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NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 11, No. 3 VOTERS` VIEWS ON FIREARM OWNERS` RIGHTS AND HUNTING The highly respected research firm Zogby International has conducted the first installment of its 2004 Zogby Values Poll, surveying 1,200 voters nationwide on issues that included firearms and hunting. Working with the Tower Center for Political Studies at Southern Methodist University and the O`Leary Report, Zogby`s questions interestingly examine differences in thinking between people living in the states that voted for George Bush in 2000 (Red states) and Al Gore (Blue states). Voters were asked: "Do you agree or disagree that American firearm manufacturers who sell a legal product that is not defective should be allowed to be sued if a criminal uses their products in a crime?" Voters in both Red and Blue states strongly oppose such lawsuits?74% of the former and 72% of the latter. In fact, a majority in every demographic group opposed the lawsuits; the most strongly opposed, at 83%, were current members of the military and their families. The survey also examined how Americans feel about Right-to-Carry laws, with the pollster asking: "Currently 36 states have laws that allow residents to qualify for a permit to carry a firearm to protect themselves if they pass a background check, if they participate in firearms training and pay a fee to cover administrative costs. Do you feel this is a good law or a bad law?" Voters overwhelming favor these self-protection laws by a margin of 79% to 18%. Right-to-Carry drew better than 70% support in every demographic group, with even non-gun owners indicating their backing by 73% to 23%. The survey also asked: "Which of the following two statements regarding gun control comes closer to your own opinion? Statement A: There needs to be new and tougher gun control legislation to help in the fight against gun crime; Statement B: There are enough laws on the books. What is needed is better enforcement of current laws regarding gun control." By a better than two-to-one margin?66% to 31%?voters nationwide agreed with Statement B. Only self-identified liberals called for more laws, by a 53% to 44% margin. Moderates solidly favored better enforcement, 62% to 34%. Voters were asked: "Do you agree the NRA is right to fight gun control on both the federal and state levels?" NRA`s support stood at 64%, with a party affiliation breakdown showing Democrats siding with NRA 54% to 42%, and Republicans 73% to 22%. Voters were also asked about hunting: "Which of the follow statements comes closer to your opinion? Statement A: Killing wild animals for food or sport is an American tradition and an essential part of wildlife management. Statement B: Hunting is a cruel sport and should be outlawed." Statement A was chosen by of 92% of gun owners and 73% of non-gun owners. The survey also addressed wildlife overpopulation, asking: "Some states in America are being overrun with growing populations of deer, bear, or wolves. When this happens, which of the following do you feel is the best option to take? 1) The state should lengthen hunting seasons; 2) Non-lethal methods of control should be used; 3) People should learn to live with wildlife." Lengthening hunting seasons was the overwhelming response, chosen by 61% of the voters, while only 18% said use non-lethal methods, and 16% opted for coexistence. The entire 2004 Zogby Values Poll can be found at www.olearyreport.com WISCONSIN SENATE OVERRIDES RIGHT-TO-CARRY VETO As reported in last week`s issue of the Grassroots Alert, despite the support of the majority of the legislature, rank-and-file police officers, and the people of Wisconsin, on November 18, Governor Jim Doyle (D) vetoed legislation that would allow law-abiding Wisconsin citizens the Right-to-Carry firearms for protection of themselves and their loved ones. It is regrettable that Governor Doyle does not trust his law-abiding constituents with the right of self-defense. This is common sense legislation that requires mandatory training, a permit from the sheriff, and a criminal background check. Even polls by Right-to-Carry opponents reveal that a majority of Wisconsinites support this law. Fortunately, the citizens of Wisconsin can still let their voices be heard on this vitally important issue. On January 22, the State Senate voted to override Governor Doyle`s veto of the 2003 Personal Protection Act. At press time, the State Assembly vote is still pending, but is expected as early as next Tuesday. It is therefore crucial that Wisconsin residents contact their Representatives and respectfully urge them to vote to override the Governor`s veto. You can find contact information for your Legislators by using the "Write your Representatives" feature at www.NRAILA.org NRA-ILA GRASSROOTS ELECTION WORKSHOPS In preparation for the 2004 elections, NRA-ILA is hosting FREE Grassroots-Election Workshops across the country. These Workshops provide NRA members with training on what they can do locally to ensure pro-gun candidates are elected to office in 2004. The meetings also provide a venue for lawmakers, candidates, and their staffs to reach out to NRA members and explain their positions on our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. The next Workshop is slated for: Frederick, Md.? Tomorrow, 1/24/04 NRA members who are interested in attending should contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) for details and to reserve their spots. NRA members who have access to the Internet can also go to www.nraila.org/workshops/ to reserve their spots on-line. TWO NRA STATE Y.E.S. EVENTS TO BE HELD, IN PENNSYLVANIA & VIRGINIA Two of NRA`s State Youth Education Summits (Y.E.S.) will be held this April, the first in Harrisburg, Penn. (April 1-4), and the second in Richmond, Va. (April 22-25). State Y.E.S. events consist of a four-day scholastic leadership program in the host state`s capital, where students have the opportunity to learn about their state`s history, tour the Capitol building, meet with state legislators, receive an introduction to public speaking and debating, and spend some time at a local range, among other activities. One student will be selected from each state Y.E.S. program for an all-expenses-paid trip to the national Y.E.S. program in Washington, D.C., this June, where he will tour the Nation`s capital, meet other students from across the country who share a common background in the shooting sports, make friendships that last a lifetime, and have the opportunity to compete for $20,000 in college scholarships! We are currently looking for 20 high school sophomores and juniors from Pennsylvania and Virginia, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, to participate. If you know of students who would be qualified for this exciting program, please help us by telling them about this great opportunity. For more details and an application packet, please contact Lauren Eden at NRA Headquarters at (800) NRA-3888, ext. 1342, or via email, at leden@nrahq.org. Please call or e-mail today! Applications MUST be received by February 6 for the Pennsylvania Summit, and by February 27 for the Virginia Summit! STAY INFORMED & HELP SAVE ILA FUNDS If you have an e-mail address, but you still receive the NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert every Friday via fax, we encourage you to switch over to our e-mail system. We can send e-mail at virtually no cost, while each fax incurs the cost of a long distance call, not to mention your cost in paper. E-mail also allows you more flexibility in relaying our information to others. If you would like to switch to e-mail delivery, just go to www.NRAILA.org, then follow the instructions through the link called "Sign Up For Email." Once you start receiving our alerts via e-mail, please call the Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683, and let us know so we can take you off the fax system. A LOOK AT THE STATES NORTH CAROLINA This week North Carolina officials recognized Indiana`s Right-to-Carry permits, bringing the total number of states which North Carolina recognizes up to 21. VIRGINIA The Virginia State Senate Courts of Justice Committee has passed Senate Bill 48. SB 48, sponsored by Senator Henry L. Marsh (D-16) would place a $15 tax on any private transfer of a firearm at a gun show and force sellers to register with the Virginia State Police. SB 48 defines a gun show as any place where 25 or more guns are offered for sale. This would mean any collector`s home could become a "gun show." The bill now moves to the Senate Finance Committee where it could be voted out and moved to the floor by next week. Please call your Senator and respectfully urge him to vote against SB 48. You can find your Senator`s contact information by using the "Write Your Representatives" feature at www.NRAILA.org. For more information on gun shows, please visit http://www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?ID=157 |