Elephant Doings and Political Happenings--A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.
A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.
Elephant Doings

Soros-linked group hit with huge fine

U. S. Forest Service Takes Steps To Protect Recreational Shooting

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North Dakota PLOTS Goal Achieved Two Years Ahead of Schedule!

Please Thank Governor Hoven and Director Steinwand for Their Hard Work! On Tuesday, August 28 Governor John Hoeven (R) and Terry Steinwand, Director of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, announced that the goal of opening one million acres of Private Land Open to Sportsmen (PLOTS) had been reached two years ahead of schedule.
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Soros-linked group hit with huge fine
- The Politico.com
The Federal Election Commission has fined one of the last cycles biggest liberal political action committees $775,000 for using unregulated soft money to boost John Kerry and other Democratic candidates during the 2004 elections.

America Coming Together (ACT) raised $137 million for its get-out-the-vote effort in 2004, but the FEC found most of that cash came through contributions that violated federal limits.


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72-Hour Gun Sales Freeze Still On, Despite Protests
- Lancaster New Era
Despite howls of protest from sportsmen`s groups, gun-rights advocates and legislators, Pennsylvania State Police will go ahead with a 72-hour gun-sales freeze starting Sunday.
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Gun Ban Lifted In Peters, PA
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Peters, Pennsylvania City Council on Aug 27 rescinded a controversial and unpopular ordinance banning firearms from most township-owned buildings and parks, but not before getting an earful from angry residents and gun rights activists.
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More Than 1 Million Acres For PLOTS
- Bismarck Tribune
North Dakota hunters will have hunting access on more than 1 million acres this fall. Gov. John Hoeven and Terry Steinwand, the director of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, made the announcement Aug. 28 at a ceremony in a Private Land Open to Sportsmen field north of Sterling.
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Sport A Hit Even With Shooters Who Miss
- St. Petersburg Times
Roger and Cathy Gascoigne conduct free clinics to introduce clay pigeon shooting to women and kids, who are enthusiastic participants.
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Rep. Tom Nelson Joins Plea To Save Public Hunting Lands Fund
- Green Bay Press-Gazette
A local assemblyman says dwindling public lands for hunting has reached a crisis, and last week joined fellow legislators to urge support of the state Stewardship Fund.
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register and Vote-protect your rights

To assist you in registering to vote this year, NRA-ILA has a number of tools available.  Please visit www.nraila.org/ActionCenter/GetInvolvedLocally/VoterInformation.a spx?st and choose your state to find out all the voter registration dates, deadlines, and requirements for this year's elections.  To print a voter registration application that you can complete and return by mail, please visit https://ssl.capwiz.com/nra/e4/nvra/?action=formhere.  You may also obtain voter registration information by calling the ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683).

Let's make sure that we in the pro-Second Amendment community do all we can in registering and voting this year.

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STATE ROUNDUP

STATE ROUNDUP (please click to see any updates on states not listed below.)

ARIZONA:  Anti-Shooting Activists Meet in Opposition to Northern Arizona Shooting Facility  A group of anti-shooting activists called Citizens to Preserve Munds Park Community Values will be meeting on Saturday, August 4 at 10:00 a.m. to coordinate opposition to the planned state-of-the-art Willard Springs Shooting Range in Northern Arizona.  As you may know, the effort to build a shooting facility in Northern Arizona has been a long and difficult process that has spanned more than a decade.  Please attend this meeting and have your voice heard!  Tell the opposition that noise testing has been completed by the state and there is no shooting noise that will enter Munds Park.  Tell them that recreational opportunities will be enhanced, not diminished, and that the shooting sports are synonymous with true Arizona "community values."  The meeting will be held Saturday, August 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the Munds Park RV Resort Banquet Hall, 17550 Munds Ranch Road, Munds Park, AZ

CALIFORNIA:  Update on Pending California Firearm Legislation  The California legislature is on break until Monday, August 20.  Please contact your State Senator and respectfully urge him or her to oppose AB1471, AB334, and AB821.  Contact information for your State Senator can be found by clicking here. 

