Your right to carry in other states is under attack! If you want to be able to legally carry in 30+ states, then you need to act NOW! If you want to be able to carry in even fewer states than you can now, then just sit back and ignore this Action Alert.

GrassRoots GunRights analyzed the Senate amendment to H. 3212 and exposed in detail how the Sen. Jake Knotts amendment would make SC CWP reciprocity law WORSE than existing law. GrassRoots sent a detailed analysis of H. 3212 to every member of the SC House of Representatives, which you can read here.

But, it is not just GrassRoots GunRights that has analyzed H. 3212 and found it to be worse than existing law. Pro gun rights attorneys practicing law in South Carolina say the same thing!

J. Todd Kincannon [bio] is a pro gun attorney practicing in Columbia, SC. Mr. Kincannon wrote the GrassRoots GunRights amicus brief in the D.C. vs. Heller case. Mr. Kincannon wrote a letter stating, "I entirely agree with your conclusion that the Senate amendment to the CWP reciprocity bill is far too narrow." Mr. Kincannon acknowledged the GrassRoots analysis of H. 3212 is correct and that the Senate amendment is so poorly written that South Carolina would not qualify for reciprocity with itself. You can read the entire Kincannon letter here.

Stephen F. Shaw [bio] is a pro gun attorney practicing in Greenville, SC. Mr. Shaw wrote a letter stating, "I completely agree with Dr. Butler's analysis and proposed language dated March 12, 2008." Mr. Shaw acknowledged the GrassRoots analysis of H. 3212 is correct and that the Senate amendment is so poorly written that South Carolina would not qualify for reciprocity with itself. You can read the entire Shaw letter here.

Larry Salley is a pro gun attorney practicing in Lexington, SC. Mr. Salley wrote an email wherein he stated, "I've reviewed H. 3212, and I have a problem. It is so ambiguous, that it could be turned against us. My immediate problem is that there is no clear 'definitions' in the terms used in the bill. Keep in mind that whenever a liberal Court can interpret a law against a gunowner ... it will be interpreted against us." The GrassRoots analysis of H. 3212 also pointed out the problem with how SLED and the courts would interpret the law after considering how the definitions section related to the poorly drafted Senate amendment.

Unfortunately, Sen. Jake Knotts teamed up with anti gun Sen. Ralph Anderson and worked to destroy the CWP recognition (a CWP recognition bill means SC would honor a CWP from another state) bill passed by the House. The Senate amended H. 3212 with the Knotts/Anderson proposed amendment and thereby turned a good pro gun CWP recognition bill into a horrible anti gun CWP reciprocity (a CWP reciprocity bill means SC would only honor a limited number of CWPs from other states) bill that is worse than existing law.

But, Sen. Knotts' efforts to kill a good CWP recognition bill this year should not surprise anyone who has been watching the Senate for the last few years. In 2006, Sen. Knotts led the fight to kill a similar CWP recognition bill.

What is truly disturbing in all of this is that the NRA is supporting the Senate amendment and has been actively promoting Sen. Knotts as a friend of gun owners even as Sen. Knotts is trying to kill a good CWP recognition bill AGAIN. The NRA even wrote of how a good CWP reciprocity bill was killed in 2006, and failed to point out that it was Sen. Knotts who killed it.

Thankfully, the House rejected the Senate amendment and insisted upon a CWP recognition bill. H. 3212 will now go to a conference committee. A conference committee has three members of the Senate and three members of the House meet to decide how to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.

There are two kinds of conference committees - one with free conference powers and one with no free conference powers.

A conference committee with no free conference powers must choose to adopt either the Senate version or the House version. No compromises are allowed. The Senate version of H. 3212 is completely unacceptable to gun owners since it would make our SC CWP law worse than existing law. The House version of H. 3212 is unacceptable to Sen. Knotts, and unfortunately many senators listen to Sen. Knotts and will do as Sen. Knotts wants them to do on gun bills. Thus, H. 3212 is dead in conference committee unless gun owners make Sen. Knotts change his mind. The only thing that would make Sen. Knotts change his mind is to make him think he will lose his primary election to Katrina Shealy, a CWP holder who supports H. 3212 as it came from the House.

A conference committee with free conference powers is allowed to try to compromise and amend the bill into one that is acceptable to both the House and the Senate. The only way that the GrassRoots proposed amendment could possibly be adopted is if both the House and the Senate granted free conference powers to the conference committee. While GrassRoots prefers to see a pure CWP recognition bill passed, the GrassRoots proposed amendment to H. 3212 would get SC CWP reciprocity with more states than we have reciprocity with now.

*** ACTION STEPS: ***

1. Email every senator and representative who represents people from the county in which you live. Since the NRA is asking people to support the Senate version of H. 3212, you need to tell these politicians that "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me on H. 3212!" The pro gun House is listening to GrassRoots GunRights, but the anti gun Senate is listening to the NRA. Politicians need to know GrassRoots GunRights speaks for gun owners in South Carolina, or else you will get the Senate version of H. 3212. Contact information is below. (You can send individual emails using the email addresses in the middle column, or you can send one email to the entire county delegation by clicking on the county name in the first column. Certain email programs such as Gmail may insert a "+" sign in front of the email addresses when clicking on the county delegation in the first column. You may need to delete any symbols inserted by your email provider.)

2. Call your senator and representative and tell them "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me on H. 3212!" Use the Senate switchboard (803) 212-6200, and the House switchboard (803) 734-2402, or use the individual office numbers listed below.

3. Contact Sen. Knotts and let him know how you feel about his betrayal of gun owners. His email is SIV@scsenate.org and his office phone number is (803) 212-6350.

PS - Don't let these politicians think you have forgotten about H. 3212. Please call and email the senators representing your county every day until you hear that H. 3212 has passed. GrassRoots GunRights will let you know as soon as any action is taken on H. 3212. The time to act is now!

Abbeville County Sen. John W. Drummond, District 10 Sen. William H. O'Dell, District 4	PTE@scsenate.org WHO@scsenate.org
Aiken County Sen. W. Greg Ryberg, District 24 Sen. A. Shane Massey, District 25 Sen. Nikki G. Setzler, District 26	SLC@scsenate.org shanemassey@scsenate.org NGS@scsenate.org
Allendale County Sen. C. Bradley Hutto, District 40	CBH@scsenate.org
Anderson County Sen. Kevin L. Bryant, District 3 Sen. William H. O'Dell, District 4	BRYANTK@scsenate.org WHO@scsenate.org
Bamberg County Sen. C. Bradley Hutto, District 40 Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr., District 39	CBH@scsenate.org JWM@scsenate.org
Barnwell County Sen. C. Bradley Hutto, District 40	CBH@scsenate.org
Beaufort County Sen. Catherine C. Ceips, District 46 Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney, District 45	CEIPS@scsenate.org CCP@scsenate.org
Berkeley County Sen. Paul G. Campbell, Jr., District 44 Sen. George E. "Chip" Campsen III, District 43 Sen. Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms, District 37	PaulCampbell@scsenate.org CAMPSEN@scsenate.org STR@scsenate.org
Calhoun County Sen. John C. Land III, District 36	JCL@scsenate.org
Charleston County Sen. George E. "Chip" Campsen III, District 43 Sen. Ray Cleary, District 34 Sen. Robert Ford, District 42 Sen. Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms, District 37 Sen. Glenn F. McConnell, District 41 Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney, District 45 Sen. Randy Scott, District 38	CAMPSEN@scsenate.org CLEARYR@scsenate.org RIF@scsenate.org STR@scsenate.org SJU@scsenate.org CCP@scsenate.org SCOTTR@scsenate.org
Cherokee County Sen. Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., District 14	MED@scsenate.org
Chester County Sen. Linda H. Short, District 17	LHS@scsenate.org
Chesterfield County Sen. Gerald Malloy, District 29 Sen. Vincent A. Sheheen, District 27	MALLOYG@scsenate.org VS@scsenate.org
Clarendon County Sen. John C. Land III, District 36	JCL@scsenate.org
Colleton County Sen. Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms, District 37 Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr., District 39 Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney, District 45	STR@scsenate.org JWM@scsenate.org CCP@scsenate.org
Darlington County Sen. Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr., District 31 Sen. Gerald Malloy, District 29	SFI@scsenate.org MALLOYG@scsenate.org
Dillon County Sen. Dick Elliott, District 28 Sen. Kent M. Williams, District 30	DE@scsenate.org WILLIAMSK@scsenate.org
Dorchester County Sen. Lawrence K. "Larry" Grooms, District 37 Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr., District 39 Sen. Randy Scott, District 38	STR@scsenate.org JWM@scsenate.org SCOTTR@scsenate.org
Edgefield County Sen. A. Shane Massey, District 25	shanemassey@scsenate.org
Fairfield County Sen. Linda H. Short, District 17	LHS@scsenate.org
Florence County Sen. John C. Land III, District 36 Sen. Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr., District 31 Sen. J. Yancey McGill, District 32 Sen. Kent M. Williams, District 30	JCL@scsenate.org SFI@scsenate.org JYM@scsenate.org WILLIAMSK@scsenate.org
Georgetown County Sen. Ray Cleary, District 34 Sen. J. Yancey McGill, District 32	CLEARYR@scsenate.org JYM@scsenate.org
Greenville County Sen. Ralph Anderson, District 7 Sen. Michael L. Fair, District 6 Sen. James H. "Jim" Ritchie, Jr., District 13 Sen. David L. Thomas, District 8 Sen. Lewis R. Vaughn, District 5 Sen. Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III, District 9	RA@scsenate.org FAIRM@scsenate.org JHR@scsenate.org SBI@scsenate.org LRV@scsenate.org SAG@scsenate.org
Greenwood County Sen. John W. Drummond, District 10 Sen. William H. O'Dell, District 4	PTE@scsenate.org WHO@scsenate.org
Hampton County Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr., District 39 Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney, District 45	JWM@scsenate.org CCP@scsenate.org
Horry County Sen. Ray Cleary, District 34 Sen. Dick Elliott, District 28 Sen. J. Yancey McGill, District 32 Sen. Luke A. Rankin, District 33	CLEARYR@scsenate.org DE@scsenate.org JYM@scsenate.org LR@scsenate.org
Jasper County Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney, District 45	CCP@scsenate.org
Kershaw County Sen. Joel Lourie, District 22 Sen. Vincent A. Sheheen, District 27	JBL@scsenate.org VS@scsenate.org
Lancaster County Sen. Chauncey K. Gregory, District 16 Sen. Vincent A. Sheheen, District 27	SFG@scsenate.org VS@scsenate.org
Laurens County Sen. John W. Drummond, District 10 Sen. Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III, District 9	PTE@scsenate.org SAG@scsenate.org
Lee County Sen. Phil P. Leventis, District 35 Sen. Gerald Malloy, District 29	PL@scsenate.org MALLOYG@scsenate.org
Lexington County Sen. John E. Courson, District 20 Sen. Ronnie W. Cromer, District 18 Sen. John M. "Jake" Knotts, Jr., District 23 Sen. Nikki G. Setzler, District 26	EDU@scsenate.org CROMERR@scsenate.org SIV@scsenate.org NGS@scsenate.org
Marion County Sen. Dick Elliott, District 28 Sen. Kent M. Williams, District 30	DE@scsenate.org WILLIAMSK@scsenate.org
Marlboro County Sen. Dick Elliott, District 28 Sen. Gerald Malloy, District 29 Sen. Kent M. Williams, District 30	DE@scsenate.org MALLOYG@scsenate.org WILLIAMSK@scsenate.org
McCormick County Sen. A. Shane Massey, District 25	shanemassey@scsenate.org
Newberry County Sen. Ronnie W. Cromer, District 18	CROMERR@scsenate.org
Oconee County Sen. Thomas C. Alexander, District 1	SGE@scsenate.org
Orangeburg County Sen. C. Bradley Hutto, District 40 Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr., District 39	CBH@scsenate.org JWM@scsenate.org
Pickens County Sen. Thomas C. Alexander, District 1 Sen. Larry A. Martin, District 2	SGE@scsenate.org SRU@scsenate.org
Richland County Sen. John E. Courson, District 20 Sen. Darrell Jackson, District 21 Sen. Joel Lourie, District 22 Sen. Kay Patterson, District 19	EDU@scsenate.org DJ1@scsenate.org JBL@scsenate.org KAY@scsenate.org
Saluda County Sen. Ronnie W. Cromer, District 18 Sen. A. Shane Massey, District 25 Sen. Nikki G. Setzler, District 26 Sen. Marion B. Frye, District 39	CROMERR@scsenate.org shanemassey@scsenate.org NGS@scsenate.org MBF@schouse.org
Spartanburg County Sen. John D. Hawkins, District 12 Sen. Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., District 14 Sen. Glenn G. Reese, District 11 Sen. James H. "Jim" Ritchie, Jr., District 13	DH@scsenate.org MED@scsenate.org GR@scsenate.org JHR@scsenate.org
Sumter County Sen. John C. Land III, District 36 Sen. Phil P. Leventis, District 35	JCL@scsenate.org PL@scsenate.org
Union County Sen. Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., District 14 Sen. James H. "Jim" Ritchie, Jr., District 13 Sen. Linda H. Short (Mrs. Paul), District 17	MED@scsenate.org JHR@scsenate.org LHS@scsenate.org
Williamsburg County Sen. J. Yancey McGill, District 32	JYM@scsenate.org
York County Sen. Chauncey K. Gregory, District 16 Sen. Robert W. Hayes, Jr., District 15 Sen. Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., District 14 Sen. Linda H. Short, District 17	SFG@scsenate.org set@scsenate.org MED@scsenate.org LHS@scsenate.org

