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*** GrassRoots Action Alert ***

24 March 2008

ACT NOW! H. 3212 is now in YOUR hands!

Your calls and emails last week resulted in a slightly improved bill, but the Senate didn't properly fix the bill. The SC Senate failed to remove their amendment to H. 3212 and restore it to a recognition bill before sending it back the the SC House for their approval. In its current form, H. 3212 is still so poorly written that South Carolina could not even get reciprocity with itself! Below is the letter GrassRoots is providing to each member of the SC House of Representatives.

*** ACTION STEPS: *** (Scroll down for a contact list of your legislators.)

1. Call EACH Representative from your county first thing in the morning on Tuesday. Tell them "I'm calling about H. 3212. GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!"
2. Email EACH Representative from your county and send the message "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!" (Cut and paste "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!" in both the subject line and the body of the text.)

*** ACTION STEPS: ***

1. Call EACH Representative from your county first thing in the morning on Tuesday. Tell them "I'm calling about H. 3212. GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!"
2. Email EACH Representative from your county and send the message "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!" (Cut and paste "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!" in both the subject line and the body of the text.)

Thank you for doing your part as a gun rights activist!

Bill Rentiers
Executive Officer
GrassRoots GunRights of SC
ExecOfficer@SCFirearms.org
803-233-9295

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*** GrassRoots Action Alert ***

H. 3212 NEEDS YOUR IMMEDIATE HELP!

17 March 2008

Your IMMEDIATE action is needed to save H. 3212 in the Senate! If you do not act first thing Tuesday morning, it will be too late!

Sen. Jake Knotts amended H. 3212 on Thursday. As amended it will be WORSE than current law. NRA is supporting this bill for unknown reasons since the bill will not increase the number of states with which SC can have reciprocity. So, the politicians must hear the message "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!"

GrassRoots apologizes for the last minute notice, but things are moving fast and research was needed to be sure our suspicions were correct about the H. 3212. We will have a full explanation up on our web site by tomorrow morning.

Below is the text of the letter we are sending to each Senator.

