[PAA-Discuss] FW: PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS THE "PROTECTION OF LAWFUL COMMERCE IN ARMS ACT

[zappa2004]

This is just so disgusting.  (from a rabid "friend")

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2005 9:02 AM

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "NRA-ILA Alerts" <NRA-ILA_Alerts.UM.A.2.3978 at www.nranews.org>
Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 18:31:06 -0400

NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 12, No. 43 10/28/05
>
>PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS 
>"PROTECTION OF LAWFUL COMMERCE IN ARMS ACT"
>Landmark NRA Victory Now Law 
>
>On Wednesday, President George W. Bush signed into law the NRA-backed
>"Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" (S. 397) to end politically
>motivated lawsuits designed to bankrupt law-abiding American firearm
>manufacturers and retailers.  S. 397 passed both chambers in Congress
>with broad bipartisan support.
>
>"This is an historic day for freedom.  I would like to thank President
>Bush for signing the most significant piece of pro-gun legislation in
>twenty years into law.  History will show that this law helped save the
>American firearms industry from collapse under the burden of these
>ruinous and politically motivated lawsuits," said NRA Executive Vice
>President Wayne LaPierre.
>
>In late July, the U.S. Senate approved the measure 65-31.  Last week,
>the U.S. House overwhelmingly passed the bill 283-144.  The new law is a
>monumental victory for NRA and its members.
>
>"What we witness today is the culmination of a seven-year effort that
>included a comprehensive legislative and election strategy," stated
>NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox.  "We had to work hard to change
>the political landscape to allow for passage of this landmark
>legislation.  As always, our members were up to the task.  It was key
>electoral victories in 2000, 2002 and 2004 that helped pave the way for
>passage of this law.
>
>"The Bush administration was a vital ally during debate on Capitol Hill.
> I would also like to thank Senators Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and Max
>Baucus (D-Mont.) and Congressmen Rick Boucher (D-Va.) and Cliff Stearns
>(R-Fla.) for doing a yeoman's job as lead co-sponsors of this
>legislation.  In addition, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.),
>Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Senate Republican
>Conference Chairman Rick Santorum (R-Penn.) ought to be commended for
>their steadfast leadership during Senate deliberations," added Cox. 
>
>In recent years, 33 states have passed similar legislation outlawing
>reckless lawsuits intended to bankrupt the gun industry.  However, this
>new law creates judicial uniformity in all courts across the United
>States.
>
>"This law will help preserve the American firearms industry and also
>help preserve American manufacturing jobs.  American companies will
>cease to make products if they continue to be sued every time a violent
>criminal they do not know, have never met, and cannot control, misuses a
>legal, non-defective product.  This is a significant step toward saving
>millions of manufacturing jobs," concluded LaPierre.
>
>VIRGINIA & NEW JERSEY ELECTION ALERT
>
>In less than two weeks, on Tuesday, November 8, Virginia and New Jersey
>will hold elections.  NRA members in these states are encouraged to head
>to the polls and vote for those candidates who support our Right to Keep
>and Bear Arms!  And please be sure to urge your family, friends, and
>fellow firearm owners to vote on November 8, as well.
>
>For up-to-the-minute campaign information, and to see what you can do to
>help elect pro-Second Amendment candidates, members are strongly
>encouraged to visit the NRA-Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) website, 
>www.NRAPVF.org.  The site is loaded with all of the critical information
>you'll need to make informed decisions on Election Day, November 8. 
>Included on the site are news stories, articles from NRA's magazines,
>NRA-PVF press releases, polling information, and a listing of NRA-PVF
>candidate grades and endorsements.
>
>In addition, you will find our multimedia section--
>www.nrapvf.org/Multimedia/Default.aspx --which houses easy-to-access ads
>that are suited for distribution among your fellow NRA Members!  If
>you're already an NRA member, you will be able to visit the special "NRA
>Members Only" section with features exclusive to you. Simply log in with
>your NRA member number (the number is printed on your membership card
>and on the cover of  your magazine). Once logged in, members will have
>special access to NRA-PVF screen savers and wallpaper, a convenient
>display of the candidate grades for your lawmakers, and a "Build Your
>Own e-Precinct" section.
