Arkansas River Valley Gun Club Inc.

New Hampshire: Time Runs Out Before Senate Acts on Permitless Carry
Unfortunately, the state Senate failed to remove from the table House Bill 536, permitless carry legislation, before its May 17 deadline.   Because of this Senate inaction, residents of New Hampshire have missed an important opportunity to expand their gun rights.

Pro-Gun Constitutional Amendment Up for Final Vote in Louisiana House on May 24
This Thursday, May 24, the Louisiana House will vote on Senate Bill 303, a constitutional amendment protecting the right to keep and bear arms. SB 303 has already passed in the state Senate, two House Committees and has been endorsed by Governor Bobby Jindal. This legislation, which would provide for the country’s strongest “right to keep and bear arms” constitutional amendment, still faces an uphill battle on the House floor and needs your help and support.

Michigan Permit-to-Purchase Hearing to Continue Next Week
Yesterday, the Michigan House Judiciary Committee held a hearing to review an important and long-overdue bill that would eliminate the state handgun “permit-to-purchase” and registration requirements. This committee heard House Bill 5225 and considered amendment language that will be used as a substitute for HB 5225. The committee will again consider HB 5225 next week with a possible vote on Thursday, May 24.

Missouri: NRA License Plate Possible This Year
Senate Bill 480, legislation relating to motor vehicle regulations and transportation (unrelated to Second Amendment issues), has been amended to provide for a Missouri NRA license plate to support your Second Amendment rights and activities in the Show-Me State. This amendment was successfully offered by state Representative Eric Burlison (R-136).

Grassroots Alert: Vol. 19, No. 20 05/18/2012

Senator Moran Leads Efforts Against U.N. Gun Ban Treaty--Restriction on Funding for U.N. Treaty Passes U.S. House Committee
By now, every gun owner concerned about the future of our right to keep and bear arms is aware that the international gun eradication movement has been working for more than a decade to achieve a U.N. Arms Trade Treaty that would cover not only tanks, helicopters, and other heavy weapons, but also rifles, shotguns and handguns.

After Passage of "Sportsmen's Heritage Act," BLM Backs Down on Shooting Ban
On May 11, the Bureau of Land Management announced that it was abandoning the effort to ban recreational shooting on the Sonoran Desert National Monument in Arizona. BLM released a new proposed management plan that protects "monument objects and values" through best management practices, but does not close the monument to shooters.

Coalition of Attorneys General Urge Passage of National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity
As we reported last November, 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.), has 245 cosponsors and was approved in the U.S. House of Representatives by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 272-154.

Emergency Powers Becomes Law in Oklahoma
On Wednesday, May 16, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed into law Senate Bill 1760, the Emergency Powers legislation. Additionally, your NRA-ILA continues our work to facilitate passage of additional legislation to expand firearm freedoms in the Sooner State, such as Senate Bill 1743, the “Landowner’s Hunting Freedom Act,” and Senate Bill 1420, legalizing the use of laser scoping devices for hunters with various physical handicaps. The Oklahoma Legislature must complete their business by May 25, but an earlier adjournment is increasingly likely.

D.C.: Soldier wants his guns back
Republicans are trying to ensure the District respects the full constitutional rights of our military personnel. The House this week is expected to take up a measure by Rep. Phil Gingrey, Georgia Republican, expressing the sense of Congress that the approximately 40,000 active-duty military personnel who live in or are stationed in Washington should be exempt from local firearms restrictions. While the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act would not be binding, it adds to the mounting pressure on the liberal D.C. Council to consider allowing carry rights.

South Dakota: Sioux Falls might change gun rule on city property
Sioux Falls city attorneys might ask Mayor Mike Huether to change an executive order that bars firearms from city property.The order does not have the force of law, and the lawyers’ review of it has garnered particular interest from gun-rights advocates who think it violates state law and the state and U.S. constitutions.

Sen. Cornyn wants to know if ICE agent was victim of ‘Texas-based operation similar to Fast and Furious’
Texas Sen. John Cornyn said Wednesday that he wants to know whether murdered Immigrations & Customs Enforcement agent Jaime Zapata “was a victim of a second Texas-based gun-walking operation similar to Fast and Furious.”

House Leadership Demands Cooperation from Holder on "Fast and Furious"
On May 18, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), joined House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) in sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder demanding full cooperation with the ongoing Congressional investigation into the infamous "Fast and Furious" operation, and the tragic death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.