GrassRoots GunRights of SC has been busy working to protect your gun rights.

GrassRoots leaders had a series of meetings recently with state legislators to ask them to sponsor a Gun-Free Zones Liability Act. Also discussed was GrassRoots' strong support for H. 3212, and some amendments needed to H. 3876 and H. 4631.

GrassRoots leaders also spoke before the House Judiciary General Laws Subcommittee yesterday regarding H. 4243. This bill would grant special firearms carry privileges to our state legislators who possess a concealed weapon permit, allowing them to carry anywhere in the state. GrassRoots thinks it is wrong to give special privileges to our lawmakers while denying them to citizens. GrassRoots proposed amendments to extend these rights to all CWP holders.

The GrassRoots website has been updated with details. Read all about it here.

GrassRoots GunRights Amicus Brief Completed!

The GrassRoots GunRights amicus curiae ['friend of the court'] brief is finished and has been filed with the Supreme Court!

Last November GrassRoots asked for donations to make this happen. GrassRoots told you if $2,500 could be raised, GrassRoots could sign on with the GOA amicus brief. But if $5,000 could be raised, GrassRoots could sponsor its own amicus brief. Thanks to generous donations from gun rights supporters like you, GrassRoots was able to reach the $5,000 amount - enough to commission our own amicus brief.

Because of their generosity, GrassRoots GunRights members could make a serious impact in the outcome of this case. How the court decides in this case will have very serious and far-reaching implications on the future of your Second Amendment rights!

