This'n'That; January 12th[GunRights;Jobs]

Gun Rights On Trial

The U.S. Supreme Court will soon hear the landmark Second Amendment case of McDonald v. Chicago. The case will address the application of the Second Amendment to the states through either the Due Process clause or the Privileges or Immunities clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The case has major implications for the legality of restrictive gun laws not only in Chicago, but also in other cities and the states across the nation. The decision to hear the case gives hope to Second Amendment advocates across America, that this fundamental freedom will be protected from infringement throughout the nation from impermissible regulation at all levels, state and local, as well as federal.

This week comes the news that U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), are joining forces with U.S. Representatives Mark Souder (R-Ind.) and Mike Ross (D-Ark.), in filing a joint, pro-Second Amendment amicus curiae (Friend of the Court) brief before the Supreme Court in the McDonald v. Chicago case. Last year, the historic case of District of Columbia v. Heller invalidated the District's ban on handguns. However, the Heller case applied only to federal enclaves, such as Washington, D.C.

A favorable ruling in the McDonald case would ensure that the individual right affirmed in Heller also applied as against state and local regulation. Newspapers Gush Over Bloomberg's Latest Gun Control Escapade: Bathed in camera flashes during a "news conference" on October 7, 2009, New York City's mayor, Michael Bloomberg was in his element in announcing "a wide?ranging undercover investigation by the City of New York into illegal gun sales" that revealed "a willful disregard of the law" by "74% of gun show sellers." Or, so he claimed. The ego-driven multi-billionaire's publicity stunt was neither "wide-ranging" nor representative of what occurs at gun shows, nor was it intended to be. And it determined nothing about "74%" of all gun show sellers.

The "Junkiest" Junk Science That Taxpayers' Money Can Buy: Now, more than at any other time in anyone's memory, the federal government is in no position to waste taxpayer dollars on gun control advocacy "research." Nevertheless, the National Institutes of Health recently gave anti-gun researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine $639,586 to conduct a survey intended to prove that possessing a gun doesn't benefit assault victims.

Polls Show Record-Low Support for Stricter Gun Laws: Results from a just-released Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that, more and more, Americans are in support of the Second Amendment and its individual guarantee of law-abiding citizens to Keep and Bear Arms, and oppose more restrictions on that right.

Another Way To Get Involved: Online Social Networking: Internet social networking has exploded in recent years. Websites such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter attract millions of users. These on-line communities foster a connection between their users, and allow distribution of user-generated content (like pictures, profiles, music, video, and text). NRA has been a part of this social technology for some time now, with a presence on each of these sites. By actively participating in these new media, we are able to reach out to more potential members and supporters than ever before.

Help Defend Your Gun Rights One Click At A Time: We have a revolutionary yet simple tool that will allow you to stay connected to NRA-ILA and raise valuable contributions to defend our Second Amendment rights without spending a dime! It's the NRA-ILA Toolbar, and you can make a difference by downloading and using it. Show your support, stay connected to your NRA-ILA, and raise valuable contributions for our defense of the Second Amendment by downloading and using this free toolbar! Please click here to download your toolbar now!

STATE ROUNDUP (Please note the only items listed below are those that have had recent action. For other updates on state legislation, please go to the state legislation section at www.NRAILA.org, and check each week's issue of the Grassroots Alert.")

CALIFORNIA: Two Anti-Gun Bills Still on the Governor's Desk! As previously reported, Assembly Bill 962 and Senate Bill 585 are on the desk of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) where they await his consideration. AB962 would place severe restrictions on the sale of ammunition in California. SB585 is a stepping-stone to outlawing gun shows on all publicly-owned property. Please contact the Governor immediately and respectfully urge him to veto AB962 and SB585. Time is running out and these bills will become law if not vetoed by the Governor by Sunday, October 11. The Governor can be reached by phone at 916-445-2841 or via fax at 916-558-3160. To e-mail Governor Schwarzenegger, please visit http://gov.ca.gov/interact. If you are having problems contacting Governor Schwarzenegger at the number listed above, you may also be able to leave a message for him at one of the regional offices. For contact information on a regional office, please click here.

LOUISIANA: New Orleans Ordinance Would Require Spaying and Neutering for All Dogs A proposed city ordinance in New Orleans (scheduled for a vote on Thursday, October 15), is being pushed by "animal rights" extremists and anti-hunting organizations in an effort to end dog ownership as we know it. This measure would require every dog older than six months to be spayed or neutered. The proposal would prevent hunters from continuing the tradition of occasionally breeding their favorite dogs in order to provide other hunters with good dogs, while defraying some of the costs associated with caring for their animals. It is critical that you attend the hearing scheduled for October 15, at City Hall (1300 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70112). It is equally important that you contact your Council Members and urge them to oppose this overreaching and discriminatory legislation. For more information on this ordinance and contact information for the Council members please click here.