The Honorable Glenn F. McConnell South Carolina Senate P.O. Box 142 Columbia, SC 29202 RE: H. 3212 Dear Senator McConnell: The Knotts/Anderson amendment to H. 3212 - the concealed weapon permit (CWP) reciprocity bill - is so bad that South Carolina would not qualify for reciprocity with itself! So, how could that possibly lead to reciprocity with more states as claimed by its supporters? There are serious problems with the Knotts/Anderson amendment. An analysis of H. 3212 shows H. 3212 should REDUCE the number of states with which SC has reciprocity, NOT increase the number. Also, H. 3212 is the first step in changing SC law to require re-qualification for CWP renewals. A full explanation of all that is wrong with the Knotts/Anderson amendment can be found on the GrassRoots GunRights web site at www.SCFirearms.org. In the interests of saving time and space, only the worst aspects of H. 3212 are being presented in this letter. Existing SC CWP law makes a legal distinction between a fingerprint review and a background check. Section 23-31-215(B) states: Upon submission of the items required by subsection (A) of this section, SLED must conduct or facilitate a local, state, and federal fingerprint review of the applicant. SLED must also conduct a background check of the applicant through notification to and input from the sheriff of the county where the applicant resides or if the applicant is a qualified nonresident, where the applicant owns real property in this State. … If the fingerprint review and background check are favorable, SLED must issue the permit. [emphasis added] As shown immediately above, existing SC CWP law requires "a local, state, and federal fingerprint review," but explicitly requires only a local background check and by inference requires a state background check by SLED. SC CWP law fails to mention a federal background check as a requirement for obtaining a SC CWP. The Knotts/Anderson amendment would change existing SC CWP law to allow CWP reciprocity ONLY if "the reciprocal state requires an applicant to successfully pass a state and federal criminal background check." The Knotts/Anderson amendment sets a higher standard for CWP reciprocity than existing SC law does by explicitly requiring people from other states "to successfully pass a … federal criminal background check." SC CWP holders are not explicitly required to pass a federal criminal background check, only a federal fingerprint review. The only result that can come from this change is to REDUCE the number of states with which SC can have reciprocity. It is quite possible SC would LOSE reciprocity with states with which SC currently has reciprocity due to the new standards imposed by the Knotts/Anderson amendment. If other states follow SC and also do not require a federal background check prior to issuing a CWP, then SC could lose reciprocity with those states with which SC currently has reciprocity. Ironically, SC would not qualify for reciprocity with itself under the new standards imposed by the Knotts/Anderson amendment! It is claimed the Knotts/Anderson amendment would allow for reciprocity with states that require less than the eight (8) hour training course currently required by SC law in Section 23-31-210(5)(a). But, the words of the Knotts/Anderson amendment do not support such a claim or interpretation. SC law does not provide for a different definition of "proof of training" for use by CWP holders in other states than it does for SC CWP holders. The Knotts/Anderson amendment does not change the law as to how many hours a "firearm training and safety" course must be - which is statutorily defined as eight (8) hours minimum for all. Thus, the Knotts/Anderson amendment could not possibly increase the number of states eligible for CWP reciprocity with SC, and any statement to the contrary is not supported by the facts. Existing SC law explicitly provides for reciprocity with "those states which have permit issuance standards equal to or greater than the standards" set by SC law. The Knotts/Anderson amendment changes the SC CWP reciprocity law to allow reciprocity if "the reciprocal state requires an applicant to successfully pass a state and federal criminal background check and a course in firearm training and safety." There is no longer a mention of SC CWP standards when dealing with reciprocity. The Knotts/Anderson amendment is not designed to increase the number of states with which SC can have CWP reciprocity. The ulterior motive behind the Knotts/Anderson amendment is to lay the foundation for requiring CWP re-qualification every four years. The unspoken reason for deleting reference to SC standards with regards to CWP reciprocity found in the Knotts/Anderson amendment is that such a change provides the opportunity to require CWP re-qualification every four years. It is no secret that Sen. Knotts has wanted to impose CWP re-qualification for years. But, doing so would have destroyed every existing CWP reciprocity agreement since no other state imposes such a requirement. The mandated re-qualification would be a great monetary opportunity/reward for NRA certified instructors, which would easily explain NRA support. But, re-qualification is not in the best interests of the people of SC generally or SC CWP holders in particular. It is not a change supported by GrassRoots GunRights and its members. The fear mongers claim they are only protecting the people of SC by insisting on CWP "training" prior to allowing people to carry a firearm pursuant to the CWP law. But, there is no evidence to support the claim that CWP "training" saves any lives. Yet, there is reliable evidence proving mandated CWP "training" actually costs lives when good people are deterred from obtaining a CWP due to the extra costs in time and money. Unfortunately, the facts do not matter to those with a political agenda or a financial interest. GrassRoots GunRights urges you to repeal the Knotts/Anderson amendment and pass H. 3212 exactly as it came from the Senate Judiciary Committee. Otherwise, kill H. 3212 because the Knotts/Anderson amendment makes the SC CWP law worse than it is now. Sincerely, Robert D. Butler, J.D. Vice President GrassRoots GunRights

*** ACTION STEPS: ***

1. Call EACH Senator from your county first thing in the morning because the bill will be voted on Tuesday.
2. Email EACH Senator from your county and send the message "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!" (Cut and paste "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!" in both the subject line and the body of the text.)
3. Be sure to say "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me on CWP reciprocity."

Thank you for doing your part as a gun rights activist!

Bill Rentiers
Executive Officer
GrassRoots GunRights of SC
ExecOfficer@SCFirearms.org
803-233-9295

