NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 9, No. 31 8/02/02

1-800-392-8683

www.nraila.org

Please forward this information to your family, friends, and fellow gun owners!

When we last reported on S. 2268, which blocks politically motivated lawsuits that attempt to hold law-abiding gun makers liable for the criminal misuse of their products, 22 Senators had signed on as co-sponsors. However, due in large part to the efforts of NRA members and the pro-gun community over the course of the last two weeks, the number of Senate co-sponsors of S. 2268 has grown to 39.

Our thanks go out to the following U.S. Senators who have recently added their support to this bill: Wayne Allard (R-Co.); Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-Mo.); John Breaux (D-La.); Sam Brownback (R-Kan.); Jim Bunning (R-Ky.); Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Co.); Pete Domenici (R-N.M.); Charles Grassley (R-Ia.); Orrin Hatch (R-Ut.); Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.); James Inhofe (R-Okla.); Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.); Ben Nelson (D-Neb.); Don Nickles (R-Okla.); Pat Roberts (R-Kan.); and Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.).

As encouraging as this recent progress has been, there is still room for improvement. With that in mind, if you don't see either of your Senators listed above, be sure to contact them at (202) 224-3121 to urge them to co-sponsor S. 2268! Those on the Internet can find additional contact information by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org.

In the wake of three unsolved serial murders of women in Baton Rouge over the last 10 months, on his weekly radio show yesterday, Louisiana Governor Mike Foster (R) reminded women that they have yet another means of self-defense available to them. Referring to women opting to obtain a Right-to-Carry permit as a means to defend themselves, Gov. Foster added, "most people don't ever want to use a gun to protect themselves - that's the last thing they want to do - but if you know how and you have a situation with some fruitcake running around, like they've got right now, it sure can save you a lot of grief."

It is refreshing to have a high-ranking politician confirm that the right to self-defense is a fundamental right, while also promoting Right-to-Carry as a natural, common sense extension of the right to self-defense.

Our thanks to Gov. Foster for helping to bring this issue to the public eye!

On Thursday, voters in Tennessee went to the polls to determine party nominees in various races being held this November - including U.S. Senate, Governor's office, as well as U.S. House seats. On the GOP side of the contest, former two-term Governor Lamar Alexander gained the nod as his party's nominee for the U.S. Senate were he will face the Democratic nominee Congressman Bob Clement (TN-5).

Also moving on to the General Election were GOP gubernatorial nominee Congressman Van Hilleary (TN-4) who will be facing off against former Nashville Mayor Phil Bredesen (D). NRA-PVF "A-rated" State Senator Marsha Blackburn won the Republican nomination in TN-7, and NRA-PVF endorsed candidate State Senator Lincoln Davis (D) received his party's nomination in TN-4 for the November 5 General Election.

Kansas, Michigan, and Missouri will hold primary elections this Tuesday, August 6. NRA members in these states should have already received information on candidates endorsed by the NRA-Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) for the primaries, so please be sure to go to the polls and support pro-gun candidates for office, and encourage your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners to do the same. NRA members in these states who have not received this information can call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683 for more election-related information.

In preparation for the upcoming campaign season, NRA-ILA has been hosting FREE Grassroots-Election Workshops across the country, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Your NRA-ILA Grassroots staff has conducted 19 Workshops, providing nearly 2,000 NRA members the opportunity to receive critical advice as to what they can do in their communities to ensure pro-gun candidates win their races during key primary races and on Election Day, Nov. 5. These Workshops have also provided a venue for dozens of lawmakers, candidates seeking office, and their staffs to reach out to NRA members and explain their positions on our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. So far, our Election Workshops have visited the states of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, South Dakota, and West Virginia, and there are still more to come.

