/2006/03/comments-on-mouse-guns.html
---
Safety Tips For Travel Abroad: Bruce Mandelblit offers a variety of
suggestions, some of which also apply at home.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/3/3/154918.shtml?s=lh
---
From John Farnam:
27 Feb 06
Polite Society:
I shot the 2006 PS event yesterday. There were four stages, all
live-fire, on Tom Given's wonderful indoor range in Memphis, TN. All
shooting was in low light. Most required the use of a flashlight.
I used my SIG229/DAK in 40S&W carried in a Comp-Tac C-Tac holster, and
my Detonics snubby (45ACP) in a Lou Alessi shoulder holster. Ammunition
was Cor-Bon DPX in both calibers. All equipment worked just fine. My
flashlight was Blackhawk's Gladius.
In the First Stage, one was required to draw and fire on three paper
targets, one handed in once case, with a one-handed reload in another.
Range was four to seven meters. Starting positions included both
standing and sitting. Targets were line drawings, and the bad guys were
carrying Kalashnikovs and wearing black-and-white, stripped shirts.
Between the Gladius' bright light and the stripped shirt, my front
sight was hard to find. In "strobe" mode, the front sight was
extremely hard to see, as it kept getting lost on the shirt's stripes!
In the Second Stage, one was required to enter a darkened building and
rescue a wounded colleague, who had to be dragged out. Shooting
required a flashlight. Targets were dressed mannequins and were
reactive. Good, body-midline hits were required, often several.
In the third stage, one was buckled into the seat of a car when there is
an armed, car jacking attempt. Targets (two) were close and directly
out the right window. In addition, the car-jacking suspects used the
doors of another car for cover, and that car's headlights are shining
directly in your face! I elected to go for my Detonics, since going for
the waist holster was difficult and slow. It popped into my hand, and I
twisted around in an attempt to engage both suspects. The one on the
left was no problem. He went right down, but the one of the right
required me to shoot one-handed, as I couldn't get turned far enough
while still keeping my pistol in both hands. I thought about undoing
the seat belt, but there was no time, and I'm poor at
multitasking!
In Stage Four, one started the exercise reclining on a bed. All guns
and other weapons were in a nearby night stand. One must get up,
retrieve weapons, and then peer into a darkened room, filled with
suspects who are mixed in with your own family members. As I rolled out
to look into the room, a deafening, concussive shotgun blast, emanating
from a suspect in a corner of the room, nearly knocked me over! I
recovered and started shooting, but the blast really rebooted my hard
disk! I hit a family member, mostly because I forgot she was there. A
real gaff! When I gunned down the last bad guy, it was with rounds from
my the magazine for my backup Detonics.
I had an ND when shooting the Detonics during this stressful drill.
I'm hesitant to even bring the subject up, as the errant round hit
twenty feet in front of me, and no one noticed, except me. But, I know
the truth! I was fumbling with my flashlight in the Harries Technique,
and my finger brushed the trigger. My finger was not where it should
have been. Had I done the same thing with the SIG, nothing would have
happened, of course, but I am reminded, once more, that, when you carry
a 1911, you better have finger discipline down. This stressful incident
reminded me that it can happen to anyone. Fortunately, the pistol was
under control, and, though it startled me, I recovered and continued.
Events like that re useful in reminding one that he may not be the
genius he thought he was!
John Hearne ran two, excellent, force-on-force, Airsoft exercises, one
involved an ATM. The other involved a self-service gas station.
As one approaches an ATM with the intent of using it, two sleazy,
unkempt characters standing nearby exchange glances and then abruptly
stop talking. I know the school solution was to simply walk past them
and keep going, but I decided to use the machine anyway, calculating
that, during a busy day, I'm probably not going to interrupt my
schedule because of every sleazy mope I see. Well, both suspects
confronted me with guns as soon as I retrieved my cash. I threw it on
the ground and invited them to take it, which they did. After scooping
it up, they separated. I saw no chance to overpower them during the
confrontation.