Local South Carolina attorney J. Todd Kincannon contacted GrassRoots GunRights about preparing an amicus brief. Mr. Kincannon made the argument that the 2nd Amendment included a privacy right to keep and bear arms. Since the Supreme Court Justices have already accepted the privacy right idea for other rights found in the Bill of Rights, this legal argument could be the one that ultimately decides this case.

It is said that the Justices currently are split 4 vs 4 with one in the middle (Justice Kennedy). Mr. Kincannon, local attorney, believes he has come up with a legal argument that will be persuasive to Justice Kennedy. Then, Justice Kennedy will - hopefully - join the four who are thought to support Heller already to give us a 5 justice majority.

You can read the GrassRoots sponsored amicus brief at:
http://www.scotusblog.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/07-290_ amicus_grassrootssc.pdf

or you can click here.

You can also find the brief on the GrassRoots website at www.SCFirearms.org.

GrassRoots GunRights leadership would like to say "Thank You!" to every patriot who donated to this effort.

GrassRoots GunRights Activists Hold Counter-Protest

The GrassRoots GunRights website has recently been updated with some interesting video. At noon on Wednesday, January 30th, a group of anti-gun protesters demonstrated in front of the state capitol, seeking a long list of new and highly restrictive gun prohibitions. The event was covered by TV and print media. Several GrassRoots GunRights members were on hand to make certain the pro-gun position was heard.

Armed with tee-shirts emblazoned with the words "GUNS SAVE LIVES" and carrying signs with various pro-gun slogans, several GrassRoots GunRights activists showed up at this anti-gun rally to stand up for our gun rights. You can view the video at SCFirearms.org

Help the DC-Heller Second Amendment case!

A very important DC gun rights case will soon be heard by the Supreme Court. How the court decides in this case will have very serious and far-reaching implications on the future of your Second Amendment rights! GrassRoots GunRights members have an opportunity to affect the outcome of this case.

GrassRoots GunRights has been in contact with Mr. Alan Gura, the attorney for Mr. Heller, the plaintiff in this landmark Second Amendment case. Mr. Gura says he has been working with Larry Pratt and Gun Owners of America for a long time, and that GOA has been very helpful.

GOA will be presenting an amicus curae ("friend of the court") brief detailing the history of the 2nd Amendment. It would be nice if the pro gun forces could just tell the Supremes to read a couple of good books on the subject, but such a request would be ignored. Thus, the history of the 2nd Amendment must be presented to the court in a brief. For a $2,500 donation, GrassRoots GunRights can be listed on the GOA amicus brief as one of the parties presenting the brief on the history of the 2nd Amendment. Larry Pratt tells GrassRoots the financial demands upon GOA have outpaced their financial inflow, and any contributions would be greatly appreciated.

Also, a local South Carolina attorney has contacted GrassRoots GunRights about preparing an amicus brief. This local attorney has an idea how to get the Justices to decide the case in a pro gun rights way. He has already talked with Mr. Gura, and it is an appealing legal argument. In fact, it may just be the legal argument that ultimately decides the case because five justices are needed to create a majority decision.

It is said that the Justices currently are split 4 vs 4 with one in the middle (Justice Kennedy). The local attorney believes he has come up with a legal argument that will be persuasive to Justice Kennedy. Then, Justice Kennedy will - hopefully - join the four who are inclined to support Heller already to give us a 5 justice majority.

Unfortunately, the printing and filing costs alone will come to almost $5,000. Then, the attorney works for a private law firm and he can not afford to simply donate the time needed to do this work. He is trying to get his employers to allow him to do some work on company time, but he will not be able to do it all for free. So, having this amicus brief with the GrassRoots GunRights name on it will cost a lot more than the GOA amicus.

The bottom line is this - if GrassRoots members can collect enough money to support the GOA amicus brief, we will. But, if GrassRoots members can raise enough money to fund the local attorney's amicus - that would be even better. GrassRoots leaders think the local attorney's idea will be very useful in swinging the decision in favor of gun rights.

Please consider making a donation to this important effort. Your support could help swing the Supreme Court decision in favor of gun rights!

You can mail donations to:

GrassRoots GunRights of SC
PO BOX 2446
Lexington, SC 29071

(Please note in the memo field of your check that your donation is for an amicus brief.)

You can also visit the GrassRoots GunRights of SC website and use your credit card online to donate to this worthy cause.

We are forwarding this very important message received from the folks at Gun Owners of America.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please make calls, and send emails and faxes. Do not send actual paper letters through the regular mail. Due to postal quarantines, hardcopy mail will not arrive on your legislator's desk in time.

****************************

Veterans Disarmament Bill Could Come Before The Senate At Any Time -- GOA provides Senators with several pro-gun amendments

Gun Owners of America E-Mail Alert
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408
http://www.gunowners.org

"Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!" -- Patrick Henry, in his "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech of March 23, 1775

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The Senate could bring up the Veterans Disarmament Bill at any time, as a result of its passage in the Judiciary Committee a few weeks ago. The bill -- introduced by F-rated Rep. Carolyn McCarthy and Sen. Patrick Leahy -- is ready to come to the floor.

