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From POSA:
Those of you in the "to" field have indicated that you would run pro
bono ads -- if you have spare inventory -- for the Louder Than Words
raffle which is to benefit the Jimmy Fund and its pediatric cancer
research programs. The raffle this year is being conducted by the
Police Officers Safety Association (www.posai.org) through it's annual
Isabella deBethencourt Memorial POSA Cops4Kids pistol match
(www.posacops4kids.com). The raffle will be conducted from October 1 to
December 29, and the winner will be drawn at the SHOT Show (hopefully we
can get all the sponsors there and maybe Mike Bane to cover the
drawing.). Ads in all the common page sizes are posted at
http://www.posacops4kids.com/documents/LTW_print_ads.zip If you need
them slightly smaller or changed somehow, just email David Kenik at
[email protected] and he will accommodate you. These ads should be
placed in books that hit the street between October 1 and December 29.
Special thanks are due to Roy Huntington for also doing a feature
article on the raffle.
Those of you in the "cc" field are shamelessly being asked to do
likewise. We knew Isabella and most of us know her father, Michael.
There is no more worthwhile cause than helping children with cancer!
If you are in the "cc" field and do not publish a magazine, please
consider posting a graphic and link from your website to the raffle site
from October through December. You can use one of the files at the link
site, or we will work with you do create what you need.
Thank you all so much!
---------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Mroz, (phone number deleted)
"The right to be heard does not include the right to be taken seriously."
Hubert Humphrey
---
From NRA-ILA:
NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 13, No. 30 07/28/06
States with updates this issue: California, Colorado, Connecticut,
Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York,
Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
HOUSE PASSES NRA-BACKED
"DISASTER RECOVERY PERSONAL PROTECTION ACT"
NRA and law-abiding gun owners won another major victory this week when
the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass HR 5013, the NRA-backed
"Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act." This legislation,
sponsored by Representative Bobby Jindal (R-La.), will amend federal
emergency laws to prohibit federal, state, and local authorities from
confiscating lawfully-owned firearms during emergencies or disasters.
HR 5013 passed by a broad bi-partisan margin of 322-99.
"Today was an important day for the people of Louisiana," Jindal said.
"Today the House of Representatives reaffirmed that in times of disaster
you cannot throw out the Constitutional amendment that guarantees the
right of the people to keep and bear arms..In the days following
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.confiscations and prohibitions, and the
means by which they were carried out, deprived law-abiding citizens of
Louisiana not only of their right to keep and bear arms, but also of
their rights to personal security, personal liberty, and private
property, all in violation of the Constitution and laws of the United
States. My legislation will prevent this from happening during future
disasters." (To view additional lawmakers' comments on the bill, please
visit www.nraila.org/CurrentLegislation/Read.aspx?ID=2351.)
"Law-abiding gun owners scored a significant victory in the House of
Representatives today," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox.
"The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina confirmed a fear long-held by
American gun owners: the day government bureaucrats declare our Second
Amendment null and void, leaving law-abiding citizens defenseless in the
midst of chaos and lawlessness."
This is the second NRA win on this issue in less than two weeks. On
July 13, Senator David Vitter's (R-La.) amendment to prohibit the use of
funds appropriated under the Homeland Security appropriations bill (H.R.
5441) for the confiscation of lawfully possessed firearms during an
emergency or major disaster, passed the United States Senate with a
final vote of 84-16.
"No matter what the circumstances, lawful gun owners have the right to
possess their firearms in their homes," continued Cox. "And if forced to
evacuate, they have the right to transport their firearms to a safe
place. Nobody has the right to disarm them. That's what this legislation
ensures."
"On behalf of our four million NRA members nationwide, I want to thank
Representative Bobby Jindal for introducing this legislation and the
House Republican leadership for seeing that the 'Disaster Recovery
Personal Protection Act' received a vote on the floor of the U.S. House
of Representatives," concluded Cox.
Additionally, late last week, at the Annual Meeting of the American
Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in San Francisco, the ALEC Criminal
Justice Task Force unanimously approved model legislation similar in
concept to Representative Jindal's H.R. 5013. The model bill, entitled
the "Emergency Powers Firearm Owners' Protection Act," prohibits the
seizure of lawfully-possessed firearms during a state of emergency,
limits the authority of state and local officials to impose additional
restrictions on firearms during a state of emergency, sets criminal
penalties for violations of the act, and allows for private causes of
action by gun owners harmed by violations of the act. This Act will
officially become ALEC Model Legislation in 30 days if there is no
objection from the ALEC Board of Directors.