You pull into a self-service gas station and start filling up. Someone
else pulls up on the opposite side, gets out, and ask directions.
Simultaneously, a station attendant approaches and asks you how you like
your new truck. While all this is happening, a man with a pistol
inserted in his waistband and clearly visible, approaches from the
rear. Many never saw him until he was within touching distance. When I
noticed him and saw his pistol, I immediately disengaged from the other
two, commanding them to get away from me and take cover. I then drew
and took cover behind my truck, announcing my office and commanding him
to stop. He approached no further and obeyed my suggestion that he find
something else to do!
Steve Moses presented an excellent class on using a knife to break
contact with attackers who have you on the ground or grab you from the
rear. Quick, aggressive, and violent action is required!
Bill Aprill presented his excellent weapon disarm and retention class.
Bill is a rough bronk, and he teaches an aggressive, heavy-contact
style. His class was well received.
The Polite Society Event, like the NTI, is a wonderful, tactical clinic
and an opportunity to get together with like-minded friends and
colleagues. It is important for all of us to test ourselves now and
then, taking our lumps in the process.
Next year, the Polite Society Event will be moved to the expansive
Memphis Police Department range complex, so many more people will be
able to be accommodated. I'm looking forward to it. Good show, Tom!
/John
(While John is a major advocate of sighted fire, it seems to me that a
couple of his experiences demonstrate the need to have some
point-shooting skills in your repertoire. Personally, I'd draw a
slightly different lesson from the negligent discharge - there are
plenty of good pistols available today with short-stroke
double-action-only triggers that are not that sensitive to "brushing the
trigger.")
---
From The Firearms Coalition:
I apologize to those of you who don't know Angel Shamaya and might not
be interested in this case. For those of you who are interested, here
is the latest news:
Our friend David Codrea updated us this evening after he had spoken with
Angel.
He tells us that Angel is out of jail and facing 4 misdemeanor counts of
possession of unregistered firearms and one misdemeanor count of
"menacing." We don't know anything else about the case.
Under advice of council, Angel isn't saying anything about his situation
but he did release a statement:
/To all the people expressing support or concern, just knowing that you
are aware of my situation made it easier to bear. I do have legal
representation thanks to the Second Amendment Foundation
<
http://www.saf.org/>, to whom I am grateful. *Alan Gottlieb* and his
team moved swiftly and deftly to secure counsel for me, the result of
which got me out much sooner than I would have been able to do on my own.
/We wish Angel the best and will continue to follow his case as it develops.
Yours for the Second Amendment,
Jeff Knox
Director of Operations
The Firearms Coalition
********************************************
---
From NRA-ILA:
NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 13, No. 9 03/03/06
States with updates this issue: Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia,
Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode
Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Wyoming.
NRA SUES NEW ORLEANS MAYOR RAY NAGIN
NRA has filed a motion for contempt against the City of New Orleans, its
mayor, Ray Nagin, and the acting chief of police for failure to comply
with a temporary restraining order handed down September 12, 2005,
ordering an end to all illegal gun confiscations that occurred in the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"With looters, rapists, and other thugs running rampant in New Orleans,
Ray Nagin issued an order to disarm all law-abiding citizens," declared
NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. "With no law enforcement
or 911 available, he left the victims vulnerable by stripping away their
only means of defending themselves and their loved ones. Now Ray Nagin
thinks he's above the law, and that's just wrong."
Attorneys for NRA have exhausted all efforts to cooperate with the
defendants, Mayor Nagin and Chief Riley, who repeatedly ignored the
court's permanent restraining order against their illegal gun
confiscations.
"Ray Nagin is a colossal disappointment," said NRA-ILA Executive
Director Chris W. Cox. "During a federally declared emergency, he
abused his power and abandoned the very people he was sworn to protect.
