South Dakota recognizes VA right-to-carry permits

From the National Rifle Association...

On Friday, June 5, South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson announced Right-to-Carry reciprocity agreements with Maine and Virginia.

South Dakota will now recognize Right-to-Carry permits from Virginia and Maine. In turn, Virginia and Maine will recognize permits from South Dakota. Virginia will only recognize permits issued to South Dakotans who are at least twenty-one years old.

Permit holders must still comply with the laws that apply in whichever state they are traveling.

NRA: General Assembly overrides veto of 2 pro-gun bills

From the National Rifle Association....

Today, the General Assembly overrode Governor Tim Kaine's (D) veto of two pro-gun bills.

Senate Bill 877 will allow "retired" law enforcement officers to carry concealed in a restaurant that serves alcoholic beverages. Unlike Senate Bill 1035, this bill applies only to retired law enforcement officers. The Senate voted to override the Governor by a vote of 30-10 with the House voting 76-22 to override.

Senate Bill 1528 will allow a safety course required for obtaining a concealed handgun permit, conducted by a state-certified or NRA-certified firearms instructor to be done electronically or online. The Senate voted 28-12 to override with the House concurring 73-23. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to override the veto of Senate Bill 1035, House Bill 1851, and House Bill 2528.

SB1035 would have permitted a Right-to-Carry permit holder to carry concealed in a restaurant, provided he or she did not consume alcohol. The bill failed to pass by a 24-16 vote.

HB1851 would have exempted active duty military personnel or Virginia National Guardsmen from Virginia's "one-gun-a-month" law on handgun purchases. HB1851, which passed the House in the override session by a vote of 73-26, failed in the Senate by a vote of 26 to 14 (27 votes were needed for an override).HB2528 would have established that no locality or entity may participate in a gun "buyback" program where individuals are given anything of value or money in exchange for surrendering a firearm to the locality unless the governing body first passes an ordinance authorizing the gun "buyback." The legislation also required that any locality holding gun "buybacks" sell the firearms to a federally licensed dealer "or be disposed of in any appropriate manner" if they could not be sold. HB2528 passed the House 71-28 only to be defeated in the Senate by a vote of 24-16.

Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call to action in support of these bills. Without you, the passage of SB877 and SB1528 would not have been possible.

Please contact Governor Kaine TODAY and respectfully voice your disapproval with his vetoes. Let the Governor know that you do not appreciate him undermining the rights of Virginia's law-abiding gun owners. The Governor can be reached by phone at (804) 786-2211, by fax at (804) 371-6351, or email ima@governor.virginia.gov.

NRA: Wednesday veto session in Richmond

The Virginia General Assembly will meet Wednesday in Richmond to override Governor Tim Kaine's vetoes. From the National Rifle Association....

As we previously reported, Governor Tim Kaine (D) vetoed five pro-gun bills which passed with strong bi-partisan support in both the Senate and House (Senate Bill 1035, Senate Bill 877, Senate Bill 1528, House Bill 1851, and House Bill 2528). The General Assembly will meet on Wednesday, April 8 to consider overriding the Governor’s vetoes.

It is imperative that you contact your state legislators TODAY and respectfully request that they vote to override the Governor’s veto of the following bills:

SB1035 would permit a Right-to-Carry permit holder to carry concealed in a restaurant, provided he or she does not consume alcohol.

SB1035 was amended by the House, improving it by removing the requirement that Right-to-Carry permit holders notify the alcohol beverage manager when they carry concealed in their establishment.

After vetoing SB1035, Governor Kaine said, "Allowing concealed weapons into restaurants and bars that serve alcohol puts the public, the employees, and our public safety officers at risk. I take seriously the objections of law enforcement to this measure." However, last year the Governor signed a bill permitting Commonwealth Attorneys to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense in restaurants even while consuming alcohol.

It should be noted that SB1053 prohibited the consumption of alcohol while carrying concealed by licensed Right-to-Carry permit holders.

SB877 would allow "retired" law enforcement officers to carry concealed in a restaurant that serves alcoholic beverages. Unlike SB1035, this bill applies only to retired law enforcement officers.

HB1851 would exempt active duty military personnel or Virginia National Guardsmen from Virginia’s “one-gun-a-month” law on handgun purchases.

SB1528 would allow a safety course required for obtaining a concealed handgun permit, conducted by a state-certified or NRA-certified firearms instructor to be done electronically or online.

HB2528 would establish that no locality or entity may participate in a gun “buyback” program where individuals are given anything of value or money in exchange for surrendering a firearm to the locality unless the governing body first passes an ordinance authorizing the gun “buyback.” The legislation also requires that any locality holding gun "buybacks" sell the firearms to a federally licensed dealer “or be disposed of in any appropriate manner” if they could not be sold.

