National Rifle Association

From the NRA Institute of Legislative Action:

National Gun Registration And Waiting Period
Are Goals Of New “Gun Show” Study

Despite California’s bans on “assault weapons,” “unsafe” handguns, private gun sales, and sales of two handguns in a 30-day period; its 10-day waiting period on all gun sales; and its denial of carry permits to people who don’t have the right connections, the Golden State’s murder and robbery rates are 12 and 20 percent higher, respectively, than in the rest of the country.

Nevertheless, the Brady Campaign calls California’s “assault weapon” ban “a model for the nation,” and gives the state a high “grade” just for having more gun control than other states. Washington, D.C.’s city council adopted California’s “assault weapon” ban and “unsafe handgun” ban whole cloth in January, backtracking on handguns this summer only in the face of court challenges.

And then there’s Garen Wintemute, of the University of California (Davis), who in September released another of his “studies” in favor of gun control. His new piece is called “Inside Gun Shows: What Goes On When Everybody Thinks Nobody’s Watching.”

You can find out more here

The National Rifle Association is calling for Hunt Reports in an e-mail from the NRA Special Announcement Report e-mail list:

NRA Website Solicits Member Hunt Reports

Did you have an exceptionally good hunting trip last season you’d like to share with other NRA members?

NRAhuntersrights.org is accepting brief reports and photos from members who want to tell others about their recent hunting experiences. We’re looking for information that could help your fellow hunters plan an exciting experience afield, with a great outfitter and guide, as well as sort through any confusing regulations you may have encountered or travel issues along the way. Don’t think of it as writing an article – think of it as telling your hunting buddies what the trip was like.

All we’re looking for is about 500 words, but you can go longer if you need to. We have to have a good, sharp photo from the hunt, contact information for the guide and outfitter, plus any other information about the hunt you want to give us.

How to Submit a Report: It’s easy. Just write it up in your own words and send it to huntersrights@nrahq.org. Write “Hunt Report” in the subject line. We’ll consider it, and if it meets our criteria we’ll post it and let you know when it’s up.

Submission of a Member Hunt Report does not guarantee it will be posted, and there is no payment.

If you have not visited www.nrahuntersrights.org recently, here are a few headlines you’ve missed:

California: Statewide Ban on Lead Ammo Weighed

HSUS Files to Stop Colorado Elk Culling

Conservation Groups Urge Obama to Delist Gray Wolves

Should South Dakota Hunters Have to Pay for Road Repair?

Diverting Hunters’ Dollars Unfair – and Shortsighted

Keep up with how NRA is defending your freedom to hunt at www.nrahuntersrights.org.

The Associated Press and NewWest.net are reporting that President Bush signed a National Park Service rule that eased the ban on firearms in National Parks.

From NewWest.net:

Bush Comes Through for the NRA on National Park Gun Rule

Bush administration fires parting shot, allowing visitors in most National Parks to carry concealed, loaded guns.
By Bill Schneider, 12-05-08

As expected, the Bush Administration has officially loosened up rules governing taking guns into national parks.

The final rule is, according to opponents, significantly stronger than the rule proposed earlier this year. The final rule allows visitors to carry concealed, loaded guns into wildlife refuges and 388 out of the 391 national park units in 48 states.

As originally proposed, the rule would apply only to states that allowed concealed, loaded guns in state parks, but the final rule expands it to any state allowing concealed gun permits, but only for people with concealed carry permits. The rule essentially allows individuals to carry concealed firearms in most national parks and wildlife refuges to the same extent they can lawfully do so under state law.

The administrative rule overturns a Reagan-era rule requiring firearms to be unloaded and not easily accessible, such as in a car trunk.

In an Associated Press story, Assistant Interior Secretary Lyle Laverty said the new rule respects a long tradition of states and the federal government working together on natural resource issues.

He also said that the approach is in line with rules adopted by the federal Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.

The National Rifle Association (NRA), which led efforts to weaken the rule, hailed the change.  “We are pleased that the Interior Department recognizes the right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families while enjoying America’s national parks and wildlife refuges,” said Chris W. Cox, the NRA’s chief lobbyist.

The rule also restores the rights of law-abiding gun owners and makes federal law consistent with the state where the lands are located, Cox added.

However, four nonprofit organizations, including the National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA) and three groups representing current and retired park employees, strongly disagreed with the new rule, saying it will lead to confusion for visitors, rangers and other law enforcement agencies.

“Once again, political leaders in the Bush administration have ignored the preferences of the American public by succumbing to political pressure, in this case generated by the National Rifle Association,” said Bill Wade, president of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, in a joint press release sent out by the four groups today.

“This regulation will put visitors, employees and precious resources of the National Park System at risk,” Wade said. “We will do everything possible to overturn it and return to a commonsense approach to guns in national parks that has been working for decades.”

According to a press release sent out by the four groups, the Bush Administration received almost 140,000 comments, the vast majority of which opposed the proposal to allow loaded guns in national parks.

“With this decision, many state parks across the country will now provide a more protective environment for wildlife and visitors than national parks—once the safest place for families,” blasted Bryan Faehner of NPCA. “Furthermore, this decision undermines the ability of national park professionals to manage the parks and runs counter to the overwhelming majority of Americans who wrote in opposition to allowing loaded firearms in our national parks.”

The park rule will be published in the Federal Register next week and take effect 30 days later, well before President-elect Barrack Obama takes office on Jan. 20. Overturning the rule could take months or even years, since it would require the new administration to restart the lengthy rule-making process.

From the Associated Press: