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  1. #1
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    Default Activists! How About Some Guidance for Letter Writing?

    Rather than just ordering magazines and watching online retailers update their websites with "OUT OF STOCK" notices, I decided it's time to start writing.


    I'm not typically "politically active", so I came here seeking some "direction", but I see NONE in the recent thread titles. (apologies if I've missed anything)


    Things that would help those who are less inclined to "write letters" otherwise:


    - Some links to "who" to send letters to.

    - Templates, or sample letters that can be altered to suit the needs of the sender.

    - ANY guidance at all.



    It's been nauseating to listen to every person on television who has no involvement in shooting sports spew their "nobody NEEDS" BS, over and over again.

    Unless WE make our voices heard, the only voices the elected officials will hear are those crying for a "solution". They aren't looking for a solution - they are looking for a scapegoat, and they found one in your gun safe!




    I'll start working on a letter(s), but any assistance will be appreciated.

    I can't be the only one who would appreciate a nudge in order to stand up for our rights. Let's do something about it.

    Thanks for listening!

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Activists! How About Some Guidance for Letter Writing?

    Working on it EM, busy as hell Selling those guns down at the store though.
    Μολὼν λαβέ

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Activists! How About Some Guidance for Letter Writing?

    Great post EM. I'm framing my own but I usually keep it short and to the point and use only facts. I also keep emotion out of them. I'll post mine and hope to see others.
    We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.-Benjamin Franklin

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Activists! How About Some Guidance for Letter Writing?

    A hand written or typed letter sent through regular mail is going to have the most impact. I'm not a fan of form letters, I don't think they have the same impact as a well written letter by the individual. Make it short and to the point. They are not going to take the time to read pages and pages.

    For the proposed ban I think we, as Pennsylvanians, need to target Bob Casey. http://www.casey.senate.gov/contact/

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Activists! How About Some Guidance for Letter Writing?

    Quote Originally Posted by Emptymag View Post
    Rather than just ordering magazines and watching online retailers update their websites with "OUT OF STOCK" notices, I decided it's time to start writing.


    I'm not typically "politically active", so I came here seeking some "direction", but I see NONE in the recent thread titles. (apologies if I've missed anything)


    Things that would help those who are less inclined to "write letters" otherwise:


    - Some links to "who" to send letters to.

    - Templates, or sample letters that can be altered to suit the needs of the sender.

    - ANY guidance at all.



    It's been nauseating to listen to every person on television who has no involvement in shooting sports spew their "nobody NEEDS" BS, over and over again.

    Unless WE make our voices heard, the only voices the elected officials will hear are those crying for a "solution". They aren't looking for a solution - they are looking for a scapegoat, and they found one in your gun safe!




    I'll start working on a letter(s), but any assistance will be appreciated.

    I can't be the only one who would appreciate a nudge in order to stand up for our rights. Let's do something about it.

    Thanks for listening!
    Who do you want to contact and what do you want to say in your message

    The media?

    Elected officials?
    Federal or state or local

    Snail mail is ALWAYS better than emails, FTF at a meeting in their office or public meeting is better than anything else to influence them. Sure it take time and extra effort, it also shows how much you value your rights

    All of these online newspapers have comments section, you can sign up . Post your comments to fight the Pubic Relation war in the media for anyone that reads them maybe change hearts and minds with facts and figures to what the real problems are.

    You would be surprised how effective this can be, of influencing people reading the articles or at least frustrating them when you can demonstrate that what they think won’t work in the real world. Anymore than a gun free sign works, as any laws only effect the people who obey them.

    If nothing else takes the righteous of their cause when you remove the wind from their sail when you can prove they are nothing more than BS feel good measures.


    Elected officials they all got websites now with their contact info

    Templates or sample letters to send to Reps.
    There is a lot of talented and creative people with excellent writing skills on PAFOA that mostly goes un used

    Maybe PAFOA moderators could create a special activist section (kinda of like political so letter stay on top and won't get lost in another section) Someone posts a letter on a subject and let people suggest fixes or corrections


    Quote Originally Posted by LBaker View Post
    A hand written or typed letter sent through regular mail is going to have the most impact. I'm not a fan of form letters, I don't think they have the same impact as a well written letter by the individual. Make it short and to the point. They are not going to take the time to read pages and pages.
    LOTS of wisdom here by LBaker
    Learn how to really SUPPORT the 2nd Amendment cause Go To http://www.foac-pac.org/

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Activists! How About Some Guidance for Letter Writing?