LEGO Gun Book Causes Online Tizzy
Parents preoccupied with creating a conflict-free Utopia for their kids would seem to have little to fear from a Danish toy maker, an ingenious and enterprising British youth, and a small San Francisco publishing company. Yet this trio causes much handwringing in the May 16th edition of "The Mommy Files," an online parenting blog published by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Missouri: Gun Bills Move in Final Hours
Time is running out and House Bill 1647 needs your help to pass in the Missouri Legislature tomorrow. Please call your state Representative right away and urge him or her to vote in favor of the Senate amendments to this NRA-supported bill.

Missouri: Last Chance to Help Pass Important Right-to-Carry Legislation
Please call your state Representative today and urge him or her to vote for NRA-supported Senate Bill 760. Time is running out and this bill needs your help to pass by THIS Friday. Since Senate Bill 489, a critical Right-to-Carry cleanup bill, has been scheduled for a House floor vote today, we need to focus on SB 760 to make sure it gets the same opportunity.

Oklahoma: Gov. Fallin signs emergency powers bill
The governor and other state officials would be prohibited from banning or confiscating firearms during a state of emergency under a bill signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin.

Boehner to Obama - Tell Holder to cooperate with Issa on Fast and Furious
House Speaker John Boehner, Ohio Republican, urged President Barack Obama on Wednesday to tell Attorney General Eric Holder to cooperate with the congressional investigation relating to the now defunct Fast and Furious gun walking operation.

Illinois: State Rep. Adam Brown urges support for Right-to-Carry
Legislation that would grant concealed carry rights to law-abiding gun owners could be called for a vote by the Illinois House of Representatives this month. State Representative Adam Brown (R-Decatur) is urging concerned citizens to sign a petition supporting passage of House Bill 5745, the Family and Personal Protection Act. Brown is a co-sponsor of HB 5745, which establishes statewide standards for the issuance of licenses to carry concealed firearms in Illinois.

Rehberg Amendment to Restrict Funds Used for a United Nations Arms Trade Treaty Passes in U.S. House Committee on Appropriations
Fairfax, Va. – Congressman Denny Rehberg’s (Mont.) amendment to restrict the use of federal funds for advocating or lobbying for a United Nations Arms Trade Treaty has passed the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations by a bi-partisan vote of 30 to 20. The amendment mandates that no taxpayer funds may be used to negotiate a United Nations Arms Trade Treaty that would restrict the Second Amendment rights of any United States citizen or regulate firearms or ammunition.

California: State Senate Passes Anti-Gun Legislation
On Monday, May 14, the anti-gun California Senate passed two guns bills that are detrimental to California gun owners. Senate Bill 1315 passed in the state Senate by a vote of 21 to 14 and Senate Bill 1366 passed by a vote of 23 to 14.

Armed homeowner prevails when restraining order fails, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash. 05/15/12
Doug Snarski and his girlfriend, Christina Lewis, were in Snarski’s Spokane, Wash. home at around 12:30 a.m., when an intruder armed with a shotgun and handgun broke in. Snarski immediately knew who was responsible; several hours earlier he and Lewis had acquired a restraining order against Lewis’ ex-boyfriend following a string of threats. After retrieving a pistol, Snarski called 911, positioned himself at the top of the home’s staircase, warned the criminal that he was armed and ordered him to leave. The criminal refused, firing the shotgun and pistol up the stairs towards the couple. Snarski returned fire, mortally wounding the home invader. Neither Snarski or Lewis were injured during the attack. Local law enforcement officials have praised Snarski’s actions, with Deputy Craig Chamberlin of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office stating, “His quick thinking most definitely saved both him and his girlfriend’s lives… He handled it perfect, from getting a restraining order to maintaining composure in an extremely stressful situation.” In a media interview following the incident, Snarski shared some advice, remarking, “I believe everyone should have some kind of pistol for their own protection, for your own safety… If I didn’t think like that I wouldn’t be here right now.”

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signs Right-to-Carry bill
Gov. Mary Fallin signed into law Tuesday a measure that allows Oklahomans to openly carry handguns.The measure, Senate Bill 1733, allows those who are licensed to carry a firearm under the Oklahoma Self Defense Act a choice: to openly carry a weapon or conceal it.

Oklahoma Officials: Open carry no problem
Local law enforcement officials say the signing of a bill allowing Oklahomans to openly carry firearms won’t create problems in Muskogee. The bill was signed by Gov. Mary Fallin on Tuesday. Oklahoma will become the 25th state in the nation with “permissive open carry” laws or “licensed open carry” laws.