Abbeville County Sen. John W. Drummond, District 10 Sen. William H. O'Dell, District 4	PTE@scsenate.org WHO@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6455 (803) 212-6040
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	(803) 212-6320 (803) 212-6000 (803) 212-6140
Allendale County Sen. C. Bradley Hutto, District 40	CBH@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6140
Anderson County Sen. Kevin L. Bryant, District 3 Sen. William H. O'Dell, District 4	BRYANTK@scsenate.org WHO@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6024 (803) 212-6040
Bamberg County Sen. C. Bradley Hutto, District 40 Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr., District 39	CBH@scsenate.org JWM@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6140 (803) 212-6056
Barnwell County Sen. C. Bradley Hutto , District 40	CBH@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6140
Beaufort County Sen. Catherine C. Ceips, District 46 Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney, District 45	CEIPS@scsenate.org CCP@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6032 (803) 212-6056
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	(803) 212-6016 (803) 212-6016 (803) 212-6400
Calhoun County Sen. John C. Land III, District 36	JCL@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6180
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	(803) 212-6016 (803) 212-6100 (803) 212-6124 (803) 212-6400 (803) 212-6610 (803) 212-6056 (803) 212-6024
Cherokee County Sen. Harvey S. Peeler, Jr., District 14	MED@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6430
Chester County Sen. Linda H. Short, District 17	LHS@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6148
Chesterfield County Sen. Gerald Malloy, District 29 Sen. Vincent A. Sheheen, District 27	MALLOYG@scsenate.org VS@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6148 (803) 212-6124
Clarendon County Sen. John C. Land III, District 36	JCL@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6180
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	(803) 212-6400 (803) 212-6056 (803) 212-6056
Darlington County Sen. Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr., District 31 Sen. Gerald Malloy, District 29	SFI@scsenate.org MALLOYG@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6640 (803) 212-6148
Dillon County Sen. Dick Elliott, District 28 Sen. Kent M. Williams, District 30	DE@scsenate.org WILLIAMSK@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6116 (803) 212-6008
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	(803) 212-6400 (803) 212-6056 (803) 212-6024
Edgefield County Sen. A. Shane Massey, District 25	shanemassey@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6000
Fairfield County Sen. Linda H. Short, District 17	LHS@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6148
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	(803) 212-6180 (803) 212-6640 (803) 212-6132 (803) 212-6008
Georgetown County Sen. Ray Cleary, District 34 Sen. J. Yancey McGill, District 32	CLEARYR@scsenate.org JYM@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6100 (803) 212-6132
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	(803) 212-6108 (803) 212-6420 (803) 212-6032 (803) 212-6240 (803) 212-6100 (803) 212-6230
Greenwood County Sen. John W. Drummond, District 10 Sen. William H. O'Dell, District 4	PTE@scsenate.org WHO@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6455 (803) 212-6040
Hampton County Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr., District 39 Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney, District 45	JWM@scsenate.org CCP@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6056 (803) 212-6056
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	(803) 212-6100 (803) 212-6116 (803) 212-6132 (803) 212-6132
Jasper County Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney, District 45	CCP@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6056
Kershaw County Sen. Joel Lourie, District 22 Sen. Vincent A. Sheheen, District 27	JBL@scsenate.org VS@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6116 (803) 212-6124
Lancaster County Sen. Chauncey K. Gregory, District 16 Sen. Vincent A. Sheheen, District 27	SFG@scsenate.org VS@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6330 (803) 212-6124
Laurens County Sen. John W. Drummond, District 10 Sen. Daniel B. "Danny" Verdin III, District 9	PTE@scsenate.org SAG@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6455 (803) 212-6230
Lee County Sen. Phil P. Leventis, District 35 Sen. Gerald Malloy, District 29	PL@scsenate.org MALLOYG@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6000 (803) 212-6148
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	(803) 212-6250 (803) 212-6040 (803) 212-6350 (803) 212-6140
Marion County Sen. Dick Elliott, District 28 Sen. Kent M. Williams, District 30	DE@scsenate.org WILLIAMSK@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6116 (803) 212-6008
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	(803) 212-6116 (803) 212-6148 (803) 212-6008
McCormick County Sen. A. Shane Massey, District 25	shanemassey@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6000
Newberry County Sen. Ronnie W. Cromer, District 18	CROMERR@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6040
Oconee County Sen. Thomas C. Alexander, District 1	SGE@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6220
Orangeburg County Sen. C. Bradley Hutto, District 40 Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr., District 39	CBH@scsenate.org JWM@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6140 (803) 212-6056
Pickens County Sen. Thomas C. Alexander, District 1 Sen. Larry A. Martin, District 2	SGE@scsenate.org SRU@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6220 (803) 212-6340
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	(803) 212-6250 (803) 212-6048 (803) 212-6116 (803) 212-6048
Saluda County Sen. Ronnie W. Cromer, District 18 Sen. A. Shane Massey, District 25 Sen. Nikki G. Setzler, District 26	CROMERR@scsenate.org shanemassey@scsenate.org NGS@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6040 (803) 212-6000 (803) 212-6140
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	(803) 212-6008 (803) 212-6430 (803) 212-6108 (803) 212-6032
Sumter County Sen. John C. Land III, District 36 Sen. Phil P. Leventis, District 35	JCL@scsenate.org PL@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6180 (803) 212-6000
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	(803) 212-6430 (803) 212-6032 (803) 212-6148
Williamsburg County Sen. J. Yancey McGill, District 32	JYM@scsenate.org	(803) 212-6132
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	(803) 212-6330 (803) 212-6410 (803) 212-6430 (803) 212-6148

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H. 3212 NEEDS YOUR IMMEDIATE HELP!

