GRNC Guerrilla Tactics for Gun Rights Warriors Seminar

Grass Roots North Carolina for Firearms Education

North Carolina --(Ammoland.com)-Grass Roots North Carolina for Firearms Education’s annual legislative tactics seminar, taught by GRNC president Paul Valone, will teach you how to better defend your rights.

Far beyond the typical “write-your-congressman” approach, the updated and expanded seminar will feature hardball tactics for making politicians and corporations accede to your demands.

Learn why citizen groups often fail, and why the political process is not “broken.”

As one sage put it: “The legislative process works just fine. It just doesn’t work the way you think it does.”

Following the seminar, GRNC will conduct its meeting of the board of directors, after which attendees are invited to join us for drinks and dinner.

Date: Saturday, April 14, 2012

Location: Rights Watch International office, 2016 Cameron St., Suite 217, Raleigh, NC 27605.

Agenda:

• Legislative Tactics Seminar: 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM
• Board of Directors Meeting: 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM
• GRNC dinner get-together: 6:00 PM until?

Registration: Contact GRNC president Paul Valone at President@GRNC.org. Fee is $30, waived for active or new GRNC volunteers. Proof of a demonstrated history of supporting gun rights may be requested / required.

About:
Grass Roots North Carolina/Forum for Firearms Education is a non-profit, all volunteer organization devoted to educating the public about trends which abridge the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, and engaging in grass roots activism to preserve those freedoms. Formed in 1994 to conduct a highly successful rally for the Second Amendment, GRNC has gone on to conduct projects like “Remember in November: A Gun Owner’s Guide to Voting,” bringing concealed carry to North Carolina. Visit:www.grnc.org

Minnesota Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance

Minnesota --(Ammoland.com)- Last year, Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance worked with Minnesota legislators to introduce the Defense of Dwelling and Person Act, a sweeping set of legislation that would fundamentally rebalance Minnesota law to protect and support the rights of law-abiding citizens.

Due to the showdown over the budget, our bill didn’t get the support and attention it needed. But you can’t keep a good bill down, and…

Stand Your Ground is Back!

We need your help.

Please contact the members of the Senate Finance Committee, and urge them to vote YES on HF1467/SF1357. Their contact info is below.

• Sen. Claire A. Robling
  Committee Chair
  (651) 296-4123
  sen.claire.robling@senate.mn
• Sean R. Nienow
  Vice Chair
  (651) 296-5419
  sen.sean.nienow@senate.mn
• Richard J. Cohen
  Ranking Minority Member
  (651) 296-5931
  Mail Form
• Terri E. Bonoff
  (651) 296-4314
  sen.terri.bonoff@senate.mn
• Michelle L. Fischbach
  (651) 296-2084
  sen.michelle.fischbach@senate.mn
• Barb Goodwin
  (651) 296-4334
  Mail Form
• David W. Hann
  (651) 296-1749
  Mail Form
• Bill Ingebrigtsen
  (651) 297-8063
  sen.bill.ingebrigtsen@senate.mn
• Keith Langseth
  (651) 296-3205
  Mail Form
• Doug Magnus
  (651) 296-5650
  sen.doug.magnus@senate.mn
• Scott J. Newman
  (651) 296-4131
  sen.scott.newman@senate.mn
• Gen Olson
  (651) 296-1282
  sen.gen.olson@senate.mn
• Mike Parry
  (651) 296-9457
  sen.mike.parry@senate.mn
• LeRoy A. Stumpf
  (651) 296-8660
  Mail Form
• Linda Higgins
  (651) 296-9246
  sen.linda.higgins@senate.mn

You can email many of them at once by pasting this list into your email client:

sen.claire.robling@senate.mn ; sen.sean.nienow@senate.mn ; sen.terri.bonoff@senate.mn ; sen.michelle.fischbach@senate.mn ; sen.bill.ingebrigtsen@senate.mn ; sen.doug.magnus@senate.mn ; sen.scott.newman@senate.mn ; sen.gen.olson@senate.mn ; sen.mike.parry@senate.mn ; sen.linda.higgins@senate.mn

Need that with commas instead? No problem!

sen.claire.robling@senate.mn , sen.sean.nienow@senate.mn , sen.terri.bonoff@senate.mn , sen.michelle.fischbach@senate.mn , sen.bill.ingebrigtsen@senate.mn , sen.doug.magnus@senate.mn , sen.scott.newman@senate.mn , sen.gen.olson@senate.mn , sen.mike.parry@senate.mn , sen.linda.higgins@senate.mn

If you use those lists above, don’t forget these senators:

Richard J. Cohen’s Mail Form
Barb Goodwin’s Mail Form
David W. Hann’s Mail Form
Keith Langseth’s Mail Form
LeRoy A. Stumpf’s Mail Form

Here’s some background on the bill:

HF1467/SF1357 Summary

HF1467/SF1357, the Defense of Dwelling and Person Act of 2011, brings “Stand Your Ground” protections to Minnesota, restores the presumption that a person using self defense is innocent until proven guilty, enhances Castle Doctrine, prevents the state from seizing guns during an emergency (remember Hurricane Katrina?), extends purchase permits to five years, improves carry reciprocity with other states and requires the government to do its job to serve law-abiding citizens

The full text of the bill can be found here: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S1357.0.html&session=ls87

Here’s some more detail:

Adds Stand Your Ground
SF1357 brings “Stand Your Ground” protections to Minnesota, removing the requirement that an intended victim of violent crime must retreat from a place where he has a right to be before using deadly force in self defense.

Enhances Castle Doctrine
The bill also strengthens Minnesota’s “Castle Doctrine,” clarifying when and under what circumstances individuals can legally use deadly force to protect themselves in their homes and vehicles. In addition, it creates a presumption that, when faced with an apparent home invasion, carjacking or kidnapping attempt, a person may use deadly force in self defense.

Prevents Gun Seizures During a State of Emergency
Taking a lesson from the problems in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, the bill also bans government agencies from seizing guns or ammo, revoking permits to purchase or carry, closing gun shops, or otherwise suspending our constitutional rights during a civil emergency — or at any other time. It also prohibits law enforcement officers from seizing a person’s gun, unless the person is arrested, or the gun is evidence of a crime.

Extends Purchase Permits to Five Years
The bill also extends the validity of handgun purchase permits from one to five years, adds an annual background check for people holding those five-year permits. It requires the Minnesota Department of Human Services and state courts to make their background check records available electronically to authorized agencies, including the National Instant Background Check system (NICS) — a process that was supposed to have been in place 16 years ago! This should reduce purchasing delays as well as ensuring that state and federal checks produce the same results.

The bill also borrows a page from the Permit to Carry law, providing a more robust appeal process for denied purchase permits, and requiring that police chiefs and sheriffs whose purchase permit denials are overturned must pay the applicants’ legal costs.

Adds Universal Carry Permit Acceptance
Of particular interest to carry permit holders, the final article of the bill updates our carry permit reciprocity standards, allowing people holding carry permits from any other state to carry in Minnesota (under Minnesota law, of course). This should result in a large increase in the number of states where Minnesota permit holders can carry, since many states allow other states’ permit holders to carry on a reciprocal basis.

About:
We are the Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance, the organization behind CCRN (Concealed Carry Reform Now!). We are people from all walks of life who have banded together to preserve and protect all of our civil rights as gun owners. Visit: www.gocra-mn.org

Fifty Caliber Institute

Choctaw, OK --(Ammoland.com)- The Fifty Caliber Institute (FCI) recommends the following persons for election or re-election to the NRA Board of Directors.

Most supporters of FCI are members of NRA and are eligible to vote in the election of the NRA Board of Directors.

We are asking everyone who is eligible to vote, to please do so.

This election is just the beginning of what will be the most important election in the history of America, and a vote for the people listed here will help to keep America strong.

John C. Sigler-Dover, DE

John C. Sigler-Dover, DE
Current Fifty Caliber Institute (FCI) President, Member of FCSA and has served as a sitting member of the BoD of FCSA. Former President of NRA and current Chairman of the Republican Party for the state of Delaware. John has been a strong supporter of the rights of the fifty caliber shooting community since the day he was introduced to shooting the .50 bmg at Reno, NV. in 2001.

While serving as the President of NRA, John took the opportunity to come to Raton, NM and shoot in the FCSA World Championships in 2005.

US Navy veteran (submarines) 1967-1971. Retired Police Captain, Dover, DE and is a practicing Atty. In Delaware & Maryland.

Ronnie Barrett-Murfreesboro, TN

Ronnie Barrett-Murfreesboro, TN
Current NRA Board member and long time member of the Fifty Caliber Shooters Association (FCSA). Ronnie has been one of the best friends of the fifty caliber shooting community since FCSA was formed in 1985. He has led by example as one of the strongest supporters of our 2nd Amendment rights as a manufacturer and a vocal supporter of legislation protecting fifty caliber shooters across America. A consistent donor of firearms to FCI for fundraising purposes since FCI was created and the most successful manufacturer of fifty caliber firearms in the world. Ronnie has never said ‘no’ when called on short notice to appear and testify on behalf of the fifty caliber shooting community.

Joseph P. DeBergalis Jr

Joseph P. DeBergalis Jr.-W. Seneca, NY
Current Member of the NRA Board of Directors and Fifty Caliber Shooters Association (FCSA). Chairman of NRA’s “Education and Training” Committee, V. Chair of “Action Pistol” and member of Law Enforcement Activity and Sport Shooting Committees. VP-Operations of NYS Rifle and Pistol Association (with direct oversight of all shooting sports) Strong supporter of the fifty caliber community and NY-based .50 Caliber shooting events. Match Chairman of AR15.com/Rockcastle Pro Am Three-Gun Championship, the 3 Gun Nation Championship and Finale. 2005 NRA-ILA “Volunteer of the Year,” and staunch 2AD Advocate. Joe is a Law Enforcement Officer in NY and is currently serving in a sensitive position.

Robert L. Viden-Glassboro, NJ

Robert L. Viden-Glassboro, NJ
Current NRA Board member and long time member of the Fifty Caliber Shooters Association (FCSA). Bob is an activist who is a no nonsense, no compromise advocate of all 2nd Amendment rights and who has testified along with the Fifty Caliber Institute (FCI) in the state legislature of New Jersey on anti-fifty caliber legislation. Bob currently serves as Chairman of the Range Development Committee at NRA and is the owner of a shooting range in NJ. Bob also sits as a member of the important Legislative Policy Committee at NRA and is very instrumental in the political decision making on that committee.

David G. Coy- Adrian, MI

David G. Coy- Adrian, MI
A four term member of the NRA Board of Directors and a member of the Fifty Caliber Shooters Association (FCSA). A gun rights activist with a strong background in economics and financing who is a tenured Professor at Adrian College in Michigan and endorsed by the Michigan Rifle & Pistol Assoc. David is a dedicated no compromise 2nd Amendment Rights activist who has organized picket line protests against the Brady Campaign and debated prominent anti-gun activists at the University of Michigan.

Steven C. Schreiner-Englewood, CO

Steven C. Schreiner-Englewood, CO
Former NRA Board member and member of the Fifty Caliber Shooters Association (FCSA). The President and Founder of the Colorado Firearms Coalition (CFC) and virtually a full time gun rights lobbyist in the Colorado Legislature. Steve is a former US Army officer with service as an Airborne-Ranger in Vietnam and the recipient of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star (with V) and the Silver Star during his tours of duty. Steve is a dedicated 2nd Amendment Rights activist who has led the fight on several fronts in the state of Colorado to protect our constitutional rights to own and carry firearms. Steve is also the proud owner of a Barrett M82-A1 semi-auto .50 BMG rifle.

William A. Bachenberg-Bethlehem, PA

William A. Bachenberg-Bethlehem, PA
Bill is a current member of the NRA Board of Directors and a member of the Fifty Caliber Shooters Association (FCSA). He is a dedicated supporter of the 2nd Amendment and is co-owner of a sporting clays range in PA where he is renown for his ability to raise funds to support 2nd Amendment related projects. Bill is a dedicated supporter of promoting youth related projects and promoting the shooting sports to handicapped and disabled shooters. Bill currently sits on the Disabled Shooters Committee at NRA and serves as Vice Chairman of the Urban Affairs Committee and The Shotgun Committees.

Please give serious consideration to voting for the above candidates when you are casting your ballot for NRA Board of Directors. All of these candidates are strong supporters of the Fifty Caliber Shooting Sports.

John Burtt-Chmn

About:
The Fifty Caliber Institute is an national organization dedicated to the advancement of the .50 caliber shooting sports. FCI has a tradition of proud service to America’s law enforcement and military services, helping to make our streets and nation safer. Drawing on top experts ranging from firearm manufacturers to aerospace engineers, FCI rebuts wild anti-gun claims with clear, documented facts. If you want the honest truth, look to FCI. Visit: www.fiftycal.org

NYSRPA Henry Ristau Man of the Year Award Goes to Joseph P. DeBergalis, Jr.

New York State Rifle and Pistol Association

New York --(Ammoland.com)- The New York State Rifle & Pistol Association is proud to announce the creation of a new and important award for meritorious service in furthering Second Amendment Freedoms and fostering growth of the shooting sports statewide and nationally.

To that end in the spirit of enthusiastic service to these ideals we are dedicating and naming the award after long time member Henry Ristau.

Henry, a World War II veteran, recently died shortly after his 101st birthday. Henry’s dedication to the Association and the Second Amendment manifested itself in his daily work ethic; he worked diligently at the NYSRPA’s office until six months prior to his passing. It is that same level of dedication and commitment we are looking for in recipients for this award.

Every once in awhile a deserving and hardworking individual is rewarded for the anonymous hard work and effort he daily puts in to foster and expand the shooting sports in New York State as well as the nation. The individual chosen for the NYSRPA Henry Ristau Man of the Year Award serves as vice president for the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association and in this position oversees the shooting sports in New York State.

He is also a member of the National Rifle Association Board of Directors where he serves on the Law Enforcement Assistance Committee, the Sport Shooting Committee, he is vice Chairman of the Action Shooting Committee and Chairman of the Education and Training Committee; he accomplishes these tasks while fulfilling the everyday duties of full time professional employment. He travels far and wide on weekends promoting the shooting sports particularly his favorite “The Three Gun Competition”; the fastest growing of all the expanding shooting sports.