Texas: New rule to offer suppressors for hunting after Sept. 1
The state will begin offering permits for game hunters to use silencers on their guns, effective Sept. 1.The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted rules in March that permit the use of silencers for the hunting of alligators, game animals or game birds. Such devices already were legal for the hunting of exotic animals, including feral hogs.

Canada: Under pressure from feds, N.B. abandons record-keeping on gun sales
The province of New Brunswick announced Tuesday that it will adhere to the federal government's wishes and no longer require gun dealers to keep records of sales of long guns and who purchased them.

Michigan: House Committee Considers Legislation to Repeal Permit to Purchase and Registration this Thursday, May 17
As previously reported, the Michigan House Judiciary Committee will have a hearing this Thursday, May 17, to review an important and long-overdue bill that would eliminate the state handgun “permit-to-purchase” and registration requirements. This committee will hear House Bill 5225 and consider this proposed amendment language that will be used as a substitute for HB 5225 when this hearing takes place.

Don’t Let the Missouri General Assembly End Session THIS Friday Without Passing Important Right-to-Carry Reforms
Please call your state Representative today and urge him or her to vote to concur with the Senate version of the NRA-supported Senate Bill 489 and Senate Bill 760. Time is running out and these bills need your help to reach the Governor’s desk by THIS Friday.

Louisiana: Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment Now Eligible for Consideration in the State House
Yesterday, the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 303 sending it to the floor of the state House for consideration. This legislation, which would provide for the country’s strongest “right to keep and bear arms” constitutional amendment, still faces an uphill battle in the state House. SB 303 has already passed in the state Senate and has been endorsed by Governor Bobby Jindal.

Open Carry Becomes Law in Oklahoma
Today, Governor Mary Fallin signed into law the Open Carry/Omnibus gun bill, Senate Bill 1733. Senate Bill 1733 is an omnibus firearm bill containing significant improvements to Oklahoma gun laws, including allowing concealed carry permit holders the choice of open carrying.

Camper fells rabid mountain lion, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Ariz. 05/09/12
A group of four campers were having breakfast in the Tonto National Forest in Arizona, when a mountain lion came upon the camp and attacked one of the camper’s dogs. The campers rushed to the dog’s defense, with one hitting the lion over the head with a skillet until another camper could dispatch the animal with a pistol. Following the incident, the group notified the Arizona Game and Fish Department, who sent wildlife officials to bring the body to a lab for testing. Tests revealed the mountain lion to be rabid.

California: Bill would turn crime victims into criminals
Gun owners would have to report stolen or missing firearms to authorities within 48 hours of discovering them missing under a bill approved by the state Senate.

Miller: Injured vet’s guns stolen by D.C.
After being injured on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, Lt. Augustine Kim spent the night in a D.C. jail for possessing unregistered guns. Mr. Kim was transporting his firearms from his parents’ house in New Jersey to South Carolina when he stopped at Walter Reed in Washington for a medical appointment in the summer of 2010.

Canada: Police have authority to confiscate gun registries that flout federal law
The RCMP should waltz into gun shops across Canada and confiscate back-door long-gun registries, if necessary, one of Canada's premier gun law experts says.

Rhode Island: Pair of Anti-Gun Bills to be Heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee Tomorrow
Senate Bill 2573 is a dramatic departure from current law and completely overturns state pre-emption of firearms. This bill would allow anti-gun localities to impose whatever gun control measures they desire, and strip the state of its ability to regulate firearms. This dangerous and sweeping bill needs to be defeated. Senate Bill 2582 could threaten youth shooters and hunters with criminal prosecution. S.2582 is the Senate version of H.7605 and H.7881, which have already been heard in the House Judiciary Committee. Last week, the House Judiciary Committee voted to hold H.7881 for further consideration. Advertised as anti-crime/anti-gang bills, these bills would have serious implications for youth shooters.

New Hampshire: Only Three Days Remain for Senate Action on Permitless Carry Legislation
An opportunity to expand gun rights in New Hampshire will be lost unless the Senate takes immediate action on House Bill 536. This Thursday, May 17, is the deadline for the Senate passage of HB 536—so this important pro-gun legislation needs your IMMEDIATE help. Contact your state Senator TODAY in support of this legislation.

Ohio: Hearing Tomorrow for Comprehensive Pro-Gun Reform Legislation
Tomorrow, the Ohio House State Government and Elections Committee will hear sponsor testimony on House Bill 495. On March 27, state Representative Terry Johnson (HD-89) introduced HB 495, which would address several problems with current Ohio gun laws.

