Dear Friends,
That sounds like an unusual headline. Having lived in the Empire State for 5 years (the infamous South Bronx, to be specific) I can attest to how rare it is. New York City has the most restrictive and draconian gun laws in America and the rest of the state is not far behind. To go with the loss of freedom for the law-abiding taxpayers is nearly unlimited freedom for criminals to visit mayhem upon them. In this CBS News Story, a Long Island resident was confronted in his home by five men he believed to be members of the notorious MS-13 gang. He told his wife to call the police and went for his AK-47 style rifle. When they refused his request to leave, another 20 young men came running around the corner of his house. Seriously outnumbered, he fired some warning shots into his front yard to disperse the gangsters. Police arrived and promptly arrested the legally armed homeowner. According to his attorney, “What he’s initially charged with – a D felony reckless endangerment — requires a depraved indifference to human life, creating a risk that someone’s going to die. Shooting into a lawn doesn’t create a risk of anybody dying.”
This incident highlights exactly why we MUST be politically active in the upcoming election on November 2. We do not want to wake up one day and find out the hard way that some politicians have made the reasonable use of force to protect our families and our homes a felony. Vigilance is the price of freedom, and voting is the down payment.
Please join me in encouraging your family members, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances to become knowledgeable about the candidates and to vote on election day.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Goffe
Election Volunteer Coordinator
NC 2nd Congressional District
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Let's Keep The Lead In...
...our ammo. As crazy as it sounds, Big Brother (in the guise of the Environmental Protection Agency) is coming after our guns through the back door. This time they are trying to ban the use of lead in bullets and shot.
An environmental advocacy organization is trying to get the EPA to rule that the agency has the right to regulate the use of lead in ammunition, and then in turn ban it. Their argument would be laughable if they weren't serious. Just like the petition, the NRA's rebuttal is couched inside of legalistic twists and turns and just plain mumbo-jumbo. Fortunately, an understandable explanation of how nutty this is comes from both an NRA letter announcing their objections as well as the National Shooting Sports Foundation and also from an unusual source - Investor's Business Daily.
What can we do? Getting stuck between a bunch of lawyers, environmental extremists and the government doesn't sound like a battle that the average, ordinary citizen can win. But that is not the case. Let the EPA know that you think this is a bad idea, that it is outside of their jurisdiction, and that it will infringe on your hunting rights. We all know that lead alternatives are as much as 2 or 3 times more expensive, which is an even more important consideration in today's economy.
Its time for us to tell Washington that enough is enough. We have until October 31, 2010 to offer our comments. Our voices can be heard today, as well as on Election Day.
An environmental advocacy organization is trying to get the EPA to rule that the agency has the right to regulate the use of lead in ammunition, and then in turn ban it. Their argument would be laughable if they weren't serious. Just like the petition, the NRA's rebuttal is couched inside of legalistic twists and turns and just plain mumbo-jumbo. Fortunately, an understandable explanation of how nutty this is comes from both an NRA letter announcing their objections as well as the National Shooting Sports Foundation and also from an unusual source - Investor's Business Daily.
What can we do? Getting stuck between a bunch of lawyers, environmental extremists and the government doesn't sound like a battle that the average, ordinary citizen can win. But that is not the case. Let the EPA know that you think this is a bad idea, that it is outside of their jurisdiction, and that it will infringe on your hunting rights. We all know that lead alternatives are as much as 2 or 3 times more expensive, which is an even more important consideration in today's economy.
Its time for us to tell Washington that enough is enough. We have until October 31, 2010 to offer our comments. Our voices can be heard today, as well as on Election Day.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Which Candidates Will the NRA Support?
Dear Friends,
I've had a few questions in recent days asking which candidates will receive an NRA endorsement. Frankly, I know as much as you do. The selections have not been announced, but it is worthwhile to review the criteria the NRA Political Victory Fund will use in making the endorsements official.
First, the NRA is first and foremost a single issue organization dedicated to allowing all citizens the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in the manner intended by our founding fathers. That is it in a nutshell. They focus like a laser on this important goal.
Their selection criteria does not account for party affiliation or a candidate's position on issues that are not related to our 2nd Amendment liberties. This might cause some heartburn for some members who do not care for what a legislator thinks about other issues. What does matter is that the selectee has demonstrated an ability to deliver the goods when it comes to this individual right. Details about the selection process can be found on the NRA Political Victory Fund web site.
As NRA members, we might have to take a moment to work out the rationale in our minds. First and foremost we have to remember to stay focused. The sole criteria is that candidates are selected based not just on what they say, but what they do when it comes to gun and hunting issues. That is the way it should be.
I'd like to know what you have heard, and more importantly, what have you think. Working together, we can clear up some of the disinformation and dispel the myths and half-truths that are flying around. I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
-Tom
I've had a few questions in recent days asking which candidates will receive an NRA endorsement. Frankly, I know as much as you do. The selections have not been announced, but it is worthwhile to review the criteria the NRA Political Victory Fund will use in making the endorsements official.