It is with great pride and pleasure that I present this year’s NYSRPA “Henry Ristau Man of the Year Award” to my friend and associate Joseph P. DeBergalis, Jr.

About:
The New York State Rifle & Pistol Association is the state’s largest and oldest firearms advocacy organization. Since 1871, our organization has been dedicated to the preservation of Second Amendment rights, firearm safety, education and training, and the shooting sports. Our membership consists of individuals and clubs throughout the state. We are a not-for-profit 501(c)4 organization and the official NRA-affiliated State Association in New York.  Visit: www.nysrpa.org

Grass Roots North Carolina for Firearms Education

North Carolina --(Ammoland.com)- Greensboro Show:GRNC needs volunteers to host the tables at the next gun show in Greensboro.

It will be held this weekend Jan. 28th & 29th and YOUR help is needed. We need all the available volunteer workers we can find.

If you could spare a morning or afternoon on one of those days it would be greatly appreciated. If you have an articulate friend whom you would like to introduce to gun rights activism please invite her or him to work with us at the show. It is not necessary for that person to be a current member.

Volunteers please email Jed Norris at jednorris@bellsouth.net or call at 336-674-5347 with your preferred day and time(s) to be scheduled to work. Please respond directly to Jed Norris by clicking on the link rather than replying to this alert. This will assure that your note will not be delayed or lost in the shuffle.

Paul Valone Briefs Progress Saturday
Come on out and volunteer or at least drop by on Saturday morning from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. GRNC President Paul Valone will be at the GRNC table briefing members of the progress of the efforts to achieve restaurant carry.

About:
Grass Roots North Carolina/Forum for Firearms Education is a non-profit, all volunteer organization devoted to educating the public about trends which abridge the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, and engaging in grass roots activism to preserve those freedoms. Formed in 1994 to conduct a highly successful rally for the Second Amendment, GRNC has gone on to conduct projects like “Remember in November: A Gun Owner’s Guide to Voting,” bringing concealed carry to North Carolina. Visit:www.grnc.org

Top Threats To Gun Rights In 2012 & It May Be You

Buckeye Firearms Foundation

Ohio --(Ammoland.com)- Every January, Buckeye Firearms Association identifies the top 10 threats to our gun rights for the upcoming twelve months.

Historically, the list includes an ever changing line up of anti-gun personalities including the likes of Sarah Brady, Toby Hoover and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

One of the people included on the list more times than any other, however, is the apathetic and uninformed gun owner.

Few individual threats pose more danger to the right to bear arms than the self-proclaimed gun-rights advocate who doesn’t support the latest pro-gun reform, or who refuses to take their business elsewhere when a company discriminates against gun owners.

During 2011, the anti-gun gun owner was front and center during the debate over allowing legal concealed carry in places that serve alcohol. Despite the fact that the reforms proposed in SB17 were already law in every state that surrounds Ohio, the mainstream media didn’t have any trouble getting self-proclaimed die-hard gun owners to claim allowing legal concealed carry in bars was a crazy idea.

In many cases, the offending gun owner opened their anti-gun statement to the media by claiming to be an ardent supporter of gun rights, and often used their membership in the National Rifle Association as proof. Few things sound sweeter to the anti-gun establishment media than hearing someone with ties to the NRA, or another gun rights group, who then claims to oppose the latest pro-gun reform.

Just to be clear, that isn’t an indictment of the NRA, or any other gun group. Instead, it is an indictment of the individual gun owner who is willing to be a mouthpiece for gun-control.

Since 2012 is a presidential election year, the ability of the mainstream media to misrepresent members of the gun community as supporters of President Barack Obama has serious implications. If President Obama returns to the White House, he will be free to pursue anti-gun policies without fear of alienating the electorate, and he is likely to claim a mandate to attack the right to bear arms.

A mandate he will claim demands the appointment of another anti-gun activist judge to the United States Supreme Court.

Such a viewpoint wins President Obama and his campaign staff a spot on the 2012 list.

In the last 10 years, the anti-gun lobby has failed to win a single vote in Congress, or in the Ohio legislature. So, putting the likes of Toby Hoover, or anyone else connected to the Ohio anti-gun lobby on the list is a waste of time. After all, before we can call her a threat to gun-rights, she has to become relevant.

The same holds true for anti-gun Ohio legislators like Bill Patmon (D-10), who is so blinded by a hatred of guns that he is willing to use falsified statistics, misquotes and fabrications as a means to push his misguided agenda. Sadly, it appears only like-minded anti-gun zealots, his legislative staff and mainstream media sycophants fail to see just how impotent Representative Patmon appears to everyone else when espousing one transparently false statistic after another.

His best anti-gun effort remains one of the pro-gun community’s best assets. We can only hope nobody lets Representative Patmon in on the joke.

That means for 2012, we are left with only two true threats to our gun rights:

• Number TWO: President Barack Obama and his campaign staff – Everyone expects him to aggressively pursue an anti-gun agenda if elected to a second term as president. So, it is vital to the pro-gun community that every possible effort is made to see that he fails to win reelection.
• Number ONE: The Apathetic, Misinformed, or Anti-gun Gun Owner – A united pro-gun community can easily defeat President Barack Obama, just as a unified gun community defeated former Democratic Presidential candidates Al Gore and John Kerry (D-MA). Sadly, there were just enough gun voters tricked by Barack Obama during the 2008 campaign that he was able to carry Ohio and therefore win the presidency.

A situation that can’t be allowed to repeat itself in 2012.

Gerard Valentino, a former military intelligence analyst, is a member of the Buckeye Firearms Foundation Board of Directors and the author of “The Valentino Chronicles – Observations of a Middle Class Conservative,” available through the Buckeye Firearms Association store.

About:
Buckeye Firearms Association is a grassroots political action committee dedicated to defending and advancing the right of Ohio citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities. Visit: www.buckeyefirearms.org

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from Kenn Blanchard

Urban Shooter Podcast

Upper Marlboro, MD --(Ammoland.com)- My Christmas episode of the Black Man With A Gun Podcast will be available Friday if all goes well.

This one is a tribute to all that served in our military.

I am working on a new book that I hope will be finished next week and headed to the editor.

It will share my journey as the black man with a gun since the publication of my first book plus fill in the blanks to some things that have happened since 1991. It’s heavy on things learned regarding self defense, guns and Christianity. I highlight a brief history of gun control. I share some lessons learned in goal setting, maintaining focus.

And I dare philosophize about how to handle opposition and even on how to tell your spouse about guns.

The first edition will be electronic with the hardcopy coming consequently.

I am making plans for the SHOT Show in January. If there is anything you want me to check on or learn about for you while I am there, please let me know.

Also, re-energized the In The Wilderness Ministries Podcast if you don’t know it.

I want to personally thank you for listening to the show, reading the blog and being in my life. Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can ~ Rev. Kenn Blanchard

Kenn Blanchard of Black Man with a Gun

About:
Kenn Blanchard is a contributer to AmmoLand Shooting Sports News and Producer of the Urban Shooter pod cast. In addition Kenn Blanchard is a pro-gun media producer & marketing profesional that helps small businesses by providing information, entertainment , inspiration and support to the sport shooting community through blogs, voice -over, podcasting and professional speaking. Visit: www.kennblanchard.com

Aaron S. Zelman Executive Director of JPFO (Passed)

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- A year ago today, the founder of Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, Aaron Zelman, passed away.

His sudden absence from our midst sent a shock wave through the true hard core freedom community.

It is appropriate today to review the official tribute JPFO prepared in Aaron’s memory. Please make sure you read the heartfelt comments others sent in to us.

It is also very appropriate to read the interview done with Aaron on the 20th Anniversary of JPFO’s founding. So much about the man’s motivation and great vision is found in this interview.

And finally, please take the time to review the list of JPFO’s projects and accomplishments.

These were just some of the fruits of Aaron Zelman’s labor on our behalf.

He was a lion for freedom. May G-d rest his soul.

Yours in Freedom, The Liberty Crew at JPFO

Protecting you by creating solutions to destroy “gun control”

Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership

About:
Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership Mission is to destroy “gun control” and to encourage Americans to understand and defend all of the Bill of Rights for everyone. Those are the twin goals of Wisconsin-based Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO). Founded by Jews and initially aimed at educating the Jewish community about the historical evils that Jews have suffered when they have been disarmed, JPFO has always welcomed persons of all religious beliefs who share a common goal of opposing and reversing victim disarmament policies while advancing liberty for all.

JPFO is a non-profit tax-exempt educational civil rights organization, not a lobby. JPFO’s products and programs reach out to as many segments of the American people as possible, using bold tactics without compromise on fundamental principles. Visit www.JPFO.org – Copyright JPFO 2011

NRA - ILA

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- Here are some of the top stories we brought you in the NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert in 2011.

With what will be a critically important 2012, we must increase our efforts to ensure we’re prepared to meet the great opportunities and challenges we will face next year.

We will continue to provide you with information in future Alerts to ensure our mutual success.

January:

• The Ohio Supreme Court issued a ruling upholding Ohio’s firearms preemption law and siding with both the state’s and NRA’s position, as outlined in a “friend of the court” brief filed with the court.  The case, City of Cleveland v. State of Ohio, stemmed from the city’s scheme to establish a series of restrictive gun laws despite Ohio law, which clearly prohibits such municipal gun ordinances.
• The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 was signed into law.  The legislation included several provisions developed by NRA-ILA and pro-Second Amendment members of Congress, that provide practical benefits to gun owners while protecting the privacy and Second Amendment rights of gun-owning military personnel and their families and civilian employees of the Department of Defense.
• U.S. Reps. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) and Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) introduced H.R. 420 — the “Veterans’ Heritage Firearms Act.”  The legislation would provide a limited amnesty period for veterans who served overseas before 1968.  During the amnesty period, the veterans would be able to register war relic firearms without fear of prosecution. This amnesty would also extend to a veteran’s lawful family members.

February

• U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) asked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to respond to allegations that it allowed suspicious firearm transactions to proceed, and that a gun sold in one of those cases may have been involved in a shootout that claimed the life of a U.S. Border Patrol agent.
• The U.S. House voted for an amendment to H.R. 1 offered by Reps. Denny Rehberg and Dan Boren that prohibits the use of federal funds for a new and unauthorized multiple sales reporting scheme proposed by BATFE. The measure passed the chamber with broad bipartisan support.
• In 2009, the Obama administration approved the importation and sale of collectible, American-made M1 Garand rifles and M1 carbines from South Korea. However, the administration reversed its decision in March 2010, deciding instead to prevent these rifles –legal to make and purchase in the United States—from entering the country.  S. 381—the Collectible Firearms Protection Act—and its House companion bill, H.R. 615 were introduced.  The bills seek to once again allow these American-made firearms to be re-imported and sold in the U.S.
• NRA worked with a coalition of the nation’s largest hunting and conservation groups to address the wolf management crisis.  The coalition thanked members of Congress for taking several steps in the right direction for wolf conservation, and reminded Congress that all wolves in the Rockies and Great Lakes area are recovered and should now be managed by state biologists. The coalition supports all four pending bills in the House and Senate to move recovered wolf populations to state wildlife management.
• H.R. 822, was introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.).  The measure would allow any person with a valid state-issued concealed carry permit to carry a concealed firearm in any state that issues concealed firearm permits, or that does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms. A state’s laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within its borders. The bill also applies to Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and U.S. territories.  H.R. 822 would not create a federal licensing system.  Rather, it would require the states to recognize each others’ carry permits, just as they recognize drivers’ licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards.
• A peerless friend of gun owners, retired U.S. Sen. James A. McClure, R-Idaho—who aggressively led the advancement of the Second Amendment cause in the U.S. Senate for two decades—died on February 26.

March

• U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.) introduced S. 570 — “a bill to prohibit the Department of Justice from tracking and cataloguing the purchases of multiple rifles and shotguns.”  The bill would prohibit the use of federal funds for a multiple sales reporting scheme proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
• NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox sent letters to key leaders in Congress calling for hearings to examine the firearms trafficking investigations tactics employed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Those tactics have allegedly allowed firearms to fall into the hands of Mexican criminal organizations, with the knowledge of the BATFE.   In the letters sent to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.) and their counterparts in the U.S. Senate, Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cox wrote that the BATFE project “reportedly allowed over 2,000 firearms to be sold to individuals already linked to Mexican drug cartels.  Many of those transactions were reported as suspicious by the licensed firearms dealers themselves, but BATFE reportedly encouraged them to proceed with these sales, which the dealers would otherwise have turned down.”
• Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) signed legislation authorizing a mourning dove hunting season. With this historic expansion of hunting opportunities through SF 464, the Legislature and Governor demonstrated their steadfast commitment to sportsmen and gun owners.
• Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) signed into law House Bill 2013 and Senate Bill 152. HB 2013 enables residents of Kansas to purchase long guns in non-contiguous states and residents of non-contiguous states to purchase long guns in Kansas.  SB 152 allows persons licensed to carry a concealed firearm to lawfully carry their firearm while hunting.
• “Permitless Carry” legislation, Senate File 47, and “Castle Doctrine” legislation, House Bill 167, were signed into law by Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead (R).
• House Bill 1079, signed into law by Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R), clarifies that residents of non-contiguous states may purchase long guns in South Dakota.
• Gov. Steve Beshear (D) signed into law House Bill 308.  The legislation will implement the federal NICS Improvements Amendments Act by enabling residents of Kentucky, who have lost their firearm rights because of a mental health-related commitment or adjudication, to petition a court to have them restored.