Rehberg Second Amendment provision survives anti-gun Obama veto threat
Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today praised the U.S. House for standing up for Second Amendment rights in the face of ongoing anti-gun efforts on the part of President Obama and his allies in the House and Senate. Language, which Rehberg included in the Fiscal Year 2013 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill, drew an Obama Veto threat but the House stood behind Rehberg and refused to remove it from the underlying bill.

D.C.’s mayor holds up gun rights
Washington gun owners’ rights are, once again, getting blown off by city leaders. While the city council voted unanimously on April 17 in favor of a bill to ease restrictions on Second Amendment rights, Mayor Vincent Gray has not signed the bill into law.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin says she'll sign Right-to-Carry measure
Gov. Mary Fallin said Saturday she will sign a bill into law that will allow Oklahomans with concealed handgun permits to carry their weapons in the open.

Virginia: Spotsylvania County Board mulling firearm change
Spotsylvania County gun owners who live on more than an acre may soon be able to shoot on their property.Residents currently face misdemeanor charges if they fire guns in any subdivision, regardless of how many acres their lots are.

Canada: RCMP letter fuels battle over gun records
RCMP commissioner Bob Paulson has instructed chief firearms officers to ensure that any conditions they impose on gun store owners do not facilitate the creation of a long-gun registry.In a letter sent Thursday, Paulson doesn't explicitly tell the CFOs that gun store owners should not keep ledgers that record the names and licence numbers of customers, but he carefully reminds them that Public Safety Minister Vic Toews doesn't want any records kept.Paulson tells the CFOs that the passage of C-19, the bill that abolished the requirement for unrestricted long guns to be registered, "leaves no doubt that Parliament has sought to eliminate any form of a long-gun registry."

California: Anti-Gun Bills Still Advancing
The California Legislature is steadily marching towards passing further restrictions to your Second Amendment rights. All gun owners in California need to get the message to their state Senate and Assembly Member to OPPOSE all anti-gun legislation that will further erode the Second Amendment and California’s hunting heritage. Everyone, including your state legislators, knows that criminals DO NOT respect or obey the law and the anti-gun bills reported below are only stopping law-abiding gun owners from exercising and enjoying their Second Amendment rights and hunting heritage. Please call AND e-mail your state legislators TODAY and urge them to STOP SUPPORTING criminals by disarming law-abiding citizens. Also, forward this alert to your family, friends and fellow gun owners across California and urge them to do the same.

California: Support Needed for Continued Operation of Gun Club
The Winchester Canyon Gun Club operates a public shooting range in the Los Padres National Forest. The Club’s original permit was issued in the 1960’s. It expired in 1995 and has been authorized on an annual basis ever since.   The U.S. Forest Service must prepare an environmental impact analysis on the proposed action to renew the Club’s permit for twenty years. Announcement of this process was posted in the April 27th Federal Register.

Illinois: Common Sense Ammunition Purchase Reform Legislation Sent to Governor
On May 9, the Illinois House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 681 by a strong, bi-partisan 89 to 28 vote, after receiving approval in March in the Senate. This common sense ammunition purchase reform now heads to Governor Pat Quinn (D) desk to await his signature, and it needs your support. Please contact the Governor today and urge him to sign SB 681 into law.

Missouri: Time is Running Out for Firearm Legislation
Please call your state Representative today and urge him or her to vote to concur with the Missouri Senate version of the NRA-supported Senate Bill 489. This bill could receive a third reading in the House as soon as this Monday, May 14, and needs your help to reach the Governor’s desk.

Legislative Session Begins in North Carolina
The North Carolina General Assembly will convene its “short session” on Wednesday, May 16. The NRA and law-abiding gun owners made tremendous advancements last year with the enactment of House Bill 650, the omnibus firearm bill. However, there is still work to be done. While new legislation cannot be introduced this year, NRA-backed House Bill 111 made last year’s crossover deadline and is therefore still viable for consideration this session.

Iowa: Senate Democratic Leadership Snubs Hunters, Firearm Owners and the Second Amendment
On Wednesday, May 9th, the Iowa Legislature adjourned for 2012. While hunters, firearm owners, and Second Amendment supporters saw substantial progress in the Iowa House, the Senate Democratic leadership left everyone empty-handed.

