Category: RKBA

RKBA

National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Vote Imminent

Post author By Scott
Post date July 17, 2009
No Comments on National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Vote Imminent

Vote on Right to Carry Coming Soon
— Please urge your Senators to vote YES!

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://www.gunowners.org
Friday, July 17, 2009

A vote to protect your right to travel out-of-state with a firearm could
come to a vote next week — even as early as Monday!

Senators John Thune and David Vitter are the sponsors of S. 845 — a
bill that will establish concealed carry reciprocity amongst the several
states.

Senators Thune and Vitter offered the bill as an amendment (#1618) to
the Department of Defense authorization bill (H.R. 2647).

This provision will use the constitutional authority allowing Congress
to enforce “full faith and credit” across the country, so that each
state respects the “public acts, records, and judicial proceedings” of
every other state (Article IV).

The benefit of the Thune/Vitter legislation is that — unlike other,
competing measures — it would protect the right of any U.S. citizen to
carry out of state (regardless of whether he possesses a permit), as
long as he is authorized to carry in his home state. This is important
because of states like Vermont and Alaska, where residents can carry
concealed without prior approval or permission from the state… in
other words, without a permit!

ACTION: Please urge your Senators to vote YES on the Thune/Vitter
concealed carry reciprocity amendment that will be offered to the
Department of Defense authorization bill and NO on any modifying
amendments. This vote could come as early as Monday, so please act on
this right away!

You can use the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center at
http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send your Senators the
pre-written e-mail message below.

—– Pre-written letter —–

Dear Senator:

Please support the Thune/Vitter amendment to the Department of Defense
authorization bill. This amendment will protect the right of citizens to
carry firearms outside of their home state without violating the rights
of the other states. Thus, the reciprocity language masterfully protects
the principle of federalism while also promoting Second Amendment
rights.

A person’s right to defend himself and his family should not end at the
border of his state.

I urge you to vote for the Thune/Vitter concealed carry amendment and to
oppose any modifying actions that seek to weaken their amendment.

Sincerely,

Please do not reply directly to this message, as your reply will
bounce back as undeliverable.

To subscribe to free, low-volume GOA alerts, go to
http://www.gunowners.org/ean.htm on the web. Change of e-mail
address may also be made at that location.

Problems, questions or comments? The main GOA e-mail address
goamail@gunowners.org is at your disposal. Please do not add that
address to distribution lists sending more than ten messages per
week or lists associated with issues other than gun rights.

Scott’s website
Scott Blog

Tags CCW, ccw laws, GOA, Right to Keep and Bear Arms, RTKBA, vote

RKBA

FW: I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy.

Post author By Scott
Post date July 4, 2009
No Comments on FW: I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy.

—– Original Message —–

Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 2:47 PM
Subject: I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy.

Clint Smith, Director of Thunder Ranch, is part drill instructor, and part stand up comic. Here are a few of his observations on tactics, firearms, self defense and life as we know it in the civilized world.

“The handgun would not be my choice of weapon if I knew I was going to a fight…I’d choose a rifle, a shotgun, an RPG or an atomic bomb instead.”

“The two most important rules in a gunfight are: always cheat and always win.”

“Every time I teach a class, I discover I don’t know something.”

“Don’t forget, incoming fire has the right of way.”

“Make your attacker advance through a wall of bullets. I may get killed with my own gun, but he’s gonna have to beat me to death with it, cause it’s going to be empty.”

“If you’re not shootin’, you should be loadin’. If you’re not loadin, you should be movin’, if you’re not movin’, someone’s gonna cut your head off and put it on a stick.”

“When you reload in low light encounters, don’t put your flashlight in your back pocket. If you light yourself up, you’ll look like an angel or the tooth fairy…and you’re gonna be one of ’em pretty soon.”

“Do something. It may be wrong, but do something.”

“Nothing adds a little class to a sniper course like a babe in a Ghilliesuit.”

“Shoot what’s available, as long as it’s available, until something else becomes available.”

“If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. That’s ridiculous…if I have a gun, what in the hell do I have to be paranoid for?”

“Don’t shoot fast, shoot good.”

“You can say ‘stop’ or ‘alto’ or use any other word you think will work but I’ve found that a large bore muzzle pointed at someone’s head is pretty much the universal language.”

“You have the rest of your life to solve your problems. How long you live depends on how well you do it.”

“You cannot save the planet. You may be able to save yourself and your family.”

“Thunder Ranch will be here as long as you’ll have us or until someone makes us go away and either way it will be exciting.”

More Excellent Gun Wisdom… The purpose of fighting is to win.
There is no possible victory in defense. The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental.

1. Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.

2. If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.

3. I carry a gun cause a cop is too heavy.

4. When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away.

5. A reporter did a human-interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him ‘Why do you carry a 45?’ The Ranger responded, ‘Because they don’t make a 46.’

6. An armed man will kill an unarmed man with monotonous regularity.

7. The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm. ‘Sheriff, I see you have your pistol. Are you expecting trouble?’ ‘No ma’am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my rifle.’

8. Beware the man who only has one gun. He probably knows how to use it!

If you believe in the 2nd Amendment, please forward.

‘The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.’ -G. K. Chesterton

A people that values its privileges above its principles will soon lose both.

‘Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.’

‘I was once asked by a lady visiting if I had a gun in the house.
To which I said I did. She said, “Well, I certainly hope it isn’t loaded!”
To which I said, “of course it is loaded, can’t work without bullets…”
She then asked, “Are you that afraid of someone evil coming into your house?”
My reply was, “No, not at all. I am not afraid of the house catching afire either, but I have fire extinguishers around and THEY ARE ALL LOADED.” ‘

Scott’s website
Scott Blog

Tags gun, gun conrol, RTKBA, Second Amendment

RKBA

Your Right to carry a Knife is in Danger!

Post author By Scott
Post date June 12, 2009
1 Comment on Your Right to carry a Knife is in Danger!