April

• The continuing resolution for FY 2011 included a general provision that delists certain populations of wolves from the Endangered Species Act.  Wolf populations in Montana and Idaho as well as portions of Utah, Oregon and Washington would be declared recovered by reinstating the 2009 ruling from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), paving the way for regulated wolf hunting seasons.
• The NRA, and American gun owners, lost a loyal friend on April 16, 2011, when former U.S. Rep. Harold L. Volkmer died in his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri. He had just celebrated his 80th birthday, and was pleased to read the hundreds of cards he had received from grateful gun owners.
• The Mexican government continued its attempt to blame the American gun community for Mexico’s internal strife, and retained the New York City-based law firm of Reid Collins & Tsai to examine its options for suing U.S. gun manufacturers and distributors.  Such lawsuits have been used for decades as a tactic by anti-gun groups and governments in their attempts to bankrupt gun manufacturers and circumvent the political process.  However, the “Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act” protects firearm manufacturers, distributors, dealers and importers from lawsuits brought about as a result of “the harm solely caused by the criminal or unlawful misuse of firearm products or ammunition products by others when the product functioned as designed and intended.”
• U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Representatives Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), Mike Ross (D-Ark.), Bob Latta (R-Ohio) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), introduced legislation to protect traditional lead ammunition and fishing tackle from a potential ban by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) signed into law the “Fraudulent Firearms Purchase Prevention Act.”  Senate Bill 856 protects lawful firearm retailers from illegal gun sting operations.
• Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) signed into law two pro-gun reforms.  House Bill 1438 allows North Dakota workers to store their firearms in locked personal vehicles on publicly accessible parking lots without fear of being fired.  House Bill 1269 will grant persons who have lost their firearm rights because of a mental health commitment or adjudication the right to petition to have them restored.
• Senate File 456, signed into law by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R), is designed to improve the language under last session’s “shall-issue” law and allow Iowa state law to meet the requirements set forth in the federal NICS Improvement Amendments Act.
• Gov. Jan Brewer (R) brought pro-gun reforms to the state of Arizona by signing key pieces of legislation.  Senate Bill 1469 strengths the current “Castle Doctrine” language by broadening the definition of reasonable use of force, including deadly force, to provide greater protection for those forced to defend themselves or family from an attacker.  House Bill 2645 is designed to meet the requirements of the federal NICS Improvement Amendments Act by enabling persons who have lost their firearm rights because of a mental health-related commitment or adjudication to petition a court to have them restored.
• Gov. Dave Heineman (R) signed Legislative Bill 512 into law.  LB 152 requires the state to provide information concerning mental health adjudications to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database and sets up a relief from disabilities process.  In addition, LB 512 makes numerous improvements to Nebraska’s right-to-carry laws.

May

• On May 1, Navy SEALS provide America with an historic event that will forever be seared in our memories:  the killing of Osama bin Laden — the mastermind behind the September 11 terrorist attacks on our nation.
• NRA filed its formal comments on the “ATF Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns.”  The “study,” published in January, proposed to ban the importation of any shotgun, regardless of action type, if it has one or more supposedly non-”sporting” features.
• NRA challenged the constitutionality of Illinois’ complete and total ban on carrying firearms for self-defense outside the home or place of business.  The case, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, is Shepard v. Madigan. The lead plaintiff is church treasurer Mary Shepard; joining her is the Illinois State Rifle Association, NRA’s state affiliate.
• Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio) and Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) introduced H.R. 1865, the Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act, which is designed to protect the rights of gun owners on lands owned or managed by the Army Corps of Engineers.
• Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) signed into law five pro-firearm bills:  Senate Enrolled Act 506 (Transport Permit Reform), Senate Enrolled Act 292 (Firearm Preemption Reform), Senate Enrolled Act 94 (Non-Contiguous State Firearm Purchase), Senate Enrolled Act 411 (Parking Lot), and Senate Enrolled Act 154 (allows loaded firearms on off-road vehicles on private property if the person has permission to be on the property).
• The FBI estimated that the number of violent crimes decreased 5.5 percent from 2009 to 2010, including a 4.4 percent decrease in the number of murders.  Because the U.S. population increased during the period, the figures imply that the total violent crime per capita rate and the murder rate decreased more than six percent and five percent, respectively.  This brings the violent crime to a 37-year low and the murder rate to a 47-year low.
• Assembly Bill 217, signed into law by Gov. Brian Sandoval (R), allows residents of non-contiguous states to purchase long guns in Nevada.  It also allows Nevada residents to purchase long guns in non-contiguous states.

June

• The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals conclusively and forcefully held, without need for oral argument, that the National Rifle Association has the right to recover attorneys’ fees in its lawsuits against the city of Chicago’s and the village of Oak Park’s unconstitutional gun bans. The court held that NRA was a prevailing party in the case of National Rifle Association v. City of Chicago and Village of Oak Park.
• Congressional hearings held by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform revealed that the gun smuggling investigation known as “Fast and Furious,” implemented out of the Phoenix Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives office, was conducted in a reckless manner that led to the illegal sale of thousands of firearms. Many of those firearms ended up in the hands of Mexican drug cartels and other criminals, and may have contributed to the death of Border Patrol agent Brian Terry.
• A proposal by U.S. Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif.) and Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) to prohibit necessary and legal practices used to effectively manage wildlife and predator species was overwhelmingly defeated in the House of Representatives.  The amendment to H.R. 2112—the Agriculture appropriations bill—was strongly opposed by NRA and other pro-hunting organizations.  It was pushed by the Humane Society of the United States and other radical anti-hunting groups.
• Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) signed into law Senate Bill 321, worker protection/parking lot legislation.  The Governor also signed legislation to extend the Right to Carry to your boat or personal watercraft (House Bill 25); to allow properly permitted landowners or helicopter owners to contract with third parties to ride on helicopters and take depredating feral hogs and coyotes (House Bill 716); to prevent rules restricting a foster parent’s ability to transport a foster child in a private vehicle if a handgun is present (House Bill 2560); and to limit the ability of local governments to sue owners or operators of sport shooting ranges (Senate Bill 766).
• Lawful firearm retailers are protected from illegal gun sting operations such as those by anti-gun New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R) signed HB 450, Fraudulent Firearms Purchase Prevention legislation
• Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) signed into law Legislative Document 35.  This key piece of legislation prohibits an employer from banning an employee with a valid concealed firearms permit from keeping a firearm in the employee’s vehicle as long as the vehicle is locked and the firearm is not visible.
• Gov. Rick Scott (R) signed into law Senate Bill 234 and House Bill 45.  SB 234 brings reform to Florida’s “Right-to-Carry” law and allows residents to purchase long guns in other states.  HB 45 stops local politicians and governments from violating Florida law by providing penalties for willful violations.
• Louisiana residents may purchase a long gun in any state with the passage of Senate Bill 39—signed into law by Gov. Bobby Jindal (R).
• Gov. John Kasich (R) signed House Bill 54 into law.  HB 54 brings Ohio in compliance with federal law to provide for the restoration of firearm rights for certain individuals.
• Gov. Bev Perdue (D) signed into law House Bill 650.  HB 650 contains “Castle Doctrine” language, Fraudulent Firearms Purchase language, allows Right-to-Carry permit holders to store firearms in their vehicles when parked on the grounds of certain state properties and courthouses, allows for the purchase of rifles and shotguns by North Carolina residents in other states, and makes other improvements.

July

• NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox joined Gov. Scott Walker (R) as he signed the Wisconsin Personal Protection Act into law. This made Wisconsin the 49th state to give law-abiding citizens an option to carry a concealed firearm for personal protection.
• Gov. Tom Corbett (R) signed Pennsylvania “Castle Doctrine” legislation into law.  This common-sense measure permits law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against attackers in their homes and any place where they have a legal right to be.  It also protects individuals from civil lawsuits by attackers or attackers’ families when force is used.
• The Obama administration formally announced that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will require firearm dealers in the southwestern border states to file “multiple sale” reports on detachable-magazine rifles larger than .22 caliber. Under the plan, each dealer will be required to report to the BATFE any sale of two or more such rifles to a single individual within five business days.
• NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre drew a line in the sand on behalf of American gun owners at the United Nations.  LaPierre spoke to the UN’s Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Preparatory Committee, the group drafting an international treaty that will supposedly control all non-nuclear arms, worldwide, including civilian firearms. He told the audience of delegates from approximately 150 U.N. member states that the NRA would vehemently oppose any UN treaty that in any way restricts American gun owners’ rights.
• Gov. Jay Nixon (D) signed into law House Bill 294.  HB 294 expands a variety of firearm rights for Missouri gun owners, and addresses a number of Right-to-Carry issues.  HB 294 finally lowered Missouri’s Right-to-Carry minimum age requirement (formerly the oldest in the nation) from 23-years old to 21-years old.
• Gov. Jack Markell (D) signed into law House Bill 48.  This new law updates Delaware state law to meet the requirements set forth in the federal NICS Improvement Amendments Act. In addition to conforming Delaware law to the NIAA, this legislation also repeals Delaware’s instant check for firearm purchases and moves all background checks to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

August

• NRA supports a lawsuit challenging the Obama administration’s demand that Federal Firearms License holders report multiple sales of certain long guns in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. The suit asserts that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives lacks statutory authority to demand these reports.
• Riots, looting, violent assaults and arson left London and other UK cities looking like war zones.  The current bedlam showed us what a disarmed country looks like and how little is left when free men and women surrender the right to own a firearm.  Chris Cox wrote a compelling op-ed on “Britain’s Criminal Utopia” for the Daily Caller.
• The Iowa Administrative Rules Committee met to review the Natural Resource Commission’s (NRC) final rule for Iowa’s first dove hunting season in nearly a century.  In a 9-1 bipartisan vote, legislators overwhelmingly rejected the NRC’s underhanded attempt to include a statewide traditional ammunition ban in the final rule.  This vote allowed for a “session-delay” of the lead ammunition ban, meaning the legislature will have to act during the next legislative session to remove the ban from the final dove rule.  However, Iowa’s first dove season will proceed and will not include a traditional ammunition ban.
• In what can only be described as “Washington D.C. logic,” the three BATFE agents who were responsible for the “Fast and Furious” debacle in Phoenix were promoted.  The Department of Justice announced the appointment of U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, B. Todd Jones, to serve as Acting Director of BATFE, replacing Kenneth Melson.  The DOJ also announced that Dennis Burke, U.S. attorney for the district of Arizona, resigned.  And the Wall Street Journal reported that Emory Hurley, the assistant U.S. attorney responsible for the day-to-day operations of “Fast and Furious,” was removed from his post and reassigned to the department’s Civil Division.

September

• Senators Jim Webb (D-Va.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) introduced S. 1588—“The Recreational Land Self–Defense Act.“  S. 1588 is the Senate companion bill to H.R. 1865 and is designed to protect the rights of gun owners on lands owned or managed by the Army Corps of Engineers.
• The Obama campaign launched a new website, AttackWatch.com. The purpose of the site is to give Obama supporters a way to report “attacks” on the president, implying that any criticism must be based on lies or misinformation.  When it comes to firearm issues, it’s this site that is misrepresenting President Obama’s record on guns.
• In what promises to be a continuing debate on the rights of law-abiding citizens, the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled that banning firearms on the grounds of Oregon’s public universities exceeded the scope of the university system’s authority, thereby opening up the state’s campuses to individuals who hold valid concealed handgun licenses.
• The New Hampshire House voted to override the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 88.  SB 88 is now law, and establishes that the law-abiding have the right to defend themselves from assault wherever they have a legal right to be when they believe there is an imminent threat to their life and well being.

October

• A divided federal appeals court upheld the District of Columbia’s controversial ban on semi-automatic rifles and so-called “large capacity” magazines, but asked a lower court to reconsider certain aspects of its gun registration system.
• The “Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act,” which was added to H.R. 2349 as an amendment, passed the House.  The bill will provide individuals receiving veterans’ benefits with added protection against loss of the right to possess firearms due to mental health decisions.
• House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) subpoenaed the Justice Department in the “Fast and Furious” scandal.  The subpoena seeks documents and all communications between the office of Attorney General Eric Holder, his deputies, and the White House in connection with the now-infamous Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive’s failed operation.
• U.S. Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Mark Begich (D-Alaska) introduced the Senate companion bill to H.R. 58, the “Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act,” which was reintroduced in the U.S. House in Jan. 2011.  This common sense reform to broaden lawful interstate sales of firearms has been an NRA priority for many years.

November

• NRA launched an ad campaign to tell President Obama to fire Attorney General Eric Holder.  The cauldron that is the “Fast and Furious” scandal continues to boil, with an increasing number of members of Congress now calling for Attorney General Eric Holder’s immediate resignation.  Meanwhile, the White House and the Justice Department remain silent and stubbornly continue to ignore the demands to remove Holder.
• The Washington state Court of Appeals affirmed that a gun ban in Seattle’s parks is illegal.  The decision comes more than a year after a King County judge sided with several area gun owners, NRA, the Second Amendment Foundation.
• The ongoing effort to fully vindicate the fundamental, individual right to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense took a major step forward with House passage of H.R. 822, the “National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011.” The bill, sponsored by Reps. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), which had 245 cosponsors, was approved by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 272-154.
• The final conference report on the combined Fiscal Year 2012 Agriculture, Commerce/Justice/Science (CJS) and Transportation/Housing/Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill was passed by both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate, and was signed into law. This conference report contains 12 provisions that strengthen legal protections for the Second Amendment.
• NRA will fight the proposal by the Obama administration and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to drastically restrict recreational shooting opportunities on public lands. NRA is particularly concerned about the stated motive of this action. A spokesman for the BLM told U.S. News and World Report that the proposed ban was being enacted in response to “urbanites” who “freak out” when they hear shooting on public lands. The spokesman also acknowledged that the impetus for this restriction was not rooted in safety, but to reduce “social conflict.”
• The Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism held a hearing on Sen. Charles Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) S. 436.  Dubbed by anti-gunners the “Fix Gun Checks Act,” the legislation would eliminate private sales and gun shows as we know them and expand the range of persons prohibited from owning firearms.

December

• NRA opposition helps defeat the nomination of Caitlin Halligan to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.  Halligan had a record of attacks on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans.  NRA’s opposition to this nomination began in March 2011, when we expressed our concerns to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary
• Gov. Scott Walker (R) signed Assembly Bill 69 into law.  This law provides essential protections for law-abiding citizens who defend themselves and their families from a criminal looking to do them harm.

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

Gun Owners of America

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- “In the 35 years since its foundation, the GOA has maintained its staunch opposition to any form of gun control, often taking a harder stand than the NRA.” — Ben Garrett, award-winning journalist, newspaper editor and blogger

With your help, Gun Owners of America was able to accomplish quite a bit in 2011. We thank you for your support, which makes this announcement  possible.

As we approach the Christmas holidays, we certainly have a lot to be thankful for.

Here’s a partial list of what we accomplished together this year:

January

• * One of the first acts of the Congress in 2011 was to read the Constitution aloud, for the first time in history, on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte led the effort in the House and credited GOA for helping make it happen.

“I want to thank Gun Owners of America for early support of the idea to read the U.S. Constitution on the House floor and for taking the lead to rally the grassroots in support of the Read the Constitution effort,” Goodlatte said.