Gun Owners of America delivered draft amendments to every Senate office yesterday, providing important changes that must be made to the bill. Among others, the most important amendment would make it clear that veterans suffering from PTSD are NOT prohibited persons, and thus, are not to be denied the ability to purchase a firearm simply because of emotional problems resulting from their service to this country.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart is opposed to the McCarthy-Leahy bill, having stated on June 18 of this year, that "For the first time the legislation, if enacted, would statutorily impose a lifetime gun ban on battle-scarred veterans."

Military veterans are justifiably concerned that this bill will legitimize the very thing that President Clinton did over seven years ago, when his administration added 83,000 names of veterans -- suffering from maladies such as PTSD -- into the NICS background check system.

Proponents of the bill argue that this bill gives veterans a mechanism for getting their names off of the prohibited person list. That's like giving a mugger access to your home, but then stating you can hire a lawyer and pay THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS of dollars to eventually (maybe) get your stolen items back.

If the proponents are right -- that this bill will actually help gun owners -- then surely they won't object to friendly amendments that are designed to make it unmistakably clear that military veterans or grownups who suffered with ADHD as children will never be denied the ability to purchase a firearm, simply because they once had a "determination" from an anti-gun shrink that said there was the MINISCULE possibility that they could pose a danger to themselves or others.

You can be sure that if the McCarthy-Leahy bill passes, it will just be a first step. Consider some of the bigoted statements made by celebrities and politicians which not only show their contempt for gun owners but their pompous thinking which leads them to believe that we are all crazy for wanting to own a gun:

* "I don't know that he's mentally qualified to own that gun." -- Democrat Presidential candidate Joe Biden, insulting a YouTube viewer during a debate after the man referred to his semi-auto as his "baby" (July 25, 2007).

* "Isn't it possible that we all have that bit of insanity in us? That's why I'm for gun control.... I don't really believe that a human being who feels [things] should have the option [that is, access to a gun] at their fingertips." -- Actress Jodie Foster, quoted in a Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence press release (August 20, 2007).

And then there're the studies which will be, no doubt, used by liberal anti-gunners to strip away the gun rights from more and more law-abiding citizens, using the pretext that a shrink's diagnosis proves these people shouldn't own guns:

* "A quarter of the Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans treated with US government-funded health care have been diagnosed with a mental disorder, according to a study published Monday." -- AFP news (March 12, 2007)

* "The number of American children and adolescents treated for bipolar disorder increased 40-fold from 1994 to 2003, researchers report today in the most comprehensive study of the controversial diagnosis. Experts say the number has almost certainly risen further since 2003." -- New York Times (September 4, 2007)

Even before the studies started rolling in, gun haters were already working the legal loopholes as best they could. When the Veterans Administration got caught adding veterans' names into the NICS system during the Clinton presidency, they defended their actions by saying it was "required by law" -- a statement which was just flat out false.

But it's notable to hear what a spokesman for the VA said in an interview with WoldNetDaily (June 27, 2000). He said the most common way of finding a veteran "incompetent" is when he or she receives a formal rating of incompetency from a VA panel of medical representatives or from "a duly authorized VA medical center, government agency, or even a PRIVATE PHYSICIAN." (Emphasis added.)

That's what HR 2640 is all about. McCarthy and Leahy (and others like Sen. Chuck Schumer) are forging the legal chains that will be used to keep hundreds of thousands -- if not millions -- of decent, law-abiding Americans from owning guns... not because of what a court rules, but because of what ONE INDIVIDUAL says.

Over two hundred years ago, Patrick Henry warned about the "chains" that were being forged to enslave them. If he were here today, would he not warn us again?

Thankfully, there are many of you who are sounding the alarm. State groups from all over the nation are pumping out alerts to supplement what GOA is doing at the national level. Just yesterday, the New Hampshire Firearms Coalition (NHFC) called its members to action, stating that HR 2640 is a Trojan Horse, which sounds justified on the outside with promises of keeping "mental defectives" from having firearms. But when one takes a closer look at the details of the bill, the group said, it reveals "a huge expansion in those who will become a prohibited person; an expansion that could potentially include most Americans."

In addition to pointing out how many shrinks could prohibit average Americans from owning guns, NHFC points out that many pediatricians could make similar anti-gun "determinations" (using the language of the bill) to disarm their patients -- since after all, these docs believe that "any household with firearms is 'dangerous,' even if they are properly stored."

Good point.

ACTION:

1. Stay informed. GOA has a mammoth section on our website which both gives the specifics of the Veterans Disarmament Act and answers the claims made by supporters of the bill. Please go to http://www.gunowners.org/netb.htm to get more information, including the proposed GOA amendments that were delivered to each Senator on Tuesday.

2. Alert others. Forward this alert to pro-gun friends and family and ask them to take action as well.

3. Take action. Please contact your Senators, even if you have already done so. You can use the pre-written message below and send it as an e-mail by visiting the GOA Legislative Action Center at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm (where phone and fax numbers are also available).

----- Pre-written text for your email / fax -----

Dear Senator:

I oppose the Veterans Disarmament Act, which is being pushed by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (HR 2640) and Sen. Patrick Leahy. This bill will expand the 1993 Brady Law and disarm hundreds of thousands of combat veterans, among others.