NRA-ILA "MIX N' MINGLES"
Much is at stake in this year's elections; we will decide if we continue
to move ahead on the path of pro-gun reform, or if we will revert to the
dark Clinton-Gore years. In order to ensure continued success for the
Second Amendment, we must elect pro-gun lawmakers to office this
election season.
To ensure victory for our pro-gun candidates this election year, NRA-ILA
will be hosting FREE NRA-ILA "Mix N' Mingles" across the country. These
events will provide NRA members with training on what they can do
locally to propel candidates to victory this election season. The
meetings also provide attendees the opportunity to meet and socialize
with lawmakers, candidates, and their staffs; NRA-ILA Headquarters
staff, fellow NRA members-and to earn FREE NRA fraternal items such as
hats, pocketknives, buttons, etc. "Mix N' Mingles," including
materials, food, beverages, and NRA items, are FREE!
Mix N' Mingle events are scheduled for:
- Reading, PA 08/12/06
- Libby, MT 08/15/06
- Great Falls, MT 08/17/06
- Billings, MT 08/19/06
- Seymour, IN 08/24/06
- South Bend, IN 08/26/06
- Aurora, CO 08/26/06
- Lincoln, NE 09/09/06
- Towson, MD 09/23/06
- Rock Hill, SC 09/30/06
- Dublin, OH 10/14/06
- St. Cloud, MN 10/16/06
NRA members who have access to the Internet can go to
www.nraila.org/workshops/ to reserve their seats on-line. NRA members
are encouraged to check this website address frequently to see if any
upcoming "Mix N' Mingles" are scheduled in their area. NRA members may
also contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683)
for details and to reserve their seats.
YOUR ACTION IS REQUIRED
ON THE FOLLOWING FEDERAL LEGISLATION
There are a number of other pro-gun bills pending in Congress that
require your action. With the House out for its "Summer District Work
Period," your U.S. Representative will be back home in his or her
respective district. Please contact your Representative's district
offices and urge your Representative to cosponsor and support these
measures, and to bring these bills up as soon as possible when they
return to Washington. You may also contact your Representative at (202)
225-3121. In addition, please call your U.S. Senators at (202)
224-3121, and urge them to cosponsor and support these measures.
Additional contact information can be found using the "Write Your
Representatives" feature at www.NRAILA.org.
H.R. 5092-This bill would improve BATFE's process for punishing the
few FFLs who violate the law, and it would establish guidelines for
BATFE investigations. This bill was drafted in large part to address
recent BATFE abuses at Richmond, VA-area gun shows highlighted in
hearings before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on
Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security.
H.R. 5005-This measure will codify congressional policies, roll back
restrictions, and correct errors in federal firearm laws.
H.R. 1384-This bill would remove several antiquated and unnecessary
restrictions imposed on interstate firearms business since 1968.
H.R. 1288/S. 1082-Legislation to repeal the draconian D.C. gun ban and
restore the right of lawful District residents to own firearms to defend
themselves and their families.
H.R. 4547/S. 3275-Legislation that would allow any person with a valid
carry permit or license issued by a state to carry a concealed firearm
in any other state if he or she meets certain criteria. Importantly,
the laws of each state governing where concealed firearms may be carried
would still apply within its borders.
Again, please contact your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and
urge them to cosponsor and support these measures. For additional
information on these bills, please visit www.NRAILA.org.
ORDER YOUR NRA-ILA YARD SIGNS NOW!
It has been estimated that well-placed campaign signs can account for
four percentage points on Election Day. Think back to the 2000
presidential election, where 537 votes in Florida separated George W.
Bush from Al Gore, and four points seems like a landslide! While you
are focused like a laser beam on the November 7 election, some gun
owners may not be aware of what's at stake for the future of the Second
Amendment on Election Day.
To help us raise gun owner awareness of the impending election, and to
market NRA's campaign efforts, we have produced two colorful, patriotic
campaign yard signs featuring our "I'm the NRA & I Vote" and "Vote
Freedom First!" slogans. These high quality signs are bold, durable,
and easy to assemble. Everything needed to assemble the sign is
contained in one compact package, and all components made in the USA.