Read the Washington Times editorial regarding Governor Kaine’s vetoes.

Again, please contact your State Senator and Delegate TODAY and respectfully encourage them to support Virginia's law-abiding gun owners and override these anti-gun vetoes. Contact information can be found by clicking here.

NRA: Pro-gun measures signed into law

From the National Rifle Association....

Pro-Gun Measures Signed into Law in the Old Dominion! House Bill 2144 and Senate Bill 1513/House Bill 1655 have been signed into law.

HB2144 will restrict access to the Virginia concealed carry permit holder list maintained by the Virginia State Police, making that information confidential.

SB1513/HB1655 states that a court may award reasonable attorney fees, expenses, and court costs to any entity that prevails in an action challenging an ordinance, resolution, motion, or administrative action as being in conflict with a locality's authority to control firearms.

Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call in support of HB2114 and SB1513/HB1655. Without you this victory would not have been possible.

NRA: Kaine vetoes pro-gun bills

From the National Rifle Association....
Governor Vetoes Numerous Pro-Gun Bills!

In his attempt to appease his liberal, anti-gun colleagues as the new Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Governor Tim Kaine (D) opposed retired law enforcement officers, members of the U.S. Armed Services (including the Virginia National Guard), and law-abiding Right-to-Carry permit holders by vetoing five pro-gun bills.

Senate Bill 1035, Senate Bill 877, Senate Bill 1528, House Bill 1851, and House Bill 2528 were passed with strong bi-partisan support in both the Senate and House. For more information about these bills, please click here.

Please contact your State Senator and Delegate TODAY and respectfully encourage them to support Virginia's law-abiding gun owners and override these anti-gun vetoes when they reconvene to override vetoes on Wednesday, April 8. Contact information can be found by clicking here.

Running out of ammo

I've been hearing from friends about the ammunition shortages that are occurring. Some blame it on the war, some blame it on hoarding ... but whatever it is, some kinds of ammo are in short supply.

In Ohio a firearms instructor is having difficulty keeping enough ammunition in stock:

Firearms instructor Ron Herman can't seem to keep enough ammunition on hand for his monthly National Rifle Association pistol-training class.

An increase in demand for ammo and resulting shortages have caused the group for the first time to re-evaluate whether it will be able to hold the gun classes, he said.

"The ammo is being snapped up as soon as it comes in," the North Side resident said. "The potential for new gun laws has the Average Joe saying, 'I've got to get mine before the gun laws change and I can't get (ammunition).'

"It's kind of like that run on Elmo dolls. People are in a frenzy."

Bullets are running low throughout central Ohio as a nationwide ammunition shortage hits the area.

Online ammo stores that normally have huge supplies and never run out ... are out or running low. Hopefully, manufacturing will catch up with the demand.

NRA: Pro-gun measures become law

From the National Rifle Association....

House Bill 2144 and Senate Bill 1513/House Bill 1655 have been signed into law.

HB2114, introduced by State Delegate David Nutter (R-7), was signed into law on Friday, March 27. This bill will restrict access to the Virginia concealed carry permit holder list maintained by the Virginia State Police, making that information confidential. The only information that would be allowed to be released to the general public would be non-identifying statistical information. In a violation of privacy, the Roanoke Times abused this data by creating a public online database with information on Virginia’s Right-to-Carry permit holders, allowing criminals and thieves to target homes that contain firearms.

Signed on Monday, March 30, SB1513/HB1655, sponsored by State Senator Ralph Smith (R-22) and State Delegate Charles Carrico (R-5), states that a court may award reasonable attorney fees, expenses, and court costs to any entity that prevails in an action challenging an ordinance, resolution, motion, or administrative action as being in conflict with a locality's authority to control firearms. Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call in support of HB2114 and SB1513/HB1655. Without you, this victory would not have been possible.

As we reported, Governor Tim Kaine (D) vetoed a number of important pro-gun bills (Senate Bill 1035, Senate Bill 877, Senate Bill 1528, House Bill 1851, and House Bill 2528) just last week. Please click here to learn more about theses bills.

Please contact your state legislators TODAY and respectfully urge them to override the Governor’s veto on SB1035, SB877, SB1528, HB1851, and HB2528 when they reconvene to override vetoes on Wednesday, April 8. Contact information for your State Senator or Delegate can be found by clicking here.

