FW: Most Sweeping Gun Ban Ever Introduced

 


 



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NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 14, No. 8 02/23/07

States with updates this issue:  Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii,
Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada,  New Mexico, New
York, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.


THE MOST SWEEPING GUN BAN EVER INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS;
McCarthy Bill Bans Millions More Guns Than The Clinton Gun Ban 

On Feb. 14, 2007, Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) introduced H.R.
1022, a bill with the stated purpose, "to reauthorize the assault weapons
ban, and for other purposes." 

McCarthy's verbiage warrants explanation. Presumably, what she means by
"assault weapons ban" is the Clinton Gun Ban of 1994.  Congress allowed the
ban to expire in 2004 for multiple reasons, including the fact that federal,
state and local law enforcement agency studies showed that guns affected by
the ban had been used in only a small percentage of crime, before and after
the ban was imposed. 

With the nation's murder rate 43% lower than in 1991, and the re-legalized
guns still used in only a small percentage of crime, reauthorizing the
Clinton Gun Ban would be objectionable enough. But McCarthy's "other
purposes" would make matters even worse.  H.R. 1022 would ban every gun
banned by the Clinton ban, plus millions more guns, including:

. Every gun made to comply with the Clinton ban. (The Clinton ban dictated
the kinds of grips, stocks and attachments new guns could have.
Manufacturers modified new guns to the Clinton requirements. H.R. 1022 would
ban the modified guns too.)

. Guns exempted by the Clinton ban. (Ruger Mini-14s and -30s and Ranch
Rifles; .30 cal. carbines; and fixed-magazine, semi-automatic, center-fire
rifles that hold more than 10 rounds.)

. All semi-automatic shotguns. (E.g., Remington, Winchester, Beretta and
Benelli, used for hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense.  H.R. 1022
would ban them because they have "any characteristic that can function as a
grip," and would also ban their main component, called the "receiver.")

. All detachable-magazine semi-automatic rifles-including, for example, the
ubiquitous Ruger 10/22 .22 rimfire-because they have "any characteristic
that can function as a grip."

. Target shooting rifles. (E.g., the three centerfire rifles most popular
for marksmanship competitions: the Colt AR-15, the Springfield M1A and the
M1 "Garand.")

. Any semi-automatic shotgun or rifle an Attorney General one day claims
isn't "sporting," even though the constitutions of the U.S. and 44 states,
and the laws of all 50 states, recognize the right to use guns for defense.

. 65 named guns (the Clinton law banned 19 by name); semi-auto
fixed-magazine pistols of over 10 rounds capacity; and frames, receivers and
parts used to repair or refurbish guns.

H.R. 1022 would also ban the importation of magazines exempted by the
Clinton ban, ban the sale of a legally-owned "assault weapon" with a
magazine of over 10 rounds capacity, and begin backdoor registration of
guns, by requiring private sales of banned guns, frames, receivers and parts
to be conducted through licensed dealers.  Finally, whereas the Clinton Gun
Ban was imposed for a 10-year trial period, H.R. 1022 would be a permanent
ban.

Please be sure to contact your U.S. Representative and urge him or her to
oppose 
H.R. 1022!  

You can call your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121.


CPAC 2007

NRA Members are invited to attend CPAC 2007Cthe 34th Annual Conservative
Political Action Conference, March 1 - 3, 2007.  The conference will be held
at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., just a short trip from the
White House, the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian, National Archives,
and the hundreds of other monuments, memorials, and museums in our nation's
capital.  CPAC is the nation's premier annual gathering of conservative
leaders, celebrities, elected officials, and grassroots activists.  

CPAC will offer an agenda packed with political headliners including Vice
President Dick Cheney, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, Senator
Mitch McConnell, Congressman Mike Pence, Newt Gingrich, Sean Hannity, Ann
Coulter, Michelle Malkin, David Horowitz, Phyllis Schlafly, and many others
as they discuss important issues of the day.  CPAC is co-sponsored by NRA
and more than 60 leading conservative organizations.  

For additional information, or to register for the conference, please call
(703) 836-8602, or visit CPAC online at www.cpac.org
<http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.18.2783547> 


SECOND GRASSROOTS EVENT PLANNED FOR ST. LOUIS

In addition to the FREE Grassroots Workshop being held in conjunction with
NRA's Annual Meetings in St. Louis that we reported on last week, the
NRA-ILA Grassroots Division is holding an additional FREE event in St.
Louis.