Oklahoma: True Emergency Powers Language and Firearms Omnibus Bill Head to Governor
On May 9, the Oklahoma Senate approved Senate Bill 1760 by an overwhelming majority, and today voted to pass Senate Bill 1733. SB 1760 will guarantee “Emergency Powers” firearm protections during declared states of emergency, while SB 1733 is an omnibus firearms bill which contains significant improvements to Oklahoma firearms laws. Both measures now go to Governor Mary Fallin for her signature. Your NRA-ILA continues our work to assist passage of additional legislation to expand firearm freedoms in the Sooner State, such as Senate Bill 1743, the “Landowner’s Hunting Freedom Act.” Please remember to contact your state Senator and Representative to encourage his or her support of Senate Bill 1743. The Oklahoma Legislature must finish their business by May 25, but an early adjournment is possible.

Grassroots Alert: Vol. 19, No. 19 05/11/2012

Eleven Wins for Gun Owners
On Thursday, May 10, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5326--the appropriations bill for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies fiscal year 2013--by a vote of 247-163.

Statement from Chris W. Cox on Richard Mourdock's Significant Win in the Indiana U.S. Senate Primary Election
Thanks to your votes, Richard Mourdock has won the Republican primary election for U.S. Senate in Indiana defeating 36-year incumbent, Sen. Richard Lugar. Since the 1990s, Sen. Lugar has become notorious for his zealous support of gun control schemes and his fervent anti-gun positions.

Major Victory for Hunters and Sportsmen in Iowa--Governor Branstad Announces Lifting of Iowa Traditional Ammo Ban
On Friday, May 10, Governor Terry Branstad announced that he will nullify the traditional ammunition ban in Iowa. In July 2011, the Iowa Natural Resources Commission imposed the ban--after the topic was debated and resoundingly rejected by the legislature--following the enactment of the first dove-hunting season since 1918. The NRC slipped in the ban on the use of all traditional ammunition while setting bag limits and other regulations with regard to the reenacted Iowa dove-hunting season.

"Stand Your Ground" Laws Attacked Despite Broad Public Support
In an effort to capitalize on the Trayvon Martin shooting, this week, Reps. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, threatened to offer a so-called "Trayvon Amendment" that would cut funding to states with "stand your ground" laws. The legislators quickly reversed course when they learned the motion would likely be ruled out of order.

Florida: Self-defense law enjoys strong support, opinion poll finds
A Suffolk University/WSVN-Ch. 7 poll released Thursday shows 50 percent of Florida voters support the law that allows people who feel threatened in the street or most other public places to use deadly force to defend themselves. Just 32 percent oppose the law and 18 percent are undecided.

Oklahoma senators approve open-carry bill
A bill to allow Oklahomans with a concealed-carry permit to openly carry their handguns is headed to the governor, who is expected to sign the legislation that passed the state Senate on Thursday.

Ohio: OSU student group asks for dialogue on campus carry
OSU student group Buckeyes for Concealed Carry, held a forum Thursday night to encourage discussion on allowing concealed handguns on OSU's campus. Currently Ohio law and university law prohibit that.

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.): Eric Holder’s ‘furious’ folly
Congress has a constitutional responsibility to exercise oversight over the Executive Branch, and for more than a year we’ve been attempting to fulfill that with respect to the Justice Department’s “Fast and Furious” scandal.

Democrats join Fast and Furious accountability efforts
Congressional Democrats are abandoning their party line en masse to support efforts to hold the administration accountable for Operation Fast and Furious.

Major Victory for Hunters and Sportsmen in Iowa
Fairfax, Va. – Governor Terry Branstad today announced that he will nullify the traditional ammunition ban in Iowa. In July 2011, the Iowa Natural Resources Commission (NRC) imposed the ban – after the topic was debated and resoundingly rejected by the legislature – following the enactment of the first dove-hunting season since 1918. The NRC slipped in the ban on the use of all traditional ammunition while setting bag limits and other regulations with regard to the reenacted Iowa dove-hunting season.

Media Matters Doesn't Really Matter
The group Media Matters for America hates NRA. Few organizations have more strongly proclaimed their disdain for our right to keep and bear arms and self-protection.