>
>NRA members who have not received NRA-PVF endorsement information should
>visit the website, or call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800)
>392-VOTE (8683) for additional candidate information.  This information
>was also contained in the November issue of your NRA magazine.
>
>Please be sure to go to the polls on Tuesday, November 8, and "Vote
>Freedom First!" by supporting the pro-Second Amendment candidates in
>your area.  Your vote could make the difference! 
>
>NRA AND FREEDOM WIN AGAIN: 
>FEMA Changes Gun Policy in Temporary Housing Units in Louisiana
>
>Following concerns raised by NRA, the Federal Emergency Management
>Authority (FEMA) has changed its policy regarding firearm ownership in
>temporary housing units, as storage and possession of firearms are no
>longer banned at FEMA temporary housing.  FEMA officials notified NRA
>attorneys last weekend that FEMA is in the process of revamping firearms
>rules for temporary housing parks for all disasters, but that they were
>taking "immediate steps to address this (ban)" at the FEMA Park in
>Baker, La.
>
>NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre welcomed this move saying,
>"It is wrong to force citizens to give up their constitutional rights in
>order for them to get a needed federal benefit.  Our constitutional
>rights must be preserved even in the face of a natural disaster, a
>pandemic, or a terrorist attack.
>
>"The Second Amendment must never be the first casualty of disaster.  The
>breakdown of law and order in the aftermath of a disaster is exactly the
>kind of situation where the Second Amendment was intended to allow
>citizens to protect themselves.  After Hurricane Katrina hit, and
>lawlessness prevailed across the region, many victims depended on their
>guns for survival against the roving bands of thugs, looters and
>rapists."  
>
>NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox added: "NRA-ILA worked with FEMA
>authorities to help right this injustice.  We're pleased that FEMA has
>formally changed its regulations nationwide on the possession and
>storage of firearms by law-abiding victims of disasters in their
>temporary housing parks.  We're glad a potential lawsuit could be
>avoided."
>
>The controversy erupted after the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's
>Department asked FEMA to ban all firearms at temporary trailer shelters
>where victims of Hurricane Katrina were staying rent-free while they
>found permanent housing.  NRA began working with FEMA officials to
>reverse this policy as soon as the directive was issued. 
>
>This is the second major victory for NRA and gun owners in Louisiana
>following Hurricane Katrina.  Earlier, the New Orleans Police Department
>was ordered to cease and desist its gun confiscation operations by the
>United States District Court for the Eastern District in Louisiana.  NRA
>is now working to review and modify language in emergency statutes in
>Louisiana and other states to ensure gun confiscations do not happen
>again.
>
>"NRA-ILA will address this at the state and federal levels, and efforts
>are currently underway. The media images of lawlessness are the most
>compelling images to help us make this argument.  When disaster hits,
>911 is nonexistent.  It is wrong for government to take away the only
>tool for survival--a lawfully owned firearm--that victims have under
>these circumstances," concluded Cox.
>
>VISIT NRA-ILA WEBSITE DEDICATED TO DEFEATING PROPOSITION H-- 
>SAN FRANCISCO GUN BAN
>
>As you've been reading in the Grassroots Alert for months, on November
>8, San Francisco voters will go to the polls to vote on Proposition H--a
>citywide gun ban.  If Proposition H passes, it will become the most
>restrictive gun control law in the nation; even more restrictive than
>the egregious Washington, D.C., gun ban that NRA-ILA is currently
>working to overturn in Congress!  The ordinance would ban residents from
>possessing any handgun and they would be forced to turn over their
>handguns within 90 days.  The sale, manufacture, transfer, and
>distribution of all firearms would be prohibited!
>
>To educate and mobilize Bay Area pro-gun supporters, NRA-ILA unveiled a
>website dedicated exclusively to exposing the truth about Proposition H.
> The website-- www.StopSanFranban.com --is designed to provide you with
>one-stop-shopping for the information and tools you will need to ensure
>Proposition H is defeated on November 8.
>
>Among the many features at www.StopSanFranban.com are:  information on
>the proposed ban; sample letters and tips for identifying and writing
>letters to the editor of area newspapers; information on the benefits of
>firearm ownership for self-defense and the ineffectiveness of gun bans
>in reducing crime; voter registration links; e-mail sign-up; and more.
