It’s official – all four Bass Champs Texas Regions have now begun. The North Region kicked off February 4th on Cedar Creek with 160 teams vying for a portion of the 105% tournament payback. Every ounce counted as weights were stacked tight! Lee Yowell and Brian Schott came out on top to win over $25,000.

Last week, a federal district court in Washington, D.C. issued a ruling upholding an Obama administration policy that requires federally licensed firearms retailers in states bordering Mexico to report multiple sales of semi-automatic rifles.  The case was brought by two NRA-backed firearms retailers and by the National Shooting Sports Foundation acting on behalf of its affected members. 

Here are some of the top stories we brought you in the NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert in 2011.  With what will be a critically important 2012, we must increase our efforts to ensure we're prepared to meet the great opportunities and challenges we will face next year.  We will continue to provide you with information in future Alerts to ensure our mutual success.

Recently, the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) adopted what can only be described as model state agency policy for employees and visitors who wish to carry firearms. The new policy which was drafted and proposed by Commissioner Barry Smitherman was approved by the RRC on November 8 and took effect immediately.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an important self-defense measure that would enable millions of Right-to-Carry permit holders across the country to carry concealed firearms while traveling outside their home states.

This week, an NRA-supported amendment offered by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) to prohibit funds from being used by the Department of Justice to conduct "gun-walking" programs similar to the now-infamous "Fast and Furious" operation was passed in the Senate with unanimous, bipartisan support (99-0). 

During Senate consideration of the FY 2012 Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill, Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) plans to offer an amendment that would prohibit use of funds for a new and unauthorized multiple sales reporting plan proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Big wins, come-from-behind finishes, humungous payouts at the 2011 Skeeter Bass Champs North Region Championship on Cedar Creek September 17-18. Bill Wilcox and Hugo Velasco took the win and was awarded the Grand Prize Skeeter ZX20 powered by Yamaha SHO 225 and even more sponsor bonuses!

Glitz, glitter, prestige – it was all there for the 2011 Skeeter Bass Champs Central Championship September 10-11, 2011. Teamed anglers from all four Texas regions who qualified to fish converged on Lake Belton to grab a piece of the pie that included a brand new Skeeter ZX20 powere by a Yamaha 225 SHO.