I understand that Gun Owners of America distributed several amendments yesterday to every senatorial office to address the mistaken arguments that supporters of the bill have. I also understand that proponents of this bill are claiming it will actually help gun owners.

They argue that this bill gives veterans a mechanism for getting their names off of the prohibited person list. That's like giving a mugger access to your home, but then stating you can hire a lawyer and pay thousands upon thousands of dollars to eventually (maybe) get your stolen items back.

Well, if the proponents are right -- that this bill will actually help gun owners -- then surely they won't object to friendly amendments that are designed to make it unmistakably clear that military veterans or grownups who suffered with ADHD as children will never be denied the ability to purchase a firearm, simply because they once had a "determination" from an anti-gun shrink that said there was the MINISCULE possibility that they could pose a danger to themselves or others. That is what the GOA amendments are designed to do.

I still believe that the Brady Law has done more to register gun owners and deny guns from of law-abiding Americans than to keep guns out of criminals' hands. But adopting these amendments will at least prevent an anti-gun administration from doing what the Clintons did in 2000 when the Veterans Administration added the names of some 83,000 veterans into the NICS system.

Sincerely,

[PUT YOUR NAME HERE]
[PUT YOUR CITY HERE]

H.3964 will kill SC CWP reciprocity agreements with ALL other states!

Please Contact Your State House Representative Today!

If you are outraged over these changes and want H. 3964 passed without killing all our existing and future reciprocity agreements, then please call your State Representative and urge him or her to delete the anti-gun provisions of H. 3964 and pass without the "mental health" amendment (Section 1.)

Tell your representative "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!" Then they will know they should listen to us because we represent you.

A vote is expected on the House floor tomorrow, Tuesday, May 29th, 2007, so it is extremely important that you act now!

ACTION STEPS:
1) Email the SC House of Representatives. Copy & paste the text provided in the box below into the body of your email. Copy the list of email addresses below and paste them into the "TO:" section of your email.

2) Call your SC House Representative. Use the switchboard number: (803) 734-2402. Tell them "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!" and that you want H.3964 passed without these anti-gun provisions being included. (If you don't know who they are, you can find their name and email address by going to: http://www.scstatehouse.net/cgi-bin/zipcodesearch.exe and entering your 9 digit zip+4 into the box provided. This will give you their email address also.)

3) Fax your SC House Representative. The House fax number is (803) 734-2925. Use the text provided in the box above.

TO: (Use these emails with Microsoft Outlook email because it requires semicolons between email addresses)

AgnewP@schouse.org; AlexanderT@schouse.org; KBA@schouse.org; AndersonC@schouse.org; AnthonyM@schouse.org; JCB@schouse.org; BallentineN@schouse.org; BannisterB@schouse.org; LDB@schouse.org; jab@schouse.org; BedingfieldE@schouse.org; KAB@schouse.org; BowenD@schouse.org; WKB@schouse.org; BradyJ@schouse.org; BranhamL@schouse.org; BrantleyC@schouse.org; FB@schouse.org; GB@schouse.org; RLB@schouse.org; HLC@schouse.org; CeipsC@schouse.org; ChalkR@schouse.org; CAC@schouse.org; ClemmonsA@schouse.org; WC@schouse.org; gch@schouse.org; cbc@schouse.org; HWM@schouse.org; WFC@schouse.org; CrawfordK@schouse.org; TMD@schouse.org; GRD@schouse.org; fgd@schouse.org; DuncanJ@schouse.org; TE@schouse.org; MBF@schouse.org; FunderburkL@schouse.org; GambrellM@schouse.org; JNG@schouse.org; GullickC@schouse.org; HagoodB@schouse.org; HaleyN@schouse.org; GLH@schouse.org; HardwickN@schouse.org; HSP@schouse.org; HJU@schouse.org; HartC@schouse.org; HarvinC@schouse.org; GAH@schouse.org; JH@schouse.org; HerbkersmanB@schouse.org; HinsonS@schouse.org; HiottD@schouse.org; HodgesK@schouse.org; LH1@schouse.org; LH@schouse.org; ch@schouse.org; JeffersonJ@schouse.org; DJ@schouse.org; KellyK@schouse.org; KK@schouse.org; KnightP@schouse.org; RWL@schouse.org; HBL@schouse.org; LFL@schouse.org; DAL@schouse.org; LoweP@schouse.org; JL@schouse.org; DJM@schouse.org; MahaffeyJ@schouse.org; WJM@schouse.org; JM1@schouse.org; VOM@schouse.org; MITCHELLH@schouse.org; bam@schouse.org; MossD@schouse.org; MulvaneyM@schouse.org; jmn@schouse.org; JN@schouse.org; DWN@schouse.org; HLO@schouse.org; owensp@schouse.org; JAP@schouse.org; RSP@schouse.org; ORP@schouse.org; PinsonG@schouse.org; PittsT@schouse.org; PittsM@schouse.org; RFR@schouse.org; JTR@schouse.org; WES@schouse.org; WBS@schouse.org; JLS@schouse.org; SellersB@schouse.org; ShoopmanP@schouse.org; JGS@schouse.org; SkeltonBR@schouse.org; DCS@schouse.org; FNS@schouse.org; GMS@schouse.org; SmithG@schouse.org; JS@schouse.org; RepSmith@JamesSmith.org; SPT@schouse.org; SpiresK@schouse.org; StavL@schouse.org; StewartJ@schouse.org; SFT@schouse.org; at@schouse.org; MT@schouse.org; TooleM@schouse.org; UmphlettD@schouse.org; VickT@schouse.org; ViersT@schouse.org; REW@schouse.org; JDW@schouse.org; JSW@schouse.org; WBW@schouse.org; WhitmireW@schouse.org; WilliamsR@schouse.org; WDW@schouse.org; ADY@schouse.org; CountEmails@scfirearms.org