FORWARDED MESSAGE:
==================================================================

I don’t usually do this, but letters need to be in the mail within the next week or so.
The following alert from the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is urgent and time sensitive.
It is a long letter so I’ll summarize:
US Customs and Border Protection has decided to reverse some past decisions and redefine what constitutes a “switchblade.”
Under their new definition just about any folding knife could be considered a switchblade – especially knives designed to be easily opened with one hand – like the one in your pocket.
Most state and local laws base their own definition of a switchblade on Customs’ definition so if Customs tightens up their definition it could easily result in tighter state and local laws as well and you could suddenly be committing a felony for crossing a state line with that same handy little knife you’ve been carrying for years. Domestic manufacturers could also have their businesses seriously disrupted.
CBP was doing this kinda quietly and only allowed for a 30-day window for comments from the public – written on paper and sent to them through the US Mails. The deadline for their receipt of comments is June 21 (which is a Sunday so the real deadline might be June 20.)
[By the way I am scheduled to guest-host Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk radio program on the 21st so be sure to tune in.]
We are encouraging people to submit comments to CBP telling them not to create all sorts of potential problems by trying to solve a problem that isn’t a problem at all.
We also ask that you start pinging on your Senators and Representative demanding that they rein in CBP and then fix the issue permanently by repealing the useless ban on switchblades. (Legislators just shouldn’t be allowed to watch West Side Story.)
KnifeRights.org is the lead organization in this and they have sample letters at their web site – linked below.
I think the hype in the following is a bit heavy, but this is important none the less and I hope everyone will take immediate action.
Jeff

The U.S. Government Is Trying To Take Away Your Pocket Knives!

SAF and CCRKBA Joins with Knife Rights

The Second Amendment Foundation and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms have joined with Knife Rights to help fight this unwarranted knife grab by Customs. Alan Gottlieb CCRKBA Chairman noted, “we stand with Knife Rights in their support of Americans’ right to own and carry the knives of their choice.”

And, just a reminder, the Second Amendment doesn’t say “Firearms,” it says “Arms,” and knives are clearly covered.

The U.S. Government is after your Pocket Knives! In a sneak attack, U.S. Customs has proposed revoking earlier rulings that assisted opening knives are not switchblades. The proposal would not only outlaw assisted opening knives, its overly broad new definition of a switchblade would also include all one-handed opening knives and most other pocket knives!

U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) on May 21st proposed revoking earlier rulings that assisted opening knives are not switchblades. The proposed new rule would not only outlaw assisted opening knives, its new broad definition of a switchblade could also include one-handed opening knives and could be easily interpreted to cover most other pocket knives, even simple old-fashioned slip-joints.

At this point, one-hand opening and assisted opening knives are 80% of U.S. knife sales. For most knife companies, they represent all or the majority of their product lines. These are the knives Americans take with them to work and to play everyday.

Note, please, that CBP’s interpretation of the Federal Switchblade Act forms the basis for national, state and even local law and judicial rulings in many cases. This ruling by CBP is NOT limited to just imports. This WILL affect virtually everyone who carries a pocket knife, no matter the type!

CBP came up with this absurd proposal and then tried slipping it into their regular notices, apparently hoping nobody would become aware of until too late. They provided for only the minimum 30-day comment period, and there’s no email comments allowed. Just yesterday CBP rejected numerous requests for an extension to the unduly short comment period. Obviously, they’d just as soon not hear from us. We’re intending to disappoint them in that.

CBP’s proposal would have effects far beyond that suggested in the title of the proposal, “Proposed Revocation Of Ruling Letters And Revocation Of Treatment Relating To The Admissibilty [sic] Of Certain Knives With Spring-Assisted Opening Mechanisms,” which would be bad enough even if it only did that. However, this proposal would likely make it illegal for the estimated 40 million law-abiding Americans who own and carry pocket knives to do so. It would also cost this country dearly in destroyed businesses, lost jobs and ruined families.

Thousands of jobs and billions of dollars would be lost. CBP clearly appears to not have considered the consequences of this unnecessary, inappropriate and even illegitimate action. Since CBP is not required to consider the effects of their actions, only Congress or the courts can rein them in. If left to the courts, the industry and our rights will be devastated and America will lose much, regardless of who wins the legal fight.

The definition of what is a switchblade has been clear and settled for the most part since the Federal Switchblade Act was passed in 1958 and has been reaffirmed by many years of legal decisions. The Act is very clear that a switchblade must have an activating button on the handle. Without a button, it is not a switchblade and this has been upheld by numerous cases on many levels over the years. CBP’s convoluted reasoning in their proposal to reach back beyond the law and to expand their regulatory purview by rationalizing “intent” as justification for this new interpretation is a stretch, at best, and illegitimate at worst. It simply doesn’t meet the common sense test.

CBP’s reaching beyond the clear language of the Act in making this proposal is particularly questionable and irreconcilable because it flies in the face of virtually unanimous recent state court rulings (including several cases in California, Texas, Illinois and Michigan) where the issue of assisted-opening knives has already been decided in favor of the existing clear interpretation, that they are not a switchblade. They cherry-picked a few bizarre and untypical rulings from New York state from some years ago to provide support for their proposal, ignoring the many more recent rulings.

Beyond that, their significantly expanded interpretation of gravity and inertia knives, also included in the Act, would clearly make one-hand opening pocket knives illegal and according to industry sources, 80% of pocket knives sold today are one-hand or assisted openers. Beyond even that clearly excessively broad seizure of authority, we know from past unfortunate experience in many cases over the years that this sort of misinterpretation leads to potential abuse by law enforcement where even the most simple and innocuous Boy Scout folding pocket knife can be opened one-handed by use of dangerous and unsafe tricks, so that these too would be covered under this expanded federal definition. This ruling would therefore make almost all pocket knives subject to being considered switchblades.

The impact of this CBP ruling would go far beyond just imported knives because this “agency determination” will be used by domestic courts and law enforcement to determine what is a “switchblade” under both federal and state laws. Many states do not themselves define switchblades and simply rely on the federal definition and interpretation, which is only found in rulings by CBP. Since interstate commerce in switchblades is prohibited, except under very limited conditions, simply driving across a state line with a pocket knife in their possession would make someone a federal felon.

Knifemaking in the U.S. has enjoyed a renaissance in the past decade or two as the genius and innovation of American knifemakers, designers and manufacturers has created a booming and vital American industry with thousands of exciting new knife designs that improve the function, utility and safety of the lowly pocket knife, one of man’s oldest and most useful tools. Millions of Americans have responded to this innovation, creating a vibrant industry. For the most part these are family owned businesses that are American success stories, the core of America’s economic strength. This proposal by CBP would destroy all that for no good reason. That’s a heck of a stimulus package.

