Federal Gun News

Protect Our 2nd Amendment Rights

Vote Freedom First on June 8, 2010

Dear California Gun Owners:

The NRA needs your help on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, to protect your gun rights and hunting heritage in California.

There has been much interest in the 2nd Amendment positions of the candidates seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate to challenge anti-gun incumbent Senator Barbara Boxer. Two candidates - Carly Fiorina and Chuck DeVore - strongly support our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Unlike Barbara Boxer, Carly Fiorina is a gun owner, proud NRA member, and strong Second Amendment supporter. She would give California's millions of gun owners a strong voice in the U.S. Senate. Chuck DeVore is also a supporter of gun rights and had a solid pro-gun voting record in the California State Assembly.

In contrast, the other candidate - Tom Campbell - has cast many anti-gun votes during his political career. In 1993, when then-President Bill Clinton launched an all-out assault on the Second Amendment, then-Congressman Tom Campbell supported a ban on the purchase, sale, and transfer of commonly-owned semi-automatic rifles (mislabeled "assault weapons"). He also voted to impose a national waiting period for handgun purchases and against establishing an instant check system as an alternative. Even worse, Campbell voted to regulate gun shows out of existence. And if that's no bad enough, he voted against allowing off-duty and retired police officers to carry concealed firearms!

California gun owners need to have a clear choice in the general election in November against anti-gun incumbent Barbara Boxer. If Tom Campbell is the Republican nominee, you will unfortunately be stuck with the status quo.

It is critical for you to be aware of the differences between these candidates before voting in the Republican primary election. Encourage all of your family, friends, and fellow gun owners to join you at the polls on Tuesday, June 8th, and remember to Vote Freedom First! There are enough gun owners in California to affect the outcome of almost any election, but you have to VOTE! If you don't vote to protect your gun rights now you have no right to complain later when they are lost.

The Stearns Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Bill

U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns` (R-Fla.) national Right-to-Carry (RTC) reciprocity bill, H.R. 4547, would allow any person with a valid concealed firearm carrying permit or license, issued by a state, to carry a concealed firearm in any other state, as follows: In states that issue concealed firearm permits, a states laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within its own borders. In states that do not issue carry permits, a federal "bright-line" standard would permit carrying in places other than police stations; courthouses; public polling places; meetings of state, county, or municipal governing bodies; schools; passenger areas of airports; and certain other locations. H.R. 4547 would also apply to D.C., Puerto Rico and U.S. territories. The bill would not create a federal licensing system; it would require the states to recognize each others` carry permits, just as they recognize drivers` licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards. Rep. Stearns has introduced such legislation since 1995 and continues to pursue it. Only the Democrats have repeatedly stood in the way of this needed bill becoming law.

Please be sure to contact your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121, and urge him or her to cosponsor and support H.R. 4547!

A LOOK AT THE STATES

(***For all of the action items below, you can find contact information for your legislators by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org. As always, thank you for your support.***)

CALIFORNIA