>
>Please be sure to visit www.StopSanFranban.com and then forward this
>link to your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners, both inside and
>outside of San Francisco, to ensure the collective voices of America's
>gun owners are heard loudly and clearly in the weeks leading up to, and
>especially on, November 8!  Those of you who don't live directly in San
>Francisco, but reside nearby, should visit the site frequently for
>updates on what you can do locally to ensure this deplorable proposition
>is defeated. 
>
>Please visit www.StopSanFranban.com today to help us prevent San
>Francisco from becoming the next Washington, D.C.! 
>
>A LOOK AT THE STATES
>
>(****For all of the action items below, you can find contact information
>for your legislators by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at
>www.NRAILA.org.  As always, thank you for your support.****)
>
>FLORIDA
>Earlier this week, Representative Mitch Needelman (R-31) announced the
>filing of House Bill 285, which will preserve the right of citizens to
>lawfully possess firearms during an officially declared
>state-of-emergency.  HB 285 clarifies the authority of the governor
>during a declared emergency by asserting that "nothing contained in this
>chapter shall be construed to authorize the seizure, taking, or
>confiscation of firearms that are lawfully possessed."  This bill was
>filed to ensure that the unconstitutional stripping of citizens' rights
>does not occur during such state-of-emergencies as occurred in
>Louisiana.  HB 285 has been filed for consideration in the 2006 Session
>of the Florida Legislature, slated to convene on March 7, 2006.  Also
>this week, NRA past president Marion P. Hammer encouraged Floridians to
>get involved with Youth Hunting Programs.  She stated, "Youngsters are
>our future and it's up to us to preserve our hunting heritage by helping
>get more youngsters involved."  For information on how to assist in
>Florida's Youth Hunting Programs, please visit Florida Fish & Wildlife
>Conservation Commission's (FWC) youth hunting website at: 
>myfwc.com/huntered/YouthHunter/
>
>ILLINOIS
>The Illinois General Assembly began its Fall Veto Session this week, and
>the Senate voted on Thursday to override Governor Rod Blagojevich's veto
>of SB 2104. This critical legislation would establish statewide
>standards for the lawful transportation of firearms, thus eliminating
>the confusing patchwork of regulations that currently exist. While it is
>simply common sense to eliminate the threat of law-abiding citizens
>accidentally running afoul of local anti-gun ordinances and restrictions
>while traveling to take part in lawful activities such as hunting or
>target shooting, anti-gun extremists in Illinois disagree. A group of
>lobbyists working for the City of Chicago, Cook County, Governor
>Blagojevich, and the gun-banners at the Illinois Council Against Handgun
>Violence (ICHV) worked feverishly after the Senate's 38-20 override vote
>to try to diminish support for SB 2104 in the House. The Governor has
>even ordered the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to work
>against the interests of hunters and sportsmen by lobbying against SB
>2104. A vote on this bill will be taken in the House next week, so it is
>imperative that all Illinois gun owners contact their State
>Representatives at (217) 782-8223 and ask them to vote to override the
>Governor's veto of SB 2104. In addition to SB 2104, the General Assembly
>has two more common-sense pro-gun bills to consider that were vetoed by
>Governor Blagojevich. The first, HB 340, would allow law-abiding gun
>owners who wish to trade one operating firearm for another to forgo
>Illinois's waiting period after successfully passing a background check.
>The second, SB 57, is a gun show bill similar to what was signed into
>law earlier this year, but which would also mandate the destruction of
>the database of lawful firearm transfers currently maintained by the
>Illinois State Police. In addition to contacting Representatives about
>SB 2104, gun owners need to contact both their State Senators and
>Representatives at (217) 782-2000 and ask them to vote to override the
>Governor's vetoes of HB 340 and SB 57.
>
>NEW JERSEY
>The 2005 New Jersey Black Bear Application deadline has been extended to
>Sunday, October 30.  Please note that you may only apply via the
>Internet site, www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/.  No paper applications are
>being accepted for the 2005 black bear season. If you know someone who
>would like to apply for a bear permit, but does not have Internet
>access, please remind them that free Internet access is available at any
>public library and many other locations.  In order to apply for a black
>bear permit, you must select a zone in which you would like to hunt, and
>you may also need to register for a training seminar if you have not
>attended a seminar in a previous year.  Registering for the required
>black bear training seminar, if not previously taken, is part of the
>online application process.