Of course, reading the Constitution is one thing, abiding by it is another. And that is a battle GOA brings to Capitol Hill on a daily basis.

• *GOA began a year-long effort to call attention to Fast and Furious. This operation that was run out of the Justice Department helped criminals buy guns “legally” from American gun stores -­ with the hopes that the ensuing violence would drive calls for more gun control.

February – March

• * GOA began warning its activists that anti-gun Democrats might try to attach gun control restrictions on a bill to reauthorize funding the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). These proposals included a ban on high capacity magazines; restrictions that would end gun shows; and, potentially, a provision stripping millions of gun owners of their rights by placing them on “watch lists” without any due process of law.

GOA worked on the Hill by putting pro-gun amendments into the hands of certain Senators. Our efforts to counter these disastrous proposals with pro-gun initiatives backed the gun grabbers into a comer and stymied their plans.

• *GOA and its activists won temporary victories when the House voted to repeal the anti-gun ObamaCare law and to adopt the Boren-Rehberg amendment — which would defund ATF’s latest gun registry.

Gun Owners of America contacted every member of the House of Representatives prior to winning the votes on ObamaCare and Boren-Rehberg. Sadly, both of these victories were temporary, as the Democrat Senate refused to go along.

• * GOA began a national campaign to defeat restrictive legislation introduced by New York Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D). Her bill, HR 308, would resurrect the ban on high capacity magazines which passed during the Clinton administration — but later sunset in 2004. (GOA will spend the year mobilizing gun owners against this threat, and can thankfully report that, by year’s end, her bill has remained bottled up in committee.)

April-May

• * After President Obama nominated Goodwin Liu to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, GOA worked hard to alert Senators to his extreme, anti-gun record. Like many radical progressives, Liu believes that while our Second Amendment rights might have been necessary in the 1700s, they are no longer needed today. Thanks, in large part, to Liu’s radical views on the Second Amendment, his nomination was narrowly defeated.

• * Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) tied the Senate in knots for more than a week fighting for a GOA ­backed amendment which would have protected 4473’s and other gun records from blanket searches by the ATF under the so-called PATRIOT Act.

Because many leaders in his own party refused to back him, Sen. Paul was not successful this time, but he put a marker down that gun rights would not be violated without a fight from the pro-gun community.

Sen. Paul thanked “Gun Owners of America for their strong support of my amendment to protect the privacy of gun owners.”

June – August

• * GOA activated its grassroots members in opposition to S. 679, the Cover-up Protection Act — a bill that would exempt hundreds of federal appointees from Senate confirmation, thus allowing the President to stack his administration with flaming anti-gunners.

This battle underscored the power of the grassroots — and the effect that phone calls and emails can have upon their elected officials. After hearing from thousands upon thousands of GOA’s activists, Capitol Hill staffers confided to GOA that key Senators reversed course and decided to add amendments which would require the most important Presidential appointments to still be approved by the Senate.

• * The crescendo over the Operation Fast and Furious debacle continued to build. Dubbed as Obama’s Watergate, Fast and Furious highlights the extent that his corrupt administration will go to demonize gun owners. GOA has spent the first half of the year educating the media and the grassroots over Fast and Furious — and for its part, CBS and Fox News lead the media in covering this fiasco.

September

• * GOA began to energize its grassroots in favor of concealed carry reciprocity bill introduced by Georgia Rep. Paul Broun. His bill (HR 2900) will allow law-abiding gun owners to carry out­ of-state without requiring them to possess a concealed carry permit in the state they are visiting.
• *Gun Owners of America briefed an important case before the U.S. Supreme Court earlier in the year — and, in September, we won! The Court handed down its decision in Bond v. United States, where the U.S. government had made a “federal case” out of a domestic dispute involving a Pennsylvania woman who injured her neighbor.

There was absolutely no reason why the federal government should have been prosecuting Carol Bond, as opposed to the local authorities. So GOA got involved with the intent to help drive the federal government back into the parameters as outlined in the Constitution — a result which will, most definitely, benefit gun owners.

October- November

• * In late October, GOA began pressing hard for congressmen to start petitioning for Eric Holder’s resignation. Within a week, the number of Representatives calling for Holder’s resignation rose to more than two dozen — and the number has since doubled to more than four dozen.
• * The Obama Administration issued regulations earlier this year requiring agencies to lie to the public under certain circumstances. GOA alerted its grassroots in October to these regs and urged Congress to defund the administration’s ability to enforce them. The Administration pulled the regulations within the week.
• * In November, Gun Owners Foundation won a Supreme Court case in defense of a gun owner in Virginia. Russell Ernest Smith had been wrongfully convicted of “willfully and intentionally” making a false statement on his 4473 form when purchasing a firearm. But GOF believed that the government’s argument against Smith was specious.

So Gun Owners Foundation prepared its amicus brief and submitted it on behalf of Mr. Smith. GOF was the only group making the case that Smith’s conviction should be overturned. After waiting several months for the verdict, the Virginia Supreme Court announced its verdict … and Smith emerged victorious.

What’s both interesting and exciting in this case is that, in overturning Smith’s conviction, the judges used an argument that GOF had made — an argument which his own lawyer did not even make. GOF is clearly making an impact upon the courts in defense of gun owners’ rights!

• * Concealed carry reciprocity legislation passed on the floor of the House by a 272-154 vote. Representatives had two bills to choose from — although the weaker bill passed. The battle now moves to the Senate, where GOA will work to amend the legislation with the provisions of HR 2900, the “constitutional carry” friendly bill.

December

• * GOA worked hard this year to stall (or defeat) the nomination of anti-gun judges. One of Obama’s picks who stalled out was Caitlin Halligan, a judicial nominee with a history of anti­gun activism. But with most of the nation focusing its attention on the upcoming holidays, GOA had to call the troops into battle after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tried to ram through Halligan’s confirmation in early December.
• * The response of Gun Owners of America members to the GOA alert was overwhelming and played an important role in defeating the confirmation of Halligan. On the Hill, Gun Owners of America briefed Senate offices right up to the time of the vote about the danger of confirming Halligan. Thankfully, in a procedural maneuver known as a “cloture vote,” Reid fell six votes short of getting the needed votes to move the nomination forward for a final vote.

About:
Gun Owners of America (GOA) is a non-profit lobbying organization formed in 1975 to preserve and defend the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. GOA sees firearms ownership as a freedom issue. `The only no comprise gun lobby in Washington’ – Ron Paul

New Episode of the Urban Shooter Podcast - December 2011

Urban Shooter Podcast

Upper Marlboro, MD --(Ammoland.com)- Happy Friday my friend,

Another episode of The Urban Shooter podcast is out. I think I chopped off the last two minutes though but maybe it was my iPod, I don’t know.

This week’s show is about 41 minutes long and I share some new projects and things that I have “rolling.” Mrs. M croons on this one. Barbara shares with us what is the SHOT show and Zombie Strike is winding down.

Only a few more chapters before the story comes to a end.

• http://kennblanchard.com/247-rolling
• http://podcast.blackmanwithagun.com
• http://facebook.com/blackmanwithagun1

Have a good week. Be Safe.

Kenn Blanchard of Black Man with a Gun

About:
Kenn Blanchard is a contributer to AmmoLand Shooting Sports News and Producer of the Urban Shooter pod cast. In addition Kenn Blanchard is a pro-gun media producer & marketing profesional that helps small businesses by providing information, entertainment , inspiration and support to the sport shooting community through blogs, voice -over, podcasting and professional speaking. Visit: www.kennblanchard.com

Kenn Blanchard - Poking the Sheeple with Sticks

Urban Shooter Podcast

Upper Marlboro, MD --(Ammoland.com)- I am one of America’s eighty-million law-abiding firearm owners.

While it doesn’t matter, I am an American of African descent, and a Christian pastor, that just so happens to be also a gun rights activist.

Advocating for the rights of gun owners was a no-brainer for me, a veteran and former law enforcement officer that has trained others on the safe and responsible use of firearms for a couple of decades. I’ve been the “go-to guy” for many cases and causes. With the help of friends we have effectively countered a few political and legislative attempts to undermine the individual Second Amendment civil right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms in the United States since 1991.

Well, I am back at it again.

In 2011, I got the opportunity to fall in love with the people of Chicago. The people of Illinois don’t have equality when it comes to guns. It is a house divided. It has been deemed normal to be more restrictive where there are more people of color. It has been accepted that the law abiding common folk need career legislators to keep guns from everybody but criminals. It has been popular for certain clergy to advocate the disarmament of everybody in hopes that criminals stop preying on the unarmed.

Starting this Sunday, 11 December 2001, after 8pm, my voice will be heard on a urban radio station, Chicago Power 92 FM, through a series of thirty second spots I have produced advocating a change of heart to the future of Chicago. Many of the younger people don’t know that one of their own, Otis McDonald was a principle in a Supreme Court decision involving their rights. Chicagoans deserve better than they are getting from their elected officials.

This move is forward leaning. This is taking the fight to the enemy. It has a potential for blowback or it could just change the tide. I hope I cause a stir in the city of Chicago. I hope to open the minds of the Hip Hop loving people of Chicago and cause them to seek me out to find out the truth about gun control for themselves.

It’s going to get busy. Time will tell. Pray for your brother!

Kenn Blanchard of Black Man with a Gun

About:
Kenn Blanchard is a contributer to AmmoLand Shooting Sports News and Producer of the Urban Shooter pod cast. In addition Kenn Blanchard is a pro-gun media producer & marketing profesional that helps small businesses by providing information, entertainment , inspiration and support to the sport shooting community through blogs, voice -over, podcasting and professional speaking. Visit: www.kennblanchard.com

California Rifle and Pistol Association

Sacramento, CA --(Ammoland.com)-To all members, please be aware that a new FFL “Gun Safari“ is in the process of opening a store front in Los Angeles.

It is not an easy task; there has not been a new gun shop opened in Los Angeles in quite some time.

All legal hurdles have been met and now part of the process is an open forum for residents to voice their support for or against the opening of a new firearms dealer in the area.

This obviously weighs on the city’s decision on whether or not Gun safari will be permitted to sell firearms.

We are asking Los Angeles area CRPA members to attend this hearing and speak your support for this gun shop.

Gun Safari

The meeting is scheduled for December 7th at 7 p.m.

For those of you who would like to see another FFL open in Los Angeles, we ask that you come show your support.

When: Wednesday, December 7 at 7 p.m.

Where: 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406. In the Tillman water plant at the Japanese Gardens.

Thank you and we hope to see you there!

The California Rifle and Pistol Association “CRPA,” founded in 1875, is dedicated to defending the rights of law-abiding citizens to responsibly use firearms for self-defense and the defense of their loved ones, for sport, and for all other legal activities. CRPA is the official state association of the National Rifle Association. A California non-profit association, CRPA is independently directed by its own Board of Directors. CRPA’s members include law enforcement officers, prosecutors, professionals, firearm experts, the general public, and loving parents. CRPA has always worked to reduce the criminal misuse of firearms and firearms accidents, while actively promoting and organizing the competitive shooting sports and Olympic training programs in California. We are proud to say that many CRPA competitors are among the best in the world.

Virginia Citizens Defense League

Covington VA --(Ammoland.com)- Finally – we have a date and time for Operation Campus Safety at Virginia Tech!

**Mark your calendars, this is going to be big and you’re going to want to be part of it!**

We have approval for the protest from 8 AM to 4 PM on Thursday, November 17th. While some of us will be there early, the main protest will start at 11:30 AM and run until 4 PM. Speakers will start at 12 Noon and continue until 1:30 PM. We will need lots of people to carry signs, pass out literature, and answer questions.

This should be an excellent day to be on campus as it is a game day (UNC vs VT), allowing us maximum visibility. We are also looking at having a presence in nearby Blacksburg.

The protest will be held in front of the Squires Student Center (College Ave./Otey Street side), not far from the town of Blacksburg or the VT Drillfield.

More details will follow, including parking information and possible carpooling from area localities.

A very special thanks to Eric Smith, President of the Libertarians at Virginia Tech. The Libertarians are hosting the protest and Eric is working hard to make the protest a success, patiently working his way through the VT bureaucracy to get the event approved.

Another powerful force in bringing everything together is John Wilburn, a VT alumni. He has been doing all kinds of coordination behind the scenes and he, too, has made it a personal mission to make the protest a huge success.

This is a mission to save lives and that drives both Eric and John, just like it drives all of VCDL’s membership.

There is no way this would have come together so well without Eric and John!

Oh, and as if John isn’t doing enough already, besides running his own business (Hokie Real Estate, Inc.), he is a firearms instructor and will be giving away free CHP classes to two lucky attendees!

Thanks also to EMs Dave Hicks and Dave Knight, who are helping with both the VT and the Radford protests.

Radford and JMU students – come to Virginia Tech on November 17th and stand with Virginia Tech students in support of freedom and liberty. VCDL will ask the VT students to do the same when we announce the Radford and JMU protests in the near future.

Wild horses couldn’t keep me away – see you there!

No guns? NO FUNDS! (Remember: Donations for Virginia Tech can be sent to Blue Ridge Community College instead. )

About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org

New Jersey Second Amendment Society

New Jersey --(Ammoland.com)- I am asking for volunteers in every geographical region of NJ who are willing to distribute promotional posters and fliers to ranges, rifle & pistol clubs, veterans associations, American legion halls, libraries and any OTHER reasonable venue.

Please contact us ASAP.

We will be having these materials printed shortly, but need to have people who will take the responsibility to see that they are actually posted.

All this requires is the willingness to speak to someone at each location and ask them to commit to posting our posters and/or distributing our fliers. If this is something you can and are willing to do for your Society, PLEASE respond to this email and we will contact you at the appropriate time.

Please indicate your geographical preference and approximately how many places you are willing to contact so that we can provide you with the appropriate amount of materials.

Thank you all VERY much,

(please respond to Tom@NJ2AS.com as he will be coordinating your efforts)

About:
New Jersey Second Amendment Society – Our mission is to promote the free exercise of Second Amendment rights within the community and Legislature of New Jersey, to educate the community regarding the enjoyable, safe, and responsible use of firearms, and to engender a sense of camaraderie and fellowship among the members and their families. Visit: www.nj2as.com

Virginia Citizens Defense League

Covington VA --(Ammoland.com)- The Board of Directors of Virginia Citizens Defense League has decided that enough is enough when it comes to the safety of the students, faculty, staff, and guests at Virginia public universities and colleges.

