NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 13, No. 41
10/13/06
States with updates this issue: California, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, and Virginia.
PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS NRA-BACKED
"DISASTER RECOVERY PERSONAL PROTECTION"
MEASURE INTO LAW
President George W. Bush recently signed legislation that included
language based on H.R. 5013, the "Disaster Recovery Personal Protection
Act," to prohibit the confiscation of legal firearms from law-abiding
citizens during states of emergency. Passage of this legislation became a
top priority of NRA following confiscations of lawfully-owned firearms by
local officials in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Prior to the President's recent action, NRA led the charge in passing
"emergency powers" laws in 10 states. This new law was part of the
Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill.
"I want to thank President George W. Bush for signing this vital
measure into law," declared NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. "The
chaos and civil disorder our country witnessed in New Orleans after the
city effectively suspended the Second Amendment confirmed every
law-abiding gun owner's worst fear - that gun confiscations can happen
right here in America. As promised, NRA set out to pass legislation at
both the federal and state levels to protect the Second Amendment rights
of law-abiding American citizens."
The Homeland Security amendment was based on H.R. 5013, the "Disaster
Recovery Personal Protection Act," which was introduced in the House by
Congressman Bobby Jindal, R-La., and passed the House on July 25 with a
broad bi-partisan margin of 322 to 99. Sen. David Vitter, R-La.,
introduced the Senate version of the bill. Sen. Vitter also championed
the first Senate action on a different version of the appropriations
amendment, which passed in July by an 84 to 16 vote, one the largest
margins of victory ever for an NRA-backed measure.
"The essence of the 'Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act' was so
compelling that it received strong, bipartisan support in Congress,"
continued Cox. "When 911 is non-existent and law enforcement personnel are
overwhelmed with search-and-rescue missions and other emergency duties,
law-abiding Americans must have legal protection to defend their families
and loved ones in times of emergency. The NRA is honored to have helped
guarantee this fundamental freedom."
"GIVE THEM BACK"
As you've read in previous Grassroots Alerts and in the article above,
in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, law-abiding citizens had their lawfully
owned firearms confiscated by local officials. When citizens needed
protection the most, they were stripped of their right to self-defense.
As you also read above, President Bush recently signed NRA-backed
legislation to ensure such travesties are never repeated.
NRA has launched a new web site--
www.givethemback.com --with shocking video coverage of New Orleans gun
confiscations that you'll never see on ABC, CBS, or NBC. This site gives
gun owners a stark and brutal reminder of why we must defend our firearm
freedoms with passion and vigilance, in Congress, in the courts, on
America's city streets.AND ON ELECTION DAY.
This site makes it clear why gun owners can never, ever sit on the
sidelines during an election. This site is a slap-in-the-face wake up
call for every gun owner who thinks anti-gun politicians don't have the
nerve or the will to confiscate our guns. And why they must be defeated
before they ever get their hands on power.
Please be sure to visit
www.givethemback.com today, and forward the link to your friends,
family and fellow gun owners. Remember what happened in New Orleans, and
let your voice be heard on Election Day--Vote for Freedom on November 7!
With your help, we're going to make the first time in New Orleans the LAST
time in America.
SECOND ANNUAL
"FIREARMS LAW & THE SECOND AMENDMENT"
SYMPOSIUM A SUCCESS
More than 140 attorneys, law students, and members of the public
attended this year's "Firearms Law & The Second Amendment" symposium, held
Oct. 7, at George Mason University School of Law in Arlington, VA. The
guests heard presentations from leading scholars on key issues affecting
firearms ownership, including:
· Profs. Nelson Lund and Robert Cottrol on the text and history of the
Second Amendment;
· Attorney David Hardy on recent claims that the Second Amendment
protects gun control;
· Attorneys Lawrence G. Keane of the National Shooting Sports
Foundation and firearms law specialist Richard Gardiner on current
issues in firearms litigation;
· Prof. Joyce Lee Malcolm and Independence Institute Research Director
David Kopel on gun ownership issues around the world, including U.N. gun
control activities and the movement Kopel described as the "pacifist-aggressives"-those
who refuse to defend themselves, and want to prevent others from doing so
as well.
· Prof. Renee Lettow Lerner on the international movement to strengthen
innocent citizens' self-defense rights, and Prof. Brian Patrick on how
pro-right-to-carry activists used their own communications networks to
bypass media opposition to legislative reforms.