MISSISSIPPI: NRA License Plates Now Available! Support your NRA by purchasing a specialized NRA tag today! NRA license plates are now available through your county tax collector's office. The cost is $31, with $24 of that going to the NRA Foundation State Account to promote firearms training, youth hunter education, shooting range development and other programs in Mississippi. For a list of county tax collectors and office locations, please visit http://www.mstc.state.ms.us/info/offices/mvlinfo.htm.

NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Gun Law Guide to Be Launched at State Association Annual Banquet New Jersey gun rights attorney and author Evan Nappen is scheduled to be keynote speaker at the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs (ANJRPC) combined Annual Meeting Banquet and Friends of NRA Dinner & Auction on Saturday, October 17 starting at 6:00 p.m. ANJRPC is the official NRA State Affiliate in New Jersey (www.anjrpc.org). Attorney Nappen's third book on New Jersey gun laws will be launched at the banquet, and signed, numbered copies will be available to attendees at a discount. The festivities are guaranteed to be lively as Attorney Nappen shares his unique perspective on how New Jersey's tangled web of gun laws entraps law-abiding gun owners. For more information, please click here.

NORTH CAROLINA: Tar Heel State to Start Producing NRA License Plates! In 2005, North Carolina established an NRA license plate, but we needed 300 North Carolinians to commit to purchasing them before they could be issued. We have finally reached the magic number! The applications, along with the necessary payments, have been submitted to the North Carolina DMV, and we thank everyone who has been patiently waiting for their chance to show support for NRA on their vehicle -- especially those who applied in the beginning. It has been a long road, but your patience will soon pay off. We will be sure to post further updates as soon as we can, to let you know when to expect your NRA license plate. Again, thank you for your patience! Our special thanks go out to NRA Western North Carolina Field Representative Doug Merrill, who has been handling all of the submitted applications, and fielding anxious calls looking for updates.

OHIO: Join Pro-Gun Legislators and Other Second Amendment Patriots at the Buckeye Firearms Foundation's 2009 Buckeye Bash! You are invited to attend the 2009 Buckeye Bash hosted by the Buckeye Firearms Foundation on Saturday, October 17. Don't miss this great opportunity to meet your local pro-gun legislators, enjoy a delicious meal with fellow Second Amendment supporters, and learn about the pro-gun movement in Ohio. There will also be live and silent auctions for great items like shooting packages, gift certificates, hunting gear, and more! Admission is $35 per person or $100 for sponsors. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., with the dinner and auction beginning at 6:00 p.m. A private reception for sponsors will run from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The 2009 Buckeye Bash will be held at the Cardinal Center Campground, located at 616 State Route 61, in Marengo. For more information, please visit http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/.

OREGON: Opportunity to Expand Hunting Programs in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that it will draft a plan for the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge that will guide refuge management for the next 15 years. The 187,000-acre refuge located in Harney County is one of the largest freshwater marshes in the country. Waterfowl hunting is available on approximately half of Malheur Lake and upland bird hunting is available on approximately one quarter of the refuge. One of the issues that the Service will be addressing is the adequacy of access and facilities for all of the wildlife dependent uses, like hunting and fishing, and opportunities to expand these programs. The Service is inviting comments from the public to gather suggestions and information on the scope of the issues to consider during the planning process. Comments are due by Thursday, October 15, and can be e-mailed to FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Include "Malheur CCP" in the subject line of the message. Public meetings will be held and announced on the refuge's website at http://www.fws.gov/malheur. For further information you may call 541-493-2612. It is important that those who hunt and fish in the refuge become active participants in the planning process to ensure that sportsmen's interests are well represented in the plan that will be drafted.

TENNESSEE: Bartlett Will Soon Vote on Whether to Opt Out of New Park Carry law! The Bartlett Board of Aldermen will soon be voting on an ordinance which would ban the possession of firearms in local parks, even by those who possess Right-to-Carry permits. If passed, this resolution would strip gun owners of their right to carry a firearm for self-defense in all Bartlett parks. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, at 7:00 p.m., in Bartlett City Hall, located at 6400 Stage Road. Please continue to contact Mayor Keith McDonald at (901) 385-6444, and the City Aldermen at (901) 385-6444, and voice your opposition to this ordinance that would eliminate your right to self-defense in local parks.