Higher-education “no gun” policies do not make the innocent any safer. Instead such policies enable people like Cho to wantonly massacre, rape, and rob.

Those policies disarm students, faculty and staff not only on campus, but going to and from campus. ODU, for example, is not situated in the best part of town and unarmed students pay the price.

What’s even more egregious is that concealed handgun permit holders, who are at least 21 years old, have clean records, have had training, are not illegal drug users or habitual drunkards, and carry virtually everywhere else they go, are purposely left helpless.

There simply is no excuse for that. Just one armed permit holder in one of those classrooms under attack at Virginia Tech on that fateful day in 2007 could have stopped Cho.

Just who exactly do those who live in the Ivory Towers think they are to dictate what your life or mine is worth? Where do they get the authority to do so? Gun laws are strictly controlled by the General Assembly and there is NO enabling legislation giving higher-ed the authority to have gun-control on campus.

Too many of those in the Ivory Towers are so lost in the alternate world of academia, they become isolated from reality.

The thought of being expelled from Virginia Tech, something that I’m sure the University considers right up there with the death penalty, didn’t even slow Cho down from his dark mission. And after the massacre, the University completely missed the real-world lesson that was so painfully taught them. Instead they decided to double-down on a failed and dangerous policy that only works on a blackboard.

The universities know that the Virginia Attorney General Cuccinelli has stated that they are not responsible for ensuring the safety of students, yet those same universities demand that students nonetheless delegate their safety to the university and its police officers (who by the way have a Supreme Court ruling that says that THEY are not responsible for the safety of any one individual, only the public generally)!

Nothing against campus police, but the same unfortunate reality applies to them as it does all other police officers – when seconds count between life and death, the police are only minutes away.

Speaking of that, when Virginia Tech was under attack by Cho, guess where a contingency of police went immediately? You guessed it – to protect those in the Ivory Towers! Those in the Ivory Towers should not get any more protection than anyone else – after all, it is their dangerous policies of making people FEEL safe that only end up aiding someone like Cho in his mission of murder.

A SOLUTION – VCDL WILL BE PROTESTING AT A SCHOOL NEAR YOU!
If higher-education won’t do the right thing on their own, then VCDL and gun owners statewide need to “nudge” them onto the right path.

How do we do that?

Simple. We hit them where it hurts – right in the wallet. With the economy in the dumps, higher-ed is probably not getting the level of donations they are used to and we plan on squeezing them even more.

To that effect, VCDL is preparing a series of campus protests over the next few months. We are having signs, brochures, and stickers made as I write this. We will be on campus educating students and we will be reaching out to alumni to stop donations to the school until they change their policies, however long that takes.

Those protests will be starting in a few weeks.

ALUMNI AND PROSPECTIVE PARENTS – WE NEED SOME QUOTES FROM YOU!
If you are an alumni of the following schools, or are considering sending your son or daughter to one of them, and don’t mind your name being published in the pamphlets, email me (president@vcdl.org) a one or two sentence quote that we can use in the brochures that we will be handing out on campus:

• College of William & Mary
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• George Mason University
• Virginia Tech
• James Madison University
• Radford University

Include in the quote, which university or college you attended. Something like, “As an alumni of XYZ University, I cannot and will not support a school that mindlessly disarms students, faculty, staff, and guests with concealed handgun permits.” Please use your own wording.

I will be announcing each protest a week or so before it is held here on VA-ALERT so that we can get a good turnout at each one. We will need people holding signs, handing out brochures, and talking to those with questions. Someone from VCDL leadership will be interfacing with the press.

In the meantime, spread the word far and near. When a university or college asks for money, tell them: NO GUNS? NO FUNDS!

About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org

New Jersey Second Amendment Society

New Jersey --(Ammoland.com)- Several people have indicated the desire to play a larger role in the activities of the New Jersey Second Amendment Society.

This months meeting in Belleville, NJ will include an opportunity for those of you who would like to propose your ideas and suggestions to the officers and board of directors to do so.

We are interested in your ideas and can certainly benefit by having members who are willing to take some of the current responsibilities off our shoulders. I do ask however, if you have an idea for a new project, please be ready to accept the responsibility of running it. The current leadership is handling about as much as it can at the moment. What we need are people who have the time, desire and ability to assume existing and additional responsibilities.

Alan Gura & David Jensen
I will also be prepared to discuss my experience of attending the Second Amendment Foundation’s Gun Right Policy Conference which was held in Chicago last month. One of the best parts of the experience was having the opportunity of speaking with both Alan Gura and David Jensen. Both these OUTSTANDING gun-owner-rights attorneys have agreed to appear before our group in the New Year. Announcements will be made as soon as I have finalized the arrangements.

There is much more to come for the NJ2AS in the next few month and years. Your board of directors and officers have been working VERY hard to lay the groundwork for a lasting organization that will have the strength to promote our mission. This can’t happen overnight. It takes an awful lot of thought, work and planning. This is especially true of any all-volunteer grassroots organization. I am proud of our accomplishments and I hope our members and supporters feel the same. There is always the danger that some people will feel impatient about our progress. I can only assure you that we always carefully weight the projects and activities we would like to engage in against the interests of the members as well as with respect to the amount of the time, money and resources needed to make them successful. I believe that our judgement has been sound.

There is one area that most definitely needs improvement, and that is the communication between the board, officers and the members. Perhaps I have devoted too much time to arranging and attending meetings with legislators, politicians, Rifle & Pistol Club members and officers, and other 2A rights advocates and not enough time communicating with you the members about the results.

As the only “retired” person on the board, I spend a great deal of my time seeking out interesting speakers for our monthly meetings, planning, reviewing and meeting about our various legal initiatives, helping to develop legislation that may have the potential to change the way NJ firearms owners are treated in our state, and so on.; however I have not spent enough time keeping our members informed.

Communications Director Wanted
Having said that, I realize that both handling all these responsibilities and sharing information are equally important to the health of the NJ2AS.I will make it a priority to do a better job of communicating with the membership. I will be looking for someone to act as the “Communications Director” for the organization. This job will entail keeping regular contact with the board and officers, and relaying the same in various ways to the membership. As opposed to “PR”, I envision this position as being responsible for all INTERNAL communications between the leadership and the members. Obviously it will require someone with good verbal and writing skills. Some knowledge of posting on blogs, forums and/or websites could be helpful, but is not necessary.

In addition, I plan to submit a weekly “President’s Letter” either in the form of an email or on the NJ2AS website (this is yet to be determined). The contents will be related to whatever progress is being made with regard to the various projects being handled by the board and officers, including myself.

I will do my best to try and keep you informed so that you can all feel as much a part of our Society as I do.

Thank you

About:
New Jersey Second Amendment Society – Our mission is to promote the free exercise of Second Amendment rights within the community and Legislature of New Jersey, to educate the community regarding the enjoyable, safe, and responsible use of firearms, and to engender a sense of camaraderie and fellowship among the members and their families. Visit: www.nj2as.com

Virginia Citizens Defense League

Covington VA --(Ammoland.com)- For those who couldn’t make it last night, you missed an extremely informative meeting.

VCDL Executive Member and firearms attorney Mark Matthews spoke to us about setting up revocable trusts for the purpose of owning NFA items.

We discussed what items are covered by the National Firearms Act (NFA), what the trust can do and how this is an advantage to the person or people setting up the trust and to their heirs.

Once these details were explained we had a Q & A session where we delved deeper into the subject of trusts, firearms laws and, maybe most importantly, the amount of misinformation floating around out there.

The truth is, there are many people who just don’t know or comprehend the myriad of firearms laws. We were also fortunate to have a couple of FFL holders in the audience who deal in NFA items and could give us first-hand accounts of their experiences with BATFE.

They, too, fielded questions and offered valuable insight. We explored the tangible differences between a trust you would set up to leave assets to your heirs and an NFA trust, and why you want an attorney that understands the nuances of both.

In short, a lot of information was exchanged and should Mr. Matthews speak at future events I strongly encourage you to consider attending.you will not be disappointed! VCDL is extremely privileged to have such a valuable asset as Mr. Matthews, who has made it his mission to dissect and understand these regulations.

We appreciate the time he devotes to the organization and the firearms community. Likewise, we are grateful to RRPC for continuing to host the VCDL membership meetings by providing a comfortable venue, and for their dedication to educating the public about shooting sports and firearms safety.

[PVC: Based on a lot of requests, I tried to audio tape the session, but the audio isn't good enough to post, unfortunately.]

RRPC Fun Day a success
Pat Webb also filed this:

On Saturday, September 24th Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club (RRPC) held their annual Fun Day. This is an event where members can bring their family and friends to the range to enjoy hands-on demonstrations of many different shooting sports. Participants were even able to shoot machine guns!

In addition to the shooting activities there were hot dogs and barbeques and there was even a mini-gun show. VCDL was invited to set up a booth and we were proud to participate again this year. VCDL members Gene Harrison, Brian Weidman, John Pulliam, Al Shank and Franz Bailey offered to help man the table. We enjoyed meeting many new people and seeing many familiar faces. A good time was had by all.

RRPC has been, and continues to be, a valuable ally to VCDL. They have provided a comfortable venue for VCDL to hold membership meetings in the Charlottesville area. Our thanks go out to the RRPC members and Board of Directors for their continued support. Please feel free to visit their web site at www.rrpc.org.

About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org

IllinoisCarry Spokesperson, Valinda Rowe Named Second Amendment Grassroots Activist of the Year

IllinoisCarry.com

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Hundreds of hard-core civil rights activists gathered in Chicago for the Gun Rights Policy Conference hosted by the Second Amendment Foundation and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

Attendees spent two days listening to grassroots activists and organizers, authors, scholars, lawyers, politicians and others speak about the state of “gun rights” in these United States.

The authors talked about books, the lawyers talked about cases before the courts, and the activists, including Illinois Carry’s own Spokesperson Valinda Rowe, spoke about activism . . . but first, Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and the Second Amendment Foundation had something to say about her: Valinda has been selected as the Second Amendment Grassroots Activist of the Year!

The choice is an apt one; without Valinda Rowe and her steadfast husband, Mike, Illinois Carry would likely be unrecognizable.

Gottlieb cited accomplishments like Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day (IGOLD), Right to Carry town hall meetings in Chicago and across Illinois, and the key role Valinda has played in recruiting plaintiffs who’ve made history in courtrooms from Springfield to Chicago to Washington, D.C.

Congratulations, Valinda Rowe, from all of us at Illinois Carry!

About:
The IllinoisCarry forum was started in April 2004. The idea was that Illinois needed a central location to communicate ideas and information regarding 2nd Amendment issues in Illinois. There are many organizations in Illinois working to protect our 2nd Amendment Rights. Working with these groups IllinoisCarry has become the central location for information and Action Alerts. IllinoisCarry will not endorse political candidates. We simply provide information so voters can make informed decisions. Our goal is to join the other 48 states that allow their citizens to carry concealed firearms. We encourage you to register on our forum and join the fight for your 2nd Amendment Rights in Illinois. Visit www.IllinoisCarry.com

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- Anti-Concealed Carry State Representative Jim Durkin will be appearing at a town hall meeting on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 7:00 PM.

Durkin (R-82) was one of 52 state representatives who voted against HB148 – the concealed carry bill.

Durkin voted against HB148 because he felt it is more important to appease machine politicians and big money backers of gun control than it is to protect you against violent criminals. Jim Durkin has accepted awards from anti-gun organizations such as ICHV.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO SUPPORT YOUR RIGHT TO SELF DEFENSE:

1. No matter where you live, be sure to attend this town hall meeting, sponsored by the Homer/Lockport Tea Party and Americans for Prosperity. The town hall meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 7:00 PM. The location for the meeting is at the Old Town Hall building in Lockport at 16057 S. Cedar Rd. Be sure to wear your IGold t-shirts and hats if you have them.

2. Be prepared to politely engage our opponents and defend your right to protect your self and family against violent criminals. Ask directly: “Why won’t you allow me to defend myself and my family?”

3. Pass this alert on to your family and friends. Tell them to be there too.

4. Please post this alert to any and all Internet blogs or bulletin boards.

5. If you’re not a member of the ISRA, join today!

6. Please make a generous donation to the ISRA, today, so that we can continue the fight to preserve and protect your rights!

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs & Educators

Wisconsin --(Ammoland.com)- Jeff Nass has been selected as the recipient of NRA’s Institute For legislative Action (ILA) Jay M. Littlefield Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award.

Jeff Nass, current president of Wisconsin FORCE, continually goes above and beyond all expectations of a great volunteer. Under Jeff’s leadership, WI-FORCE, formally known as WRPA, (Wisconsin Rifle and Pistol Association), has gone through a complete, positive transformation to become the NRA’s “boots on the ground” in Wisconsin.

Jeff has been involved with everything from the NRA’s Education and Training Division’s programs, Range Department issues such as RTTA assignments, to working directly with the Friends of NRA and it’s grant program.

Jeff Nass Selected for Jay M. Littlefield Volunteer of the Year Award

In 2010, Jeff spent many days in the Wisconsin state capital monitoring and testifying on behalf of the NRA and Wisconsin gun owners. Jeff has always, and continues to, work directly with the NRA ILA liaison presenting a strong united front to Wisconsin legislators and media. Wisconsin gun owners and NRA members, are very fortunate to have such a dedicated volunteer at the helm of the state association.

Jeff’s credentials include NRA Training Counselor, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, and NRA Range Technical Team Advisor. Jeff is also the state coordinator for the NRA’s Field Support Team program with over 26 localized teams. He is also one of the founders and current chairman of his local Friends of NRA event in Appleton.

Please join us in congratulating Jeff on his award and more importantly thanking him for his service to Wisconsin gun owners, Wisconsin FORCE, and the NRA.

The following the award Jeff had this to say:

I am surrounded by enablers, and my wife Jenna  is the guiltiest of them all! This Saturday I am honored to receive one of three NRA-ILA “Jay M. Littlefield Memorial Volunteer of the Year Awards” at NRA headquarters. The award is an annual honor that recognizes an NRA member who “demonstrates exceptionally meritorious activism in defense of our Second Amendment rights”.

All of us are very lucky that Jenna is such a great supporter of our rights. She allows me to devote time and money supporting the Second Amendment. Without her I would not have been in a position to accomplish all that we have gotten done. We also have the best NRA Field Representative in the country in Scott Taetsch.