We hope you will also be able to join us Saturday, April 14 for the
inaugural session of "In Their Own Words."  This first-of-its-kind panel
will afford NRA members the opportunity to hear directly from their fellow
NRA members on effective grassroots activism.  The panel will feature some
of NRA-ILA's most active volunteers in the nation, who will talk about their
personal efforts to advance our mutual causes in their local communities.
The session will conclude with a question and answer period to allow
audience participation.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear these present-day patriots talk about
their personal experiences working in the pro-gun rights grassroots
movement, and learn effective means of protecting and promoting the Second
Amendment in your own community.  There is no registration required and, as
with the Friday Workshop, admission is FREE

Here are the details for each event:

NRA-ILA Grassroots Workshop-FREE!
Friday, April 13, 2007, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
(Registration and free continental breakfast from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
in the Majestic Ballroom E )
Renaissance Grand Hotel St. Louis
Majestic Ballroom E (Level Two)
800 Washington Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 621-9600

To register on-line, pleas visit
<http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.19.2783547>
www.nraam.org/seminars/grassroots.asp.   You may also call NRA-ILA at  (800)
392-VOTE (8683).  

"In Their Own Words"-FREE!
Saturday, April 14, 2007, 2:00 p.m.
Room 242, America's Center
701 Convention Plaza 
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 342-5042
No registration required

We hope to see you in St. Louis! 


FEDS CONSIDER REMOVING WOLVES 
FROM ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

The federal government is holding hearings to obtain public comments
regarding the delisting of Rocky Mountain wolves from the Endangered Species
Act (ESA). It is critical that sportsmen attend the hearings in order to
counter the emotional claims of anti-hunting forces, who seem to believe
that a species' listing should be permanent. Of course, the success of the
ESA comes when a species, like the wolf, is delisted because its numbers
recover after once being dangerously low. 

Wolves have their place within the ecosystem.  But, as with other species,
sportsmen must be allowed to appropriately manage their numbers.  Delisting
will allow state game officials to provide for regulated hunting and
trapping. Without this, wolves will continue to take an unacceptably high
toll on elk, moose, and deer populations. 

Six open house meetings in different states are scheduled on the proposed
delisting (all six public hearings will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.):  
  
Cheyenne, WY:  February 27, 2007, at Holiday Inn Cheyenne, 204 West Fox Farm
Road.
 
Salt Lake City, UT:  February 28, 2007, at Plaza Hotel, 122 West South
Temple.

Helena, MT:  March 1, 2007, at Jorgenson's Inn & Suites, 1714 11th Avenue.

Boise, ID:  March 6, 2007, at Boise Convention Center on the Grove, 850
Front Street.

Pendleton, OR:  March 7, 2007, at Pendleton Red Lion Inn, 304 S.E. Nye
Street.

Spokane Valley, WA:  March 8, 2007, at Oxford Inns & Suites, 15015 East
Indiana Avenue.

Anyone wishing to make an oral statement for the record is encouraged to
provide a written copy of his or her statement and present it at the
hearing.  In the event there is a large attendance, the time allotted for
oral statements may be limited.  Speakers can only sign up at the open
houses and hearings.  Oral and written statements receive equal
consideration. There are no limits on the length of written comments
submitted.  

If you have any questions concerning the public hearings, please contact
Sharon Rose (303) 236-4580.  Persons needing reasonable accommodations in
order to attend and participate in the public hearings in Boise, ID;
Pendleton, OR; or Spokane, WA, should contact Joan Jewett at (503) 231-6211;
or, for hearings in Cheyenne, WY; Salt Lake City, UT; or Helena, MT, Sharon
Rose at (303) 236-4580.  If needed, please call as soon as possible in order
to allow sufficient time to process requests.  Also, please call no later
than one week before the hearing date. 

Please attend the hearings in your area and let your voice be heard!