He took away the victims' freedom and their basic means of self-defense
during an ill-fated and perilous time."
The motion also includes an order that all seized firearms must be
returned to their rightful owners.
CONGRESS HEARS MORE ON BATFE TACTICS AT RICHMOND GUN SHOW
On February 28, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on
Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, chaired by Representative Howard
Coble (R-NC), held a second hearing on the heavy-handed enforcement
tactics used by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
at several gun shows in Richmond, Virginia.
BATFE's Assistant Director for Field Operations, Michael Bouchard,
offered a very limited apology for some of the Bureau's actions,
acknowledging that "some techniques" used at the show were not
"consistent with ATF's best practices."
In particular, Bouchard conceded that the Bureau shouldn't have set up a
command post at the show itself, creating a massive, visible law
enforcement presence. He also said BATFE shouldn't have given some
attendees a letter accusing them of violating federal laws-a letter
which summoned them to BATFE's offices for further questioning, but
which Bouchard said did not serve a legal purpose. Finally, he said the
Bureau should have "more thoroughly explain[ed] the parameters" for the
"residency checks" in which federal and local officers visited show
attendees' homes to ask their family members and neighbors about the
attendees' gun purchases.
Bouchard did not, however, fully answer many other concerns about the
Bureau's tactics, such as the strategies it used to target certain
buyers for "discouragement" at the show, or traffic stops and gun
seizures off the show premises. He also did not address the legality of
using federal firearms licensees' records for sweeping "residency
checks" of hundreds of gun buyers, or why BATFE never responded to local
officials' concerns about the legality of those checks.
NRA-ILA applauds the subcommittee for airing the issues at this hearing,
and will work to ensure that Congress continues to shine a light on
federal agencies' practices in enforcing the nation's laws. Stay tuned
for more information on future hearings or legislative activity!
SAN FRANCISCO GUN BAN UPDATE
After hearing NRA attorneys argue against the legality of Proposition
H�a citywide gun ban�Superior Court Judge James Warren prevailed on the
City of San Francisco to hold off on enforcing its gun possession ban
while he takes time to consider the issues involved. The judge's ruling
will be issued within 90 days of March 20, 2006.
This means implementation of the ban on long guns on March 1, and on
handguns as of April 1, will not be enforced while the judge reviews the
case.
NRA-ILA is heartened by the judge's actions, and appreciates his
attention to detail as he examines state and local laws, and considers
the right of San Franciscans to choose to possess firearms.
It is troubling that San Franciscans�who pride themselves on respecting
the right of people to make individual lifestyle choices�are attempting
to deprive city residents of the right to choose whether owning a
firearm is appropriate for defending their families based on their
individual circumstances.&nbp; And it is ironic that San Francisco
officials have acknowledged that the only violence prevention program in
San Francisco that works is "Operation Ceasefire," a "Project
Exile"-derived program that targets felons who illegally possess guns.
JUSTICE SCALIA PROMOTES HUNTING
As the keynote speaker at the National Wild Turkey Federation's annual
convention, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia told attendees
that the best thing sportsmen and hunters can do for hunting is to
refute the fallacious stereotype that guns are used only for evil purposes.
An avid hunter himself, Judge Scalia told the assembled group, "The
attitude of people associating guns with nothing but crime, that is what
has to be changed. I grew up at a time when people were not afraid of
people with firearms. I hope [the hunting culture] can be preserved�the
hunting culture, of course, begins with a culture that does not have a
hostile attitude toward firearms."
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN MILWAUKEE!
Once again NRA is seeking volunteers to help at the 2006 NRA Annual
Meeting in Milwaukee, May 17-21. To a large degree, the success of each
year's NRA Annual Meeting is dependent on the contributions of our
volunteers. And you can be a part of that successful effort this year!
A number of volunteers are needed to help with set-up on Wednesday and
Thursday, May 17 and 18, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During the actual
exhibit and meetings�Friday through Sunday�volunteers will work in the
NRA Store, at our Membership Services Booth, and at the Airgun Range.
