(February 22, 2002) The Friday Fax focuses community attention on what's coming up next week in Annapolis. Late today we scored our first kill: HB 671, that we alerted you to in last week's fax, was voted 'unfavorable' in House Judiciary. As a practical matter this terminates SB 398, the Senate crossfiled version, so hang that over your mantle too. One in the rack, a couple dozen to go.

In spite of this, calls this week were down from before. Let's not slack off, okay? When gun owners speak, it must be loud and strong. This is a team effort, and your most important calls are coming up. Here's what's up for the week of February 25.

1. PROTECT SURVIVORS OF CRIMINAL ASSAULT AND HOME INVASION

We gave you the heads up on this one last week, and now is the time to call in support of HB 606, called "Use of Deadly Force in a Business Establishment or Residence - Defense." This bill would give specific legal protections to any citizen who must use deadly force in self defense in the home or a business. This is one we want, and is co- sponsored by a third of the House of Delegates.

Right now if you use a gun to protect yourself from home invasion, an agenda-driven prosecutor may complete the assault by dragging you over the coals in court. In effect, you have to prove your innocence. Some of these would-be politicians prefer to clean up crime victims' remains than to stand up for crime survivors! Even worse, your use of force against the thug can be rewarded by a lawsuit from him (or his estate) claiming damages as if you use too much force. How dare you not give your assailant what he wants? (Even if what he wants is your death!)

This bill would give you specific legal protections, both criminal and civil. We like this bill, as do the many pro-gun legislators who signed on to co-sponsor it. Its hearing is in JUD on March 1. So … This is the week to call your support in to each committee member. "Please stand up for home defense and vote yes on HB 606."

Each member of House Judiciary (JUD) is listed below. An asterisk (*) indicates bill co-sponsor, so when you call that office be sure to say thanks! (People who put in good legislation must hear we appreciate it. This is just as important as asking the others to give us their vote.)

Carmen Amedori * 3371
David Boschert * 3223
Emmett Burns 3350
William Cole 3319 Dana Dembrow 3045
Ann Marie Doory 3476
Tawanna Gaines 3058
Joseph Getty * 3371
John Giannetti 3058
Lisa Gladden 3283
Sharon Grosfeld 3028
Thomas Hutchins * 3247
Kevin Kelly * 3404
Pauline Menes 3114
Kenneth Montague 3259
Donald Murphy * 3378
Anthony O'Donnell * 3314
Carol Petzold 3001
David Valderrama 3012
Joseph Vallario 3488
Robert Zirkin 3342

Call any legislator's extension toll free at 301 858 xxxx or 410 841 xxxx

2. EARLY BIRD ACTIVISM

Looking ahead to the week of March 4, there is one and only one goal, which is to get the maximum number of calls and letters on their way to both the House Judiciary and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committees. What's the goal? We can't let any office manager put the phone down without it ringing from someone in our community saying "no new gun control… please give us some relief for a change." Yes, the full slate of nearly three dozen gun bills will be heard in each of these committees in the second week of March, so it is in the time leading up to this point we need maximum effort.

Maximum effort means just that. It means all hands, and it means each committee member's office is called. Do you want our rights to be back on map in Annapolis? Then call early and call often. That's right, you can call back and ask the legislator how things are going, and use that opportunity to express your point again. "Did you get my message to him? Do you have any update on how he is leaning on that?" Any call expresses interest. Do it. Make sure your fellow club members call. Have your family members call.