FUTURE OF RECREATIONAL SHOOTING ON THE 
ARAPAHOE AND ROOSEVELT NATIONAL FORESTS UNDER REVIEW

The Boulder Ranger District of the Araphoe and Roosevelt National Forests is
conducting a planning process to determine how recreational shooting,
dispersed camping, and campfires will be managed in the future.  Issues
concerning these activities have been developed based upon public input
through written comments or at one of the public meetings held last May.
The District Ranger has now scheduled three public meetings to talk about
solutions to the issues.  The meetings are as follows:

February 24 - Boulder; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; New Vista High School, 700
20th Street

February 28 - Boulder; 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Platt Middle School; 6096
Baseline Road

March 3 - Longmont; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; Longmont High School; 1040
Sunset Street

Comments may be sent to [email protected].  For more information you may call
the District Ranger's office at (303) 541-2500, or go to the website at:
www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/projects/ea-projects/brd/ufc/index.shtml
<http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.20.2783547>  


PROPOSED LEAD BAN IN CALIFORNIA

When it meets on March 2, the California Fish and Game Commission will
consider amending the state's hunting regulations for 2007-2010 to ban or
limit the use of lead ammunition for hunting in the range of the California
condor.  The Department of Fish and Game suggested three alternatives to the
Commission:  ban the use of lead ammunition for big game hunting; ban the
use of lead ammunition statewide; or offer hunters incentives to voluntarily
use non-lead ammunition.  

Comments can be sent to the Commission by mail at: 1416 Ninth Street, P.O.
Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090, or by contacting the Commission
through its website at www.fgc.ca.gov
<http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.21.2783547> . 


A LOOK AT THE STATES

(***For all of the action items below, you can find contact information for
your legislators by visiting www.NRAILA.org, clicking the "Take Action"
icon, and then clicking the  <http://www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials/>
"Write Your Representatives" icon.  As always, thank you for your
support.***)

States with updates this issue:  Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii,
Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada,  New Mexico, New
York, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

ARIZONA
Both versions of the "Emergency Powers" bills, SB 1258 carried by State
Senator Jay Tibshraney (R-21), and HB 2458 by State Representative Russell
Pearce (R-18), are moving forward in their respective chambers and are on
the brink of an agreement between the NRA and Governor Janet Napolitano.
The Governor vetoed a similar measure last year after voicing concerns about
having the authority to move stored ammunition, but those issues are being
resolved to both authors' satisfaction.  Please continue to contact your
legislators in support of SB 1258 and HB 2458 to ensure their passage by
calling the Senate Info Desk at (602) 926-3559 or the House Info Desk at
(602) 926-4221.  Both measures can be found at the Legislature's website at
www.azleg.state.az.us
<http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.24.2783547> .  
 
Also, after months of negotiation and phone calls from NRA members, the
Apache Junction City Council voted to establish a policy for the sale or
trade of confiscated firearms not returned to their lawful owners.  This
move follows an outcry from NRA members when the AJ Police Chief destroyed
over 1,200 firearms that could have been sold back to the community or
traded for much needed supplies.  Thank you to all members who voiced your
support for the new policy.

ARKANSAS
Senate Joint Resolution 7 (SJR 7)-an NRA-backed Constitutional Amendment
sponsored by State Senator Steve Faris (D-27) that would recognize hunting
and fishing as  constitutional rights--will soon be heard by the Senate and
House Committees on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs.  Due to some
surprising opposition to this critical amendment, it is vital that NRA
members, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts contact members of these
committees and urge them to support SJR 7.  Membership rosters for the
Senate committee can be found by visiting
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/scripts/ablr/committees/arcommittee3afm.asp?cc
ode=500 <http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.1.2783547> &user=M
and for the House at
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/scripts/ablr/committees/arcommittee3afm.asp?cc
ode=900 <http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.2.2783547> &user=M
Please contact the members of these committees and respectfully urge them to
co-sponsor SJR 7. Arkansas State Senators can be reached at (501) 682-2902,
and State Representatives at (501) 682-6211.

As mentioned, opposition to this pro-hunting amendment is coming from a
strange source-The Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). According
to recent articles in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, the very agency tasked
with regulating hunting and fishing is opposed to an amendment that would
protect hunting and fishing for future generations. And while this is truly
puzzling, some of the reasons stated in an article published on February 18
are even more confounding.

Scott Henderson, director of the AGFC, is quoted in the article as stating,
"Arkansas is one of the few states where fish and wildlife management is
elevated to constitutional status." This reference to Amendment 35, which
established the AGFC, may be true, but fish and wildlife management does not
automatically include fishing and hunting by sportsmen. Some anti-hunting
groups feel that wildlife management can be accomplished through the use of
professional hunters hired by the state, or even using contraception
programs. Groups such as PETA and HSUS are so opposed to hunting that they
are likely scheming to come up with any number of ways wildlife can be
"managed" without involving citizens who enjoy hunting.  What SJR 7 seeks to
do is establish that hunting and fishing are preferred methods of
management, and recognize that citizens have a right to hunt and fish.