There are a number of additional volunteer opportunities as well.
To volunteer or for more information, visit any of NRA's web sites or
the Annual Meeting site (www.nraam.org), or contact NRA Field
Representative, Scott Taetsch, at (262) 392-2716, or Dennis Eggers,
Central Region Director, at (270) 522-0909. Their respective e-mail
addresses are:
[email protected] and
[email protected].
DON'T MISS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY
LAST CHANCE! You have one last opportunity to own a piece of political
history, straight from the closely fought 2004 presidential campaign!
Due to the high demand for the previously offered banners described in
past Grassroots Alerts, a final banner is being offered on E-Bay.
This distinctive NRA banner, measuring eight feet long and four feet
high, crisscrossed the battleground states in the final weeks of the
contest, and was a significant part of NRA's 2004 election strategy.
Displayed at NRA rallies and gun shows, the banner sent a simple but
effective message: Despite his attempt to pander to sportsmen, John
Kerry has a 20-year record of hostility toward the Second Amendment.
These NRA rallies were crucial in turning out enough voters to give
President Bush victories in pivotal battleground states such as Ohio and
West Virginia.
The banner is in very good condition and�whether sought after by a gun
owner, political memorabilia collector, or someone hoping to educate
others on truly effective political communications�represents a valuable
piece of political history.
NRA-ILA Executive Director and NRA Political Victory Fund chairman Chris
W. Cox has signed the banner.
The auction ends March 9. If you'd like to own this banner, please
visit
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:31&item=7747706181
and place your bid.
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.***)
States with updates this issue: Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia,
Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode
Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Wyoming.
ARIZONA
HB 2074, "Concealed Weapons Permit Reform," sponsored by Representative
Chuck Gray (R-19), passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill
eliminates the requirement that a two-hour refresher course be completed
by a permit holder renewing a permit. More than 30 Right-to-Carry
states do not have this requirement and there are no indications of
problems in these states. Significantly, HB 2074 was amended to include
a "full recognition" provision. If adopted, Arizona will recognize the
concealed weapons permits from all 44 other states, ensuring that
Arizona's permit will be recognized by additional states. Also, SB
1145, the "Castle Doctrine," sponsored by Senator Timothy Bee (R-30),
returns the "Burden of Proof" in state self-defense cases and corrects
the current "guilty-until-you-prove-your-innocence" standard in state
self-defense cases. Arizona is one of only two states in the country
that places the burden of proof in self-defense cases on the citizen
instead of the state. This is simply wrong and must be corrected this
year before more abuses occur! SB 1145 will receive a Senate floor vote
this coming week. Please call your State Senator and ask himo r her to
support HB 2074 and SB 1145. State Senators can be reached at (602)
926-3559, or toll free at (800) 352-8404.
CONNECTICUT
On Friday, March 17, the Connecticut General Assembly's Environment
Committee will hold a public hearing on a proposal to allow hunting on
Sundays. The legislation, supported by the Coalition of Connecticut
Sportsmen, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and NRA, would allow
the Department of Environmental Conservation to designate areas where
hunting on Sunday on private property may be permitted in order to
control overpopulation of species. The bill has not yet been assigned a
number, so we encourage members to call their lawmakers and urge them to
support Sunday hunting! In addition, please plan on attending what
promises to be one of the largest and most successful Friends of NRA
events in the country, on March 24, 2006, in Southigton. Limited
edition firearms, knives, art prints, and other collectibles will be
offered for sale, at auction, or given away in special drawings. 50% of
the net proceeds from the event will go to qualified projects in
Connecticut, with the remaining 50% benefiting national programs. The
event will take place at the beautiful Aqua Turf Restaurant on Mulberry
Street, in Southington. It will start at 6:00 p.m. and will feature a
delicious meal prepared by the Aqua Turf. For tickets, directions, or
more information, please call Chairman Ray Hanley at (203) 264-4899.
