Justice Department To America: Lock And Load!
“ The debate over how and to what extent, and based on what arguments,
the
state may interfere with its citizens` rights to self-defense—or to
hunt
for food with efficient tools, or even just to pursue sheer fun and
games
with explosive projectiles—will never end until we come to a settled
decision on whether, and to what extent, our lives are our own property
and our own responsibility,” writes Brian Doherty. “The empirical case
as
to whether in fact the police power of the state can efficiently
protect
our lives and property is settled pretty much every day in the favor of
gun rights.”
http://www.reason.com/links/links122104.shtml

Seized Weapons Help New Hunters Learn About Guns
The state Department of Natural Resources is giving new hunters more
hands-on experience with guns, thanks to a program that sends firearms
confiscated from criminals to the agency.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/dec04/286209.asp

Oil-For-Food Audits To Be Released In `05
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said dozens of internal audits into
the
problem-plagued Iraq oil-for-food program would be released early next
year, when the U.N.-appointed inquiry panel releases its preliminary
assessment of the scandal. A weary looking Mr. Annan also acknowledged
that questions about the $64 billion aid program had overshadowed the
United Nations` humanitarian work this year, but he insisted he will
not
resign, despite the urging of several U.S. lawmakers.
http://www.washtimes.com/world/20041221-094738-6061r.htm

PETA Ups Boycott Pressure on Clothing Retailers Over Australian Wool
Animal "rights" group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
(PETA)
has ratcheted up its campaign against Australian sheep faming
practices,
with graphic billboards and threats of secondary boycotts against
clothing
retailers that resist its demands to stop using Australian wool.
http://www.cnsnews.com//ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=\ForeignBureaus\archive\200412\FOR20041223b.html

Deal Allows Extension To Fox Hunting
Fox hunting is set to continue in England and Wales for another year
under
a deal sanctioned by Tony Blair, it emerged today.
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=595692
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
AFFIRMS THE SECOND AMENDMENT
AS AN INDIVIDUAL RIGHT

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

The clearest and most comprehensive statement ever made by the Executive Branch on the true meaning of the Second Amendment was recently released by the Justice Department. In a memorandum posted on their web site December 17, 2004, the Justice Department concludes without reservation that "the Second Amendment secures a personal right of individuals, not a collective right that may only be invoked by a State or a quasi-collective right restricted to persons serving in organized militia units."

The opinion does not address the constitutionality of particular laws placing limits on the possession, carrying, or use of firearms. It does note that certain classes of people (felons, those addicted to drugs or alcohol) can be prohibited from owning firearms and that certain types of firearms can be regulated.

This memo, for its excellent research, adds much to Second Amendment scholarship. But its major impact will be on the courts — and the Department itself.

The memo calls current judicial opinions an "unsettled legal landscape," where no theory holds firm. Stephen Halbrook, respected Second Amendment litigator and historian, says of the memorandum, "It is a highly credible message to the courts, for it exhibits a depth of understanding about the Second Amendment that few jurists have ever attained, and should be persuasive in future decisions."

The Department of Justice defends federal firearms laws. When it comes to interpreting the Second Amendment, it has flip-flopped. According to Mr. Halbrook, this monumental opinion "promises to keep the Department on the high road, for it is irrefutable in its analysis and its history." For gun owners now, and in the future, this is great news

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

NRA-ILA: New Documents posted Tuesday December 28, 2004
1-800-392-8683
www.nraila.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authorities Tout Project Ceasefire Success
Kansas City law enforcement say more than 700 defendants had been
charged
since 1999 under Project Ceasefire, a program best known for ensnaring
felons who illegally possess firearms. Also snared have been felons who
possessed ammunition and offenders who were armed while violating court
orders of protection.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/10495168.htm

It Was A Very Good Year
" America and democrats of the world can be proud of 2004," writes
former
Delaware Gov. Pete du Pont.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pdupont/?id=110006062

Batterings More Likely
Britons are for the first time more likely to be attacked than burgled,
police watchdogs warned last night. Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir
Keith Povey blasted the rise in violence recorded by police as
" unprecedented."
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004592739,00.html

Nuclear Option Is Not Nuclear
" I disagree that the Republican majority in the Senate would be
exercising
a "nuclear option" by changing the rules on vote cloture to prevent
Democrats from filibustering President Bush`s judicial nominees,"
writes
David Limbaugh. "The Constitution empowers the president to appoint
judges
with the advice and consent of the Senate. The advice and consent power
was never intended to confer co-equal power on the Senate over judicial
(and other) nominations. Rather, it was designed to provide a
legislative
check to reduce the risk that the president would appoint unqualified
judges or those with poor character."
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/davidlimbaugh/dl20041228.shtml

U.N. Didn`t Stop Saddam`s Smuggling
The head of an independent investigation into alleged corruption in the
U.N. oil-for-food program said most of the money illegally obtained by
Saddam Hussein came from smuggling, much of which the U.N. Security
Counci
l knew about but didn`t stop.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,142689,00.html

The Second Term Curse
George W. Bush is now facing the legacy of Richard M. Nixon. Only two
other presidents have won re-election since Tricky Dick resigned in
disgrace amid the Watergate scandal in 1974 and both of them--Ronald
Reagan and Bill Clinton--found their second terms mired in scandal. So
what will be Mr. Bush`s fate two years on? Will he be well on his way
to
reforming Social Security and the tax code? Or will scandal consume his
presidency too?
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/bminiter/?id=110006078

The Resistance Must Be Ready For A Long Battle Ahead
" Our local hunt met yesterday, as it always does at this time, on the
site
of the Battle of Hastings," writes Charles Moore. "This year, the crowd
of
supporters was so great that traffic stopped altogether and horses and
hounds had to cram against the gates of the abbey to make room. A few
yards away, on the frosty ground, is the site where Harold fell, shot
through the eye, and our nation was born."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/12/28/nhunt228.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/12/28/ixhome.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please forward this information to your family, friends, and fellow gun
owners.
You are receiving this because you are subscribed to NRA-ILA email
alerts.
To update your preferences or unsubscribe go to
https://secure.nraila.org/editprofile/login.aspx
Get involved today!! Sign up to be an NRA-ILA Volunteer using the link
below.
https://secure.nraila.org/volunteer.aspx
If you would like to make a contribution to NRA-ILA go to
https://secure.nraila.org/Contribute.aspx
Please do not reply to this email as you will not receive a response.
This
email is a broadcast list generated by an automated system. To contact
NRA-ILA call 800-392-8683.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++