NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 10, No. 50 12/12/2003

"A SAD DAY FOR THE CONSTITUTION..."

So noted NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre when, on December 10, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision to uphold the major provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA), also known as McCain-Feingold. As we have often reported, the issue that has been of greatest concern to NRA is the law`s prohibition on the running of broadcast ads (termed "electioneering communications") that mention candidates for federal office during the critical 30-day period before a primary election and 60-day period before a general election. This First Amendment "blackout" period is a direct attack on free speech.

The First Amendment declares, in part, that "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech." Yet, the high Court`s divided decision opens the door to precisely that - the abridgement of free speech. By allowing Congress to severely restrict issue ads in the crucial days before a primary or general election, the ruling contravenes the basic principle of our First Amendment rights, and grants Congress inordinate authority to regulate the flow of money in politics and political races.

In a powerful dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia said, "Who could have imagined that the same court which, within the past four years, has sternly disapproved of restrictions upon such inconsequential forms of expression as virtual child pornography, tobacco advertising, dissemination of illegally intercepted communications, and sexually explicit cable programming would smile with favor upon a law that cuts to the heart of what the First Amendment is meant to protect: the right to criticize the government." Scalia went on to wryly note, "The first instinct of power is the retention of power, and, under a Constitution that requires periodic elections, that is best achieved by the suppression of election-time speech."

Justice Anthony Kennedy called the provision "a new and serious intrusion on speech."

Justice Clarence Thomas noted that, following the Court`s reasoning to its logical conclusion, the next step will be "outright regulation of the press."

The egregious decision also means that the burden of fighting back against the full fury of the anti-gun lobby in the months and weeks leading up to elections will fall squarely on the shoulders of the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF), NRA`s Political Action Committee (PAC). NRA-PVF is funded by contributions from members and pro-gun supporters, and, unlike regular NRA membership dues and contributions to NRA-ILA, is used solely for the purpose of assisting the campaigns of pro-Second Amendment candidates. It is critical that we redouble our NRA-PVF fundraising efforts.

Commenting on the Court`s decision, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre said, "You`re going to have to put an asterisk by the First Amendment, and a footnote, because for many months of the year it`s no longer in effect." Wayne went on to say, in no uncertain terms, that NRA still has many ways to make its position known in federal elections. "They didn`t say we couldn`t mention the U.S. Congress, or the Senate. And we will run advertising directing the American public to information sources as to where they can find the truth, and the facts, and who`s for them and who`s against them. This is a sad day for the Constitution, but the 4 million members of the NRA will continue to be heard. That I can promise."

In addition to expanding NRA-PVF`s fundraising activities, this, no doubt, will also mean an even greater reliance on the grassroots efforts of our nation`s 65 million gun owners who have answered the call time and again. One clear advantage NRA has over virtually every other group in America is a large, passionate, and active base of grassroots support that is willing to not only vote on Election Day, but actively work on the campaigns of pro-freedom candidates. The engine that drives the NRA machine is our grassroots, and you can rest assured in the months ahead, we will refine, improve, and expand our grassroots operations to meet the challenges that now lay before us. Please keep an eye out on future Grassroots Alerts to find out how you can take on an even more active role in our grassroots activities in this new day and age of campaign restrictions.

OMNIBUS UPDATE

On December 8, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2004 omnibus appropriations bill. The bill actually consists of seven unfinished spending bills grouped together, containing literally thousands of separate provisions.

Included in this massive bill is a provision that requires the destruction of approved federal gun purchase records within 24 hours, as opposed to the current retention period of 90 days. This provision applies only to the records of individuals who have already been cleared through the National Instant Check System (NICS), and does not include applicants whose background check indicates a disqualification.

The measure now moves on to the U.S. Senate for a vote next year. Rest assured that NRA-ILA will keep you apprised of any future developments.

NRA-ILA GRASSROOTS ELECTION WORKSHOPS

In preparation for the 2004 elections, NRA-ILA is hosting FREE Grassroots-Election Workshops across the country. These Workshops provide NRA members with training on what they can do locally to ensure pro-gun candidates are elected to office in 2004. The meetings also provide a venue for lawmakers, candidates, and their staffs to reach out to NRA members and explain their positions on our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.

Upcoming Workshops are slated for:

Folsom, Cal. - 1/15/04

Frederick, Md. - 1/24/04

NRA members who are interested in attending should contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) for details and to reserve their spots. NRA members who have access to the Internet can also go to http://www.nraila.org/workshops/ to reserve their spots on-line.

Even if you cannot attend a Workshop, or none is scheduled near you, there is still plenty you can do to help ensure victory for the pro-gun community during this election cycle. To assist you, NRA-ILA has designated an individual in almost every congressional district (known as an NRA-ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator [EVC]) who stands ready to plug you into ongoing campaign activities. The EVC in your district is a fellow NRA member who is working to provide pro-gun campaigns in your state and area with volunteers to help with phone banks, literature drops, voter registration drives, precinct walks, Get Out The Vote and Election Day activities, and other volunteer campaign activities. To locate your EVC so you can prepare to begin working on pro-freedom campaigns, please call ILA Grassroots at (800) 392-VOTE (8683), or log on to our website at www.NRAILA.org, and click on the "Get Involved Locally" section. If your district currently has a vacancy for an EVC, and you would like to serve in this capacity, please call the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division and ask to speak with the Grassroots Coordinator for your state.

STAY INFORMED & HELP SAVE ILA FUNDS

If you have an e-mail address, but you still receive the NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert every Friday via fax, we encourage you to switch over to our e-mail system. We can send e-mail at virtually no cost, while each fax incurs the cost of a long distance call, not to mention your cost in paper. E-mail also allows you more flexibility in relaying our information to others. If you would like to switch to e-mail delivery, just go to www.NRAILA.org, then follow the instructions through the link called "Sign Up For Email." Once you start receiving our alerts via e-mail, call the Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683, and let us know so we can take you off the fax system.

A LOOK AT THE STATES

INDIANA

Show your support for the Second Amendment at the Bill of Rights Day celebration hosted by Restoring Our Heritage and The Second Amendment Patriots. The Bill of Rights was adopted on December 15, 1791, and this often forgotten day should be a time for Americans to give thanks for their freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Please join with local organizations and lawmakers to celebrate this historic day on Sunday, December 14, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., at the Evansville Coliseum, 350 Court St., in Evansville.

NEW MEXICO

The New Mexico Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on January 5, regarding the legal challenge to the state`s Right-to-Carry law. NRA has been asked to intervene in the case and has filed a brief with the Court disputing claims opponents have made that the law would make children in the state less safe. We`ll keep you posted!

NORTH CAROLINA

This week, Delaware and North Carolina announced that they will recognize each other`s Right-to-Carry permits. This will bring a total of 20 states which have reciprocity agreements with North Carolina since Right-to-Carry was signed into law.

OHIO

On December 11, the General Assembly passed HB 12 which would allow law-abiding citizens, who have satisfied a criminal background check and taken a training course, to obtain a permit to carry a handgun concealed for personal protection. The bill is now headed to Governor Taft`s (R) desk. Please call Governor Taft and respectfully urge him to sign this bill into law! You can contact the Governor by phone at (614) 644-4357 or e-mail him at governor.taft@das.state.oh.us