The knife industry tells us they employ nearly 24,000 Americans and have a nearly 6 billion dollar annual impact on our nation’s economy. Those are very conservative numbers. If this proposed ruling is allowed to stand, thousands of jobs will be lost at the direct cost of billions of dollars. That doesn’t even begin to cover the enormous cost to the country of those that would become unemployed, the ruined businesses, foreclosed homes, years of litigation by both industry against CBP and who knows how many criminal trials and appeals as law-abiding Americans fight this abusive attempt to take away their knives, as well as many other devastating unforeseen effects of this ill-considered proposal. Thousands of American citizens lives would be ruined. Millions of Americans would be impacted. The cost would be tragically huge, more so because it is neither necessary, nor desired by the vast majority of Americans.

Knife Rights www.KnifeRights.org is the organization that is heading the grassroots effort to stop Customs’ pocket knife grab. We are supporting their efforts to safeguard our rights. As they point out, the Second Amendment doesn’t say “Firearms,” it says “Arms.” Clearly the founding fathers expected that knives would be included.

Knife Rights has provided Model Letters to make it easy for you to make your feelings known. We are in for the fight of our lives to save our Pocket Knives. We can only win if you do your part. You have to write!

We need your help to make an impression on CBP. They figured that they could slip this by everyone with little notice. We need to let CBP know that they are not going to get away with it; that we noticed and we are not happy and that we will not stand by while they take away our pocket knives.

We need you to write CBP NOW! Their June 21, 2009, deadline is fast approaching and these letters must go via postal mail (or Fedex/UPS) and be RECEIVED (not postmarked) by that date. Click below for a Model Letter you can send to CBP. You MUST write TODAY!

http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=29
or
http://tinyurl.com/q7w8tm

However, the reality is that CBP isn’t required to listen to our demands, but they do have to answer to Congress. After you send a letter to CBP, giving them notice they are not going to sneak this by us, the next step is to inundate Congress with emails and letters.

If you want to be free to carry your pocket knives in the future, you need to write your Senators and Representative TODAY! Click below for a Model Letter you can send to Members of Congress. Only your efforts will stop this and save our Knife Rights!

http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=29
or
http://tinyurl.com/qqvmns

Help us stop this ill-conceived effort by Customs before it puts thousands of more Americans out of work and destroys one of Americas oldest industries, causing great harm to our nation and many American families. Help us stop these faceless, heartless bureaucrats from destroying our essential American freedoms. This nation has many more important issues that need our attention and energy in this time of crisis.

NOW IS THE TIME WE MUST DO BATTLE! WE HAVE NO TIME TO WASTE.!

GET ON YOUR COMPUTERS AND SEND THESE LETTERS and EMAILS.!

Write Customs & Border Patrol NOW!

http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=29
or
http://tinyurl.com/q7w8tm

Write your Senators and Representative TODAY!

http://www.kniferights.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=29
or
http://tinyurl.com/qqvmns

DO IT NOW! DO IT TODAY! DON’T WAIT!

< Please e-mail, distribute, and circulate to friends and family >

Copyright © 2009 Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, All Rights Reserved.
Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
James Madison Building
12500 N.E. Tenth Place
Bellevue, WA 98005 Voice: 425-454-4911
Toll Free: 800-426-4302
FAX: 425-451-3959
email: InformationRequest@ccrkba.org

_______________________________________________

================================================================================
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If you have issues or questions about this or any message originating from the FirearmsCoalition.org domain, please forward it with all message headers to abuse[at]firearmscoalition.org.

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Scott’s website
Scott Blog

Tags CCW, firearms Coalition, folding knife, gun owners, knife, Right to Keep and Bear Arms, switchblade

RKBA

National Training Week July 4-11th

Post author By Scott
Post date June 9, 2009
No Comments on National Training Week July 4-11th

NATIONAL TRAINING WEEK

Celebrate the Fourth of July with
Fireworks, Firearms and Freedom
Good Americans Are Good Marksmen
include some range time in your Independence Day plans!

National Training Week is endorsed by:
Congressman John Shadegg
The Second Amendment Foundation
The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
KeepAndBearArms.com
The Firearms Coalition (Neal Knox’s group)
Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform
Skip Coryell, founder of the Second Amendment March
Gun Owners of America
The Appleseed Project

(This list is growing faster than our ability to update it;
groups that support gun rights and training recognize the value.)

Memo to Gun Clubs & Gun Ranges:

NATIONAL TRAINING WEEK 3 Easy Steps

Dear Range Owner,

The week of July 4th is being established as National Training Week, a time when all good Americans go to ranges nationwide and enjoy the shooting sports.

This is a promotional and business-building opportunity for you, and a chance for the nation to rise up as one and exercise the right to keep and bear arms.

The event is strictly voluntary, it costs you virtually nothing to participate, and you will attract new customers and a revenue stream by climbing on board.

1. Tell your employees to talk up National Training Week, July 4 to July 11, Saturday to Saturday, and post the fliers linked at the end of this letter.

2. Offer your standard handgun rentals for one hour at no charge that’s the big draw, people get to try out firearms they haven’t fired. It costs you almost nothing, and customers use range time and ammo at normal prices or offer discounts if you really want to increase your crowd.

3. Schedule classes, have instructors available on site, make sure you have supplies on hand (including some books!), and add any other promo and PR you like to increase your draw.

It s easy, it s coordinated nationwide, national news outlets are being approached for coverage… put up the signs, tell your clients, go for it!

Good Americans are good marksmen.
Safe gun handling is everybody s business.

______________________

NATIONAL TRAINING WEEK
July 4 to July 11, 2009
Saturday to Saturday

1-hour FREE Handgun Rentals!
Special classes for newcomers!
Instructors on site!
Easy lessons for first-time gun owners!

As part of the national campaign to improve marksmanship and gun safety across America, our range is offering FREE handgun rentals this is your chance to try out a new firearm, get in some range time, sharpen your skills, and exercise your right to keep and bear arms! Don t miss this great opportunity!

We ll be offering special classes for people who are new to firearms, safety instructions for parents, special attention for youngsters, even advanced classes for highly skilled shooters. Mark your calendar make sure you visit us during 4th of July week and add firearms to the fireworks of this great American holiday!

______________________

Come Celebrate
NATIONAL TRAINING WEEK
here at our range!

July 4 to July 11, 2009
Saturday to Saturday

1-hour FREE Handgun Rentals!
Special classes for newcomers!
Instructors on site!
Easy lessons for first-time gun owners!

As part of the national campaign to improve marksmanship and gun safety across America,
our range is offering FREE handgun rentals
this is your chance to try out a new firearm,
get in some range time, sharpen your skills,
and exercise your right to keep and bear arms!

We ll be offering special classes for people who are new to firearms, safety instructions for parents, special attention for youngsters, even advanced classes for highly skilled shooters.