FLORIDA
On Wednesday, March 8, 2006, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee will
hold another hearing on SB-206, by Senator Durell Peaden (R-2). SB-206
protects your right to have a gun in your vehicle (car, truck, minivan,
sports utility vehicle, motorcycle, motor home, RV, etc.) for lawful
purposes. Some Florida businesses, led by the Florida Chamber of
Commerce and the Florida Retail Federation, are trying to ban guns in
cars. They are violating the constitutional rights of gun owners and
Florida law. They want to ban guns by denying your right to have a
firearm in your private vehicle when you prk in a parking lot that
accommodates the public and company employees. They have no
constitutional or legal right to search your vehicle or tell you what
legal personal private property you can have inside your private vehicle
in their parking lot or anywhere else. Please immediately send email to
members of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and URGE THEM TO
SUPPORT SB-206, by Senator Peaden. IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR E-MAIL
PUT: SUPPORT SB-206 - Protect Possession of Firearms in
Vehicles/Parking Lots. FOLLOWING ARE THE SENATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND SENATE LEADERS WHO NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU:
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected]
GEORGIA
This week, Senate Bill 396, the "Castle Doctrine" bill, sponsored by
Senator Greg Goggans (R-7), was overwhelmingly approved by the full
Senate. This bill would remove a citizen's duty to retreat when faced
with attack. The bill now goes to the House for its consideration.
Please be sure to call your Representative and respectfully urge him or
her to support SB 396 when it comes before the House for consideration.
You can reach your Representative at (404) 656-5000.
HAWAII
SB 2579 (sponsored by Senator Colleen Hanabusa (D-21)), and HB 3015
(sponsored by Representative Blake Oshiro (D-33)), two bills introduced
to ban the sale, transfer, and possession of .50 caliber firearms in
Hawaii, were defeated in their assigned committees. Both measures,
strongly opposed by NRA and the Hawaii Rifle Association (HRA), failed
to receive hearings and consequently, missed the deadlines to be moved
ahead.
ILLINOIS
HB2414 (sponsored by Representative Edward Acevedo (D-2)), which seeks
to ban countless semi-automatic handguns, rifles, and shotguns, as well
as .50 caliber rifles, will not be called for a vote by the third
reading deadline. While this does not mean that the bill has been
officially defeated for the session, it represents a tremendous loss for
the anti-gun extremists, including Governor Blagojevich (D) and Mayor
Daley. We will keep you informed of any future developments.
KANSAS
Senate Bill 418, currently in the House Federal and State Affairs
Committee, is scheduled for a committee vote on Monday, March 6. SB
418, "The Personal and Family Protection Act," sponsored by Senator Phil
Journey (R-26), is expected to be in the House by Thursday, March 9.
Kansas is one of only four U.S. States that will not allow its citizens
to protect themselves outside the home by carrying concealed firearms.
Please take 10 minutes out of your day to do the following: First,
contact your State Representative at (785) 296-2391 and ask him or her
to support SB 418; Second, contact your State Senator at (785) 296-2456
and ask him or her to support SB 418; and finally, call Governor
Kathleen Sebelius (D) and respectfully ask her to trust Kansans by
signing SB 418.