First, the NRA is first and foremost a single issue organization dedicated to allowing all citizens the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in the manner intended by our founding fathers. That is it in a nutshell. They focus like a laser on this important goal.
Their selection criteria does not account for party affiliation or a candidate's position on issues that are not related to our 2nd Amendment liberties. This might cause some heartburn for some members who do not care for what a legislator thinks about other issues. What does matter is that the selectee has demonstrated an ability to deliver the goods when it comes to this individual right. Details about the selection process can be found on the NRA Political Victory Fund web site.
As NRA members, we might have to take a moment to work out the rationale in our minds. First and foremost we have to remember to stay focused. The sole criteria is that candidates are selected based not just on what they say, but what they do when it comes to gun and hunting issues. That is the way it should be.
I'd like to know what you have heard, and more importantly, what have you think. Working together, we can clear up some of the disinformation and dispel the myths and half-truths that are flying around. I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
-Tom
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Coming Up: Building Our Volunteer Network for the November Elections
Dear Friends,
The last few weeks I have been deeply involved in defeating the Commercial Breeder Bill in the NC Legislature. We were victorious, but now is not the time to rest on our laurels. I'm going back to my primary function as the Election Volunteer Coordinator for the North Carolina 2nd Congressional District - recruiting and organizing liberty loving volunteers to assist candidates for office who support the 2nd Amendment.
In case you have not signed up, you can volunteer to join the NRA's FrontLines online or you can e-mail me and I will be delighted to help you sign up or answer your questions pertaining to this important program designed to perpetuate our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Election season traditionally starts on Labor Day (Monday, September 6) and ends when the last vote is cast on Election Day (Tuesday, November 2). Between now and then, I plan to spend a considerable amount of time traveling across the district. I hope to visit with like minded citizens at ranges, shooting competitions, guns shops and any venue where supporters of the 2nd Amendment are likely to gather. I'll be asking for your help to get out and provide volunteer support and assistance to candidates who will represent our views.
On these pages I'll publish my schedule and invite your comments and questions on how together we can maximize the impact of our efforts. As always, I invite your suggestions and recommendations.
Thank you for your assistance and for continuing to support our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Regards,
-Tom
The last few weeks I have been deeply involved in defeating the Commercial Breeder Bill in the NC Legislature. We were victorious, but now is not the time to rest on our laurels. I'm going back to my primary function as the Election Volunteer Coordinator for the North Carolina 2nd Congressional District - recruiting and organizing liberty loving volunteers to assist candidates for office who support the 2nd Amendment.
In case you have not signed up, you can volunteer to join the NRA's FrontLines online or you can e-mail me and I will be delighted to help you sign up or answer your questions pertaining to this important program designed to perpetuate our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Election season traditionally starts on Labor Day (Monday, September 6) and ends when the last vote is cast on Election Day (Tuesday, November 2). Between now and then, I plan to spend a considerable amount of time traveling across the district. I hope to visit with like minded citizens at ranges, shooting competitions, guns shops and any venue where supporters of the 2nd Amendment are likely to gather. I'll be asking for your help to get out and provide volunteer support and assistance to candidates who will represent our views.
On these pages I'll publish my schedule and invite your comments and questions on how together we can maximize the impact of our efforts. As always, I invite your suggestions and recommendations.
Thank you for your assistance and for continuing to support our Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Regards,
-Tom
Commercial Breeder Bill Defeated
In case you have not heard, the Commercial Breeder Bill - SB-460 - seems to be dead for the current legislative session in Raleigh. Press releases by the NRA and American Kennel Club give some additional details about what happened and what is next on this issue.
Last week was a busy one fighting the Commercial Breeder Bill in Raleigh at the House Finance Committee. I had the chance to work with real professionals from the NRA, American Kennel Club, North Carolina Sporting Dog Association, the North Carolina Federation of Dog Clubs along with passionate volunteer advocates from all walks of life. One thing we all had in common was a desire to perpetuate the liberty we all enjoy.
What is next regarding ending some of the more egregious abuses that some commercial breeders engage in? The groups mentioned above want to work with the NC legislature to establish common sense, enforceable standards that are adequately resourced. Rather than create a bill open to interpretation and potential abuse, we want a law that specifically targets breeders not based on the number of intact females they own, but rather the number of dogs sold. The legislators who opposed SB-460 generally agreed that this is a sound approach, and that all stakeholders should have a seat at the table when a new law is crafted.
Your letters, e-mails and calls to legislators were critical to achieving victory in defeating this bill. In some talks with legislators, I heard several times that only the state budget and video gambling measures generated more public interest. That is directly attributable to you.
Your voice was heard!
Regards,
-Tom
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