Mark your calendar make sure you visit us during
4th of July week and add firearms to the fireworks
of this great American holiday!

Want to do something to defend your rights?
Invite a friend, especially a newcomer, to go to the range with you

< Please e-mail, distribute, and circulate to friends and family >

Second Amendment Foundation
James Madison Building
12500 N.E. Tenth Place
Bellevue, WA 98005 Voice: 425-454-7012
Toll Free: 800-426-4302
FAX: 425-451-3959
email: InformationRequest@saf.org

Scott’s website
Scott Blog

Tags firearms, firearms Coalition, gun owners, Right to Keep and Bear Arms, RTKBA, Second Amendment

Politics RKBA

Obama Pushing Treaty To Ban Reloading

Post author By Scott
Post date April 21, 2009
No Comments on Obama Pushing Treaty To Ban Reloading

Obama Pushing Treaty To Ban Reloading
— Even BB guns could be on the chopping block

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://www.gunowners.org

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Remember CANDIDATE Barack Obama? The guy who “wasn’t going to take away
our guns”?

Well, guess what?

Less than 100 days into his administration, he’s never met a gun he
didn’t hate.

A week ago, Obama went to Mexico, whined about the United States, and
bemoaned (before the whole world) the fact that he didn’t have the
political power to take away our semi-automatics. Nevertheless, that
didn’t keep him from pushing additional restrictions on American gun
owners.

It’s called the Inter-American Convention Against Illicit Manufacturing
of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other
Related Materials. To be sure, this imponderable title masks a really
nasty piece of work.

First of all, when the treaty purports to ban the “illicit” manufacture
of firearms, what does that mean?

“Illicit manufacturing” of firearms is defined as “assembly of
firearms [or] ammunition… without a license….”

Hence, reloading ammunition — or putting together a lawful firearm from
a kit — is clearly “illicit manufacturing.”

Modifying a firearm in any way would surely be “illicit manufacturing.”
And, while it would be a stretch, assembling a firearm after cleaning it
could, in any plain reading of the words, come within the screwy
definition of “illicit manufacturing.”

“Firearm” has a similarly questionable definition.

“[A]ny other weapon” is a “firearm,” according to the treaty — and the
term “weapon” is nowhere defined.

So, is a BB gun a “firearm”? Probably.

A toy gun? Possibly.

A pistol grip or firing pin? Probably. And who knows what else.

If these provisions (and others) become the law of the land, the Obama
administration could have a heyday in enforcing them. Consider some of
the other provisions in the treaty:

Banning Reloading. In Article IV of the treaty, countries commit to
adopting “necessary legislative or other measures” to criminalize
illicit manufacturing and trafficking in firearms.

Remember that “illicit manufacturing” includes reloading and modifying
or assembling a firearm in any way. This would mean that the Obama
administration could promulgate regulations banning reloading on the
basis of this treaty — just as it is currently circumventing Congress
to write legislation taxing greenhouse gases.

Banning Gun Clubs. Article IV goes on to state that the criminalized
acts should include “association or conspiracy” in connection with said
offenses — which is arguably a term broad enough to allow, by
regulation, the criminalization of entire pro-gun organizations or gun
clubs, based on the facilities which they provide their membership.
Extraditing US Gun Dealers. Article V requires each party to “adopt
such measures as may be necessary to establish its jurisdiction over the
offenses it has established in accordance with this Convention” under a
variety of circumstances.

We know that Mexico is blaming U.S. gun dealers for the fact that its
streets are flowing with blood. And we know it is possible for Mexico
to define offenses “committed in its territory” in a very broad way.
And we know that we have an extradition obligation under Article XIX of
the proposed treaty. So we know that Mexico could try to use the treaty
to demand to extradition of American gun dealers.

Under Article XXIX, if Mexico demands the extradition of a lawful
American gun dealer, the U.S. would be required to resolve the dispute
through “other means of peaceful settlement.”

Does anyone want to risk twenty years in a sweltering Mexican jail on
the proposition that the Obama administration would apply this provision
in a pro-gun manner?

Microstamping. Article VI requires “appropriate markings” on
firearms. And, it is not inconceivable that this provision could be
used to require microstamping of firearms and/or ammunition — a
requirement which is clearly intended to impose specifications which are
not technologically possible or which are possible only at a
prohibitively expensive cost.

Gun Registration. Article XI requires the maintenance of any records,
for a “reasonable time,” that the government determines to be necessary
to trace firearms. This provision would almost certainly repeal
portions of McClure-Volkmer and could arguably be used to require a
national registry or database.

ACTION: Write your Senators and urge them to oppose the Inter-American
Convention Against Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms,
Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials.

Please use the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center at
http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send your Senators the
pre-written e-mail message below.

—– Pre-written letter —–

Dear Senator:

I am urging you, in the strongest terms, to oppose the Inter-American
Convention Against Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms,
Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials.

This anti-gun treaty was written by international bureaucrats who are
either stupid or virulently anti-gun — or both.

This treaty could very well ban the ability to reload ammunition, to put
new stocks on rifles lawfully owned by American citizens, and, possibly,
even ban BB guns!

There are too many problems with this treaty to mention them all in this
letter. The rest can be read on the website of Gun Owners of America
at:
http://www.gunowners.org/fs0901.htm

Please do not tell me the treaty has not yet been abused in this way by
the bevy of Third World countries which have signed it. We do not
expect the real ramifications of the treaty to become clear until the
big prize — the U.S. — has stepped into the trap.

For all of these reasons, I must insist that you oppose ratification of
the treaty.

Sincerely,

What’s Your Current GOA Status?

Obviously, we now face years of invigorated attacks on our gun rights.
Shutting down gun shows, prohibitions on specific calibers, another
semi-auto ban, and the anti-gun extremists’ Holy Grail of mandatory
federal licensing and registration of all gun owners — these are just
some of the horrors that we already know we’ll have to defeat head-on.
Not to mention this treaty nonsense. Meanwhile, we’ll take every
opportunity to go on offense and advance the Second Amendment.

It can’t be done without every single voice being counted. That’s why
we are asking you to consider making the commitment of becoming a Gun
Owners of America Life Member. By doing so, you put the politicians on
notice that neither you nor GOA is going away — that no matter who’s in
the White House, there is always going to be a solid wall of resistance.

Now is a perfect time to become a Life Member. And if you aren’t a GOA
member at all, isn’t it time you became one?