There is a long list of people that have helped blaze the path that I am following. If I tried to list everyone that was involved both in the forefront and behind the scenes, protecting our rights, I am sure I would miss many. Without the groundwork being set and the support of those around me, I am sure that what I have achieved would not have been obtainable. Since the NRA is flying me out to receive this award, I will be using it as an opportunity to do a face to face with several at headquarters that I have been working with to improve things in Wisconsin. If you appreciate what has been done and want to support the future, I ask that you support the NRA, Wisconsin FORCE, and the Friends of the NRA.

See you on the Range

Jeff

About:
Wi-FORCE promotes and protects the shooting sports, hunting, and the lawful ownership and use of firearms in Wisconsin. We coordinate match schedules of member clubs, sanction the state championship matches, monitor and recommend legislation, and provide training and educational programs for our members, competitors and Wisconsin shooters. Wi-FORCE supports the interaction and education of all individuals and groups interested in the shooting sports and the natural right of citizens to own arms. Visit: www.wi-force.org

Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Since 1989 Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership has “walked point” in the battle against “gun control”.

JPFO has gone where no other pro-gun rights organization has gone before. Only JPFO can truly get “in the face” of the liberal Jews who have been at the forefront of the insinuation of “gun control” into our lives. Why? It is simply ridiculous to label JPFO as “anti-Semitic”.

We need to introduce JPFO to more Americans, even if they are not gun owners. And even more so if they are Jewish.

JPFO now has a powerful short video on YouTube, describing briefly what the organization is all about. It features screen grabs of our new web site layout and introduces many of the site’s important features … and JPFO’s vital mission.

All of you have friends, family, and acquaintances for whom an introduction to JPFO could prove both useful and educational. This is especially true if they are “fence sitters” on matters concerning firearms and the Second Amendment.

Many gun owners have lowered their guard of late. They believe that the landmark U.S. Supreme Court victories of Heller vs. District of Columbia and McDonald vs. Chicago once and for all validated, within our judicial system, the right to keep and bear arms.

This is simply not so.

New York remains unswervingly opposed to an armed citizenry. Chicago, under the leadership of Obama’s ex-Head Puppet Master, Rahm Emanuel, is obstructing the McDonald decision with every rotten trick in its gangland play book.

And we are only one Supreme Court Justice appointment away from an overturning of Heller and McDonald. Unlikely? Yes. But look at what is happening in America and the world today! It’s all a new ball game.

Look at how the Obama administration orchestrated the BATFE’s disastrous “Fast and Furious” gun smuggling scam to Mexico. This was done to actually grossly inflate U.S. gun stats south of the border! And now, even after being caught bloody handed, Eric Holder’s Department of Justice continues to actually laud the BATFE, and unbelievably promote the key guilty individuals. On top of this, he has now instituted an illegal “workaround”, and centralized and computerized gun registration mandates outside of any legal Congressional directive and approval.

Frankly, the battle to protect our unalienable right to self defense has reached a darker and more sinister phase. Why? Because so much of the gun prohibition activity is now happening below the surface. And the predominantly anti-gun mainstream media remains silent, aiding and abetting what is, in many ways, literal treason against this nation.

Remember what Obama told Sarah Brady: “Below the radar.”

Below the Radar
It is time for millions of Americans to stand up and defend their G-d given rights against an increasingly gluttonous government and the robotic tyrannical bureaucracies that would strip away those rights.

As our late founder Aaron Zelman was always saying, “If you do not defend your rights, then don’t complain when you lose them.”

Please take the time right now to watch this attention getting JPFO promo video. Pass it along to anyone you know who might be even remotely receptive.

For twenty one years now, JPFO has delivered the “intellectual ammunition” to defeat and destroy the lie that is “gun control“. It has been, and is now, up to you to use this information! Act today!

And if you are not a JPFO member? Join us! You don’t have to be Jewish to join. We have never asked about religious affiliation or belief … and never will. To be a member you must simply cherish your freedom and that of your loved ones.

JPFO exists so that we will never have to face the awful day that we may have to resort to actually using our guns against a tyrannical government. JPFO offers the “prevention”. The “cure” is horrific beyond words.

If you will each do your part, we can win this battle without bloodshed. Can any of you honestly say that it is not worth the effort?

About:
Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership Mission is to destroy “gun control” and to encourage Americans to understand and defend all of the Bill of Rights for everyone. Those are the twin goals of Wisconsin-based Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO). Founded by Jews and initially aimed at educating the Jewish community about the historical evils that Jews have suffered when they have been disarmed, JPFO has always welcomed persons of all religious beliefs who share a common goal of opposing and reversing victim disarmament policies while advancing liberty for all.

JPFO is a non-profit tax-exempt educational civil rights organization, not a lobby. JPFO’s products and programs reach out to as many segments of the American people as possible, using bold tactics without compromise on fundamental principles. Visit www.JPFO.org – Copyright JPFO 2011

Virginia Citizens Defense League Gun Shows And Events

Virginia Citizens Defense League

Covington VA --(Ammoland.com)- The Virginia Citizens Defense League thanks the following member-activists who generously gave of their time to advance and help defend the rights of their fellow gun owners by working our recruiting and information booths at gun shows and events around the state.

Roanoke, August 20-21 Sherrill Smith, Philip Honaker, Edward French, Bill Noell, Ken Modica, Don Beheler, and Al Steed Jr.

As an all volunteer organization, VCDL depends on YOU to volunteer your time at our area events, where we recruit new activists and keep gun owners informed. No experience necessary; if it’s your first time we’ll pair you with a veteran volunteer. To find out more about helping at our gun show tables, go to:

http://www2.vcdl.org/cgi-bin/wspd_cgi.sh/vcdl/gs.html

and click on any of the blue links, or contact the coordinator for the show/event listed below with which you are interested in helping. Here are the upcoming events with which we need YOUR help:

a. HILLSVILLE http://www.vfw1115fleamarketgunshow.com, September 2-5

• Friday, September 2 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 3 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 4 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Monday, September 5 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

VCDL is going to have a table at the massive Labor Day gun show and flea market in Hillsville. We need lots of volunteers for this giant event!

Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help
in Hillsville.

b. SALEM http://www.cegunshows.com, September 10-11

• Saturday, September 10 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 11 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Salem.

c. FREDERICKSBURG http://www.guns-knives.com, September 17-18

• Saturday, September 17 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 18 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Robert Herron at Fredericksburggunshows@vcdl.org to help in Fredericksburg.

d. CHARLOTTESVILLE, RRPC annual fun day http://rrpc.org, September 24

• Saturday, September 24 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club in Charlottesville is having its annual Fun Day on Sept. 24. This event is open to club members, their families and guests. VCDL has been invited to set up a table and educate folks on what we do.

We need some volunteers to help man the booth. Please help out if you can. Contact Pat Webb at pat.webb@vcdl.org to help.

e. FISHERSVILLE http://www.showmasters.us, September 24-25

• Saturday, September 24 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 25 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Bob Schmidt at Shenandoahgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Fishersville.

f. HAMPTON http://www.guns-knives.com, September 24-25

• Saturday, September 24 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 25 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Ron Lilly at HamptonRoadsgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Hampton.

g. WASHINGTON COUNTY, October 1-2

• Saturday, October 1 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 2 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

VCDL will again have a table at the gun show held at the Washington County Fairgrounds, 17046 Fairground Dr, Abingdon VA 24212, near Exit 14, I-81.

Helpers are needed for this event, so plan on coming out to support VCDL! Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows@vcdl.org to volunteer.

h. CHANTILLY http://www.cegunshows.com, October 7-9

• Friday, October 7 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 8 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 9 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please contact Danny Paulson at NOVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Chantilly.

i. RICHMOND http://www.cegunshows.com, October 15-16

• Saturday, October 15 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 16 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please contact David Crosby at CentralVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help at the Showplace in Mechanicsville.

j. VIRGINIA BEACH http://www.guns-knives.com, October 22-23

• Saturday, October 22 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 23 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Gary Moeller at VBgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Virginia Beach.

k. ROANOKE http://www.showmasters.us, October 22-23

• Saturday, October 22 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 23 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Roanoke.

l. NORFOLK http://www.showmasters.us, November 5-6

• Saturday, November 5 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, November 6 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please contact our coordinator at Norfolkgunshows@vcdl.org to help at the Norfolk Scope.

m. DALE CITY http://www.olddominionshows.com, November 5-6

• Saturday, November 5 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, November 6 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Michael Burnham at NOVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Dale City.

n. RICHMOND http://www.showmasters.us, November 12-13

• Saturday, November 12 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, November 13 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact David Crosby at CentralVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help at the Richmond Raceway Complex.

o. CHANTILLY http://www.cegunshows.com, November 18-20

• Friday, November 18 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, November 19 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, November 20 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please contact Danny Paulson at NOVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Chantilly.

p. HAMPTON http://www.guns-knives.com, November 26-27

• Saturday, November 26 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, November 27 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Ron Lilly at HamptonRoadsgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Hampton.

About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org

Virginia Citizens Defense League

Covington VA --(Ammoland.com)- Charlottesville area membership meeting this Thursday! As with all VCDL membership meetings, it is open to the public.

This should be a very interesting meeting and a great chance to ask a firearms attorney some questions. It will also give you a chance to see the Rivannah Rifle and Pistol Club facilities if you have not done so before.

Have you or a family member ever been arrested? Have you gone to court and had the charges dismissed and thought they would be wiped off your record? Have you had false charges filed against you or a temporary restraining order put out on you? How about your adult children; have they had a minor brush with the law? If so, you may have a blot on your record and don’t even realize it. This can come back to haunt you when you apply for a security clearance or a background check to purchase a gun or get a permit to carry.

This coming Thursday we will discuss how to clear these things off your record, what to look for and why it matters. Our own Executive Member Mark Matthews will be leading the discussion and answering questions.

The meeting will be held at Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club in Charlottesville, VA. We will begin at 6:30 with a pot luck dinner. The main course and beverages will be supplied; bring a side dish if you can. If you are not able to bring a dish, don’t sweat it, just bring yourself…there will be plenty! We encourage you to bring guests as well.

Please RSVP to Pat.Webb@VCDL.org so we have an idea of how many people we are feeding. In the subject line put the number of people attending the dinner portion of the meeting; example: 8/4 VCDL meeting-4 for dinner.

Directions:
Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club
www.RRPC.org
Route 631
Charlottesville, VA 22903

• From Interstate 64, take exit #120 South (5th Street)
• Follow to the range on the right. There will be a sign just before the driveway.
• Follow the driveway straight up the hill to the clubhouse.

About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org

Joel Rosenberg, 1954-2011

Minnesota Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance

Minnesota --(Ammoland.com)- GOCRA is sad to announce that civil rights activist, author and instructor Joel Rosenberg died yesterday afternoon. He was 57, and had suffered from multiple health issues which had worsened in the last two years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Rosenberg was the author of several textbooks on carrying a pistol with a permit, and was a prolific novelist, with more than 20 fantasy, science fiction and mystery titles published.

In 2003, Rosenberg wrote the definitive textbook on carry in Minnesota, Everything You Need to Know About (Legally) Carrying a Handgun in Minnesota, published by the American Association of Firearms Instructors, Inc. In the eight years since, Joel has taught Minnesota Permit to Carry classes to thousands of students in the Twin Cities area and around the state of Minnesota.

Rosenberg became interested in guns and self defense more than 20 years ago, after receiving a series of anonymous death threats from a professed neo-Nazi. He applied for and received an unlimited permit to carry a pistol from the Minneapolis Police, a rarity at the time, when citizens had to convince an official of a need for personal protection before being allowed to carry a gun for self defense.

Not content with securing the then-privilege for himself, Rosenberg worked with GOCRA to pass the Minnesota Citizens Personal Protection Act of 2003, and was instrumental in its re-passage in 2005 after it was suspended by a court challenge. His online forum, active from 2005 to 2010, was an electronic gathering place for activists, hobbyists, students and others interested in guns in Minnesota.

A prolific blogger and sometime gadfly, Rosenberg supported the same goals and principles as GOCRA and other organizations, but never accepted a formal role in any, preferring to be, in his words, “just a guy.”

In 2010, Rosenberg was arrested for wearing a gun into the offices of the Minneapolis Police at Minneapolis City Hall, which contains a courtroom two floors away. He was charged with carrying gun into a courthouse complex, a charge which he planned to vigorously defend as being illegal, unconstitutional, and retaliatory for his frequent criticism of the Minneapolis Police.

He is survived by his wife, Felicia Herman, and by his two daughters, Judy and Rachel.

A fund to support Rosenberg’s family, which has suffered financially from his arrest, is available at freejoel.ellegon.com.

About:
We are the Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance, the organization behind CCRN (Concealed Carry Reform Now!). We are people from all walks of life who have banded together to preserve and protect all of our civil rights as gun owners. Visit: www.gocra-mn.org

Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- With the passing of Aaron Zelman, not only did American freedom lose a great warrior, but JPFO lost its Founder and Executive Director.

At the proper time, the search began for a new Executive Director.

That person needed to be deeply educated in the gun rights battle, media savvy, politically savvy, and have solid firearms industry contacts.

There was also no doubt whatsoever that our new organizational leader needed to be one hundred percent “hard core no compromise” regarding the Second Amendment and the morality of self defense — just like JPFO.

We have found that person in Charles Heller of Tucson Arizona. Over the past month or so, as JPFO’s Rabbinic Director, I have worked with Charles on all of our JPFO projects.

Charles Heller New Executive Director of JPFO

Charles and I are of one mind with regard to JPFO’s course and strategies. Charles is a patriot, a true believer in American freedom, and a visionary of America’s great potential. I am proud to be working shoulder to shoulder with him at Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership. We stand together in the fight for your freedom!

Please join me in welcoming our new Executive Director, Charles Heller, and offering your blessings of success in his new role – www.jpfo.org/articles-assd02/heller-intro.htm

As always, thank you for your support. Shalom, Rabbi Dovid Bendory, Rabbinic Director, JPFO

About:
Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership Mission is to destroy “gun control” and to encourage Americans to understand and defend all of the Bill of Rights for everyone. Those are the twin goals of Wisconsin-based Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO). Founded by Jews and initially aimed at educating the Jewish community about the historical evils that Jews have suffered when they have been disarmed, JPFO has always welcomed persons of all religious beliefs who share a common goal of opposing and reversing victim disarmament policies while advancing liberty for all.