DC judge grants injunction against conceal-carry in National Parks

From the National Rifle Association:

On Thursday, March 19, a federal district court in Washington, D.C. granted anti-gun plaintiffs a preliminary injunction against implementation of the new rule allowing law-abiding citizens to defend themselves by carrying a concealed firearm in national parks and wildlife refuges.

In Thursday's ruling, Federal District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued the preliminary injunction against the Department of the Interior rule that took effect on January 9, 2009. The revised rule allowed individuals to carry concealed firearms for self-defense in national parks and national wildlife refuges located in states that allow the carrying of concealed firearms.

Today, NRA filed a notice of appeal in Federal District Court to oppose the preliminary injunction.

More information is available here.

As one Shenandoah Valley resident said:

So, I guess, us law-abiding citizens once again cannot protect ourselves in the National Parks.

Second Amendment supporters will be watching to see what happens in this case.

H/T to GOP Rock

NRA Alert: VA State Senate threatening gun rights

Gun Show Bill to be Reconsidered by the Virginia Senate!
Please Continue Contacting Your State Senator!

On Tuesday, February 3, the Virginia Senate voted 18-22 to defeat Senate Bill 1257. However, the Senate then voted to reconsider the bill as early as tomorrow. SB1257 remains a serious threat to our rights. Since the Senate may reconsider SB1257 as early as tomorrow, it is important that you contact your State Senator immediately. Please ask your Senator to oppose SB1257 in any form, without any amendments or substitutes.

SB1257 would impose sweeping restrictions on our Second Amendment rights and set the stage for a ban on all private firearm sales in Virginia. Senate Bill 1257 would require that all firearms transactions taking place at gun shows be subjected to background checks, even those occurring between family and friends. Any violations would be a felony and could result in the loss of your gun rights.

If passed, this bill will set the stage for a ban on all private firearms sales in Virginia that don’t go through a dealer, as gun ban advocates will no doubt call for a ban on private sales as well.

The bill would also require gun show promoters to register anyone wishing to sell a firearm at a gun show, including private citizens, as a “vendor”. Gun show promoters would be required to maintain that registry for four years following the date of the gun show and transmit the name and address of any “vendors” (anyone selling a firearm) to law enforcement. The names and addresses of those selling a firearm at a gun show would be available to the public.

It is imperative that you contact your State Senator IMMEDIATELY at their Richmond office at (804) 698-7410 or (804) 698-1470 and ask them to oppose Senate Bill 1257 without any amendments or substitutes. More contact information for your State Senator can be found by clicking here.

NRA Alert: Attack on gun rights in Virginia

NRA Alert: Virginia Crime Commission Set to Consider Possible Anti-Gun Recommendations on Tuesday, January 13:

On Tuesday, January 13, the Virginia State Crime Commission will be recommending possible legislation to the General Assembly on whether to close the so-called "gun-show loophole" in Virginia.

Anti-gun zealots are working hard to erode our Second Amendment freedoms and end the private transfer and sale of firearms between individuals, including family members. Gun-banning extremists never rest and will attempt to regulate and ban firearms in every legislative session in the Old Dominion.

Similar legislation was defeated just last year in both the Virginia House and the Senate. There is little doubt that non-shooters and anti-gun forces will be active in making their voices heard so it is vital that gun owners and sportsmen speak loudly.

Please contact the members of the Virginia State Crime Commission by email or fax at (804) 786-7872 and respectfully urge them to oppose any legislation that restricts the private sale of personal property and treats law abiding citizens as criminals.

Brady campaign files suit against concealed weapons in national parks

The Second Amendment of the U.S. Bill of Rights states:

"A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

Tell that to the Brady Campaign which has filed a lawsuit against concealed weapons being allowed in the national parks.

Today's Waynesboro News Virginian discusses the fight to prevent concealed weapons from the Parks. The law to allow concealed weapons is supposed to take effect on January 12. Reasons given by those against it include the fear of people shooting animals and shooting into the dark at a "noise" in the middle of the night.

However, most gun owners are more conscientious than that. As reported in the NV:

David Adams, president of the Virginia Shooting Sports Association, blogged about the Brady Campaign lawsuit when it was filed.

Adams defended the behavior of concealed handgun permit holders, saying they “are some of the most law abiding people in the country, with few having had their permits revoked for violating the law – in any way shape or form – including ‘poaching.’ ”

Gun rights groups such as the National Rifle Association "say the rule change is merely a reinforcement of Second Amendment rights":

Chris Cox, the NRA’s chief lobbyist, said last month that it was “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.”

After working hard to have the law changed, one would expect the NRA to stand up against the Brady Campaign's lawsuit.

NRA updates for Virginia ...