The article also attributes to Henderson the claim that SJR 7 would prohibit
AGFC from suspending the licenses of people who repeatedly violate wildlife
codes. According to the article, "This would essentially void the wildlife
code because the AGFC would then be unable to enforce it." This is patently
absurd, as no such catastrophic collapse of wildlife management has been
experienced in any of the other states that currently recognize hunting and
fishing as protected rights. Furthermore, SJR 7 clearly states the right is
"subject to reasonable regulation prescribed by the General Assembly and the
Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission."

Other claims in the article are that SJR 7 may impact trespass laws,
landowner rights, certain established restrictions on hunting, and eliminate
seasons and bag limits. These claims are simply ridiculous. Again, other
states with similar amendments have not experienced these problems and,
again, the right is "subject to reasonable regulation." It is hard to
understand how anyone who supports hunting does not recognize that assaults
on hunting have been going on for decades, and extremist groups like PETA
and HSUS have multi-million dollar annual budgets to promote their
anti-hunting agendas.

In addition, there is nothing in Amendment 35 that states the AGFC must be
made up of people who respect the interests of hunters. The sole requirement
to be a Commissioner is that the individual must "have knowledge of and
interest in wildlife conservation." The leadership of HSUS and PETA could
certainly argue they meet such qualifications.

All Amendment 35 does, in reality, is guarantee the AGFC has the sole role
in determining what constitutes Arkansas policy regarding "[t]he control,
management, restoration, conservation and regulation of birds, fish, game
and wildlife resources of the State..." SJR 7, on the other hand, will
guarantee that hunting and fishing by the honest citizens of Arkansas is the
preferred method in that wildlife management process.

The opposition to SJR 7 is certainly not unanimous on the AGFC, so in
addition to contacting members of the Senate and House Committees on State
Agencies and Governmental Affairs, please contact the Commissioners of the
AGFC and urge them to support SJR 7. Contact information for the
Commissioners can be found at http://www.agfc.com/commission/
<http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.3.2783547>  .

Finally, contact Bryan Hendricks, the author of the article mentioned above,
and urge him to once again change his position on SJR 7. An article of his
published on February 11, fully supported this amendment, but he has now
come out in opposition to it, based, it would seem, on the fallacious
arguments promoted by the AGFC. You can send Hendricks e-mail by going to
[email protected], or call him at (501) 378-3579.

COLORADO
House Bill 1174, sponsored by State Representative Al White (R-57), is
scheduled to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee in the coming days.
House Bill 1174 would repeal the sunset review of the law enforcement
database of carry permit holders.  Please contact the members of the Senate
Judiciary Committee and respectfully urge them to oppose House Bill 1174.
The members of the committee are: Chairman Brandon Shaffer; Senator John
Morse; Senator Bob Bacon; Senator Betty Boyd; Senator Shawn Mitchell;
Senator Scott Renfroe, Senator Steve Ward.  Please call the Colorado State
Senate, at (303) 866-2316, and ask to be put in touch with one of these
Senators.

Senate Bill 34, sponsored by State Senator John Morse (D-11), passed the
State Senate on Friday, February 23 by a vote of 20-15.  The bill now is
awaiting a House committee assignment.  If enacted, non-resident concealed
carry permits will no longer be honored if the address on the holder's
identification is different than the state where the permit was issued.  For
example, a Florida permit issued to a non-resident will not be recognized in
Colorado.  No demonstrated need has been presented to justify Senate Bill
34, legislation that will potentially threaten reciprocity agreements.  This
bill will invalidate non-resident permit holders and made second-class
citizens out of Colorado residents.  Don't be fooled!  This is simply a
first step towards repealing your right-to-carry!  Please contact your State
Representative today at (303) 866-2904, or if outside of Denver, at (800)
811-7647 and respectfully urge that he or she oppose SB34.  

HAWAII
Senate Bill 695, as introduced by Senator Norman Sakamoto (D-15), would
authorize the Game and Fish Department to create a 7-day non-resident
hunting license on a private or commercial shooting preserve.  The
NRA-supported measure is currently awaiting a hearing before the Water,
Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs Committee.  Please take the time to
contact your Senators and ask that they request a hearing on the bill.
Legislators are currently on a five-day break in their districts before the
March 2nd "decking" deadline, which is the 48-hour period before the bills
are to be out of policy committees.  Please contact your State Senator at
808-586-6720.