Each sign costs a very reasonable $14.95, or you can order a combination
pack of both signs for $24.95 (includes shipping and handling). A
portion of the proceeds goes directly to NRA-ILA to assist our efforts
to protect, preserve, and strengthen our Second Amendment rights!
Hundreds have already been sold!
By proudly displaying your NRA yard sign, and showing your support for
the Second Amendment, you will greatly enhance our ability to deliver
victory for pro-gun candidates on November 7!
Please call (866) 869-6389 or visit www.nrailasigns.org to order your
NRA yard signs TODAY!
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. For information on NRA-PVF candidate endorsements, NRA
members are encouraged to call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800)
392-VOTE (8683), or visit www.NRAPVF.org. If you go to the NRA-PVF
site, you will have to provide your NRA member ID number to access the
site. Your NRA member ID number can be found on the front of your NRA
magazine or on your NRA membership card. Your ID number on the
magazine's mailing label is the 10-digit number that follows the code:
#07901. Examples of how to find your ID number can also be found at
www.NRAPVF.org on the login page accessed by choosing you state. As
always, thank you for your support.***)
States with updates this issue: California, Colorado, Connecticut,
Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York,
Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
CALIFORNIA
AB 352, sponsored by Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-42), would require after
a certain date that the make, model, and serial number be microstamped
onto the interior surface or internal working parts of all handguns in
such a manner that those identifiers are imprinted onto the cartridge
case upon firing. Handguns that do not include their identifying
information would be defined as "unsafe" and their manufacture, sale,
and transfer would be a crime.
Your action is critical! This bill was defeated four bill was defeated
four times last legislative session - each time by one vote! The
legislature will be coming back into session on August 7, so please
contact your State Legislators at (916) 651-4120 and respectfully urge
them to protect your Second Amendment rights by voting "no" on AB 352.
COLORADO
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, August 8! Absentee
ballots may already be requested, and early in-person voting will start
10 days prior to Election Day. For more information about voting in
Colorado, please us the following link:
www.elections.colorado.gov/DDefault.aspx?tid=1. Be sure to "Vote
Freedom First" on Tuesday, August 8!
CONNECTICUT
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, August 8! For more
information about voting in Connecticut, please use
www.sots.ct.gov/ElectionsServices/VoterGuide/VoterGuide.htm. Be sure to
"Vote Freedom First" on Tuesday, August 8!
KANSAS
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, August 1! Advance
voting started July 12, and ends July 31! For more information about
advance voting please to go the following website:
www.kssos.org/elections/elections_registration_voting.html or call
1-800-262-VOTE (8683). Be sure to "Vote Freedom First" on Tuesday,
August 1!
MASSACHUSETTS
On July 26, Governor Mitt Romney (R) signed H. 4552, which makes
exemptions for the makers of customized target pistols, who, due to a
provision within state law, have found it increasingly difficult to do
business in Massachusetts. Prior to the signing of H. 4552, the law
required firearm makers to test at least five examples of all new
products "until destruction" in order to prevent accidental discharges.
Since specialty target pistols typically sell in small numbers and at
higher costs than regular firearms, manufacturers have found it cost
prohibitive to sell them in Massachusetts. This common-sense change to
the law will enable target pistol manufacturers to do business in the
state and allow enthusiasts to practice their sport.
MICHIGAN
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, August 8! For more
information about voting in Michigan, please use the following link:
www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633_8716---,00.html. Be sure to
"Vote Freedom First" on Tuesday, August 8!
MISSOURI
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Tuesday, August 8! For more
information about voting in Missouri, please use the following link:
www.sos.mo.gov/elections/s_default.asp?id=voters. Be sure to "Vote
Freedom First" on Tuesday, August 8!
NEBRASKA
On July 24, in a surprise move, the Lincoln City Council voted 5-2 to
withdraw Mayor Coleen Seng's (D) proposal (06-107) to ban concealed
handguns within city limits. The 5-2 vote makes it unlikely that it
will come back up at a later time. Unfortunately, Mayor Seng has not
given up! At the next city council meeting Mayor Seng will be
discussing another proposal that would make it illegal for a Nebraska
RTC permit holder to conceal his or her firearm within the city limits
by re-classifying certain offenses to prohibit concealed carry. Mayor
Seng seems to have the support of Councilman Svoboda, and Councilman
Cook. The position of the other 5 members is not known at this time.