KENTUCKY
SB 12, sponsored by Senator Katie Kratz Stine (R-24) and Senator Damon
Thayer (R-17), is still in the Senate and must move very soon in order
to have a chance to pass the Legislature this session. This bill
prohibits the prosecution of gun owners who unknowingly wander onto
property owned by a public or private school if it is not properly
posted pursuant to current law. If a school ignores this legal
requirement, gun owners may still be prosecuted for a felony when
possessing a firearm on the property. Please call your State Senator
and ask him or her to help to ensure that this bill is made a
legislative priority. HB 35, which is the companion bill to SB 12, is
pending in the House Education Committee. Please call your State
Representative and ask him or her to suppor HB 35 sponsored by
Representative Marie Rader (R-89). SB 38, the Senate's "Castle
Doctrine" bill, sponsored by Senator Richard Roeding (R-11), passed the
Senate Judiciary Committee and will move to the Senate floor for a
vote. Please call your State Senator and ask that he or she support SB
38. Legislators can be reached by calling (502) 564-8100.
MARYLAND
On Wednesday, March 8, several anti-gun bills will be heard by the House
Judiciary Committee. Each of these bills poses a real threat to our
Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Please be sure to call your Delegate this
week and voice your opposition to: HB 405 (sponsored by Delegate Doyle
Neimann (D-47)), which imposes costly security requirements on gun shops
in an attempt to put them out of business; HB 451 (sponsored by Delegate
Kathleen Dumais (D-15)), the so-called "Police Officer Protection Act of
2006," which actually aims to make criminals out of law-abiding gun
owners who are victims of theft; HB 1367 (sponsored by Delegate Neil
Quinter (D-13)), the "Maryland Assault Weapons Ban" of 2006, which
prohibits possession of many common semi-automatic firearms; and HB 1369
(sponsored by Delegate Neil Quinter (D-13)), which requires all
handgunssold to be equipped with technology that would microstamp the
firearm's serial number onto each shell casing fired�the first step in
an attempt to stop the sale of handguns in the State. Please be sure to
call your Delegate next Wednesday and voice your opposition to these
anti-gun bills. You can reach your legislator at (410) 841-3000 or at
(800) 492-7122.
MASSACHUSETTS
H.4552, "an Act Protecting the Rights of Target Shooters," has passed
the House of Representatives and is scheduled for a possible vote in the
Senate next week. H.4552 is the "Precision Sports Legislative Reform
Bill," which will protect the rights of target shooters in the
Commonwealth. This bill, sponsored by Representative Frank Hynes (D-4,
Plymouth), now has moved onto the Senate. This proposal would create a
new definition in Section 121, Chapter 140, for "Single Action
Revolver." In addition, H.4552 would exempt any "Single Action
Revolver" and "any firearm solely designed and sold specifically for
formal target shooting competition," from the testing requirements in
Section 123 of Chapter 140. NRA-ILA and the Gun Owners Action League
are urging all of their members to contacttheir state Senator and ask
him or her to pass H.4552 with no amendments, as soon as possible.
Legislators can be reached by calling (617) 722-1276. For further
information concerning your State Senator, please go to
http://wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php and look at the
reference for Senator in General Court.
MICHIGAN
On March 8, Great Outdoor Sports and Firearms Education (GOSAFE) and the
Lenawee County Conservation League will host the "Spring 2006
Information Exchange: An Educational Opportunity for Gun Clubs, Pro-Gun
Organizations, and Individuals Concerned About Growing Hunting and the
Shooting Sports." The event will be held at the Lenawee County
Conservation League, 1402 Sutton Road, in Adrian, and will include
presentations from David Coy (NRA Board Member), Lee Zeidler (Citizens
for Wildlife Conservation), Marc Steinke (Vice President of GOSAFE),
Bruce Bayles (Chairman, Lenawee County Friends of NRA Committee), and
Marc Steinke (Vice-President of GOSAFE). Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.,
with presentations beginning at 7:00 p.m. Time will be allowed for
questions and answers, and for informal networking and conversation
among those in attendance. Please RSVP by calling: Marc Steinke
(Johnson's Sporting Goods, Adrian, Michigan) at (517) 265-2545. You may
also e-mail your RSVP to David Coy at
[email protected]. Please plan on
attending!