ILLINOIS
Please join your fellow Illinois gun owners for the annual Illinois Gun
Owners Lobby Day (IGOLD) on March 14, 2007, in Springfield!  This is your
opportunity to lobby your lawmakers directly and make a positive impact for
all Illinois gun owners.  Participants will meet in the auditorium of the
Howlett Building at 12:30 p.m., for registration and a legislative briefing
before proceeding to the Capitol Building.  That evening, a reception will
be held at the Illinois State Library Auditorium from 5:30-7:30 p.m., for
both gun owners and state lawmakers.  IGOLD will have buses available to
transport participants to Springfield from various locations throughout
Illinois.  For more information on IGOLD 2007, to sign-up online, or for
more information on scheduled bus routes, please visit http://igold.isra.org
<http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.25.2783547> .

KANSAS
HB 2528 was heard in the Federal and State Affairs Committee on Wednesday,
February 21 and is scheduled for a committee vote on Monday, March 5.  This
important legislation removes language that was being misinterpreted by
cities in Kansas to ban concealed carry of handguns on city owned property
such as parks, greenways, and all city buildings.  The bill also strips
cities of their ability to regulate firearms, bringing back the original
intent of the bill.  Please contact your State Representative at (800)
432-3924 and respectfully urge him or her to support HB 2528. 

Also, in a victory for gun owners in Kansas, a bill that would significantly
weaken Castle Doctrine legislation, SB268, was killed in the Senate
Judiciary Committee earlier this week.

MARYLAND
Senate Bill 43, "Assault Weapon Ban of 2007," sponsored by Senator Michael
Lenett (D-19), will be heard by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on
Tuesday, February 27, at 1:00 p.m.  SB43 would designate specified firearms,
including many semi-automatics, as "assault weapons;" prohibit persons from
transporting possessing, selling, offering to sell, transferring, or
receiving a specified "assault weapon(s)"; and require the Handgun Roster
Board to compile and maintain a roster of prohibited specified "assault
weapons."  Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, February 27, at 1:00 p.m.
The hearing will be held in the Senate Judicial Proceeding Committee Room,
which is located on the second floor of the Miller Senate Office Building,
11 Bladen Street, Annapolis.  If you are unable to attend, please call all
the members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee TODAY and urge them
to OPPOSE Senate Bill 43.  Please visit
www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=2622 for contact information for the
Judicial Proceedings Committee.    

MISSOURI
To ensure that law-abiding Missourians won't ever suffer the same fate as
those in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, legislation is currently
moving through the General Assembly that would protect your Second Amendment
rights during a state of emergency.  Companion bills, HB669, sponsored by
State Representative David Pearce (R-121), and SB257, sponsored by State
Senator Kevin Engler (R-3), have each passed their respective chamber's
committees, with SB257 being placed on the Senate Consent Bills calendar for
Monday, February 26.  Additionally, State Representative Bob Dixon (R-140)
has introduced legislation (HB845) to make voter registration information
available to hunting license and fishing permit applicants. Please contact
your State Senator at (573)-751-3824 and State Representative at
(573)-751-3659 and urge them to support and vote for these important bills.

NEBRASKA
Important range protection legislation, LB352, sponsored by State Senator
Chris Langemeier (I-23), will be heard in the Government, Military, and
Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday, February 28.  Please visit
http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/web/public/gmv
<http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.5.2783547>  for a roster and
contact information for the members of the committee and respectfully urge
them to support LB352.

NEVADA
Assembly Bill 21, an Assembly Judiciary Committee sponsored bill, was
granted a hearing on Monday, February 19th before the Committee.  AB 21
would double the concealed carry permit fees from its current $60 to $125,
as well as increase the fee on renewals.  The bill didn't receive a vote,
but it could come up at any time.  Please continue to contact the members of
the Judiciary Committee, and urge them to oppose AB 21.   For contact
information for the committee, please visit
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=2592. 

NEW MEXICO
This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved SB 39, NRA-backed "Castle
Doctrine" legislation by State Senator Shannon Robinson (D-Albuquerque),
which offers protection from criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits to
individuals who justifiably use force to protect themselves and their
families.  The bill also contains language stating that you have "no duty to
retreat" from a violent attack.  SB 39 now moves to the full Senate for
consideration, possibly over the weekend or early next week.  Please contact
your State Senators at (505) 986-4714 and urge them to support SB 39.  