    Most are worried about the Feds passing a another law don’t forget most gun laws that effect you the most are at the state level and it only prevented by you paying attention & taking action.

    We already have several anti-gun bill sponsorship memos making the rounds for the 2013-2014 legislative session.


    http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/...cosponId=10179
    MEMORANDUM
    Posted: December 18, 2012 09:23 AM
    From: Senator Lawrence Farnese

    To: All Senate members
    Subject: Assault Weapons Ban
    In the near future, I plan to introduce two pieces of legislation that would address the issue of assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.

    As a legislative body, we have had the opportunity to work on important firearms legislation this past session, such as the recently-passed straw purchasing bill, House Bill 898. In an effort to continue the discussion on common-sense public safety proposals, I believe banning dangerous assault weapons for non-military and non-law enforcement agents should be addressed.

    With the federal Assault Weapons Ban having expired in the fall of 2004, Pennsylvania has been left vulnerable to violence with assault weapons for the last eight years. According to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, 20% of law enforcement agents killed in the line of duty in the U.S. are killed with assault weapons. Law enforcement organizations across the country supported the federal ban, including but not limited to the Fraternal Order of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police and Major City Chiefs Association.

    Our country has experienced so many devastating mass shootings over the past several months and years, and the U.S. has one of the highest number of gun-related murders of the world’s developed countries, totaling nearly 10,000 last year. While curbing heinous acts of violence will not be a one-sided solution, I believe we have a responsibility to ensure we explore every option so that no more innocent victims are taken.
    ________________________________________

    Document #1
    Description: The first piece of legislation would enact a strict assault weapons ban in Pennsylvania modeled after the federal ban in effect from 1994 to 2004. This would include a ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines.

    Document #2
    Description: The second piece of legislation would memorialize Congress and the President of the United States to institute an assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazine ban on the federal level.

    http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/...cosponId=10138
    MEMORANDUM
    Posted: December 17, 2012 10:27 AM
    From: Representative Ronald Waters

    To: All House members
    Subject: Assault Weapons Ban
    In the near future, I plan to re-introduce House Bill 2592 of the 2011-2012 Legislative session, which will ban the possession, use, control, sale, transfer, or manufacture of an assault weapon within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    Since the federal law prohibiting assault weapons lapsed in 2004, many states have considered legislation to ban assault weapons. According to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, seven states have enacted laws banning assault weapons to varying degrees, including California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. In addition, other states have implemented partial bans or restrictions through law or regulation.

    Currently, Pennsylvania does not prohibit the sale or transfer of assault weapons. Once a Pennsylvania resident is deemed eligible to purchase a firearm, that individual is permitted to obtain any weapon of their choice, including highly powerful and dangerous assault weapons. My legislation would amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by creating a new section, §6121.1 (Certain Assault Weapons Prohibited), to prohibit the possession, use, control, sale, transfer, or manufacture of an assault weapon in the Commonwealth. However, this legislation includes exemptions for members of the United States Armed Forces, Reserve components, the National Guard and law enforcement officers who are performing official duties or traveling to or from an authorized place of duty.

    Sadly, gun violence continues to permeate cities and towns across America. The time to act is now. Please join me in sponsoring this crucial legislation.
    For reference about what they are taking away see this thread here
    PA proposed Assault Weapons Ban – HB 2592 by Rep Waters 2012 effort
    http://forum.pafoa.org/pennsylvania-...12-effort.html

    There is lots more gun control legislation coming to PA besides just these couple of sponsorship memos
    Learn how to really SUPPORT the 2nd Amendment cause Go To http://www.foac-pac.org/

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Activists! How About Some Guidance for Letter Writing?

    Gun Violence:

    As is typical of “progressives”, Vice-President Biden and President Obama are attaching the worn out phrase “If we can save just one life” to the argument for stricter gun control measures.

    Of all the things that this gun-control debate is about – particularly in Washington, D.C., it is NOT about saving lives! The gun-control debate in Washington D.C. and in the liberal media is TOTALLY about politics and the further erosion of the rights and liberties of law-abiding citizens.

    How many lives would have been saved had abortion not been legalized and supported by the Federal Government? Millions! Is Washington, D.C. wailing about those lost lives? NO!

    Would the President surround himself with thousands of jars of dead fetuses to plea for an end to abortion? I don’t think so.