Please go to http://gunowners.org/ordergoamem.htm to upgrade your
participation in GOA.

Please do not reply directly to this message, as your reply will
bounce back as undeliverable.

To subscribe to free, low-volume GOA alerts, go to
http://www.gunowners.org/ean.htm on the web. Change of e-mail
address may also be made at that location.

To unsubscribe send a message to
gunowners_list@capwiz.mailmanager.net with the word unsubscribe in
the subject line or use the url below.

Tags GOA, gun conrol, Oboma, reloading

RKBA

Watch this CNN anti-gun YouTube video and SAF’s rebutal

Post author By Scott
Post date April 9, 2009
No Comments on Watch this CNN anti-gun YouTube video and SAF’s rebutal

Watch this CNN anti-gun YouTube video and SAF’s rebutal

Watch the YouTube link below to see CNN anti-gun rights bias and my on air knock out punch to them.

YouTube – CNN Rick Sanchez ‘SLAMS’ FOX News’s Gun Fear Mongering with guest Alan Gottlieb of the Second Amendment Foundation.

With your help we can make this the most watched video on YouTube.

Thanks for all your help and support in protecting our right to keep and bear arms.

Sincerely yours,

Alan M. Gottlieb
Founder, Second Amendment Foundation

< Please e-mail, distribute, and circulate to friends and family >

Second Amendment Foundation
James Madison Building
12500 N.E. Tenth Place
Bellevue, WA 98005 Voice: 425-454-7012
Toll Free: 800-426-4302
FAX: 425-451-3959
email: InformationRequest@saf.org

Tags anti-gun, CNN, gun conrol, Right to Keep and Bear Arms, SAF, YouTube

RKBA

Petition to Harry Reid — Sign now!

Post author By Scott
Post date April 6, 2009
No Comments on Petition to Harry Reid — Sign now!

April 6, 2009

Dear NAGR supporter:

“There are just a few gun-related changes that we would like to make, and among them would be to reinstitute the ban on the sale of assault weapons.”

Barack Obama’s anti-gun Attorney General Eric Holder didn’t exactly surprise gun owners when he came clean about his plans to ram through a new “Assault Weapons” ban into law.

But today, with the White House and Congress chock full of anti-gunners, Barack Obama and his anti-gun Attorney General don’t just want the “same old ban.”

They want a PERMANENT ban expanded to include almost any semi-automatic firearm in America!

That’s why it’s vital you sign the online petition we’ve prepared for our members, which demands that Senator Harry Reid refuse to allow so much as a hearing on the “Assault Weapons” Ban — TODAY!

You see, an “assault weapon” could be virtually any gun.

The anti-gun politicians just like the term “assault weapons” because it sounds “scary.”

And some people get them confused with fully automatic select-fire “machine guns” — guns that have been tightly controlled since 1934.

So Sarah Brady and the gun grabbers think they’ve got it made. They believe all they have to do is call a gun an “assault weapon” to demonize it, and then pass a ban.

That’s why we must fight back NOW!

The only good news in this situation is that we DO have a real chance of stopping this bill.

You see, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is THE KEY to defeating any new “Assault Weapons” Ban.

All he has to do is REFUSE to allow any Senate action on the bill, and no ban will get passed.

He’s already said he plans on voting against a new ban “if it comes up for a vote.”

Great, but not good enough, Harry.

That’s why you and I need to make sure Senator Harry Reid knows that if he allows the ban to have so much as a hearing, he will lose his seat.

And believe me: That’s a threat Senator Reid will take seriously.

He’s already disliked by a majority of Nevadans — and insiders are calling Senator Reid the most vulnerable Democrat in the Senate.

If Senator Reid crosses gun owners, he’s political dead meat — plain and simple. It’s our job to make sure he knows it.

But remember, Senator Reid doesn’t need our votes to win reelection — he needs the votes of folks in Nevada.

So — in addition to your signed petition — you and I must do everything we can to mobilize Second Amendment supporters in Nevada.

And that’s good news!

Firstly, Nevada is one of the most pro-gun states in the country.

And secondly, this program will give you and me an incredible “bang for our buck.”

Instead of mobilizing folks all over the country to try and get 41 votes to filibuster the gun grabbers’ schemes, we can concentrate all our firepower in ONE state.

And Nevada just happens to be one of the least populated states in the country — their TOTAL population is just under 2.5 million.

That means the National Association for Gun Rights can run the kind of no-nonsense, no-compromise grassroots effort that will have Senator Reid running for the hills.

But of course, even a targeted statewide program like this won’t be cheap.

So in addition to your petition , I hope I can count on your financial support as well.

With your generous contribution, we’ll focus our resources on running a full-scale campaign to mobilize Nevada gun owners, including:

Sending out three massive statewide mailings, urging Nevada gun owners to contact Senator Reid and express their opposition to the ban.

Writing hard-hitting guest editorials for every daily and weekly newspaper in Nevada to explain to Nevadans that Senator Reid has the power to single-handedly stop any new “Assault Weapons” Ban.

Training in-state pro-gun activists to write letters to the editor, work the talk-radio shows, talk to the press and hand out flyers at EVERY ONE of Senator Reid’s in-state events.

Putting up anti-BAN billboards within eyesight of EVERY one of Senator Reid’s Nevada offices, demanding that Senator Reid refuse to allow so much as a hearing on the ban.

Running statewide newspaper, radio and TV ads to show Senator Reid we really mean business.

The truth of the matter is, this simple statewide program in Nevada has the potential to be the most important program ANY gun rights group runs this year.

And if we can stop the so-called “Assault Weapons” Ban from passing, we just may be able to stop anything the gun control crowd throws our way.

But without an IMMEDIATE influx of funds, we may not be able to take advantage of this opportunity.

And if we don’t, a new, permanent “Assault Weapons” Ban WILL become law.

I’m sure, like me, you can hardly stomach that thought.

That’s why, in addition to your signed petition to Senator Reid, I also hope you’ll agree to make a generous contribution of $100 or $200 to the National Association for Gun Rights. Click here to contribute.

Believe me, I know that’s a lot, but we have an opportunity here to make a major difference.

If you can’t afford $100, please consider contributing $75 or $50 to the cause.

Listen: If you and I show Senator Reid that he could lose his seat if he allows action on any new gun ban, we can win. It’s that simple.

So please sign and the online petition, and rush me your most generous contribution of $200, $100, or $50 TODAY.

