Observations from today's hearings at the Capitol

[homerange]

I just returned from attending the gun control hearings at the MN State Capitol this morning and I wanted to share a few observations and exhortations.

1. There were a LOT of people there. I arrived 90 minutes early and there were already a couple hundred people in line outside Room 10. Given that the legislation under review was not as controversial as other hearings this week, that is saying a lot.

2. Pro-Gun/2nd Ammendment supporters significantly outnumbered gun control activists. Seeing the number of people in line wearing "Self Defense is a Human Right" buttons, I would estimate the ration to be about 30:1 (perhaps 50:1).

3. MN Gun Owner Civil Rights Alliance (GOCRA) was well organized and very helpful. They were busy passing out buttons and materials throughout the morning. In the hearings they delivered well-formulated, penetrating testimony. They deserve our support (as I write this I am signing up for a $30 membership at http://www.gocra.org).

4. Visit your representative(s) face to face, if you have the opportunity. Letters, emails, phone calls are easy to ignore. But when a constituent visits in person, it is hard for them to ignore you. I found my rep after the hearings (just looked up his office and walked up there). He was pro-gun control, but we spent 20 minutes discussing the issue and I was able to lay out clear arguments why futher gun control is unnecessary, unconstitutional, and ultimately dangerous to a free republic.

I would strongly encourage everyone to visit their representatives in person. Its the face time that they will remember most. Remember to BE POLITE and BE RESPECTFUL. The same goes for any conversation you have with people who may disagree with you. Its more important to CHANGE MINDS than to prove how right you are. In other words, don't be a jerk. Find common ground and work outward from there.

The primary objection raised by my rep (and likely held by many others) is this: Why does anyone really *need* military style weapons? The best answer to that question, shared by jshuberg on this forum, is this: "Because it is necessary for the protection of a free state". Let them argue with the constitution. Avoid rabbit trails and anecdotal evidence. Focus on principles.

Some useful reading to answer common arguments:
http://www.alt-market.com/articles/1243-feinsteins-gun-control-bill-will-trigger-the-next-american-revolution
http://dcclothesline.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/if-they-come-for-your-guns-do-you-have-a-responsibility-to-fight/

Keep on the pressure. We are the guardians of the rights of our children and future generations of Americans. Too many before us have allowed the slow slide into despotism. Now is the time to stand up. Now is the time to be heard.

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[totidemverbis]

Letters, Phone Calls, Emails and in person meetings! Its like coal to an old style locomotive! Need tons of it to make it work!

[photogpat]

Thanks for the vote of support -- I recently took on the Volunteer organizing duties at GOCRA, and this was my first experience. I think we've done well -- here's hoping we still get the good numbers tonight - despite the schnanigans put forward by our opponents. We could always use more help though. If you're interested in helping out with anything, please send me an email: volunteer@gocra.org

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On meeting with my Representative:

After the hearings started this morning, I went upstairs and saw my Rep, Rick Hansen 52A (DFL). Nice guy...I'd met him at a school board meeting last year. He's avid Natural Resource guy, sits on DNR committee.

Anyways - he confessed to me he didn't know much about any of the bills put forth. I spent about 20 minutes in good conversation with him running through the various bills, and some of the bad language and un-intended consequences of each. He asked me to keep him informed -- and provide him detailed updates as far as bill progress via email. As we were there, I asked him about the most effective emails he receives -- he opened up his email and read off the ones that grabbed his eye...the ones he said he barely glances at are the impersonal ones with no content other than "Don't Take My Guns".

Send your reps a personal email - one that lists the bills and their consequences. People are not well versed on these aside from what they've read in the impartial media.

[northerndave]

Very good. I'm glad I found this place.

I wrote my rep today, he used to be a teacher up here in Roseau. Good guy, my letter was more of a "thank you for representing us" letter. Fabian is a good guy, he introduced HF 169 (allow use of scopes on muzzle loaders) lol!

I did however express how taxes and other liberal agendas as of late have me falling out of love with my home state and that any new gun control measures would likely be the straw that breaks this camel's back. I'd likely have to become a 2A MN refugee seeking a new state to live in.

Thank you for these real updates and thank you all for your professional work on these matters.

[farmer44mag]

In all of my emails i have been explaining how these laws would turn good people into criminals for us possessing property we purchased legally and have been using legally. They need to know the serious ramifications of these bills.

[farmer44mag]

Thanks for the vote of support -- I recently took on the Volunteer organizing duties at GOCRA, and this was my first experience. I think we've done well -- here's hoping we still get the good numbers tonight - despite the schnanigans put forward by our opponents. We could always use more help though. If you're interested in helping out with anything, please send me an email: volunteer@gocra.org

******************************

On meeting with my Representative:

After the hearings started this morning, I went upstairs and saw my Rep, Rick Hansen 52A (DFL). Nice guy...I'd met him at a school board meeting last year. He's avid Natural Resource guy, sits on DNR committee.

Anyways - he confessed to me he didn't know much about any of the bills put forth. I spent about 20 minutes in good conversation with him running through the various bills, and some of the bad language and un-intended consequences of each. He asked me to keep him informed -- and provide him detailed updates as far as bill progress via email. As we were there, I asked him about the most effective emails he receives -- he opened up his email and read off the ones that grabbed his eye...the ones he said he barely glances at are the impersonal ones with no content other than "Don't Take My Guns".

Send your reps a personal email - one that lists the bills and their consequences. People are not well versed on these aside from what they've read in the impartial media.

Do you think Hansen is someone who can be swayed our way?

[photogpat]

With the correct information in front of him, I believe Hansen to be on our side on the majority of these bills.

[GunClasses.Net]

I was also there this morning. It was so gratifying to see the numbers SO much in our favor, AND it was very good to hear the quality of the testimony against the additional restrictions. It may not be enough; I hope we are all following up with letters, phone calls, and best of all -- in-person meetings with our representatives.

I'm optimistic, but it's not time to let up off the gas!

[river_boater]

With the correct information in front of him, I believe Hansen to be on our side on the majority of these bills.

Hansen voted for the MPPA, twice.

Myself and mgobel are trying to get a meeting with him next week.

[photogpat]

With the correct information in front of him, I believe Hansen to be on our side on the majority of these bills.

Hansen voted for the MPPA, twice.

Myself and mgobel are trying to get a meeting with him next week.

Bring the Bill Summary...he wanted to know specifics about who sponsored what.

[homerange]

I want to second what photogpat said.

My representative was not well-versed on the issues, which is why it fairly easy to overcome his objections. Truth is, most of the people on this forum are more educated on gun control than the average house member. Don't be intimidated, let your voice be heard.