MISSISSIPPI
This week, the House approved SB 2426, the NRA-backed "Castle Doctrine"
and self-defense law reform bill sponsored by Senators Charlie Ross
(R-Brandon) and Ralph Doxey (R- Holly Springs). SB 2426 now moves back
to the Senate, which is expected to agree with the House amendments and
send the bill to Governor Haley Barbour's (R) desk. Also this week, the
Senate approved HB 1141 (sponsored by Representative Warner McBride
(D-10)), NRA supported legislation which contains language: (1)
allowing hunting to continue on minimum-sized land tracts which are
annexed by a city or county (even if that locality bans the discharge of
firearms); (2) prohibiting local officials from confiscating
lawfully-possessed firearms during a natural disaster; and (3) permittin
employees, under certain circumstances, to transport and store firearms
in their locked private vehicles while parked on property controlled by
their employer. HB 1141 now moves back to the House, which must agree
to Senate amendments to the bill before it can go to Governor Barbour.
Trial lawyers in the House may argue against agreeing to a Senate
amendment which gives companies that comply with the provisions of the
bill a certain degree of immunity from liability. It is critical that
you contact your State Representative next week (beginning after lunch
on Monday when they return from weekend recess) and urge him or her to
VOTE TO CONCUR with the Senate amendments to HB 1141. Let your
Representative know that a vote to send the bill to a "conference
committee" to work out differences between the House and Senate versions
is a vote to defeat the bill. Please forward this alert to at least
five other gun owners and sportsmen you know. HB 1141 is the most
comprehensive piece of legislation to protect Mississippi gun owners and
sportsmen in recent memory, and we need to move this bill across the
goal line with all its provisions intact� not allow the bill to be
carved up by trial lawyers and gun control advocates in a conference
committee! For contact information for your State Representatives in
Jackson, please visit
http://www.mississippi.gov.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Senate Bill 318, the New Hampshire "Castle Doctrine" legislation, will
be voted on next week in the Senate. This important piece of
legislation, sponsored by Senator Peter Bragdon (R-11, Milford), gives
back the rights that have been eroded or taken away by the current
judicial system. In the face of unlawful attack, law-abiding citizens
should not be forced to retreat or run from a place they have a right to
be. It is unreasonable that victims of crime should have to worry about
being arrested or prosecuted if they use force to defend themselves or
their family! This measure will reinstate the law prior to the time
when judges and courts started putting the rights of criminals before
the rights of the law-abiding. It is important that you call your state
Senator at (603) 271-2111 and urge him or her to support this legislation.
NEW JERSEY
The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs has sued the Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey and one of its police officers for
wrongfully arresting and imprisoning for nearly five days a 57-year old
Utah man delayed at Newark Airport by a baggage error while traveling
from Utah to Pennsylvania. The lawsuit seeks more than $3 million in
damages for civil rights violations and a permanent injunction forcing
the Port Authority to follow Federal law on interstate transport of
firearms. The victim was imprisoned in a Newark, New Jersey jail,
denied his blood pressure and migraine medications, strip-searched,
inoculated against his will, and left with only his wits to survive.
All criminal charges were later dismissed. More information about the
lawsuit is available at:
http://www.anjrpc.org/fopalawsuit.htm.
NEW YORK
Thanks go out to NRA members who heeded the call to head out and vote in
two special elections on Tuesday, February 28. Due in part to your
participation, both NRA-PVF-endorsed candidates were victorious!
OKLAHOMA
Early this week House Bill 2615, the "Stand Your Ground Law," passed the
House Corrections and Criminal Justice Committee. HB 2615, sponsored by
Representative Kevin Calvey (R-94), recognizes that the citizens of
Oklahoma have the right to expect absolute safety within their own
homes. Also, HB 2696 passed the House Public Safety and Homeland
Security Committee. HB 2696, sponsored by Representative Trebor Worthen
(R-87), will eliminate any threat of restrictions being imposed on
lawful uses of firearms or ammunition during a state of emergency. Both
bills are expected to be up for first reading in the House as early as
next week. Please contact your State Representative at (405) 521-2711
and ask him or her to support HB 2615 and HB 2696.