    How many lives would have been saved if the U.S. Government had not conducted Operation Fast And Furious? Those of countless numbers of innocent Mexican citizens! Is Washington, D.C. wailing about those lost lives? NO!

    How many lives could have been saved in Benghazi, had the U.S. Government not hesitated to act to protect our citizens there? At least 4, as you well know. Is Washington, D.C. wailing about those lost lives? NO!

    How many lives could have been saved by securing our border? MORE than ONE, I’m sure. I believe that Agent Terry’s family, the U.S. Border Patrol and the families of innocent victims murdered by illegal aliens would all agree.

    How many lives have been lost over a pair of sneakers, for God’s sake! Should we ban the sale of sneakers – it COULD save just one life! Is Washington, D.C. wailing about that? NO! Should Nike be subpoenaed to testify before Congress and made to “pay” for selling shoes that ultimately result in the loss of life?

    I could go on and on but it has to be obvious that the “save one life” argument is absurd – regardless of the political context.

    Those who express such passion at “saving just one life” should NOT be infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens to save their own lives!

    As a parent and grandparent I hope to God that I NEVER have to face a situation that requires the use of deadly force, but should it occur, I want to have the advantage – not the disadvantage, when it comes to defending my own life and those of my loved ones. Oh, by the way – a 30 round magazine is the STANDARD capacity magazine for the modern, semi-automatic rifle. A five or ten round magazine is of sub-standard capacity.

    Just as absurd as the “save one life” mantra is when discussing the restriction of firearm types and magazine capacities – there exists the equally absurd “denial” of the fact that firearms do indeed, SAVE lives!

    If we can “save just one life” by ensuring that law-abiding citizens can arm and defend themselves with the firearm and magazine capacity of their choice why shouldn’t the U.S. Government be supporting that?

    I’ve noticed that when law-enforcement officers respond to “active shooter” incidents, they are typically carrying a rifle with a 30 round magazine. Are they assuming they will be facing 30 “shooters” or does the magazine capacity of their firearm give them one more advantage in protecting themselves as they enter a potentially deadly situation? All law-abiding citizens have the same rights of self-defense as any police officer does.

    Why would the Obama Administration want to turn law-abiding citizens into victims to be preyed upon by criminals or the mentally disturbed? We have done nothing wrong!

    I urge all of our elected officials to defend the Constitutional rights of the law-abiding citizens of this State and the nation. We’d really rather NOT be victims! We actually want to “save just one life” – OUR OWN, if necessary!

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Activists! How About Some Guidance for Letter Writing?

    That is one hell of a first post watchman. This gives me another angel to use in my next batch of snail mail. Thanks for the talking points.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Activists! How About Some Guidance for Letter Writing?

    Quote Originally Posted by The_Watchman View Post
    Gun Violence:

    As is typical of “progressives”, Vice-President Biden and President Obama are attaching the worn out phrase “If we can save just one life” to the argument for stricter gun control measures.

    Of all the things that this gun-control debate is about – particularly in Washington, D.C., it is NOT about saving lives! The gun-control debate in Washington D.C. and in the liberal media is TOTALLY about politics and the further erosion of the rights and liberties of law-abiding citizens.

    How many lives would have been saved had abortion not been legalized and supported by the Federal Government? Millions! Is Washington, D.C. wailing about those lost lives? NO!

    Would the President surround himself with thousands of jars of dead fetuses to plea for an end to abortion? I don’t think so.

    How many lives would have been saved if the U.S. Government had not conducted Operation Fast And Furious? Those of countless numbers of innocent Mexican citizens! Is Washington, D.C. wailing about those lost lives? NO!

    How many lives could have been saved in Benghazi, had the U.S. Government not hesitated to act to protect our citizens there? At least 4, as you well know. Is Washington, D.C. wailing about those lost lives? NO!

    How many lives could have been saved by securing our border? MORE than ONE, I’m sure. I believe that Agent Terry’s family, the U.S. Border Patrol and the families of innocent victims murdered by illegal aliens would all agree.

    How many lives have been lost over a pair of sneakers, for God’s sake! Should we ban the sale of sneakers – it COULD save just one life! Is Washington, D.C. wailing about that? NO! Should Nike be subpoenaed to testify before Congress and made to “pay” for selling shoes that ultimately result in the loss of life?

    I could go on and on but it has to be obvious that the “save one life” argument is absurd – regardless of the political context.

    Those who express such passion at “saving just one life” should NOT be infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens to save their own lives!