How Many Anti-Gun Activists Does it Take . . . ?
. . . to sort simple statistics incorrectly? The answer is, "Just a handful of busy beavers at the Violence Policy Center (VPC)." In April, VPC posted a press release on its website titled "Massachusetts Has Lowest Gun Death Rate in Nation," the gist of which is that states with lower gun ownership and stronger gun control laws had the lowest rates of gun-related death in 2009, and vice versa. VPC said that the the five states with the lowest firearm-related death rates were Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut (which have relatively less gun ownership) and the five with the highest rates were Louisiana, Alabama, Montana, Wyoming and Mississippi (which have relatively higher gun ownership). The "strong" state-level gun laws VPC had in mind were "assault weapon" bans, purchase permits, and restrictive open and concealed carry laws.

New Hampshire: Time Running Out for Senate Action on Permitless Carry Legislation
Important pro-gun legislation needs your IMMEDIATE help. There is only ONE week left for the state Senate to act on House Bill 536. If the Senate does not take action on HB 536 by Thursday, May 17, law-abiding residents of New Hampshire will lose an opportunity to expand their gun rights.

Informative Articles, New Letters and Op-Ed’s from Florida
Below are various links to articles, blogs and opinion editorials from within Florida that you will find very informative.

Elderly vet scares off intruder, WPXI, Pittsburgh, Pa. 05/08/12
84-year-old Korean War veteran Fred Ricciutti and his wife were at home in Elizabeth Township, Pa., when at around 4:30 a.m. a man armed with a screwdriver and stun gun broke in through a kitchen window. Upon hearing the intrusion, Ricciutti retrieved a Luger pistol he carried during the war and went to investigate. When he found the home invader, Ricciutti ordered the criminal to halt, but when the intruder turned, Ricciutti fired, grazing the man in the back of the neck and causing him to flee. A short time later police captured the burglar a few blocks from Ricciutti’s house. When asked by local media if the home invader had picked the wrong target, Ricciutti replied, “I think he probably might have.”

New Mexico: Decision to review its reciprocity policies has advocates up in arms
On May 1, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety updated its concealed-carry reciprocity list. DPS determined that just six other states meet all of New Mexico’s requirements for reciprocity, despite the fact that it currently recognizes a total of 19 states’ concealed-carry permits.

Michigan: Oakland County merchants pleased with Michigan's new Taser law
Local stores don’t plan to waste much time in placing orders for Tasers on the heels of legislation legalizing the item for Michigan residents with concealed pistol licenses.

House to Eric Holder: Stop lying to us
The House Wednesday evening voted overwhelmingly to prevent the Justice Department from using taxpayer funds to lie to Congress. The vote came in a Wednesday evening series of amendments to a bill, H.R. 5326, funding the Justice Department for 2013. Members approved the language in a 381-41 vote; all 41 "no" votes came from Democrats, although 142 Democrats voted with Republicans in support of the amendment. The vote reflects the ongoing frustration Republicans — and apparently some Democrats — have with Attorney General Eric Holder.Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) offered the novel funding limitation amendment earlier in the day. The amendment was a reaction to arguments that Justice lied when it told Congress in February 2011 that it had no involvement in a gun-walking program called Operation Fast and Furious.

Canada: Holster 'back-door' gun registries
Unless public sentiment has been misread, police forces across Canada have a tough slog ahead if they hope to restore both their collective image and the confidence of those they serve and protect.

Louisiana Constitutional Amendment Needs Your Help on Monday
Last week, the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice voted 9 to 5 to pass Senate Bill 303, legislation that would provide for the country’s strongest “right to keep and bear arms” constitutional amendment. SB 303 has already passed in the state Senate and has been endorsed by Governor Bobby Jindal. Currently, SB 303 is scheduled for consideration in the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee on Monday May 14.

D.C. getting better at respecting gun rights
Give the Council of the District of Columbia some credit. They're actually responding to criticisms about how the city's gun laws are being implemented.The council's Judiciary Committee chairman, Phil Mendelson, used his oversight powers to force the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to make changes over the past two weeks so that officers would properly explain and enforce the three year old firearms' laws.

Michigan: New law allows residents to carry stun guns
Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation allowing Michigan residents with concealed pistol licenses to carry a Taser as a nonlethal form of self protection.

Plan would end reporting of semi-auto rifles sales
House Republicans, accusing President Obama of waging a war on gun owners, plan to cut off funding for an administration rule requiring firearms dealers in border states to report multiple sales of certain rifles.

Canada: Tories are warning provincial bureaucrats against collecting details on gun buyers
Public Safety Minister Vic Toews has threatened bring the law down on any provincial or territorial chief firearms officer who insists on setting up a backdoor long gun registry.

Obama Administration threatens veto over important NRA-backed provision!
Obama Administration threatens veto over important NRA backed provision!