The National Rifle Association of America's latest newsletter has updates on Virginia:

Update on Virginia Crime Commission Hearing: On Tuesday, December 9, the Virginia Crime Commission held a hearing on possible legislation for the 2009 session. The Crime Commission's mission was to analyze the difference between Federal and State law regarding the definition of a dealer and determine if Virginia may possibly regulate the sale of firearms by private individuals. The Commission ruled that no recommendations will be voted upon, but it has set a meeting date of Tuesday, January 13, for a vote on legislative proposals. Please continue checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for any updates on this matter.

Right-to-Carry Permit Process Streamlined in Spotsylvania County: Also on Tuesday, December 9, the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to remove the fingerprinting stage of requirements to obtain a Right-to-Carry permit. The removal of this clause will not only make things easier for applicants, but it will also ease the burden on the County Sheriff due to the dramatic spike in permit applications this year. Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call and either contacted the Board of Supervisors or attended the hearing. Without you, this victory would not have been possible.

Would you carry a weapon to save your parents?

"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." -- Thomas Jefferson

Dr. Susan Gratia's testimony before Congress about the deadly massacre on October 16, 1991, at Luby's Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas, by bitter and deranged George J. Hennard, who randomly shot and killed 23 innocent people (including Dr. Gratia's parents) and wounded 20 more before killing himself.

Dr. Gratia's emotional and powerful testimony was in defense of our Second Amendment right to defend ourselves.

H/T to Mom

AWC: "Sam Rasoul deceives NRA voters with Waynesboro campaign sign"

Jason over at the Augusta Water Cooler has a photo that shows Democrat Sam Rasoul's campaign sign with NRA stickers that proclaim something that is not true.

The Rasoul sign falsely sports "NRA Grade A" stickers. The NRA's American Rifleman magazine, November 2008, page 60A insert, ranks Sam Rasoul "AQ" which means, "A pro-gun candidate who rating is based on the cnadidate's response to the 2008 NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire and who does not have a voting record on Second Amendment issues."

Rasoul is challenging Bob Goodlatte for the 6th District Congressional seat. Congressman Goodlatte has a legitimate "A" rating from the NRA.

Check the American Rifleman for a complete list of NRA endorsements.

Does George Washington National Forest need 130,000 more wilderness acres?

130,000 Additional Acres of Wilderness Proposed for the George Washington National Forest (GWNF) ...

The Forest Service is in the process of writing a new forest plan for the GWNF. Public workshops are being held and public comments are being accepted while the plan is being developed. The plan will be released down the road for formal public comment. Of importance is a proposal to designate 130,000 acres of forestlands as wilderness. This is in addition to 42,000 acres of existing wilderness and thousands of other acres under limited management.

Wilderness designation severely limits the management, restoration, and improvement of wildlife habitat. Under wilderness designation, these lands will lose their habitat value over time. Loss of habitat leads to loss of wildlife diversity and shrinking populations. That "perfect storm" translates into lost hunting opportunities. Public roads that access designated "wilderness" areas will be closed to mechanized or motorized vehicles and equipment.

If you hunt in the GWNF, it is critical that you communicate with the Forest Service about what you want, or don't want, changed from the way the GWNF is currently managed.

Comments should be addressed to:

George Washington Plan Revision,
George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
5162 Valleypointe Parkway
Roanoke, VA 24019

Information about the planning process can be found here.

H/T National Rifle Association

NRA Sign: "I'm a bitter gun owner, and I vote"

NRA sign in Stuarts Draft

"I'm A Bitter Gun Owner And I Vote!" Yard Signs Available Now: We've created a new yard sign that will send a message from all of you "bitter" gun owners to Obama this election season with our own slogan: "I'm a Bitter Gun Owner and I Vote!"

Photo by SWAC Girl

Take the NRA poll ... should right-to-carry students have firearms on campus?

The NRA is running a poll with three questions:

1) Do you think students with Right-to-Carry permits should be able to carry firearms on college campuses?

2) What kind of handgun do you generally think is best for personal protection outside the home?

3) Please indicate your gender

Current results of the poll as of Saturday morning:

1) Yes 91% ... No 6% ... Not sure 3%

2) Revolver 25% ... Semi-automatic 73% ... Other 1%

3) Male 95% ... Female 5%

Go to the NRA website and scroll down the right column to find the poll.

NRA Alert: Deadline extended to comment on right-to-carry in national parks

The National Rifle Association sent out an alert that the Department of the Interior extended the deadline for comments regarding right-to-carry in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges until August 8. Please email or write.

