• SAF Sues Eric Holder, FBI over misdemeanor Gun Rights denial. The lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the District of Columbia. SAF and co-plaintiff Jefferson Wayne Schrader of Cleveland, GA are represented by attorney Alan Gura, who successfully argued both the Heller and McDonald cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Members of Congress to Clinton: Revisit decision on M1 Rifles and Carbines U.S. senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle are urging Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to revisit the State Department's March 2010 decision disallowing the importation of M1 rifles and M1 carbines from South Korea.
• MAIG Mimimcs Brady Campaign's misuse of tracing data This week, Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) released a report, similar to earlier efforts by the Brady Campaign, claiming that guns originally sold in states that don't have the gun control laws that MAIG likes are more likely to end up "recovered in out-of-state crimes."
• GOAL Shoot-B-Q a Tremendous Success! Approximately 100 GOAL members gathered for a great day of "Firearms, Food, and Fun" and we couldn't have asked for better weather, a nicer venue, or better food.
• Police Charge 5 Legal Open Carry Citizens in WI - Victims need your support! This, unfortunately, did not prevent the Madison police department from overreacting by sending eight officers to Culvers to harass the law abiding citizens. Realizing their mistake, Madison dismissed the two original charges filed, and instead charged all five citizens with bogus charges of disorderly conduct designed to intimidate the citizens.
• "Nice try but No Cigar" for Brady Campaign's Paul Helmke There are more Americans owning more guns than ever before and, as we both agree, violent crime is way, way, down.
• NRA Political Victory Fund supports Jeff Perry for Congress "Jeff Perry's strong commitment to preserving our hunting and shooting heritage has earned him the NRA-PVF's endorsement," said Chris W. Cox, chairman of NRA-PVF. "Jeff was a proven leader on gun owners' and sportsmen's rights in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and I know he will continue to fight for and protect the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding gun owners at the federal level."
  
• AG Martha Coakley to face GOP Contender after all.Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Nassour said the party is ready to throw its support behind McKenna.
• Bloomberg further disgraces himself with latest anti-gun pitch. Bloomberg revisited his perennial cause célèbre -gun control-because his anti-gun group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG), has issued an Issue Brief urging Congress to  "close the gun show loophole"-gun control supporters' Orwellian "doublespeak" for "prohibit private sales of firearms at gun shows and everywhere else."
• Follow this case! NRA challenges the constitutionality of handgun ban for law-abiding 18-20 year olds.The suit asserts: "At eighteen years of age, law-abiding citizens in this country are considered adults for almost all purposes and certainly for the purposes of the exercise of fundamental constitutional rights.
  
• NRA backed measure signed into law by President Obama. Last week, the NRA-backed "Firearms Excise Tax Improvement Act of 2010" (H.R. 5552) was signed into law.
  
• Federal Legislation Round-up. Both houses of Congress have adjourned for their "Summer District Work Period," and there are two issues pending in Congress that require your immediate action to lobby your Senators and Congressman while back in their homestate for the next month.

• Read more Local stories on goalnews.org-local here
• Read more National stories on goalnews.org-national here
  

GOAL Files Court Brief in Defense of McDonald Decision

In early October Gun Owners' Action League filed a friend of the court brief (Amicus Curiae) at the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (Mass SJC). The brief was filed in the case of Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Aaron Powell (SJC-10783). The case involved the arrest and conviction of an 18 year old Massachusetts resident in possession of a handgun without a license. The person in question had no known previous criminal record.

GOAL's interest in the case came when the Mass SJC specifically called for the case without it going through the normal appeals process first. This fact alone sent up red flags that the court might be taking an activist role in any gun case post Heller and McDonald. Knowing this, the GOAL Board felt it necessary to file an Amicus Brief to make sure that the U.S. Supreme Court rulings on the protections of the Second Amendment were not undone by the Mass SJC. GOAL hired Attorney Ed George to file the brief on our behalf citing two very specific concerns with the case.

Help GOAL be more efficient and save money!

New!  In an effort to cut costs and help the environment, GOAL is now offering "paperless memberships".  GOAL has made great strides over the last year to streamline our communications.  Using our new, vastly improved websites, our weekly "Friday News" email, plus our email alerts we are able to deliver information to you faster and more efficiently than ever.  With this in mind, we are now offering "paperless memberships" to any member that chooses to "opt in".

If you choose to go "paperless" you will receive a membership renewal notice in the months preceding your renewal, your membership card, and the bare minimum of paper mailing as required by GOAL's bylaws.

You will receive no other paper in the mail, including the monthly Outdoor Message.

If you would like to opt into this program please send an email to membership@goal.org with "Opt In" as the title.  No other correspondence is necessary.

AUTUMN OUTDOOR SAFETY TIPS

Fall is a wonderful time to be outdoors, with its dazzling colors, crisp air, and wildlife activity galore. Whether your passion is hiking, hunting, fishing, birding, or just taking in the scenery, a few commonsense safety reminders will add to your enjoyment during your days in the field.

· Know your limits. Don't take off on a long hike, hunt, or bike ride if you're not physically ready.

· Always tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return.

· Watch the weather. New England weather is notorious changeable. Be ready with extra clothing.

· Expect the unexpected. Carrying a fanny pack with a few first aid items, matches, water, pocket knife, cell phone, map, compass, whistle, extra food, and flashlight can help prevent small problems from becoming big ones.

· Wear blaze orange for visibility. Whether you're a hunter, hiker, birder, or dog walker in rural areas, it's a good idea to wear a cap or vest of highly visible blaze orange clothing while you're enjoying the great outdoors.

· Respect the water. Canoeists and kayakers are required to wear life jackets from September 15 to May 15, but all water enthusiasts, especially anglers who wade in larger rivers, would be wise to wear flotation devices now that water and air temperatures are cooling.

· Respect other outdoor users. Mountain biking, horseback riding, wildlife watching, hunting, and hiking need not be and are not mutually exclusive activities. Know the hunting seasons and who is likely to be sharing the woods and waters with you. Keep dogs under direct control and respect other outdoor users' rights to enjoy our open spaces.

· Finally, licensed hunters are reminded to take the basics of hunter safety to heart. Treat every firearm as it were loaded, keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times. Positively identify your target and what lies beyond it.

2010 GOAL Hunter Awards Program
GOAL is pleased to present the 2010 Hunter Awards Program! WIth four age divisions and four game divisions the awards are bigger and better than ever. We look forward to seeing your entries! 

For more information on MA hunting check goalhunters.org lots of great new content added including a new video section!