COLORADO:  Hunting and Recreational Shooting Restrictions Proposed on BLM Land!  Once again, hunting and recreational shooting is being targeted by the Bureau of Land Management, now in south central Colorado near Salida.  If you hunt, target shoot, use motorized vehicles, hike and/or camp on these public lands, the proposal will affect you.  It is important that BLM hear from you.  The management plan and information on how to submit comments can be found at:  http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/rgfo/travel_mgmt/arkansas_river_trave l0.html.  The deadline to submit comments is Friday, August 3.

MICHIGAN:  "No-Net-Loss" Legislation Could Be Headed to Senate Floor Anytime!  House Bill 4597, "No-Net-Loss" legislation, is heading to the Senate floor for consideration.  This bill will protect Michigan's valuable hunting tradition by ensuring that today's total acreage of public hunting lands is not reduced.  Please contact your State Senator at (517) 373-2400 and respectfully urge him or her to pass HB4597 to protect Michigan's hunting heritage. 

MISSISSIPPI:  Tuesday, August 7 is Primary Election Day in Mississippi!  If you have questions about candidates grades and endorsements, please call our Grassroots Division at 800-392-8683 or visit www.NRAPVF.org.  Be sure to "Vote Freedom First" on Tuesday, August 7!  For more information about voting in Mississippi, please visit: http://www.sos.state.ms.us/elections/2007/index.asp

MISSOURI:  Missouri's "Hunting Heritage Protection Act" Being Undermined!  On July 3, 2007 Governor Blunt signed Senate Bill 225 into law. Now, NRA members are anxiously awaiting the enactment date on August 28. Since passage in the closing days of Missouri's regular session, the Missouri Municipal League (MML) has undermined NRA members' hard work on SB 225, by urging all cities that do not currently have restrictions on hunting and the discharge of firearms to enact such an ordinance prior to the effective date of Senate Bill 225, the "Hunting Heritage Protection Areas Act."  Now, the MML is trying to influence your local Park District board to pass restrictions on SB 225!  Please be sure to monitor your city government and Park District meeting and agenda announcements and alert NRA-ILA of any proposal that seeks to restrict hunting and sport shooting. Please forward any information to Kris Koenen at kkoenen@nrahq.org or (703) 267-1209.

NEW JERSEY:  Bill to Reorganize Fish & Game Council Heads to Assembly Floor!  A3275, a bill that seeks to drastically change the membership of the Fish & Game Council from six sportsmen and three farmers who represent various geographical regions of the state to seven political appointees recommended by the Governor, is now heading to the full Assembly.  The bill passed the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee by a 5-2 vote on Thursday, June 14.  Animal "rights" extremists testifying in support of A3275 derided hunting as a "15th century" means to wildlife management and touted this legislation as a "21st century" tool for wildlife management.  They also expressed their desire to rid the Fish & Game Council of anyone with a "hunter driven background."  Please contact your State Assembly member at (800) 792-8630 and respectfully urge him or her to vigorously oppose this anti-hunting legislation.  To identify your Assembly member, please click here.

NORTH CAROLINA:  Bill Allowing Judges to Carry Concealed Heads to Senate Floor!  House Bill 573 would allow judges who have valid North Carolina concealed carry permits the ability to lawfully carry a firearm for personal protection in courthouses.  HB573 passed the Senate Judiciary II Committee on Friday, July 27.  It now heads to the full Senate for consideration.  Please contact your State Senator today at (803) 212-6200 and respectfully urge him or her to support this legislation.

Anti-Gun Database Bill Still Alive!  On Friday, July 27, the Senate Judiciary II Committee decided not to hear House Bill 1287.  However, the bill is still alive as the Committee will still be in session through the weekend.  This bill would create a new statewide database to which sheriffs would report all individuals who have been denied a permit to purchase a handgun.   Please continue contacting the Senate Judiciary II Committee and respectfully urge them to oppose HB1287.  Contact information for the Committee can be found by clicking here.