12 March 2008

If you want to be able to lawfully carry a concealed weapon in 30+ states, contact each Senator from your county NOW and let them know you want H, 3212 to pass without amendments! This bill could be debated in the Senate as early as tomorrow morning at 11:00am, or it might get delayed until next week. Either way, you need to start calling and emailing the senators from your county ASAP!

H. 3212 is the CWP Recognition bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Pitts. In June 2007, H. 3212 was put on the Contested Calendar when Sen. Ralph Anderson placed a Minority Report on the bill as it passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

On Wednesday, March 6, 2008, GrassRoots leaders met with Sen. Larry Martin, Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee to seek his help in getting H. 3212 onto the Special Order calendar. Sen. Martin promised GrassRoots leaders he would help.

Today, thanks to Sen. Martin's efforts, H. 3212 was put onto the Special Order calendar. This means H. 3212 could come up for debate as early as tomorrow morning.

Contact every State Senator who represents your county NOW and tell them you want H. 3212 to pass the Senate immediately, without ANY amendments!

If you do not make these calls - and make them NOW - H. 3212 could die or be amended to make it totally worthless.

Action Steps:

1) *** CALL 803-212-6200 and ask to speak with your Senators. *** Tell them to support H.3212 with no amendments. Be sure to tell them "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!"

2) *** EMAIL all Senators representing your county. For your convenience, we have provided a list of Senators sorted by county below. ***

3)  Forward this email to your friends immediately and ask them to do the same!

Once you have completed the three "Action Steps" above, sit back and congratulate yourself. You have done your part to fight for the gun rights of all South Carolinians! Please accept my personal thanks for your activism, and a job well done!

Bill Rentiers
Executive Officer
GrassRoots GunRights of SC
ExecOfficer@SCFirearms.org
803-233-9295

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

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22 February 2008

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.

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GrassRoots GunRights Amicus Brief Completed!

15 February 2008

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.

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GrassRoots GunRights Activists Hold Counter-Protest

30 January 2008

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

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Help the DC-Heller Second Amendment case!

19 December 2007

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.

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13 September 2007

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.

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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]

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28 May 2007

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

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20 May 2007 H.3964 Needs our help!

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!

Bill Rentiers
Executive Officer,
GrassRoots GunRights of SC

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4 May 2007
H.3212 Needs our help again!

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!

Call, email and fax the Senators from your county and tell them:

Dear Senator: GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me! I want H.3212 passed exactly as it came from the House & Senate subcommittee! I also want you to send me your written confirmation of exactly how you will be voting on this bill. Sincerely, PUT YOUR NAME HERE PUT YOUR ADDRESS HERE

Here's how you do it:

First: Fax them. Do it right now. They will have a big stack of faxes waiting for them when they arrive at the office Tuesday morning. This is the Senate fax number: 803-212-6299. Make sure you fax EACH of the Senators from your county. Use the text provided in the box above.

Second: Email each of them. Do it right now. Fill up their inbox with our emails. Follow these instructions carefully:

- Block and Copy all the text in the box above.
- Click here . A browser will open with links to every county in the state.
- Click on the county where you live. You will see a list of your Senator's names listed under "South Carolina Senate Delegation."
- One at a time, you must click on EACH name you find in this list. Doing this will take you to that Senator's webpage. Their email address will be found right below their office telephone numbers. Just click on that email address and your email program will open up automatically, addressed to that Senator. Paste the text from the box above into each email and send it. Be sure to add a Subject line to your email, such as "Please Pass H.3212!"

Third: Call each of them. Do this First thing TUESDAY morning (they don't come in on Mondays). You may have to leave a message. Make sure he knows that GrassRoots GunRights speaks for you, and that you want him to vote for this bill. If you don't get to speak with him personally, make sure to tell him you want to know how he intends to vote in the full Judiciary committee and in the full Senate. This is the capitol switchboard number for the Senate: 803-212-6200 Use the capitol switchboard number so that we clog up the phone lines and really let them hear us! Just call this number and ask for your Senators by name, one by one, until you've spoken with each one in your county. You can use the text provided in the box above for talking points.

