NRA Alerts

Feb 11 19:46 UTC 2006

NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 13, No. 6 02/10/06

BATFE ABUSE AT RICHMOND, VA GUN SHOWS

On February 15, the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime,
Terrorism and Homeland Security will hold an oversight hearing (the
first of three BATFE-related hearings) to investigate apparent
wrongdoing by BATFE at a Richmond, VA gun show last August.

In 2004-05, a troubling pattern emerged at a number of Richmond, VA-area
gun shows, where hundreds of BATFE agents and state and local police
staked out local shows. Immediately upon learning of these incidents,
NRA began investigating and working to ensure congressional oversight
hearings would be held to determine any wrongdoing and ensure BATFE was
not overstepping its bounds or violating the law.

BATFE agents copied lawful gun purchase transaction records and provided
this information to local police officers, who in turn conducted
"residency checks."  Federal law prohibits the release of this
information except in the course of a bona fide criminal investigation.
 The information provided to local police prompted multiple instances of
officers showing up at the homes of those who lawfully purchased
firearms from licensed dealers. When the lawful purchasers were not at
home, agents questioned family members (for example, inquiring of a wife
if she knew her husband was at a gun show and/or had purchased a
firearm) or their neighbors. In other cases, reports surfaced of lawful
gun owners and holders of valid carry permits having their firearms
confiscated.

Those interested in watching the hearing online may do so at
http://judiciary.house.gov/schedule.aspx.  The hearing is scheduled to
begin at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15.

NATIONAL RIGHT-TO-CARRY BILL INTRODUCED

U.S. Representative Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) recently introduced H.R.
4547-a national Right-to-Carry (RTC) reciprocity bill that would provide
national reciprocity for state carry licensees.  The bill would allow
any person with a valid carry permit or license issued by a state to
carry a concealed firearm in any other state if they meet certain
criteria.  The bill would not create a federal licensing system; it
would simply require the states to recognize each other's carry permits,
just as they recognize drivers' licenses.

For more information on the bill, please visit
www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?ID=189.

SENATOR RICK SANTORUM INTRODUCES S. 2249- THE SPORTSMEN'S PRIVACY
PROTECTION ACT

On February 7, Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) introduced legislation to
eliminate the requirement in the 1996 Welfare Reform Bill that requires
hunters and fishermen to furnish their social security numbers when
getting a license. 

"Across America, hunting and fishing is an age old heritage that is
passed on from one generation to the next.  Our outdoor sportsmen should
not be required to surrender sensitive information and risk being
victims of identity theft to preserve this legacy.  This is much needed
reform and the NRA would like to thank Senator Santorum for leading this
effort in the United States Senate," said NRA-ILA Executive Director
Chris W. Cox. 

Senator Santorum's bill is a companion to H.R. 4144, introduced in the
House by Representative Phil English, also of Pennsylvania.  The House
version of the bill has been referred to the Ways and Means Committee. 

"This proposed law will help save 16 million hunters and another 34
million fishermen who buy licenses every year from falling victim to
identity theft," continued Cox. "On behalf of NRA members across the
country, I want to thank Senator Rick Santorum for his support of the
hunters and fishermen and his work to preserve our country's strong
outdoor traditions."

response 2 of 75:

Feb 12 03:56 UTC 2006

>The bill would ...simply require the states to recognize each other's
>carry permits, just as they recognize drivers' licenses.

It does more than that.  It requires all states to honor out-of-state
concealed weapon permits--even states that prohibit or severely restrict
said permits.  

response 4 of 75:

Feb 12 04:53 UTC 2006

Here is the text of the bill Johnny is talking about:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.R.4547:

Stearns' feeling about marriage licenses aside, I think greater
reciprocity for firearm licenses is a good thing. It would be better if
it did not apply to non-resident licenses in other states, but I think
that is a relatively small objection.

Michigan recognizes the firearm carry licenses of all other states,
assuming the licensee is licensed by the state they are a resident of.

response 6 of 75:

Feb 12 06:12 UTC 2006

Something similar applies to buying liquor (where, when and who). I thought
you'd be in favor of States Rights. Certainly the anti-abortion crowd is
playing the States Rights game, state by state. Why shouldn't that be true
of as many rights as possible, including gun ownership?

response 10 of 75:

Feb 12 18:05 UTC 2006

Well, a similiar case could be made about driver's licenses. A 14 year
old kid from South Dakota driving his car to New York City would still
be allowed to drive even though New York residents have to be 17 in
order to drive.

Did you know that off-duty police officers can carry firearms outside
their home states under a new Federal Law?

response 12 of 75:

Feb 12 21:06 UTC 2006

okay, say the same about freedom of speech.

response 14 of 75:

Feb 13 00:05 UTC 2006

Today Cheney proved he doesn't believe in gun control.

response 16 of 75:

Feb 13 09:08 UTC 2006

it pretty much sums him up.

response 18 of 75:

Feb 13 18:33 UTC 2006

so he pops a shell on his buddy...the secret service refuses to 
let the local cops investigate a shooting in their jurisdiction
(for the 1st 24 hours anyway) 

how much you wanna bet that dick DUI cheney had a bellyfull of 
good scotch when he popped his buddy?

response 20 of 75:

Feb 13 19:42 UTC 2006

would sobriety fall under the category of attitude?



        *hic*

response 22 of 75:

Feb 13 21:28 UTC 2006

Guns don't kill people; vice-presidents do!

response 24 of 75:

Feb 13 21:39 UTC 2006

 I can make one prediction:  Next time Vice President Cheney wants
 to go hunting with Justice Scalia we can expect fewer Democratic
 objections..