    As a parent and grandparent I hope to God that I NEVER have to face a situation that requires the use of deadly force, but should it occur, I want to have the advantage – not the disadvantage, when it comes to defending my own life and those of my loved ones. Oh, by the way – a 30 round magazine is the STANDARD capacity magazine for the modern, semi-automatic rifle. A five or ten round magazine is of sub-standard capacity.

    Just as absurd as the “save one life” mantra is when discussing the restriction of firearm types and magazine capacities – there exists the equally absurd “denial” of the fact that firearms do indeed, SAVE lives!

    If we can “save just one life” by ensuring that law-abiding citizens can arm and defend themselves with the firearm and magazine capacity of their choice why shouldn’t the U.S. Government be supporting that?

    I’ve noticed that when law-enforcement officers respond to “active shooter” incidents, they are typically carrying a rifle with a 30 round magazine. Are they assuming they will be facing 30 “shooters” or does the magazine capacity of their firearm give them one more advantage in protecting themselves as they enter a potentially deadly situation? All law-abiding citizens have the same rights of self-defense as any police officer does.

    Why would the Obama Administration want to turn law-abiding citizens into victims to be preyed upon by criminals or the mentally disturbed? We have done nothing wrong!

    I urge all of our elected officials to defend the Constitutional rights of the law-abiding citizens of this State and the nation. We’d really rather NOT be victims! We actually want to “save just one life” – OUR OWN, if necessary!
    +1 brother. Glad to have you here.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Activists! How About Some Guidance for Letter Writing?

    here is a sample letter of mine, please give me some pointers or facts that i can throw in there


    Dear representative

    My name is xxxxxxx, I am writing to you today regarding the tragedy that happened in Newtown, with all the emotional feelings and the loss its understandable to turn to guns as the problem and not look at the real issue. In reality we must realize that what we have been doing year after year is not working and that we must turn to other means of protecting our schools. I am letting you know that I am completely against any new gun laws, may it be federal or local, I will not support any new laws that will further restrict my rights as an American citizen.

    No new laws would have prevented the tragedy that happened in Newtown. It is estimated that Adam broke over 41 laws on that horrific day. He broke a law when he stole his mothers firarms, he broke a law when he killed his mother, he broke a law when he drove with loaded firearms in his vehicle from NJ to Connecticut, he broke a law when he took the firearms to the school, he broke a law when he brought the firearms into the school. There are many other laws that Adam broke on that day and none of them prevented the acts he committed.

    Recently politicians have been calling for an assault weapons ban and a high magazine ban, I am completely against both measures, not only because it will restrict my rights but because they will serve no purpose in preventing tragedies. It is said Adam stole the weapons from his mother who lives in NJ, well as you know NJ already has an assault weapons ban which is stricter than the old federal ban, Connecticut too also has an assault weapons ban, both state also have bans against high capacity magazines. Neither of these bans prevented the tragedy Adam committed, so any type of federal ban will not prevent a tragedy of this kind.

    Instead of focusing on gun control we must focus on school safety. There are many things we as people can do to make schools safer and banning any type of firearm is not one of them. We can look towards the lack of security our schools currently have. Something along the lines of installing metal detectors at a schools entrance, allowing only one entrance into a school building but having many exits, having an armed police officer or security guard man this entrance into the school. All of these are examples of how to make our schools safer and hopefully eliminate any future tragedies. I understand that such measures will cost us all but can we really put a price tag on our children’s safety?

    I urge you to step up and please speak out the truth. People look up to their representatives at a time like this, and I understand that its easier to reassure people that youre doing all you can by supporting new laws but this is nothing more than a false sense of security that will do nothing in the future except make people feel safer when in fact they are not. I urge you to be truthful to the people you represent, admit we all made a mistake and that we’re going to do everything possible to prevent such future tragedies starting with eliminating any myth that gun control would have prevented this and by looking at current schools safety and how we can increase their safety to help truly prevent a horrific act like the one in Newtown.

    Hopefully if we all stick together as Americans, as parents or as a concerned individual we can eliminate all such horrific events from our future. Nothing hurts a nation more than a tragedy like this one. We must come together to prevent such acts and truly protect our children from such people who look to do them harm. Eliminating certain types of objects will not do this but protecting our kids from these people will. I pray I never have to hear of such a horrific act in my life again but I know in reality that will only come with true change and understanding that there is so much more we can do to protect our kids and that we must start doing them.
    Nra, SAF, NJ2AS, GOA member

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