Sincerely,

Dudley Brown
Executive Director

P.S. We need to make sure Senator Harry Reid knows you and I — and tens of thousands of Nevadans — aren’t going to let him get away with allowing a new, permanent “Assault Weapons” Ban to pass.

So please sign NAGR’s online petition to Harry Reid demanding that he refuse to allow so much as a hearing on the “Assault Weapons” Ban TODAY!

And in addition to your signed petition, please send a generous contribution of $200, $100, or $50 — or whatever you can afford — TODAY! Click here to contribute.

Help fight gun control. Donate to the National Association for Gun Rights!

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Tags assault weapon, Eric Holder, Harry Reid, petition, Right to Keep and Bear Arms

RKBA

[Fcalerts-list] Weekly Knox Update

Post author By Scott
Post date March 16, 2009
No Comments on [Fcalerts-list] Weekly Knox Update

Three items for this weeks update:

Rights Activists Shooting Themselves in the Foot
No More Land for Gun Banning NPS
You Are a Radical Extremist and a Potential Terrorist (because you’re a good citizen)

The Myth of Mandatory Training

(March 12, 2009) Rights activists are shooting themselves in the foot whenever they advocate for mandatory training for concealed carry, and they’re shooting themselves in the foot a lot lately. There is absolutely no question that all gunowners, especially those who choose to carry in public, need to take their responsibilities seriously and seeking out quality training is just the beginning of the responsibility.
But legislating training is a seriously bad idea. If it is reasonable and prudent to mandate training for concealed carry, why would it not be reasonable and prudent to mandate training for open carry? If that is reasonable, what about mandating training for anyone wishing to even own a firearm, and mandatory training for anyone who lives in a home with a firearm? If mandatory training makes sense, then what is the argument against mandatory storage requirements? The bottom line is that firearm safety is a matter of personal responsibility and that responsibility can not and should not be legislated by government. Personal responsibility is, by definition, personal.
The idea of mandatory training stems from the huge and disturbing assumption that the people have no common sense of their own and must be led to sensible behavior by the government.
To read the entire article, go to the following link:
http://www.firearmscoalition.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=360&Itemid=37
or just go to our home page at: http://www.FirearmsCoalition.org

No More Land to National Park Service
There is a major lands bill pending in the US House which would add a bunch of land to the National Park Service. The bill has already passed the Senate and has come up a couple of times in the House only to be beaten back by gunowner’s objections.
As long a the National Park Service maintains its anti-gun policies and regulations they should not be given authority over one more square inch of US soil.
Contact your Representative and tell them to oppose S.22 – No more land to the NPS until they adopt gun regulations similar to those of the National Forest Service and BLM.
Gun Owners of America has taken the lead on fighting this legislation. More information can be found at their web site:
http://www.GunOwners.org

You Are a Dangerous Extremist!

A state-sponsored law enforcement “intelligence” organization in Missouri has apparently produced a document vilifying virtually anyone who disagrees with the government about taxation, gun rights, the Federal Reserve, or any other Constitutional issue. The report leaps from assumption to assumption with the ease of the most adept conspiracy theorist and concludes that since neo-Nazis, skin-heads, and the KKK tend to oppose taxes, support the Second Amendment, and question government authority, everyone who does any of those things is automatically suspect as a racist extremist and a potential terrorist.
Read more here:
http://www.firearmscoalition.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=359&Itemid=1
or just look for the story on our home page at: http://www.firearmscoalition.org

Please forward this information to people who should be interested and post it on your favorite forums and bulletin boards.

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If you have issues or questions about this or any message originating from the FirearmsCoalition.org domain, please forward it with all message headers to abuse[at]firearmscoalition.org.

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Tags extremist, gun, gun ban, gun conrol, Knox Report, national park, RKBA

2nd Amendment Politics RKBA

[Fcalerts-list] Take Action Now!

Post author By Scott
Post date December 13, 2008
No Comments on [Fcalerts-list] Take Action Now!

========================================================
Please reply to feedback [at] FirearmsCoalition.org
using appropriate email format.
========================================================

All is Not Hopeless: There are actions you can be taking now to build up the levy and stem the flood.
Oppose Confirmation of Eric Holder to Attorney General!
Celebrate Bill of Rights Day – Support the Second Amendment Book Bomb!
Help the Firearms Coalition by educating yourself and others.
Latest “Knox Report” newsletter is in the Mail.
All is Not Hopeless!
The record gun and ammo sales statistics since the election and the chatter on the various internet forums I monitor tell me that people are worried and want to take some action, but there doesn’t appear to be much that they can do except prepare for the worst. Even though the political landscape has shifted dramatically and the politicians are making stupid moves which are going to do more long-term harm to our economy and do threaten our future, the good news is that the worst is yet to come. If we can see ti coming, we can take action to prevent it. There are things that you can be doing right now to ensure a brighter future. Preparing for the worst is prudent, but it is not prudent to sit in the boat waiting for the flood when you could be busy reinforcing the levy to avoid the flood altogether.
The Brady Bunch and their pals are doing their best to convince the politicians and the public that “the gun lobby is dead.” The most important thing we can do right now is let the politicians and the rest of the nation know that the news of our demise has been greatly exaggerated. Just because there was no candidate for President that Gun Voters could rally to doesn’t mean that Americans no longer care about our rights. We need to let Washington know that in no uncertain terms. How do we do that? Read on.
Oppose Confirmation of Eric Holder to Attorney General!
The best way to prove we’re not dead is to take on a fight in Congress and win – or at least make a good showing. The fight that is currently available – and it is a fight worth fighting – is the nomination of Eric Holder to the position of Attorney General. Holder is a radical opponent of the Second Amendment and should be rejected for the incredibly powerful office of the AG.
The Firearms Coalition is calling on all supporters of the Second Amendment to declare their opposition to, and actively oppose Holder’s confirmation. Clubs and grassroots organizations are being invited to sign on to a letter of opposition to Holder as a first step.
Learn more about Holder and efforts to block his confirmation at www.FirearmsCoalition.org.
Celebrate Bill of Rights Day – Support the Second Amendment Book Bomb!
Gun buyers have been sending a message with the record purchases of guns and ammunition since the election, now we have the opportunity to expand on that message by pushing Steve Halbrook’s new book, “The Founders™ Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear Arms” to the top of the best sellers lists. It is important that activists be well versed in the fundamentals of the Second Amendment and Steve’s new book is a great way to establish a firm foundation.
The concept of a “Book Bomb” is to spread the word among supporters who are likely to want to purchase the book to all make their purchases at about the same time. This sales spike pushes the book to the tops of the charts where it is seen by a wider audience perpetuating more sales and maintaining the book high on the best seller lists.
To learn more about this effort, go to http://www.secondamendmentbook.com and be sure to read about the related special offer from The Firearms Coalition below.
Help the Firearms Coalition by Educating Yourself and Others.
Since “Knowledge is Power,” The Firearms Coalition wants to help all of our friends become as knowledgeable and powerful as possible. That’s why we are offering two great books and one great video DVD as premiums for donations to our efforts. We are doing our part to support the “Book Bomb” program described above by purchasing a number of copies of Steve Halbrook’s book, “The Founders™ Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear Arms” and offering them to our supporters.Â We are also offering copies of David Hardy’s excellent documentary film, In Search of the Second Amendment and the comprehensive book, “The Heller Case; Gun Rights Affirmed” by Alan Korwin and Dave Kopel.
Contributors of $50 or more may select any one of these great titles and for a contribution of $100 or more, we’ll send you all three.Â And as an added bonus, if you are not a current subscriber to our bi-monthly newsletter, we’ll throw in a year’s subscription for free.
Of course you can acquire these great resources for less money elsewhere, but by getting them from The Firearms Coalition you are also helping to support our efforts to protect your rights.
To take advantage of this offer, send your contribution of $50 or more to:
The Firearms Coalition
Po Box 3313
Manassas, VAÂ 20108