JPFO is a non-profit tax-exempt educational civil rights organization, not a lobby. JPFO’s products and programs reach out to as many segments of the American people as possible, using bold tactics without compromise on fundamental principles. Visit www.JPFO.org – Copyright JPFO 2011

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- When you buy a hunting license, you help fund programs that provide hunting opportunities.

The same applies to fishing and trapping.

Sometimes, however, you need to invest more, to have more. One of the best—and most important—investments you can make for your outdoor sports future could be the time it takes to log online and become a member of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) grassroots Sentry program.

The time required is short, and joining is FREE!

The USSA is a watchdog organization that protects and advances America’s hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage. The USSA monitors legislation from all 50 states, Congress, and state and federal game departments and agencies, plus courts, to discover laws and proposals related to hunting, fishing, trapping and wildlife management. When a bill or proposal is discovered that negatively impacts those outdoor opportunities, the USSA staff goes into action. Efforts are made to alert sportsmen and sportswomen and win public support.

Jeff Foxworthy Becomes a Sentry for USSA

This tireless effort has taken place in all 50 states, against many court cases, and on federal and state land issues. The topics have ranged from hunting on national wildlife refuges to bear hunting with dogs and bowhunting for deer issues. During recent times, the USSA has countered attempts by anti-hunting and animal rights groups to curtail the use of dogs during hunting by creating prohibitive breeder regulations. These and countless other issues are reviewed daily by USSA staff and a game plan for each issue is developed.

By performing this valuable service, the USSA is the eyes and ears of hunting and outdoors communities across America.

“Becoming a Sentry is possibly the single most important thing you can do to protect your hunting, fishing, trapping and outdoor sports rights,” said Dick Cabela, co-founder of Cabela’s, and chairman of the USSA Board of Directors.

“This program permits you to discover the details and stay abreast of any introduced anti laws or animal rights agendas. If you think such bills don’t –or won’t– happen in your state, you are wrong. The thousands of anti-hunting bills introduced across the nation each year should be reason enough to cause you concern. Becoming a Sentry is a step in the right direction to ensure the future of our hunting heritage.”

Sentries are needed in all 50 states to work to protect dove, deer and predator hunting, fishing, bowhunting seasons, trapping opportunities and other sporting interests.

The Sentry program is used to quickly call attention to legislation and action that will negatively impact your hunting, fishing and trapping opportunities. This program is a rapid response method to spread the word in this electronic age, and it helps concerned sportsmen take action to speak out against —or in favor of— legislation that will impact their interests. The Sentry releases also help educate the general public on issues.

Sentries receive action alerts, news releases and issue updates via e-mail when hunting, fishing, trapping and conservation are under attack. This is a proven method to counter the efforts of powerful anti-hunting and animal rights groups wanting to take away your privileges. If you are already one of the 110,000-plus USSA Sentries, encourage a friend to sign up also.

For more details, or to become a Sentry, visit www.ussportmen.org/beasentry.

High points of the Sentry program:

• In less than one year, more than 110,000 hunters and anglers have become USSA Sentries. Sentries are needed in all 50 states.
• Signup is free at www.ussportsmen.org/becomeasentry
• You will receive e-mails when negative legislative bills or action are underway in your state or region.
• You can obtain maps, and other useful hunting gear and information as part of a member package.
• Sentries receive a free weekly e-newsletter that covers the issues.
• You will be provided details on how –and when—to take action.
• You can take part in battling—and beating—anti-hunting and anti-trapping forces, such as HSUS, PETA and other groups.
• The Sentry program has a proven track record of winning legislative and court battles.
• Work together with other hunters and anglers to defend your rights and interests.
• The Sentry program is championed by celebrities like: Jeff Foxworthy, Jim Zumbo, and Dick and Mary Cabela.

About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

AmmoLand Gun News

Manasquan, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- Become a Volunteer Subscriber to AmmoLand Shooting Sports News and support the only all gun news wire in the fight for your right to keep and bear arms.

At AmmoLand we report daily on our core topics of Firearms, Gun Rights, Hunting and Conservation. Four topics virtually ignored buy the main stream media but of great importance to you, our readers, the back bone of America, the grass roots supporters of the constitution and the American way.

You voluntary subscriptions allow us to expand our fight with the gun grabbers, hoplophobes and anti-hunting forces that seek at every turn to take away our right bear arms, hunt and live in freedom.

Many of you have already emailed and called us to say how much you valued AmmoLand Shooting Sports News. Some of you have already sent us donations as a gesture of appreciation or asked us if we had an official way of accepting support.

Well we didn’t but we are flattered that you asked so we have set up this easy Paypal Subscription Button with three support levels.

You decide how much you Ammoland and our effort is worth to you each month. Remember Subscribing is purely voluntary as AmmoLand is and will always be FREE whether you choose to financially support us or not. If you do decide to become a paid subscriber you can end your subscription at anytime no strings attached. All we can say is WOW we really appreciate it.

You decide how much each month?

Gold Supporter : $6.25USD – monthlySilver Supporter : $4.25USD – monthlyBronze Supporter : $1.25USD – monthly

About:
Ammoland.com, the web’s leading Shooting Sports News Service for the Ammunition, Firearms, Shooting, Hunting and Conservation communities. Visit: www.ammoland.com

Social Networking & New Media for the Second Amendment

NRA - ILA

Pittsburgh, PA --(Ammoland.com)- The value of internet social networking and new media has exploded in recent years as more and more NRA members and gun owners are now using Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

These online communities foster an important connection between their users, and allow distribution of user-generated content (like pictures, profiles, music, video, and text).

NRA-ILA has been a part of this social technology for some time now, with a presence on each of these sites. By actively participating in these new media venues, we are able to reach out to more potential members and supporters than ever before.

And now more than ever, politicians are also taking full advantage of these new political techniques in an effort to drum up more youth support heading into the 2012 elections.

Newt Gingrich tweeted from NRA’s 140th Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Pittsburgh: “What’s better than a royal wedding in London? Attending the @NRA Convention in Pittsburgh. I speak at 1:15 p.m.”

The current king of online social networking is Facebook. If you are not an NRA Facebook “fan” of NRA, please do what more than 1 million supporters have already done and join our Facebook group, “National Rifle Association of America (NRA) – Official Fan Page” at www.facebook.com/pages/Fairfax-VA/National-Rifle-Association/22561081832.

YouTube is the current leader in online video sharing, where users can upload and share video clips on the website. Many political campaigns are also producing videos exclusively for YouTube, as it is essentially free to broadcast on the web compared to the exorbitant cost of traditional media buys.

NRA has its very own channel on YouTube, broadcasting videos, speeches, and all our latest ads. To view the NRA Channel on YouTube, please visit: www.youtube.com/user/NRAVideos.

Finally, Twitter is the latest social phenomenon on which NRA-ILA has an ongoing presence. Twitter is a micro-blogging service that allows users to send regular, real-time text updates (known as “tweets”) to “followers” who have subscribed to them. To sign up to receive NRA-ILA “tweets,” please visit www.twitter.com/NRAILA.

If we are going to actively reach and recruit the future leaders of the pro-gun movement, we must take full advantage of these online social networking resources. By launching our profiles on these sites, the torch has been lit for the next generation, so please be sure to help us in promoting NRA and the Second Amendment by joining us on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter!

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

NRA - ILA

Pittsburgh, PA --(Ammoland.com)- Pro-gun patriots rolled up their sleeves and went to work on April 29 th at NRA-ILA’s Grassroots Workshop, held in conjunction with NRA’s Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Though most attendees were home state Pennsylvanians, NRA members were present from states across the country. Diversity in geography notwithstanding, all were united in a single mission– learning what they could do to affect legislative change this year and prepare for the 2012 elections!

As they do every year, many of NRA’s officers stopped by the workshop to pay tribute to the attendees who serve as the tip of our grassroots arrow.

Former NRA President Ron Schmeits, NRA President David Keene, NRA First Vice President Jim Porter, and NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre each came to the podium and gave credit for NRA’s successes to those to whom it rightly belongs–our members and grassroots activists.

Each stressed the need for attendees to re-double their efforts not just this year, but in preparation for the all-important 2012 elections. Also in attendance were a number of NRA-ILA’s Election Volunteer Coordinators who once again are prepared to lead the charge in recruiting and organizing pro-gun volunteers.

Grassroots staff provided attendees with an overview of the threats and opportunities we currently face in Congress, along with Grassroots programs and strategies on how to increase and enhance their legislative and political activism. The presentation contained a mix of “old school,” boots-on-the ground, tried and true practices, coupled with a heavy dose of utilizing new social technologies to enhance our effectiveness.

Topics covered included: NRA-ILA Grassroots programs; federal legislation; voter registration; letters to the editor; effective communication with lawmakers; phone banks; yard signs; Facebook; YouTube; and more.

As expected, NRA’s Annual Meetings were an energizing whirlwind of activities that showed, without a shadow of a doubt, the dedication of NRA members and gun owners across this great nation.

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Knife Rights is pleased to announce that Utah State Representative Ryan D. Wilcox is the recipient of its Freedom’s Edge™ Award which was presented at the Knife Rights Sharper Future™ Awards Breakfast on June 11th during BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia. Rep. Wilcox represents District 7 in Utah.

The Freedom’s Edge Award is to be given annually to honor a local, state or national elected representative who has demonstrated their commitment to a Sharper Future by leadership in the fight to protect or enhance our knife rights.

Representative Wilcox is recognized for his leadership in sponsoring Knife Rights’ Knife Law Preemption Bill in Utah. After hearing about the patchwork of knife ordinances throughout Utah, Representative Wilcox introduced Knife Rights’ knife preemption legislation. Rep. Wilcox worked tirelessly with his colleagues, local advocates and our lobbyist to ensure the bill passed with overwhelming majorities in both houses of the Utah legislature. Rep Wilcox successfully prevented hostile amendments which would have gutted the bill and saw it through to final passage.

His efforts enacted a strong preemption law which will protect knife owners from senseless local ordinances well into the future.

Rep. Wilcox’s leadership made it possible for Utah to become the second state in the nation to enact Knife Law Preemption. The Freedom’s Edge Award represents a Sharper Future™ for all knife owners.

Preemption prevents the creation of, or eliminates, a patchwork of ordinances and rules which serve to confuse or entrap those traveling within or through the state.

A person traveling in a state without preemption laws could be charged with a violation of local law when they have no intention of violating the law. Preemption ensures citizens only have to know and abide by state law.

About:
Knife Rights (www.KnifeRights.org) is America’s Grassroots Knife Owners Organization, working towards a Sharper Future for all knife owners. Knife Rights is dedicated to providing knife owners an effective voice in public policy. Become a Knife Rights member and make a contribution to support the fight for your knife rights. Visit www.kniferights.org

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Knife Rights is pleased to announce that Cam Hughes and Jim Brown are the recipients of its Freedom’s Point Award which was presented at the Knife Rights Sharper Future Awards Breakfast on June 11th during BLADE Show in Atlanta,

Georgia. Mr. Hughes and Mr. Brown are principals of Blade HQ, a knife retailer based in Utah.

The Freedom’s Point Award is to be given annually to honor an individual citizen or citizens who has/have demonstrated their commitment to a Sharper Future by leadership in the fight to protect or enhance our knife rights.

Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, “Cam and Jim are being recognized for stepping up to support Knife Rights’ Knife Law Preemption Bill in Utah, which support made it possible for Utah to become the second state in the nation to enact Knife Preemption. Legislative opportunities sometimes require quick action to take advantage of windows of opportunity and when that happened in Utah, it was an equally quick response by Cam and Jim that helped us to achieve success.”

Preemption prevents the creation of, or eliminates, a patchwork of ordinances and rules which serve to confuse or entrap those traveling within or through the state.

A person traveling in a state without preemption laws could be charged with a violation of local law when they have no intention of violating the law. Preemption ensures citizens only have to know and abide by state law.

About:
Knife Rights (www.KnifeRights.org) is America’s Grassroots Knife Owners Organization, working towards a Sharper Future for all knife owners. Knife Rights is dedicated to providing knife owners an effective voice in public policy. Become a Knife Rights member and make a contribution to support the fight for your knife rights. Visit www.kniferights.org

KnifeRights.org

Gilbert, AZ --(Ammoland.com)- Claire Wolfe, a columnist for SWAT Magazine, is the recipient of Knife Rights’ 2011 Freedom’s Voice Award. The honor was announced at the Knife Rights Sharper Future Awards Breakfast on June 11th at the BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia.

The annual Freedom’s Voice Award honors a journalist or journalistic team in the general or non-knife industry media that has demonstrated a commitment to fair, accurate and insightful coverage on an issue involving knife ownership.

Knife Rights chairman Doug Ritter said, “Ms. Wolfe is recognized for her Enemy At The Gate column titled ‘Knife Rights Under Attack’ that appeared in the May 2011 issue of SWAT Magazine. Her column provided an insightful summary of the challenges facing knife owners in America and what is being done to counter these challenges. The value of a columnist’s call to action can sometimes be difficult to judge, but not so in this case. New Knife Rights memberships surged as soon as the magazine landed.”

Knife Rights believes its goals to preserve and enhance the rights of knife owners make sense to most citizens, if given a fair airing.

“We honor Ms. Wolfe for her journalistic integrity, for providing a factual accounting of the issues, giving fair coverage of all those involved and for the effectiveness of her call to action,” said Ritter.

Ms Wolfe’s column may be viewed below:

Knife Rights Under Attack

About:
Knife Rights (www.KnifeRights.org) is America’s Grassroots Knife Owners Organization, working towards a Sharper Future for all knife owners. Knife Rights is dedicated to providing knife owners an effective voice in public policy. Become a Knife Rights member and make a contribution to support the fight for your knife rights. Visit www.kniferights.org

2011 Gun Rights Policy Conference Invitation

Second Amendment Foundation

BELLEVUE, WA --(Ammoland.com)- Dear Fellow Gun Rights Activist,

I would like to personally invite you to our 26th annual Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC), which will be taking place September 23, 24, and 25, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois at the Hyatt Regency Chicago O’Hare Airport hotel.

With the new battles over individual rights in the age of terrorism, attacks on our gun rights from the UN as well as a number of Second Amendment cases in the courts. The theme of It’s About Freedom is most important as we set the pro-gun rights agenda for the year to come.