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Mayors Against Illegal Guns.”

As you know, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is heading a national cabal of anti-gun mayors called “Mayors Against Illegal Guns.”
   

Law enforcement has been steadfast in joining NRA in support of preserving the Tiahrt Amendment.  Both the BATFE and the Fraternal Order of Police (which Bloomberg called a “fringe organization”) strongly support keeping this sensitive data private.

 

Bloomberg, however, is undeterred and he is continuing to try to expand his anti-gun coalition.  In addition to the mayors of cities in Arkansas listed below, who are currently members of this coalition, Bloomberg is increasingly pressuring more mayors in your state to join his efforts, engaging in a full court press!

 

Mayors in Arkansas Who Are Current Members of Bloomberg’s “Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition”:

and this is in every state!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(For a list of mayors who have joined Bloomberg’s anti-gun efforts please click here [www.nraila.org//Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?ID=2533].  To ensure you are receiving the most up-to-date information on Mayor Bloomberg’s efforts, click here to sign up to receive NRA-ILA’s FREE e-mail alerts and visit www.NRAILA.org frequently.)

 

Dan Coody

Mayor’s Office

City Administration Building

113 W. Mountain Street

Fayetteville, AR  72701

(479) 575-8330

mayor@ci.fayetteville.ar.us

 

Patrick Hays

City Hall

300 Main Street

North Little Rock, AR  72114

(501) 340-5301

mayor@northlittlerock.ar.gov

 

In order to combat Bloomberg’s crass, anti-gun efforts, we need your help!

SAMPLE LETTER TO MEMBER OF BLOOMBERG COALITION

 

Date

 

Your Name

Your Address

Your City, State, Zip

 

The Honorable Mayor’s Name

Address

City, State, Zip

 

Dear Mayor XXXXXX;

 

As a resident of CITY and your constituent, I strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to join Mayor Bloomberg’s anti-gun “Mayors Against Illegal Guns” coalition, and remove yourself as a member.

 

Mayor Bloomberg and his coalition allies have misrepresented themselves to the mayors of America and its citizens. This effort is simply another attempt to shift blame for violent crime from criminals to law-abiding gun owners.  This is gun control, not crime prevention. 

 

Mr. Bloomberg’s tactics do not target illegal guns, but rather honest citizens and lawful dealers, essentially criminalizing all gun ownership. This coalition makes no distinction whatsoever between law-abiding gun owners and violent criminals.

 

Instead of being a part of a misguided coalition and advocating attacks against law-abiding gun owners, I ask you to direct your efforts towards strict enforcement of existing laws in our own city to ensure both our safety and civil rights.

 

In freedom,

                                                                                                NAME

                                                                                                NRA Member


 

 

 

SAMPLE LETTER URGING MAYOR NOT TO JOIN BLOOMBERG COALITION

 

Date

 

Your Name

Your Address

Your City, State, Zip

 

The Honorable Mayor’s Name

Address

City, State, Zip

 

Dear Mayor XXXXXX;

 

As a resident of CITY and your constituent, I strongly urge you to resist pressure to join Mayor Bloomberg’s latest anti-gun “Mayors Against Illegal Guns” coalition. 

 

Mayor Bloomberg and his coalition allies have misrepresented themselves to the mayors of America and its citizens. This effort is simply another attempt to shift blame for violent crime from criminals to law-abiding gun owners.  This is gun control, not crime prevention. 

 

Mr. Bloomberg’s tactics do not target illegal guns, but rather honest citizens and lawful dealers, essentially criminalizing all gun ownership. This coalition makes no distinction whatsoever between law-abiding gun owners and violent criminals.

 

Instead of joining a misguided coalition and advocating attacks against law-abiding gun owners, I ask you to direct your efforts towards strict enforcement of existing laws in our own city to ensure both our safety and civil rights.