Be sure to indicate your preference of either
“The Founders™ Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear Arms” by Stephen Halbrook
“The Heller Case; Gun Rights Affirmed” by Alan Korwin and Dave Kopel
the video DVD, In Search of the Second Amendment by David Hardy
or all three for a donation of $100 or more!

You can also contribute via the “Donate” button at www.FirearmsCoalition.org or by calling our Virginia offices at 703-753-0424 during business hours and using a credit card.

Latest “Knox Report” newsletter is in the Mail.
We’ve just mailed our latest Knox Report newsletter. If you are not yet a subscriber, we encourage you to do so to keep up with the latest information and analysis of gun rights news.

We’d also like to take this opportunity to wish you all Happy Holy Days!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Best wishes for a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year.

Yours for the Second Amendment,

Jeff Knox
Director, The Firearms Coalition
Neal Knox Associates

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sent without a subscription and confirmation.

If you have issues or questions about this or any message originating from the FirearmsCoalition.org domain, please forward it with all message headers to abuse[at]firearmscoalition.org.

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your existing address and resubscribe from the new one.

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Tags Eric Holder, firearms Coalition, Knox Report, Second Amendment

2nd Amendment RKBA

End of the Year Report

GOA Members Win Key Battles in 2008
— While gun rights advanced this year, the prospects for next year
look very tough

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://www.gunowners.org/ordergoamem.htm

“The best Second Amendment defense organization in the country is Gun
Owners of America.” — Joseph Farrah, founder and CEO of

WorldNetDaily.com, September 2008

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Change.

That’s what the next four years are going to bring. More government
regulations… more government spending… and more battles over gun
control.

Once Barack Obama takes his oath of office in January, he will
become, without a doubt, the most anti-gun President this nation has
ever seen.

How are gun owners responding to the oncoming Obama presidency? By
the tens of thousands, they are pouring into gun stores all across
the country and stocking up on guns and ammo, fearing the worst.
Many buyers include first-time gun owners.

And while that is not a bad idea, it’s a short term solution to a
long-term problem that does nothing to defend our Second Amendment
rights from being eliminated by a Congress controlled by people like
Ted Kennedy, Chuck Schumer, Carolyn McCarthy and other notorious gun
grabbers.

That’s why we need you to stand with Gun Owners of America next year.
If you have never become a GOA member — or you’ve let your
membership lapse — we need you on board so that we have the
ammunition necessary to fight every gun control bill that comes our
way.

It takes less than five minutes to go to
http://www.gunowners.org/ordergoamem.htm and sign up. By doing so,
you will be joining — in the words of WorldNetDaily’s founder — the
“best Second Amendment defense organization in the country.”

We need you now more than ever, as we are surely in for the fight of
our lives!

Even so, despite all the hurdles that we see ahead, one should not
forget that 2008 was a real improvement for gun rights in many
respects. Gun Owners of America experienced victories in the
courts… in the Congress… over federal bureaucracies… and in the
states.

The following victories are just a few of the accomplishments that
GOA was able to achieve this year with YOUR HELP. So let’s take a
look at our work together, month by month.

January – February

As the new year dawns, President Bush signs the Veterans
Disarmament Act (a.k.a. the NICS Improvement Amendments Act). This
legislation codifies illegitimate procedures that, over the past
decade, had already resulted in almost 150,000 veterans being denied
the right to buy guns because battle-related stress has supposedly
rendered them unable to manage their own financial affairs.

GOA was able to win some significant concession in the bill, even as
we were trying to kill it outright. Unfortunately, the bill passed
both houses of Congress last year without a vote. Republican Senator
Jim DeMint of South Carolina later complained that the Democrat
controlled Senate had passed 94 percent of its bills this year
without a recorded vote.

An Associate Director in the U.S. Interior Department defends the
National Park Service ban claiming that “parks are safe places” and
that right to carry laws “do not reduce crime” or protect people
against dangerous wildlife. GOA responds by generating thousands
upon thousands of postcards into the Oval Office, asking President
Bush to put the squeeze on Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to get
the NPS ban reversed — a reversal that will come about in May.
The U.S. Solicitor General files a brief with the U.S. Supreme
Court in the D.C. v. Heller case arguing that categorical gun bans of
virtually all self-defense firearms are constitutional if a court
determines they are “reasonable” — the lowest standard of
constitutional review. This view could justify a national ban on all
firearms, including a ban on all hunting rifles.

GOA works with Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA) and helps him to quickly get
57 additional congressmen to oppose the Solicitor General’s opinion.

Because of generous contributions from its members, GOA is able to
submit a very unique amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court in
defense of Dick Anthony Heller, who was denied the right to own a gun
in the nation�s capital as a result of the draconian gun ban which
exists there.

In this hard-hitting brief, GOA takes aim at the weak arguments put
forth by both the DC government and the Bush Administration. But
more than that, GOA examines the favorable text and context of the
Second Amendment in great detail, while also documenting the pro-gun
history that formed the backdrop of its inclusion into the Bill of
Rights.