Georgia: Governor Deal Signs NRA-Backed Legislation into Law
On May 3, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal (R) signed SB 350 into law. Senate Bill 350, which went into effect immediately upon the Governor’s approval, ensures protection for seized firearms.

Florida: Governor Scott Signs Three Pro-Gun Bills into Law
This year, three pro-gun/pro-sportsmen bills passed in the Florida legislature and were enacted into law by Governor Rick Scott.

WFAA, Fort Worth, Texas 05/07/12
Pastor Anthony Jobe was at home in Fort Worth, Texas, when a man rang his doorbell and then attempted to break in through a side door. Upon discovering the criminal, Jobe retrieved a gun and fired at the intruder, striking him and causing him to flee. The criminal was captured a short time later when he sought medical attention for his wounds. The intruder’s injuries have been reported as non-life-threatening. When interviewed by local media, Jobe stated, “That’s unfortunate, shooting pastor, I know… I shoot more as a hobby and I like to go to the gun range, but this is unfortunate that this happened like this, but you have to do what you have to do to protect your family.”

Gun carriers from other states welcome in Okla.
Gun toting residents of other states will be allowed to carry concealed weapons in Oklahoma under a bill signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin. Fallin on Monday signed the bill, which allows gun owners from states that don't require a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Oklahoma. Under the bill, the firearm must remain concealed and the person must have a valid identification to prove that he or she is a legal resident of a non permitting state.

Pennsylvania: Updates to check system to delay gun purchases
Pennsylvania gun customers won't be able to buy a firearm for three days later this month because the state's instant check system will be down. State police said the automated fingerprint identification system, known as AFIS, will be replaced.

Issa to Holder: You can still avoid contempt if you give up Fast and Furious documents
A spokeswoman for House oversight committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa told The Daily Caller that Attorney General Eric Holder could still avoid the contempt of Congress proceedings on the horizon -- if he cooperates with the congressional subpoena he's thus far failed to comply with.

Lott: Media Matters, 'Stand Your Ground' and me
Media Matters’ Founder David Brock showed no shame when he was caught illegally using guns for his own personal protection. Indeed, Media Matters’ continues to lash out at others who own guns or support letting individuals use guns for the own protection, even increasing their attacks.

Canada: Toronto councillors want long gun registry data saved
When the federal government shuts down the long gun registry, the provincial government shouldn't get rid of the data it has provided, say two city councillors and a coalition of victims' advocates and women's organizations.

Indonesia: Top lawmaker wants civilian gun ban
House Deputy Speaker Pramono Anung has called on the government to ban the private ownership of firearms. "There is no need for civilians, including House members, to own firearms. Humans are unpredictable. We may lose control when overcome with emotion," Pramono of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI P) said on Monday.

Australia: Ammunition bill angers Shooters Party
The NSW government has been warned that tough new firearm laws could jeopardise support for a multibillion dollar sell off of electric power assets. The NSW Shooters and Fishers Party says planned curbs on ammunition will make it harder for its members to support government legislation, including the power sell off.

Statement from Chris W. Cox on Richard Mourdock's Significant Win in the Indiana U.S. Senate Primary Election
Thanks to your votes, Richard Mourdock has won the Republican primary election for U.S. Senate in Indiana defeating 36-year incumbent, Sen. Richard Lugar. Since the 1990s, Sen. Lugar has become notorious for his zealous support of gun control schemes and his fervent anti-gun positions.

Hawaii: Important NRA Instructor Liability Bill Awaits Governor’s Approval
With the Hawaii Legislature formally adjourning on May 4, one pro-gun bill passed before this deadline, House Bill 679. Introduced by state Representative Ken Ito (D-48) and six other state Representatives, HB 679 would exempt NRA instructors from absolute liability for injury or damage caused by their firearms during the course of providing firearms training at a firing range for the purpose of acquiring a permit to purchase a firearm.

Nevada to Recognize South Carolina’s Right-to-Carry Permit
As of July 2012, South Carolina will be added to the list of states for which Nevada recognizes concealed carry weapons permits (CCW), bringing their new total to sixteen states. South Carolina joins Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee and West Virginia as states whose CCW permits are recognized in Nevada.

California: Fresno dealers see sales of guns soar
Blame it on the upcoming election, fear of crime or even the Mayan calendar, but Fresno gun dealers say business is booming.