RHODE ISLAND
The House Judiciary Committee is expected to hear H 7114, sponsored by
Representative Edith Ajello (D-3), on Tuesday, March 7, in room 205 of
the State House, after the House session. This proposal would make it
illegal to buy, sell, or transfer more than one handgun in a 30-day
period and sets up a centralized handgun registry with the State
Police. Similar laws have been tried in other states, failing miserably
in reducing crime. In fact, South Carolina's law was such a
disappointment that lawmakers have since repealed it! Licensed dealers
are already required to report multiple handgun purchases to federal,
state, and local law enforcement, and Rhode Island already has a
one-week waiting period on all firearm purchases and all purchasers must
undergo a criminal background check. This legislation is a senseless
attack on law-abiding gun owners. Please contact your lawmakers TODAY
and urge them to oppose H 7114! You can call (401) 222-2466 and ask to
be connected to your legislator, or you may visit the Rhode Island
General Assembly web page at:
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/ for
additional contact information.
SOUTH CAROLINA
House Bill 4681 has been assigned to the House Judiciary Sub-Committee,
chaired by Representative John Graham Altman (R-119). H.4681, sponsored
by Representative Mike Pitts (R-14), would remove the ability of local
governments to restrict the use, sale, or transportation of firearms
during a state of emergency, and would also prohibit the South Carolina
Law Enforcement Division from releasing the personal information of
Right-to-Carry permit holders unless the request for the information is
part of an investigation by law enforcement. Please call Representative
Altman at (803) 734-2947, and ask him to bring the bill up for
consideration as soon as possible. Please continue to contact your
State Representative at (803) 734-2010 and urge him or her to co-sponsor
and support H. 4681. Also, please continue to contact your Senator and
urge him to support H. 4301, the "Castle Doctrine" bill sponsored by
Representative G. Murrell Smith (R-67), that would remove the "duty to
retreat" if a law-abiding person is attacked anywhere that person may
lawfully be. The contact number for your State Senators is (803) 212-6200.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Last week, House Bill 1199, sponsored by Representative Margaret
Gillespie (D-16), was delivered to Governor Mike Rounds' (R) desk, who
has yet to sign this important bill into law. HB 1199 protects the
law-abiding citizens of South Dakota by prohibiting the release of
information concerning applicants and current permit holders to any
person, and prohibits any lists or records of privately-owned firearms
to be kept. Please contact Governor Rounds at (605) 773-3212 and
respectfully ask him to sign HB 1199 and help further protect the good
citizens of South Dakota.
TEXAS
Tuesday, March 7 is a primary election day in Texas. NRA members are
encouraged to head to the polls and vote! Please be sure to encourage
your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to do the same. For
NRA-PVF endorsement information, NRA members are encouraged to call the
NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683), or visit the
NRA-PVF website at www.NRAPVF.org. Be sure to "Vote Freedom First!" on
Tuesday, March 7!
VERMONT
House 447, sponsored by Joseph Krawczyk (R-Bennington-2-1) and Mary
Morrissey (R-Bennington-2-2), unanimously passed the House. This
important legislation would stop the haphazard regulations of firearms
discharge by local municipalities. H. 447 now moves to the Vermont
Senate for a hearing in the upcoming weeks. Please contact your State
Senator at (802) 828-2241 and ask him or her to support H 447.
WYOMING
Unfortunately, HB 78, sponsored by Representative Becket Hinckley
(R-41), and HB 46, sponsored by Representative Steve Watt (R-17), met
their demise in the Wyoming State Legislature. We would like to thank
State Representatives Hinckley and Watt for their hard work and on going
support for the Second Amendment. Both Representatives are determined
to bring these measures back in 2007�a non-budget year. Thank you to
all the NRA members who contacted the legislature expressing their support.
--
Stephen P. Wenger
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
