Dems push bill in congress to stifle free speech, grassroots lobbying

January 12, 2007

Democrats may have found a new way to ram the Clinton semi-auto ban back into law, along with other dangerous new gun restrictions: Silence their opposition.

The Democratic Congress is about to enact new ethics and lobbying rules. As WGO expected, they are using this opportunity to silence organizations like Wisconsin Gun Owners, Inc. (WGO).

A section in the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act (S.1) being voted on next week in the U.S. Senate, would target groups like WGO, who represent gun owners in Wisconsin. WGO's style of grassroots lobbying has long been treated differently than the kind of high dollar inside lobbying that made the changes needed in the first place.

The dangerous provisions in the bill would subject groups like WGO to onerous government regulation.

When WGO expends a certain amount of money encouraging citizens to contact their elected officials on a particular issue, this provision would require extensive government reporting, including notifying Congress 45 days before such action would take place.

Given the pace at which attacks on gun rights take place, this is clearly an attempt to chill WGO's ability to contact gun owners about dangerous legislation that is in the works.

Sen. Robert Bennett (R-UT), along with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), has offered an amendment to strike the grassroots lobbying provisions included in S.1.

Gun owners are again urged to contact Wisconsin Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold as soon as possible - telling them to support the Bennett/ McConnell amendment.

The Senate will vote on the Bennett amendment to protect your voice through grassroots groups soon.

Sen. Russ Feingold (202) 224-5323
Sen. Herb Kohl (202) 224-5653

Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

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