Like a quarterback taking a knee in the fourth quarter, two of Congress's most ardent opponents of our Right to Keep and Bear Arms are trying to run out the clock on efforts to enhance your right to self-defense in our national parks and wildlife refuges.

For two months, we have been asking NRA members and gun owners to submit comments in support of allowing law-abiding citizens to carry their legally-owned firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges -- and tens of thousand of you have done so. The deadline to submit comments expired on June 30 -- or so we thought.

Rather than closing the proscribed comments period as scheduled and moving toward finalizing this federal regulation, U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona), succeeded in delaying the implementation of the final rule by bullying the Department of the Interior (their respective congressional subcommittees have oversight of national parks) to extend the deadline for comments an additional 30 days! In a letter to Secretary Kempthorne, Senator Akaka and Representative Grijalva asked that the public comment period be extended, citing the recent decision in the District of Columbia v. Heller.

In truth, however, now that the Supreme Court has affirmed that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right, it is more important than ever that we move toward final resolution on this matter and extend the most basic right of self-defense to law-abiding citizens visiting national parks and refuges.

The goal of their strategy is clear. Extending the public comment period amounts to a blatant and intentional stalling tactic; further pushing back resolution on this matter, possibly until after the election, into a new Administration. This needless extension will also allow opponents of carrying guns in national parks (like the Humane Society of the U.S. and the National Parks Conservation Association) to rally their troops to express their opposition to this commonsense proposal.

While we disagree with the decision to extend the comments period on this issue, it is now more important than ever that we give the anti-gunners what they profess to want-additional comments. Gun owners, Right-to-Carry permit holders, and all Second Amendment supporters must deluge the Department of the Interior with comments in support of this proposal! The new deadline for submitting comments is August 8, 2008.

Please submit your comments online or in writing to:

Public Comments Processing
Attn: 1024-AD70
Division of Policy and Directives Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222
Arlington, VA 22203

Supreme Court upholds gun rights

Breaking ... Supreme Court rules in favor of gun owners, 5-4. Fox News is updating with all the details. The National Rifle Association had been all over this case ... check their website for updates.

NRA Alert: Cruising Skyline Drive could make you a felon

Going Out To See The Scenery? In Virginia, You Could End Up A Felon!

It's a beautiful summer day. You decide to take your family for a drive to see the scenery of Virginia. And, as a Right-to-Carry permit holder, you also take your legal firearm with you, just in case. Problem is, you may be about to violate federal law!

Here in Virginia, even with a carry permit, you are breaking federal law if you take a ride down Skyline Drive and are carrying a loaded, operable firearm for self-defense. If you take the turn to use the George Washington Parkway in Alexandria, you are in violation. In either case, you do not even have to leave your car. Just turn down a public road!

This is the current, unfair situation that will continue to exist, if you don't take action right now!

The U.S. Department of the Interior has issued a proposed rule to eliminate, once and for all, this prohibition on Right-to-Carry in national parks and wildlife refuges. NRA is leading the effort to change this policy and we are very close to winning this important battle.

Not surprisingly, anti-gun and anti-hunting extremists are contorting the facts to try to continue this prohibition of self-defense. They are launching e-mail broadsides in an all-out push for their supporters to oppose this common sense measure. (Read a recent HSUS attack e-mail.)

These new rules cannot take effect until after a period of public comment. And make no mistake; our opponents are aggressively ramping up their efforts to try to convince the Secretary of the Interior to reverse his decision.

To combat this effort, you must take a few moments to submit comments on this issue by June 30, 2008.

You may also mail your comments to:

Public Comments Processing
Attn: 1024-AD70
Division of Policy and Directives Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222
Arlington, VA 22203

Your comments will have the most impact if you use your own words. To assist you in drafting your comments, keep the following points in mind:

* Rules on carrying and transporting firearms should be consistent-across the board-with the laws of the state that includes the national park or wildlife refuge;
* Law-abiding citizens should not be prohibited from protecting themselves and their families while enjoying America's national parks and wildlife refuges;
* The new rules should provide uniformity across all federal lands, eliminating the patchwork of laws that create confusion for gun owners;
* Current regulations fail to account for the significant change in state laws since 1984. 48 states now have laws that permit laws that permit carrying and 40 have strong Right-to-Carry laws. Federal regulations should recognize the change in state laws and follow their lead, and;
* The new regulations should restore the rights of law-abiding gun owners who wish to transport and carry firearms for all lawful purposes on most DOI lands, just as they do now on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands

Remember, all comments must be received by June 30. Submit your comments TODAY!

Please share this information with your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners and encourage them to act on this issue RIGHT AWAY by sending comments of their own!