 

In freedom,

                                                                                                NAME

                                                                                                NRA Member

 

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Yanks Tiahrt Amendment From Appropriations Bill

Yanks Tiahrt Amendment From Appropriations Bill

Anti-gun Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Chairwoman of the Commerce,
 Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee, announced she will
not include the Tiahrt Amendment in the CJS appropriations bill.  In doing so,
 Mikulski will defy the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
(BATFE) and the Fraternal Order of Police --supporters of the Amendment --
and instead chose to do the bidding of New York City Mayor Michael

Bloomberg (R).  While a temporary setback, that is not the final step in the Senate process.

Brady (Disinformation) Campaign Begins Against Parker v. D.C.

Parker v. D.C. may be headed for the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Brady
Campaign is worried.  In the case, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C.
Circuit declared that the right to arms is an individual right, not limited to
active-duty members of the militia, and that D.C.'s bans on handguns,
and on having guns assembled and loaded at home, violate the Second Amendment.

 The announcement by D.C. city officials that they are considering
appealing to the Court has sent the Brady Campaign into panic mode. 
Brady president, Paul Helmke, blurted out that "The D.C. law is an easy
 one to shoot at.  Factually, it's a tougher one to get behind and defend. 
Why is this the one we're going to be taking up to the Supremes?" 

 

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Politics, Guns And The 2008 Elections

UK Minister Urges Teenagers To Take Up Shooting
- London Telegraph
Anti-gun campaigners have accused the government of making a U-turn on firearms after a minister urged teenagers to take up shooting to improve their behaviour.
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The House of Pelosi
- National Review
The official biography of Speaker
Nancy Pelosi says: Pelosi has pledged to restore integrity and civility to the Peoples House and preside over the most honest and open Congress in history. As Leader, Pelosi authored principles for civility to reduce partisanship in House operations and to ensure the rights of the minority in all House activity. Pelosi recently had a chance to prove her commitment to these principles.
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Remembering
- National Review
"I remember when I was a kid;" writes former Sen. Fred Thompson, "one thing was clear to me. The more I learned about the rest of the world, the luckier I felt just having been born in America. The more I learned about America, the more I appreciated what those who came before us built; and how exceptional they were."
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Politics, Guns And The 2008 Elections
- Fredericksburg.com
When Gov. Mark Warner signed a bill allowing guns on school property, he never figured it could become a defining litmus test for the 2008 presidential election. But the dispute between Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell and NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg over illegal gun sales in the commonwealth has a hidden national agenda.
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Pro-Gun Legislation

Important Tennessee Pro-Gun Legislation Headed to Governors Desk!

House Bill 1285 and companion bill, Senate Bill 1597, along with House Bill 145 and companion bill, Senate 135 are all heading to Governor Bredesens (D) desk for his consideration.
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Vote on Missouris Castle Doctrine Legislation Could Happen At Any Time!