Once you have done all this, sit back and relax for a moment. Be proud of yourself. You've just fought for your gun rights.

Ok, that's enough.

Now make arrangments to be at the Senate Judiciary committee meeting at 3:00pm Tuesday in room 308 of the Gressette building. Let's pack the room send them a message that they better not mess with our gun rights!

See you there!

Bill Rentiers
Executive Officer,
GrassRoots GunRights of SC

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30 April 2007
GRASSROOTS GUNRIGHTS ACTION ALERT!

Please contact the SC Senators on this subcommittee and tell them to support H. 3212!

H. 3212 is the CWP Reciprocity bill. It passed the House last month. If it passes the Senate and is signed by the Governor, SC will honor all carry permits of every other state. If this happens, many more states will automatically honor our concealed carry permits.

The subcommittee members are listed below. Please call, fax and email them to let them know that "GrassRoots GunRights speaks for me!" and that we want them to pass H. 3212 without amendment.

Senator John D. Hawkins, (chair)
Office: (803) 212-6008
E-Mail: DH@scsenate.org
Fax: 803-212-6299

Vincent A. Sheheen
Office: (803) 212-6124
E-Mail: VS@scsenate.org
Fax: 803-212-6299

Senator Joel Lourie
Office: (803) 212-6116
E-Mail Address: JBL@scsenate.org
Fax: 803-212-6299

Senator Lewis R. Vaughn
Office: (803) 212-6100
E-Mail Address: LRV@scsenate.org
Fax: 803-212-6299

NOTE: GrassRoots leaders will be at the statehouse attending this Senate subcommittee meeting on Wednesday May 2nd at 10:00am in room 209 of the Gressette building. If any of you are able to attend this meeting, your participation would be greatly appreciated. Let's pack the room and let them know we mean business! However, we understand that many people work or live too far from Columbia and will be unable to attend, so please make those calls and send those emails and faxes TODAY!

Don't let this opportunity slip by - Protect your gun rights - Make the call today!

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8 March 2007
ACT NOW - HELP US END THE NATIONAL PARK GUN BAN!

**URGENT** **URGENT** **URGENT**

Two years ago a pro-gun organization called the Virginia Citizen's Defense League (VCDL) initiated a “Petition for Rule Making” to the National Park Service (NPS) asking NPS to allow law- abiding citizens to carry a handgun for self-defense in a National Park if the state in which the park is located allows such carry.

GrassRoots GunRights of SC was one of the first organizations to sign on in support of the VCDL petition.

Recently, after two years of waiting for a reply, the NPS finally sent a letter of response to the petition. You can read the response letter at NPS Denial of VCDL PRM (used with permission of VCDL)

GrassRoots GunRights of SC has learned from VCDL that the Department of the Interior (DOI) is livid over the NPS rejection letter.

Apparently the National Park Service DID NOT CLEAR that rejection letter with their parent - the Department of the Interior!

The Department of Interior had been telling VCDL and key Congressional members that DOI would seriously consider this petition.

The ensuing NPS rejection letter made DOI look like fools and liars. DOI doesn't like that at all, and who would blame them?

The word from VCDL is that the Department of the Interior is investigating how to OVERTURN that rejection letter and soon!!!

We have an incredible opportunity to save TWO years of work and pull off a victory for all gun owners! But we must make our voices heard LOUD AND CLEAR.

It is imperative that all of you to do the following FOUR things NOW no matter where you live, as this is a NATIONAL effort:

********

1. CALL the DOI Legislative Affairs office and leave a message for the Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne.

Say something like this:

"I encourage Secretary Kempthorne to implement the Petition for Rule Making that the National Park Service has rejected out-of-hand. Law-abiding citizens should be allowed to protect themselves and their families while visiting a National Park."

PLEASE MAKE THAT CALL - WE WANT DOI'S TELEPHONE LINE LIT UP BIG TIME!