VIRGINIA: Please join your fellow Virginia freedom-lovers at "An American Event", to be held Saturday, October 17th, at Ritchie Lake Pavilion in Bealeton. Gates open at 11:00 a.m., with events commencing at 1:00 p.m. The event will include activities for all age groups, including Colonial and World War II military encampments, vintage military air show, pony rides, moon bounce, monster trucks, live music, free food, surprise speakers and more. If you are interested in donating food, time or energy, please contact the organizers at 703-537-5445 or info@anamericanevent.org. Monetary donations will be given to aid wounded soldiers. With Virginia being one of only two states holding elections this year, your NRA-ILA Campaign Field Representative, Greg Mortensen, will be in attendance working NRA-ILA's voter registration kiosk and discussing how you can get more involved in our efforts to elect pro-gun candidates to office this year. Greg can be reached at: nranmh1@gmail.com or 571-292-4796.Get Your Bumper Stickers and Meet your CFRs! This November, Virginia's elections will be ground zero for the enemies of freedom to try and turn the tide against our gun rights in the Commonwealth, serving as a launching pad for their national gun ban crusade. Our opponents will be pulling out all the stops as a run-up to the 2010 elections. All eyes will be on us! In light of the importance of this year's elections, NRA-ILA has Campaign Field Representatives (CFRs) in place throughout the Commonwealth, who are coordinating our grassroots election activities. In addition to working to turn out the pro-gun vote on Election Day, each Campaign Field Representative has been supplied with thousands of bumper stickers. If you wish to get a free bumper sticker for your vehicle, as well as the vehicles of your family and friends, please contact the Campaign Field Representative nearest you (to see a listing of CFR regions and contact information, please click here).In addition to claiming your free sticker(s), please volunteer whatever time you are able to assist your Campaign Field Representative as he/she works to ensure Virginia's gun owners and sportsmen "Vote Freedom First!" on November 3rd!

Reloading Clinics: Are you looking for a way to beat the high prices of ammo or are you having trouble finding your favorite ammo in stock at your local gun shop? The Virginia Shooting Sports Association (VSSA), the Official State Affiliate Association of NRA, has the answer. VSSA will be hosting reloading clinics around the Commonwealth starting in September. There will be clinics for both metallic shell reloading and shotgun shell reloading. The courses are designed to enable shooters with little or no prior experience in reloading to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and ability to produce safe, consistent, and accurate reloaded ammunition. The clinics will be held at the Gander Mountain stores in Fredericksburg, Richmond, Roanoke, and Winchester. For more information on cost and dates, go to http://www.myvssa.org/reloading.htm, or e-mail Dave Myers at Dave.Myers@myvssa.org. Class sizes are limited so register today!WASHINGTON: Local Officials Seeking to Outlaw Waterfowl Hunting at Deer Lagoon! On Monday, October 12, the Island County Commission will consider a proposal that would impose a total ban on shooting at Deer Lagoon. Hunters at Deer Lagoon have an impeccable safety record and have protected this important waterfowl habitat for decades. This prohibition would end waterfowl hunting, a popular and established tradition in Deer Lagoon. There is little doubt that anti-gun, "animal rights," and anti-hunting forces will be active in making their voices heard, so it is vital that gun owners and sportsmen speak loudly. Please contact the members of the Island County Commission TODAY and respectfully urge them to oppose this attack on our hunting heritage and Second Amendment rights. Contact information for the commissioners can be found here. If you are able, please make plans to attend this hearing.

WISCONSIN: City of Milwaukee Plans to Push Numerous Anti-Gun ProvisionsMilwaukee's Mayor, with the support of the Chief of Police, is at it once again. He is pushing several new proposals in an effort to further erode the Second Amendment rights of Milwaukee's citizens. These provisions include mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms, mandatory background checks for anyone who enters a business that sells firearms, and even mandatory background checks to use shooting ranges. Please contact the Mayor and urge him to stop pushing these frivolous laws. Mayor Tom Barrett can be contacted by calling (414) 286-2200 or email at mayor@milwaukee.gov.

STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!

Shovel-Ready Jobs? Shovel-Ready BULLSHIT!

With construction unemployment at 22.7% versus government employees unemployment at 3%..... Guess where the presidential slush-fund funds went?? You got it..... to those local, county, state and federal agencies with the best union participation!!! Can anyone spell "S-E-I-U??" The "Lion Clown Prince" has obligations he must 'pay off!!' Other interesting unemployment numbers:

• Mining and quarrying, oil and gas extraction.............11.8%
• General Manufacturing.........................................11.9%
• Durable Goods Manufacturing................................13.3%
• Professional and Business Services.........................10.3%
• Leisure and Hospitality........................................12.6%
• Ag and Related Private Wage and Salary Workers.....19.7%

[ref: www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t11.htm ]

I gotta tell ya.... If I didn't understand the "Lion Clown Prince's" real motives of fascist totalitarianism, I'd have to believe he's a complete moron!!