>
>NEW MEXICO
>The New Mexico Department of Public Safety has scheduled a public
>hearing on proposed rules to implement the 2005 legislative changes to
>the "Concealed Handgun Carry Act" (HB 641).  Public comments will be
>taken on Tuesday, November 1, beginning at 9:00 a.m., at the DPS Law
>Enforcement Academy Auditorium, located at 4491 Cerrillos Road in Santa
>Fe.  Visit www.dps.nm.org/faq/concealed_weapon.htm to obtain a copy of
>the proposed rules, or contact the DPS Special Investigations Unit at
>(505) 827-9097.  Written comments must be submitted to Sharron
>Henderson, Department of Public Safety, Special Investigations Division,
>4491 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM  87504-1628, no later than 5:00 p.m.,
>on November 1.  If you plan on attending the hearing and presenting
>verbal testimony or comments, it is strongly suggested that you also
>submit written comments at that time.  NRA-ILA and our state affiliate,
>the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association, are currently reviewing the
>proposed rules and may be submitting written comments, but individual
>NRA members and certified instructors are encouraged to participate as
>individuals in this process as well.  
>
>TEXAS
>Lubbock-area NRA members are encouraged to attend pro-gun Representative
>Carl Isett's (R-84) town hall meeting this Saturday, October 29.  The
>free "Coffee with Carl" event will take place from 9:00-11:00 a.m., at
>the Ramada Inn in Lubbock, located at 6624 I-27 (the corner of I-27 and
>South Loop 289).  During the 2005 session of the Texas Legislature,
>Representative Isett sponsored and passed legislation reducing Concealed
>Handgun License (CHL) renewal fees for senior citizens.  He has also
>been a leader in the movement to legalize the carrying of a handgun for
>protection in your vehicle without a CHL, which the Legislature took an
>important step toward with passage of HB 823 this session.  Please make
>plans to attend and thank Representative Isett for his support and his
>work to protect our Second Amendment rights in the Texas Legislature. 
>Also, on Saturday, November 5, "Students for the Second Amendment" and
>the "Collegiate Firearms Instructor Program" will host their third NRA
>Shooting Sports Camp, called "The Alamo City NRA Youth Sportsfest."  The
>event will take place at the National Shooting Complex, in San Antonio,
>Tex. from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  This event has been designated an
>"NRA Day" event.  For additional event information, please visit:
>www.sf2a.org/NRACamp2005.htm.  "Students for the Second Amendment" is in
>need of individuals and groups who are interested in participating in
>this event as volunteers.  Volunteers are needed on the various shooting
>ranges and fields.  Additionally, a few dozen range officers are needed
>to assist the young shooters on the range.  Official NRA certification
>is not necessary to participate.  If you would rather help out in a
>different manner, volunteers are need to assist with cooking hot dogs
>and hamburgers for the attendees, helping at the NRA
>recruiting/information booth, as well as set-up the day before the
>event.  Please come out and support the future of youth shooting and our
>future defenders of our most cherished rights.  To volunteer your time
>or for more information, please contact Damaso Torres, Executive
>Director, "Students for the Second Amendment" and the "Collegiate
>Firearms Instructor Program," at (210) 674-5559, or via e-mail at
>dtorres at sf2a.org.  
>
>WISCONSIN
>After being denied by a single vote in the Assembly during the veto
>override session early last year, the citizens in Wisconsin are seeking
>another chance to make the Badger State the 39th state to respect the
>Right-to-Carry.  Please attend the Joint Senate and Assembly Committee
>Hearing on Wednesday, November 2, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 411 South, of
>the State Capitol, in Madison. Testimony in support of the "Personal
>Protection Act" will be given by Texas State Representative Suzanna Hupp
>(R-54).  If you cannot attend the hearing, please take a moment to call
>your State Senator and State Representative at (800) 362-9472 and ask
>them to support the "Personal Protection Act" by voting in favor of AB
>763/SB 403.
>
>
>
>
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