TO: (Use these emails with other email programs because most require commas between email addresses)

AgnewP@schouse.org, AlexanderT@schouse.org, KBA@schouse.org, AndersonC@schouse.org, AnthonyM@schouse.org, JCB@schouse.org, BallentineN@schouse.org, BannisterB@schouse.org, LDB@schouse.org, jab@schouse.org, BedingfieldE@schouse.org, KAB@schouse.org, BowenD@schouse.org, WKB@schouse.org, BradyJ@schouse.org, BranhamL@schouse.org, BrantleyC@schouse.org, FB@schouse.org, GB@schouse.org, RLB@schouse.org, HLC@schouse.org, CeipsC@schouse.org, ChalkR@schouse.org, CAC@schouse.org, ClemmonsA@schouse.org, WC@schouse.org, gch@schouse.org, cbc@schouse.org, HWM@schouse.org, WFC@schouse.org, CrawfordK@schouse.org, TMD@schouse.org, GRD@schouse.org, fgd@schouse.org, DuncanJ@schouse.org, TE@schouse.org, MBF@schouse.org, FunderburkL@schouse.org, GambrellM@schouse.org, JNG@schouse.org, GullickC@schouse.org, HagoodB@schouse.org, HaleyN@schouse.org, GLH@schouse.org, HardwickN@schouse.org, HSP@schouse.org, HJU@schouse.org, HartC@schouse.org, HarvinC@schouse.org, GAH@schouse.org, JH@schouse.org, HerbkersmanB@schouse.org, HinsonS@schouse.org, HiottD@schouse.org, HodgesK@schouse.org, LH1@schouse.org, LH@schouse.org, ch@schouse.org, JeffersonJ@schouse.org, DJ@schouse.org, KellyK@schouse.org, KK@schouse.org, KnightP@schouse.org, RWL@schouse.org, HBL@schouse.org, LFL@schouse.org, DAL@schouse.org, LoweP@schouse.org, JL@schouse.org, DJM@schouse.org, MahaffeyJ@schouse.org, WJM@schouse.org, JM1@schouse.org, VOM@schouse.org, MITCHELLH@schouse.org, bam@schouse.org, MossD@schouse.org, MulvaneyM@schouse.org, jmn@schouse.org, JN@schouse.org, DWN@schouse.org, HLO@schouse.org, owensp@schouse.org, JAP@schouse.org, RSP@schouse.org, ORP@schouse.org, PinsonG@schouse.org, PittsT@schouse.org, PittsM@schouse.org, RFR@schouse.org, JTR@schouse.org, WES@schouse.org, WBS@schouse.org, JLS@schouse.org, SellersB@schouse.org, ShoopmanP@schouse.org, JGS@schouse.org, SkeltonBR@schouse.org, DCS@schouse.org, FNS@schouse.org, GMS@schouse.org, SmithG@schouse.org, JS@schouse.org, RepSmith@JamesSmith.org, SPT@schouse.org, SpiresK@schouse.org, StavL@schouse.org, StewartJ@schouse.org, SFT@schouse.org, at@schouse.org, MT@schouse.org, TooleM@schouse.org, UmphlettD@schouse.org, VickT@schouse.org, ViersT@schouse.org, REW@schouse.org, JDW@schouse.org, JSW@schouse.org, WBW@schouse.org, WhitmireW@schouse.org, WilliamsR@schouse.org, WDW@schouse.org, ADY@schouse.org, CountEmails@scfirearms.org

TEXT BODY:

Dear Representative: GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me! H. 3964 MUST NOT PASS AS AMENDED BY THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE! The newly proposed Section 23-31-245 will negate every concealed weapon permit (CWP) reciprocity agreement that South Carolina has entered into with every other state! This amendment is totally unacceptable to the 50,000 CWP holders in South Carolina! The Judiciary Committee's proposed Section 23-31-245 must be deleted from H. 3964! The newly proposed Section 23-31-245 would become part of the South Carolina CWP law. As such, SLED must take this section of law into consideration when determining whether another state has "permit issuance standards equal to or greater than the standards contained in" the South Carolina CWP law. Since other states do not require what Section 23-31-245 would require of South Carolina CWP holders, ALL reciprocity agreements with South Carolina would be voided. This is totally unacceptable to the 50,000 CWP holders in South Carolina. If the newly proposed Section 23-31-245 is amended to change it so as to not be part of the CWP law, then it would no longer be germane to the rest of H. 3964. Thus, the newly proposed Section 23-31-245 can not be amended within H. 3964 either without voiding all SC CWP reciprocity agreements or becoming non germane to the rest of the bill. Therefore, Section 23-31-245 should simply be deleted from H. 3964. The newly proposed Section 23-31-245 destroys the privacy of medical records. Destroying the privacy of medical records is a controversial issue that will bring together a diverse coalition to oppose such a draconian measure. Resolution of this controversial issue will take quite some time to accomplish, assuming it can be resolved at all. South Carolina CWP holders should not be forced to remain in the cross fire that is sure to occur once the issue of the destruction of the privacy of medical records is discovered. South Carolina CWP holders and public safety should not be held hostage to this issue while the fight drags on. The destruction of medical records privacy needs to be addressed outside of the CWP law. I urge you to delete the newly proposed Section 23-31-245 from H. 3964, and then, pass the rest of H. 3964 exactly as it came from the Judiciary Committee. The public safety benefits H. 3964 brings to the people of South Carolina demand the proposed Section 23-31-245 be deleted and the rest of H. 3964 get passed as soon as possible. Sincerely, INSERT YOUR NAME INSERT YOUR ADDRESS

Now sit back and take a moment to think about what you've just done. You've just fought to preserve our gun rights. It may not have taken you very long to do, but it is no small thing.

I want to thank you personally for taking the time to be a TRUE gun rights activist! By doing this, you are taking an active part in saving our gun rights in South Carolina!

Bill Rentiers
Executive Officer
GrassRoots GunRights of SC

H. 3964 is on the agenda of the full House Judiciary Committee for Tuesday afternoon. This bill would change SC law to permit CWP holders to carry on school and college campuses, so that parents would be able to pick up and drop off their kids at school without becoming felons. GrassRoots leadership and the GrassRoots Gorillas will be there to watch how each legislator votes concerning your gun rights!

GrassRoots leadership will be writing a letter to fax to each member of the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday morning.

We want you to email EVERY member of the Judiciary Committee.

The message we want sent to each Judiciary Committee member is simply this:

TO:

HJU@schouse.org, KBA@schouse.org, fgd@schouse.org, DJ@schouse.org, JLS@schouse.org, SFT@schouse.org, JSW@schouse.org, WJM@schouse.org, Cbc@schouse.org, FNS@schouse.org, GAH@schouse.org, JTR@schouse.org, GMS@schouse.org, JDW@schouse.org, ClemmonsA@schouse.org, SmithG@schouse.org, BannisterB@schouse.org, HagoodB@schouse.org, KellyK@schouse.org, ViersT@schouse.org, HerbkersmanB@schouse.org, CeipsC@schouse.org, CrawfordK@schouse.org, StewartJ@schouse.org, RepSmith@JamesSmith.org

SUBJECT:

GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!

BODY:

Dear Member of the House Judiciary Committee: GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me! Please read the letter from GrassRoots GunRights which explains why H. 3964 should be passed. Sincerely, PUT YOUR NAME HERE PUT YOUR ADDRESS HERE

Don't forget to copy the list of email addresses above into the "TO:" field of your email, copy the "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!" into the "SUBJECT:" field of your email, and copy the rest into the body of your email message before you send it. (Be sure to put your own name & address too!)

This short message will force the politicians to look for our letter.

GrassRoots GunRights has gotten national attention for supporting H. 3964. Dr. Robert D. Butler, VP of GrassRoots GunRights, has appeared as a featured guest on both CNN's Paula Zahn Show and CNN Headline News with Erica Hill. Part of his testimony before the House subcommittee was also aired by WIS-TV Channel 10 News, Columbia, SC's local NBC affiliate.

These video clips are posted on our web site [www.scfirearms.org] so you can go there and watch these interviews.

The committee will meet at 2:30pm in room 516 of the Blatt buiding. If you can make the meeting also, that would be great! Please try your best to attend. If we can pack the room, we will send a strong message to our legislators that we mean business!

See you there!

Last week, many GrassRoots GunRights members called, emailed and faxed the members of the Senate subcommittee that were meeting to vote on H.3212 - the CWP Recognition bill that will make your South Carolina CWP good in 30+ states. Well, your efforts worked! The subcommittee voted unanimously to send H.3212 back up to the full Senate Judiciary committee with a favorable recommendation (without amendments).

But our work is not done. In fact, the truly hard part is just beginning. This bill will meet its strongest opposition at the next two points: The full Senate Judiciary Committee and the full Senate.

The full Senate Judiciary committee will meet to consider H.3212 on Tuesday May 8th at 3:00pm in room 308 of the Gressette Building. Please try your best to attend. Back in 2005 the Senate Republican leadership killed this bill by adding a "poison pill" amendment to it that would've made it worse than existing law if it passed. We have to stay vigilant if we want this CWP Recognition bill to pass, or they'll find a way to kill it again. If we can pack the room, we will send a strong message to our Senators that we mean business!

If we can stop them from killing the bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee and in the full Senate, this bill will go to the Governor for his signature.

Please act now! Let your voice be heard loud and clear!