Upcoming Workshops are slated for Albuquerque, N.M., and Monroeville, Pa. - both set for Aug. 17 - followed by one in Mesquite, Tex., on Aug. 24, one in San Antonio, Tex., on Aug. 26, and finishing the month of August in Pontiac, Mich., and Medford, Ore., on Aug. 27, finally in Salt Lake City, Utah on Aug. 28. On Sept. 5, we'll be hosting a Workshop in Spokane, Wash., followed by two Workshops scheduled for Sept. 7th one in Sioux Falls, S.D., and one in Omaha, Neb. And on Sept. 9, there will be another South Dakota Workshop, this time in Aberdeen. Next on the schedule are two Workshops in Iowa, Sept. 10 in Davenport, and Sept. 12 in Ames, followed by a Saturday Workshop in South Bend, Ind. on Sept. 14. NRA members who are interested in attending an upcoming Workshop should contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683 for details and to reserve their spots. NRA members who have access to the Internet can also go to http://www.nraila.org/Workshops.asp to reserve their spots on-line.

NRA`s Refuse To Be A Victim® program provides men and women with common-sense crime prevention and personal safety strategies that can be used to decrease their chances of victimization. Since certified instructors schedule seminars on a daily basis, the most up-to-date schedule is available on the Internet at www.nrahq.org/rtbav, by e-mail at refuse@nrahq.org or by phone at (800) 861-1166.

The next seminar will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2002, in Sandy, Utah. For more information, or to reserve your spot, please contact Delber & James Winder 801-561-3265 or at demrow3@netscape.net

KANSAS

Tuesday, August 6, is primary election day in Kansas. If you are a registered voter, you are eligible to vote in this primary. Contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683 for information on the pro-gun candidates in your area. For state-specific voting information, call the Kansas Secretary of State's Office at (800) 262-8683.

MASSACHUSETTS

The State Senate voted this week to recess for the remainder of the summer without taking action on H.B. 5102, forcing Massachusetts freedom fighters to wait until the General Court reconvenes to pursue this serious gun law reform once again. While this important piece of legislation failed to roll back all of the oppressive anti-gun measures imposed by the legislature in 1998, it included several critical revisions, including provisions standardizing the size of firearm carry licenses and identification cards and allowing citizens with motor vehicle offenses and non-violent misdemeanors to own guns. Despite the bill's landslide passage in the House of Representatives and overwhelming support from NRA members, H.B. 5102 failed to withstand the partisan heavy-handedness of Senator Tom Birmingham. The Senator used his power as President of the Senate to block the bill's advancement out of committee, thus burying the measure indefinitely. Once again, thank you for your calls to your Senators and Representatives in support of this bill.

MICHIGAN

Tuesday, August 6, is primary election day in Michigan. If you are a registered voter, you are eligible to vote in this primary. Contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683 for information on the pro-gun candidates in your area. For state-specific voting information, contact your city or township clerk or call the Michigan Secretary of State's Office at (517) 322-1460.

MISSOURI

Tuesday, August 6, is primary election day in Missouri. If you are a registered voter, you are eligible to vote in this primary. Contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683 for information on the pro-gun candidates in your area. For state-specific voting information, contact the Missouri Secretary of State's Office at (800) 669-8683.

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina NRA members must act quickly to make sure important lawsuit legislation reaches the Governor's desk! In July, the North Carolina Senate overwhelmingly passed H.B. 622, the NRA-backed measure to stop reckless lawsuits against firearm manufacturers. By a vote of 42-5, the Senate agreed to prevent municipalities from filing politically-motivated lawsuits that attempt to hold gun makers liable for the criminal misuse of their products. On Monday, August 5, the bill faces a critical concurrence vote in the House before it can be presented to the Governor for his signature. You can make a difference by encouraging your Representative to support H.B. 622! If you are unsure of how to reach your Representative, please call the main General Assembly number, (919) 733-7928, and ask for assistance. Those with access to the Internet can also use the "Write Your Reps" tool at www.NRAILA.org.

TENNESSEE

Tennessee NRA members are credited with making the difference in a number of extremely close primary elections this past Thursday, August 1! Pro-gun, NRA-endorsed candidates experienced overwhelming success thanks to all of you who took the time to go to the polls and vote for candidates committed to protecting our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. You took a stand for freedom