Also, HB 588, by State Representative John Heaton (D-Carlsbad), and SB 111,
by State Senator Stuart Ingle (R-Portales), NRA-supported bills that would
allow Concealed Handgun Licensees to protect themselves in establishments
selling alcohol for off-premises consumption, are both currently in the
House Business & Industry Committee, although no hearing has been scheduled
on either measure yet.  Please continue to contact members of the committee
and urge them to support both HB 588 & SB 111.  For contact information for
the committee, please visit
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=2640.

NEW YORK
In a move that can only be called stunningly hypocritical, Governor Eliot
"Steamroller" Spitzer (D) has nominated Assemblyman Alexander "Pete" Grannis
as his candidate to head the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Not only is Grannis well known for his anti-gun, anti-hunting, and
anti-sportsmen positions and votes, but he is grossly under qualified to be
charged with stewardship of New York State's rich outdoor heritage.  After a
bruising battle with lawmakers claiming that Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli lacked
the qualifications to replace disgraced former state comptroller Alan
Hevesi, the Governor puts forth a candidate who both lacks the background to
be DEC Commissioner and shows outright contempt and hatred for all outdoor
recreational activities. During his tenure in the Assembly, Grannis
sponsored and signed on to numerous anti-gun and anti-hunting bills, as well
as legislation to outlaw trapping.  As DEC Commissioner, Grannis would have
the authority to make policy through regulatory means, bypassing
consideration by your elected officials.  These decisions could permanently
impact hunters and sportsmen.  If this nomination is approved by the State
Senate, Grannis will be in a position to institute anti-hunting policies
that he has supported in the past.   Please call your State Senator TODAY
and ask him or her to oppose the confirmation of Pete Grannis as DEC
Commissioner and be sure to politely remind him or her that a vote to
approve Grannis is a vote against the Second Amendment and our hunting
heritage!  Your Senator can be contacted at 518-455-2800.

NORTH DAKOTA
House Bill 1319, critical "Castle Doctrine" legislation sponsored by State
Representative Todd Porter (R-34), is moving toward the Senate floor for a
vote.  This "Castle Doctrine" self-defense bill states that if a criminal
breaks into your home, your occupied vehicle, or your place of business, you
do not have a "duty to retreat."  The bill also provides protection from
criminal prosecution and civil litigation for those who defend themselves
from criminal attack.  Please contact your State Senator at (888) NDLEGIS
(635-3447), or (701) 328-3373 (local), and respectfully urge him or her to
support HB1319.

SOUTH CAROLINA
H 3212, introduced by State Representative Greg Delleney (R-43), would
change South Carolina's conditional reciprocity standard for recognizing
Right-to-Carry (RTC) permits.  H 3212 passed out of the Judiciary Committee
on Wednesday, February 21, and is expected to be heard by the full House of
Representatives on Tuesday, February 27.  This critical legislation will
require South Carolina to recognize all valid RTC permits issued by other
states.  The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), which has been
opposed to recognizing the permits issued by many other states, is expected
to lobby hard against this pro-gun reform, so please call your State
Representative at (803) 734-2010 and urge him or her to support H 3212. 

In addition, H 3310, sponsored by Representative Mike Pitts (R-14),
clarifies that it is legal for a RTC permit holder to carry a concealed
firearm while driving a car, passed out of the House on Friday, February 23,
and will now head over to the Senate for consideration.  This legislation
was drafted in response to reports that RTC permit holders were being
charged with unlawful carrying of firearms while driving their vehicles.
Please call your Senator at (803) 212-6200 and urge him or her to support
this measure when it is brought up for consideration.

TEXAS
On Monday, February 26, the House Committee on Law Enforcement will consider
three NRA-backed measures which will allow Concealed Handgun Licensees
(CHLs) to transport and store handguns in their locked private motor
vehicles while parked on their employer's property: HB 220 by State
Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford), HB 511 by State Representative
David Farabee (D-Wichita Falls) and HB 992 by State Representative Patrick
Rose (D-Dripping Springs).  Many employers in Texas have "No Firearms"
policies that extend beyond the physical workplace to include parking lots,
garages, and other parking areas under the employer's control.  This
effectively prohibits employees who are CHLs from protecting themselves in
their parking area at work - and during their commute to and from work every
day!  The committee will also consider HB 1037, by Representative Farabee,
which extends the same protections to all employees (not just CHLs) and all
firearms locked in private vehicles parked at work.  Please contact members
of the House Law Enforcement Committee and urge them to support all four
measures.  You can find contact information for committee members by
visiting http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/Membership.aspx
<http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.29.2783547> .