March – May

After looking at all the briefs which have been submitted in the
Heller case, the editors at USA Today decide to use GOA for the
opposing voice on March 19. The paper’s editors tell our attorneys
that GOA had an argument that was clearly distinctive, as we were the
only ones to argue that the words “shall not be infringed”
invalidated all federal gun control laws.

In the states, GOA helped Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming to pass
Emergency Protection bills throughout the country. These bills
repeal laws that allow police to confiscate firearms during a
declared emergency, such as what occurred in New Orleans after
Hurricane Katrina decimated the city in 2005.

The sponsor of the Utah legislation, Senator Mark Madsen (R), thanked
GOA in March for the help we offered in helping pass the legislation
in his state.

“GOA supplied me with video that documented the plight of decent gun
owners in New Orleans who had their guns stolen by police after
Hurricane Katrina,” Madsen said. “The DVD was very helpful in
educating other members of the Utah legislature, and my bill to
protect Utah gun owners from gun confiscation, SB 157, passed by
overwhelming margins.”

Sen. Madsen’s new law is one of the best in the country. If someone
were to have his gun illegitimately confiscated, that person could
not only sue for damages, but could hold the offending officer and
his superior personally liable.

GOA’s attorneys uncover a proposal in April to keep gun owners from
shipping replica or inert munitions through the mail. GOA
immediately submitted a blistering critique to the U.S. Post Office
and contacted thousands of grassroots activists so they could submit
their own comments as well. To date, the agency has backed off of
its original gun control proposal.

The Bush administration, after more than seven years, has finally
issued regulations permitting the carrying of firearms in national
parks! Beginning in 2009, gun owners will be able to carry firearms
according to the laws of the state in which the park is located.

GOA learns about Pastor Phillip Miles of South Carolina, who was
sentenced to three years in a Russian prison for carrying a single
box of hunting ammo in his luggage, intended as a gift. GOA urges
President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice to intervene on
Miles’ behalf, as the sentence definitely did not fit the “crime.”
Russian authorities succumb to the outcry shortly thereafter… Miles
is released in June and returns to the United States.

June – August

The Supreme Court strikes down the DC gun ban! While not perfect,
the Court’s decision recognizes that the Second Amendment protects an
“individual right” and states that the decades-old ban in the
nation’s capital is unconstitutional.

GOA’s brief had countered both the DC government and the Bush
Administration — as the latter had asked the Court to use the DC
case as a justification for all sorts of gun control. GOA is pleased
that the Justices heeded our admonition to limit the Court’s holding
to the case before it, thus shooting down both the DC government and
the Bush Administration in their quest to validate other firearms
restrictions.

GOA Executive Director Larry Pratt escorts David Olofson to a
federal prison in Minnesota. Olofson was convicted in federal court
of transferring a malfunctioning semi-automatic firearm which the ATF
claimed was machine gun — a determination that should concern every
gun owner who owns a semi-auto.

Gun Owners of America becomes the lead gun organization fighting
against the ATF’s persecution of Olofson. In taking on this case,
GOA is also defending the rights of gun owners who could be
prosecuted for owning a malfunctioning firearm. For the ATF, a gun
that misfires is an excellent opportunity to rack up an easy
conviction on an illegal machine gun charge.

In Olofson’s defense, GOA submits an appeal challenging his
conviction at the district court level, and sets up a relief fund to
help pay for his family’s mortgage and car payments.

September – November

David Olofson’s wife, Candy, thanks GOA and its members for helping
their family. Candy tells GOA Executive Director Larry Pratt that
because of the financial help that GOA members have given, she has
not had to get a second job, so she is able to spend time being a
Mom.

GOA’s Larry Pratt travels to the Big Easy to award a brand new
handgun to Patricia Konie — the New Orleans resident who was tackled
and disarmed by police in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Konie was
forced to evacuate her home in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005,
and until recently, had remained disarmed. To this day, she has
never gotten back her stolen gun.

GOA tells its email activists how the ATF was trying to prevent the
distribution of an electronic 4473 Form. This software has been
developed by a private firm, Coloseum Software Corporation, and is
intended to protect dealers against the “mistakes” that have allowed
the ATF to prosecute or harass them into giving up their licenses.

GOA issued a grassroots alert in mid-October explaining how the ATF
had been dragging its collective feet for months — keeping Coloseum
from distributing its software, even while the ATF was developing its
own competing software (and possibly, violating the copyright which
belonged to Coloseum).

After GOA asked gun owners to contact the Bush Administration, the
owner of Coloseum contacted us shortly thereafter to tell us that our
alert had been a tremendous success: “After the GOA alert put the
spotlight on criminal activity by the BATFE, they quickly provided us
[Coloseum Software Corp] with the required documentation for the new
Form 4473 which we had been asking for months.”

GOA is on the front lines, fighting to defend your rights. Even if
you have already renewed your membership in GOA, we hope you will
consider making an additional contribution.

With your extra support in 2009, we will fight off every new attack
on our gun rights. And we will remind the Democratic Congress what
happened to their majority the last time they followed an anti-gun
President down this path.

This next year is going to be our most difficult year in a long, long
time. Already, President-elect Obama is surrounding himself with
virulent anti-gunners:

His pick for Attorney General went to a committed gun grabber in
Eric Holder. Holder signed on to an amicus brief in the Heller case
which SUPPORTED the DC ban on handguns and the ban on using any
firearm for self-defense in a person�s home. Holder’s brief also
argued that the Second Amendment protects a “collective” right, not
an individual right (as the Supreme Court eventually ruled).

And based on his pick for Chief of Staff, you can be sure that the
Obama administration will use any “crisis” it can to push its gun
control agenda. Obama’s Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, told the Wall
Street Journal recently that, “You never want a serious crisis to go
to waste…. [A] crisis provides the opportunity for us to do things
that you could not do before.”

Get it? Every time a crackpot goes on a shooting spree, the Obama
administration is going to use that “crisis” to come after your guns!

So please make the decision to stay with us in the upcoming year, as
it will be critical for America’s gun rights. Whether you can help
us out with your gift of $35 or $3500, your contribution will be put
immediately into the fight to preserve and restore all of our gun
rights.

Please go to http://www.gunowners.org/ordergoamem.htm and stay with
us in 2009!

Please do not reply directly to this message, as your reply will
bounce back as undeliverable.

To subscribe to free, low-volume GOA alerts, go to
http://www.gunowners.org/ean.htm on the web. Change of e-mail
address may also be made at that location.

Tags GOA, gun, gun conrol, gun owners, Right to Keep and Bear Arms, RKBA