This year GRPC will be action-packed. With over 50 speakers hand-picked from the leadership of the Gun Rights Movement, the topics to be presented promise to have an impact that will help direct the path of our cause for years to come.

Invited speakers this year include: myself, Joe Tartaro, Alan Gura, Otis McDonald, John Lott, Massad Ayoob, David Kopel, John Snyder, as well as staff from the Second Amendment Foundation, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, KeepAndBearArms.com, and Gun Owners of America.

A number of elected political leaders have been invited as well.

As in the past, the Second Amendment Foundation will not only pick up the tab for lunch and snacks, but will also provide more than $125 worth of vital pro-gun rights materials to each attendee.

In addition to the luncheon and free materials, you will have the opportunity to chat with the speakers at the two evening National Shooting Sports Foundation and Illinois State Rifle Association planned receptions.

This event is so important to our cause, that the SAF Board of Trustees has elected to help underwrite the entire cost of the event. Your cost to attend this event is absolutely free!

Because of the number of people who travel every year to attend this event, I have negotiated a special discount room rate for GRPC attendees. Reservations for the special discounted room rate of $112 per night can be made by calling 1-800-233-1234, and telling them you are planning on attending the Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) sponsored by the Second Amendment Foundation.

If you have any questions, please call the SAF office at (425) 454-7012 to register. You can also register online at our GRPC Registration & Information Page, or send an e-mail to grpc2011@saf.org, or fax us at 425-451-3959.

2011 Gun Rights Policy Conference Flyer

American Knife & Tool Institute

Cody, WY --(Ammoland.com)- That individuals can make a difference in their communities and states to make sure that our rights to own and use knives are not infringed is exemplified in the story of New Hampshire Representative Jenn Coffey.

“Knives, Lipstick, and Liberty One Woman’s Journey is my story of how my life changed so dramatically in just five short years. It is my hope that by sharing this story, others will join me in the fight for Liberty,” noted Jenn Coffey on the recent release of her first edition 176 page paperback.

Representative Coffey, who moved to New Hampshire with her husband Billy to live in a state with their teenage son where the environment of liberty still exists, had a simple plan to live a simple life. An Emergency Room Technician and a Nationally Certified Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate, Jenn quickly became involved in local government and activities, and is now serving her second term in the New Hampshire House, sitting on the Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee and Special Committee on Education Funding Reform.

Her story of involvement and election as the New Hampshire Representative from Merrimack County to being instrumental in important liberty and knife legislation in New Hampshire provides a blueprint for others.

During the Blade Show 2011 in Atlanta, Representative Coffey will share with attendees the lessons she’s learned in the last five years. “Got Liberty? How to Repeal Anti-Knife Laws” will be held Saturday June 11th at 2:15 p.m. in Room 108.

Immediately afterwards Representative Coffey will be in the American Knife & Tool Institute’s booth #162 to autograph copies of “Knives, Lipstick and Liberty” from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Books can be purchased during the Blade Show at the A.G. Russell booth or prior to the book signing in the AKTI booth. Portions of the book proceeds will help send a child to Camp Constitution, an annual summer camp experience of fun outdoor activities, learning about the U.S. government and meeting legislators.

Members of the American Knife & Tool Institute are familiar with Representative Coffey’s success in New Hampshire in 2010 with HB 1665 which removed the archaic ban on certain knives such as switchblades, dirks, daggers and stilettos. In 2011 she sponsored HB 544, a bill assuring cities and counties cannot supersede the state’s laws on knives, “making NH the freest state in the nation,” she declared as the bill headed to Governor Lynch’s desk for signature.

The American Knife & Tool Institute is a proud supporter of the publication of Knives, Lipstick and Liberty and Representative Coffey’s efforts. We applaud her for the accomplishments for New Hampshire knife users and desiring to help others assure liberty and knife rights in their states.

To purchase Knives, Lipstick, and Liberty now, visit www.jenncoffey.com or www.lulu.com.

The American Knife & Tool Institute (AKTI) is a non-profit organization (501(c)6) representing all segments of the knife industry and all knife users. Formed by concerned industry leaders after considerable discussion with individual knifemakers, knife magazine publishers, and a broad section of the knife community, AKTI has been the reasonable and responsible voice of the knife community since 1998. For more about AKTI, please see our website at www.AKTI.org.

Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- John Leveron – Died May 11th 2011 at age 40.

His obituary can be found here. Look for the name to right of page and then click on guest book to see some comments.

This JPFO life member and firearms enthusiast contacted me just under a year ago, and offered to provide some assistance on various matters, working almost entirely pro bono except for JPFO covering a few intrinsic expenses which were incurred.

For the most part he gave freely of his time for no reward, other than knowing he was helping the JPFO cause.

John was a very talented IT person, who knew more about the depths of the internet than many could imagine. He often said to me “You do the pages and styling, I’ll cover the behind-the-scenes stuff”, and believe me, much as I understand quite a lot of the base level technology, he was nothing less than a total wizard.

John Leveron

Many times we spend an inordinate amount of time chatting on the phone – mostly about technical matters but also just general enjoyable chat between friends with common interests.

His knowledge of the deep aspects of the internet was awesome and he helped construct what we might call a “server grid” for JPFO – a means of covering eventualities such that if one server went down we’d still be covered by others. Also helping set up a method of providing people with a means to use a torrent approach to obtaining large files of “No Guns for Jews”, so as to be able to burn their own DVDs.

Some of what he did and talked about I did not fully grasp and so now I feel a huge vacuum, which is in part and primarily the loss of a valued friend, but also an invaluable source of major technical expertise.

Rest in peace John – you will surely be very much missed and fondly remembered. Thank you.

Chris Bodine, JPFO Webmaster.

About:
Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership Mission is to destroy “gun control” and to encourage Americans to understand and defend all of the Bill of Rights for everyone. Those are the twin goals of Wisconsin-based Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO). Founded by Jews and initially aimed at educating the Jewish community about the historical evils that Jews have suffered when they have been disarmed, JPFO has always welcomed persons of all religious beliefs who share a common goal of opposing and reversing victim disarmament policies while advancing liberty for all.

JPFO is a non-profit tax-exempt educational civil rights organization, not a lobby. JPFO’s products and programs reach out to as many segments of the American people as possible, using bold tactics without compromise on fundamental principles. Visit www.JPFO.org – Copyright JPFO 2011

AmmoLand Shooting Sports News Nominated for Gunnie Award for Best Gun News Blog

AmmoLand Gun News

Manasquan, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- The AmmoLand Gun News Wire has been nominated for the “Best Gun News Blog for 2011″ by LuckyGunner .com.

AmmoLand is a free online newswire that is constantly updating readers with important breaking Gun Rights, Firearms, Hunting and Conservation News.

Now we need your vote to lock down the title.  Visit the link below and scroll down to the Voting Box and navigate the to the 2011 Best Gun Blog – News section. Next click Nominees and Vote for Ammo Land. Your vote is needed to help us win!

2011 Gunnies Best Gun Blog - News

The 2011 Gunnie Awards (aka “The Gunnies”) recognize the best gun bloggers & websites for their contribution to firearm news, politics, and law over the past year. Each award is based on reader votes, so we need our readers to vote at the link below below and help us Win the title for Best Gun News Blog! Voting closes Friday, May 27th – vote today and tell your friends to vote too!

Gunnie winners will be announced & honored on Saturday night, May 28th at the 2011 LuckyGunner.com Blogger Shoot held in Knoxville, TN this Memorial Day Weekend.

Gunnie Awards Voting Page -  Click to Vote for AmmoLand http://tiny.cc/6716w

About:
Ammoland.com, the web’s leading Shooting Sports News Service for the Ammunition, Firearms, Shooting, Hunting and Conservation communities. Visit: www.ammoland.com

Texas State Rifle Association

Houston, Tx --(Ammoland.com)- We need your help with calls and email!

Beginning in 2003, TSRA members have purchased Texas State Rifle Association vanity license plates. We are one of 100 non-profit groups such as Boy Scouts of America, Ducks Unlimited, Gold Star Mothers, YMCA, and other non-profits participating in a vanity plate program.

The Texas Department of Transportation issues the plate, and receives the $35 fee. The cost reimbursed to TxDoT is $13, leaving $22 to be allocated. The allocation of the remaining funds is spelled out in legislation, passed by TSRA during the 2003 legislative session. TSRA’s allocation is split between a permanent scholarship at Texas A&M for competitive shooters and 4-H Shooting Sports, part of the County Extension Service also headquartered and part of Texas A&M. The revenues involved are approximately $28,000 a biennium. Not a large amount but a very necessary revenue stream.

Every two years, during the legislative appropriations process the vanity plates are vulnerable to change as the State views the “income” from these plates as tax money. The current House version of the Appropriations Bill would sweep 50% from all the vanity plates into a restricted fund within General Revenue, cutting in half the charitable donation TSRA members have made to education and to the support entry level shooters and competitors through 4-H Shooting Sports. This comes at a time when college tuition is on the increase and youth programs are being cut. By the way, 4-H Shooting Sports continues to be a growing program and a huge success.

The Senate version of the appropriations bill does not dip into the vanity plate funds. Remember this money only exists because TSRA promotes our plate to our membership.

HB 1-the House Version Hurts Texans, including TSRA members by taking fifty percent of the revenue, essentially taxing your charitable contributions to a scholarship program and to 4-H Shooting Sports.

HB 1- the Senate Version Helps Texans, by leaving these funds accessible to be used as intended.

The message to House and Senate conferees should be:

“Please support HB 1, the Senate version, Sec. 13.07 Appropriation of Specialty License Plate Receipts.

Please do not touch the small but important revenues from these vanity license plates! Thank you.”

List of House and Senate Conference Committee Members Please contact them all!

House Conference Committee Members

Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie) 512-463-0516
jim.pitts@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Houston) 512-0554
sylvester.turner@house.state.tx.us

Rep. John Zerwas (R-Richmond) 512-463-0657
john.zerwas@house.state.tx.us

Rep. Myra Crownover (R-Denton) 512-463-0582
myra.crownover@house.state.tx.us

Rep. John Otto (R-Dayton) 512-463-0570
john.otto@house.state.tx.us

Senate Conference Committee Members

Sen. Steve Ogden (R-Bryan) 512-463-0105
Steve.ogden@senate.state.tx.us

Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) 512-463-0112
Jane.nelson@senate.state.tx.us

Sen. Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands) 512-463-0104
Tommy.williams@senate.state.tx.us

Sen. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock) 512-463-0128
Robert.duncan@senate.state.tx.us

Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen) 512-463-0120
Juan.hinojosa@senate.state.tx.us

Join, renew, or upgrade your TSRA membership today at www.tsra.com or call 512-615-4200. Our power in Austin comes directly from our members. We need your help.

Keep the Faith

About:
The Mission of the Texas State Rifle Association is to protect and defend the inalienable rights of the individual Texan to acquire, possess, transport, carry, transfer ownership and enjoy the right to lawful use of firearms for self preservation, for the defense of family and property and the common defense of the Republic and the individual liberties of the people. Visit: www.TSRA.com

Virginia Citizens Defense League

Covington VA --(Ammoland.com)- On super-short notice, and in the middle of a weekday, over 30 VCDL members, some with children in tow (and one with a child in the works ) showed up at the Bloomberg horse-and-pony-show this afternoon!

All were wearing VCDL’s orange “Guns Save Lives” and the “Freedom is NOT a Loophole” stickers.

The message from the antis was that if only we could force all gun purchases to go through a government background check then criminals wouldn’t be able to get guns.

My message to the press during my interviews was that background checks do not stop criminals from getting guns, as laws cannot stop criminals from using straw purchases to buy any gun they want or to keep criminals from stealing guns that are lawfully owned. I also pointed out that over 2,000 lives are saved every day by lawful gun owners, as opposed to the 34 that Bloomberg claims are killed daily by someone using a gun (most of which are drug or suicide related).

Since this was Bloomberg’s event, I was not allowed to address the crowd, BUT a reporter from the Times-Dispatch, Will Jones, who had interviewed me earlier, asked Omar Samaha some great questions: “What do you say to the opponents who claim that these background checks won’t reduce crime as criminals will simply steal guns or use straw purchases to get them?” (paraphrased)

That caught Omar completely off balance and he proceeded to stumble through a non-answer, basically saying that “if it only saves one life…” and “this is only the ‘first step.’”

Only the first step? Too bad Will didn’t followed up on that one!

Of course you and I don’t need to know the steps, as we already know the final goal of the anti-freedom crowd.

About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- During last November’s elections, NRA members and gun owners throughout the Badger State sent a clear message to elected officials that a strong Right-to-Carry law must be a legislative priority.

Residents of Wisconsin sent their legislators to Madison to secure their freedom.

To ensure we are prepared to meet the challenges posed by anti-gun forces and answer questions our members have about this legislation, NRA-ILA Grassroots will be hosting a series of workshops throughout the state. Please plan on attending to learn more about the bills, as well as what you need to do as gun-owners to assist in our efforts.

At this meeting, NRA-ILA Staff will discuss the bills, as well as what each of you need to do to ensure victory. NRA State and Local Lobbyist Darren La Sorte will be on hand along with NRA-ILA Grassroots Staff to lead the workshop.

This meeting is absolutely free and beverages and light snacks will be provided. The workshop will run about 60-90 minutes. Please make plans to attend one of our events and encourage your fellow NRA members and Second Amendment supporters to attend as well.

Here are the details for the upcoming workshops:

Eau Claire
Tuesday, May 10th
6:30p.m.
Gander Mountain
6440 Sculy Drive
Eau Claire,WI 54701
(715) 834-4594
www.nraila.org/workshops/Register.aspx?ID=eauclaire2011

Milwaukee (Richfield)
Wednesday, May 11th
6:30p.m.
Cabela’s
One Cabela Way
Richfield, WI 53076
262-628-5700
www.nraila.org/workshops/Register.aspx?ID=Richfield2011

Wausau (Rothschild)
Thursday, May 12th
Gander Mountain
6:30p.m.
1560 County Road X
Rothschild,WI 54474
(715) 355-5500
www.nraila.org/workshops/Register.aspx?ID=Rothschild2011

To register for this free event, please visit the link under the location closest to you above, or call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683).

We look forward to seeing you! Yours in freedom NRA Institute for Legislative Action www.nraila.org

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org