* Importation of semi-automatic firearms. Earlier this summer, Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) successfully amended the Treasury-Postal Appropriations bill with a pro-gun rider. The Murtha amendment would, in essence, legalize the importation of as many as 2.5 million Army surplus rifles and pistols — World War II Garand rifles, M-1 carbines and M1911 pistols. (Specifically, his amendment prevents federal agencies from spending government funds that block efforts to import these guns under current “curios and relic” regulations.)

Rep. Murtha’s office has told Gun Owners of America that a vote to strip out the Murtha amendment may occur this week or next. Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY), Pat Kennedy (D-RI), Chris Shays (R-CT) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) have written the President asking him to oppose this amendment. (While not overtly stated, their underlying request seems to be that he veto any bill with this amendment in it.)

Gun owners are encouraged to contact their Representatives (1-800-522-6721) and support the Murtha amendment, and oppose any efforts to delete it from the Treasury-Postal Bill.

* Lautenberg update. Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-ID) now has 32 cosponsors on her bill to repeal the Lautenberg gun ban. Since we last reported to you on this issue, Representatives Combest (R-TX), Hall (D-TX), and Kolbe (R-AZ) have signed on to H.R. 1009.

Those of you who get GOA’s newsletter have already seen the letter Rep. Chenoweth wrote to GOA Executive Director, Larry Pratt, thanking him and the GOA members for their tremendous work on this bill.

“I appreciate the hard work Gun Owners of America and its members have put into pushing my bill to repeal the Lautenberg gun ban, H.R. 1009,” wrote Rep. Chenoweth. “Your strong support has helped H.R. 1009 get more cosponsors than any other bill dealing with this pernicious law.”

Rep. Chenoweth’s office has asked GOA and its members to renew their efforts in getting more cosponsors. The following message can either be clipped out, or retyped and then faxed/emailed to your Representative:

Dear Representative:

I urge you to cosponsor H.R. 1009, the only bill to fully repeal the Lautenberg gun ban. This ban is not only unconstitutional, it disarms otherwise law-abiding citizens for life — for offenses as slight as spanking a child or grabbing a spouse’s wrist.

DO NOT SUPPORT ANY COMPROMISES! We need more than just a retroactive repeal (H.R. 26) and more than just an exemption for the police and military (H.R. 445). The only Constitutional solution to the Lautenberg problem is H.R. 1009.

Rep. Chenoweth’s bill has far more cosponsors than any other bill that deals with the Lautenberg gun ban. I hope you will add your name to H.R. 1009 and support the constitutional rights of your constituents. Please let me know what you intend to do.

Another thing that you can do is to take advantage of the Congressional Auto-Mailer.

Finally, some of you may be lucky enough to hear Rep. Chenoweth speak. She will be the keynote speaker at the Minnesota Republican State Convention. Rep. Chenoweth will step to the podium at 12:30 PM on Saturday, September 20 at the Bemidji State University Field House. The University is located at 1500 Birchmont Drive N.E., Bemidji, MN 56601-2699.