On Tuesday, February 27, the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence will
consider HB 284, by State Representative Joe Driver (R-Garland), NRA-backed
"Castle Doctrine" legislation that offers protection from criminal
prosecution and civil lawsuits to individuals who justifiably use force to
protect themselves and their families.  The bill also contains language
stating that you have "no duty to retreat" from a violent attack that occurs
outside your home.  Please contact members of the House Criminal
Jurisprudence Committee and urge them to support HB 284. Contact information
for committee members is available at
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/Membership.aspx
<http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.29.2783547> .

Finally, on Wednesday, February 28, the Senate Jurisprudence Committee will
consider SB 378, by State Senator Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio), the Senate
version of the NRA-backed "Castle Doctrine" bill.  Please contact Senate
Jurisprudence Committee members and urge them to support SB 378.  Contact
information for committee members is available at
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Committees/Membership.aspx
<http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.29.2783547> .

UTAH
Senate Bill 78, by Senator Mark Madsen (R-13), would protect the possession
of firearms in your locked vehicle on any property designated for motor
vehicle parking.  The measure passed the Senate today by a vote of 19-8.
Senate Bill 201, Emergency Powers legislation (also introduced by Senator
Mark Madsen), is waiting for a vote on the Senate floor.  It's imperative
that NRA members call their Senators and ask for their full support of these
important measures.  Messages for the Senators can be left with the Message
Center at (801) 538-1035.  The Legislature is set to adjourn on Wednesday,
February 28, so time is of the essence.  

Also, anti-gun Senate Bill 251, introduced by Senator Greg Bell (R-22),
passed the Senate and is on its way to the House, although it hasn't been
set for a hearing date.  SB 251 would restrict the possession and carrying
of concealed firearms on the property of institutions of higher education in
specified faculty and staff offices, as well as authorize the institution to
allow a dorm resident to have only roommates who are not licensed to carry a
concealed firearm.  Please contact your House member by calling the Message
Center at (801) 538-1029, and ask for his or her "NO" vote should it come
before them for a vote.

VIRGINIA
As the 2007 General Assembly session heads to a close on Saturday, an
important pro-gun bill was halted in the Senate and precedent-setting
legislation to cease gun dealer entrapment schemes advanced through both
houses. First, just hours after officially announcing his retirement from
the Virginia Senate, State Senator Russ Potts (R-27), called upon his now
infamous and shameless theatrical skills in an attack on HB3109, an
NRA-backed bill that would have reduced the areas in which localities could
regulate hunting. Following a series of parliamentary maneuvers, by a vote
of 20-19, the Senate re-referred HB3109 to the Senate Courts of Justice
Committee -- a move that essentially kills the bill for this session.
Although Senator Potts' opening proclaimed that he was, yet again, willing
to "fall on his own sword" and oppose another pro-gun bill, law-abiding
Virginians shouldn't be fooled into thinking that this plot was orchestrated
by Potts alone. Rest assured, as the 2007 campaign season begins to unfold
in Virginia, we will provide you with accurate information regarding those
Senators who worked to derail critical pro-Second Amendment legislation
during the 2007 legislative session. On the bright side, both legislative
chambers have now approved HB2653, a measure that will stop big city mayors
from seeking to snare firearms dealers in entrapment schemes aimed to
intimidate gun owners and law-abiding licensed gun dealers. This bill now
heads to Governor Kaine (D) for his approval. You may locate information on
how your lawmakers voted on these bills by visiting http://legis.state.va.us
<http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.30.2783547> .

WYOMING
Senate File 50, introduced by Senator Cale Case (R-25), has been sent back
to a Conference Committee to resolve differences between the Senate and
House versions of the bill.  SF 50 would permit bow hunters to carry a
firearm during archery season for self-defense.  In order to obtain support
from Game and Fish Department, the author agreed to an amendment that would
mandate a 3-year revocation of a hunting license should someone be convicted
of taking an animal with a firearm during bow hunting.  This NRA supported
measure needs one more BIG push, so please contact your State
Representatives by calling (307) 777-7852, or by e-mail at
www.legisweb.state.wy.us
<http://www.ilaalerts.org/UM/T.asp?A1.2.1804.31.2783547> , and ask for their
continued backing.


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