Please Contact Your State Senator Today! On Tuesday, May 1, the Missouri House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed Senate Bill 62, sponsored by Senator Jack Goodman (R), by a vote of 154 to 6. SB 62, Missouris Castle Doctrine legislation, provides that law-abiding Missourians will not have a duty to retreat from a violent attack. SB 62 will now go back to the Senate floor for consideration, because several key pro-gun provisions have been added.
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Why You Should Care About Parker v. District of Columbia
- Townhall.com
There is a case working its way to the Supreme Court that might settle one of the biggest unanswered questions in constitutional law: Does the Second Amendment guarantee an individual right to own a gun? Whether or not you own a gun, this is a case you should care about, writes Sandra Froman.
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Predictably, Brady Campaign Uses Va Tech Tragedy To Push Agenda
- Huffington Post
As they have in the past, the Brady Campaign is once again trying to use a senseless tragedy to gain support for restrictions on Second Amendment rights, including bun bans, sales restrictions, gun show regulation and more. Not surprisingly, none of these solutions would have stopped Seung-Hui Cho.
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Laws Won`t Stop The Killers
- USA Today
USA Today ought to be ashamed, writes NRA Executive Vice President Wayne La Pierre. So should the rest of the media elite who feed Americans a tragic dose of sensationalism to promote so-called common-sense anti-gun schemes that have nothing to do with common sense, or with preventing tragedy.
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Heidi Get Your Gun
- Time
Each September the hills around Zurich are alive--with the sound of gunfire. Nobody is alarmed, however, because they know it emanates from a bunch of teenagers doing what comes naturally to nearly every Swiss: sharpshooting. And there`s nothing random about it: The 12-to 16-year-olds are participating in Knabenschiessen, the world`s largest youth rifle competition, which blends the jarring report of rifle fire with the melodious ringing of cow bells.
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Castle Doctrine Bill Approved By Missouri House
- Kansas City Star
The Missouri House voted overwhelmingly to approve legislation that would give homeowners and drivers wide discretion in the use of deadly force against intruders.
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Campus Gun Ban Has Some Foes
- Austin Statesman
Gov.
Rick Perry and some Republicans in the Texas Legislature say they are considering repealing a state law that prohibits the possession of firearms on college campuses.
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Alabama Legislature Votes To Allow Gun Sales To Out-Of-State Residents
- Times Daily
The
Alabama House gave final approval to a bill that would allow gun and ammunition dealers in Alabama to sell to residents of any state where gun sales are legal.
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"Issue Ads" And Common Sense
- National Journal
Eight Supreme Court justices spent an hour on April 25 arguing with three lawyers and one another about the constitutionality of the federal regulation governing political advertising by nonprofit advocacy corporations. But all nine justices and all three lawyers missed what, I respectfully submit, should be the point of the case. They should be focusing on how Congress rigged the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law to protect its own members from criticism by their constituents.
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Feinstein`s Cardinal Shenanigans
- The Hill
California
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) chairs the Senate Rules Committee, but until last year was for six years the top Democrat on the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (or "Milcon") sub-committee, where she may have directed more than $1 billion to companies controlled by her husband. If the inferences finally coming out about what she did while on Milcon prove true, she may be on the way to morphing from a respected senior Democrat into another poster child for congressional corruption.
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Police Raids In Britain, Europe Over Animal "Rights" Extremism
- Breitbart.com
Police have raided 30 addresses across Britain and Europe as part of a "substantial" ongoing investigation into criminal activity associated with animal "rights" extremism.
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Yellowstone Grizzly Bear De-Listed
- Jackson Hole News
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officially removed the Yellowstone grizzly bear from the Endangered Species List on April 30, raising questions about how individual states and federal agencies will manage the species in the future.
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Tennessee House Votes to Expand Carry Rights

Tennessee House Votes to Expand Carry Rights
- Knoxville News Sentinel
In a surprise move, a House panel voted Wednesday to repeal a state law that forbids the carrying of handguns on property and buildings owned by state, county and city governments - including parks and playgrounds.
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Bloomberg Anti-Gun

Bloomberg Anti-Gun Campaign To Air Ads
- New York Sun
Mayor Bloomberg`s nationwide campaign against guns is taking to the airwaves, with the launch of a targeted television and Internet advertising campaign aimed at bullying Congress into repealing an amendment restricting non-law-enforcement access to information about guns used in crimes.
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evidently he won`t read this

The False Promise of Gun Control by Daniel D. Polsby

Polsby explains why gun control does not prevent criminals from acquiring guns, and it diverts attention from the roots of our crime problem.
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The False Promise of Gun Control by Daniel D. Polsby

The False Promise of Gun Control by Daniel D. Polsby

Polsby explains why gun control does not prevent criminals from acquiring guns, and it diverts attention from the roots of our crime problem.
Read More

http://www.nraila.org/Issues/Articles/Read.aspx?ID=237

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