Gun sales surge in Central Pennsylvania as election nears
Gun sales are on the rise as fear connected to the upcoming presidential election, along with crime rise. Freedom Armory in Glen Rock, York County has seen a 25% increase in sales. The spike became apparent in November, during the 2012 Presidential Republican Primary debates. Handguns make up the bulk of the sales. Some believing President Barack Obama will win re election and implement stricter gun laws.

Maine: Citizens needed new law's help against gun seizure during crises
Think this couldn't happen in America? It did in New Orleans, during Hurricane Katrina.With more than half the city flooded and many people unable to evacuate, officials sent police around not to guard vulnerable law abiding citizens, but to take their guns, leaving them defenseless against the criminals roaming the streets.

Anti-Gun Bill to be Considered in Rhode Island House Committee
House Bill 7605 by state Representatives Grace Diaz (D-11), Mary Messier (D-62), Patrick O`Neill (D-59), Agostinho F. Silva (D-56) and Maria E. Cimini (D-7) and House Bill 7881 by Representatives Cimini, Edith H. Ajello (D-3), John M. Carnevale (D-13), Roberto DaSilva (D-63), and Anastasia Williams (D-9) could threaten youth shooters and hunters with criminal prosecution. Advertised as anti-crime/anti-gang bills, these bills would have serious implications for youth shooters. Both bills, which are nearly identical, have already had a committee hearing and testimony, but await further action. H.7881 is scheduled for another hearing this Tuesday, May 8, in the House Judiciary Committee and H.7605 could come up for another hearing at anytime.

Virginia: NRA-Endorsed Candidate Ousts MAIG Mayor in Quantico
On May 1, NRA-endorsed Kevin Brown defeated incumbent Mayor Iris Tharp by ten votes. Tharp is a member of “Mayors Against Illegal Guns" (MAIG), a national anti-gun coalition founded and funded by activist anti-gun billionaire and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Tharp proudly stood with New York City Mayor Bloomberg and his anti-gun cronies against Virginia’s law-abiding gun owners.   The NRA thanks our members in Quantico who voted to have freedom restored to their town by electing Kevin Brown and defeating Iris Tharp.

California: Anti-Gun Bills Need Your Help to be Stopped
Mark Twain is quoted as saying, "No man`s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session." Well, California has definitely proven that statement true over the years. Anti-gun legislators and activists are working hard to impose more restrictions on law-abiding gun owners and your help is needed to STOP this madness.  Everyone knows that criminals DO NOT respect or obey the law and the anti-gun bills reported below are only stopping law-abiding gun owners from exercising and enjoying their Second Amendment rights and hunting heritage. Please call AND e-mail your state Legislators TODAY and urge them to STOP SUPPORTING criminals by disarming law-abiding citizens.

Minnesota Governor Signs Important Pro-Hunting Legislation into Law
Yesterday, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton (D) signed House File 2171, the 2012 Game and Fish Omnibus Bill. This legislation includes Minnesota’s first regulated wolf hunting and trapping season, as well as provisions allowing youth firearm education and safety courses at specified publicly-owned or managed firearm ranges

Minnesota Governor Signs Important Pro-Hunting Legislation into Law
Yesterday, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton (D) signed House File 2171, the 2012 Game and Fish Omnibus Bill. This legislation includes Minnesota’s first regulated wolf hunting and trapping season, as well as provisions allowing youth firearm education and safety courses at specified publicly-owned or managed firearm ranges

Your Help is Needed to Expand Hunting Opportunities in Illinois
House Bill 4819 stalled in the state Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee this week and needs your support. This legislation, if enacted, would expand the use of crossbows for hunting to provide increased opportunities for new and experienced hunters alike. Please contact members of the Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee today and respectfully urge them to support House Bill 4819 and the full inclusion of crossbows for hunting!

Your Help is Needed to Expand Hunting Opportunities in Illinois
House Bill 4819 stalled in the state Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee this week and needs your support. This legislation, if enacted, would expand the use of crossbows for hunting to provide increased opportunities for new and experienced hunters alike. Please contact members of the Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee today and respectfully urge them to support House Bill 4819 and the full inclusion of crossbows for hunting!

Grassroots Alert: Vol. 19, No. 18 05/04/2012

Cox: We'll Fight for You
"I Hunt, but the N.R.A. Isn't for Me," by Lily Raff McCaulou (Op Ed, April 25), is another desperate, but predictable, election year stunt to try to marginalize National Rifle Association members. The N.R.A. not only represents four million N.R.A. members, but polls also indicate that tens of millions more support us, and a healthy percentage of the population takes our positions into account before casting a vote.