NRA Targets 4 Big Threats to Gun Ownership

Fresh from its victories to secure gun rights to residents of Chicago and Washington, D.C., the National Rifle Association is stepping up its campaign to shut down congressional and administration efforts to retaliate with even more anti-gun laws. In a new membership letter sent nationwide after the Supreme Court's decision to let Chicago residents own guns, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre wasted no time warning that Congress and the administration have plans to attack gun owners. [See who in Congress gets the most from gun rights groups.]

"We are drawing a line in the sand against more gun bans. And," he added, "we will fight back against politicians who try to ban our guns and ammo." LaPierre then named names. "As an NRA member, we'll provide you with the information you need to fight back against politicians like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sens. Charles Schumer and Dianne Feinstein, Attorney General Eric Holder, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, media elites, and gun-ban organizations who have set their sights on your Second Amendment rights." [See which industries give the most to Pelosi.]

While the administration has surprised the NRA by going lightly on anti-gun laws, there is a concern in the gun-owning community that if Democrats maintain control of the House and Senate in the fall elections and Obama is reelected, there will be a flurry of laws to limit gun ownership. LaPierre is most worried that four critical legal provisions stalled in Congress would make it into law. [See who in Congress gets the most from gun control groups.]

On his NRA hit list is this Hill agenda:

1. Requiring people to apply for a federal license before possessing a handgun, rifle, or shotgun that can accept a detachable magazine like a Glock or some deer rifles.

2. Gun owners would be forced to register, be fingerprinted and photographed, and take a written test on gun safety, storage, gun laws and other subjects the attorney general deems "appropriate."

3. Gun owners would have to give the attorney general access to their mental health records.

4. Failing to notify the attorney general of a change of address could result in a $250,000 fine and a five-year prison term. That's one the elements of H.R. 45 before the House.

"Plus," warns LaPierre, "banning hundreds of commonly owned rifles, pistols and shotguns."

• See who in Congress gets the most from gun rights groups.
• See who gets the most from the oil industry.