It is critical that all NRA members contact the Lincoln City Council to
voice their opposition to any proposed ordinance that goes beyond the
new concealed carry law. Members should voice their support for the
right of law-abiding citizens, who possess RTC permit to carry a
concealed firearm in the city of Lincoln within the framework of the new
state law. If passed, the ordinance could create a patchwork system of
laws and regulations in each city and town throughout Nebraska
regulating who is qualified to carry or possess a firearm and whether or
not RTC is even allowed within the city limits. It is important that
Council members recognize the importance of a uniform statewide system
of concealed carry. Please contact the City Council members at (401)
441-7515 and thank them for withdrawing anti-gun proposal 06-107 and ask
them to continue to oppose any attempt to infringe on their citizen's
Right-to-Carry. For further contact information on each of the council
members, please use the following link:
www.ci.lincoln.ne.us/city/council/lista.htm. To view the minutes from
the July 24 meeting and to see who voted against the withdrawa, please
use the following link:
www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/council/agenda/2006/072406/a072406.htm.
NEW YORK
Thanks to your efforts, the Suffolk County Trap & Skeet Range finally
reopened on July 15. Please show your support by visiting the range
located at 165 Gerard Road in Yaphank, New York 11980, (631) 924-5600.
The hours of operation are 9:00 a.m., to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday through
Sunday. Unfortunately, this fight is far from over! Introductory
Resolution - 1738-2006 is on the agenda in the Suffolk County Parks and
Recreation committee for Wednesday, August 2! Legislator Kate Browning
has not given up her fight to permanently close down the Suffolk County
Trap & Skeet range. We must persuade the committee and/or the County
legislature to do the right thing and keep the Suffolk County Trap &
Skeet Range open. The August 2 meeting will be held at 11:00 a.m., at
the Suffolk County Legislative Building, Veterans Memorial Highway,
Hauppauge, NY 11788, (631) 853-4000. Please call your Legislator and
plan to attend this meeting ad urge the Committee members to oppose
IR-1738-2006. The Suffolk County Legislature can be reached at (631)
853-4074 or at the following link
http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/legis/.
Additionally, The Sportsmen's Association for Firearms Education Inc.
(S.A.F.E.) will be hosting its "2006 Right-to-Carry Conference & Second
Amendment Rally" on Sunday, October 1, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(doors open at 12:00 noon). The event will be held at the Sheraton,
Long Island, 110 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, Smithtown, NY, (631)
231-1100, (on Motor Parkway on the North side of LIE between exits 53 &
55). In attendance at the event will be: Wayne R. LaPierre, NRA
Executive Vice President; Bob Barr, Former Member, U.S. House of
Representatives and NRA Board Member; Jim Fotis, Executive Director, Law
Enforcement Alliance of America; John Faso, Republican Candidate for New
York State Governor; John Spencer, Republican/Conservative Candidate for
U.S. Senate from New York; and John L. Cushman, S.A.F.E. President and
Founder, and NRA Board Member.
If you believe you have the right to own and use firearms lawfully, then
you need to attend this conference. You will get the latest information
on the Right-to-Carry nationwide and locally. You will meet and network
with fellow sportsmen and women concerning your civil rights and those
of your children and grandchildren. This conference will raise issues
of concern and give suggested courses of action with local and national
leaders of Second Amendment organizations and legislators from all
levels of government. You will also have a chance to win valuable
prizes in drawings limited to attendees only. Admission and parking is
free and the event is open to your family and friends.
PENNSYLVANIA
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Stewart Greenleaf (R-12) has
scheduled a hearing at City Hall in Philadelphia. Next week, the Senate
Judiciary Committee will hold the first in a series of hearings around
the state to receive testimony relating to urban violence. The hearing
will be held 9:00 a.m., on Wednesday, August 2, in City Council
Chambers, Rm. 400. This is an opportunity for NRA members in
Philadelphia to voice their discontent regarding the lack of enforcement
of federal and state firearm laws against violent criminals. If you're
planning on testifying, contact Greg Warner in Senator Greenleaf's
office at (215) 657-7700.
TENNESSEE
The 2006 Primary elections are being held Thursday, August 3, and early
voting started July 14, and ends July 29. For more information about
voting in Tennessee, please use the following link:
www.state.tn.us/sos/election/index.htm. Be sure to "Vote Freedom First"
on Thursday, August 3!
--
Stephen P. Wenger
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