Mr. Kempthorne's telephone number in Washington, DC is: 202-208-7351

********

2. Call your U.S. Senators and Congressman.

Representative Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC 1st)
Phone: (843) 747-4175
Fax: (843) 747-4711

Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC 2nd)
Phone: (202) 225-2452
Fax: (202) 225-2455

Representative J. Gresham Barrett (R-SC 3rd)
Phone: (202) 225-5301
Fax: (202) 225-3216

Representative Bob Inglis (R-SC 4th)
Phone: (202) 225-6030
Fax: (202) 226-1177

Representative John M. Spratt, Jr. (D-SC 5th)
Phone: (202) 225-5501
Fax: (202) 225-0464

Representative James Clyburn (D-SC 6th)
Phone: (202) 225-3315
Fax: (202) 225-2313

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC)
Phone: (202) 224-6121
Fax: (202) 228-5143

Senator Lindsey O. Graham (R-SC)
Phone: (202) 224-5972
Fax: (202) 224-3808

Say something like this:

"Please have [Senator or Congressman’s name] contact the Department of the Interior's Secretary, Dirk Kempthorne, and ask him to overturn the National Park Service's rejection of the Petition for Rule Making. Law-abiding citizens should be allowed to carry a handgun to defend themselves while visiting a National Park if the state in which the park is located allows such carry!"

PLEASE MAKE THAT CALL - WE WANT CONGRESS' TELEPHONE LINES TO LIGHT UP AS BRIGHTLY AS DOI'S!

********

3. After calling your Senators and Congressman, follow up with an email.

Here is a sample email you can use:

Please ask the Department of the Interior's Secretary, Dirk Kempthorne, to overturn the National Park Service's arbitrary rejection of the Petition for Rule Making and to implement that petition!

The Petition for Rule Making, representing over ONE MILLION gun owners, would allow law-abiding citizens to carry a handgun for self-defense in a National Park as long as the state in which that National Park is located allows such carry.

The National Park Service's rejection letter was not only senseless, but condescending towards America's gun owners.

My family members and I are given but one life each. I ask that you make sure that I can defend those lives while visiting a National Park!

Please let me know what you are going to do.

********

4. After calling and leaving a message for DOI, follow up with an email to Secretary Kempthorne:

Email address:	exsec@ios.doi.gov
Suggested email subject:	Pleasse approve the Petition for Rule Making!

Suggested email text:

Dear Secretary Kempthorne,

I ask that you approve and implement the Petition for Rule Making that would allow a law-abiding citizen to carry a handgun for self-defense in a National Park as long the state in which the park is located allows such carry.

The National Park Service sent a rejection letter listing four very poor reasons for the rejection. None of the reasons listed legitimately justifies denying a person the right to defend the only life they have been given.

The Petition, representing over ONE MILLION gun owners, was basically rejected out-of-hand.

Please let me know what the Department of the Interior is going to do regarding this matter.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]

********

Please spread this alert far and wide! We need gun owners from all over the country to make this happen!

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18 Jan 2007
GRASSROOTS GUNRIGHTS ACTION ALERT!

WASHINGTON ATTEMPTING TO STOP GRASSROOTS LOBBYING.

First Amendment Under Attack Again!
Urge your Senators to VOTE YES on the Bennett Amendment!

Congress is about to enact new ethics and lobbying rules. As you might expect, they are using this opportunity to silence organizations like GrassRoots GunRights of SC.

Expect this to be a bi-partisan effort. There is always bipartisanship when it comes to protecting incumbents. There was bipartisan support for the McCain-Feingold law - a law to stop grassroots organizations from using the mass media to tell people about an incumbent's voting record close to an election. Incumbents want to silence grassroots organizations completely so they can hide the truth about the incumbent's voting record from the people. This would prevent GrassRoots from telling its members about the voting records of politicians during the election season. All this just goes to show that all of our constitutional rights are under attack. First, the Second Amendment. Now, the First Amendment.

Section 220 in the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act (S.1) being voted on next week in the U.S. Senate would target groups like GrassRoots GunRights SC, who represent gun owners in South Carolina. Our style of grassroots lobbying (i.e., e-mails, newsletters, website, and direct mail) has been treated differently than the kind of high dollar inside lobbying (i.e., TV, newspapers, and radio) that the McCain-Feingold law attacked. Now, the incumbents want to make sure that what they do to you during legislative season can not be reported to you during election season. The incumbents do not want you to know the truth!

The dangerous provisions in the bill would subject groups like GrassRoots SC to a mountain of government regulation. When we spend money encouraging you and other citizens to contact their elected officials on a particular issue, this provision would require extensive government reporting, including notifying Congress 45 days before such action would take place.

Given the pace that attacks on our rights take place, this is clearly an attempt to stop us from contacting and informing you about dangerous legislation that is in the works.

Sen. Robert Bennett (R-UT), along with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), has offered an amendment to strike the grassroots lobbying provisi