[StBernard] Voting \"YES on 2\" Means Getting the Gold Standard

[Westley Annis]

Proposed improvements to Article 1, Section 11 of the Louisiana Constitution, known as the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment, would amend the Louisiana Constitution to state: "The right of each citizen to keep and bear arms is fundamental and shall not be infringed.  Any restriction on this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny."   If Amendment 2 is accepted by the voters on November 6, Louisiana will have the strongest guarantee of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in the nation.

The proposed amendment is needed now to restore our gun rights because Louisiana's current state guarantee is defective.  The present Louisiana Constitution says that the right to bear arms shall not be "abridged," except that "this provision shall not prevent the passage of laws to prohibit" carrying a concealed weapon.  This wording is so faulty that it leaves open the possibility of regulation by the state of carrying concealed even in one’s own home.  Further, the Louisiana Supreme Court has said that the right may be restricted if a majority in the legislature thinks it "reasonable" to do so.  When it comes to rights, the standard for restrictions must be higher.

Ironically, the effort is now being opposed by a misinformed few who mistakenly believe the proposed amendment allows for more, not less, gun control.  Please ignore e-mails you may receive urging you to oppose this amendment.  The LSA has worked to educate these few, but our efforts have fallen on deaf ears.

Please see the attached flyer for more information.  GET INVOLVED!

1. Visit the NRA's"YES on 2" website at www.nraila.org/YESon2 for more information.
2. Become a "Fan" or “Like" "Vote YES on 2" (www.facebook.com/voteyeson2) on Facebook and encourage all your friends to do the same.
3. "Like" the LSA's Facebook page for updates.
4. Show your support by displaying a bumper sticker or yard sign.  Please contact us at: ila-contact at nrahq.org or 1-800-392-VOTE (8683) to get your bumper stickers and yard signs TODAY!!
5. Write a letter to the editor for your local daily or weekly newspaper.
6. Contact us for bumper stickers, yard signs, or brochures for your local community, gun shop, shooting range, hunting club, hunting store, or gun show.
7. Please encourage your friends, family, fellow gun owners, and hunters to join you in voting "YES on 2" on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.
8. Contact NRA-ILA Grassroots to find out more ways to become involved! You can also call us at 1-800-392-VOTE (8683) 

Sincerely,

Jay D. Hunt, PhD
Director, Louisiana Shooting Association, Inc.